Sexually explicit content in this chapter

Chapter 9:

Steve hobbled in pain to the hotel room door. Finally. . .He used the card key to open the door and limped in. He walked in and closed the door behind him. I can do this. I need to see Danny. I-I need the money. . .Steve winced as he walked into the hotel room and set his bag down on the couch.

"Hey."

Steve jumped at the light cheery voice and turned to look at Danny, who sat in a chair by the window. He felt his chest clench in fear. "Danny. . .forgive me. . .I'm so sorry I'm late-"

"No, I'm early. I apologize. I know I usually let you settle before I come in. So, do whatever you need to do. I can wait." He smiled softly at Steve. His shirt was open and he had no belt on.

Steve smothered the feelings of fear and upset deep within him. He tried to smile the best he could. "I'll just take a quick shower."

Danny nodded and turned to look out the window. "Okay. Sounds good. You hungry?"

Steve made his way to the bathroom, suppressing every need to limp or walk unevenly to alleviate the pain. "No, I'm fine, thanks." He shut the door behind him and turned on the vent. He shuddered out a breath. He turned the water on and undressed himself. He stepped into the shower, grimacing as his body continued to pulse in pain.

Steve's mouth dropped as the stream of water hit his back. His back stung with a throbbing, aching pain. He turned to the stream and tried to catch his breath. This wasn't good. If he couldn't handle walking, or even standing, without there being a constant ache, how could he handle lying on his back or sitting in a chair as Danny thrusted into him?

He washed himself the best he could and turned off the water. He stepped out of the shower. As Steve dried himself, he felt uncomfortable. Even though he had just washed himself, he felt this nagging feeling of filth and uncleanliness. . .something he had never felt before. He shook the feelings, the pain, and the shame away as he draped the towel over a railing in the bathroom and went to the door. He took in a deep breath before he opened it and stood at the door.

Steve's eyes immediately went to Danny, who still sat in the chair. His pants were open and he was stroking his dick slowly, seeming to be deep in some amazing thoughts. Steve gave a weak smile at the sight. The man's brows were furrowed. His face showed in the light of the night. His blue eyes sparkled and his blond hair gleamed. As much as he liked the imagery, Steve felt empty as he maintained his gaze on Danny.

The sooner this was done, the sooner he could be left alone.

As Steve had taken a step out of the bathroom, Danny looked to Steve. His body still glistened with water from the shower. The sight excited Danny and he took in a breath as Steve stared at him.

"Ready?" Steve asked.

Danny nodded. "You?"

"Yep. Where do you want me?"

Danny frowned at the question. He hadn't heard it in a while. . .since the first couple of meets he had with Steve. Eventually, Steve stopped asking, because he thought that Steve knew where Danny liked him to be. . .against his body. . .touching. . .and just close to him. Danny glanced around. "Um. . .pick your spot." He answered, still trying to figure out Steve's question.

Fuck, he's not going to watch me walk, is he? Again, Steve stifled the need to limp and grimace at the pain he felt searing through his body. Steve walked naked to the bed and carefully sat himself down on his back, not revealing his backside at all to Danny. He needed to keep it hidden from Danny. No sense in worrying him. . .Fuck, as if he'd care. . . He's only here to fuck me. That's all I'm good for anyway. He could feel the heat and bruises all over his back side.

It ached.

So badly.

Danny frowned as he watched Steve. Something is off. "Are you okay, Steve?"

Crap, he didn't notice, did he? "Yeah, I'm fine. Fantastic, really. Never been better." He said with a smile.

Danny continued to frown. No, no. Something is definitely off. The wincing, the odd, irregular movements, his 'smiles'. . .Something's wrong. Danny couldn't figure out what to say.

Steve tried to relax his body. He could make it through this, even with the pain. Danny was quick, he was thorough, and he was gentle. And that was all Steve needed. "Come here." He whispered.

Danny stood, still holding onto his dick, stroking it gently as he walked to the bed where Steve lay. He placed a knee on the bed and looked over Steve with a smile. Steve tried his best to reciprocate the smile.

Danny leaned over him, breaking his hand from his dick and placing it near Steve's shoulder. His shirt was open, his chest peaked out. Steve smiled at him as he rose a hand to Danny's chest, trying to suppress anxiety he felt. Flashes from the previous meet ran through his mind as he closed his eyes and turned his head to a side, trying to get a hold of himself.

He felt Danny leaning closer to him, causing him to draw in a breath.

