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agt_spookyTitle: A Time for Healing
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
agt_spooky
Pairing: Michael Stonebridge/Damien Scott
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 11,900
Spoilers: Season 3
Disclaimer: I don’t own them, more’s the pity. Just borrowing!
Summary: Michael Stonebridge and Damien Scott leave South Africa emotionally broken men. Michael has yet to grieve for his wife and Damien's CIA demons have returned to haunt him. Both men want to start a new life together, but until they heal and let go of their past, how can they create a future?
CHAPTER 3
Despite reliving pleasant memories of Kerry before falling asleep, Michael was subdued in the morning over breakfast. The brightness was gone from his eyes. The nightmare had been a definite step backwards for his partner, and Damien hoped what he was planning for that evening would put Michael’s healing process back on track.
“I’m going to go for a walk,” Michael told Damien as they finished eating. “Might be gone for awhile.”
“Take all the time you need, buddy,” Damien replied, squeezing his partner’s shoulder as Michael walked past him and out the cottage door.
Damien was thankful for the time alone and he picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number.
“Richmond? It’s Scott. Is everything done?”
“Good morning to you, too, Damien,” came Julia’s voice over the phone. “Yes, the funds were transferred last night.”
Damien nodded. “Thanks for all your help with this, Julia.”
“No problem. I think it’s sweet, what you’re doing for him,” she replied. “How’s he doing?”
“Up and down,” Damien answered honestly. “I’m hoping this’ll help.”
“Well you’ll have to wait for awhile to tell me how it goes.”
“Yeah, why’s that?”
“New orders came through. My holiday ends in two days. But don’t worry,” she said quickly before Damien could speak. “You and Michael aren’t being recalled. Dalton and Baxter are headed to Beirut. Undercover work. I’ll be setting up the crib.”
“Dalton’s out of the hospital?” Damien said, surprised.
“Checked herself out,” Julia replied.
Damien shook his head. “Crazy bitch. She’s not going to do anyone any good if she’s not ready to be back out in the field. You watch your back, okay?”
Damien could hear Julia smile. “Copy that. You boys get some rest. You earned it. We’ll see you back in London.”
Damien ended the call, pleased that his idea had come together, but concerned about Julia and Baxter heading off on a mission with a commanding officer that was most likely not fit to be leading a Girl Scout troop let alone an undercover operation.
Trying to put his worry aside, Damien headed out to the tool shed next to the cottage, carrying the two candles he’d found under the sink. He had to work quickly before Michael returned from his walk.
It wasn't long after Damien finished his project in the tool shed that Michael returned to the cottage, looking more worse for wear than when he left. Damien blinked at his appearance - his eyes were red, there was a smudge of dirt on his face and the knuckles on his right hand were scraped and bleeding. So much for a peaceful walk in the woods to clear his head.
"Shit, Mike. What the hell happened?" Damien asked as he approached his partner, reaching out for Michael's damaged hand.
Michael knocked Damien's hand away. "Nothing," he replied tersely and went to brush past Damien, but Damien snagged his upper arm, halting him.
Damien could feel the tension in his partner's body, could see the grief was back in his eyes, the pent up anger still within him that needed an outlet other than what a helpless tree versus his fist could provide. Hell, he wouldn't mind a workout to blow off some steam, too.
Michael pulled his arm away. "Back off, Scott," he warned.
Damien pulled off his shirt and tossed it to the ground. He made a "come here" motion with his hands. "Come on, let's do this. Get it out, Michael," he told him as Michael swiftly removed his own shirt, his jaw clenched. "Who am I? Hanson?" he asked. "Or am I you? Still wanting to beat yourself up over something that's not your fault?"
Damien's words hit their target and with an angry yell Michael was on him, slamming them both down onto the ground. They rolled over and over, each man trying to pin the other, both soldiers nearly evenly matched in their skills.
For the first furious minute and a half it was a true wrestling match, Michael’s anger apparent in every move he made. Then Damien felt the shift in his partner. His aggression seemed to drain away, the taught muscles in his body relaxing. And suddenly it wasn’t a wrestling match…but foreplay. Hands no longer sought to pin the other to the ground, but to map the other’s body. Fingers slid over sweat slicked skin, brushed over a flat nipple, hands cupped a taught ass, legs tangled together as they rolled on the ground. Michael wedged a leg between Damien’s and Damien ground his hips up, sliding his hardening cock along Michael’s thigh, seeking blessed friction.
Michael’s breath caught and he faltered, giving Damien the opening he was looking for. In an expert move, Damien got Michael onto his back and straddled him. He grabbed Michael's wrists and stretched out over his body to pin them above his partner's head, bringing their chests and groins in contact with one another. And he was pleased at what he felt.
Michael was hard, too. Damien immediately felt heat flood his own groin again and he pressed down against Michael's arousal with his own. Michael went limp then, looking up at Damien with eyes blown wide with desire. Both men were breathing hard and Damien could feel Michael's heart pounding against his own bare chest. Damien relaxed his hold on Michael's wrists and in the blink of an eye, Michael had their positions reversed.
