A/N: WELP. You waited patiently, pets. It's next year. Here's the chapter I promised you in 2015. Hope you aren't too hungover to read it. ;)


An odd sensation woke Carlisle early one morning. It was a persistent tickle that began at the side of his nose. He grunted, not wanting to let go of sleep. The itch moved down, trailing along Carlisle's neck and centering on his chest. It probably should have bugged him-was it a spider?-but Carlisle only smacked at his chest, trying to bat it away.

The itch laughed.

Carlisle opened his eyes, blinking in the muted light. He'd gone to bed alone the night before, that much he was sure of. He pushed himself upright, sitting back against the headboard as his eyes adjusted. "Edward?"

The Edward-apparition grinned and stood. He was naked. And sexy. Always sexy. "What are you doing here?" Carlisle asked, still confused. Edward had, Carlisle vaguely remembered, sweet-talked him into giving him a spare key last week so he could have dinner ready after a long shift. He grew only more perplexed when Edward dropped out of sight. "Where did you go?"

Edward was back in a minute, climbing onto the bed on his hands and knees. He had one of Carlisle's belts between his teeth. As he crawled back up the bed, Carlisle started to accept the fact he was actually awake. "Baby, what are you doing?" He reached out, touching Edward's soft hair, assuring himself that he was real and touchable.

Edward leaned his head down, placing the belt on Carlisle's lap and sitting up straight. His grin was impish. "I figured you might want to let me take your birthday spanking for you."

Carlisle raised an eyebrow, his cock already jumping at the idea. He picked up the doubled-over belt and doubled it again. He used it to tilt Edward's chin up to study him. "You know how old I am today, little boy? You want forty swats and one to grow on?"

Edward's grin only widened. "I know how old you are, Daddy."

"Well, then." Carlisle rolled his neck from one side to the other, stretching. He stood, letting the doubled belt hang from his hand. He picked up two of his pillows and laid them in the middle of the bed. "Get your ass up in the air, little boy."

Edward was quick to move into position. Carlisle took a minute to admire the sight in front of him. His boy had a beautiful ass. Nice and round and tight. Carlisle ran his fingers over the backs of Edward's legs, watching his body respond to his touch.

"Count," he said simply and landed the first swat.

All things considered, it was a great birthday present. Edward knew how much Carlisle liked seeing his mark on him, the visual reminder of the time they spent together. He knew how much Carlisle liked seeing him squirm, liked that he felt his touch for hours, if not days, after they were together. He also took satisfaction in the fact Edward liked it as much as he did.

And though Carlisle kept the swats moderate-this was a playful spanking after all- after forty-one swats, Edward's skin was well marked.

Carlisle set aside his belt and laid down beside Edward on the bed. He rubbed his back and then his ass. "Look how pretty you are, sweetheart. You feel that?"

"Uh, yeah, Daddy. I think I felt that all forty-one times." He was still smiling, full of cheek as usual.

Carlisle grabbed his hand and pressed it to his ass. "I meant the heat. We could make breakfast on your ass right now."

"Again, this is actually my ass. Believe me, I feel the heat."

"Hmm." Carlisle moved his hand to Edward's back again and kissed him. "I think I'm going to fuck you, little boy." He pushed himself up and got back to his feet. "Roll over, and come let your head hang over the bed.

Edward eyed him, a little perplexed, but he obeyed quickly as usual, flipping over to lay on his back, his head hanging over the bed near Carlisle.

"Open." Carlisle tapped on his chin as he pulled his pajama bottoms down.

Getting the idea then, Edward opened his mouth.

It was a position that gave Carlisle near complete control. Edward couldn't bob his head, so Carlisle was effectively fucking his mouth at his own speed and discretion. "Get me good and wet. I'm too lazy to go downstairs to get lube, and you're going to want me slick when I fuck you."

There weren't a lot of positions that required as much trust as this one did. Edward had almost no control, though he did cup his hands around the backs of Carlisle's knees as he pushed deeper. "Oh, god, baby. Your mouth. Your pretty mouth." Actually, it was the back of his throat Carlisle was enjoying right then, but he wasn't exactly in an eloquent mood. He pumped carefully in and out of Edward's mouth, letting him cover his cock in saliva. As he did, Carlisle ran his hands over his face, his nose. He ran a thumb over Edward's full lips, circling himself where he disappeared into his sub's hot mouth.

"I need you right now, little one." Carlisle pulled out of Edward's mouth and bodily flipped him back over, moving him back to the middle of his bed on his belly. He was over him in the next second, using his knees to spread Edward's apart.

It was the smothering kind of sex. Every inch of Carlisle covered every inch of Edward. Even their hands were clasped above Edward's head. Carlisle lifted his body away from the other man and then swallowed the space between them. Their grunts, moans, and the slap of their skin meeting was the only sound in the quiet morning. Carlisle tilted his head, burying his nose in Edward's hair, breathing in their mingled scent. Intoxicating.

