callisto24 (callisto24) wrote in 24andkieferlou, @ 2008-07-07 14:55:00 |
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Entry tags: | 24, fanfiction, the triangle |
Title: Triangle
Author: callisto24
Fandoms: The Triangle / 24
Genre: Crossover, drama, m/m slash
Characters: Meeno Paloma, Jack Bauer
Rating: NC-17
Theme: Past Season 6. Jack Bauer is taking a break in Miami, where he meets Meeno Paloma, who still has problems with his experiences concerning the Bermuda Triangle.
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me, no money made!
Warnings: Unbetaed, not my native language. If anyone would like to beta, please, feel free to do so.
Authors Notes: I watched The Triangle, starring Eric Stoltz, Bruce Davison, Sam Neill… and lots of other great actors, including Lou Diamond Phillips who performed brilliantly as Meeno Paloma. The Bermuda Triangle confused him with different realities and he felt like losing his mind, even showed suicidal tendencies. I wondered how it would go on with him. Plus, to see him standing at the ocean, gun in his hand, reminded me in a way on Season 6 Jack, which couldn’t be ignored.
* * *
Meeno Paloma watched his fingers turning cold by crasping around the glass of cold beer in front of him. He waited for the coldness to become painful, hoping to feel at least a little bit besides the numbness ruling his days for what seems to be an eternity right now. It hadn’t been a long time ago that his world had turned upside down, throwing him from one reality to another one. Each one more unbearable than the former one because he remembered too well what he had lost by leaving it.
The moment of pure happiness, when he awoke and found himself in possible security, finally united with his wife and both of his sons, hadn’t lasted. Too deeply he had been hurt. Too frightened he was. Frightened, that it would happen again. Knowing about the fragile system he existed within. Knowing about the risk to lose everything. He knew it too well. He remembered it too well. Each moment he could find himself being thrown into another reality, a reality where nothing existed anymore, nothing to ground him. He had lost ground during this time of fear, sorrow and confusion.
Each minute he felt tempted to reassure himself that his sons still were alive, that his family hadn’t left him. He started to panic when he couldn’t tell where they were, searching frantically, feeling his world breaking apart again and again.
It had been too much for his wife, too much for his sons who started to become afraid of him. Too much for himself, who found himself often enough staring at the ocean, waiting for a sign to keep him away from finishing what he had begun on this day, gun in his hand, desperation overruling his senses.
It was better for them to leave, better for Ruben, better for Dillon, whose pure existence still was a miracle to him. He still considered the little boy as an illusion, still wondered how he had come to life, but still fearing to loose him each day, each hour, each minute.
Meeno had tried to be there for them, had fought for keeping his family together, but he felt that he had lost a long time ago. Probably his time at war, probably serving his country had killed the emotions in him he needed so much to love another human being, even his own kids. After he had returned to Miami, left the Navy and the connected memories behind, the distance between Helen and him already had been too big to be repaired. Only, none of them had seen it.
Right now, part of him was glad to see her being involved with another man, with a good man, someone who loved his kids deeply, maybe more than he himself was able to.
But another part of him couldn’t get over it, felt hurt by the thought about their happiness, a happiness he had wished for himself, but hadn’t been able to reach.
So Meeno went to the motions for what seemed to be years to him, searching for something to wake him up, to provide him with a reason to live. His boat, his work, the small apartment he lived in, in order to support his family at least in a financial way, weren’t enough.
Love was out of reach for him, friendship impossible. Nobody in this world was able to understood what he went through. Therefore Meeno preferred to stay alone, waiting, hoping that nothing happened to make it worse, for he knew that it could be.
The door to the dark bar opened with a sound, letting a new guest inside. Someone Meeno hadn’t seen before, at least he couldn’t remember. And most visitors he already knew from sight. Advantage of this place was the fact that nobody was interested. Nobody tried to talk, to entertain, to do anything besides drinking to forget. Neither did Meeno and from the first impression he could tell that the stranger had nothing different in his mind.
He sat down in the shadows like Meeno himself, avoided to look up despite the moment when he ordered his drink. His hair was bright, blond with a few grey strands darkening the impression. He looked slightly smaller than himself, thin and tired. Nevertheless an undeniable tension emanated from him, a touch of danger, Meeno couldn’t get a grip on.
He had no idea why he spent a second thought on this man, but something made him different from the usual visitors of this hidden part of Miami.
Meeno took a gulp from his glass and watched the barkeeper who fixed a hard drink he brought to the lonely man. There was no one else in this bar, no one at this time of the day. Tourists avoided this part of the city and inhabitants usually came by later in the evening.
Meeno found himself staring at the blond who drained his glass with one long gulp. He made no sound, gave no sign of reaction but Meeno could tell that he knew about being watched.
He lifted his eyes which met Meeno’s for a second. No emotion, no feeling noticeable. Just a test, an examination, before the stranger ignored him again ordering another drink with his husky voice.
A cellphone rang. A sound not fitting into the surroundings, just as the shiny phone the blond took of this jacket. It looked like it doesn’t belong to him. Too new, to modern to fit to the ripped off jeans, the old shirt and the dusty shoes.
Meeno couldn’t avoid listening, couldn’t keep his eyes from the stranger who suddenly lost each awareness of his surroundings. From the moment he recognized the voice on the phone, Jack remained absorbed in a conversation he had hoped never to be a part of. His usual carefulness was gone within an instant, replaced by a confusion nearly mixed with fear. At least this was the impression Meeno got.
“Listen, Jack”, the voice at the other end of the line said. “I will tell you this once and never again. You will stay away from her now and forever in the future.”
“Barry, please.” Jacks shoulders dropped while he pleaded. “Let me talk to her. I just want to hear her voice, to hear it from herself.”
“Kim had told you everything you need to know”, Barry answered. “She doesn’t want to see you, she doesn’t want to talk to you, she is not ready even to hear about you. When you showed up at our home and brought up memories she is trying to forget so hard, I needed all my knowledge to keep her away from breaking down. She told you, she is not in a state to make connections to relatives she hardly had known before. She explained to you – again – how scared she is of the inevitable results of your interference.”
“Barry…”
“No, Jack. No way. You messed up enough. Leave her alone. She is my responsibility and I will never allow anyone to hurt her again. Never. Especially not you.”