Odd. . .very odd. . .Danny observed Steve's behavior and he didn't like the vibe Steve was giving off. Steve wasn't looking at him in the eye. He seems. . .uncomfortable. "Babe?"

Steve opened his eyes and drew his gaze to him. "Yes?"

Danny felt his stomach drop slightly as he gazed into Steve's eyes. Pain. . .He's in pain. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Steve smiled and nodded. "Yeah. I'm. . .so glad to be here with you."

Danny gave him a small smile. He didn't believe Steve entirely. Something was not right.

"Come on. . .make yourself comfortable." Steve seemed to be hiding his pain well, because Danny sat up and took his pants and shirt off, tossing them aside after grabbing a tube and package from his pants pocket.

Danny leaned over him again and placed a kiss to Steve's neck. Steve closed his eyes again and bit his lower lip in pain, away from Danny's field of view.

His neck muscles are tense. . .his pulse feels high. Danny flicked his tongue around on Steve's neck. What was he to do if Steve wouldn't tell him what was wrong? He's already sweating. . .Danny didn't like this and pulled from Steve's neck.

Steve could tell Danny was hesitating. . .his frown and worried look gave it all away. Steve gave a smile. "Kiss me."

Danny leaned over and obliged Steve's request. He felt Steve's hand wrap around his cock. His lower abdominal muscles tensed at the touches.

Steve forced his tongue into Danny's mouth, stroking Danny's already hard dick. I can do this. He started to tremble. He tried to suppress it as he kissed Danny.

Shuddering. . .Shaking. . .Why? It's not that he's cold. . .in fact, he's burning up. Danny pulled from Steve's lips, looking over his face as Steve's gaze dropped to his groin.

Steve stroked him, willing himself to pull through the pain and ache he was feeling. He breathed in, looking up to find Danny staring at him with a worried look in his eyes. Can he not look at me like that? It's not like he truly cares. . .I don't matter that much to him. . .to anyone. Steve reached up and pulled Danny to his lips.

"Use me for your every desire." Steve whispered before placing his lips back to Danny's.

As Steve kissed him, Danny frowned. What is going on with Steve? Danny reached down and rubbed Steve's opening gently.

Oh, fuck, that hurts! Steve tried to keep his reaction to a minimum, but it was proving to be quite difficult. Fuck. . .

Danny broke for a moment at Steve's tensed lips. Did he-did he just wince? "Babe, forgive me, but you don't seem okay."

Crap, please just let it go. Steve grabbed his neck. "I'm fine, Danny. Really." He pulled Danny closer.

Danny let himself be led into the kiss. As he continued the kiss, he placed his hand back to the spot on Steve he just touched and began to rub in gentle circles.

Oh, fuck. . .God, how could this hurt so much? Steve continued to kiss Danny. He clenched his toes, pressing them into the mattress, suppressing the need to push Danny away.

Did I just completely misread him earlier? He didn't wince this time. . .Danny continued kneading Steve.

Okay. Just breathe. I can do this. Steve kept his expression smooth as he sucked on Danny's lip. He moved down to Danny's chin and then his neck.

Danny pulled from him, applying lube to his fingers before leaning back over Steve.

Steve pulled him to his lips and tried to relax himself. His arm drifted up around his back and to his hair. He began to run his fingers through Danny's hair gently and continued to stroke Danny's dick with the other.

Danny brushed his opening before finding his way in him.

Oh, fuck. Steve winced and gripped his hands. Oh, God. Fuck!

"Fuck, babe, ease your grip a bit." Danny chuckled, muttering against his lips.

Steve loosened his grip on the man's hair and dick. "Oh, God! I am so sorry. Please. Don't. . .don't stop."

Danny frowned. "You sure?"

"Yes! Please, Danny." Steve chuckled a bit to smooth the slight tension.

Danny bit his lower lip as moved his fingers in and out of Steve.

Steve managed to keep a straight face for a short while but then couldn't handle keeping a straight face. He guided Danny to his neck.

Danny weakly smiled and placed his lips to Steve's neck. When Steve was sure he couldn't see, he furrowed his brows and bit his lower lip before opening his mouth slightly. Fuck, this hurts so bad!

After a while, Danny pulled from his neck and pulled his fingers out of him. Steve clenched his toes when he did that, keeping his face calm. He placed his hands on Danny's chest and Danny opened the package and placed the condom on himself. Steve watched him lube up and then moved closer to him.