When he was spent, Carlisle only moved far enough that he was lying to the side of Edward instead of on top of him. Edward didn't bother to roll to the side. remaining, like Carlisle, on his belly. They turned their heads, panting and looking at each other. Edward looked about as satisfied as he felt.

Carlisle raised a hand to rest it lightly on his cuff at Edward's wrist. "Sweetheart, you've made this the best birthday I've had in at least five years, and it's not even seven in the morning yet."

Edward smiled. It was that pleased, shy smile Carlisle saw only on occasion. There was no arrogance, no bluster-just the happy smile of a beautiful boy who'd made his Daddy happy. "Yeah, I'm good like that," he said.

Carlisle chuckled. Well. He supposed with Edward there was always a little bluster. He ran his fingers through the younger man's hair, tracing idle patterns against his scalp. "Why aren't you at work?"

"Got my shift covered." His grin spread wider. "I'm yours all day if you want me."

Carlisle sighed, that peculiar warmth spreading slow across his chest, spreading through his blood right down to his toes. The corners of his lips curled up further than was necessary, and yet he couldn't help himself. "I always want you," he said without thinking.

Edward's cheeks went pleasingly pink. "So what do you want to do with me?"

"Right now?" Carlisle yawned. "Sleep." He knew for sure Edward hadn't slept a lot in the last three days. He had to be tired. Carlisle rolled onto his side, pulling Edward closer. He caught the moment of tension and the surprise on Edward's face and pulled back, realizing as many times as they'd slept side by side, they'd never cuddled. "Does this make you uncomfortable?"

"No." But there was an obvious slight effort on Edward's part to relax against Carlisle. He was awkward, like he didn't know what to do. After a moment, he settled on resting his hand on Carlisle's waist.

Carlisle stroked his fingers up and down Edward's spine in a light, soothing gesture, studying him. "Tell me the truth. You're not going to hurt my feelings."

Edward huffed. "It's not uncomfortable. It's just you. Sometimes it's still unexpected, that's all."

"What's just me?"

"You like the soft stuff almost as much as you like the hard stuff. Like the way you touch my face sometimes. No one's ever done that." He ran his fingers over Carlisle's arm. "It's not something I associate with the scene. This. The holding part."

Carlisle's eyebrows knitted together. "The others you've been with?"

"Not like this." Edward rolled his eyes. "I mean. Benjamin hugged me after he punished me. Of course. He did what he was supposed to. But not the way you do."

"And it doesn't make you uncomfortable," Carlisle said again, needing to be clear.

"No. It's...nice." Then it was Edward who yawned. "I thought you were tired."

Carlisle was. It was way too early to be awake when he hadn't slept any more than Edward in the last three days. So he kissed Edward once and closed his eyes, falling asleep for the first time with his boy in his arms.

~0~

Some hours later, Edward came from the kitchen and set a brunch feast in front of Carlisle at the table. He settled on his knees at Carlisle's side, his head on his lap, eating whatever his Dom fed him.

"Can I ask you something?" Edward said, looking up at him.

"Mhmm," Carlisle hummed around a mouthful of French toast.

"Does your family not make a big deal about your birthday? I mean, forty is one of those milestone birthdays, isn't it?"

The toast was painful to swallow when his throat had gone so dry. Carlisle picked up his coffee and took several large gulps. Clearing his throat, he tried to smile. "Ah. Well. My mother…" He had to clear his throat again. "My mother died when I was eight."

Edward raised his head, compassion and sorrow easily readable on his face. "I'm sorry."

Carlisle nodded, trying to dispel the heaviness that had come over him. "My father and I don't really speak, and I have no siblings or close cousins."

The younger man said nothing at first. He just pressed a kiss to Carlisle's knee. Then he rose and sat on Carlisle's lap, facing him. He wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him. Carlisle tasted orange juice and bacon on his tongue.

"I'm sorry," Edward said, pulling back.

The heaviness of the moment had passed, or at least Carlisle wasn't willing to let his worst memories taint what had been a great day so far. Besides, there was a nubile boy on his lap willing to do just about anything for him.

Wrapping his arms firmly around Edward's waist, he stood. When he was sure Edward had his legs wrapped around him well enough, he headed to the living room and his over-long coffee table. "I think I know what I'd rather have for breakfast," he said, setting about the task of devouring his sub one lick and nip at a time.

~0~

Carlisle and Edward wore many hats with each other. Teacher and student. Attending and intern. Dom and sub. Friends.

