Release

The RED Medic could stand it no longer. He had resisted for five months, but somehow being approached by that…flamboyant whore!...who was his BLU counterpart had undone his careful control. He should have just killed the little slut before he had time to say anything. He was right; they were the same. The difference was, BLU had given into his impure carnal desires completely, had come up with entirely new depravities, while he, RED, had withstood for so, so long. But working so closely with Heavy…Medic felt a stirring in his loins even at the thought, a stirring he fought to suppress, to eradicate. But BLU was right, he couldn’t go on this way forever…couldn’t…but he didn’t even know if the Heavy felt…was as sick and deranged as him. Perhaps another outlet. Sniper. The bushman had no qualms about being an openly practising homosexual—had mentioned it when Medic had first examined him. A brief, meaningless encounter to release this horrendous pressure, then he could resume his normal, professional relationship with his Heavy.

Sniper had seen the change in Medic over the months. He’d start out aggressively and in complete control, but now he did not push the Heavy away when the big fellow hugged him after battle. He leaned against his constant companion, shivered at the slightest touches. He also had what looked like tantrums once he was locked alone in his study. Sniper had seen him pull down whole shelves of books and papers. It was almost as if the doctor were trying to give himself long and tedious tasks to help keep himself—and his libido—in check. Sniper had also noticed an abrupt, seething something looming about the man since he’d had his run-in with his counterpart.

Medic liked to consider himself a man of action—once he had decided something, he followed through. Still, even after he had decided that he must fornicate with Sniper, it took him almost a week to get up the nerve to approach the man. He knocked on the Australian’s door at dusk. He was wearing his lab coat, buttoned to the throat; boots; gloves, and nothing else.

Sniper answered the knock, just wearing his pants and hat. His glasses were off for once and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Need something, doctor?”

Before he could answer or change his mind, Medic unbuttoned his coat in a flurry of activity, almost losing a few buttons in the process. He stood in the gloaming in front of Sniper’s dusty camper in his naked glory, holding his coat wide like a flasher: six-plus feet of over-fifty, hirsute, muscled, lean (with a slight paunch), German. His expression was defiant. His polished boots reflected Sniper’s dim porch light.

“Uh…come in?” Sniper’s eyes widened but his voice came widened but his voice came out steady as if murderous doctors flashed him often.

With great dignity, Medic stepped past Sniper into the cramped camper.

“D’you need…something?” the Australian found himself repeating, closing the door and following Medic, a bit stunned.

Carefully doffing his coat and hanging it on a hook, (after a quick inspection—the camper was clean, one could at least say that for Sniper) Medic finally spoke. “I have a proposition for you,” he murmured, his voice quite loud enough for the tiny space. The fact that only his extremities were covered and he was apparently unarmed made him no less formidable.

“Uh huh.” Sniper was aware that he sounded like the Scout, but he just couldn’t help it.

“I need…sexual release. You are a homosexual.” Medic spread his hands as if to say, my conclusion is inevitable.

“Uh…huh,” the Sniper swallowed hard, then burst into nervous laughter. “Look, mate, I’m, uh, flattered, and all, but I don’t think we’d be…compatible.”

“Why not? I am an eager man,” he said ‘eager’ like a horrific disease, “you prefer sexual relations with men. What is the issue?”

“You’re the sort to be in control and I need the same thing,” Sniper explained, grinning crookedly.

Pursing his lips with frustration—luckily Medic had been flaccid throughout the exchange, making it a little less urgent—Medic sighed. “I’m certain that we can work something out,” he said, his voice edging toward a growl.

Sniper sat on his bed, fingers edging casually towards his kukri. “What did you have in mind?”

“I will, ah, ‘bottom’ for you. That is the term, yes?” The only outward sign of Medic’s discomfort was the thickening of his accent.

“You’d…?” Sniper chuckled, letting go of the knife. “Lay down. On yer back, if you please.”

Swallowing nervously once he’d turned his back on Sniper, Medic elegantly reclined on the miniscule folding bed, legs pressed tightly together. His penis was beginning to swell and darken.

Sniper slid off his pants. He jerked himself partway to attention, then crouched over Medic. He grabbed a condom and some lube. He gave the condom to the doctor, pouring some lube onto his fingers and stretching himself quickly.

Medic examined the wrapped condom as though he had been handed some alien piece of technology, turning it this way and that in his long fingers. He watched Sniper, his mouth wide. “What…what are you doing? …shouldn’t you be…?”

Sniper sighed, unwrapping the condom after wiping the extra lube off on the sheets. He slid the rubber over the other’s cock and straddled him. “Do you want to fuck me or not?”

“…yes…”

“Then stay still.” Sniper lowered himself, thighs quivering a bit as he arranged Medic with his hand to help the man slide in. “Good?” He breathed in sharply as Medic’s cock slid deeper.

In response, Medic made a strangled sound deep in his throat, his eyes widening until there was white showing all the way around. His hands clawed into Sniper’s bedding.

Sniper started to laugh, then groaned as he slid into Medic’s lap. The other man forced him wider as he took hi into the base of his cock. He moved slowly. “This is your first?” he whispered.

Medic nodded jerkily, every muscle clenched. He looked almost terrified. “With…someone else…” he whispered, sounding ashamed.

“Just relax,” the Australian crooned, lifting himself up and almost letting Medic pop out before taking it all again, rubbing and grinding to hit his prostate. He was feeling a bit better about this now that Medic was so bashful.

“I’m…ah…not hurting you?” Medic asked, trying to sound remotely knowledgeable or helpful. He was hard, but far too uptight to be anywhere near orgasm.

“No, I’ve gotcha, mate. No worries.” Sniper caressed the older man’s hairy chest, relishing in the hard muscle. He kneaded and massaged at whatever skin and muscle he could reach, lifting and lowering himself slowly, methodically. He tentatively tightened his inner muscles.

“…ngh…” Slowly, slowly, Medic relaxed, almost muscle by muscle, following Sniper’s skilled hands. To Medic’s surprise, the fingers on his chest felt almost as good as the tight heat on his penis. But that was unscientific, nonsense! It was hardly required for sexual release!

Sniper scratched his nails down Medic’s chest, gently at first, then more sharply. He clenched around Medic, rubbing faster, as if he could pin down his orgasm if only he found the right spot. His cock was up against his belly now, red and dripping.

Medic gasped sharply as Sniper scratched him , folding up until he was almost pressed against Sniper. “…Gott!” he cried, hands spasming in the blankets. He thust now, as much as he could beneath Sniper.

Sniper held him, arms snaking around his neck. He leaned down, kissing and biting the German’s neck, groaning in time to their thrusting. “Fff…” he hissed, one hand leaving Medic’s skin to start stroking his own cock.

“S-Sniper…! Ich…!” Medic’s face flushed and he pounded himself against Sniper, head thrown back, mouth agape as he came hard.

Sniper caught up quickly, stroking himself and riding Medic to a quick release, making a mess across the other man’s chest. Panting, he extricated himself and flopped down next to the doctor. “Alright?” he chuckled, happily in his afterglow.

