"Jack" Series, Part 3: Jack Accepts

This is the final chapter in the Jack series. There's a sequel (called "Adjustments") on my livejournal – details in my profile. Many thanks to all who reviewed or rated!
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12. Hard Won

It seemed like a long walk back to the house from the cliff by the ocean, but nothing compared to the trip I'd been on for the last couple of years. The walk gave me time to work things out; things I should have known, or maybe knew all along but hadn't been able to admit. By the time I reached the house, I knew what I had to do.

It took me a while to find Tiran – he was already out, and I thought of waiting till the next day. But that might be too late. I found him, finally, at a club in town, and made him step outside to listen to what I had to say. When I finished he promised to look after everything, and I went home to bed, drained.


**********


I got up early the next morning and, as usual, stepped outside as I waited for the coffee to brew. Opening the door, I found Rocky sitting on the porch, leaning against the railing.

"Hey," I said, stepping back in surprise.

He was getting to his knees. "Mr. Obernikoch," he said a little sleepily, but I could hear the emotion he was holding back.

"What’s up? Why didn’t you ring?"

"I didn’t want to wake you, sir."

I took another step back into the house, containing myself with an effort. "Well, come inside. You must be freezing. What’s up?"

He took a couple of steps into the house, and started to drop down again in the hallway, but I stopped him, swung the front door shut, and went into the living room. I wanted to be comfortable while I listened to his story.

I sat in one of the big armchairs and motioned him over to the ottoman in front of me. He sank to his knees beside the chair and began immediately. "I – I couldn’t wait to thank you, sir."

"For what?" I asked, trying half-heartedly to sound like I didn’t know what he was talking about.

"Tiran told me you spoke to him. I can’t thank you enough." Rocky looked at me and I could see, now, how his eyes were shining. "Everything is okay. I don’t have to leave. I can’t tell you how grateful I am, sir." He reached for my foot tentatively, almost shyly. "I couldn’t wait to see you," he added softly, and I could hear the longing in his voice.

He leaned forward to kiss my foot, and I watched him closely, taking in his intense, focused gaze as he straightened.

"I know it was inappropriate for you to have to get involved," Rocky was saying apologetically. "I’m sorry. I – I hope you ..." He stopped, looking at me searchingly. "I know it worked out better for me than for you. I hope you don’t mind." He paused again, dropping his gaze. "I mean, that you’ll still have me around."

That was ironic. "You mean ... that Tiran won’t be needing my help after all," I added wryly. "It's okay. That's not important anymore."

He looked up at me, hesitant but appealing. "Except as – as we talked about before, sir. By working together."

I nodded my agreement, suddenly wanting to remove any distractions. "Yes, as we talked about," I answered; and then, to be clear, added, "Like a team."

Rocky smiled at me brilliantly then, and I could feel his overwhelming relief. "You and me, sir," he said almost gaily.

For a moment I sat back, soaking in the sight of him as he knelt at my feet, his face open, alive, vibrant. It’s time, I thought. I leaned forward, looking at him steadily. "Yes," I said, and put my hand under his chin to raise his face. "You and me, Rocky." And as his eyes widened slightly, I bent down and put my mouth over his.

I could feel the faint intake of breath as he realized what I was doing, and then he was returning the kiss, his lips opening to mine. I pressed harder, encircling his neck with my arm to pull him toward me. In an instant his restraint was gone – his mouth fierce against mine, his hands flying to my face, my arms, my shoulders, half bracing himself against me, half pulling me closer. Maybe he expected to be stopped, but I wanted more; I drew him up higher, forced myself further into his mouth, and he opened for me even as he pushed up into my arms. I cupped his head hard with my hands, holding him in place as his arms scrabbled against my back, trying to pull us yet closer.

I took my mouth away finally, satisfied that his need was stronger than mine. But still, to be sure, I kicked his legs apart lightly and brought my knee up firmly to his groin; he was hard and straining already, after just the kiss. I smiled; not such a straight boy. Rocky thrust himself forward, rubbing against my knee, and I laughed outright, pulling him back up to me. In a moment we were both tumbling to the ground, his hands raking over my back, his arms – their strength shouldn’t have been such a surprise – gripping me tightly against him as we rolled over a couple of times and finally landed, him on his back and me on top. I forced myself out of his grip with a stern, laughing look and tugged pointedly at the clothes in my way. He might have dimly remembered his position then but the thought was lost in his haste to free himself of his clothes. I put my mouth on top of his again and saw his eyes glaze. After a few minutes I rolled him over, pinning him down with one hand and reaching with the other to a drawer for my supplies.

