"Jarvis wants to print my stories from the detention centre." Luke said to Noah, finally getting to sit down on the couch after another hectic day at the paper. "As installments. He thinks it would make for a good general interest piece."
"And?" Noah asked, one hand absentmindedly reaching over stroking at Luke's thigh.
"And I'm still thinking about it," Luke said, leaning over to give Noah a light, quick kiss.
It wasn't enough for Noah. He shifted across and kissed Luke back, a little longer, and a little less lightly.
"I think you should do it." Noah hummed, inching in still closer, "You can still have it published as a book after the fact."
Luke eased his hands under Noah's t-shirt, covered his breast with his palms, and kissed him again, importantly, deeply; skillfully and ardently running his fingers over all the right places. Noah groaned with pleasure.
"I don't know." Luke said as they moved to lie flat across the couch together. "I guess I'm still nervous people won't like it."
Noah's nose was buried deep within his neck by this point and he had to extract himself to say, "Jarvis liked it! And he's an expert! So will you please stop with the self doubt thing?"
Luke smiled, "I love you bub-."
Noah silenced him from above with another warm kiss and Luke sighed pleasurably, relaxing totally under his weight; feeling completely absorbed by him.
"Have you had any more trouble from the Jenna lady?" Noah asked as he came up for breath.
Luke shook his head, running his fingers through the curls at the tops of Noah's ears, "No. I think Jarvis has warned her off. But I catch her looking at me sometimes so I'm sure it's only a matter of time before she strikes."
"Well, when she does she'll have met her match I'm sure!" Noah giggled.
Luke snorted.
He closed his eyes and felt as Noah's hand sought the side of his face, lingering there with a feather's touch, while he lipped his way under Luke's chin.
When Noah's kisses stopped for a while Luke opened his eyes to see the blue eyes close to his, examining him with intense concentration.
"What are you doing?" Luke asked with a grin.
"Just looking." Noah replied with a contented smile. "Because I can."
Luke was immediately struck by a sudden and desperate need to make love; unable to stand the thought of waiting another second.
Right now, that minute, he wanted to make love!
Impossible. Of course he would have to wait, what with Mia and Nicholas wide awake and playing just outside in the yard; their high pitched giggles periodically reminding both men of their close proximity.
But god! How he desired this other man! Forever but definitely RIGHT NOW!
He lifted one of Noah's hands and studied his lovely long fingers, overly aware of the way Noah's thumb grazed this skin, catching every now and then on Luke's wedding band.
"How many hours before the kids are asleep?" he asked Noah with wanton eyes.
Noah laughed and blew a hot breath into Luke's ear making him gasp.
"Noah!" He groaned, frustrated.
His smile flourishing, Noah lifted back up to gaze deeply at Luke.
"You a little horny, Snyder?" He teased, grounding his hips.
"You… ah… know it!" Luke complained, gripping Noah around his waist, "And you also know how much I hate having to wait!"
Luke leaned up and kissed him and Noah put his hand on his face and kissed him back.
He was just in the process of tweaking Noah's right nipple with they heard a key turn in the front door and they both shot up quickly to sitting; grinning naughtily at each other as Noah adjusted his shirt.
Josh walked in none the wiser and smiled at both of them, closing the door behind him.
"Hey." he greeted.
"Hi Josh," Luke answered, "We thought you'd be at least another hour."
"Yeah, um," Josh said, seeming to stubble over his words for some reason, "Um, Coach wasn't… feeling too good… so we finished early.
He dumped his bag at the dining table and turned to lean back against it, watching them timidly.
"Nat's been trying to get hold of you." Luke told him, "She says she hasn't spoken to you in a while."
"Oh." Josh sniffed, "Um… something must be wrong with my phone… okay, I'll call her."
"Everything okay?" Noah asked, twisting around and leaning is arm across the back of the couch to look at him; obviously also sensing the same hesitancy in Josh that Luke was.
Since the night Josh had returned home drunk, the two of them had tried to keep a closer eye on him; getting Josh to check in with them more regularly without encroaching too much on his privacy.
"Oh yeah! Thanks! I'm great." He assured them.
"Have you heard from your Mom?" Luke asked, wondering if this was why Josh seemed out of sorts.
"No, but I thought maybe I'd go by there tomorrow or something. I need to talk to her about my allowance and I think my car's due a service too."
"Great idea!" Luke said. "It's good for you to find time to spend with her. She will come around you know? It took my mom a while before she accepted I was gay. But once she did she became my most ardent supporter! So don't give up on yours okay?"
Josh nodded with a small smile.
"Luke's right!" Noah said, "Your mother is trying to understand! And that's at least a first step!"
Josh's face fell somewhat. "I know I've been staying here longer than you expected. But is that okay? I mean... I can get Mom to pay for a hotel or something if you want me to go…"
"No! Not at all!" Luke said with a reassuring smile. "We told you… You can stay for as long as you need. We just want things to work out for you, that's all. Because they're your family and it's where you belong."
Josh nodded again and then, pointing toward the door said, "I was going to go for a quick swim in the sea if that's okay."