“I beg you, Barry. She is…”
Jack stopped the whisper, when he heard the clicking sound of Barry turning down the phone. His throat hurt. His eyes burnt from unshed tears. What had he expected? He should have known better. Should…
Slowly Jack shook his head while shutting the cell phone down. One of Chloe’s last presents before he had left. A bitter smirk played around his lips when he thought about these last moments at CTU, at the place formerly known as CTU. He had promised to keep in touch, had promised it to everyone who seemed to want to hear it. Nevertheless he had known that he hadn’t intended in any way to do so. He was glad to left them behind. Glad to never see them again, never again in his life or the time remaining to him.
But he couldn’t leave Kim behind. He had given up Audrey, given up his faith, his belief in what was right and what was wrong, for a long time.
But Kim still stayed his daughter. She still belonged to him, was connected to him by bonds of blood. Whatever she might say or think about him, her existence was the wonder of his life, the one gift he would be proud of and would be glad about until the day of his death.
Jack took another long gulp from the glass the bartender had brought to him unordered. His surroundings, the place he stayed had become completely unimportant to him. He stopped to care, stopped to think, eager just to distract himself from the pain of his loss. To distract himself from it just for the time he needed to regain his self control, to become able to stand up and leave for another lonely place on this lonely evening.
It happened fast, too fast. Meeno’s reaction was slowed down by his drink. The men breaking violently through the wooden door took the quiet visitors of the bar by surprise.
The bartender was silenced before he could even try to speak. A bullet into his head finished his fate and he sank down to the floor without even making a sound.
Five men invaded the room. Meeno still stared at the place, the man who brought him his drinks each night, had stood a moment before, when he felt a burning pain against his chest and followed the bartender in sliding down to the ground.
He wasn’t able to notice the events happening next.
Jack hadn’t expected them. He hadn’t cared about anything but with the first sound muffled shot his instincts took over automatically. He ducked down under the table in order to vanish from the sights of the men who were clearly aiming for him. But they were faster than him, removing the table with a few pushes, encircling him quickly from different sites. Jack fought but he couldn’t help being caught. They pushed him to the ground, cuffing his hands behind his back. Obviously they weren’t supposed to kill him. Jack lay still, trying to figure out his possibilities.
Nobody said a word, when they lifted him up and pushed him forward. When they were about to cross the door frame and the men had to climb over the broken pieces, Jack saw his chance. He let himself drop down on his knees and pulled two of them who were holding him down. They lost balance and stumbled. This moment was enough for Jack. He used his head, knocking out at first the one on the left, then the man on the right side.
Before the remaining man could react, Jack had gripped the gun from the hands of the man on his right side, who still fought for breath. He turned and shot, shot again and tried to flee in vain, cause strong arms gripped him from behind and pulled him back. His hands felt like being held in flames, but at least, one of the shots had freed him from the cuffs.
In the meantime the intruders at the left side were able to recover and turned to help their friend. But before they could secure the hold on Jack, he sensed the grip loosening for no reason noticeable. Quickly he ducked down, careful not to allow his capturer another try.
It hadn’t been necessary, for Jack only could watch the man drop down to the floor, knocked out by another person. Before he could take a second look, the other men reached for him again, coming nearer from each site. Jack shot two of them down before his arms were caught. He struggled to get free, but a blow on his head made his vision blur and he sensed the ground coming closer to him. But though Jack had no exact view on what was happening, it looked like two bottles being shattered on head and shoulder of the men reaching out for him. Pieces of glass flew around, painful groans filled the air. Jack stumbled and managed to preserve his stand by leaning against the wall. His head hurt and he almost lost the gun in his hand. A dark shape came closer, throwing a disastrous shadow which helped darkening Jack’s sight. His fingers lifted the gun.
Nothing. He shot again, but only a clicking sound was audible. The same moment the threatening shape in front of him stopped within its motion, groaned and fell aside. Meeno’s fist had landed against the man’s temple, sent him to the ground.
Meeno acted quickly. He ignored the pain in his chest, closed the distance between himself and the blond stranger and hastily pushed him backwards. Miraculously the stranger showed no resistance. He accepted the direction even before Meeno had made it clear where he was heading. They passed the bar, ducked behind without stopping. And just like Jack would have read Meeno’s mind he opened the hidden door which lead them into a small back yard. Loud steps and curses behind told them about their pursuers.
“This way”, Meeno whispered and directed Jack to the left site, where a narrow street led to nowhere.
The lack of illumination made Jack lose his sight after a few steps but a firm grip around his arm showed him the way.
“Hurry”, croaked Meeno whose chest still was aching. But he knew that there was no other way. They had to vanish quickly. He had no idea how many of them had survived or were able to follow them, but his instincts told him that the danger was big enough for them to stay as careful as possible.
They turned left twice and stopped in front of a drain cover. Meeno let go of Jack and bent down to open the entrance to the sewerage system. Jack understood at once and helped him to remove the obstacle.
“You’re going first”, Meeno ordered and Jack obeyed at once, climbing down the metallic ladder into the black hole. Meeno followed, after he had pulled back the cover into place.
“Which way now”, Jack asked. Meeno refused to answer. He waited a moment, listened to the streets above them.
“Follow me”, he said finally and led their way. Jack tried to keep the curves and turns in his mind, but the headache became worse and the smell of the stream of water next to them added to his discomfort. He concentrated on following the stranger who obviously knew exactly where he was heading to. No use in doubt. Even if his confidence turned out to be a fault, he would have time to deal with the consequences soon enough.
Meeno counted the exits. It had been a while but he remembered the plans of canalization and could tell with each step that they were heading into the right direction.
They should be safe now. Who ever these people had been, they wouldn’t have a chance to find out where Meeno and Jack were going. Nevertheless Meeno remained careful, made a detour, before he chose an exit. To leave this underground world turned out to be easier than to enter it. To remove the loose and rusty bars was no problem.
They found themselves at a quiet place, near the ocean. The sound of the waves calmed their heartbeats down when they listened for the presence of other humans.
Silence grew between the two men. Neither knew what to say. The necessity to explain, to talk seemed to be useless.
Meeno cleared his throat at last. “Where are you staying?”, he asked, suddenly aware of the fact that he had no idea of this man’s state, life or habits. Chances were, that he was a criminal. What told him that he hadn’t joined the side of a person he wouldn’t give a damn about at normal circumstances.
“Nowhere”, Jack answered hoarsely. His throat became dry and he started to cough. He groaned and reached up to his head, localizing the source of his pain. He felt wetness in his hair. Perfect. Jack sighed. This was one of these days which made him doubt if it hadn’t been easier for him in China. At least there he had no choice. The only thing to concentrate on had been his intention to stay alive. A goal to fight for, something to fill his mind with.