Steve knew this would hurt. He knew Danny liked to look at him as he entered him, but Steve didn't think he could keep a straight face this time around. He pulled Danny in close and kissed him as Danny fumbled against him.

Until Danny found his opening.

Oh, god! Searing pain shot through his body. Steve moved his hands against the bed next to his sides and gripped the sheets as the stabbing pain continued as Danny pushed in. Steve moaned in pain against Danny's lips.

Danny pulled with a look of worry on his face. Steve gave him the best smile he could muster. "Kiss my neck again." He said trying to smooth the mood. He knew he was panting heavily. He tried to slow it down.

Danny was still not sure as he slowly moved in and out of the man and leaned closer to Steve's neck. He licked and sucked on Steve's neck as Steve continued to grip the sheets at his side. He felt Danny's hands grasp around his wrists and gently pressed them against the bed.

Steve bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut. Fucking hell, just let him hold you down. He's safe. . .he won't hurt you. . .it's better than Michael towering over you. God, how am I going to get through this? Hopefully I don't pass out from the pain. He shifted against the bed. Damn it.

Danny kept his movements slow and easy, finding his way up Steve's neck to the man's ear.

I can't do this. This hurts so fucking bad. Steve made a little noise as he kept his eyes shut. I have to do this. The money. . .the apartment. . .Kono. . .the debts. . .I need to do this. I have to keep Danny as a regular. Who cares what happened this afternoon? He'll be over soon enough. . .he never lasts that long. Plus, he's gentle. This is gentle. . .it's not as bad as it could be.

"Steve?"

Steve's eyes shot open. He must've not realized Danny leaving his neck and ear to look at him. A look of pure panic and alarm displayed itself on his face as he released his grip around Steve's wrists and slowly slipped out of him. The movements of Danny slipping out of him suddenly surprised him enough to let out a small gasp.

"Yeah?" Steve breathed, trying to keep his voice steady.

"You're-you're crying, babe."

Steve hadn't realized the tears that crept from his eyes and now streamed down his cheeks. "Ah, fuck. Sorry." He chuckled and went to wipe them away.

"Babe. . ."

"It's fine. I'm fine. It's just that crazy time of year with. . .allergies, ya know?" Steve brought his hands away from his face and sat up. Pain seared along his ass and up his back. His hands found Danny's arms and he latched onto Danny's neck.

"Steve-"

Steve pulled and looked at him. "Yeah?"

Danny gazed into his eyes with a pleading look. "I can stop-"

Steve shook himself. Pull it together, Steve. "No, no. It's fine. I'm fine, I'm okay. Really." He lifted his hands to Danny's cheeks. "Come here." He said huskily. Steve brought Danny closer so he could kiss the man's neck. He could feel tears begin to well up in his eyes.

No. . .this is wrong. Danny shrugged his shoulders up, trying to get Steve to stop. "Steve. . ." He paused, bringing his hands up to Steve's and he held them. "Come on. . ." He mumbled as Steve moved from Danny's hidden neck to his jawline.

Steve continued to gently kiss along Danny's jawline before the dam broke and tears streamed down his cheeks. He couldn't do this. The overwhelming realization of defeat pained him as he placed a single, gentle kiss to Danny's chin. He then placed his forehead on Danny's cheek. Oh, God. . .why? Why? It's not like it matters. . .no cares about what happened to me. . .or what happens to me. . .so why can't I pull it together? Even for myself?! Why don't I care about what happens to me? Why can't I pull it together. . .for me? Tears trickled down his face.

Danny pulled away from him and looked into his eyes that were full of pain and misery. Steve still had streams wandering down his face. Danny watched him turn away from him, and lay on his side, pulling his knees to his chest in a fetal position, letting the tears flow down his cheeks and onto the bed.

"Steve, babe-" Danny reached to touch Steve's hip.

Steve flinched away from the touch. "Please, Danny. Just go. . .you-you don't have to pay tonight. . .or for the room. . .I'll-I'll pay. . .I'll contact you later." Steve's broken voice shattered Danny's heart. Then, Danny got a good look of Steve's back.

Bruises. Deep bruises, blackened and purpled. . .and welts. Risen, red and clearly irritated from whatever he was struck with, which must've been a belt from the shape of the welts. A few had broken. . .dried blood was plastered down his back.

Danny took in a sharp breath. Oh, my god. Danny stared at them momentarily before getting off the bed, walking away from him to the bathroom.

Steve sniffed, trying to stop the many fluids draining from his face. He shook and trembled with each sniff as he heard Danny leave him. He's gone. He's gone. Everything will be fine.