Noah's head did an immediate lift at that and his eyes locked with Luke's. "Um, you couldn't take Nicky and Mia down for an hour or two, could you?"
Luke almost whooped with joy and it was Noah who played it cool.
There was a considerable pause from Josh.
"Um." Josh looked suddenly uncomfortable. "Um… yeah… yeah of course I can."
"They'll love it." Noah said. "Thanks Josh. Are you sure? It's okay if you don't think you can't manage with both of them on your own."
Luke surreptitiously kicked Noah to shut up and accept the opportunity chance had just offered them on a plate. He could tell that Josh was a little confused by the grin Noah couldn't hide.
"Um," Josh said, "No. It's fine. I got it!"
It took just twenty minutes to get the kids into their swimsuits, sun-creamed up and out the door before the two of them were throwing each other's clothes over the back of their shoulders.
"I'm not entirely convinced Josh was that keen on babysitting for us today!" Noah laughed as Luke pawed at him while they stood in the centre of the living room.
"Yip, I feel bad guilt-tripping him into it too." Luke agreed, "But desperate times and all that…"
He was all at once drawn to the shape of Noah's mouth and to the long line of his throat; up which he licked like he would an ice lolly.
Noah drew in his breath sharply, staring unblinking at him.
"Ah, but I love the way you feel!" Luke sighed, his hands cupping Noah's buttocks and gently squeezing.
Noah lowered his head and opened his mouth on Luke's nipple, his tongue darting against it's nib. It made Luke shiver, took his breath altogether and caused his eyes to close. Light shimmered behind his eyelids.
Then he was dragging Noah toward the bedroom and entering to almost violently throw the man down to the mattress.
"Wow!" Noah breathed, "You really ARE hot for it, aren't you?"
"Shut up and kiss me!" Luke exclaimed diving down after him.
Noah promptly rolled Luke over and pressed a kiss to his lips, stroking one hand up and down Luke's right arm. Noah's hand slid up to Luke's throat and his mouth was wet and open to him.
The excitement collected, gathering, and Luke wound his arms around Noah's neck, kissing him eagerly.
Noah caressed him, his hand circling and teasing at Luke's nipples as he kissed him hard.
When Noah's mouth left his, Luke was taking short, shallow breaths, blindly stroking at him. Noah was quivering at the touch.
Luke wanted him, had to have him and he flipped Noah again onto his back to press his face into Noah's belly, his hand moving up once more between Noah's thighs.
But Noah was dominating this one.
Before he could blink, Luke found himself flipped back over and was unable to stop his incessant groaning at the pulsing ache generated when Noah's fingers created a sudden and tremendous heat as they pushed up inside of him. So when Noah climbed over him, he spread his thighs, willingly.
Noah came at him so fast, so hard that it was almost a shock and his body resisted at first, tensed. Noah sensed it by the growl the blonde released and slowed.
Luke willed himself to relax, waiting as that moment of readiness grew ever closer. He wrapped his legs around Noah's waist, gripping tighter, clinging, arching against him.
"Luke… Luke…"
Their bodies were hot and aching, and Luke felt so sensitised that his insides seemed to twist. The heat between his thighs as Noah increased his speed seemed to spiral and he felt Noah empty deep inside with a musical moan of his name that sent him shuddering right after.
Noah lay spent and heavy on him. Luke, whimpered slightly and held him there, keeping Noah too him for as long as possible. When Noah finally withdrew he kissed Luke and rested his head on Luke's stomach.
They panted for some time.
"Thank you Josh!" Luke exclaimed loudly and they both laughed together.
They gently ran fingers over each other as the lay there, until finally they forced themselves to leave the comfort of the bed to clean up before Josh bought the children back home.
...
Josh knew when he was told to go to the headmaster's office that something very serious had happened. They never called you down unless it was for a very good reason. He went along the corridor frantically trying to imagine what it could be about.
The only thing he could think was that somebody had seen him smoking by the school's tool shed and had reported it.
Was that even possible?
No one had seen him, he was sure. He had a good vantage point from there and he would definitely have known if they had. It was why he picked that spot to begin with.
He kept his stash wrapped in a piece of cellophane, secured with a rubber band, down in a dry, hidden spot inside an old flower pot. Even Benoit wasn't aware of this!
He didn't go there often enough to be conspicuous, although he could have done with a smoke far more often. He didn't want to be found out after all.
Firstly because it would put him in a precarious position as far as Luke and Noah were concerned. He really didn't want to be a disappointment to them.
And secondly, if they found out then he would have to find a way to stop. And however much he wanted too, however much he tried, he didn't know how too.
No, he was sure it wasn't the smoking that had caused the summons.
He hurried along the corridor whilst quickly tucking in his shirt as he went.
Maybe something had happened to one of his sisters. Maybe it was Lynnie. She was forever falling over or walking into doors. He hoped that wasn't the case but it could be the reason.
Or had something happened to his mom or his dad? He felt sick at the thought of anything bad happening to either one of them. Yes. He had to admit that, as angry as he was at his father; he still hoped he would make it through his jail sentence unharmed.
"Stop this shit!" he told himself. "Just calm the fuck down!"