So far neither of us had spoken a word but as he waited the few seconds it took me to get ready, Rocky began lifting his ass, thrusting back against me impatiently, and I laughed aloud and pushed him back down. "Not yet – can’t wait a minute, can you?"

I was teasing, but I think it hit him again because he suddenly went limp under me and turned his head to mumble something that was probably an apology. But I shook my head, still smiling, and slapped his ass as I worked the lube into him. "Don’t you dare play dead," I warned, and lay myself down over him again. "I want you working for it," I hissed into his ear as I moved into position.

I didn’t have to tell him twice; he opened his legs wide and thrust back to meet me, using those powerful thigh muscles to raise himself slightly under me and rock in time with my body. I pulled him up to his knees, leaving his hands and head on the ground, and picked up my speed; this one, I wanted fast and hard. At the last minute I realized he might think he needed permission to come so I reached around to grab his cock. But I barely needed to – he might have actually made it without being touched at all; it took about two strokes before he shot and that was all I needed myself. We fell forward onto the floor, wrapped together and sliding on the wet pool beneath us.

I stayed where I was for a minute – spent, warm, comfortable on Rocky’s broad frame – and he lay equally unmoving beneath me. Finally I rolled over and sat up, leaning back against the couch.

Rocky stayed where he was and I saw his uncertain look, so I tugged him languidly toward me. He moved up against me obediently, then reached over with a tentative hand to stroke the hair off my face. "Thank you," he whispered, his breath against my ear.

I kissed the side of his mouth since it was so close. "Plenty more where that came from," I said amiably.

But he was starting to look concerned, now that the sated glaze was clearing from his eyes. "I hope I pleased you, sir," he said, sitting up and drawing away a little to look at me solemnly. "I promise I’ll work harder next time."

It occurred to me through my contented haze that I really needed to do some explaining. Then I realized Rocky was looking anxiously at the sticky mess on the floor. "I – I’m sorry about your floor. I’ll clean it up of course …"

I laughed and disabused him of his concerns, saying, "Leave it for whoever’s got the cleaning shift today … they’ve seen worse." I got to my feet, hauling him along with me. Those floors were hard, and I wasn’t nearly through with him yet. "C’mon upstairs where we can get more comfortable."

I caught a sudden flash of excitement in his eyes as I led the way, pulling him behind me. Up in my room, I fell onto the bed before turning back to look at him, where now he paused near the doorway.

"Come here," I ordered, mock sternly, and reached a hand out to him.

Rocky stepped forward dutifully, still looking nervous, but as soon as he was close enough I took his hand and yanked him over so that he landed on the bed, half sprawled across my lap. He tried to scramble up but I had my arms wrapped around him already and for a few moments we tumbled together on the bed, till I was sure he was too distracted to remember his diffidence. Then I rolled him over onto his back and held him down as he stilled and lay looking up at me with wide luminous eyes.

"What am I going to do with you?" I asked playfully, but with genuine curiosity; I wondered what he thought was happening.

Rocky gave me a sudden, contented smile, not moving. For a moment he didn’t respond, just looked at me as though he had nothing to say or wish for. Finally he shook his head slightly and answered with serene simplicity, "I don’t know."

I was disarmed. "You don’t?"

"No, sir." He laughed without concern. "You can do whatever you want with me. I’m not even going to ask."

Slowly, I felt myself smiling back. "You’re not?"

"No." He turned his head for a moment to kiss my forearm as I held him in place. "It’s enough," he said. "Just to be here. Whatever else - it’s not up to me."*

And there it was, just like that. After months of fighting it, when I’d finally accepted that Rocky would never know how to give up control, here he was. Handing it all to me.

I pulled him up to me and kissed him, hard this time. And then harder. He leaned in to respond, accepting without initiating. When I moved away he was smiling.

I released him and sat up a little, leaning back against the headboard, thinking about what I had to say. "Rocky," I began after a moment, and he waited, listening attentively, not moving. "What happened last night?"

Rocky shook his head slightly. "I don’t know," he said quietly, but I could see his eyes glow faintly at the memory. "Tiran came to see me – when he got in I guess. I just … woke up in the night and there he was. He said you explained everything. And that I didn’t need to leave."