Damien's couldn’t stop the small groan that escaped as Michael blanketed his body with his own, and his hands settled on Michael's waist, gripping his jeans, holding him in place, pressing their erections together. They stared at one another, the moment hanging suspended in the warm summer afternoon. Damien saw the conflict in Michael's eyes, knew it was reflected in his own. As much as they wanted this, wanted each other, they'd made a promise, and neither had fulfilled their end of it yet.
Reluctantly, Damien released his hold on Michael and let his hands fall to the ground. Michael released a breath and tipped his head down, touching his forehead to Damien's before slowly moving off of Damien's body. He stood, then reached down a hand and pulled Damien to his feet as well. Damien caught a flash of a wicked smirk on Michael's face and the next thing he knew he was being pulled into the ice cold river right behind his partner. He surfaced with a sputter and a laugh, his ardor sufficiently cooled. Michael popped up next to him and Damien splashed him like a five year-old.
“Fuck you!” Damien grinned.
“Only if you’re lucky,” Michael winked, then walked up out of the water.
Damien threw his head back and laughed. Seeing Michael able to channel his aggression and anger into arousal so quickly was progress in Damien’s book. And well worth the impromptu cold shower.
Later that evening Damien set his chair next to Michael’s in front of the fire. It was time to tell his friend what he’d done.
“Mike – “
“Damien – “
They both began at the same time, then stopped and smiled.
“You first,” Michael told him.
Damien cleared his throat. “I’m finding it really hard to help myself. To get past what I did. So I thought maybe I could help you instead.”
Michael cocked his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“I know how much Kerry loved kids, how badly she wanted the baby,” Damien said, then pulled a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to Michael. “So I made a donation, in both your names, to an adoption agency in London. Thought Kerry would want to help these kids find good homes.”
Michael swallowed hard as he read the document. His eyes were bright when he looked back over at Damien. He reached over and squeezed Damien’s shoulder.
“Thank you, mate,” Michael said, his voice thick with emotion. “Kerry would love this.”
“You’re welcome. I hope it helps you, too,” Damien said.
Michael nodded. “It does. More than you know,” he replied sincerely. He squeezed Damien’s shoulder one more time then released it. He smiled at Damien. “I think we’ve been partners too long. We’re starting to think alike.”
Damien’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”
Michael took a piece of paper out of his own back pocket. “I knew this process was going to be harder on you than me. You’ve been carrying Daniel with you a long time. I was wondering what I could do to help you make peace with his death, do something positive.” He handed Damien the paper. “So I had Richmond do a little research and found the private school Daniel was attending in New York before he went to Ecuador. And I set up a small scholarship for underprivileged kids, in Daniel’s name, sponsored by you.”
Damien’s jaw dropped. “Mike –“ he started, his throat threatening to close up. “This is…thank you,” he rambled, finding it hard to express his gratitude, so he reached over and squeezed Michael’s arm, saying it without words.
“You’re welcome, mate,” Michael smiled warmly at him.
“I’ve got one more thing, for the both of us,” Damien said, then stood and went over to the tool shed. He returned holding the two square paper lanterns he’d made, fastened down to pieces of driftwood from the river.
“The fire reminded me of something,” he began. “After I left the CIA I just drifted around. Spent a lot of time in Japan. I saw the Buddhist monks perform this ceremony to honor and remember the dead.” He removed one paper panel from each lantern. He handed one to Michael, along with a pen from his shirt pocket. “You can write a message if you want, to say goodbye, anything, really. Then we’ll light a candle in each and put them in the water.”
Michael took the panel and the pen. He looked thoughtful. “Yeah…I like that,” he said quietly, then looked down at the blank panel.
Damien sat down with his own panel. He hesitated for a long minute before he began writing.
Dear Daniel,
Words can’t describe the guilt I feel whenever I think of you. But I want you to know your death wasn’t in vain. It changed me. Made me a better person. I’m no longer that cold-blooded killer. Now I do all I can to save lives. I’ve been carrying your ghost with me for too long. It’s time I let you go, so we can both find peace. But I will never forget you.
Damien blew out a long breath and closed his eyes for a moment. Just writing that down started to lift the weight and release the pain. He glanced over at Michael as he finished writing as well. He ran a hand over his face and looked up at the sky before turning emotional eyes on Damien.
Without a word the two men slid the panels back in place and carried their lanterns to the edge of the river. They crouched down and Damien took out his lighter and lit both candles. Then Damien reached out and placed his lantern in the water.
“Daniel Parker,” he whispered as he let the lantern go.
“Kerry Stonebridge,” came Michael’s quiet voice next to him.
Both men stood and watched the lanterns float away into the night, the candles bright in the dark, taking with them their burdens of guilt. Damien didn’t try and stop the single tear that escaped, saw the same wetness on Michael’s face. He put an arm across Michael’s shoulders, felt his partner’s hand come to rest on his back. As the lanterns faded from view Damien took a deep breath. He felt lighter than he had in seven years. He had truly let Daniel go. Michael turned to look at him and Damien could see the shadows were gone from his eyes, replaced by another emotion. One that made Damien’s heart skip a beat in anticipation.
Michael moved to stand in front of him, resting his hands on Damien’s hips. He leaned in close, his voice barely a whisper.
“I still want this…”
Michael’s words hit Damien deep inside and he felt his heart pound in his chest. He surged up against his partner. It was time to keep that promise.
