ALLIGIANCES
-OOO-
"We must stop meeting like this" came the oh so familiar voice. "These wide open spaces really don't suit you."
"You?!" Paddy spluttered again, completely flummoxed and confused. His fight or flight mechanism had kicked in instantly. His left hand was flailing desperately for his holdall; he needed to get away - now. He clamoured stiffly to his feet. The night drizzle and the morning dew made it an awkward manoeuvre; his bones weren't fully awake yet.
As Paddy rose, his visitor sank down silently onto the seat.
Paddy willed his brain to wake up and come up with a plan. He was literally on his toes, but they refused to move in any direction. Finally his mouth took charge.
"What the feck d'you want? Round 2?"
"Fazers on stun I come in peace," came the reply.
"Like fuck! I know I've been hit in the head a coupla times, but I'm not stupid."
"Really Pads I'm on my own. I was out for my morning run when I spotted you. Complete co-incidence I swear."
"Bet you called them, before you reached me though. Wanna break the rest of my bones? How about my thumb again, it's only just healed."
"I know you probably won't believe me, but I truly am sorry about last time."
"You're right I don't. Fuck off Liam, before I remember how to retaliate."
Paddy was an imposing guy, even in his current broken state; he had the power to scare the Bo jangles out of the average contender.
Only Little Liam wasn't your average Joe.
Liam O'Hanlon was his soon to be ex-brother-in-law.
The youngest of the pack. Paddy had always viewed Liam as a teenager, still wet behind the ears, a follower; even though he was in his mid-twenties; yet he now had to acknowledge that this man had effectively saved his life.
Paddy collapsed back onto the park furniture as full realisation dawned.
Realisation but not comprehension.
Why would he do this?
Paddy gave his saviour a long hard look.
"I don't get ya."
"Most don't" Liam said.
"I don't get this." Paddy gestured with his hands. "Are yous sure you're alone?"
"Totally."
"It was you wasn't it?"
"Me what?"
"Who rang for the ambulance?"
"Well I couldn't just leave you lying there; you were making the place look untidy."
"You put me there."
"I know, but to be fair we had good reason. You'd just publicly cheated on our sister. We had to act."
Paddy nodded his head. Even though he had been the recipient of a savage almost uncontrolled beating, he knew that if the tables had been turned, he would have dished out the same punishment.
"Do they know….that you did this?"
"Not yet, they just think you've got nine lives."
"Does Bri have any idea you helped me?"
Liam looked at the darkening sky and thought for a while. His brow wrinkled slightly as he tried to think of an appropriate response. Loyalty tugged at the edges of his thought-processes.
"How about I buy you breakfast? It looks like it's gonna be another soft day and I'm only dressed for the gym. Whaddya say?"
Paddy hesitated, it was true he was missing a meal or two; but was it wise to accept manna from this particular heaven? In the end his stomach made the decision for him, by letting out the loudest rumble not measured on the Richter scale.
"Sure, but I wanta see your hands at all times."
"Sounds cautious but fair."
-OOO-
Paddy and Liam joined the early morning breakfast rush-hour. There was a long standing tradition that dictated that every working man had to set himself up for the day with a plateful of meat, meat, more meat and grease or else why call yourself a man? If it was true to say there was a pub on every corner, then next to it was a greasy spoon. Each one offering their own specialities to keep their customers coming back for more. Any and all were welcome, although those who made one too many mutterings about their 5-a-day were soon shown the error their ways via the fire exit.
Substantial sustenance had failed to pass Paddy's lips for nigh on three days; as he shuffled into Liam's favourite kitchen-from-kitchen, he was almost faint with hunger. He swayed with the need to bite down on something hard.
It was quite a squeeze, once inside the café at the end of the lane. Paddy and Liam were wedged up against the tide of morning munchers, all hungry for the opportunity to fill their boots. The aroma of the damp heat wafting from the bodies pressed up against them, was causing Paddy's head to spin. It hit him he wasn't this close to family.
Being a regular Liam caught the eye of the young, striking but clearly harassed waitress, who nodded towards the back of the establishment where the more private seating area lived.
Liam led the way, Paddy followed, this way food lay.
Liam walked towards what initially looked like an alcove, almost completely hidden from view by the overhanging wet coats. Pushing these to one side, Liam took up residence beside an impressive oak table which seemed to have taken root there. The stools which were carved into the base of its frame were shiny and worn smooth; giving testament to the many visitors who have placed themselves there before.
