Disclaimer: This chapter contains sexual content. Though this is a Rated M story, I still feel the need to let my readers know just in case. If that, in anyway, bothers you, this is your fair warning. If such things do not really bother you, continue unhindered and enjoy this chapter :)
With Ezekiel's return and Dwight's capture, I asked myself how long it would be before the cogs of war finally began to turn.
The answer?
Almost immediately.
The day immediately following my confrontation with Dwight, the telltale signs of a fight brewing are everywhere. Rick has Daryl, Abraham, and Bob checking and rechecking our stores of weapons, while Glenn and Maggie prepare the wall teams. So far, though, Rick hasn't let me in on his specific plans for the coming fight against the Saviors. I suspect this is purposeful, as he knows I have Carl's ear and as soon as I'm told, Carl will know. With Carl still recovering, and knowing how his son will react to any sort of battle plans, I suspect Rick only intends to tell me at the last minute, if even then. Unfortunately for the senior Grimes, I'm not so patient, and so, I allow Carl to sleep in, giving me time to go and meet with my father-in-law.
Finding Rick is the easy part.
The man only exists in one of three places in Alexandria at any point in time; the wall, the church, and our home. Knowing Glenn and Maggie are tending to the wall, I set out for the church, where Dwight is being held. Luckily, I don't have to go inside and face the mutilated Savior, because I see Rick Grimes standing outside the place of worship and common meeting place for our community. He is accompanied, I see, by Jesus and Ezekiel, marking the first time since the Kingdom that I've seen all three leaders in the same place at one time. The three men are so preoccupied by their hushed conversations, they hardly notice me approach. As I get closer to them, I notice Shiva - the tiger Ezekiel kept with him during our last visit - chained to a nearby tree in the church yard. The sight of the beast is certainly unnerving. I'm not used to seeing such exotic animals outside of a zoo, certainly not free of cages, and something in my head tells me that the chain being used to hold Shiva in place won't actually be enough to keep her there if she decides to take a particularly unwanted interest in anyone in the community.
It isn't until I take steps onto the wooden stairwell leading up to the church porch that Rick and the other two leaders realize they have additional company. Rick's first reaction is that of alarm:
"Tanner?" he gawks, still somewhat surprised to see me. "What are you doing here? Is Carl okay?"
I can't help but let a smirk slip by my normal facade.
I've spent so much time at Carl's side since the day he was shot, that Rick is taking my sudden venturous behavior to mean that something terribly wrong has happened to his oldest child.
"He's fine, Rick." I quickly assure him. I take seriously Rick's concern for Carl, the same way he does for my own. "I actually came to see you."
Rick's surprise immediately shifts to confusion.
"You don't have to leave me out." I clarify, glancing around at the other two in the meantime. "I want to help if I can."
Both Jesus and Ezekiel remain quiet as Rick contemplates my words. Rick's own facial expression is hardened with concern. So far, the man has done everything in his power to ensure that Carl and I stay out of the fighting. After what happened with Carl, I can hardly blame him, but he should know by now that it isn't that simple. Both Carl and I want to contribute, even if its just a little bit, and eventually Rick will have to face that. Rick sighs with frustration, bringing his hand up to stroke his rough, graying beard.
"And Carl?"
I expected him to ask that.
I simply nod, "When he's physically able." I reply truthfully. "But, yes. Him too."
After hearing that, I expect Rick to protest. I certainly wouldn't hold it against him if he did. Instead, the older man once again turns to silence, thinking deeply about the situation he's presented with. I almost feel bad for coming to him when I did. He was likely already considering tough things and now he has to deal with his son and son-in-law wanting to join in the fighting. Another glance around reveals Ezekiel smiling rather approvingly. After our own one-on-one conversation at the Kingdom, I feel Ezekiel and I have a sort of understanding between us and, though I've known him for a short time, I trust him, which says a lot after all that has happened recently. Jesus, on the other hand, is harder to read. I suddenly wonder what things are like back in Hilltop. Their community is hassled more often by Negan's band of thugs, so I can imagine the increased tensions are only making that worse. Eventually, Rick clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him to await his say in the matter.
"I can't keep treating you both like children." he confesses, which genuinely surprises me. "You're both men and I have to accept that. I'd be glad to have you both at my side."
Now I can let my smile slip through.
Carl will be pleased with that news more than anything.
