Gavin shivered beneath the covers as Nines settled in above him. Sleeping naked had been a bad idea. The weather had turned with the end of summer, and he was already fucking freezing. Phcking British weather! Can't make up its mind what the phck it's doing! It was grey and miserable one day, and sunny the next. Biting cold one day, but warm and breezy the next. Autumn was always pretty chilly, but the back and forth was just unfair. That morning was chilly, and he regretted not pulling on his pyjamas the night before.
"Is that better?" Nines asked in a teasing tone as he tugged the duvet higher over their shoulders and lowered himself to rest against his smaller body. Nines wasn't shivering at all. Gavin couldn't even feel goose bumps on his skin as he stroked up his arms and down his back. He felt warm to the touch, like a giant hot water bottle. Gavin couldn't help squirming closer to that warmth as he shivered.
"Aren't you from somewhere further south than me? How the phck are you not cold?" Gavin was from Detroit, where the weather dropped like a rock at the end of August and left you buried knee deep in snow by mid-November. Nines huffed in amusement as he nuzzled his temple and held him tighter. There was something undeniably sweet about how easily affected he was.
"Gavin, I live in New York…It's really not that far."
"Wait, really?" He was sure Nines was from somewhere warmer, like California or Florida. Hard to tell with his accent though…Nines hummed his confirmation as he nudged his hips closer. Gavin's train of thought stopped dead as he felt the solid cock prodding his pelvis. Nines smirked. He knew he could feel it. Gavin felt his skin heat as he nudged again, grinding slowly. His own limp shaft twitched with interest as it was bumped and ground between them.
"If you're really that cold, we'll have to find a way to warm you up…" Gavin took a deeper breath as Nines rocked again. He rested his weight on one arm and ran his free hand down Gavin's waist, all the way to his left knee. His hand hooked beneath it and lifted, settling himself between his thighs. Gavin didn't need much encouragement to widen his legs and grip his hip. Nines bit his lips as he moved closer.
"What do you have in mind?" Gavin asked, though his own smirk said he knew exactly what he was planning. Nines hummed innocently as he leaned in and kissed him. It was something he never grew tired of. He loved how Gavin would open up almost immediately, inviting him in. The scratch of stubble on his chin. The lazy caress of their tongues and the little presses of lips between. He loved the way Gavin would always sigh and mewl for more as his hand came up to caress the prickled whiskers on his cheek.
"Fuck, you're hard for me already…" Nines murmured as he reached between them to stroke and tease Gavin's shaft. He'd thought he may need a little encouragement, but it seemed a few gentle grinds and kisses was enough to gain his interest. "Oh? You like that?" Gavin whined his agreement as Nines rocked against him, rubbing their trapped cocks alongside each other. Nines drew back a little, enjoying the way Gavin trembled as he moved to press their cocks together. "Oh, fuck…" Nines bit his lip as he rolled his hips. Their cocks were barely touching, but it felt so good.
"Phck, Nines…" Gavin gasped and hummed softly, tightening his left leg to pull him closer. Nines held himself back. The light, teasing brush was tantalisingly good. It sent tingles up his cock, swirling heat in his pelvis. Gavin whined softly. A request for more. "N-Nines!" He was teasing. Nines smirked. He knew he was teasing. He also knew how much Gavin enjoyed his gentle teasing.
"You're dripping already…" Nines leaned back a little, encouraging Gavin to look down as their cocks nudged and rubbed. Gavin whimpered as Nines reached down to tease his tip, gathering the pearly drops on his fingers before raising them to his lips.
"Phck, stop being an ass and get down here!" Nines smirked as he relented, keeping his hips high as he returned his attention to Gavin's eager mouth. Gavin held him close, tilting his head to eagerly accept more lingering strokes of tongue. "Phck…phck, Nines…so good, so phcking good…" Nines hummed his agreement as he continued a slow, steady series of thrusts. He closed his eyes, enjoying the slow kisses he was sharing with Gavin. He'd happily stay like this for the next hour, slowly working him to the brink. Easing off whenever he became desperate and needy. Drawing it out. Making Gavin beg until he-
"Richie! My boy!" Their heads snapped to the door so fast they almost cricked their necks. Gavin's chest lurched in alarm as Nines dove from the bed. He flailed in a mortified panic, grabbing the duvet and pulling it over his swollen, dripping cock. He was pretty sure his face was flushed red as Nines sprang from the bed, uncaring of his own nakedness, or his throbbing erection. The older man standing in the doorway didn't seem to pay any mind to it, either.