Being the treatee, Paddy was given free reign over the menu. It was tempting to just order the complete left side, but Paddy had to use some restraint and make actual choices. Liam merely mentioned he would have his usual.
As the plates were placed in front of them, Paddy heard a whistle blow in his head. The race was on –
man vs food. There could only be one winner. Baring in mind that he was public, Paddy held back from actually licking his trencher clean, although it hurt him to do so.
Liam watched his efforts with obvious amusement.
Paddy sipped his tea and relished the way in which it warmly coursed throughout his chest. He sniffed.
"So what's really going on Lee?"
"On?" Liam feigned ignorance.
"I just can't get my head around the fact that you would go out of ye way to help me. Me? – Seems strange."
"I'm not going to say we were wrong….but we went too far. You could have died."
"I know, I was there."
"I said and did things I shouldn't have."
"Ye think?"
"I regret calling you a diseased maggot of a man, haunts me."
"Well if it makes you feel any better, I was too pre-occupied at the time to really take offence."
Liam gave a wry smile. Absolution due to greater pain, it wasn't ideal but it would have to do.
"So….I'm still waiting for an explanation."
"Press-ganging people isn't my style."
"Yet you do it so well." Paddy let this comment hang in the air before he tried a different tack. "You know your brothers would kill you too if they saw you with me."
"No they wouldn't" came the swift reply - too swift. It was followed by a nervous head-jerk towards the door. Liam instinctively checked out his escape route, just in case.
Paddy let out a low chuckle. He'd hit the nail on the head and he knew that Liam knew it.
"So you're just the Good Samaritan when they're not around huh? What else do you do that they don't know about?" Paddy continued to chuckle, until he glanced up and saw the tail end of a look of horror passing across Liam's face.
"What? What is it?" He enquired.
"Nothing."
"Liar."
"Pot. Kettle. Black."
"I know. I know, but I never meant to humiliate Bri. This whatever this is, was meant to stay behind the closed curtains of my mind; and when it couldn't, it was out there on the News at 6 before I could catch my breath.
I never ever wanted to hurt Brian, Brianna sorry."
"But you did Blanche, you did."
"Don't remind me; but I'm trying to do the right thing now. I've agreed to an annulment of our marriage."
"I heard."
"You did?"
"Well it's all a bit Marvin Gaye around these parts."
"Huh?"
"I heard it through the grapevine."
"Oh." Paddy got the distinct impression that he was missing something, but he wasn't quite sure what.
Liam broke the sudden silence.
"Another brew?"
"Yeah why not."
With practiced ease Liam quickly gained the attention of the amazingly efficient waitress. She moved in close and smiled at him. They seemed friendly. Close. As she made a note of their running tab, she raised her eyebrows at Liam and pointedly looked at Paddy out of the corner of her eye. A flash of the eyes and a lightening quirk of the eyebrows was Liam's only response.
A light bulb came on.
Paddy waited until their server had moved away then spoke.
"Oh my giddy-aunt! You too?"
Liam paused, in fact he did more than that, he froze. He felt his heartbeat speed up and his blinking rate slow down.
Paddy was staring at him intently - open-mouthed. Complete comprehension animated his features.
"Um."
The older Irishman was impatient now. "No, no ums, you are aren't you?"
The novelty cruet set suddenly held Liam's attention. Seconds did good impressions of minutes.
Still no reply.
Paddy coughed to re-gain his attention.
"Well if we're going to get all technical about it…" Liam began.
"We are."
"Then I'd have to say …. I understand your point of view."
Liam finally raised his eyes while Paddy exhaled a huge tuneless whistle.
"Right under my nose and I didn't see it."
"Right back atcha big fella. I had to check for birthmarks to accept that that was you online."
Paddy then squinted at his companion as more of the puzzle fell into place.
"But you set about me too, with them….why? You're the same as me - that's twisted." Amazement and disbelief coloured his voice equally.
Liam hung his head again in shame. "I couldn't not, there was too much at stake. I only touched you once, if that helps."
"Cheers." Paddy replied sourly. "I'll be sure to put that on my head stone. It was only a light tap."
Silence draped the table like a cloth. Soon the smiling waitress returned with two steaming mugs. She placed them carefully on the solid table before bumping Liam with her hip as she departed.