Medic mumbled some nonsense, an uncharacteristic grin on his face. He cosied up to Sniper, eyes drifting shut. “…mmm…”

Sniper grinned a bit, allowing this uncharacteristic behaviour. Hopefully he wouldn’t get a bone saw to the face tomorrow. 

Answered Prayer

Dr. Polidori is in his room, horrified, satisfied and aroused by what he has finally just done with Byron. His mind keeps ranging back to the small scourge he keeps under his bed for moments of crisis such as this. Finally, he can’t take the internal torment anymore, and he rummages past the things that have collected under his bed for the instrument. Soon, he is reciting the mea culpa and flagellating himself. Unfortunately, it’s very hard to flog yourself quietly…

Byron opened the door quietly and watched the spectacle for a few minutes before clearing his throat.

"Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem--" He times his blows to match the words, and Byron's throat clearing falls during a quiet moment. Startled, he drops the scourge and jumps, stifling his cry with a hand to his mouth. "My...my Lord! You startled me..." he says, quietly, eyes downcast, and bright red. He's panting a little, and his face is covered in a light sheen of sweat.

"Why are you flogging yourself, dear Poli?" Byron says patiently, folding his arms over his bare chest. He's wearing a robe, but it hasn't been tied, revealing absolutely everything.

Polidori can only stare, his mind absolutely blank at the dual prospect of explaining himself and of Byron's cock.

"Well?" Byron raised an eyebrow. "Is this just masochistic joy or are you punishing yourself for some sinful deed?"

"I--I--" he croaks, shoving the scourge under the bed, as if by hiding it he can make it go away. He's beginning to get chilled.

"Is this because we've fucked now?"

"Please leave," he says, very quietly.

"Why? Is this a private flogging?"

The statement is so absurd that Polidori gives a brief, startled burst of laughter, before collecting himself again. "I...I'm sorry if the noise disturbed you," he says, as calmly and rationally as he can.

"Answer me, Poli. Are you punishing yourself or just enjoying?"

Byron demanded.

"Yes," he says, the word coming out as a pained, reluctant gasp.

"Which one?"

"You know which one."

"Ah. What have you done this time, you sinful lech?" he smirked.

"What?" he gasps. "You--you know very well what I've done!"

"Because we've fucked? And you think you can flog yourself hard enough to punish yourself for that?" Byron grabbed the scourge from under the bed. "Would you like me to hit you properly?" he grinned like he was baring his teeth.

Polidori's eyes go wide with shock and, yes, terror...and his cock hardens, only adding to the absurdity of the situation. He falls backwards, catching himself on his hands, still on his knees.

Byron burst into laughter. "Well?"

He can only stare at the man standing over him, speechless again.

Byron raised the scourge and brought it down on Poli's back hard.

Polidori shrieks, his back arching and hands clawing as though he's cumming, his cock rising until it's resting against his stomach.

Byron chuckles, his own cock hardening at the masochist's reaction. "You like that?" he murmured.

"...yes..." he gasps, staring up at Byron, hands nearly touching the other's feet as he's on all fours.

"Kiss my feet." Byron demanded, raising the scourge and bringing it down across Poli's shoulders.

Polidori screams with wild ecstasy, and slides across the rough floor on his knees, lowering his lips to Byron's feet, kissing frantically.

The scourge arcs and connects again with his back with a wonderful snapping sound. Byron wasn't lying about being able to hurt him properly.

Polidori's hands are clenched so tightly that his nails are digging into his palms, but he hardly notices--his attention is all on the feet in front of him, and the delicious agony of the scourge across his back and shoulders. It does feel much better than when he does it himself.

"Suck my cock, Poli." Byron tells him after maybe twenty lashes. His cock is now fully hard and he can hardly stand to have Poli kissing his feet when his cock is demanding attention.

Polidori lifts himself, rather stiffly and painfully, to oblige. As satisfying as kissing the feet was, taking the engorged cock in his mouth is thousands of times better. He rests a hand on each of Byron's thighs to steady himself, braced for more blows.

Byron hits Poli more carefully now, though still hard enough that he's raising red welts across the man's back. He just doesn't want his cock getting bitten.

Polidori tries to feel Byron's muscles moving, so he'll know when the other is about to land a blow and not accidentally bit his cock off, and he's completely lost in the sensations of sucking and being expertly beaten.

Byron grabs Poli by the hair with one hand, keeping him steady in his motions and forcing his cock deeper into the other. With his other hand he arcs the flogger through the air until the tips bite against Poli's tender skin. His entire back and shoulders are red now, welts crisscrossing the area.

Polidori groans around his mouthful, arching his neck to test how far he can extend with the hand in his hair, eagerly leaning forward again to reach along the shaft, giving a stifled cry as the scourge strikes.

Byron forces Polidori's mouth all the way to the base of his cock, groaning. He bends over the other so his abdomen is pressed against Poli's forehead, the scourge reaching the other man's bare buttocks now.

Polidori helplessly wraps his arms around the other man's middle, pressing himself close, groaning in a fierce, desperate rhythm, as the scourge reaches this new area.

Byron curls the implement and snaps it over the tender white flesh, starting to cum in the back of Polidori's mouth.

Polidori struggles a bit as he tastes the unfamiliar substance, lifting his ass to meet the scourge.

Byron whips the flogger over Polidori's ass one last time as he orgasms, then drops it on the floor, pulling himself back from the other man's mouth.

Polidori screams all the sounds that had been trapped by the cock, clinging to his Lord and passionately kissing his firm stomach.

Byron chuckled, looking down at Poli with a smirk. "Feel better, or do we need to whip more sin out of you?"

"...ahhh..." he gasps, looking up Byron's chest at the man standing above him.

"Did you swallow my cum?"

"...yes..." Polidori says, eyes unfocused. He's swaying a bit, supported by Byron's hips.

Byron pulls him to his feet by a hand and his hair, helping him to the bed and sitting with him.

Polidori leans against him, head resting on Byron's shoulder, face turned to him with rather a guilty expression.

Byron laughs, "Still feeling guilty, are we?"

"Always," he says with a dramatic sigh, smiling.

Byron slapped him.

"Ah!" he cries, clapping a hand to his face, shocked. He looks at Byron with a hurt expression.

Byrrn chuckled, laying back on the bed and yawning. "Feel better now?"

Polidori hesitates for a moment before laying on his bed next to his lover. "...yes?" he says, not sure of the right answer.

"Oh Poli," the handsome man sighed. "You really should answer honestly."

"...mostly I just feel confused." He insinuates himself onto Byron's shoulder.

"So I shouldn't play into your masochistic desires?"

"Ah...I didn't..." he feels rather trapped by this conversation...although most conversations with this infernal man are traps.

"Speak up then."

"You should...do what you want..." he attempts.

"I always do," he chuckled.

"I'm glad..." he snuggles happily against the other.

New Puppy

R is drinking alone in a cafe, nursing a bottle of wine and a loaf of garlic bread

He finds his head jerked back painfully by the hair and someone slides into the bench with him, nipping his unshaven jaw with a grin. Grantaire is released and Luc takes the wine bottle his friend is nursing, taking a mouthful. He makes a face. "Not very good, is it."

Halfway between fear and arousal (until he sees that it's Luc, when the balance races to arousal). "Ah...Luc..." he gasps, instantly hard. "N-no, it's not..."