The kiss was warm and deep and strong. Damien groaned as their tongues slid sensuously against one another and he wrapped his arms around Michael’s back, pulling him even closer. Michael responded in kind, one arm wrapping around Damien’s shoulders, his other hand coming to rest on Damien’s ass, pressing their groins together. Damien groaned again as he felt their hardening cocks slide against each other. And suddenly he wanted more.
Not breaking the kiss, he walked Michael backwards a few steps until his partner’s back came to rest against a tree. Michael spread his legs and Damien settled between them, his hands now gripping Michael’s waist. Damien shifted his hips back and forth, pushing his jean covered cock against Michael’s over and over, driving their arousal even higher. Both of Michael’s hands were on Damien’s ass now, clutching, encouraging Damien’s movements. Michael groaned sharply and Damien pulled back, breaking the kiss, then dropped to his knees.
“Shit,” Michael breathed as Damien fumbled with the button and zipper on Michael’s jeans before finally pushing both them and his underwear down around his ankles.
Michael was long and thick and uncut, his erection now jutting out proudly. Damien reached out and gently pushed back the foreskin, exposing the head of Michael’s cock. Michael hissed and dropped his head back against the tree, his eyes sliding closed. Damien felt one of Michael’s hands cup the back of his head, the other gripping his shoulder as he leaned in and took Michael in his mouth.
Michael’s most intimate taste exploded across Damien’s tongue and twin groans filled the night air. Damien took in as much of Michael’s cock as he could, feeling the head bump against the back of his throat before he pulled back. He set up a rhythm then, using his hand to stroke and his mouth to suck, pushing his tongue against the bundle of nerves below the head and into the slit, swallowing down the burst of precome.
The noises Michael was making went straight to Damien’s cock, as he drove his partner closer and closer to climax. When Michael took a sharp breath and his hips jerked forward, Damien hummed around Michael’s cock and stilled his movements. He looked up and locked eyes with Michael, wordlessly encouraging him to continue, resting his hands on Michael’s waist.
“Fuck,” Michael panted as he slid his cock in and out of Damien’s mouth, pushing himself toward completion.
It wasn’t long before Michael’s movements faltered, his grip on the back of Damien’s head and his shoulder suddenly tightening. His eyes squeezed closed and his head dropped back against the tree again.
“Damien…” he ground out in warning. “Oh fuck…”
And then with a sharp cry he was spilling hot and wet down Damien’s throat, his cock pulsing. Damien’s own cock jerked in response, releasing a stream of precome as he swallowed down Michael’s release. He pulled off and surged up his partner’s body, claiming Michael’s mouth for a bruising kiss, the sight, sound and taste of Michael coming putting Damien right on the edge himself.
Michael got a hand between their bodies and cupped Damien’s cock, squeezing. Damien whined into the kiss and pushed his erection into Michael’s palm before pulling back.
“Christ, Mike…please…” he panted, his head spinning.
Michael nodded. “Inside…” he breathed.
The trail of clothes started at the cottage door the moment it closed behind them and they were naked by the time they crossed the room to the bed. They tumbled down onto the mattress, limbs tangled, kissing hard. Damien rolled Michael onto his back, thrusting his hips, his cock desperate for friction, for release, to be inside Michael when he came.
"Mike…" he ground out, breaking the kiss.
Michael nodded and spread his legs. "Guess you're lucky after all," he smirked, winking.
Damien barked out a laugh then leaned down and kissed him swiftly before rolling off the bed and scrambling for his duffle bag. If there was something Damien was never without it was condoms and lube. Items in hand, he was back on the bed in moments. He reached for Michael then paused as a thought crossed his mind.
"Mike? Have you…before…?" he trailed off.
Michael chuckled. "I've spent my entire adult life in the military, surrounded by men. You do the math."
Damien's eyebrows rose, honestly surprised at Michael's answer. And maybe a bit disappointed. As high school as it sounded, he wouldn't have minded being...
As if reading Damien's mind, Michael tugged him down. "You might not be the first," he told Damien, voice deep. "But you'll be the only one that's ever mattered."
Damien blinked, truly moved by Michael’s words. Not that he’d ever admit it. Like he said, high school and all that. So he gave Michael a patented Damien Scott smart-ass grin. “You’re such a girl.”
Michael rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Shut up and fuck me, you wanker.”
Damien’s blue eyes went dark. “Thought you’d never ask,” he growled, leaning down and claiming Michael’s mouth again.
The kiss was deep, their mouths slanting against one another, their arousal escalating once more in the span of only a few heartbeats. Michael lifted up his hips and Damien felt his partner’s cock getting back in the game, sliding against his own rock hard one. Damien broke the kiss then and reached for the lube as Michael spread his legs and bent them at the knee, allowing Damien to settle between them.
Damien paused again, looking down at the naked man laid out before him like a fucking buffet. And he wanted a taste. He leaned over and started at Michael’s neck, licking away the light sheen of sweat, tasting the salt of Michael’s skin. Michael closed his eyes with a sigh and tipped his head back, his hands coming to rest on Damien’s shoulders. Damien continued his exploration, running his palms over the smooth, tight skin of Michael’s chest. He brushed his thumbs over both flat nipples and Michael twitched at the sensation. Intrigued by the reaction, Damien leaned over and licked across one, hard.