Paddy recovered his composure first. He leant forward eager to know more, now that the initial shock had worn off. He started the inquisition.
"So who knows? She does of course, me, anyone else?"
Liam took a cautious sip of his tea, winced at the temperature of the liquid, before he divulged any more information that would incriminate himself.
"It's a cliché but I really do lead a double life. My gay friends know, my man knows obviously but my family and others don't."
"How long have you lived like this?"
"Five years."
"FIVE….Jeeez that's some secret."
"I know, sometimes I just have to get away, we just have to get away …to escape the pressure, to feel anonymous and normal."
Paddy was reminded of the many occasions Brianna had commented that Liam was away "camping" again.
It all made sense now. Liam continued.
"Lately it's been really getting to me, this lying by omission. I made a pact with my new flatmate, an old friend; we decided earlier this year to both come out once and for all. Only he did, I didn't. I chickened out."
"How was it for him?"
Liam almost smiled.
"Ok on the whole. Some accepted it straight away; others gave him a rough time."
Paddy nodded thoughtfully. This seemed understandable.
"So are yous gonna try again? For real this time?"
Liam pulled a face that any teenager would have been proud of.
"My heart says no, but my head says have to."
Paddy grunted.
"I've got to tell my brothers though and Brianna, I see that now."
"Only now?"
"I've been a coward I know, but things have got to change; will change, I'll make sure of it."
Paddy viewed Liam with a sceptical eye as he finished his beverage. The seconds sped up again.
"Look Pads, I've still got to go to the gym to finish off my workout. I'm gonna make a move."
"Fine you go."
"Where are you off to now?"
Paddy replied honestly. "Nowhere."
Liam hovered beside the table, tip in hand.
"Stay at mine."
"No." Paddy's answer arrived faster than Fed-Ex. Recent experience had taught him to look a gift-horse in the mouth.
"Pads I'm serious. Stay at mine, I've got a flatmate but he's cool."
"No can do."
"Have you got any better ideas?"
"Ha that argument doesn't work on me any more."
"So you'll just loiter then?"
"I'll take my chances."
"In the Park?"
"Yea why not? My bench and I understand each other."
Liam looked towards the window. The weather situation hadn't improved since their arrival. Light drizzle had turned to light floods.
"It's still tipping it down." He observed. "Look I'll make a deal with you, why don't you bunk down with me until your bench dries out?"
Amused, Paddy had to admire Liam's neat side-step.
"Ok you're on."
Liam released a genuine grin.
"Here take my keys. The spare room is on the ground floor, first door past the living room. Shower's on the first floor. Make yourself at home. Take whatever you need."
Paddy looked down at his shoes. He briefly felt overwhelmed.
"Thanks Lee, appreciate it."
"It's the least I can do - you're family after all."
Both men smiled awkwardly at this ironic statement, before Liam left, leaving Paddy to ponder on the wisdom of his most recent life choice.
-OOO-
Paddy found that his memory was still in good working order. He found his way to Liam's place with ease, having only visited once before when the entire family had helped him move in, years previously.
He was pleasantly surprised with what greeted him after he had turned the lock. A brilliant white and silver colour scheme bounced off his retinas. Everything was pristine and ordered. A place for everything and everything in its place.
Top of Paddy's wish list was to take a shower. A hot one. A very hot one.
Wearing at least three days smells, he was surprised that people hadn't given him a wide berth already.
Practically racing to the first floor, Paddy grabbed two bath towels from the airing cupboard on the landing and entered the bathroom.
Correction - the oasis.
Paddy had only ever been in love once in his life, but he was in love now.
The bathroom was devoid of a bath; in truth it was really one enormous wet room. With a power shower built for two. It was a good job Paddy was alone because he let out an enthusiastic girlie scream.
The countdown to heaven started here.
Dropping his holdall and then his clothes right next to it, Paddy was naked and under the showerhead in less than seven seconds.
Turning the gauge and reaching for the Aloe Vera scented cleanser, Paddy lost himself in a waterfall of bliss. Layer upon layer upon layer of dirt and grime swirled towards the drain. With each layer gone Paddy felt more uplifted. More human. More saved. It was as if each drop of water was bestowing redemption on his battered body. Hope was washing over him in bubble form.
The ritual of rinse and repeat was repeated several times.
When Paddy finally left the shower, his whole body squeaked.