"What about Dwight?" I ask, my thoughts immediately jolted by memory of the Savior. "Have you decided what you're going to do with him?"
Rick's expression hardens immediately.
Like me, Rick is repulsed at the thought of Dwight. I'm even more angered by the thought of the man after our conversation the day prior. It truly wouldn't cause me to bat an eye if Rick informed me that he had Dwight killed during the night. In fact, I'd probably sleep better at night knowing the one who shot Carl was dead. Rick's initial silence, however, tells me that likely isn't the case. Whatever has happened with Dwight, Rick is clearly not pleased with it, which leads me to advert my gaze to the other two leaders. Ezekiel immediately steps forward and I assume he is about to explain Rick's frustrated state.
"The scarred man is going to be our mole in Negan's forces." the white-haired king replies.
I can't say I approve.
That means Dwight will be set free to return to the Saviors. I don't trust him at all, but I figure that Ezekiel has his reasons, so I don't air my grievances and simply continue to listen.
"When the fighting starts, he'll look for an opportunity to cut off the head of this dragon we call the Saviors." Ezekiel explains. "If he succeeds, we can end this conflict much sooner."
"What makes you think he won't turn on us?" I simply cannot allow myself to leave here without challenging this logic.
For all we know, Dwight could betray us and then we'd be in an even worse position. Ezekiel's eyes brighten, a crooked grin twisting across his aged face. His look is knowing. It strikes me then and there, the depths of Ezekiel's wisdom. He has thought this all out. I had allowed myself to forget that Ezekiel hates the Saviors as much as any of us do. He wouldn't simply let one go on a whim.
"I trust that our scarred friend has more reason to be on our side than he does to side with Negan." Ezekiel replies. "That is enough for me."
I suppose if it is enough for him, then it will have to be enough for me.
I can't say I like it. Dwight does have more reasons to be for us, than against us. Like he said to me yesterday, if Negan dies, then he gets his wife back. I can't see him turning on us with those stakes in mind. Perhaps it is my anger at Dwight for harming Carl that is keeping me from seeing the benefits in this arrangement. Judging by Rick's expression, he feels similarly to me. Still, at the moment there is nothing more that I can do except accept the situation and prepare myself for what is to come. If we're lucky, Dwight will hold up his end of the bargain and we'll be one ally closer to putting the final nails in Negan's coffin. Ezekiel brings an abrupt end to my thoughts by slamming his cane down on the wooden floors of the church's porch, which I'm pretty sure alarmed everyone.
"That's enough worrying for one day." the self-proclaimed king announces. "Tonight we feast and enjoy friends and family. We'll have enough time for worries on the battlefield."
I'm incredulous.
How can one be so laid back in the face of all the death and destruction that is to come?
Though, I suppose, someone has to be.
Ezekiel doesn't wait on any of us to respond, and, with a disarming smile, descends the steps leaving the three of us still somewhat surprised. Still, if there was one thing I couldn't argue with, it was the promise of a feast. It has been a long while since I last heard that term and just the thought of a good meal is making me salivate. Turning to Rick, I offer my father-in-law a silent wave and then give a nod towards Jesus before bounding down the steps and back in the direction of Denise's house.
After all of that, I sure have a lot to tell Carl.
####
The rest of the day went by fairly slowly.
Carl woke up close to noon and I quickly informed him of the morning's discussions. Like me, Carl was immediately distrusting of Dwight, no matter the circumstances, but trusted his father's judgement. Both of us know that Rick wouldn't have gone along with it if he didn't see the novelty of it all. I then informed him of the big dinner Ezekiel planned to have that night. To my surprise, Carl opted for more rest, knowing that he will be going home tonight, but told me to go ahead and go. To be completely honest, the thought of going to some big pre-battle feast without my Carl with me makes me feel uneasy. Don't get me wrong, Carl and I can function on our own. Both of us have proven, during the past three years in Alexandria, that we can exist on our own, so long as we still have the promise of being together when we need one another. Sometimes, I think he does better at it than I do, because, even during times of peace, when I'm not with him, my thoughts often wander to him. So, marking the commencement of the coming war with Negan without him by my side feels strange to me, but I respect his wishes and attend.
The sun is slowly slipping under the horizon when I arrive back at the church to find the sanctuary turned into a massive dinner hall.
People from all three communities are present.