Luc grins, pulling R into a kiss by his rumpled cravat.

R blushes, mumbling, "Luc...here?"

"Why not?" he bites R's lower lip with a smirk.

"...I taste like garlic?" he murmurs, realizing the cafe, already fairly quiet, emptied at Luc's arrival.

Luc raised an eyebrow. "How horrible. I won't be able to kiss you until you wash out your mouth." he murmured practically against Grantaire's lips.

"...sorry..." R has never been very good with teasing.

Luc pushed the other further back against the wall in their little booth, pulling his head back and undoing his cravat.

Grantaire is too shy to actively participate in being undressed...but he doesn't protest. He does, however, struggle playfully.

The struggling only makes Luc's grin a bit wider. He pushes off the other's cravat, stripping off Grantaire's coat and instead of working on the buttons, takes his shirt in two hands and pulls. The sound of the buttons popping off and rolling away on the floor was quite audible.

R's eyes widen, trying to hide his near horror at the destroyed shirt he cannot afford to replace.

Luc smirked, tugging off the rest of R's shirt, biting at Grantaire's chest just beneath his collarbone.

R forgets the shirt, head flying back, clutching at Luc, nails digging in wherever they can, giving a bitten off scream at the sensation.

Luc smirked, putting a hand between the other's legs, squeezing none-too-gently as he dug his teeth into R's skin harder

The grope is just this side of painful, making R thrash beneath the other. He tries to escape, mostly playfully, rolling his shoulders from side to side to loosen the teeth.

Luc groaned, releasing him with his teeth but not his hand. He grabbed Grantaire by the hips and pulls him down so he's practically flat on the booth and Luc can be on all fours above him, smirking down at him.

Trapped by the cock, flat on his back, R gasps and pants up at Luc, enjoying the helpless fear of being totally prone.

Luc chuckled. "Mm, you've missed me, haven't you." he squeezed the other again, a little less hard this time.

"Ye--" finding that he can't finish the word, hips already beginning to buck against the restraining hands, R simply nods.

Luc groaned, pleased. He tugged at the other's pants, fingernails clawing down the other's ass and thighs.

"Ah! Oui, mon Dieu, Luc! Je viens..." he grits his teeth, effort turning his face nearly purple as he strains to hold on.

"Ah ah ah, not so fast." Luc warned. "Or I'll stop." he bit down on the other's nipple, fingers curling around Grantaire's cock.

Grantaire moans heart-rendingly, arching his neck so he can watch the hand on his exposed cock, rocking from side to side at the teeth on that sensitive area.

Luc smirked around the other's nipple, pulling back and taking R's cock in his mouth

"Ah!" R's legs kick and jerk as though he's being hung, biting deep into his lip, eyes shut painfully tightly. His hands roam up and down the other's chest, clawing a little.

Luc is surprisingly gentle at first, then starts using his teeth, fingernails digging in hard at Grantaire's hips, dragging down hard.

"...Luc...je vien tres bientot...s'il te plait..."

He pulled back, smirking. "Not yet." he practically growled, tugging down his own pants and pulling Grantaire into his lap. He spat in his palm sliding two fingers into R's ass.

Tears flow down R's face, his breathing becoming muffled sobs, as he fights not to come. His hand strays desperately to his own cock, eyes still closed, trying to brace himself for Luc's cock.

Luc pulled the other further into his lap, impaling him completely with a loud groan, tipping his own head back slightly. "Oh god...."

"Ah..." if he wasn't already so aroused, being entered that quickly at such an angle would be too much. As it is...it's delicious. He tenses his ass, pulling Luc deeper, stroking him.

Luc groaned, pulling the other against his hips hard. "Ahh..." he clawed his nails down the other's stomach. "Come for me."

Screaming, R grabs his own cock, giving it two hard thrusts, folding it against himself to minimize the mess, before coming violently, rocking back into Luc's chest. "Don't stop...don't stop..." he gasps.

Luc pulls out and forces his way back in hard, coming inside the other, filling him and leaking out.

R jerks wildly, dry-coming despite his shrinking cock. Tears run down his face again, and he burrows against his lover's chest, shuddering with every breath. "Gooood..." he sighs at last, curving his neck back to watch the other.

Luc groaned, collapsing on the other slowly. "Mnnn... so tight." he didn't pull out quite yet, just laying on R.

Even shrinking, Luc is still quite the ass-full. R groans, squashed and filled to the brim. "Roll over, you lump..."

"Mmm..." he smirked, slowly getting up, dripping down onto the still-prone Grantaire. He chuckled, pulling his pants back on. "I'm going to get some -real- wine." he smirked, standing and heading for the counter.

R can only nod, sprawled and dripping on the bench. "...hurry..." he gasps. He likes, almost needs, to be held after sex.

Luc returned in only a few seconds, with wine. He pulled the other up into his lap, smirking. "Want to pull up your pants?"

"Can't..." he's hauled into Luc's lap, nestling with a little purr, groping for the wine.

Luc opened the wine, handing it to R with a grin. When the drunkard took it, he pulled up R's slightly torn pants, managing to cover most of him.

R gulps the wine to refresh himself, a little trickling from the corners of his mouth. He wiggles to help the pants on, frowning a little.

Luc licked the spilt wine from his lover's chin, grinning. "You need new pants."

Grantaire shivers with delight at the feeling of having his face licked. He blushes a little, glancing at his pants and the scraps of his sleeves still clinging to him. "No, it's fine, really.

Luc raised an eyebrow. "These are going to fall off the second you stand up." he indicated the lack of buttons -which had joined the shirt buttons under the table- and a tear up the thigh.

R shrugs, trying to be casual. "Don't worry about it, I can get more."

"Come home with me, Rene will dress you." he smirked, stealing the wine back for a long drink.

"...ah...no, really, that's not necessary." R blushes further, trying not to think about where he'll end up spending the night; he has too much pride to always go to his friends for help.

"You don't get a say in this." he laughed, as if R had said something incredibly naive and silly.

Grantaire makes his most stubborn face, which isn't very convincing, considering the thoughts rolling through his head. "I spent half of this week at Rene's. That's more than enough."

"You know we both expect you to start living with us permanently any day now." he smirked. "We have bets going on how long it will take you to realize that."

R's mouth gapes open and closed, bright red now. "I...what?"

"I've already lost, so I don't see any point in prolonging it." he laughed. "Did you honestly think we were just 'putting up with you'?"

R nods, bursting into noisy tears, trying to apologize through his sobs.

Luc smiled a little, stroking the other's hair and pulling him against his chest. "It's alright."

R creeps up the larger man until he's secure in Luc's arms. "Let's go...home." he whispers into the larger man's ear.

Luc wrapped Grantaire up in the remnants of his coat and picked up him, holding him against his chest easily. "Home it is." he agreed, carrying his lover home.

Grantaire steals the bottle for the trip, nestled in Luc's arms.

Luc keeps Grantaire's shirt and jacket closed as best as he can as they walk home, grinning. He opened his mouth for R to pour wine in.

R reaches up, a little awkwardly, giving Luc wine. Blushing a little, he murmurs, "it might be easier if we just..." and pours some into his own mouth, offering lips and wine to his lover.