Next Paddy paid just as much attention to his teeth. In less than three minutes, they too were fit for the front page of any dental brochure in the land.
Drying his hair shaggy dog style and swathing his hips in the largest bath towel, Paddy made his way to his room.
As he dismounted the stairs Paddy heard rustling in the apartment. The flatmate must've returned. Paddy picked up the pace; he needed to reach his room fast. He wasn't dressed to receive visitors.
Almost sprinting now, Paddy almost made it to his destination; but then disaster struck.
The door of the living room swung open, just as Paddy was crossing the threshold. Whoever was leaving, was carrying a tray with the remnants of brunch on it. A boozy brunch. A brunch that had contained red wine. Paddy and Liam's friend clashed violently, causing the tray and its contents to fly into the air and gracefully fall towards the floor. Both looked on, mortified as the rich vibrant and ruby red Merlot introduced itself to the whiter than white hallway carpet, in slow motion.
While the flatmate continued to stare at the mess in abject horror.
Paddy could only stare at the flatmate.
Eddie.
-OOO-
Paddy let out a howl like a strangulated wild animal. He slid down wall, his fingers unable to find purchase to prevent his falling. His chest burned with the vain hope that this was not a mirage before him. That if his arms could move, he could actually reach out and touch this vision before him.
Eddie eventually raised his head, to ascertain what had produced this immense over reaction to spilt wine.
Upon seeing Paddy, in shock he dropped the wine bottle that he had retrieved from the floor, for a second time. He too looked as though he had seen a ghost.
"Oh my God Paddy!" Without hesitation Eddie flung himself at Paddy from his soggy kneeling position.
Caught off guard Paddy fell backwards, with Eddie attached to his chest like a backpack in reverse.
"Easy there kid," he managed once the wind had returned to his sails.
Eddie had no intention of taking anything easy. In less than a second Paddy found himself beneath the most intense kiss of his life. Lips, teeth, tongues and gums fought with each other for suction. Foreheads and chins bumped and beat out their own military tattoo too.
Eddie seemed taller lying down.
His limbs wound themselves around Paddy almost double, offering him no escape.
Not that he wanted any.
Paddy's entire body shook. He wasn't sure whether it was with fear, anger or relief.
It was almost too much for his skin to take in.
"Thank God you're ok. I heard such terrible things." Eddie refused to separate his lips from Paddy's so his words came out, truncated, gabbled and wet. Paddy could only nod his head continuously, to convey his wellbeing.
The necessity to draw more air into his lungs, forced Paddy to release Eddie.
"I'm sure as hell glad to see you." Paddy gently rubbed noses with Eddie to prove his sincerity. "I tried to get hold of you kid, I did. I just couldn't find you is all."
"Things were tense, very tense for a while," came the explanation. "Then they went off-the-scale-crazy. Then they ended. I'm fine now."
"I hear ya. I made a visit to crazytown myself."
Despite his recent experiences, Paddy could raise a smile. Eddie took a moment to study Paddy's features, drinking in his pain, before he launched himself on his long-lost lover again. He landed tongue first. He slipped the tip and then the rest in, re-acquainting himself with the taste of his man. His stomach clenched with need. He occupied Paddy's attention for the next ten minutes or so.
Then his memory sprang to life.
"Shit, we need salt."
"Excuse me?"
"Now." Eddie pulled from the embrace "before the red wine sets for good."
Eddie scrambled to his feet, dragging Paddy with him, unwilling to let go of him for a second. They made their way to the kitchen to collect the condiment.
Being the guest, Paddy watched from the doorway as Eddie opened and closed several cabinets, in search of the elusive granule. Finally, family pack in hand, the men revisited the spillage, which now resembled a recently neglected crime-scene. Both crouched down and took it in turns to cover the stain with a thick crust of sodium. They completed the task in silence. It brought back memories, Paddy had always been impressed with how well they used to work together. Not that he ever told Eddie that.
Without thought, Paddy leant across their work and kissed Eddie square on the lips. This was followed by another and another and another. Taking the active ingredient from his hands, Paddy set it aside and lay his lover down. He straddled his former colleague and gazed reflectively into his hazel eyes.
He saw heat.
He saw hope.
He saw desire.
Unblinking Eddie slowly unravelled his ex-mentor's towel and cupped his ardency. Paddy released his second howl of the day, directly onto Eddie's tongue. He bit his bottom lip, harder than he intended. He drew blood which he licked away. Eddie's head jerked slightly, due to the sting and the surprise.