Now there was nothing. Nothing to fight for, nothing to hope, nothing to expect. He had lost everything of importance. Strange remained only the fact that he still wasn’t able to give up.
Moonlight streamed down on the lonely street when the thick cloud preventing it from shining made its way across the sky.
Meeno noticed the movement, the paleness in the stranger’s face, the slight wobbling of his knees.
“You can come with me, stay at my place.” Meeno surprised himself with his offer probably more than he surprised Jack.
“Stay overnight”, he added quickly feeling himself blushing.
‘No thanks’, Jack wanted to answer. But sudden dizziness made him sway and he barely was able to shake his head. A movement which enlarged his discomfort. He felt the beginning of nausea arise from his guts.
Jack pressed his eyes shut and calmed down his breathing. It didn’t help. He felt the dizziness increase. He opened his eyes again and for the first time looked properly at the man opposite of him.
Meeno stared back at him, his dark eyes showing nothing but worry. Black hair fell in dark strands into the handsome face. The lips formed a thin line, while he pressed them together in concentration.
All senses alert, ready to help if help was needed. And Meeno wasn’t wrong. Jack felt his knees go weak. But before he staggered, Meeno was at his side, steadying him.
“It’s okay”, he said. “We’re almost there. You should take a rest and lay down a while.”
Jack leant into the supporting body, trying to deny his weakness, trying to decline the offer, trying to show strength in walking away on his own before he would do something he would regret sooner or later.
It shouldn’t be. Jack couldn’t utter a word. Exhaustion overruled him and he gave in to the leadership of the black-haired stranger who helped him walk along a few abandoned streets until they finally reached another apartment block fitting into a row of similar buildings separating one street from another. They entered and Meeno led Jack upstairs until they reached to door to his apartment.
Thin walls allowed sounds and voices created by invisible neighbors to penetrate the silence in Meeno’s small rooms. He switched on the light, revealed a narrow corridor leading into a living room. A tiny, little kitchen corner, a bathroom and a place just big enough to contain a bed and a night table completed the impression.
Meeno made Jack sit down on the couch where the blond bent forward with a sigh, taking his head between his knees. The dark-haired shed off his jacket with a groan. The move hurt and he planned to unbutton the shirt beneath. By concentrating on the buttons his fingers slipped over the pocket, just over the place he felt the most pain in. The touch proved what Meeno had guessed before. The bullet had ripped up the fabric of his shirt. Nino carefully pulled the small but thick book out of his pocket. He had guessed right. The bullet had managed to destroy the hard cover of the book and penetrated its sites. But it hadn’t done more harm to his body than a firm blow would do. Enough to knock him down, but not enough to wound him seriously. Nevertheless Nino went on unbuttoning his shirt and examined the angry, red spot which showed where the book had been pressed into his skin. No bones broken, no damage done. Meeno felt a gaze settling on his bare chest and looked up in confusion only to meet Jack’s eyes.
“Which book?”, Jack croaked and tried a smile, but failed when exhaustion overruled him again.
“Let’s take a look at this”, Meeno said and quickly stepped near him in order to examine Jack’s head next.
“It’s a bible”, he answered finally while removing bloody strands in order to check out the injury. It looked deeper than expected, but not dangerous. The blood flow had stopped. But still Meeno was worried about Jack’s state. The man seemed pretty much worn out.
“Maybe you should consider visiting a hospital”, Meeno suggested.
“No.” Jack whispered. “No way.”
“The best to do would be to clean the wound.” Meeno went for water and when he returned Jack had leant back and closed his eyes. Meeno gripped his shoulder, squeezed it slightly in order to wake him up.
“You shouldn’t sleep yet”, he told him, while he started to take care of the injury.
“At least, not now”, he added receiving nothing but an unwilling groan from his patient.
“So – who were these guys?”, he asked. “Just criminals wouldn’t describe it, I guess.”
“I have no idea”, Jack sighed.
“It looked like they were heading directly for you, but not for your death.”
For a while only the breathing and the sounds of Meenos work could be heard.
“I’m not lying”, Jack said finally. “Truth is, I stopped counting the number of people who want to see me dead, who are seeking for revenge or worse.”
Meeno cleared his throat. “You don’t look like a man who deserves this kind of hate.”
This time Jack managed a smile though he winced when his head throbbed painfully again by the attempt of a movement.
“You better don’t ask”, he said.
Meeno shrugged. “Okay by me.” He removed the bowl and wash cloths and turned to the bathroom to wash his hands.
“I’ve done everything possible”, he said. “If you really don’t wish to look for medical help, it’s your decision. I’ll accept it.”
“I won’t”, Jack answered. “I’ve been through worse.”
Meeno looked at him and believed his words at once. It was written in Jack’s face. His eyes told that Jack was accustomed to physical pain. He probably knew about his own state much better than Meeno did.
“Well”, Meeno said. “I’ll take a shower then. What about you?”
“Yeah”, Jack answered. “Shower would be fine.”
“Alright then. You’ll go first. In the meantime I’ll fix the couch for you to sleep.” Meeno dropped his gaze to the ground, before he asked shyly. “Do you think you’ll be able to manage alone?”
“Yes.” Jack stood up carefully. Meeno watched him stagger forward, raised an eyebrow. “Leave the door open”, he suggested. “And call me, if you need help. I’m serious.”
“Ok”, Jack sighed. He entered the small bathroom and soon felt better.
It was good to allow the water to caress his body. He had doubted before, but the feeling was really nice. It drove away the numbness and fatigue.
A smile greeted him, when he stepped out of the bathroom to leave the place to the other man. Jack’s eyes captured the mark on Meeno’s skin, the place where the bullet had left its sign.
Meeno paid no attention. He nodded to Jack, glad to notice that the man obviously felt better.
While arranging cushions and blankets, Meeno had listened, kept an ear open for problems, but Jack had succeeded in managing the shower alone, without any help.
Now Meeno himself hurried to finish his shower. He dressed quickly and left the steaming room in order to take a first look for Jack.
The other man had found the clothes Meeno had laid on the couch for him. To Meeno’s surprise, Jack stood in the middle of the room, with his back to him, and studied the small amount of photos Meeno had decorated his wall with. When he heard Meeno arrive, Jack turned and stroke a wet strand out of his face.