When he reached the headmaster's office the secretary stood and opened the door for him, ushering him inside.
"They are waiting for you." She said, her face giving him no clue as to the reasons for his presence.
Josh said, "Thank you," and took a step inside, to be confronted by not only the headmaster, Mr Hart; standing authoritatively behind his desk; but also by his tennis coach, the long haired Mr Trent, who sat in one of the two available guest chairs.
"Come in, Josh. Sit down, son." The headmaster said gently. He was a strange looking little man, Josh had always thought. Like a bold eagle with a shiny head and sharp eye.
Well, at least he didn't sound angry.
Josh placed himself edgily on the other chair in front of the desk, unable to take his eyes off of Mr Hart. Both teachers gazed at him, wearing peculiar expressions.
"I'm going to cut right to the chase, Josh." Mr Hart began. "You have always been an exceptional student and brilliant sportsman. And so I felt I would address you on this issue first. Give you a chance to improve before contacting your mother."
"What issue is that, sir?" Josh asked with a gulp, although he already knew where this conversation was going.
"We are becoming more than a little concerned at your last few test results, Josh. They were not like you at all. A 'C-' in English? And only a 'D' in Biology? Really we expect a lot more from you, son. You are certainly capable of it."
"Your academic scores are not the only thing slipping Josh." Piped in Coach Trent. "So is your tennis! You were number one in the district! What's happened?"
Josh lowered his head and nervously fiddled with his fingers on his lap.
"Josh?" Mr Hart said, obviously expecting a reply. "You understand that we cannot allow you to participate in sporting activity unless you reach your required grade point average?"
Josh nodded. "I'm sorry." He said simply, "I'll try harder."
"Is there anything wrong, son?" Coach Trent asked kindly. The man had coached him for five years and they knew each other well.
"No sir." He assured them. "There have been a few issues…"
"Ah, yes." The headmaster nodded. "We are aware of the situation with your father, Josh. But you cannot let it destroy your future. You have so much potential."
"Yes." Josh said. "I understand, sir. I will improve. I promise."
"Great!" The headmaster smiled, "I really don't want to have to call your mother in. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Josh assured him, "Yes, definitely."
"Okay. You are free to go."
"Thank you sir." He stood, nodding at the other man, "Coach Trent." And then turned to leave.
"Oh and Josh," Mr Hart called, "Good luck at the swim-meet on Saturday. You are competing are you not?"
"Yes. Yes, thank you very much sir."
...
They thought something was wrong when, after an hour and a half, Josh still hadn't returned with the kids.
His cell was sitting on the dining table so they couldn't call him.
Eventually, while Luke finished up cooking dinner, Noah ran down to the beach to find them. He searched for as many miles as he believed it was possible for Josh to have walked with two small children. They were nowhere to be seen.
By this point his heart was beating a little harder and he tried to assure himself that everything was fine. The children were with Josh, what kind of hard could they come too? Most likely they had walked another path home.
He literally sprinted back to the house only to find Luke waiting anxiously for him outside the door.
"What is it?" Noah puffed, out of breath both from the run and from a growing fear.
Luke's eyes were wide with concern, "They're at the hospital!"
...
All the rest of that day and over the course of the afternoon, the stress became too much and before tennis practise was over he made an excuse to Coach Trent about needing time to work on an assignment and left early.
He stood by the shed and smoked a quick joint. He stuck a small supply into his pocket for later and headed for home, resolving to hit the beach and smoke again once there. He just wanted to switch off for a while. Then he'd be okay. He could come back stronger the next day and focus hard on his school work.
He definitely didn't want Mr Hart bothering his mother! His relationship with her was rocky enough already!
When he got home he stood far back from where Luke and Noah sat on the couch. Their presence had taken him by surprise. It was unusual for them both to be back from work so early. Usually by the time he got home from sports Jasmine would still be around watching Nicholas and Mia. She had agreed to look after them during the day ever since Luke started to work at the newspaper. At least until some other childcare arrangement could be made.
But it appeared Jasmine had already left for home.
He kicked himself and prayed that Luke and Noah wouldn't smell the weed on him.
When Noah asked him to take the kids to the beach he wanted to say no. He knew he should. But he couldn't give a reason. He had none. He had to take the kids swimming or they would know something was up.
While the two men readied the children, and feeling slightly better now, less heady, he got up to go into the bathroom and splashed hot water on his face.
Lately looking at himself in the misty bathroom mirror was like attempting to see himself through a layer of gauze. No matter how hard he tried to clean it, the surface remained misted. He closed his eyes and steadied himself by gripping either side of the cold ceramic basin.
He left the house with the beach bag slung over one shoulder and a child holding each of his hands.
...
He wiped his eyes and nose and stopped crying, his breathing ragged, trying to decide what to do.
He sat on an upturned bucket between two of the hospital's large garbage dumpsters. Occasionally a supply truck would pass, but all in all nobody seemed to notice him there.
The hospital would have called Luke by now.
"Jesus, Mia!" he whispered, his hands were shaking wildly.
With difficulty Josh lit a fresh joint and let his eyes fix on some indefinite point in space, staring at nothing. His mind, just for a moment, was mercifully empty.
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