Steve tried to calm his tears enough to try to heave himself up, but he felt paralyzed. . .he couldn't move. Anguish, horror, and pain froze his body into a still nothingness. . .into a numbness that he couldn't break free from.

Steve gasped as he felt movement on the bed behind him. His body tensed, causing the pain to worsen.

"Shh-shh-shh. It's okay, Steve. I have a warm cloth. I'm going to wipe it along your back, okay?"

Steve didn't say anything, tears continuing down his cheeks.

Danny placed a gentle hand to the man's shoulder. He gently wiped the dried blood off Steve's back. Steve winced every time the cloth brushed against one of the welts. Danny could still hear Steve sniffing as he finished the wiping.

Danny got up again and walked back to the bathroom. Steve heard a faucet turn on.

Danny turned the faucet to the bath on. He ran a hand under the flowing water until he felt it become fairly hot. Steam rose from the water and it continued to run as Danny walked to the front of Steve.

"Come here, Steve." Danny reached out to his hand and pulled him into the sitting position.

Steve tried to push him away. "Danny, please, just go." He said, feeling tears on him again.

Danny persisted as he tried to help Steve up and Steve tried to push him again until Steve realized he couldn't fight Danny anymore. He had no energy. He had no will to fight the man that was trying to help him. He was pulled up from the bed.

An overriding need to feel comfort and to have someone understand overwhelmed Steve. He crumbled into Danny, resting his head in the nape of Danny's neck. His bare, broken body huddled close to Danny's, making Danny feel slightly dazed at the feel of Steve's skin against his own again. Danny could feel the man trembling against him. Steve shuddered out a breath as droplets fell to Danny's bare shoulder.

"Danny, forgive me. I'm so sorry."

Hearing those words in that hushed, shattered tone broke Danny's heart all over again. Sympathy washed over him as he wrapped his arms around the man's burly body, careful not to touch any of the welts along his back. "Why do you want my forgiveness?" He asked gently.

Tears dropped to Danny's neck.

"I. . .I couldn't-"

"Oh, babe no. . .just. . .no." He said firmly. "You tell me next time this happens, okay? I don't want to hurt you." He paused. "I don't ever want to hurt you." He added with a whisper. There was a few moments of silence before Danny spoke again. "And I don't want you to be hurt. By anyone." He added. Danny held onto him for a few more seconds. Steve continued to shudder and tremble before Danny spoke to him again. "How does a bath sound?"

Steve didn't say anything. He couldn't remember the last time he had a bath. Probably before he left for training. One sounded absolutely wonderful right now.

"Come on." Danny continued to hold him as they walked to the bathroom. Danny helped him as he stepped in the bath.

The heat made him take in a breath as he tried to sit down. Pain blazed through his body as he gasped out. "Please. . .Danny. . .I can't. . .my back. . ."

"Okay, okay. We'll just turn you around, okay? Come here." Danny grasped his arm and helped him ease onto his stomach in the bath.

Steve grunted and winced as he settled again, his body throbbing in the hot, steaming water.

Danny turned off the water as the water level reached Steve's lower back, just above his rump and watched Steve wince as he adjusted himself in the tub one last time. He placed his arms on the tub edge and rested his head in his arms.

"I'm going to grab some things from the store across the street. I would really like it if you stayed. . .with me tonight."

Steve looked at him, anguish and shame still present. Steve looked completely miserable to Danny.

"Will you stay with me?"

Steve continued to stare at him. Should he stay? Could he make it back to his apartment and figure out how to put himself back together? Or should he allow Danny to help him?

Steve finally nodded to Danny. Staying was the best option for him.

"Do you want anything from the store?" Danny asked.

Steve sat in the bath speechless. He shook his head.

"Okay. I'll be back in exactly 15 minutes, okay?"

Steve nodded.

"Okay." Danny stood up and put a kiss to Steve's forehead, like Steve was a loved one, and left the bathroom.

Steve sat in the bath and rested his head in his arms as he thought about the night. He really hoped that he didn't scare Danny away. He shouldn't have come tonight. He should've called and canceled. Seeing these wounds would scare anyone away. Seeing him, a man, like this, would scare anyone away.

Steve placed his forehead on his arms and closed his eyes. Why did he think he could hide this from Danny? The man was so in tune with him, it was impossible to try to hide something from him.

Steve pulled his head up and settled it back in his arms and closed his eyes, weariness coming over him. Danny would be back soon and everything was going to be okay.