Paddy began to dry-hump Eddie's leg. He soon became frustrated with the sensation of flesh against fabric, and so began to wrestle with his boy's belt - rougher than was necessary.
"It's ok. I've got it." Eddie intervened before permanent nail marks were left. His jeans and his pants soon parted company with his body. Paddy grabbed what he hadn't held for weeks. He let out a groan of satisfaction. Eddie's reciprocal groan conveyed a different message.
A destructive fire was beginning to take hold of Paddy, at the corners of his psyche. He tried to manoeuvre Eddie into position for immediate access. He'd lost the art of patience. He needed this now.
He placed his knee between Eddie's thighs and prised them apart, without care. He licked his fingers; he could still taste the salt. He found his target and plunged two digits in straight away. Eddie slid across the floor a little bit, in an attempt to escape this sudden intrusion. His neck collided with Paddy's teeth.
Paddy bit down hard, harder than anticipated.
There are lovebites and then are just,
bites.
Paddy tried to raise Eddie's right leg to his shoulder. He needed a clear shot. Eddie squirmed slightly.
He required more time.
More finesse.
More care.
Try a little tenderness.
Paddy made a fist of Eddie's hair which he tugged forcefully, trying to stop his rocking deck from rolling away from him.
The fire was turning into a furnace. He needed to touch skin. Haphazardly he attacked Eddie's shirt buttons.
Not all of them survived the assault.
Once again, he was greeted with Eddie's anomaly; his carpet of chest hair. He closed his eyes and buried his face nostril deep in the warm blanket of curls beneath him.
He had missed this bliss.
Eddie winced and shifted his right side closer to the carpet. Out of harm's way.
Still on a mission, Paddy aimed himself at Eddie's aperture and began to thrust wildly.
His aim was not true.
He bounced against Eddie's inner thigh and butt cheeks, in a frenzied manner.
The end of the rope had been reached.
"Paddy stop, you're hurting me."
Paddy was too lost to hear him.
"Not like this - please."
The thrusts continued.
"Not like him!"
Paddy stopped immediately.
Looking up he saw the distress and bewilderment in Eddie's eyes, as good sense re-entered the room.
He gasped and recoiled from his actions.
"I'm sorry. Oh God, I didn't mean to. I don't know what came over me."
"It's ok."
"I lost my head."
"I know."
"These last few weeks have been tough, but that's no excuse."
"Paddy you really don't have to explain - I get it."
"I could've really hurt you."
Eddie reached up and softly held Paddy's repentant face in his shaking hands.
"You didn't though."
Paddy started to cry, his tears pooled in Eddie's palms.
Eddie earnestly searched Paddy's pupils for the truth and found it.
"Sssh my darlin'. It's ok. We're ok."
For the first time Paddy looked down and spotted that on the right side of Eddie's chest, there was a shaved section. Eddie had a surgical adhesive stuck there. Without breaking eye-contact Paddy placed his whole hand over the patch and carefully prised it from Eddie's skin.
Eddie's eyes were now the ones that filled with water.
"Don't" It was a feeble request, which was easily ignored.
Underneath his fingertips, Paddy found a very red, very inflamed broken nipple.
A torn nipple - a nipple without a ring.
Paddy's anger rose once more.
"Did he do this to you?"
Eddie could only nod.
"Bastard. Animal. Let me get my hands on him."
Eddie held on to Paddy's biceps tightly, afraid he was about to leave at that moment.
He whispered hoarsely.
"It was the last straw. I left that day and haven't looked back since. He knows I'm here but hasn't come near. He knows he's beat. He's a coward really."
"I should've been there to protect you."
"You had troubles of your own."
Paddy smiled wanly.
"We're a right pair."
"Made for each other."
Eddie's smile was brighter now.
"C'mere" he dragged Paddy to his feet. "We've got some beds around here somewhere."
Eddie guided Paddy around the blushing Dead Sea and directed him up the stairs, towards his bedroom.
-OOO-
As soon as they entered Eddie's room, the near naked pair flopped down on his un-made bed.
"Sorry, I wasn't expecting guests."
Paddy pulled him close and kissed the tip of his nose.
"No worries I like it. Smells like you."
Eddie gave Paddy a quizzical look.
"You're mad, you know that right?"
"Takes one to know one."