“Nice boys”, he said and Meeno noticed for the first time the deep, velvety softness in this voice.
“Yeah”, he answered, not knowing what else to respond.
The electric light flickered and the slight movement brought a sparkle into Jack’s eyes. And for the first time Meeno noticed the handsome features, the slim, but well-proportioned shape of the muscular body. Though Meeno’s jogging-outfit hang loosely around the smaller man’s body, some little movements were enough to gave away an impression of force and strength which touched something inside Meeno, though he couldn’t put a hand on what it was.
“Your family?”, Jack asked.
Meeno nodded. “They are staying with their mother, my ex-wife”, he explained.
“I understand”, Jack murmured. “I have a daughter.”
“Yes”, Meeno said, remembering the conversation he had heard.
“Yeah.” Jack seemed to think the same because he suddenly changed the topic. He took a step nearer to Meeno and offered his right hand. “I haven’t thanked you properly”, he said. “Your help was very much appreciated. I might be dead right now without it.”
Meeno blushed slightly. “That’s okay, man. I just followed my instincts.” He smiled and took the offered hand to shake it with a smile, somehow amused with the unexpected gesture.
Jack responded to the smile and nodded. “I figured you had some training in… this.”
“Navy”, Meeno said and watched the other man. “And you are…”
“Jack Bauer”, Jack said. “I used to be a Federal Agent. But that’s been a long time ago.”
“Meeno Paloma.” Meeno paused for a moment.
“Federal Agent? So these guys maybe…”
“Maybe”, Jack said and shrugged. “But like I said. It’s been a while.”
“You don’t need to talk about it.”
Jack looked up at him in earnest. “I would, but I can’t get a grip on it.”
“Yeah, okay.” Meeno cleared his throat. “The past has a way to haunt ourselves from time to time.”
Jack bit his lower lip. Again he glanced up at the other man whose gaze seemed to be lost in times passed by years ago. The dark eyes were opened widely and stared out of the window seeing nothing but blackness outside. Dark curls, still wet from the shower, framed the handsome features, glistened magically in the fragile light of the room. Suddenly a stream of silver moonlight intruded the room, mixed with the warm shade of the single lamp. Meeno shook up his memories and remembered the situation and the guest he had brought with him.
“Well Jack. It’s nice to meet you”, he said at last. “Wanna drink something?”
Jack ran a hand through his hair, swallowed dryly. “Thank you, Meeno. That would be great. I… I don’t know how to repay right now, but as soon as…”
Meeno interrupted. “Don’t worry. I’m glad for company. It had been too long since I had a conversation.” His glance fell upon the pictures on the wall, but before it could stay there, Meeno quickly went into the corner, took two glasses out of the cupboard and filled them with clear fluid. Thankfully Jack accepted the water and took a long gulp. Meeno did like him and sat down on the couch, suddenly exhausted. This time Jack followed his example and so they sat for a while there quietly, thinking of nothing.
“It’s been a while for me, too”, Jack said at last. “At least, what is concerning a real conversation.” He shook his head, but regretted the movement at once. Meeno noticed the painful expression distorting Jack’s features.
“I’ve got some brandy here, if you feel up to it”, he mentioned at once. “Don’t know if this would be a clever decision, but…”
“But it might help for the moment”, Jack smiled.
Meeno took the answer as consent and went for the bottle he had stored in his cupboard, hidden behind other stuff in order to prevent himself from spending his nights trying to forget by drinking.
Without any further question he added alcohol to their glasses, filled them up to the rim.
They emptied their drinks quickly, nearly too quickly. The second ones followed and with the passing time their tongues loosened and their mood improved. They weren’t talking much. But by calming down a weird closeness grew between them, though none of them could explain, define or capture in words. Suddenly Jack found himself talking about Teri and his marriage. At first he started in responding to Meeno’s vague story about his loss of his family. Sure, Jack had heard tales from the triangle and its effects. But he had always been too much of a rationalist to pay attention. Though he felt doubts about some of the experiences Meeno left hints on, he was sure about the grief and loss which matched his own perfectly. Words came without himself intending to speak them loud. He talked about Kim, even mentioned Audrey who he had considered his last chance on love after everything else had broken down.
Jack didn’t talk about Tony or Chase. No use in confusing an obviously straight man with his own past attempts on happiness no matter how unusual or out of situation they had been.
He had no idea if it was the alcohol which set slowly but inevitably some strange visions into his head. Visions he couldn’t deny when he regarded Meenos long, slender fingers clutching around his glass and at the same time imagined them gliding along his body.
Jack pressed his eyes shut. Stupid, forbidden thoughts.
There had been a time when he found comfort and peace in the arms of another man. A time he could use his sexual attraction to seduce a stranger and seek nearness and a kind of protection by a usually taller, strong appearing man, who at least thought of himself, that he had the power to overwhelm a man like him. An illusion, but a comforting one. A moment to get lost in emotions. To play the weaker part. To give up, to give in. He had needed these moments.
He had been with Chase, had been more and longer been together with Tony, but he had lost them both, and he found out that he hadn’t deserved better.
But these times were gone like everything else in his life. He wouldn’t present his destroyed, damaged body to anybody. Wouldn’t allow himself to see the horror and shock in eyes which hadn’t deserved to be confronted with the vision of a nightmare like this.
So Jack had got accustomed to the loneliness. The expressions in the faces of doctors or nurses had been enough to demonstrate to him the impossibility of this kind of longings.
But now it was different. Maybe the alcohol was the reason, maybe adrenaline and the sudden loss of its flow. Maybe the unexpected friendliness. But Jack sensed some vibes from the dark-haired stranger sitting next to him, he couldn’t deny. He didn’t wish to deny. And he felt like there would exist a chance for him to forget about the dark thoughts ruling over his lonely days and nights.
They had been silent for a while and Jack was lost in thoughts when he suddenly felt the eyes of the other man lying on him. Slowly he turned aside and answered the gaze. Meeno quickly looked away and with sudden nervousness put his glass back on the table. His hands shivered and he couldn’t bring them to a stop. But part of the other man’s nervousness Jack recognized as excitement. Excitement of a special kind.
Could it be? What a weird thought. Jack shook inwardly. They had run from death only a few hours ago. What made him think, Meeno could be interested, could just spent a second thought on him. Nothing but nobility and a decision born out of the life-threatening situation had caused the man to open his door. Jack wouldn’t repay by starting what, sure as hell, led them both into more sorrow, more confusion.