Luc smirked, kissing the other, opening his mouth into the kiss to swallow the offered wine. "Mmm."

"What? You make that face a lot," R teases, though he's still cautious.

"I just like your new method... where'd you learn that?" he taunted, nibbling Grantaire's exposed neck.

Grantaire laughs, but there's a shadow behind his eyes. "Drunkards can't be choosy. ...are you sure Rene won't mind?" he asks, obviously changing the subject.

"You do realize he enjoys having us in the house, right? Or at least you. There's just no way he's getting rid of me." he grinned.

Grantaire laughs, "Whether he wants you or not, my little barnacle? ...if you're sure."

"Barnacle?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Mmhmm. I heard how you two met."

"Hm." he laughed. "Did he tell you it was love at first sight?" he nipped the other's jaw again, shifting the other man in his arms to hold him more comfortably.

R raises an eyebrow. "...not exactly. He -did- tell me that you more or less took over his flat. ...you can put me down if I'm too heavy." Contradictorily, he snuggles closer to Luc's chest.

"I did take over. And he liked it." he chuckled, wrapping his arms around Grantaire so that he could pinch the other's ass as he walked.

"Ooh!" R wriggles happily. "Mmm...you're good for each other, you two. You...you work. I don't want to change that."

"Do you not want to stay with us?" he asked.

Grantaire looks up, eyes wide and hurt. He can't speak and doesn't need to.

Luc sighed. "R, you know we both love you. We hate to see you sleeping in the streets and in strange beds when your home is with us."

Grantaire looks away, unable to meet Luc's eyes. He nods, burrowing even closer. "Enjolras won't like it," he says, suddenly.

"And I care what Enjolras thinks about this? I'm not giving you a choice, Grantaire. You're coming home." he raised an eyebrow, nails digging into the drunkard's ass.

"Ah..." the sensation makes R writhe, cock hardening, pressing his ripped pants apart awkwardly.

Luc grinned. "Good boy." he ignored the other's erection teasingly, nails still dug into the other's flesh. "Ah, we're here." he dropped R unceremoniously on the doorstep, opening the door.

R stumbles, barely avoiding hitting the door with his face. "...thanks," he says, wryly.

"Welcome. Get up and get in." he smirked.

He pads in, looking around as though seeing the flat for the first time.

Though everything was fairly neat and cozy, there was a loud banging in the other room accompanied by moaning.

R blushes, retreating to the comfort of Luc's arms. "...maybe we should come back later?"

"No." he raised an eyebrow. "This is our flat too." he opened the door to their room and stuck in his head. "Time to leave! Rene, it's dinner time." There was some yelping and a barely dressed woman fled from the flat, red-faced.

Grantaire raises an eyebrow. "Oh. A woman. Um...I can cook. Does he know I'm coming?"

Rene came out after a moment, grinning and naked, followed by Luc. "My R." he hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek. "Uh... what happened to your pants?"

Grantaire wraps himself around Rene, eel-like. This makes him let go of his pants, the torn garment sliding down his hips to land on the floor. He jerks his head in Luc's direction.

Luc grins, shrugging. "I admit, it's my fault."

"I think I still have some that might fit you." Rene teased. "I don't even have to ask what you were doing, but I am curious as to where."

Grantaire blushes. "...I'd appreciate it. Just to borrow. I didn't mean to interrupt...he made me come here."

"He made you? Did you have other plans?" he chuckled.

"Well, I had reservations at a fine hotel..." he shakes his head, clearly close to tears. "...thank you."

"So you'll stay?" Rene sits on the lounge, pulling Grantaire down with him to cling to him.

R snuggles, eyes saying everything he can't, twisted around to gaze into Rene's eyes.

"Je t’aime." he nuzzled into the other, arms wrapped tightly around Grantaire's waist.

"Je t’aime aussi." Grantaire yawns audibly, suddenly exhausted by the day's events.

"Mm this is very touching, but ....I'm hungry." Luc leaned over them.

"What do you want?" Rene chuckled, kissing Grantaire gently and nestling against his chest.

R laughs. "Has anyone ever told you that you're a wretch?"

"Many times." he slid onto the lounge to bite R's ear.

Rene left the other two to start dinner, laughing.

"Hey! That's not for eating!" Grantaire smooshes and stretches to perfectly fill the space between them.

"Until there's something else to eat, it'll do." Luc growled into the other's ear, gnawing.

R laughs, writhing with delight, erection growing. "Mmm...blow into my ear like that again..."

Luc blows into the other's ear, grinning. He licks along the outer edge of R's ear. "Mmmm, not as filling as I wanted, but pretty tasty."

"Hmm. That's because Rene washed me last time I was here. Normally it would be much more...filling. I could get used to this soft life," he laughs, voice getting a little breathy.

"Good. Because now that you're here, you can never leave!" Luc said in a dramatic voice.

R laughs, stretching out and glancing around. "...I've gotten that impression. Shouldn't we help Rene?" Grantaire lowers his voice, "I didn't think he could cook..."

Luc grinned. "He can... he only burns things about half the time."

Rene gave him a look from over a recipe book.

R laughs, grinning at Rene. "What's for dinner?" Turning back to Luc, he adds, "you've obviously never suffered Ferre's cooking. He turns everything into blackened lumps of coal."

"You'd think a doctor would be good at following exact instructions." Luc puzzled. "You can help him if you want. I'm not cooking. I cooked yesterday."

R looks surprised. "Oh? I thought Rene did all the cooking. ...actually, I thought you two ate out all the time. He's fine at following instructions, but he gets distracted. And it's more of an art than a science..." R goes to the kitchen, twining himself around Rene. "Rene, love...you're adding sugar. I think it's salt you want. Has my presence flustered you?" he grins.

"Apparently." he laughed a bit. "But it was only a pinch, I doubt we'll be able to taste it... right?"

Luc snickered. "We only eat out most of the time."

R grabs Rene's hands, pulling them behind his lover's back playfully. "...right. Out with you." Keeping him restrained like this, Grantaire marches the taller man back to Luc, taking over the kitchen.

Luc takes Rene, ruffling his lover's already ruffled hair. "I'll make sure he doesn't go near the dinner again." he teased.

Rene raised an eyebrow. "I didn't see you trying to make anything for us." he poked Luc. "Thank you, R. I didn't know you could cook."

R blushes, mumbling something as he goes back to the kitchen. The sight of fresh chicken almost has him drooling. Cutting it into pieces, he chops garlic, rubbing it into the meat with some other spices. He lays it in a pan, making sure the fire is well stoked before setting it in to bake. "...your bread's a bit stale, mmm? Never mind." Sniffing at the crumb-ridden butter to make sure it's good, he slices the bread, coating it with butter and a little more garlic, before laying it on top of the stove to soften.

Rene watched him cook from Luc's lap, smiling a little. Luc was busy picking grit out of a scrape on his knuckles.

R joins them while waiting for the food to cook, nestling between Rene's legs, looking up at Luc. He yawns again, eyes drifting shut.

Rene started to run his fingers through Grantaire's hair slowly, brushing it out and then starting to braid it. Luc looked down at R, raising an eyebrow.