I glanced over at him, and Rocky lowered his eyes for a moment. "I guess I could have found out more if I stuck around there today." His gaze returned to me, candidly. "But that wasn’t where I wanted to be."

I looked ahead again and took a breath. My turn now. "I ... told Tiran you never needed to offer," I said, honestly. "I always knew you were mine if I wanted you."

Beside me, Rocky lay still, watching and waiting.

"He thought … he thought you hurt me," I said.

Rocky nodded in recognition. "That’s what he couldn’t forgive."

"So I told him," I said slowly, "that it was more like the other way around." I glanced at Rocky ruefully. "And that he was crazy to let you go."

Rocky was smiling now. "Thank you, sir," he said.

I hesitated for a moment. Beside me, Rocky grew serious and attentive again as he waited for me to go on. "Last night," I said finally, "I realized what’s been bothering me all this time. Since even before I got here. I’ve always been jealous."

Rocky’s brow furrowed a little but he waited without speaking.

"Only last night I figured it out," I went on. "I finally stopped being jealous of what you have with Tiran. And started being jealous of what Tiran has with you."

For once I had to wait for Rocky to catch up. I knew he was with me when I heard the breath catch in his throat.

I rolled over abruptly and straddled him, leaning forward to put my hands down on either side of his head. "That’s when I realized ... I could have what I really wanted," I said, looking down into his eyes. "I just needed to take it."

Rocky lay motionless under me, but I could feel his heart racing beneath my chest. "Take me," he whispered.

"If I take it, Rocky ... I want it all."

His eyes were locked on mine. "You don’t have to ... I’m not asking for ... "

"I know. But I know what I want," I said. "Finally." I gave him a wry smile. "And I want all of it."

Rocky’s gaze hadn’t left my face. "I can do that," he said huskily.

"Can you?" I asked.

He understood me. "You know who I belong to," he answered, his voice low and even, "but ... my heart is my own."

I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until I let it out then. But I still wanted to be sure. "Tiran?"

Rocky’s eyes were translucent with desire, his words a throaty whisper. "He loves me. He wants me to be happy."

I leaned closer to him, my hands moving against his face. "And will this make you happy?"

He looked up at me, his eyes hooded, his lips half-parted. "Please," he breathed. "Please ... "

If there was more, it was lost as I covered his mouth with mine; nothing left to wait for. For a moment Rocky stayed motionless, yielding to me in complete submission; then his arms snaked around my waist, his hands stole up my back, and by the time I moved away from his mouth he was all over me.

I laughed a little to myself – that didn’t last long – and slid off him, down to the bed, opening my arms to let him in. He moved with me, against me, his mouth wanton and hungry against whatever he could reach. I returned the kisses while I could, but wasn’t about to stop him when he moved downward. The first time had been mine; I didn’t mind letting him have this one. By the time he reached my cock I was hard again, and he didn’t wait for permission, just took it in his mouth and went to work as though he’d been waiting for this his whole life. I lay back and let him have his way, surprised at his skill; he sucked like a pro, and not a submissive pro either. He was so practised, in fact, that he soon had me on the edge, despite our previous round. I hadn’t intended to let him finish this way but his efforts grew more intense as he realized how close I was and at some point I stopped resisting. When I came, he timed his swallows perfectly with the jets hitting the back of his throat. Even I had to take a couple of long breaths as I finished.

"Not bad," I told him languorously, smiling, as he came up for air.

Rocky held my gaze while he rubbed a forearm across the stray drops around his mouth, then licked his arm pointedly. "Tiry has me well trained," he said, with a touch of pride, and then he smiled and bent his head to kiss my chest, softly this time, lingering against the skin. "I know how to do it slower too, sir," he said. "I couldn’t wait this time, but I know how to worship at the altar as well. And believe me --" He looked up and gave me a sly, daring grin. "That’s an altar worth worshipping at."

I laughed and pulled him up to me again. The brash, irreverent Rocky was back. I realized I had missed him.


**********


It was somewhat later in the day when I finally thought again about the coffee I’d made earlier. I sat up, brushing a hand against Rocky’s shoulder. "What about something to eat?"

I caught a glimpse of mischievous smile as he moved his head back against my chest. "What – you don’t want to go again … master?"

I grabbed him, stopping his downward movement. "Maybe later." I looked at him wryly. "Definitely later. And I was about to say ... you can call me Jack, you know, sometimes."

He grinned and sat up. "I’d rather call you master. If I may, si-Jack."

I got to my feet, amused. "I thought you guys had a problem with that."