But Meeno felt it too. He sensed an odd attraction, a feeling, he nearly had forgotten through the past years. Thoughts, memories, hidden for decades in the back of his mind, came back to the surface.
Meeno had experimented in his youth like so many others, but he had made up his mind when growing up, when meeting Helen.
He had succeeded in banning his attraction to other man from his life, replacing it with what he considered as normality. Though it hadn’t been that. Hadn’t been normal. Sometimes he believed that it might have been easier if he had come clear with Helen from the first day, when he had told her about his inner trouble long before they married.
Nevertheless with her he had felt settled, grounded. He had found a place where he belonged, chosen a life, a way of life, his life. It worked somehow, until…
Meeno shook his head, rubbed the sweat from his face. Just when he thought it couldn’t become worse, a new conflict appeared and added to the mix. A conflict, presented in a human shape, which sat next to him, stared at him with wide, blue eyes. And Meeno felt his heartbeat quickening, his pulse hammering awkwardly, his blood rushing fast and hot through his veins.
Must be the alcohol. The long time he had spent alone nearly without communication of any kind. Just working, waiting, waiting for this time of his life to end.
Certainly this must have had an effect on him, though he hadn’t known about when days passed one after the other, in an endless, boring row.
“You’re okay?”, Jack asked him suddenly and Meeno’s head shot up. His eyes met Jack’s. He hadn’t noticed before how big they ware. Huge when they stared at him questioning. Beautiful wearing the color of the ocean in its depths. The worry he had shown himself before had changed its owner and now it was Jack who looked like fearing a breakdown taking place in front of him.
“Yes. I’m okay”, Meeno answered and his own voice sounded harsh and rough in his ears. A kind of last attempt to push back whatever might happen, whatever already had happened.
Jack sensed the awkwardness and his gaze intensified. He knew that Meeno had been knocked out before, had seen the effects, the bullet had on him. And he had no idea about Meeno’s state of health. In fact, he had no idea about anything. With the exception of one thing, of one point which unfolded in perfect clearness in front of him. He saw it in Meeno’s eyes. When his own eyes met the dark, nearly black ones of the other man, he felt a bond starting to build between them. Two men, so different, abandoned in an impossible situation. Jack should no better. He knew that he should. His only option was to stand up now and to leave. To leave Meeno alone and spare him from his presence, his influence, the fate happening to everyone who connected to him in one way or the other.
But still he couldn’t. He met these eyes and couldn’t turn away his own from them. He felt like drowning in their shimmering blackness. They glistened in the poor light of the room, wet and seducing, like dark jewels. The silver light of the moon returned and threw a mild shine around the black hair framing Meeno’s face. Beautiful, Jack couldn’t resist to think. The most beautiful thing, the most beautiful person he had seen for a long time. For a far too long time.
Meeno wore his hair longer than Jack his own, though he hadn’t taken the time to cut it for a while. It looked like dark velvet, so soft, Jack longed to touch one of the strands falling into Meeno’s face.
He shut his eyes shortly and felt himself blushing. Great. Back from China, lost everything that had remained of his life, and now he behaved like a teenager. Falling for the first person who met him with friendliness. Who didn’t torture, didn’t try to kill him, fire him, use him or hurt him with words and deeds or memories. Neither he expected anything. In reverse, Meeno had cared.
No wonder, Jack went back mentally into childish behavior. He shook his head, groaned, cause he had forgotten his injury.
The sound startled Meeno who leant closer, studied Jack’s face. Just looking for him, he told himself. But when he came closer, the scent of another man filled his nostrils. How long had it been? He had forgotten how good a man smelled coming out of a shower, dressed into fresh clothes. His natural scent unchanged and pure without any chemical help to hide or to point out something.
Meeno closed his eyes and breathed in, suddenly unaware of the impression he would give to Jack.
When he opened his eyes again, he found Jack’s blue stare captured by the trembling of his own eyelashes. He couldn’t help. The shivering extended over his body, made him tremble.
“You’re really okay?”, Jack asked again, his eyebrows raised in worry and confusion.
“Yes.” Meeno pulled back at once. “I… I’m sorry.”
“What for?”, Jack whispered, still wearing that worried expression in his face.
Meeno cleared his throat. “I… I shouldn’t have drunk… shouldn’t have…”
He silenced, closed his eyes again. “I’m sorry”, he repeated again, whispering. “It’s been too long.”
“Too long since what?”, Jack said hoarsely. “Too long since your last drink?”
Meeno nearly had to laugh, though he didn’t felt funny. “Too long for not being alone”, he said at last.
Only Jack’s breathing could be heard, until he – finally – answered.
“Same here”, he said, und as if he intended to underline his words he repeated them once again. “Same here.”
Meeno looked back at him, noticed the strong curves of the hard face becoming soft. He found himself mesmerized by the sight of these expressive lips, looking so tempting when they moved tonelessly as if Jack tried to say something else but couldn’t get the words out. Meeno saw the wrinkles in this handsome features telling a story of their own, telling about a life which hadn’t been easy. He noticed the silken hair which just started to fall down in soft waves, giving the impression of innocence, of a brightness this man obviously didn’t wear in his soul. And Meeno saw the eyes, special with their inexplicable change of colors with the light coming from different angles. At first he had considered them to be clear blue, but with the ongoing night a green light seemed to glimmer deep inside them, making them warmer, friendly, inviting.
“I…” Meeno couldn’t finish his sentence. The words dried out in his throat. And suddenly he had forgotten what to say. All he sensed was Jack coming nearer. Not nearer than he himself had come before, but near enough for him to smell his scent again. Jack just bent over, trying to say something for himself, trying to drive away the awkward tension between them which grew with each breath.
But just like Meeno he couldn’t bring himself to talk, couldn’t make a sound. He stopped within the movement, drowning in the other man’s eyes like Meeno was drowning in his.
And then their lips touched. No one could tell who had made the first move. But both knew that it had to happen, that they couldn’t do anything against this happening.
The kiss was short, careful. They drew back at the same time, stared at each other with wide eyes. Meeno thought he would vanish in earth when he noticed the frowned state of the other man.
“I’m sorry”, he stuttered hoarsely. “I didn’t mean to…”
“No”, Jack shook his head again, this time without wincing. “No.” And he reached out for Meeno and took him into an awkward embrace. He stiffened and stopped within the movement like he hadn’t done this before or maybe forgotten. But Meeno got the message. He threw his arms around Jack’s waist and pulled him nearer, allowing their bodies to touch. Not firmly, not too fast, but in a reassuring, comforting way.