"...what're you doing?" he murmurs sleepily, grinding his head in Rene's lap a little.

"Mmmnn." Rene groaned a little when R pressed back into his lap. "Braiding your hair, amant."

"...I see. ...don't let the chicken burn..." he drifts off to sleep.

"I won't." Rene chuckled, finishing the braid and moving his hands to Grantaire's shoulders to massage him gently.

Luc peers down at his two men. "...you wouldn't believe how much trouble it was to...convince...him to come here." He says softly. "Stop that, his hair's weird enough," he laughs, "my restless-handed love." He places a hand beneath Rene's chin, forcing his head back for a kiss.

Rene made a soft noise into the kiss, finally recovering his mouth and nestling against Luc's chest, pulling Grantaire further into his own lap. "What is it about this boy that makes him refuse things he wants and needs?" he murmured.

Luc shrugs; questions like that make his head hurt. "We just won't give him a choice." He strokes Rene's hair, trying to 'braid' it, and essentially tying it in knots.

"I never intended to." Rene waved his hands away, untangling his hair with a grin. "Why do you even try, my love?"

"I wanted to see if I could do it." Luc frowns at the sleeping man. "We should've done this sooner. He...he belongs here." Luc trails off, having difficulty expressing himself at the moment.

Rene nodded, nuzzling against Luc's chest, tightening his arms around Grantaire. "I wish he thought he belonged here too." he sighed.

"He will..." Luc says, almost menacingly. "Go check the food."

"Yes sir." Rene chuckled, shifting so R was in Luc's lap and he was free to check the meat.

Luc squeezes at R, much more comfortable taking out his frustration with his hands than having to talk to the silly man.

Rene poked the food until he was satisfied that it was ready, getting out plates and setting the table. "Wake him up so he can eat with us."

R shifts in his sleep, making little unhappy noises, clearly having a nightmare.

Luc shook R as gently as he could manage, still squeezing a bit.

"...don't like women!" R mumbles as he wakes. He's disoriented at first, peering up at Luc. "Mm. Right, Rene's..."

Luc looked down at him with a funny expression. "I didn't know women haunted your dreams."

Rene grinned. "It's time to eat. Both of you get over here."

"...what? Oh. Um..." Glad for the interruption, R scrambles out of Luc's lap, almost racing for the table.

"I hope it's done to your liking." Rene served them all. Luc got up from the lounge, sitting at the table with his lovers.

Grantaire devours his food as if it's going out of style, barely tasting it.

Rene chuckled. "Where do you put it all?" he poked Grantaire's skinny abdomen, smiling affectionately. "We'll have to start feeding you more regularly."

R grins, settling back in his chair, watching the others eat. He's trying to gauge their reactions to the food, as discretely as he can.

Luc eats with his usual hunger, table manners seeming to be somewhat of a foreign concept to him. Rene savours everything.

R gives a happy sigh, so happy and content that it almost hurts.

When Rene's finished he clears the table. Luc smirks, grabbing Grantaire and tossing him over his shoulder, carrying him to the bed.

"Ack! What're you doing? Put me down!"

"Fine." he dropped him on the bed, jerking the remnants of Grantaire's pants off.

"...ah..." Not wearing any underwear, R's freshly roused cock almost leaps out once freed.

Luc smirked down at him. "There, is that so bad?" he strips off his own shirt and cravat.

Flat on his back, R shakes his head, grinning. With a half-moan, he reaches up for the dangling treasure between Luc's thighs.

Luc groans, weaving his fingers through R's hair, guiding the drunkard's head towards his rapidly rising cock

"Oh...is that how you want it..." he murmurs, in the seconds before he's effectively gagged. He opens his mouth eagerly, closing his lips just behind Luc's head, licking delicately at the little dimpled hole.

Luc tipped his head back, hand still in R's hair, groaning. Rene came in, pausing at the doorway with a grin. "Hm, what a delicious scene I've walked into."

R slides his teeth forward, grazing them along Luc's head until his teeth are closed gently over Luc's head, lips pulled back. If Luc doesn't keep still...R tugs backward a little, enjoying the pressure on his hair. His eyes flick to Rene.

Luc drew in a slow breath. "Nhhh..." his fingers tightened in the other's hair a bit, but he didn't dare be as rough as he usually was.

Rene smirked, going to kneel behind Luc, kissing downwards from the small of his back.

R smiles around his prize, pleased by how much control this position gives him. He's been saving saliva in his mouth since he began, and he begins slowly working his way up Luc's shaft, pulling himself along with his lips. He wraps his arms around Luc, so that his fingertips can brush Rene.

Rene laces their fingers together loosely, tongue darting into Luc as R starts drawing more of the large man into his mouth. Luc groans, knees practically buckling. "God.."

R grips Rene's fingers, squeezing his pleasure to the other. Relaxing his throat and carefully breathing through his nose, R feels Luc bump the back of his throat. Now he begins to move, having found his limit, drawing the organ in his mouth to ecstasies with throat, tongue, lips and teeth.

Rene chuckled as he feels Luc tense and relax with each motion Grantaire makes with his mouth. Carefully, he begins to work a finger into Luc, stretching him gently. His tongue and lips continue to explore the other's skin slowly.

Luc's back arches and he bites off a few cries. "Ff-fuck..." his fingers clench in R's hair spasmodically.

R draws his and Rene's joint hands in, until they're pressed around Luc's hips, giving Grantaire leverage. He's rocking back and firth, pivoting on Luc's cock, teeth safely tucked up for the most part.

Luc was keeping himself up mostly using Grantaire's head, so the rocking nearly brought him to his knees. He moved forward a little so he could lean on the bed. He hissed a little as Rene slid in a second finger, unable to keep himself from rocking his hips into R's mouth.

R laughs, the sound mostly emerging as a vibration around Luc's cock. He bites a little, warning Luc to keep still. He rolls his head from side to side now, tongue curling along Luc's length.

"Oh god.." he groaned, voice lower with lust. He tries to stay still, eyes rolling back a bit, but is so close to orgasm that he can't keep from thrusting a bit. Rene's fingers curled against Grantaire's, a third finger slowly forcing its way into Luc.

R has mercy on Luc, opening his mouth and pulling back so Luc can thrust, tongue flicking wickedly every few seconds.

Luc's entire body tenses and writhes with the sensation, his length hardening even further before he was forced over the limit by Rene's fingers finding his prostate. Luc cried out as he came in R's mouth.

R seals his lips, drinking the cum like fine wine, eyes closed with pleasure. His own cock is beaded with moisture, still hard and ready.

Rene removes his fingers as Luc collapses to the bed, laying on his back, still thrusting a bit. Rene smirked, forcing R back on the bed and straddling him.

R peers up at Rene, grinning wildly, a thin white trickle running down his jaw.

Rene licks the last drops of Luc's cum off Grantaire’s cheek, shifting forward so he can press his ass against R's erection. Luc's watching them, panting happily.

"Ah!" R cries, the sensation of entering someone still extremely novel. He fights to keep still, to let Rene impale himself.

Rene groans, tightening around Grantaire's cock, riding the other. He kept one hand on R's chest, the other starting to stroke his own dripping cock.