“Yeah…” Michael breathed, his hands flexing on Damien’s shoulders.
Encouraged, Damien put his mouth over Michael’s nipple and sucked, licking at the little nub until it hardened into a pebble. Then he gently bit down and tugged. Michael’s entire body jerked, his fingers digging into Damien’s shoulders.
“Fuck…” Michael swore, his hips pushing upwards again.
Damien smiled at the reaction and lifted his head slightly, kissing his way down Michael’s taught abs until his chin bumped against Michael’s rapidly hardening cock. He sat up then and took Michael’s erection in his hand, pumping it once, twice, feeling it swell against his palm.
Michael shifted restlessly, his breath coming faster, eyes wide and dark. “Damien…”
Damien released Michael and picked up the lube once again, this time coating the fingers of his right hand generously. He reached down, never breaking eye contact with his partner, fingers searching out the small puckered muscle. He rubbed against it until Michael nodded then slowly slipped one finger inside. Michael closed his eyes then, head tipping back against the pillow, mouth falling open with a silent groan.
Michael was tight and Damien stretched him carefully, with one, two and finally three fingers. Damien’s arousal was at a peak by then, his cock so hard it ached, listening to the noises Michael was making, feeling him press down against his fingers, trying to get them deeper. He needed to be inside Michael. Now.
He withdrew his fingers and Michael groaned as they slipped from his body. Damien quickly reached for the condom, his hands practically shaking as he tore open the packet. Before he could remove the latex Michael was sitting up, taking it from his hands and removing it himself. Damien couldn’t stop the sharp intake of breath as Michael wrapped his hand around Damien’s erection and pumped it hard, twice. He pulled Damien’s head down for a deep kiss then ever so slowly rolled the latex down Damien’s hard cock. When he reached the base he cupped Damien’s heavy balls and rolled them in his palm, tugging slightly. Damien jerked and broke the kiss, his head spinning. Who knew putting on a condom could be so fucking sexy? Michael grinned and winked at him and with a smile Damien pushed him onto his back.
Michael bent his legs again and moments later Damien’s cock was slipping inside his partner’s body for the first time. Both men were breathing hard by the time Damien pushed in the last inch. Damien paused then, looking down at Michael, watching the myriad of emotions cross his face, knowing his own reflected the same.
Michael reached up and cupped a hand around the back of Damien’s neck and gently pulled him down, their foreheads nearly touching.
“It was you…” Michael said quietly. “It was you I was thinking of when I was with Kerry…” Then he was kissing Damien long and hard.
Damien groaned sharply at the knowledge and started moving, sliding his cock nearly all the way out of Michael before pushing back in. He lifted his head as Michael wrapped his legs around his waist, deepening the penetration. As much as he wanted to draw this first time out, Damien had been on the edge for too long and he set up a quick rhythm, Michael’s body gripping him like a vise.
He felt his heart pounding in his chest, the first twinge of his orgasm start deep inside. He wanted to let go right then and let it happen but what he wanted more was to watch Michael fall apart beneath him first. To know he could make this hardened soldier shatter.
So he shifted slightly, changing the angle of his thrusts, his cock searching for that spot deep inside Michael that would make him come undone…
Michael gasped sharply, his grip tightening on Damien’s arms. “Fuck! Right there…harder…” he pleaded, eyes blown wide and dark.
Damien obliged and moments later Michael was shaking beneath him, crying out Damien’s name as he came, his cock spasming between their bodies, painting their chests with his release. Damien let go then, his orgasm racing up his spine like lightning and he gasped with the intensity, his cock pulsing, filling the condom with thick, wet heat. Michael’s mouth was on his then, kissing him slow and deep until they were spent and boneless.
They were both smiling when the kiss gradually ended.
"Don't you look like the cat that ate the canary," Michael smirked, laughter in his eyes.
"Yeah, well, you're looking pretty satisfied yourself there, dude," Damien grinned, then reluctantly shifted off of Michael, his softening cock slipping from his partner's body, Michael making a soft sound of disappointment.
Damien disposed of the condom then snagged the first piece of clothing he found - Michael's shirt - and hastily cleaned them both off before setting back down on the bed. Michael rolled him onto his back and Damien sighed contentedly as Michael covered his body with his own. He mapped the muscles of Michael's back with his fingers as his partner dipped his head down and kissed him languidly.
It was long minutes before they moved apart, lying on their sides, facing each other.
"So," Michael began with a smile. "Tell me about this road trip. Where exactly are we going?”
“West coast, buddy,” Damien answered with a grin, picturing he and Michael on their bikes, roaring down the highway. “I’m thinking from Alaska to California.”
The smile faded from Michael’s face and he studied Damien intently for several heartbeats. “That’s quite the journey you want us to take. Requires commitment.”
And suddenly Damien knew they were no longer talking about motorcycles.
Damien nodded, his voice strong and sure. “I’m in this for the long haul, Mikey. Are you?”
Michael’s answer was just as strong. “Till the end of the line, mate. Till the end of the line.”