Without any doubt, this is the largest gathering of living human beings I have seen since the beginning of the apocalypse. I can make out Glenn and Maggie sitting together with Abraham and Rosita at one of the nearby tables and I immediately feel out of place. Carl should be here with me. It just isn't right without him. My mood improves slightly when I see Michonne slip in behind me. She quickly notices me and makes a beeline for my direction.
"Where's Carl?" is the first words out of her mouth.
"He's not feeling up to a big gathering like this." I inform her, my face immediately falling as the subject returns to him. "He told me to go ahead and come so I came alone."
Michonne offers me a light smile.
As long as she's staying, I think, this dinner might not be as lonely. The older woman reaches up and clasps my bicep, giving it a firm, affectionate squeeze; a very motherly display, which I'm becoming more used to getting from her lately.
"Well, I'm glad you came." she confesses. "You seen Rick?"
I shake my head.
"Not since this morning."
"Then why don't we sit together?" she suggests.
I could hug her right now.
At least with Michonne present, I won't have to act like the loner I am at heart, and sit alone. The two of us are quick to find an unoccupied table and await the food to come. I am quite surprised when it finally does. Food, even in Alexandria, usually consists of farm-grown vegetables, the occasional canned food depending on its date of expiry, and the occasional deer hunted by Daryl and Abraham. Even on those rare occasions, pickings are slim, and never what I'd call a feast. That's why, when a plate filled with slabs of cooked meat is put down before me, my stomach suddenly lurches with hunger. The aroma of cooked food - cooked meat - is absolutely mouth-watering. It takes every bit of restraint I have not to just plow into this and devour every last succulent strip of meat in front of me. In fact, I am just about to indulge my urging, when Ezekiel's booming voice brings a halt to the chatter filling the church sanctuary chamber, and all attention to him.
"Dine!" the snow-haired man booms. "Enjoy the boar we've slaughtered in your honor! Eat and be merry, for tomorrow, we are at war!"
A roar of approval goes up in the room.
I'd forgotten what such noise was like.
On the road, silence is a must. Even in a community like ours, with strong walls to defend it from outside forces, noise is frowned upon. Herds aren't easy to deal with, even with walls, so making the kind of noise that will draw walkers en masse doesn't exactly seem like a good idea. Tonight, I suppose, is an exception to that rule. Tonight, three communities unite as one to ensure that the tyrant Negan and his Saviors don't continue their gruesome reign of terror and ensure that peace is again restored among the survivors of this terrible plague. When the room finally settles again, Ezekiel raises a glass mug, filled with what looks to be some sort of rum or other alcoholic beverage, in a toast to the community.
"To new allies." Ezekiel proclaims. "And to the end of old enemies!"
Another jovial cry goes up.
Michonne and I flash each other looks of bewilderment and caution.
"This guy is too much." she grumbles to me.
I smirk at her annoyance, "He is." I agree with her. "But, I have to admit, his cheer is rather contagious."
Our conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Rick, who is holding Judith, Carol, and Daryl. My mood brightens even more upon seeing them. Each of us exchanges greeting and then immediately goes about chowing down on our food. For the first time in a long time, I sense a great deal of comradery between our group. I can't put my finger on exactly what, but somewhere between the small talk that ensues over the course of dinner or the occasional smile that works its way across their faces as the night goes on, I find myself really enjoying my time with the others. The only crux is, again, that Carl isn't here to enjoy it with me. I know how much he'd enjoy seeing all of his friends smiling and having a good time. The more and more that I think about it, the more the rest of the dinner becomes just background noise to my own thoughts. Thoughts soon turn into emotion as the gaping hole left by Carl's absence begins to affect me.
Glancing to the empty spot next to me doesn't make it any better. For a while longer, I pretend to remain interested in the various conversations exploding around me, accenting my act with a small smile every now and then. No matter what I try, though, my thoughts always end up drifting back to Carl. Before long, the void of his absence turns into longing. Until I simply cannot handle it a moment longer. I have to go find him and spend the rest of the evening with him. I've spend almost the entire day without him and that's plenty of time for him to be rested. I abruptly stand to my feet, grabbing my plate as I do, which still has some food left on it. I figure Carl may have changed his mind and will be hungry when I return.
My sudden movement stops the group's conversation flat in its tracks and Michonne eyes me with concern.
"Everything alright?" she inquires, raising an eyebrow to me.
"Yeah." I reply with a smile. "I'm just tired is all."
I should know by now that lying to her is useless.