"...ngh..." R groans. He tries to grab Rene's cock, but another wave of pleasure lays him flat on the bed again. Effectively pinned, Grantaire can only state up at Rene, watching his beautiful lover ride him, pumping his own cock, black hair trailing over sweaty shoulders.

Luc sat up a little now, smirking as he moved behind Grantaire to grab his wrists, pinning them behind his head, almost painfully. Rene bit his lip, moaning as he rode Grantaire, speeding up as he pumped his own erection.

Grantaire shrieks, nearly coming at the sensation, trapped between the two men. He bites his lip as well, fighting for every continued second of pleasure.

Luc grins, bending down to kiss Grantaire, biting his lip. Rene arches his back on top of his lover, tightening around him as he comes over R's chest.

Grantaire lasts two more heartbeats after feeling the wet heat hit his chest. His head is flung violently from the kiss as he comes deep inside Rene.

Rene bucks again, crying out. "Oh, R!" he moaned. Luc laughed, pulling Grantaire up into his lap.

R gives a little eep as he's suddenly propelled backward, panting and sweating as he gazes dreamily at Rene.

Rene grins back at him, breathing hard. "Mmm." he flowed bonelessly into R's lap, laying his head on his lover's shoulder.

Luc chuckled. "Someone likes having his wrists held." he twists R's wrists a bit.

R gasps, feeling a bolt of pleasure roll down to his groin, even though he can't harden yet. He blushes, ducking his head.

Rene giggled a little, barely lucid at this point. "My beautiful boys." he closed his eyes. Luc yawned, releasing R's wrists and grabbing a blanket to cover them all with.

R burrows under the blanket until only his tousled hair is sticking out, nestling between the others. He looks distantly disappointed at his release.

Luc kissed Grantaire gently, hiding under the blankets with his lovers. They could already hear gentle snores from Rene.

Soon R is asleep, his hand automatically seeking the heat of Luc's cock.

Luc grins, closing his own eyes and tucking Grantaire's head under his chin comfortably, a large arm slung over both his lovers.

Grantaire dreams that Enjolras has tied him upside down to a frame with his legs spread, a bottle of alcohol shoved up his exposed ass. He wakes slowly, hard, tense and panting a little.

Rene's groaning in his sleep beside him, only partly awake. "Mmmnn... everything's sticky." he managed.

Luc was still snoring.

R clings closer to Rene, still half asleep, somewhere between desperate arousal and fear.

Rene opens his eyes, pulling Grantaire closer, hands sliding down his back tenderly. "R?"

"Mmm?" he tries to sound casual.

"You're warm." he purred, massaging his back and shoulders lazily.

Grantaire smiles, relieved that Rene didn't notice anything was the matter. He groans happily, rolling to give Rene better access, even though the massage is more painful than soothing; R's back is more knots than not..

Rene worked his fingers into R's back for a few minutes before yawning and stretching out. "Mmmm... so warm."

"Are you going back to sleep?" he sounds almost worried.

"Maybe." he admitted, grinning sleepily. "It'd be nice to sleep in, don't you think?"

"I don't think it counts as sleeping in at three in the afternoon when you've already been awake. I think that's going to bed early."

"Is it already three?" Rene laughed, kissing Grantaire's ear. "I suppose I should stay awake then." he nibbled gently at his lover.

R gasps happily, offering his ears. He doesn't mention how little he's been sleeping lately.

"Did you sleep well?" Rene purred into his lover's ear.

Grantaire nods, rolling so his other ear can be seen to.

Rene licks around the edge of the newly presented ear, chuckling. "Mmm..."

A sleepy voice came from just above them. "What're you doing under the blankets?"

R gasps, a hand groping to find Rene's cock. "'s warm down here..."

Luc pulls the blankets over his head so he can see the other men, smirking. "And it seems to be getting warmer as we speak."

Rene gave a soft gasp, arching into Grantaire's attentions, nibbling his ear happily.

R grins, wrapping his rough hand around Rene's shaft, just exploring the contours at first. He turns so his head is resting on Luc's thigh.

Luc shifted so R's head was nestled against something that was growing a bit larger. Rene fastened his mouth over Grantaire's ear, his hand wandering across his chest to toy with a dark nipple.

"Ah..." R gently grinds his head against the lump, awkwardly reaching behind himself to grab this one, as well. He runs his thumbs over both heads, delighting at the sensation. His chest shivers, arching to give Rene more access.

Rene thrust gently into R's hand, lowering his mouth to his lover's nipple, kissing and licking it gently, his hand exploring the neighboring nipple. Luc smirked, laying back with his hands behind his head, pleased.

R squeezes, urging Rene to be still. He wonders if he could take both in his mouth, but is too shy to mention it. Instead, he works both hands lower, rolling the delicate flesh in his palms.

"Mmm..." Rene manages around his nipple, biting down a bit. "Ahh..."

Luc grabbed R's head, pulling it towards his lap, pushing the blankets off.

Captured, R pulls Rene's cock along behind him, trying to line the two of them up without saying anything.

Rene saw where he was headed and scooched into position so R could make good his plan. Luc was oblivious until "Ah!"

Delighted, Grantaire grins at Rene before lowering his mouth over both heads, licking and nibbling furiously, wanting this to last as long as possible.

Rene attempts to grin back but is soon fighting to keep his hips still as Grantaire licks and nibbles at him and Luc. Luc's fingers tighten in R's hair again and he cries out, completely not expecting this.

Grantaire offers a hand to each of them, balanced on his knees. Opening as wide as he can, he slides his mouth completely over both heads, sucking at them like candy.

They both took a hand, Rene trying not to claw at him. His whole body is stiff in an effort to keep himself from bucking into his lover's mouth. Luc takes the hand and squeezes, groaning, pleased.

R pauses for a moment, enjoying the position. Then, breathing very deeply through his nose, he forces himself to take more, curling his tongue around and between the delights in his mouth, rolling his lips under the arches of the two heads.

Rene's fingernails dig into R's hand and the sheets and he bucks twice, face going red as he struggles not to come.

He loses his battle almost immediately, coming in R's mouth. Luc groans, thrusting his hips a little for more attention.

After swallowing his results, R gently spits Rene out, concentrating on Luc. He laughs deep in his throat, humming a little for the sensation. He digs his tongue as deep into the dimple on Luc's head as he can, as though he can lick the semen out before it emerges.

He gets a taste of precum as Luc bucks a bit into his mouth. Rene lays panting in the bed next to them.

Grantaire circles the base of Luc's head with his teeth, holding him still. He allows his lips to roam forward and back, tongue still assailing the small opening

Luc groaned loudly, cumming in the other's mouth, hands tightening in his hair and on his hand.

R bucks a little, not quite coming, but again eagerly drinking Luc down, holding the shrinking cock in his mouth. He has a vivid image of his dream, but with Luc instead of Enjolras, and cries out in delight.

While he's drinking Luc, Rene seizes him from behind, spreading his cheeks apart and sliding his tongue into the other.

"Ah!" R assumes an...interesting position. Offering his other hand to Luc, he stretches out on his belly, legs straight out behind him. He looks as though he's tied to the bed.