It was alright. He didn’t need to say it. They both knew. And then Meeno kissed Jack again, slowly, tenderly, with loving care. His tongue played around the lips, followed their curves. It licked at the opening and slowly Jack opened his mouth to it. Meeno’s tongue slipped into the soft wetness, met Jack’s own. They dueled, danced before Meeno pushed it in demandingly, filling the willing mouth with its strength. He explored the cavern like he had done it before, exactly with this mouth, these lips, this tongue. He caressed each side, made his tongue slide over the teeth, taste the hotness, the saliva, the man pressing against him. He sucked in the taste, reminding him on whiskey, beer, cigarettes and something more. Something you couldn’t get from drinking and smoking alone.
Need for breath made them part but the states were clear. Hungry eyes met. Ignoring the violent heaving of their chests, they stayed parted only for a small moment before they came together again, clutching against each other without hesitation now. Without carefulness or deliberation. Just pressing against each other. Heated bodies longing to touch, to rub against the other one, to feel, to prove that they were alive, that they were existing.
Another kiss, impatient, greedy followed. Hands clung to arms and shoulders, roamed over shirts and fabric well knowing that it wasn’t enough.
The kiss lengthened, deepened but couldn’t last long enough. They came up for air feeling the urge, a certain need which made them reach out for the other man again.
Jack sank against Meeno’s chest, his lips touching the throat and immediately starting to lick and to suck on it. Meeno answered with a groan and pulled him closer, encouraging the attention the blond paid to the soft skin Jack nuzzled against. Jack breathed in the scent, felt these arms closing around him, pulling him nearer, protecting him. Arms which weren’t meant to hurt him. Arms he could get lost in, he could rely on.
Long fingers painted circles on his back, sent shudders along his spine. How long he hadn’t allowed to be touched. How long he hadn’t felt any hands on the part of his body where one scar led straight into the next one. He trembled and suddenly a sob escaped his mouth.
He felt Meeno still, freeze in shock, but then the dark voice of the other man reached his ear.
“You’re okay?”, Meeno murmured against and pressed his lips against Jack’s head. Jack tried to nod but couldn’t help allowing another sob to escape him. Still Meeno held him and Jack hoped so much that he wouldn’t get scared and let go of him. He hated his own weakness and the way it swept over him. Damn alcohol, damn weakness, damn body which betrayed him over and over again, showing its need, its desperation in the worst moments. He should go right now, stand up and leave before the night became more embarrassing for him. Another uncomfortable memory, another humiliation he tried to forget.
But he couldn’t, couldn’t bring up the strength to move. Instead he melted into Meenos embrace. And Meeno felt him relaxing. He sensed Jack’s body going limp, sensed him sinking deeper against him. He pressed another kiss against Jack’s hair, moved down then to kiss his temple. Meeno pulled Jack slightly up into his arms until he could reach his ear. He nibbled on it, sucked the earlobe in, causing a groan from the other man.
Meeno gripped Jack’s left leg, already pressing against his own. He lifted it under the knee and placed it over his right leg, pulling Jack so close, he wasn’t far away from sitting on his lap. He moved his face down and started to place a trail of kisses along Jack’s neck. Jack’s mouth opened silently as he arched into the touch.
Meeno used his chance, lifted his head and pushed his tongue inside the open mouth, tasting Jack’s mouth again, sinking into it. Meeno’s hand tightened on Jack’s knee.
Jack groaned into Meeno’s mouth allowing himself to get lost in the sensation. His grip around Meeno’s shoulders tightened as well. His hands slipped through the dark hair, finally daring to touch it, to let his fingers ran through the still slightly wet strands. But it wasn’t enough. He wanted more. His whole body screamed for it, and he could tell, that Meeno felt the same.
Jack had to breathe. He pulled his mouth from Meeno’s, creating a sucking sound. But he didn’t stop. His lips slid down Meeno’s cheek, followed the hard line of Meeno’s jaw. His heart was hammering wildly matching the rhythm of Meeno’s pulse he sensed quickening right under his skin, right under Jack’s lips, pulsating along the sensitive throat.
Meeno threw his head back. Each muscle inside his body tensed when he writhed under the touch, when he sensed his balls tightening, his cock stirring inside his trousers. Too fast, too dangerous… wrong!
But he couldn’t prevent himself from wanting more, couldn’t stop the pleasure running down his spine, when Jack sucked on his throat, licked just the place where his blood boiled under the skin.
His hips jerked up giving a sign of the demands his body uttered while he wasn’t ready to do it himself.
Jack’s hand slipped under the fabric of Meeno’s shirt causing him to gasp when it touched pure skin. He shifted his weight and concentrated on gliding up the well-proportioned upper body, the bulges of hard muscles under soft skin. He rested his hand on the flat belly, dipped his digit into the navel and moved his fingers then up, traveling along the broad chest until he reached Meeno’s left nipple. Meeno sighed and tensed at the same time when Jack brushed over it. He moved his hand further upwards and stopped, rubbing his thumb over Meeno’s nipple until the man gasped and jerked again. Jack went back to kiss the now sweat-slick skin of Meeno’s throat, to kiss it and to receive the salty taste of its softness. He felt the pounding of Meeno’s pulse through his skin and the feeling sent shivers of anticipation through him, quickened his own heartbeat, made him feel more alive than he thought he had ever felt before.
He moved up his lips, eager to find Meeno’s mouth again, to get lost once more in the spicy taste he had enjoyed before. He pulled himself upwards in order to reach it properly, rolled his hips when he straightened to find his aim. He licked Meeno’s cheek, the soft skin below his ear, before Jack turned to the lips, pushed his tongue inside, tasted Meeno’s mouth, sank deep into it.
Meeno sighed a long breath against Jack’s mouth before he responded to the kiss, kissed Jack back, licked into Jack’s mouth forcefully, gaining security in his actions, demanding his rights. Meeno’s tongue curled against Jack’s and Jack couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, stayed immobilized in the arms of the taller man.
But then Meeno let him go, still not far. Their lips were nearly touching when Jack gasped and sank into another kiss, taking the air from him.
Jack gripped for hold, squeezed Meeno’s chest in the attempt to stay conscious. At the same time longing for this moment to last, to never end. Meeno deepened the kiss, settled a rhythm, before he became faster, rougher in his movements. He lifted Jack up until his body was settled against his own, until he made sure that Jack had to be aware of his hard-on.