She, of course, sees right through my nervous facade and gives me a knowing glance. In fact, glancing around, everyone seems to know what I'm really thinking about. Given all that's happened, I suppose I really couldn't keep my thoughts a secret, even if I really tried.
"Be safe going home then." Rick chimes in as he hands Judith another bite of boar.
I give them both a thankful nod, say my goodbyes to Judith, Carol, and Daryl and then I'm off - plate still in hand.
Its particularly cold when I get outside the doors of the church.
I hadn't brought a jacket, so the frigid night air bites at my skin, causing me to unwillingly shiver. For a moment, out of habit, I nearly head in the direction of Denise's house. It isn't until I reach the sidewalk outside the church that I realize that Carl has already been taken home by Denise. That in mind, I take my time making my way down the street towards our block. Alexandria is silent, all of the town's people either on watch at the wall, or at dinner enjoying the company of our new comrades. With winter here at last, not even the crickets chirp can keep me company. Clouds have gathered since last night, hiding the brilliant moon from sight, which leaves the streets virtually pitch black. I navigate my way home, despite this, and finally arrive in our yard. Its surreal being back home. I haven't set foot in this house since Carl was shot. I'd been too busy keeping him company at Denise's house instead.
Reaching the front door, I quietly twist the knob and push my way into the house.
####
The house is still and dark. If I didn't know better, I'd say I was here alone.
Shuffling inside and shutting the door behind me, I navigate my way through the dark room, careful so as not to bump into any of the furniture scattered around. My first stop is the kitchen, where I drop off the plate of food I'd brought for Carl. My hope is that he will feel up to coming and sitting with me, allowing him to eat, and me to get my fix on his company. As much as I'd like to say being with the group makes me feel comfortable, nothing quite surpasses the bliss I feel when its just Carl and I, even if we're completely alone in a dark house. My task complete, I immediately set my attention on seeking out my missing spouse in the dark house. Judging by the silence, I guess that Carl isn't in the shower. If I were him, I would've totally taken advantage of the alone time to use the scarce hot water that we have to myself. The only other place he could be, then, is our bedroom.
Navigating my way through the dark hallway, I find our door cracked ever so slightly, though the light inside is off. My mood suddenly dampens at the sight of this. Carl must be sleeping which means no dinner conversations with him. My demeanor is only saved by the fact that I can still crawl into bed next to him and enjoy our bed for the first time in several days. Convinced that he'll be out like a light by now, I turn and briefly consider taking a shower before joining him in our bed, before I am stopped by a familiar voice drifting out of our bedroom.
"Tanner?"
And with that one word, my heart soars again.
"Are you home?" Carl's voice calls to me again.
Rather than answer him with words, I respond by crossing the hall and pushing our door open, peeking my head into the darkness of our room. Though it is too dark to see all of his features, I can make out the shadowy outline of Carl's petite form sitting on our bed. For the second time that night, an uncontrollable smile spreads across my face and I immediately fully enter the room, closing our door behind me. With a flick of the knob, I lock it behind myself to give us some privacy should Rick, Judith, and Michonne come home early. From there, I kick off my shoes and make my way over to the bed where Carl is patiently waiting for me. Its a short distance to cross, but each step I take closer to him feels heavy. The desire passing between us, despite our lack of vocal exchange, is palpable. Its something that's been building in me all day. The need to be near him. To touch him. To take in his aroma. To hear his laugh or listen to his voice. The fact that we're once again back in our own room intensifies that feeling to an almost unbearable level.
"How long have you been waiting?" I breathe as my knees come down into the bed, placing me beside him at long last.
"Long enough." he replies.
"You could've slept." I remind him. "I would've woke you up when I got here."
Carl lets out a quaky chuckle, "I didn't want to." he informs me. "Its my first night back home. Thought we could do something special."
I can hear it on his voice.
The same emotion I felt throughout dinner. Longing. Missing. Our next actions are instinctual. I reach out and take him by the shoulders, pulling him into me while seeking his lips. It doesn't take long to find them and Carl is all to eager to entertain my longing, practically licking his way into my mouth. I indulge his kiss, allow my hands to focus on his wonderfully thick hair, which I brush out of his eyes, and curl around the outline of his ear. On one side, I can feel the rough fabric of the bandages keeping his wound under wraps, but I pay them no heed. I don't want Carl to think for a moment that his injury is distracting me, and to that end, I don't give it another thought. I re-position the offending hand against his shirt, which I immediately take a fistful of as I kiss back into him, pushing him ever so carefully back into the softness of our bed. Its only then, in that position, that I realize the shirt is familiar and far too large to be his own.