Rene used his weight to pin Grantaire's thighs and ankles, and Luc smirked, twisting R's wrists, holding him taut for Rene. Rene's tongue dove further and he slid his hand around to cup Grantaire's erect cock.

Grantaire moans and writhes, bucking delightedly against the bodies holding him down, arching himself up for Rene. His expression, if anyone could see it, is almost surprised, as if asking, "how did they know?"

Rene strokes the other's erection slowly, but none-too-gently, sliding two fingers into R

Luc tightens his fingers around R's wrists, pulling and twisting a little.

R cries out in absolute pleasure--he's never felt this good, and is convinced he might Rene kneels on the back of R's knees, effectively making it impossible to even buck against his fingers. After a few thrusts with his fingers, he adds a few more, practically attacking his prostate. Luc grinned as he watched them, his own cock rising just beneath R's chin

With a true scream, totally immobilized, R finally comes into Rene's hand.

Rene smiles, slowly pulling his fingers out of the other, licking the semen off his fingertips. "Mmm." he melted so that he was laying on top of R.

R curls over the two men, panting, eyes shining. "...how...why...?" he murmurs absently.

"Mmmm." Rene chuckled. "We know you well enough, mon beau."

Luc released R, and took his own cock in his hand, stroking languidly.

"...you're hard again already?" he gasps, blushing, looking away from Rene.

"Well, watching you two makes it hard to be anything but." he smirked. Rene purred, yawning sleepily. "Mmm."

R grins. "Allow me, m'sieur." He gently takes Luc's cock, rolling the shaft between his palms.

"Mm, why thank you..." he grinned back, allowing R total control over his cock.

R licks his hands quickly, trailing both thumbs over the head, running them over the veins, trailing his pinkies over Luc's balls.

"Mmm.." he could feel Luc's testicles swell as his arousal grew.

Humming to himself, Grantaire continues, each pair of fingers working a different area, pinkies curled under Luc's balls.

Luc groaned quietly as he came once again, his length shrinking slightly when he was finished.

R licks the semen from Luc's belly, feeling almost full from the amount he's drunk. He splays across Luc, hand still wrapped around his cock.

Luc practically purred with pleasure, pressing the other two men against himself.

"Are you done for a few minutes, my steed?" Grantaire teases. "Men would fall all over you to get your secret."

"I think I can remain soft for a little while." he chuckled, bringing R's hand to his mouth to kiss it.

"Shall I time you and tell our dear Combeferre the astounding results?" Grantaire works his way further onto Luc's lap, nuzzling the massive, warm chest. He beckons Rene onto his own chest.

"I'm fairly sure he knows how quick I can be already,” he said suggestively. Rene snickers and nestles into Luc's neck. "Luc, you're horrible."

Grantaire raises an eyebrow. "...oh?"

Luc smirked. "Do I have to elaborate?"

R blushes a little. "...oh. I see. I rather thought...well...Enjolras..." he looks fleetingly hopeful.

"You weren't wrong there either." Luc decides against mentioning the few nights he's spent in Enjolras' bed.

Grantaire looks briefly puzzled, then crestfallen. "...that's not what I...oh. You...mm."

Butt Spread

René kissed Grantaire roughly, fingers pulling at his wild, wavy mane.

"Nhn..." Grantaire moaned, arching his neck to keep from having too much pressure on his hair.

René bent the man over the bed on his knees, scratching down his back to pull apart his ass cheeks.

Grantaire squirmed wildly with delight, trying to work René's finger into his exposed hole. He moaned at the scratches, going limp across his lover's lap.

René kept his fingers out of R, but the man could hear and feel someone approaching behind him. Something hot and slick slid into his anus roughly and big hands grabbed his hips. René grinned, kissing Grantaire and rubbing his lover's cock with his knee, none-too-gently.

Grantaire's eyes widened a little with anxiety at the sound of foot steps behind him, but he trusts Courfeyrac and kept his eyes fixed on his lover's. Soon, the feeling of being so forcefully entered by a large cock has distracted Grantaire from anything else. The feeling of René forcing his ass cheeks open for another man to fuck him, and the rough treatment on his cock and balls soon has his head thrown back, crying out with delight.

René groaned, biting Grantaire's shoulder and neck hard. Luc chuckled deeply, groaning as he slid even deeper into R, his hips practically bruising R's ass as he fucks him hard.

"Ohh...yes..." Grantaire moaned, arching back into the cock filling him as much as he can, held in place by René's teeth and hands on his ass. Grantaire was soon making high, incoherent noises in time to the unknown man's pounding.

"You like?" René murmured around the skin in his mouth, grabbing R's cock in his hand and squeezing.

Luc's fingernails raked down Grantaire's hips.

"Yessssss..." Grantaire hissed, caught between the two of them, helpless as they had his way with him...and loving every second of it. His breathing quickened as rough, uneven nails scratched his hips, making his cock begin to leak.

René's hand tightened around Grantaire's cock mercilessly, squeezing like a snake.

"Naahhh!" Grantaire moaned. At this point, he wasn't sure if he could cum, René was gripping his cock so hard. He bucked against the grip, working René's hand as much as he could.

René grinned wickedly, enjoying the feeling of Luc pounding into the man above him. Luc grabbed Grantaire by his hair, yanking his head back roughly.

Grantaire's eyes filled with joyous tears, not quite spilling yet. He easily gave in to Luc’s grip on his hair, baring his throat for René.

René scooted about on the bed, flipping around to force Grantaire down on his cock, fighting Luc for control of the man's head. He kept his grip on R's cock and squeezed his testicles roughly too.

Again caught between the two of them, Grantaire laughed wildly. Not sure what to do with his hands, he rested them on René's thighs, moaning around his mouthful. He bit down occasionally as René found an especially tender grip on his balls.

René groaned, starting to suck at the man above him, deep-throating him. His grip on Grantaire's balls stayed about the same.

Luc swatted Grantaire's ass, spanking him as he fucked him.

Grantaire screamed, the sound muffled by René's cock in his mouth. He started to cum, the spanking throwing him over the edge in spite of René's grip.

René lapped up his lover's semen, groaning happily and thrusting into R's mouth.

Luc only gripped the boy's hips tighter and sped up, fucking him almost raw.

Soon moaning almost continually around René's cock, Grantaire sucks furiously in time to the pounding his other end is receiving.

Luc finally spasms and fills R's tight hole with cum, groaning happily and crawling onto the bed.

Grantaire, shuddering, flopped against René, continuing to suck.

René moaned happily, filling R's mouth.

"Mmm..." Grantaire swallowed in great gulps of delight, making sure he's gotten every drop before lifting his head from René's lap and beaming up at his lover before wiping his face.

René smiled at him, practically fainting into the bed with happiness, curling into a little ball.

Luc wrapped an arm around Grantaire.

Eyes closed and panting a little, Grantaire burrows against the large, powerful arm gripping him. He extended a leg until he found René.

René finally sat up and rearranged them. He nestled into Grantaire's chest, letting the drunkard be in the middle of the other two men.

Grantaire purred with delight at being sandwiched between two men, an he idly stroked René's hair, enjoying the heavy, musky scent of the man holding them both, not caring enough to find out who the man is.