He shook his head matter-of-factly. "Not me, sir. I’ve thought of you as my master since I met you."

We were clattering down the stairs companionably, but I glanced back at him firmly. "Tiran is your master."

He smiled at me. "I know. That doesn’t change. I just don’t see why I can’t say you are too. It’s not a contest."

He went on into the kitchen and I looked after him thoughtfully for a minute before following him in.

I started a fresh pot of coffee while Rocky got out vegetables for an omelette. He took out a knife and a chopping block at the counter and I couldn’t resist stepping in behind him, sliding my arms around his waist. He turned his head toward me so I could reach his mouth, and I kissed him. He turned around compliantly, moving into my arms like a magnet, and I bent him back over the counter a little, tasting what was mine. When I let him up he was smiling, and he turned back to his work with the impish look that was already familiar to me.

"You sure made me ... wait," he said, "And work ... for this. Sir." He gave me a disarming smile and I laughed and moved away from him.

"You weren’t part of my plans when I got here, Rocky." I drawled my words a little; drily, but with a touch of apology. I poured coffee for both of us and sat down at the kitchen table to watch him.

"So … " Rocky began after a minute, carefully, not looking up. "What you said earlier. That was why you were so angry at me, from the beginning?"

"Yes." I shrugged. It hadn’t exactly been my finest hour, but there was no point hiding from the truth. "I hated seeing – how much Tiran relied on you. I thought it should have been me. It didn’t help when I realized I’d never be as good at it as you are."

He shook his head and shot me a quick look. "You don’t want to do what I do, master."

I laughed. "I finally realized that. But ... what you said about being a team ... "

"Yes." He nodded, still working at the counter. "Imagine what we can do when we both know we’re on the same side." He was looking down, but I saw his quick, mischievous smile.

"All right," I admitted sheepishly. "I was a bit ... blind about that."

Rocky looked up, laughing irrepressibly, and came over to kiss me, not leaving till he caught my eye and coaxed a rueful smile from me. Back at the counter, I could see him grow thoughtful again.

"And is that …" he began hesitantly, after a minute, "Is that why you wouldn’t ... take advantage of me earlier?"

I held myself still. "That was part of it."

"So it wasn’t … just about me not being submissive enough?"

"That didn’t help," I told him frankly. "I’ve never … It’s going to take some adjusting for me." I stood up quietly and went back over to slip my arms around him again.

Rocky kept working, chopping steadily, not looking at me. "You’ve never what, sir?"

"I’ve never had a … relationship with someone who isn’t totally submissive." I thought about it little more, taking a breath. "And I’ve never had a sub who I thought of as a friend … or – partner."

The knife fell to the counter with a clatter and Rocky turned, his arms wrapping around me and his breath hot in my ear.


**********


We did finish cooking eventually, and when everything was ready we went out to the deck to eat. It was another bright sunny day and we sat across from each other at the table, chatting companionably. Rocky was true to his word, not asking about my plans or intentions for the future; he seemed perfectly content just to be with me. I found it endearing.

As we were finishing, Rocky’s phone signalled; he glanced down at it and gave me a wry look. "Tiran," he said apologetically.

I laughed. "Surprise. What does he want?"

Rocky checked the message. "He wants me to have lunch with him. Oh well, too late for that."

I looked at him sternly. "Call him, Rocky."

So he did, and I listened to the conversation. It was apparent what was on Tiran’s mind; he didn’t ask where Rocky was, and Rocky didn’t volunteer anything.

"Come on back and have a drink with me then, sweetie," Tiran said, when Rocky told him he’d already eaten. "Don’t we have some things to talk about?"

Rocky smiled. "You mean a few weeks of gossip to catch up on?"

"That too," Tiran said. "Seriously, Rocky. I haven’t been very fair to you lately. I want to tell you I’m sorry."

Rocky looked over at me. "What for?"

"I should have let you talk to me. I was stupid. I’m sorry." As usual, Tiran was forthright in his admission. "When are you coming back?"

I held Rocky’s gaze warningly and he nodded reluctantly. "I’ll be there in a couple of hours ... okay, Tiry?"

"Yeah." I could hear the warmth and affection in Tiran’s voice, and for once it didn’t bother me. "See ya then."

Rocky put his phone away, looking at me as if for approval, and I nodded at him. We had finished lunch so I moved over to the sofa on the deck; he stacked a few dishes absently, then came over and sank down in front of me, kneeling between my feet.