Jack freed his hand from under the shirt. His fingers moved upwards, cupped Meeno’s jaw for an instant and slid down Meeno’s throat, over the shirt covering his right nipple, down to his hip which he gripped feverishly. He moved against Meeno, moved and broke his mouth free from Meeno’s to beg, to breathe, to plea without being able to form words to do so.
No response and Jack panted, rocking forwards and backwards, feeling the hardness of the other man’s cock pushing up against his own, parted by jeans causing an impossible amount of friction nearly driving him crazy.
Meeno pulled his face nearer. Meeno opened his lips and the words slipped out hoarsely, desperately.
“What do you want, Jack… what…” He paused, breathless, panting like Jack himself. Eyes wide in disbelief and hope at the same time.
“You”, Jack breathed back. “You – inside me.”
He felt pushed back, nearly violently. Pushed back into the couch while Meeno freed himself from Jack’s weight and stood up. Jack held his breath, not knowing what to make of the reaction. He watched Meeno leave him, crossing the room with few long steps, opening the door to the bathroom. There he switched on the light, rumpled through the shelves until he found what he had looked for. The lights went out and Meeno returned to Jack, a small plastic bag in his hand.
Jack bit his lip watching him. Meeno hesitated just a moment before he pressed the plastic bag into Jack’s hand. Jack opened it and took the contents into one hand.
A box of condoms and a small bottle of lubricant.
Meeno came down on him and stole another kiss from his lips, promising this time, telling of things to come.
And Meeno pulled him up and he was wax in the taller man’s hand. All strength, all determination faded away, leaving nothing but the loud pounding of his heart, the pulsating of his cock against its prison and the pure and undeniable desire to be filled, to be fucked, to see nothing, to feel nothing but lust.
Though he nearly couldn’t hold himself upright, his fingers clutched around the utensils Meeno had given to him. Highly aware of their importance he wouldn’t let go if his life depends on it.
Meeno had laid an arm around Jack und slowly, carefully, nearly with hesitation led him to the door behind which his bed stood alone and waiting.
He kissed Jack when he had opened the door. Kissed him with sudden patience, waiting. Waiting for a sign. Waiting for Jack to say no.
“Are you sure”, he whispered against Jack’s ear when he broke the kiss. And when Jack answered: “Yes”, he kissed him again, stroking his back, stroking his arms, his sides, his hips until Jack broke in a sigh.
Meeno slid his hands under Jack’s shirt, gripped it and tried to pull it upwards. But Jack caught his wrists, stopped him.
“No”, he pleaded. “Leave this.”
“Why?”, Meeno asked startled.
Jack shut his eyes and kept them shut.
“It’s… I’m…” He breathed in determined. “I’ve got scars all over my body. It’s no use for you to see them.”
Meeno kissed him on the cheek, nibbled along his ear, before he answered.
“I’ve seen scars before, Jack. They belong to you. So they won’t frighten me. Nothing you are carrying with you can frighten me.”
“These can”, Jack croaked. “No… please…”, he added weakly when Meeno pulled again at his shirt. But it was too late. With one swift movement Meeno pulled the shirt over Jack’s head and let it drop to the floor. He encircled the shivering body in front of him with his arms and pulled its weight into him. His mouth lowered and he kissed Jack’s throat, his neck until Jack sighed in pleasure and relief. His fingers moved over the back, felt the damage done there and Meeno’s heart broke with the imagination of the pain which had been connected with creating such an amount of so many scars.
He felt his love welling up inside him, reaching out for the man in his arms. This man who appeared to be so strong, but like him was so lonely and desperate.
Meeno swallowed dryly before he let go. But only for a moment, only to remove his own shirt, to open his jeans and step out of them quickly. Naked he stood in front of Jack, took his hand and wrenched box and lubrication out of it, only to let them fall onto the mattress. Then he enclosed Jack again into his arms and held him tight, reassuring him whatever the man needed to be sure of.
He kissed him again, carefully, with a tenderness he hadn’t thought to be capable of, not in his aroused state, not with a man, not with a man like Jack. He moved him down, helped him lie down on the bed, kissed him, covering Jack’s body with his weight. His cock pressed against the baggy trousers Jack still was wearing, bored into the hips beneath. Jack gasped and responded, rocking back against him, made Meeno feel the seize of his own erection.
This made the decision final and Meeno climbed up on his knees and pulled the last part of fabric parting them from feeling skin on skin down. Jack lifted his hips, helped him remove his trousers, waited until they had fallen on the floor. Then he pushed up on his elbows, directed his hungry gaze on the dark-haired who just rested, looking down on Jack, taking in the sight of the naked man, of the lean body beneath him. His cock twitched just with looking at the picture and Meeno had to grip it firmly and squeeze it to prevent himself from coming right now.
Jack’s eyes widened and he drew his breath in with a sharp sound, sat up hastily and reached for the bottle still lying next to his feet. He opened it and squeezed some on his fingers, feeling its coldness against his skin. With slow, sensual movements he leant back, started to touch his cock, rub the lubrication over its hardness, lower and lower. He shifted backwards, reached down to lube his entrance himself. Meeno watched him expecting his heart to stop beating each moment. He gulped audibly before coming into action finally. He pushed himself upright and reached for the condoms. It took him a moment to open the box, to separate one of the packets. But suddenly Jack’s hands were on his, helping him, rolling the condom on the straining shaft. He heard himself gasping for breath, near to explosion with Jack’s fingers on his cock. His hands were shaking, but he knew what to do next. And Jack obeyed to the slightest hints of his careful touches when Meeno directed him to turn, to lie on his stomach, to spread his legs in front of him. Meeno looked down on him lying there, exposed, bare ass, open to him, as open as he could be. He made a choked-off sound before he crawled over Jack’s back. Meeno kissed Jack’s neck, licked the sweat from it, before he knelt up, shifted himself between Jack’s thighs. For a moment he froze, when the light fell on Jack’s back, painted landscapes of horror on the exposed skin. But the sight wasn’t stopping Meeno. He was already lost in anticipation, lost in the sight of a man lying down in front of him, vibrating with tension, ready, willing and needy. Probably more needy than he was himself.
Meeno nudged Jack’s thighs further apart with his knees. He couldn’t resist cupping the side of Jack’s ass, holding it, massaging it slightly. His fingers seemed dark against the paleness of Jack’s ass. Meeno started to stroke it softly, sucking in the forgotten feeling of skin rubbing soft over muscle. He sensed Jack squirming beyond his touch and bent down to lick the sweat from the back of his neck, to kiss his shoulder blades shivering by the coolness of air against an overheated body.