THE END
Author:
agt_spookyPairing: Michael Stonebridge/Damien Scott
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 11,900
Spoilers: Season 3
Disclaimer: I don’t own them, more’s the pity. Just borrowing!
Summary: Michael Stonebridge and Damien Scott leave South Africa emotionally broken men. Michael has yet to grieve for his wife and Damien's CIA demons have returned to haunt him. Both men want to start a new life together, but until they heal and let go of their past, how can they create a future?
CHAPTER 3
Despite reliving pleasant memories of Kerry before falling asleep, Michael was subdued in the morning over breakfast. The brightness was gone from his eyes. The nightmare had been a definite step backwards for his partner, and Damien hoped what he was planning for that evening would put Michael’s healing process back on track.
“I’m going to go for a walk,” Michael told Damien as they finished eating. “Might be gone for awhile.”
“Take all the time you need, buddy,” Damien replied, squeezing his partner’s shoulder as Michael walked past him and out the cottage door.
Damien was thankful for the time alone and he picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number.
“Richmond? It’s Scott. Is everything done?”
“Good morning to you, too, Damien,” came Julia’s voice over the phone. “Yes, the funds were transferred last night.”
Damien nodded. “Thanks for all your help with this, Julia.”
“No problem. I think it’s sweet, what you’re doing for him,” she replied. “How’s he doing?”
“Up and down,” Damien answered honestly. “I’m hoping this’ll help.”
“Well you’ll have to wait for awhile to tell me how it goes.”
“Yeah, why’s that?”
“New orders came through. My holiday ends in two days. But don’t worry,” she said quickly before Damien could speak. “You and Michael aren’t being recalled. Dalton and Baxter are headed to Beirut. Undercover work. I’ll be setting up the crib.”
“Dalton’s out of the hospital?” Damien said, surprised.
“Checked herself out,” Julia replied.
Damien shook his head. “Crazy bitch. She’s not going to do anyone any good if she’s not ready to be back out in the field. You watch your back, okay?”
Damien could hear Julia smile. “Copy that. You boys get some rest. You earned it. We’ll see you back in London.”
Damien ended the call, pleased that his idea had come together, but concerned about Julia and Baxter heading off on a mission with a commanding officer that was most likely not fit to be leading a Girl Scout troop let alone an undercover operation.
Trying to put his worry aside, Damien headed out to the tool shed next to the cottage, carrying the two candles he’d found under the sink. He had to work quickly before Michael returned from his walk.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It wasn't long after Damien finished his project in the tool shed that Michael returned to the cottage, looking more worse for wear than when he left. Damien blinked at his appearance - his eyes were red, there was a smudge of dirt on his face and the knuckles on his right hand were scraped and bleeding. So much for a peaceful walk in the woods to clear his head.
"Shit, Mike. What the hell happened?" Damien asked as he approached his partner, reaching out for Michael's damaged hand.
Michael knocked Damien's hand away. "Nothing," he replied tersely and went to brush past Damien, but Damien snagged his upper arm, halting him.
Damien could feel the tension in his partner's body, could see the grief was back in his eyes, the pent up anger still within him that needed an outlet other than what a helpless tree versus his fist could provide. Hell, he wouldn't mind a workout to blow off some steam, too.
Michael pulled his arm away. "Back off, Scott," he warned.
Damien pulled off his shirt and tossed it to the ground. He made a "come here" motion with his hands. "Come on, let's do this. Get it out, Michael," he told him as Michael swiftly removed his own shirt, his jaw clenched. "Who am I? Hanson?" he asked. "Or am I you? Still wanting to beat yourself up over something that's not your fault?"
Damien's words hit their target and with an angry yell Michael was on him, slamming them both down onto the ground. They rolled over and over, each man trying to pin the other, both soldiers nearly evenly matched in their skills.
For the first furious minute and a half it was a true wrestling match, Michael’s anger apparent in every move he made. Then Damien felt the shift in his partner. His aggression seemed to drain away, the taught muscles in his body relaxing. And suddenly it wasn’t a wrestling match…but foreplay. Hands no longer sought to pin the other to the ground, but to map the other’s body. Fingers slid over sweat slicked skin, brushed over a flat nipple, hands cupped a taught ass, legs tangled together as they rolled on the ground. Michael wedged a leg between Damien’s and Damien ground his hips up, sliding his hardening cock along Michael’s thigh, seeking blessed friction.
Michael’s breath caught and he faltered, giving Damien the opening he was looking for. In an expert move, Damien got Michael onto his back and straddled him. He grabbed Michael's wrists and stretched out over his body to pin them above his partner's head, bringing their chests and groins in contact with one another. And he was pleased at what he felt.
Michael was hard, too. Damien immediately felt heat flood his own groin again and he pressed down against Michael's arousal with his own. Michael went limp then, looking up at Damien with eyes blown wide with desire. Both men were breathing hard and Damien could feel Michael's heart pounding against his own bare chest. Damien relaxed his hold on Michael's wrists and in the blink of an eye, Michael had their positions reversed.
Damien's couldn’t stop the small groan that escaped as Michael blanketed his body with his own, and his hands settled on Michael's waist, gripping his jeans, holding him in place, pressing their erections together. They stared at one another, the moment hanging suspended in the warm summer afternoon. Damien saw the conflict in Michael's eyes, knew it was reflected in his own. As much as they wanted this, wanted each other, they'd made a promise, and neither had fulfilled their end of it yet.