"Dad!" Nines was already in tears as he threw his arms around him. His father was no better. He sobbed into Nines' bare shoulder as he laced a hand in his hair and stroked his back, holding and rocking him. Phck…phck-phck-phck-phck-phck! He was naked. He was naked and hard, and Nines' father was standing in the room, and they were hugging and crying like this was some sort of Greek tragedy! If I stay still, maybe he won't notice…
"Fuck, you're alive! You're alive!" Nines' father continued muttering it over and over as he grabbed Nines' cheeks and looked him up and down with teary blue eyes. Nines could barely do more than nod as he sobbed and gripped his hands tightly. Nines' father pressed a few more relieved kisses to his cheeks and forehead before it slowly dawned on him that his son was completely naked, and although it was flagging, he was still a little swollen.
"Oh…I-uh…probably should have knocked first." Gavin could have cringed into next week as Nines' father looked across at him for the first time. Guess I don't need to wonder where Connor got that from…He did his best not to look too put out as he ran a hand through his fluffed hair. "Sorry about that-"
"Oh-no! Not at all, just uh-p-pants…I need pants." Nines snorted as Gavin stammered, taking mercy on him and scavenging his clothes from the floor.
"I should leave and let you get dressed." Nines' father was gracious, at least. Far different from what he'd expected. He'd half expected to be beaten to a pulp for corrupting his youngest son. Gavin caught the pants and squirrelled them away beneath the duvet.
"No-no! I-uh-just, I sort of imagined I'd be wearing pants when we…" He trailed off as he blindly fumbled to get his legs through the right holes. Nines chuckled as he pulled on his own pants and trousers from the day before. He kissed his father again before moving to grab a shirt from the wardrobe. His father seemed to understand Gavin's predicament, at least. He nodded his agreement as Gavin finally pulled his underwear up, thanking whatever God was out there that they were on the right way.
"When we met, I got you…You must be Gavin, then…The name's Hank, Hank Anderson." Gavin's green eyes widened in shock as he numbly accepted Hank's hand. He had a firm grip, but he didn't squeeze too tight. Gavin gripped back, but he was pretty sure it must have felt quite weak considering the shock he was in. He looked across at Nines, who seemed just as surprised. If Nines didn't tell him, then…"Connor spoke about you a lot in his letters…said you were a good man." Gavin swallowed, touched by the faith that had been placed in him.
"What else did he say?" Nines seemed guarded suddenly, tense as he looked between them.
"Enough for me to know what I just interrupted." Gavin felt his skin flare again at the reminder. It would probably be funny in a few weeks. The memory of Nines' shaft swinging in the wind as he'd launched himself at Hank. The sheer panic as he'd scrambled for the covers and the mortification as he'd mumbled a request for something to cover himself. "You know I don't pay mind to that stuff. You're my son, and that's that." Gavin couldn't help being surprised. He was pretty sure his own father would disown him if he knew about Nines. Not that I'd give a shit, but…
"I didn't even know you were coming." Nines seemed almost apologetic as he spoke, but Hank waved it off as unimportant. He remained by the bed, where Gavin remained painfully aware that he was only wearing pants. His erection had flagged at least. "How did you even know I was here?" He hadn't written to tell him. The thought made him feel bad. He should have. Especially after what happened to Connor and Sixty.
"A couple of things…Connor's letters gave me a clue, but it was Chloe who told me…She wrote to me after the news…" Nines teared up again at the reminder. I should have written! It was hard to believe he'd been so selfish. He hadn't told his own father that he was alive and safe! He hadn't shared his fears and worries, or taken the time to mourn with him. "Hey, it's alright…I know you've been going through the ringer here." That was one way of putting it. Nines wouldn't excuse himself. He'd been thoughtless and selfish. Hank laced a hand in his hair and kissed his temple, offering unconditional understanding and forgiveness.
Now that he was a little more dressed, and he'd recovered from the shock of the sudden intrusion, Gavin had the chance to examine Hank properly. He wasn't exactly what he'd expected. He was quite tall, like Nines, but far less put together. His silver hair was scruffy and fell below his ears, in complete contrast to Nines, who had the same neat cut as his brothers. He was rugged and kept a bushy beard where Nines was clean shaven. They did share similar eyes, though Nines were far paler, almost silver. He could only guess Connor and Sixty had gotten their eyes from their mother. It seemed they got a lot from their mother, though Nines and Hank we both tall and strong.