Which was why Edward was at the bar with all Carlisle's other friends. Normally, it wouldn't be a problem. Carlisle had gone out with his subs once or twice as occasion demanded. With friends who didn't know about his sexual proclivities, they were introduced as boyfriends.

Carlisle wouldn't have minded that right about now. He'd never seen Edward like this-all spiffied up. He was ridiculously sexy. Carlisle couldn't keep his eyes off him, and he wasn't the only one. A fair number of the bar's patrons, men and women alike, were staring.

Watching a pretty blond with a skin-tight skirt come over and whisper something in Edward's ear, Carlisle had to push back the same irrational jealousy he'd felt when Dr. Krushnic approached the younger man. It was twice as silly, too. Not only was it none of Carlisle's business whom Edward flirted with, but he knew damn well the boy's Kinsey meter was set at hella gay. He'd been the kind who hadn't been able to deny his sexuality even in grade school.

"You're about as transparent as a bottle of water."

Carlisle turned on his barstool and found himself facing Esme's bright eyes and smug expression. "I was right," she said.

He held out his arm. "I see no veins, muscles, et cetera, so you're wrong about me being transparent."

She twined her arm through his. "You want him."

"I had him. Three times today. If we get out of this bar before midnight, we'll hit four easy." Carlisle wasn't the kiss-and-tell type, but he and Esme wore many hats too. She was still his best friend.

Esme shook her head and kissed his cheek. "Happy birthday. I can tell him for you, if you'd like. Consider it a birthday gift."

Carlisle hailed the bartender. "She needs something sweet and very alcoholic."

"Ah, did someone call for me?" The stool on Carlisle's other side was occupied by the last person he expected to show up.

"Garrett." Carlisle pulled him Into a back slapping hug. "It's been a long time."

"So it has. I'd apologize for not bringing you a gift, but it looks like I forgot I'd already gotten you something." He tapped his wrist surreptitiously and nodded to where Edward was standing across the room. Garrett had worn a cuff like Edward's a few years back.

Carlisle turned to Esme. "This is Dr. Garrett Damon. He works for the hospital that isn't as good as mine. He also outed me to Edward behind my back. Garrett, this is Esme Platt. She's the reason the interior of my house is so well designed."

"Hello, beautiful." Garrett grandly kissed Esme's hand. "I wondered whose impeccable tastes I had to thank for that glorious house." He glanced at Carlisle. "And as for the other part, that was an accident. He was telling me about this fuckhot doctor he couldn't get out of his head, and I told him it sounds like this fuckhot Dr. Dom I had. It's not our fault we were talking about the same person. Obviously it worked out."

Esme leaned in, conferring with Garrett in a conspiratorial undertone. "I think Carlisle is in love with that boy."

Garrett's eyebrows shot up, and Carlisle rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, shaking his head.

"Ohhhh, really?" Garrett sounded highly amused.

"No," Carlisle said flatly.

"That's too bad," Garrett said. Carlisle recognized the feigned innocence in his voice easily enough. "I know I only talked to the lad that once, but I got the distinct impression he was head over heels in love with you."

Carlisle's head snapped up, but before he could say anything, he felt a hand on his back that sent a thrill through him. Edward leaned past him, setting down one of the fruitiest looking drinks Carlisle had ever seen. "Your favorite," he said with a wink.

The impulse to touch him, to wrap his arm around him, pull him closer, was almost overwhelming. Carlisle found himself breathing in deeply, as though his lungs had been hanging around half full until Edward came over.

He rubbed a hand over his mouth. Maybe he was getting to be more of a lightweight in his older age. Was he tipsy already?

"Thank you, Edward," he said as though fruity drinks were indeed his favorite. "This is Esme Platt, and you know Garrett, of course."

Edward's lip twitched. "Yes, we've met." He turned a dazzling smile on Esme. "Nice to meet you."

"Edward," Esme said, the words warm and sugar sweet. "Come sit by me."

Carlisle had to stop himself from groaning, but he was somewhat relieved to have Edward out of reach. It would be easier not to touch him if Esme was between them. Alcohol really wasn't a good method of keeping a clear head.

"Listen up, everyone," Garrett called loud enough that the loose gathering of people could all hear. "Our mission is to get this man right here"-he clapped Carlisle's shoulder- "very, very drunk. Let's get it done."

Oh, Christ.

~0~

Keeping his hands to himself became progressively more difficult. By the time the night was over, Carlisle thought he would go out of his mind if he didn't get his hands on Edward soon. This whole secrecy thing was for the birds. Still, he would never be careless with Edward's career, so Carlisle kept himself in check.

Of course, when he'd finally been loaded into the passenger seat of Edward's car, all bets were off.

He stroked Edward's knee absently, trying to figure how far away from the bar they had to go to be considered safe.

"So," Edward said as they drove. "What was that thing you and Garrett were talking about going to next month?"