Reluctantly, Damien released his hold on Michael and let his hands fall to the ground. Michael released a breath and tipped his head down, touching his forehead to Damien's before slowly moving off of Damien's body. He stood, then reached down a hand and pulled Damien to his feet as well. Damien caught a flash of a wicked smirk on Michael's face and the next thing he knew he was being pulled into the ice cold river right behind his partner. He surfaced with a sputter and a laugh, his ardor sufficiently cooled. Michael popped up next to him and Damien splashed him like a five year-old.
“Fuck you!” Damien grinned.
“Only if you’re lucky,” Michael winked, then walked up out of the water.
Damien threw his head back and laughed. Seeing Michael able to channel his aggression and anger into arousal so quickly was progress in Damien’s book. And well worth the impromptu cold shower.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that evening Damien set his chair next to Michael’s in front of the fire. It was time to tell his friend what he’d done.
“Mike – “
“Damien – “
They both began at the same time, then stopped and smiled.
“You first,” Michael told him.
Damien cleared his throat. “I’m finding it really hard to help myself. To get past what I did. So I thought maybe I could help you instead.”
Michael cocked his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“I know how much Kerry loved kids, how badly she wanted the baby,” Damien said, then pulled a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to Michael. “So I made a donation, in both your names, to an adoption agency in London. Thought Kerry would want to help these kids find good homes.”
Michael swallowed hard as he read the document. His eyes were bright when he looked back over at Damien. He reached over and squeezed Damien’s shoulder.
“Thank you, mate,” Michael said, his voice thick with emotion. “Kerry would love this.”
“You’re welcome. I hope it helps you, too,” Damien said.
Michael nodded. “It does. More than you know,” he replied sincerely. He squeezed Damien’s shoulder one more time then released it. He smiled at Damien. “I think we’ve been partners too long. We’re starting to think alike.”
Damien’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”
Michael took a piece of paper out of his own back pocket. “I knew this process was going to be harder on you than me. You’ve been carrying Daniel with you a long time. I was wondering what I could do to help you make peace with his death, do something positive.” He handed Damien the paper. “So I had Richmond do a little research and found the private school Daniel was attending in New York before he went to Ecuador. And I set up a small scholarship for underprivileged kids, in Daniel’s name, sponsored by you.”
Damien’s jaw dropped. “Mike –“ he started, his throat threatening to close up. “This is…thank you,” he rambled, finding it hard to express his gratitude, so he reached over and squeezed Michael’s arm, saying it without words.
“You’re welcome, mate,” Michael smiled warmly at him.
“I’ve got one more thing, for the both of us,” Damien said, then stood and went over to the tool shed. He returned holding the two square paper lanterns he’d made, fastened down to pieces of driftwood from the river.
“The fire reminded me of something,” he began. “After I left the CIA I just drifted around. Spent a lot of time in Japan. I saw the Buddhist monks perform this ceremony to honor and remember the dead.” He removed one paper panel from each lantern. He handed one to Michael, along with a pen from his shirt pocket. “You can write a message if you want, to say goodbye, anything, really. Then we’ll light a candle in each and put them in the water.”
Michael took the panel and the pen. He looked thoughtful. “Yeah…I like that,” he said quietly, then looked down at the blank panel.
Damien sat down with his own panel. He hesitated for a long minute before he began writing.
Dear Daniel,
Words can’t describe the guilt I feel whenever I think of you. But I want you to know your death wasn’t in vain. It changed me. Made me a better person. I’m no longer that cold-blooded killer. Now I do all I can to save lives. I’ve been carrying your ghost with me for too long. It’s time I let you go, so we can both find peace. But I will never forget you.
Damien blew out a long breath and closed his eyes for a moment. Just writing that down started to lift the weight and release the pain. He glanced over at Michael as he finished writing as well. He ran a hand over his face and looked up at the sky before turning emotional eyes on Damien.
Without a word the two men slid the panels back in place and carried their lanterns to the edge of the river. They crouched down and Damien took out his lighter and lit both candles. Then Damien reached out and placed his lantern in the water.
“Daniel Parker,” he whispered as he let the lantern go.
“Kerry Stonebridge,” came Michael’s quiet voice next to him.
Both men stood and watched the lanterns float away into the night, the candles bright in the dark, taking with them their burdens of guilt. Damien didn’t try and stop the single tear that escaped, saw the same wetness on Michael’s face. He put an arm across Michael’s shoulders, felt his partner’s hand come to rest on his back. As the lanterns faded from view Damien took a deep breath. He felt lighter than he had in seven years. He had truly let Daniel go. Michael turned to look at him and Damien could see the shadows were gone from his eyes, replaced by another emotion. One that made Damien’s heart skip a beat in anticipation.
Michael moved to stand in front of him, resting his hands on Damien’s hips. He leaned in close, his voice barely a whisper.
“I still want this…”
Michael’s words hit Damien deep inside and he felt his heart pound in his chest. He surged up against his partner. It was time to keep that promise.