Gavin could tell that Hank had been handsome in his youth. He was still handsome, but he was tired. Dog tired. Gavin couldn't blame him. All three of his sons had been in France for a year, in an active war zone. Sixty had been on the frontline regularly. Nines and Connor had put themselves at risk carrying back the injured on numerous occasions. To top it all off, he'd received news barely two weeks ago that two of his sons had died. He only had one son left. One son who was still active in the military. One son who could be back on the front within the month, as far as he knew. Did he know he'd left the front?
From the look of him, it didn't seem like it. He had dark rings beneath his eyes, like he hadn't slept well in months. The scruffy beard could also be down to the stress and long hours of travelling. It seemed he'd only just arrived. He was still wearing his outdoor coat, though he hadn't carried his bag up. Gavin wasn't sure if it was normal, but his voice was rough. Part of that could be down to the stress and crying, possibly the travelling as well. Holy shit! He only just got here!
"Hey, um, if you're hungry, we could head down and get some breakfast? You've been travelling a long time, right?" It had to be at least a week. He would have come on some sort of passenger liner, and since the Lusitania, ships had been more careful. They often zig-zagged their way around the Irish coast to avoid any U-boats lying in wait. There was less of them these days, what with the British naval blockade keeping them busy, but it wasn't worth the risk. Nines seemed surprised and then guilty again. He should have thought of that! Hank looked dead on his feet, though some of that could be put down to the rush of relief at finding his only remaining son alive and well.
"I don't know about breakfast, but I sure could use a drink!" Gavin huffed as Nines scowled. Hank held his hands up almost defensively at the look he was getting. "Hey! It's medicinal! Doctor's orders!" Nines couldn't help rolling his eyes. He knew some physicians still prescribed alcohol for things like stress, but there was such a thing as drinking to excess. Hank could handle a generous amount, and with two sons dead, he had good reason to turn to drink. So far, Gavin decided he very much liked Hank. He could see where Sixty got his humour from, though he seemed to have some of Connor's gentle patience.
Nines and Gavin finished dressing for the day, and Hank politely didn't watch as Gavin pulled on and laced his leg. Not that he'd be able to see much from his place by the door, but Gavin appreciated the gesture. No one wanted to be gawked at like some sort of freak show. Once they were ready, they stepped into the hall and headed down to the dining hall. Gavin let Nines and Hank go first. He felt too exposed walking at the front, and he was still a little self-conscious about limping up and down the stairs with an audience. Hank had been given a room somewhere on the third floor, since he could walk that far. Gavin still couldn't believe this entire estate had been for just one family. There were so many rooms, it could probably fit a hundred people!
A maid saw to their needs, bringing tea and a glass of scotch before hurrying off to see to their breakfast. Hank hummed his appreciation as he sipped the amber liquid. He wasn't sure he'd had scotch before, but it certainly had a bite to it. His chest felt warm after just a of couple small sips. Now that his arm had healed enough, Nines poured the tea. He made three cups. Hank liked tea on occasion, especially after long journeys. It was a good thing, too. Coffee was less common in England, and usually didn't taste right.
"So, how did you two…" Hank trailed off, waving between them meaningfully. Nines and Gavin looked at each other, unsure of who would give the better answer. Gavin huffed softly as he gazed at Nines. I must have been out of my phcking mind. He's way out of my league, and I went there anyway…He couldn't say he wasn't glad, though. He honestly wasn't sure what Nines saw in him. That's one reason he was so sure he'd find someone else when he went back.
"I met him at the resting camp, just behind the frontline. He was a rather ill-mannered patient." Gavin snorted into his tea. That's a phcking understatement! He'd really put Connor through the ringer before Nines had stepped in and taken over. "I could tell as soon as I saw him he needed a firm hand." Gavin felt his skin heat and hoped Hank read that as something more innocent than it sounded. The shameless smirk Nines levelled at him certainly didn't help. Hank chuckled as he watched Gavin squirm and cringe in embarrassment.
"I was in a hurry to get back to my men!" Gavin excused defensively as he buried his face in his cup. Nines softened at that. One could say many things about Gavin Reed. He could be rude and obnoxious. Curt and violent. Volatile and uncontrollable, but above all else, he was loyal. Fiercely loyal. If you were someone within his inner circle, he wouldn't hesitate to take a bullet for you. Or throw himself beneath falling debris…Nines still remembered that. He was lucky he'd gotten off so lightly. However, due to his bravery, Miller had escaped unscathed that time.