"Is that-?"
"Your shirt?" Carl is quick to put words in my mouth. "I needed a new one."
There is a playful tone to Carl's voice.
Its almost as though he planned this. Was he so longing for me to come home that he settled for wearing a piece of my clothing to help fill the void? Its such a sweet gesture, and yet, at the same time, incredibly hot too. I cannot deny that. Pulling back, as my eyes adjust to the darkness, I take in all of him. He is indeed wearing my shirt, which is slightly big on his thin, bony frame. Our kissing session had caused the shirt to fall in an awkward angle, leaving more of the left side of his neck and chest exposed. As if to keep up his seductive act, Carl keeps his head turned slightly, purposely keeping his neck exposed to me. Immediately my brain and my desires are at odds with each other. My brain cautions me that Carl's body may not be ready for what he's very clearly trying to get me to do, not with him only just having come home from a lengthy recovery. On the other hand, I very much desire to give him what he wants. I want to be with him. Feel his bare skin against my bare skin and cling to him with great need.
Carl notices my hesitation and is quick to soothe my concerns.
"I'll be okay, Tanner." he comforts me, running his fingertips gently across the surface of my arms.
Just that simple action brings goosebumps to the surface of my skin and causes me to shiver. This pleases Carl, who can no longer hide his grin. He knows he has me enthralled and I'm putty in his hands. My eyes trace over him a second time and a third. I want to be absolutely sure that he is okay. I would never want to be the cause of any pain Carl goes through, especially to fulfill my own desires. I'd never be able to forgive myself.
"Are you sure?"
In the old world, physical relationships between a married couple is expected. Asking the other if they want to or not doesn't ever seem to be in the equation. Regardless, I always ask Carl. Even if he is the one to initiate it, I always ask him. I never want to force him to do something he's uncomfortable with or make him do it while he isn't feeling good. I realize, by this point, that Carl is probably physically feeling up to the task. By now, I'm just making sure that he isn't doing this simply because he thinks he has to or because we haven't done it in awhile.
I should know better than to think like that by now.
Carl knows how to play this game by now. He doesn't shift positions, doesn't seek out another kiss or make any other seductive movements. He knows that his current position is already doing that job for him. And he'd be right. Spread out in front of me in nothing but his boxers and my large shirt, which is positioned to reveal as much skin as possible, without revealing too much has me ready to pounce on him and take what he has to offer. But I have self-control. It is quickly draining, but I fight my urges regardless until he answers me verbally.
"Tanner," Carl's voice is throaty and needy when it does finally come. "Please?"
That little tease.
Carl can get just about anything he wants out of me by feigning politeness to elicit the response he wants. He knows full well that he doesn't have to ask for it like that. I can't count the number of times, over the past three years, where he has simply, yet crudely demanded that I "fuck him". One time in particular, he quite literally barked it out at me. But there is something about the way he is currently pleading with me that leaves no doubt in my mind that I'll give him what he wants. Every. Single. Bit of it.
My hands skate across the fabric of my shirt, which is tightly enclosing him, feeling out every line of muscle hidden beneath it. Carl arches his back as I move up, as if eager just to feel me touch him. There is a clear frustration that has been building in him, almost as though he's been yearning for this moment for a much longer time than I'd originally suspected. I bring my hands back down, sliding them along his sides until I feel the familiar boundary of his boxer shorts. The elastic waistband easily yields to me as I slip my fingers underneath, quickly tug them around his ankles, and tossing them off the side of the bed, leaving him exposed to me from the waist down. Now I can physically see his need for this, in the form of his hardened length standing proudly between his legs. Carl is so rock solid that it almost looks painful. I wonder, to myself, how long he's been that hard. Carl, himself, shows no shame in his arousal. He's three years passed that meek stage he was in when we first started fooling around. As I reach out and take him into my grasp, Carl practically thrusts himself into my fist, eager to relieve some of the painful tension building up in his groin.
"Hnngh!" Carl gasps as my hand engulfs him.