Meeno’s finger explored the curves of hips and ass, roaming over them patiently. He couldn’t stop though Jack’s squirming beneath him became more frantic when his fingers were seeking more heat, more softness, more privacy. Jack’s shoulders heaved faster and faster, his heart pounded in his chest when he felt his cock being rubbed over the mattress, seeking friction, seeking more, seeking redemption.
Meeno’s lips followed the trails of scars on Jack’s back, sucking them in, licking around and over. Placing wet kisses along Jack’s spine until the blond arched up pressing his cock deeper into the mattress, sighing, groaning without noticing. He had forgotten his inner objections, forgotten everything that counted before. Everything he could concentrate on were these lips touching his skin, these fingers digging deeper, looking for softness, for permission. And Jack pushed his ass up against Meeno’s fingers no longer able to wait for the sensation. But it didn’t happen. And Jack cursed, a muffled sound against the pillow, when Meeno drew back his fingers, removed his length in order to push up himself. Only for a moment. Only for the time he needed to grab the bottle with shivering hands and squeezing more lube out of it. Whatever would happen, Meeno had no intention to hurt Jack. And Jack sighed and dropped back against the bed when he felt the fingers return. He spread his legs wider, shivering, exposing himself more than he had before. And then the touch returned, cold this time, cold from the lubrication Meeno applied generously around Jack’s entrance. And Jack cursed again, eager for more, unable to hold himself back. He didn’t need to wait anymore. Meeno gasped himself when he encircled the puckering hole, watching it open up under his ministrations. He took no time to hesitate. One fingertip pushed in, hard and quick, making Jack sigh with a sound coming deep from his insides. From a place he had forgotten until now. Then Meeno allowed his finger to slid in, pushing through the ring of muscles inside Jack’s body which gripped for him, sucked him deeper inside, had waited for him to enter. Jack gasped trying to hold still but failing. Small movements made the intruder slid in deeper, gripping it in a tight grip, moving around it until Meeno’s finger twisted and curled.
Jack bit into the pillow to prevent himself from screaming in pleasure. How long had it been?
And when Meeno started to ease his finger in and out, he pushed against it, demanding more, demanding everything. Meeno increased the pace, added a second finger, pushing deeper and harder until Jack gasped and jerked beneath him. Meeno stopped, his fingers buried inside and waited for a moment listening to Jacks breathing which calmed down. He started to make scissor movements then intending to loosen Jack up, to make it good, to make it as painless as possible for him. Jack squirmed and breathed heavily. Meeno curled his fingers, explored the walls of Jack’s entrance, searching for the prostate. He knew he found it when Jack pushed up against him with a desperate sigh. He turned his head around to him, looking at Meeno with glazed, hungry eyes.
“Please”, he begged. “Please.”
Meeno pushed harder in, sensed his wrist caught in a hold, sensed Jack wince and curse beneath him. Meeno leant forward kissing the shivering back again, getting lost in the tightness he was captured in. The right hand he had used until now to hold Jack’s hips in place moved downward, tried to slip under Jack’s body. Jack shifted, allowing Meeno to find his cock. Jack thrust into Meeno’s grip, working his hips back and forth, setting a rhythm between his own thrusts and the fingers impaling his ass. An inarticulate noise escaped his lips when Meeno hit his prostate again and the dark-haired sensed the cock in his hand rock-hard, leaking with pre-cum, close to eruption. And suddenly he couldn’t wait any more. Receiving a sound like a sob he removed the fingers from Jack’s ass, only to pull his cheeks apart, to hold him steady, to open him up for his own vibrating shaft. Jack’s hips moved against him, inviting his strength. And Meeno pushed in, his senses alert, his nerves screaming for more when his cock was squeezed by the tightness. Slow, faster and then Jack moved toward him, telling him how good it was, telling him that he wanted it, that it wasn’t enough, that he wanted more, so much more. Meeno slid in deep and fast, sensing his balls pressing against Jack’s ass, feeling himself buried completely in the other man. He rested inside Jack, waiting, breathing, dragging out the feeling. How had he been able to forget how good it was, how unique, how special. His hips started a slightly rocking motion, small moves, pressing Jack down deeper into the already damp sheets. Jack met the thrusts, started to push back on him, wanting more, wanting it all. And Meeno used the chance and reached with his left hand down again, catching Jack’s cock in his fist, stroking him in the rhythm of his thrusts. Faster and faster his fingers rubbed the shaft and Jack pushed up against him, wanting him deeper, wanting him faster, harder inside him. He squeezed tight around the strong cock moving inside him, pushing in and out steadily, making slick, delicious sounds. It was good, so good. Jack wished it to go on forever, to never stop being filled, being whole, being pressed down onto a sheet by a sweaty, heaving body. Meeno’s fingers played his cock, gliding up and down, driving the most unusual sounds from his throat.
Meenos cock moved inside him, hot and hard and rough. He pulled out a little too slow, pushed back into him a little too fast. But Jack liked it, loved it. He pushed up against the intruder, changed the angle, saw stars exploding when the cock inside him danced over his sweet spot. It moved inside him faster, rougher, harder than before and the hand around his own cock manipulated it with skillful touches. And Jack gasped and bit into the sheets when he came into the other man’s hand. Shudders shaking his body. Blackness capturing him for this single, earth-shattering moment of pleasure.
Jack went still but before he came back to his senses and Meeno started to move inside him again.
Slow, gentle thrusts, building up new tension, new sensations when Jack struggled to push up again. Meeno thrust in again, quickening the pace, thrusting harder and faster. Jack clenched around the shaft pushing up inside him and Meeno went still, froze above Jack, gasped, jerked and came all in once. Jack held him upright, his inner muscles milking Meeno dry, waiting until the other man came down from climaxing. Just then he sank down on the sheets, feeling Meeno collapse above him, still deep inside him, still connected, still one.
They breathed together, went still at last, rested before Meeno moved away slowly, rolled to the side and ran a hand over Jack’s back.
Jack felt warm and limp and sleepy, but same time strangely alive, awake. His heart pounded in his chest and he listened to its beats, proof of his existence, proof of his life on earth.
“Thank you”, he whispered. And Meeno leant over and placed an open kiss on Jack’s shoulder blade before he sank back into the cushions in pure exhaustion.