"Did you tell him already?" Rocky asked, looking up at me. "Last night?"

I ran a hand through his hair. "No. I thought you might want to know first."

He laughed. "Thank you, sir."

"I’ll tell him now if you want," I offered, reaching for my phone.

"No – " Rocky put a hand on my arm to stop me. "Let me. Please." He laughed a little. "It’s a good time. I think he’s feeling a bit guilty."

"So he should be," I said, surprised at how sharp my voice was suddenly. "Why did he side with me, anyway? You’ve been his most faithful friend for years. Why would he assume the worst of you?"

Rocky smiled reflectively. "You know Tiran’s been ... hoping you might find something you liked in his boys. He thought – he thought you might have started something with me a while ago ..." Rocky looked up at me tentatively. "And then he saw it go wrong. He knew things weren’t right with us even before all this happened. When he found out about the service, he just – connected it."

I frowned. "He could have given you a little more credit."

Rocky turned a little and leaned back against my leg. "He’s sure of me," he said simply. "He can afford to blame me; he knows I’ll take it. It's you he’s not so sure of."

I thought for a few minutes. "You said … you knew you should have been more explicit with me. If you knew that was the right thing, why didn’t you do it?"

For a moment Rocky was quiet, looking down. "I was afraid you’d be angry, sir. Just like ... when I didn’t go see you the morning after the club that time. I just can’t stand the idea of you being mad at me."

I nodded to myself, and put my arms around his chest, pulling him against me. "Rocky. If we’re going to ... do this, you need to get over that. I’m going to be angry sometimes. You have to deal with it."

He turned and flashed me a smile. "I know. I will. But, Jack ... if you ever cut me off like that again ..."

I nodded slightly. "All right, sorry." I realized it was the first time I’d said that to him. "But you were relentless, Rocky. I needed time to think."

Now he looked guilty. "I’m sorry."

"Don’t be. Nothing less would have worked."

He put his face up to me, and I leaned down to kiss him. "So ... " I mused, sitting back again, "Tiran gets what he wants. As usual."

Rocky laughed and turned back again, resting against me comfortably. "He’s good at that." He looked away for a moment and grew serious. "But … don’t kid yourself, sir," he added quietly. "However supportive Tiran is, however much he wants us both to be happy … you know he’s going to pull some stunt sooner or later."

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"You know what Tiran is." Rocky spoke candidly, without judgment. "You’ve seen him with me. He likes his power; he uses it just because he can. And he needs to know he can … especially with me. Sooner or later he’ll test me. He’s going to make me choose between you and him."

I felt a little cold. Rocky was right; he would. "What do we do then?" I asked.

Rocky dropped his eyes for a moment, then reached up to take one of my hands and hold it in both of his. "I don’t know about you, sir, but I beg. That’s how I show him he comes first. I’ll beg, grovel, do whatever it takes, because that’s what he needs from me."

Rocky paused for a minute, watching me, and I nodded slowly.

"I’m not worried about it," he went on, more gently. "He doesn’t really want me, he just likes to test. But you, sir …" Rocky looked at me gravely. "You shouldn’t have to put up with it. You’re his equal."

I cut in, almost protectively. "You’re his equal, Rocky. He knows that."

Rocky smiled. "Maybe, but I don’t need to show it. You do." He was still holding my hand. "You have to stand up to Tiran, you know. That’s what Paul did, and it worked for him. You can tell Ti to cut out the bullshit."

I looked at Rocky with amusement, feeling a bit better. "You want me to pick a fight with your master?"

Rocky flushed slightly. "I didn’t mean that. I just … I just want you to be prepared."

I paused for a moment, considering, then gave him one last out. "Are you sure you can handle both of us, Rocky?"

He smiled. "I’m only worried about one of you." And then he turned to face me directly, still kneeling, and when he looked up his eyes were bright and full of excitement, belying the words he breathed. "You know I’m going to fuck up at times."

I laughed. "Yeah. I know." Meeting his eyes, I forced myself to add, "Me too." I saw his surprise, and added, "I don’t have a lot of practise with ... you know." I had to search a little to find the words. "Treating you like an equal."

"Like an equal?" Rocky looked bemused for a moment. "You already practically do, sir. You’ve been nothing but kind to me for a long time." He took my hand again and bowed his head over it, but I suspected that was to hide his laughing eyes. "Positively collegial," he went on. He lifted his head to look up at me slyly. "I hope you won’t be making a habit of it. Master."**

I felt my eyes widen as I understood what he was saying -- had been saying all morning, I realized at last. It was time for me to deal with it head-on. "Rocky," I said abruptly, cupping his head with my hands. "You don’t need to do this with me."