His skin is fiery hot to the touch, as if he had been sitting in an oven all day, and I move quickly to help bring him some relief. I don't take time to tease him with a slow start like I usually would. Instead, I vigorously fist Carl's length, watching with adoration as his back continually arches, and as he involuntarily thrusts into my fist to meet my own strokes. It doesn't take long to get results. Before I know it, Carl's manhood is leaking clear precum, lubing the rest of his length in the process as my strokes carry it across the surface of his hot flesh. His eyes are screwed shut and his bottom lip is held tightly between his clenched teeth, and I can tell he's doing everything in his power not to lose control of himself. Luckily for him, I don't intend to let him off so easily. When I let go of him, Carl very nearly comes flying upwards in protest.
"Tan..- Tanner?!" he gasps in frustration, bordering on anger. "Why...-?! Ohhh!"
Before he can even finish his inquiry, I've shifted my position, leaned down and taken him completely in my mouth. Arousal renewed by my new approach at satisfying him, I can feel Carl's length continue to gorge itself with blood even as I run my tongue along the bottom of his shaft, eliciting an almost violent, full-body shiver from him. Carl can seemingly no longer form words in his mouth, reduced to stuttering, whimpers, and gasps of ecstasy as I move my mouth and tongue along his length in my continued attempt to bring him off. He's now leaking precum like a fountain and I enjoy every drop that my tongue laps over. Wanting to make this last as long as I possibly can for him, I take his length out of my mouth, letting the cold air rush to fill the void left by my hot mouth, and turn my attention to his balls, which are drawn up tightly to his skin. I know what turns him on. I run my tongue across the surface of the soft sack of skin, before carefully sucking one of the tender nodules of flesh into my mouth, followed by the other.
"Oh... my... God..." he whines, throwing his head back as far as it will go into the pillow. "I can't-"
For Carl, that's the final straw.
After nearly a week, possibly longer, since our last time together, Carl's manhood is a geyser, spraying his come sky high before coming to land on the pale stretch of skin and small patch of hair laying just above his throbbing member. Carl's orgasm rocks him hard, sending his body into almost seizure-like jerks and spasms. Sliding up in the bed, I'm quick to encircle his smaller frame with my strong arms and hold him as he allows the orgasm to roll over him, whispering sweet nothings into his ear as he comes down from his euphoric high.
"Shhhh..." I whisper to him. "I've got you... I've got you."
I honestly expected that to be the end of it.
Carl's body stills and I fully expect him to fall asleep after all the stress that activity has just put his body through. As it turns out, though, I am very, very, very wrong. As soon as he is able to gather his breath back to him, Carl pushes himself up against the mattress, and turns around to face me within my embrace. His fingers come up from his sides to trace the outline of my mandible, allowing me to stare back into the hot coals that his eyes have become. I can still see the need in his expression and, consistent with every other time we've made love, consult his feelings on the matter:
"More?" I question him.
Still hypersensitive, Carl shakily nods his approval, "You did that for me." he says. "Now you. I want you."
Well, I'm certainly not going to say no to that.
This occasion marks the second time Carl has let me take control of our love making. Usually we take turns fulfilling that role for each other, but the urgency in Carl's voice tells me he needs it, so I spare no time debating with him on how or what he wants to do. He's made it pretty clear what that is. The best part about it is that now that he's gone through his first orgasm, I can take my time teasing him a little bit, so that's exactly what I do. I press a light kiss into the crook of his neck, then trail a gentle cluster of kisses up the side of his neck before reaching his ear, the bottom of which it take between my teeth and lightly nibble on. I love nibbling on Carl's ear. Never really got what the appeal of it was, but I didn't argue with desire when it finally takes hold. It doesn't take Carl long to recover from his orgasm, wriggling his bottom against my still-clothed crotch to stimulate me into giving him what he wants. His renewed display of neediness gives me an idea for how to tease him further.
"Tell me," my voice is a low growl in his ear. "What part you want."
I almost don't recognize the words that come out of my mouth.
Usually, its Carl who does the dirty talk, leaving me the one begging for whatever he has to offer. How nice it is that the foot is on the other shoe this time around. I'm quite enjoying it. At first Carl doesn't verbally respond. I know he knows the answer, but I think he too is taken aback by my sudden display of dominance, and so I fill the gap by gently caressing his body. If at all possible, I want to keep him in my shirt. There is something uniquely sexy about fucking the person you love while they are donning your clothing. When Carl's voice comes again, its back to being shaky, quivering with the weight of the desire behind it.