The kiss was warm and deep and strong. Damien groaned as their tongues slid sensuously against one another and he wrapped his arms around Michael’s back, pulling him even closer. Michael responded in kind, one arm wrapping around Damien’s shoulders, his other hand coming to rest on Damien’s ass, pressing their groins together. Damien groaned again as he felt their hardening cocks slide against each other. And suddenly he wanted more.
Not breaking the kiss, he walked Michael backwards a few steps until his partner’s back came to rest against a tree. Michael spread his legs and Damien settled between them, his hands now gripping Michael’s waist. Damien shifted his hips back and forth, pushing his jean covered cock against Michael’s over and over, driving their arousal even higher. Both of Michael’s hands were on Damien’s ass now, clutching, encouraging Damien’s movements. Michael groaned sharply and Damien pulled back, breaking the kiss, then dropped to his knees.
“Shit,” Michael breathed as Damien fumbled with the button and zipper on Michael’s jeans before finally pushing both them and his underwear down around his ankles.
Michael was long and thick and uncut, his erection now jutting out proudly. Damien reached out and gently pushed back the foreskin, exposing the head of Michael’s cock. Michael hissed and dropped his head back against the tree, his eyes sliding closed. Damien felt one of Michael’s hands cup the back of his head, the other gripping his shoulder as he leaned in and took Michael in his mouth.
Michael’s most intimate taste exploded across Damien’s tongue and twin groans filled the night air. Damien took in as much of Michael’s cock as he could, feeling the head bump against the back of his throat before he pulled back. He set up a rhythm then, using his hand to stroke and his mouth to suck, pushing his tongue against the bundle of nerves below the head and into the slit, swallowing down the burst of precome.
The noises Michael was making went straight to Damien’s cock, as he drove his partner closer and closer to climax. When Michael took a sharp breath and his hips jerked forward, Damien hummed around Michael’s cock and stilled his movements. He looked up and locked eyes with Michael, wordlessly encouraging him to continue, resting his hands on Michael’s waist.
“Fuck,” Michael panted as he slid his cock in and out of Damien’s mouth, pushing himself toward completion.
It wasn’t long before Michael’s movements faltered, his grip on the back of Damien’s head and his shoulder suddenly tightening. His eyes squeezed closed and his head dropped back against the tree again.
“Damien…” he ground out in warning. “Oh fuck…”
And then with a sharp cry he was spilling hot and wet down Damien’s throat, his cock pulsing. Damien’s own cock jerked in response, releasing a stream of precome as he swallowed down Michael’s release. He pulled off and surged up his partner’s body, claiming Michael’s mouth for a bruising kiss, the sight, sound and taste of Michael coming putting Damien right on the edge himself.
Michael got a hand between their bodies and cupped Damien’s cock, squeezing. Damien whined into the kiss and pushed his erection into Michael’s palm before pulling back.
“Christ, Mike…please…” he panted, his head spinning.
Michael nodded. “Inside…” he breathed.
The trail of clothes started at the cottage door the moment it closed behind them and they were naked by the time they crossed the room to the bed. They tumbled down onto the mattress, limbs tangled, kissing hard. Damien rolled Michael onto his back, thrusting his hips, his cock desperate for friction, for release, to be inside Michael when he came.
"Mike…" he ground out, breaking the kiss.
Michael nodded and spread his legs. "Guess you're lucky after all," he smirked, winking.
Damien barked out a laugh then leaned down and kissed him swiftly before rolling off the bed and scrambling for his duffle bag. If there was something Damien was never without it was condoms and lube. Items in hand, he was back on the bed in moments. He reached for Michael then paused as a thought crossed his mind.
"Mike? Have you…before…?" he trailed off.
Michael chuckled. "I've spent my entire adult life in the military, surrounded by men. You do the math."
Damien's eyebrows rose, honestly surprised at Michael's answer. And maybe a bit disappointed. As high school as it sounded, he wouldn't have minded being...
As if reading Damien's mind, Michael tugged him down. "You might not be the first," he told Damien, voice deep. "But you'll be the only one that's ever mattered."
Damien blinked, truly moved by Michael’s words. Not that he’d ever admit it. Like he said, high school and all that. So he gave Michael a patented Damien Scott smart-ass grin. “You’re such a girl.”
Michael rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Shut up and fuck me, you wanker.”
Damien’s blue eyes went dark. “Thought you’d never ask,” he growled, leaning down and claiming Michael’s mouth again.
The kiss was deep, their mouths slanting against one another, their arousal escalating once more in the span of only a few heartbeats. Michael lifted up his hips and Damien felt his partner’s cock getting back in the game, sliding against his own rock hard one. Damien broke the kiss then and reached for the lube as Michael spread his legs and bent them at the knee, allowing Damien to settle between them.
Damien paused again, looking down at the naked man laid out before him like a fucking buffet. And he wanted a taste. He leaned over and started at Michael’s neck, licking away the light sheen of sweat, tasting the salt of Michael’s skin. Michael closed his eyes with a sigh and tipped his head back, his hands coming to rest on Damien’s shoulders. Damien continued his exploration, running his palms over the smooth, tight skin of Michael’s chest. He brushed his thumbs over both flat nipples and Michael twitched at the sensation. Intrigued by the reaction, Damien leaned over and licked across one, hard.