"Hmmm?" Carlisle blinked, trying to get his brain to switch from his plan of attack to answer Edward's odd question. "Oh. It's an annual benefit gala for...something. I've been asked to speak."

"I see. And you're taking Garrett?"

There was, Carlisle realized belatedly, a hint of something dangerous in Edward's tone. Hurt? Anger? Long trained to read his sub's body language and tone, Carlisle knew something was amiss. It was just in his somewhat addled state, he couldn't figure out what it was. The warning was subtle. Edward was typically a very cool and composed person in his everyday life.

Maybe that was where the warning bells were coming from. Carlisle didn't think he was an obnoxious drunk, but he'd been humming and generally being just a little bit goofy for some hours now. Edward, his sassy, cheeky little boy, should have been having a field day, but he wasn't.

Carlisle scrambled for the right words. "You'll be invited when you have a few more years under your belt, I'm sure. You're an impressive doctor, Edward." He patted the other man's cheek somewhat clumsily.

"Thank you for the vote of support. I was just curious, that's all." Edward's voice remained steady, as though he was almost-but not quite-disinterested. "Why ask Garrett?"

"Oh." Of course, that would seem rude. It was an excellent place to rub elbows with the right people. A young doctor like Edward looking to make a name for himself in the medical world would have killed for a chance to get in the door of that gala. "It's just strategy. All part of the stupid game we have to play to get ahead in any arena. You don't go to these things without a date. It's simply not done. If you don't have a loving and supportive spouse at your side, the next best thing is to come with a little eye-candy on your arm. It's stupid-a show of status and power, I suppose-but there you have it. So Garrett and I made a deal years ago." He smirked, waggling his eyebrows at Edward playfully as the younger man glanced at him. "Since we both look damn good in suits, we each accompany the other as a trophy date." He had to laugh. It all sounded so ridiculous.

The other part of why they made that deal went without saying. It would have been nice if they could take their interns or residents, but how could they possibly choose when they almost always had more than one? So Carlisle couldn't take Edward as his intern, thus making it unfair to Tanya, and he couldn't take him as an actual date. Too bad. As far as arm-candy went, Edward would have fit the bill perfectly.

Carlisle moved his hand from Edward's knee to cup him between his legs. As he did, he unbuckled his seatbelt and lurched across the center console to kiss his neck. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Your time is coming. Now stop thinking about work and pull the fucking car over somewhere secluded."

His words surprised Edward so much the car swerved. "What?" Edward asked, the word high pitched.

Carlisle laughed, biting Edward's earlobe. He rubbed his palm over the other man's cock. "I said." He pressed the heel of his palm harder. "Pull. The car. Over. And for your sake, make sure we're somewhere we can't be seen. Unless you want every passing motorist to see you getting fucked over the hood of your car. The choice is yours."

Of course, he was playing with fire there, Carlisle thought belatedly. It would be just like Edward to get off on exhibitionism.

"Gah." Edward tilted his head to one side, allowing Carlisle better access to his neck. "You're fucking drunk."

Carlisle gave him a squeeze. "I am very drunk, but trust me, little boy. I'm not drunk enough that I won't be able to fuck you, and I'm not drunk enough that I don't know what I'm doing, if that's what you're worried about."

As they were at a stoplight, Carlisle turned Edward's face toward him and kissed him hard. "I want you, and I'm not in the mood to wait long enough to get home. I want to see you spread out for me."

Edward whimpered. "Christ."

But he took a turn down the next street, off the busy main street. Edward must have known where he was going because they ended up in a darkened field at the edge of the forest. There were two baseball diamonds there-stand alone, not near a school or anything like that-and plenty of dark, empty space.

Edward had barely stopped the car around the far corner of the field-off the paved road, farthest away from the main road-before Carlisle was out of the car. He dragged the younger man out and pushed him over the hood of his car from the driver's side, pulling his pants down in the next movement.

"Oh hell. Daddy, oh fuck," Edward babbled when Carlisle dropped to his knees, tonguing his hole. He was only down there briefly and then he had shoved Edward none too gently forward, pulling his own pants down just enough to let his straining cock out of its confines. It was sweet, sweet relief when he was finally joined with him.

There was something so primal about fucking another man when he could feel the bite of the cold wind on his skin. He loved the way their grunts and moans echoed in the open space. He loved the idea that he could look up and see the stars if he wanted to.

Not that he wanted to take his eyes off Edward. No. He let the cold February air chill the heat he exuded. The cold was the only thing keeping him from combusting. Being with Edward was almost too much, too hot. Surely it was going to burn him alive someday. Burn him to cinders and ash.

But damn, he thought as Edward's body jerked beneath him with the strength of his release, what a way to go.


A/N: That's one way to ring in the new year!

How we doing out there?