Soon enough they were all snoring and snuggled together in a warm heap.

*****

Grantaire was the first to wake, still snugggled and sticky between the others. He sighed happily and stretched a little, finally curious enough to wonder who was holding him. He recoiled with shock at the sight of the still-sleeping man's face.

Luc's face was surprisingly peaceful looking in sleep, much different than the intensely powerful, angry man that Grantaire recognized him as.

The drunkard was...perplexed...by how relaxed Bahorel looked. And wondered what he was doing in René's bed. Trying to calm his racing heart, Grantaire smoothly oozed out of Bahorel's arms.

René groaned, rolling over. "Mmm, no, warm." he murmured.

Startled by René's voice and movement, Grantaire froze. Forcing himself to be calm, not to overreact to Bahorel's presence in the bed, he continued freeing himself.

"Whasswrong?"

Grantaire shook his head wildly, eyes wide.

"R?" René started to sit up, aware that something was wrong.

Shaking his head again, as a warning to keep quiet, Grantaire tried to push his lover back into place, to keep Bahorel from waking. He's near panic.

René nodded, laying still. He whispered. "What's wrong?"

Relaxing a minute amount, his shoulders lowering and taking a deep, settling breath, Grantaire leaned against René, like a frightened child clinging to a parent.

René rubbed his back gently. "Tell me." he murmured as quietly as he could.

"What is he doing here?" Grantaire hissed, his head jerking sharply to indicate Bahorel. He hardly noticed the soothing hand on his back.

"He was the one fucking you last night." René said, surprised that Grantaire hadn't even checked.

Grantaire recoiled as though he'd been slapped, his face going white as he stared, aghast, at René.

"I'm sorry, but I thought it went really well. Luc and I have been lovers for almost a month now and he's never been anything but gentle with me." René said apologetically. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know you had history."

Grantaire laughed, a coarse, unpleasant sound verging on hysteria. "History? Yes. You could call it that." Unconsciously, the drunkard cradles his left hand in his right, soothing a long-healed wound.

"I'll get him to leave." René stroked R's hair.

"No, don't! Don't wake him!"

"Alright." the delicate man agreed. "Would you tell me what happened between you?"

"Not here," Grantaire whispered. "We should...go..."

"Alright." René helped him sneak out of bed, dressing quietly and scribbling a quick note for Luc (and leaving him a few francs for a fiacre).

Once they're safely out of the bed, and Bahorel is still safely snoring in it, Grantaire slumped with relief against René.

René kissed R's face gently. "We'll go get a coffee." he guided him to the nearest cafe and into a quiet booth.

Grantaire nodded, fast and shallow and edgy, pressing against René with every step until they're safely out of the flat, when he (almost comically) begins easing away from his lover, a little with every step, until he was walking beside René, if unusually close. He sank gratefully into the booth. "I'm sorry, René. You must think me quite mad..."

"No, I'm just sorry I didn't know." he apologized again, kissing R's stubbly chin. René ordered coffees and cake, sipping his once it came and waiting for Grantaire to calm down enough to talk.

Grantaire gulped the hot coffee, cursing a few times as he burned his mouth, but not slowing down. The cake vanished just as quickly, but the heat and food served to steady him. Sighing raggedly, Grantaire snuggled against René's side, looking rather ashamed.

René kissed his cheek. "When did you meet him?" he asked softly.

"A few years ago..." His left hand cradeled in his right again, Grantaire stared at the rough, pitted table top, idly flicking a few crumbs around with his right pinkie.

René gently stroked Grantaire's right hand.

Even when the crumbs are gone, Grantaire's pinkie is still making short, jerky arcs across the rough wood until he forces it to be still. He looked into René's face, eyes wide with desperation. "I'm...I'm sorry," he murmured. He slowly offered his left hand, on which several of his fingers have clearly been broken. "You know how sore my hand gets," he said, indicating the bones of his hand, "it's

because some of these were broken."

René hugged him tightly, heart sinking. "I'm sorry... I know he had a violent past but I didn't think you knew each other."

Wishing for something stronger than coffee, Grantaire's gaze bored into René's. "He was insane back then, like a wounded animal. There was...something wrong with him. I don't know about now." He nestled gratefully against René.

"He's never hurt me. He seems troubled." René said thoughtfully, "but I've never seen his violence directed at anything besides boxing or scrapping with strangers."

R nodded, relaxing a little. "I'm glad. I...I don't know what I would do if he hurt you. I'm sorry I didn't warn you, I didn't think..." His breathing has sped up again with distress.

"Shh, it's alright." René wrapped an arm around him, ordering them another coffee, this one with brandy.

Smelling the brandy when the mug is plonked in front of him, Grantaire nodded gratefully at René before swallowing the hot liquid as quickly as possible. He relaxed as the alcohol took effect, and he laughed softly. "I'm sorry. I overreacted."

"The man broke your fingers. I would have overreacted." René stroked R's hair. "You reacted just perfectly."

For a moment, Grantaire almost blurted, if he had just broken my fingers I wouldn't be this upset, but he held himself back, nodding instead. He finally felt René's calm hand on his hair, and slowly forced his bunched muscles to loosen. He closed his eyes and stared at the table again. "I enjoyed last night."

"I'm glad." his lover said softly, "I'm so sorry."

Grantaire sniffed and settled against René. "It's alright. Please, don't feel bad," he murmured, seeing the distress on his lover's face.

"I wish I'd known." he kissed Grantaire's face over and over.

"I haven't seen him for years. I was hoping...I mean, I thought...he was dead."

"Why did he... I mean, if you know."

"Why was he like that, you mean?"

"That. And why did he hurt you?"

"I have no idea." Grantaire stared forlornly into the dregs of his coffee.

René passed his untouched brandy coffee to R.

Grantaire laughed. "Am I that obvious?" But he accepted the coffee gratefully, managing to sip this mug more slowly. "He...seems to have changed," he adds, hopefully.

René gave him a little smile. "Your drinks always disappear." he ordered another few drinks for them. "I... I think he must have changed, to be the person that I'm getting to know."

Grantaire nodded. "Thank you...for just going along with me, even though I must've seemed completely deranged."

"I know you better than that. If it had been Jehan acting that way, well..." he smiled.

Grantaire laughed, despite himself. "Still, thank you." He hugged René gratefully.

René kissed him deeply.

Glad that René doesn't think he's insane or anything, Grantaire kissed back, eyes closed with relief. "Je t'aime," he murmured.

"J't'aime aussi." he nuzzled into him. "And I am so sorry."

"I know, my love. Please don't be. I'm alright now, I'm sorry if I scared you."

"Would... talking to him help? I could arrange it so you'd feel safe."

Grantaire felt his eyes widen, but he forced himself to stay calm, to think. "I...I think so." He hid a grin at the thought of slender, elegant René keeping him safe from the powerful Bahorel, but he kept that thought to himself.

"Don't worry, I'll set it up. When you're ready." René said fiercely.

Strangely encouraged by René's ferocity, Grantaire smiles at his lover. "I know. I...ah...I don't want to deprive you..."

"I'll take care of you." he squeezed R's non-injured hand firmly.

"I know you will. It's what you do."