"Anything." he hisses. "Everything. Just-" he momentarily loses the words forming in his mouth, instead arching his back against my torso, which allows the crevice of his ass to capture my jean-covered length and rub seductively along it. That alone is almost enough to drive me to the edge of my sanity, but I'd rather wait and hear what he has to say before acting on it. "God, Tanner... Please, just anything!" he croaks out finally.
That's enough for me.
Wriggling down in the sheets for a second time, I find myself face-to-face with Carl's backside, the cheeks of which I quickly spread apart. Many times now, while on runs, Carl has offered to find and bring back a tube of lube to do this with, so that I wouldn't have to prep him this way, but I truly enjoy this method better. I drink up the sharp gasp Carl lets out every time my tongue brushes the rosy bud of his entrance. This time, not only does he gasp, but goosebumps form along the smoothness of his skin, and he shivers with desire. I can't help the grin that curls across my lips, but quickly ignore it to tend to prepping my love. Completely focused on pleasing him again, my tongue laps over his entrance again, and again, and again. I can taste his skin, taste the salty sweat that had formed there earlier, while I was focused on sucking him off. I take it all in as I continue to kiss, suck, and lick him thoroughly. After some time, I finally take one of my fingers and slowly push it into his entrance, all the while lapping just above it with my tongue, to ease the initial burn of penetration. Carl hiss at first, but eventually sinks back onto my finger, aching to be filled by something.
"How's this?" I whisper against his skin as I work the sole finger in and out of him.
"Gngh!" he grunts in response. "An.. another!"
I grin again, "Yes, love."
This continues through the second and the third finger until Carl is stretched enough to where I'm sure what's to come will be pleasurable for him. As I make quick work of the button of my jeans, kicking aside both pants and underwear, before aligning myself with my lover, a thought comes to mind and I'm coaxed to verbally engage him one last time before indulging his desires.
"So," my breath dusts his ear. "Still think you're bad to look at?"
I could high five myself for the genius of this move.
With this, I can finally drive my point home. That nothing on this planet could ever make me think less of him. Certainly not an injury he did nothing to deserve. A devilish grin curls across Carl's face and he presses his bare, moist backside into my painfully hard length to return the teasing every so slightly. I'll take that as a resounding "no". Finally giving in to him, relenting from teasing him any further, I line myself up with him, pressing the tip of my length right into the head of his opening, with a slight whimper of permission from Carl, push passed his clenched sphincter and into the glorious, heated cavern of his ass. I bottom out in him quickly, balls resting heavily against the curve of his backside. I allow Carl a moment to adjust and to get ready. He wordlessly eggs me on when he is by rolling his hips against me. At long last, I let go of all of my restraints, all of my qualms, and give him fully what he's been begging me for since the beginning. I fuck into Carl hard and fast, our skin slapping against each other's audibly. As I dominate the one I love, I wrap my nearest arm protectively around him, allowing me to both cradle him lovingly, and hold him closer to me.
"God!" Carl cries out suddenly. "...Right there!"
Clearly, my hardened length has struck the bundle of nerves that is Carl's prostate, sending his entire body into a blitz of spasms that I can feel from within him. Now that I know what I'm aiming for, I tighten my grip around him and plow into him with every last bit of my strength, causing him to rock helplessly against me. Luckily for us, our bed is fairly silent, even while rocking like this, otherwise we may as well have woken everyone on the block. Carl eventually gets control of his senses again and begins matching my strokes with backstrokes of his own and then I'm the one who has lost control. All I can think of is how much I love the person I have in my arms. How I'd give anything to him, do anything for him, and protect him from all dangers. My hands grab for anything they can, one fumbling with my shirt which is still clinging to him, while the other, previously wrapped around his torso, gently caresses his cheek. Somewhere in the blitz of movement, his hands find the strength to come up, one wrapping around his reawakened length to fist it, while the other finds the hand I have on his cheek, pulling it down against his chest, where his fingers entwine with mine.
For several long minutes we remain like that, Carl rocking against me as I finish us off, and then, as quickly as it began, it was over. I lose control of my body, pleasure finally pushing me over the edge, and I come inside Carl with his name on my lips. During my own seismic orgasm, Carl manages to bring himself off a second time, allowing our bodies to shutter in euphoria against each other while we both await ourselves to settle down. Finally, after what seems like hours, but in reality was only a few seconds, both of our sweaty bodies stop moving and I simply cradle his body against mine, keeping him wrapped in a protective hug that I have no intention of breaking.