"Oh, you were in the thick of it then." Gavin nodded his agreement. Do I look like a phcking medic? Not that there was anything wrong with being a medic. They had a shitty job, too. Going over the top and lugging stretchers through an open war zone. Trying to patch up broken bodies while ducking for cover. Carrying men back while dodging bullets. On top of all that, they had to put up with the shitty attitudes of people like him. Worse…They had to put up with regular men who thought they had it easy, sitting safely away from the front. Nines and Connor had often looked more ragged than him when he'd returned to camp! They just couldn't catch a break.
"I was on the frontline, yeah…I was a sergeant." He couldn't say am anymore. He'd been discharged. Involuntarily retired. It was still a bitter pill to swallow. What the phck am I even going to do back home? He wasn't sure he even had any transferrable skills. He'd been an active army officer for years, and without his leg, most active careers were closed to him now. A gentle hand squeezed his knee, and he looked up to find Nines watching him with an air of sympathy. "I'd go back, but…" He gestured down to his leg. He couldn't help wondering, as he had many times, whether he might have made a difference. It was egotistical. He was only one man, but he couldn't help wondering whether he could have stemmed the tide if he'd been there.
"What did you do before all this?" Hank asked curiously, giving the maid a wolfish smile of thanks as she delivered their food.
"I was already in the army." Hank couldn't help being impressed. As far as he knew, their regular forces had been hit hard in the first few months. Most of the men on the front now were regular, barely trained men who'd been conscripted into the war and hurriedly trained in France. It was the same all over. Properly trained men were the first in, so they were the first out. "Honestly, I'm not sure what I'm going to do now…" It wasn't like he had to work. His father had money. His brother had money. He wouldn't starve or end up on the streets, but he didn't want to rely on them. He didn't want to rely on Nines, either.
"You could retrain and be my nurse." Nines smirked as Gavin gave a snort of amusement. Luckily, he hadn't taken his first mouthful yet. Hank chuckled heartily as well. He'd only just met Gavin and he could already tell he wasn't exactly the bedside manners type.
"Phck, can you imagine?" The mirth in Nines' eyes told him he could. He could almost see with clarity the way Gavin would bark at children to stop whining, likely rolling up his trouser leg to show them his prosthetic and telling them they had it easy. He'd probably curse in front of women and children alike, yelling and arguing if anyone tried to tell him off. The husbands would probably try to start something, but Gavin's brash attitude and readiness to fight would quickly shut them down. Even with one leg, he was sure Gavin Reed would be a formidable opponent. Too much for a regular man to handle.
"My practice would be closed within a month…" Gavin chuckled his agreement and shook his head.
"I could do it in a week." Nines squeezed his knee again.
"You're not supposed to take it as a challenge!" Gavin's green eyes warmed as he accepted the teasing chide. It was strange, thinking of an after. Was there really going to be an after? It seemed more certain in recent weeks. The enemy had taken so many losses, they were barely holding on, as far as reports were concerned. Gavin wasn't sure how much of that was true, and how much of it was the British media bolstering morale. It felt like the end was in sight. The end may be in sight, but things will never be the same again…Even after he got back, he was pretty sure he'd never be able to look at things the same way. He knew he'd never be looked at the same way again, either.
People used to look at him like he was just a normal guy. They used to check him out and maybe think he was pretty hot. Rough. Roguish. He was the fun guy with a cheeky attitude. The guy with a nice smile. Someone you didn't want to mess with. Someone who didn't take shit. He was the guy who always started something. Now, he knew, he'd be stared at because of his cane. He'd be the poor guy who lost a leg in the war. The cripple. The invalid. People would look at him and wonder what his story was. He'd forever be one of those poor men from the war. The thought churned his stomach.
How many people would have the gall to ask? What would he say when they did? Would he tell them the truth? Would he brush it off? Start a fight over it? Would they even lay hands on him since he was a disabled veteran? Would they dare? That thought annoyed him more. If he wanted a beat down, he damned well wanted to get it! He didn't want them to go easy, either. He wanted to fight tooth and nail for a win. If he told his story, would he give the long version or short? Would he go into gruesome detail? Would he skip the recovery phase? Make it sound like it was no big deal?
"Gavin…" He looked up as Nines murmured his name. He was giving him a look. Phck, did I zone out? More than likely. It was easy for him to spiral and overwhelm himself with thoughts like that. His heart was racing. Phck, it feels like I almost lost it! There was an almost panicked feeling fluttering in his chest. Nines gave him a small nod. Breathe…He did as urged, focusing on the hand on his knee. Laying his hand on top, he squeezed his assurance. I'm good…
"I'm a police officer myself, but I know a few people in other fields…If you end up in Detroit, maybe I could find something for you." That was a kind offer, but Gavin hadn't even thought that far. Hey, wait-what?