“Yeah…” Michael breathed, his hands flexing on Damien’s shoulders.
Encouraged, Damien put his mouth over Michael’s nipple and sucked, licking at the little nub until it hardened into a pebble. Then he gently bit down and tugged. Michael’s entire body jerked, his fingers digging into Damien’s shoulders.
“Fuck…” Michael swore, his hips pushing upwards again.
Damien smiled at the reaction and lifted his head slightly, kissing his way down Michael’s taught abs until his chin bumped against Michael’s rapidly hardening cock. He sat up then and took Michael’s erection in his hand, pumping it once, twice, feeling it swell against his palm.
Michael shifted restlessly, his breath coming faster, eyes wide and dark. “Damien…”
Damien released Michael and picked up the lube once again, this time coating the fingers of his right hand generously. He reached down, never breaking eye contact with his partner, fingers searching out the small puckered muscle. He rubbed against it until Michael nodded then slowly slipped one finger inside. Michael closed his eyes then, head tipping back against the pillow, mouth falling open with a silent groan.
Michael was tight and Damien stretched him carefully, with one, two and finally three fingers. Damien’s arousal was at a peak by then, his cock so hard it ached, listening to the noises Michael was making, feeling him press down against his fingers, trying to get them deeper. He needed to be inside Michael. Now.
He withdrew his fingers and Michael groaned as they slipped from his body. Damien quickly reached for the condom, his hands practically shaking as he tore open the packet. Before he could remove the latex Michael was sitting up, taking it from his hands and removing it himself. Damien couldn’t stop the sharp intake of breath as Michael wrapped his hand around Damien’s erection and pumped it hard, twice. He pulled Damien’s head down for a deep kiss then ever so slowly rolled the latex down Damien’s hard cock. When he reached the base he cupped Damien’s heavy balls and rolled them in his palm, tugging slightly. Damien jerked and broke the kiss, his head spinning. Who knew putting on a condom could be so fucking sexy? Michael grinned and winked at him and with a smile Damien pushed him onto his back.
Michael bent his legs again and moments later Damien’s cock was slipping inside his partner’s body for the first time. Both men were breathing hard by the time Damien pushed in the last inch. Damien paused then, looking down at Michael, watching the myriad of emotions cross his face, knowing his own reflected the same.
Michael reached up and cupped a hand around the back of Damien’s neck and gently pulled him down, their foreheads nearly touching.
“It was you…” Michael said quietly. “It was you I was thinking of when I was with Kerry…” Then he was kissing Damien long and hard.
Damien groaned sharply at the knowledge and started moving, sliding his cock nearly all the way out of Michael before pushing back in. He lifted his head as Michael wrapped his legs around his waist, deepening the penetration. As much as he wanted to draw this first time out, Damien had been on the edge for too long and he set up a quick rhythm, Michael’s body gripping him like a vise.
He felt his heart pounding in his chest, the first twinge of his orgasm start deep inside. He wanted to let go right then and let it happen but what he wanted more was to watch Michael fall apart beneath him first. To know he could make this hardened soldier shatter.
So he shifted slightly, changing the angle of his thrusts, his cock searching for that spot deep inside Michael that would make him come undone…
Michael gasped sharply, his grip tightening on Damien’s arms. “Fuck! Right there…harder…” he pleaded, eyes blown wide and dark.
Damien obliged and moments later Michael was shaking beneath him, crying out Damien’s name as he came, his cock spasming between their bodies, painting their chests with his release. Damien let go then, his orgasm racing up his spine like lightning and he gasped with the intensity, his cock pulsing, filling the condom with thick, wet heat. Michael’s mouth was on his then, kissing him slow and deep until they were spent and boneless.
They were both smiling when the kiss gradually ended.
"Don't you look like the cat that ate the canary," Michael smirked, laughter in his eyes.
"Yeah, well, you're looking pretty satisfied yourself there, dude," Damien grinned, then reluctantly shifted off of Michael, his softening cock slipping from his partner's body, Michael making a soft sound of disappointment.
Damien disposed of the condom then snagged the first piece of clothing he found - Michael's shirt - and hastily cleaned them both off before setting back down on the bed. Michael rolled him onto his back and Damien sighed contentedly as Michael covered his body with his own. He mapped the muscles of Michael's back with his fingers as his partner dipped his head down and kissed him languidly.
It was long minutes before they moved apart, lying on their sides, facing each other.
"So," Michael began with a smile. "Tell me about this road trip. Where exactly are we going?”
“West coast, buddy,” Damien answered with a grin, picturing he and Michael on their bikes, roaring down the highway. “I’m thinking from Alaska to California.”
The smile faded from Michael’s face and he studied Damien intently for several heartbeats. “That’s quite the journey you want us to take. Requires commitment.”
And suddenly Damien knew they were no longer talking about motorcycles.
Damien nodded, his voice strong and sure. “I’m in this for the long haul, Mikey. Are you?”
Michael’s answer was just as strong. “Till the end of the line, mate. Till the end of the line.”
THE END
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Date: 2015-11-15 08:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2015-11-18 02:11 am (UTC)I'm just finishing up a re-watch of the entire show. I'm about halfway through season five. And I was bitten by another plot bunny!