Not tonight.
"You okay?" I finally manage to breath out.
Carl shutters in my arm as a deep laugh rolls through his chest.
"That was some celebration, huh?" he snorts jovially.
There is nothing my heart loves more, than to hear the sound of happiness in Carl's voice. Better yet is the knowledge that I helped put it there. That I put the smile on his lips, the laugh in his chest, and joy in his heart.
"I'll say." I chuckle back at him. "Welcome home, Carl."
And so that's how we stay. Carl clad in my shirt, while I wrap my strong arms around him, underneath our own sheets and back in our own bed. With nothing more to say and only each other's company to bask in, we fall asleep in each other's arms, with a smile firmly etched into our faces.
####
Today is the day.
The day we move on Negan.
They day we begin to take back what is ours.
As the sun peeked at its highest point in the sky, Rick gathers the members of all three communities who had arrived to finally put an end to the Saviors' horrific hold on our world. The location of this gathering is the gates of Alexandria, where three years ago, my group came through looking for a safe haven where we could finally settle down and call home. Now, that home is threatened, and along with it, everything and everyone that we love and hold dear. Carl and I stand hand-in-hand next to Michonne and the others as Rick, standing atop a large passenger bus, barks out the speech meant to prepare the three-community-army for the coming battle with Negan.
"Listen up!" the older Grimes bellows over the amassed crowd in his thick Georgian accent. "I know I haven't asked much from a lot of most of you! You've been allowed to live here without any expectations of giving anything in return! But now our home, our friends, our family, our very way of life is threatened! If we allow this to continue, our lives here could end! We have to do something about that... and I need the help of everyone here to accomplish it! You know the danger that stands before us and I thank each and everyone of you for the sacrifices you have made and the risks you're willing to take! Be prepared! We're starting down a path, and I don't know how long it will take, or where it goes, but I know that it ends in a good place. A better place for us and our families! I need you all ready to defend this place and everyone in it! I know none of us are soldiers! We're farmers... lawyers... doctors... teachers... police... but until this is over, let's keep this to ourselves!"
Having said his piece, Rick Grimes hops down off of the bus, and immediately approaches where we're standing.
"Are you both certain you want to come?" he questions, parental concern taking over. "You can always stay and defend this place."
Carl and I regard each other with a final glance.
Then a smile.
We both know.
This is our home now. We won't let anyone take it away from us. But that means we both have to fight for it no matter what the cost. With that thought firmly in our minds, Carl and I nod in unison.
"We're sure, Dad." Carl replies, speaking for us both.
"Yeah," I agree. "We've got it covered."
Rick nods, taking a brief moment to look us over. Perhaps the gravity of this situation is finally starting to hit him. I know it is hitting all of us. I've never been in a fight this big before. Carl has had experience, with the prison, the Governor. For me, this is all new territory, but I'm willing to do my part. Clutching my sword tightly in my hand, I prepare to fight for everything I've gained since meeting Carl on that fateful day. Protect our home, our way of life, our friends, our family, and most importantly of all... protect him. Michonne offers me a consoling pat on the shoulder. I'm happy to have her, my best friend, Carl, the one I love more than anything, and Rick, the man whose been more of a father to me than my own father ever was, in this fight for our community. With them, I know its possible, no matter what horrors lie ahead of us in this conflict.
"Alright then." Rick finally says. "Let's roll."
A/N: And so it begins! All Out War with Negan and the Saviors commences with the next chapter! Also, I realize I had a pretty steamy scene in this one xD This story is Rated M for a reason, and believe me, that scene was planned, but its been awhile since I last put one in here (11 chapters I think, that's quite awhile!) so I felt it was okay to include. Carl and Tanner were very much in need of a romance scene before the big fight begins. With this chapter, I can safely say that this story will fall between 25 and 35 chapters upon completion, leaning more towards 30, but we'll see how this "War arc" plays out between the Saviors and Rick's group. As the war commences, remember, no one is safe and anything could happen! I do hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hope you continue to enjoy as the story reaches its climax!
I've got one review to address!
IamwhoIam987: I'm glad you felt the tension that came with that scene. I wanted to make it clear just how much Tanner's mindset was changing and how confronting Carl's shooter would affect his state of mind. Hope this chapter was just as enjoyable! Thank you much! :)
Alright guys, keep the comments and reviews coming!
See you all with the next one!
Later!