"I thought you were from New York!" He hadn't meant for it to come out sounding so accusing. Nines' silvery eyes widened in surprise at the sudden outburst before they warmed in amusement. He probably should have explained himself better. They probably should have had this conversation sooner. He'd put a ring on Gavin's finger, but they really didn't know too much about their lives before the war. Gavin didn't seem to like talking about his past, and his own history just hadn't come up that often.
"I said I lived in New York. I never said I was born there. We're from Detroit…Right in the city." Gavin's jaw dropped at that. How? How had he gone over thirty years without running into any of them? Sure, Detroit was a big city, but still! Maybe it's a social circles thing…Elijah's side of the family were all pretty wealthy, so he'd grown up in pretty aloof circles. After that, he'd dropped right down into the gutter, living in the poorer areas before joining the armed forces. Hank seemed pretty middle class, so they'd probably grown up with a decent income and worked their way up. Hank hadn't stated a rank, but with his age and poise, Gavin was pretty sure he was a high-ranking officer with a decent wage. He'd put at least two of his sons through university.
"I might move further out in a few years though…Retirement is coming, and with you all grown and…" Hank stopped dead, his expression dropping at the unpleasant reminder. He doesn't need the space anymore…Sixty and Nines had moved on already, but Connor had still been living at home until the war. Nines' jaw tightened as he finished the sentence in his head. Connor and Sixty are gone…He still couldn't believe it. It was still so easy to forget sometimes. To pretend they were still out there. He turned his hand to hold Gavin's as he felt him squeeze. I'm here…
"Nines, Gavin! Good morning," Chloe greeted, low heels clicking as she made her way over. Gavin sat back and smiled in relief at her entry. They needed a little sunshine in their lives. She rested a hand on his shoulder as she leaned down to kiss his cheek and then gave Nines the same treatment. Hank was already on his feet, nodding a polite greeting. He seemed somewhat anxious as he looked her over. It was almost like he recognised her from somewhere. "W-would you happen to be…" Chloe trailed off hesitantly, almost wary as she looked up at Hank.
"This is Nines' father, Hank Anderson." Chloe's crystal eyes widened, and she almost became more self-conscious, pulling her loose cardigan a little tighter as she held her hand out. She put on a warm smile as he took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. His hands were rough. He was clearly a hard worker. He looked aged and worn, but she wasn't surprised. The war had touched everyone, even those at home. Especially those who'd lost lovers and children.
"You're her, aren't you? The Chloe from Connor's letters." Chloe seemed surprised that he'd mentioned her. She wasn't entirely sure how to feel about that. Connor had been a genuine love affair, but an affair nonetheless. She was engaged to be married. Pregnant with a child. Possibly his child. Possibly Elijah's. Anxiety swelled in the pit of her stomach. What had Connor told him exactly? She knew he couldn't have told him about the pregnancy. Had he talked about how they met? "You're as pretty as he said." She couldn't help smiling. Of course he'd say that.
"Thank you, and I'm pleased you could make it…I didn't realise Connor had spoken about me when I wrote to you." Hank huffed fondly as he retook his seat. He was clearly thinking about Connor, likely remembering the days he'd received those letters. The relief at knowing his oldest son was alive. Happiness that he'd found something to hold on to out there. It made him think of the early days of his own budding relationship with his wife all those years ago. Connor was a romantic at heart, much like him. He couldn't help jotting every little feeling down in a flurry of colourful words and forlorn sighs.
"I'm grateful for the invitation. I can't tell you what it means to be able to come here and…" He broke off with a somewhat emotional cough…And see his remaining son alive and well…Gavin's jaw tightened in sympathy as he gripped Nines' hand tighter. He felt the same as far as that went. It had been torture, knowing Nines was at the front while he was stuck in recovery, but he didn't know how he would have coped if news of Connor and Sixty got back to him and he didn't hear from Nines. He would have been out of his fucking mind! Nines' face was the picture of guilt as he looked at his knees like a scolded child. "I wanted to meet you, too. From Connor's letters, I thought you were an angel…Have to say, I still think that." Gavin could almost feel the shame rolling off Chloe in waves. She was quite sure he wouldn't say that if he knew the situation.
"I'm no angel, but I'm flattered that he wrote so fondly," Chloe insisted sweetly as she perched on the chair next to Nines. She couldn't help tugging her cardigan closer. She was showing more and more by the day. They'd better rearrange the wedding quick if they want to get it done without all the gossip!