The gentle laughter that filled the air soothed a lot of ills.
Paddy sat up and encouraged Eddie to do the same. He wrapped his legs around, him, yoga style.
Eddie copied. Their excitements touched.
Paddy eased the remnants of Eddie's shirt off his shoulders, with extreme care. He kissed the hollow of his throat, his neck, his shoulders and finally his broken nipple over and over, as if to apologise.
I wasn't there. I should've been.
Eddie stroked and nuzzled the nape of Paddy's neck in turn - his favourite part.
Paddy's hands found his way to the curve of Eddie's arse - another favourite uncovered.
The heat of their bodies invaded their heads. Their mouths started to provide their very own soundtrack.
Paddy began to run his fingers delicately up and down the sides of Eddie's ribcage. Eddie began to purr.
Paddy's heart beat loudly in his chest. It swelled with pride. He was responsible for this.
Surprising Paddy with his agility, Eddie flipped backwards and reached under his bed. He produced a tube. Unfazed this time, Paddy made a move towards the essential emulsion.
Eddie stopped him.
"No just watch" he instructed.
He leant back against the pillows and pointed his lithe limbs in the opposite directions of East and West. Flipping the lid, he poured a generous amount of gel onto his fingers and brought these to his core. Teasingly, he circled his entrance, making sure that the surface would glisten and catch Paddy's eye.
Mission accomplished.
Eddie then allowed first one, then two then three digits to enter his heat. Paddy listened with an ever racing heartbeat, as these foot soldiers squelched noisily in an out of where he wanted to be. Eddie maintained a rapid rhythm, changing direction frequently. His lips spoke their own language of joy. His eyes rolled back in his head.
Paddy couldn't take any more.
Scooping up Eddie's legs and resting them on his shoulders, Paddy removed Eddie's fingers and replaced them with his tongue.
Eddie hitched his hips instantly as Paddy made friends with his special spot.
Beginner's luck.
Paddy made a mental note to name this ally.
He explored like never before. His saliva mingled with the shop-bought salve to provide extra comfort.
The scent of Eddie made his soul flutter. He did his best to adhere to the speed that would please his boy the most. Eddie's heels drumming against his back, let him know he was doing a fine job.
"I'm ready now Pads. Yeah, now's good."
Paddy took the hint. He broke from his activity and this time it was him, who felt underneath the bed for a foiled-wrapped assistant.
Once located, Eddie removed it from his hand.
"Here, let me."
He tore open the sachet with ease and popped the content into his mouth. Bending down he expertly glided the protection down Paddy's cock. Giving him an encouraging kiss on his balls when he reached the base.
He could tie a cherry-stalk with his tongue too; but that was a trick for another day.
Once prepared Eddie wasted no time and quickly climbed aboard the stiff encouragement Paddy presented to him. He bowed down and kissed Paddy, with tongues, sharing his essence and his warm gel. He immediately took charge, setting the pace that Paddy was only too eager to follow.
This was his homecoming.
Due to the ecstatic moaning and groaning in the room the occasional squeaking and shuddering went unnoticed.
If Paddy had had any lingering doubts as to whether this was truly the right path for him, just watching Eddie, as he flung his head back repeatedly in wild abandonment, made him realise that this was the view, that he wanted to see for the rest of his days.
With that thought, he let himself go and experienced the strongest orgasm of his life.
Just as the bed broke.
Splintering wood and a dramatic dip in the level of the mattress, jettisoned both men towards the end of the bed and onto the floor.
There was a pause.
Before raucous laughter filled the air.
"I just can't catch a break." Paddy observed as he checked to see that Eddie hadn't sustained any injuries.
"Even flat-packed furniture is against me." He shook his head in mock disbelief.
"I'm against you" Eddie snuggled even closer to add literal meaning to his words "and it's where I always want to be."
Paddy smiled softly.
"Leaving weak beds and ex-boyfriends aside, we're gonna be alright aren't we?" Eddie asked.
It was the question Paddy hadn't dared broach in the previous weeks. He scrunched his fingers into Eddie's hair and crossed them.
"I sure as hell hope so kid." He kissed Eddie's forehead tenderly.
"I hope so."
Fin
-OOO-
Just before I go, I would like to say thank you to all the readers out there who have stuck with me throughout this story; both visible and invisible. I started this story on a whim and continued due to the incredible support I received.
I thank you all xx.
Comments are always appreciated.