He put his hands up to cover mine. "But I want to," he said quietly.

I let go and shook my head, frowning. "No," I said firmly. "It’s not your nature and I’m fine with that. I’ve lived with subs before; it didn’t work out. I’m willing to try something – different with you."

Rocky listened to me intently, but I saw the faint, familiar look of amusement when I finished. "You mean ... you’ve reconciled yourself to having a mature, mutually respectful, equal, boring relationship with me. Is that it?"

I felt myself flush a little. "I didn’t mean it like that," I said.

He shook his head and I saw his resolve. "You know I’d never agree to that, Jack. Even if it was what I wanted. But it’s not. I love submitting to you."

Why did he have to make it so tempting? I kept to my point doggedly. "I don’t want you to be something you’re not ... for me."

"I know what I am." Rocky looked up at me, and this time his eyes were clear and transparent, and there was no hint of laughter in them. "I know what I like."

"You wouldn’t like it ... if you weren’t in love with me."

His gaze was challenging. "Or maybe I wouldn’t be in love with you if I didn’t like it."

His words ricocheted in my mind. For the first time, I wondered. "Rocky," I said slowly. "I’ve seen you with Tiran. You take no pleasure in submitting to him."

He put his head to the side. "I love Tiran, and I’m happy to submit to him because I know he needs it," he said carefully. "But it’s not about pleasure with him. I don’t enjoy it the way I do with you. It’s just like you said, Jack ... I choose to submit to him. You’re the one I have no choice about."

For a moment I was lost. "It won’t be easy for you," I said finally, one last effort.

"Are you kidding me?" he asked, suddenly fierce. "Being with you is what makes it easy for me. When you take charge, I don’t have to. That’s why I need you."

We were both motionless, eyes locked, in a kind of impasse. Then my mind turned, following a different path. "But, Rocky. You don’t get off on … on the kind of things I do."

He hesitated this time, and his gaze flickered slightly. "That’s true, sir. Pain isn't ... hasn't been a source of pleasure for me."

I started to speak, but he went on deliberately, lowering himself now, no longer defiant. "You’ll have to keep seeing your regulars for that. And I …" He moved further into the space between my legs, a hand stroking my foot, his mouth against my thigh, his voice low and ripe with promise. "I’ll just have to find more -- creative ways to keep my man happy."

I was starting to feel dizzy. "Whatever happened to ‘it’s not up to me’?"

He laughed a little, throatily, leaning up to me. "It’s your call, master. You’re in charge."

Was I going to lose every battle this way? "No," I said looking down at him sardonically. "I’m not so sure I am."

This time he really did look contrite. "I’m sorry. You know I’m not very good at giving up control." His eyes danced. "You’ll have to decide what you want to do about that. I mean, you can try beating it out of me but we both know it’ll probably never work."

I rolled my eyes. "I might just have to settle for not letting you run my life."

"Or maybe you could train me." He grinned at me. "I’ve heard you’re pretty good at that."

He was right. This might not have to be so boring after all.


**********


I sent him off to see Tiran a couple of hours later, as he’d promised. Even then, he went reluctantly.

"I’d much rather just stay here with you," he said, as I walked him to the door.

I laughed. "You look like you’re going off to war. It’s not a punishment." I looked at him strictly. "He’s your master, and he’s trying to be nice. The least you can do is go along with good grace."

"Yes, sir," he said, trying to sound abashed. "I'm grateful for his forgiveness. It’s just that …" He looked at me shyly. "I’m afraid to leave in case I can’t come back again. Please … may I come back here afterwards?"

I laughed. "Of course. In fact, that’s an order."

His face lit up. "Thank you."

"This is where you’ll be spending most of your time in the future, don’t worry." I stopped, and surveyed him thoughtfully. Maybe it was too early. Or maybe I was two years late. "Actually, don’t come back directly ..."

He looked crestfallen and started to protest, but I cut him off, smiling. "Stop by your room first and pack your things. There’s an extra room here."

It wasn’t often I saw Rocky look stunned, but this did it.

"It’s just a room," I said. "It might as well be here as at Tiran’s. After all, it’s your house."

And then he was in my arms, and really, Tiran was lucky I got him over there at all.


**********


When he was gone, I suddenly realized how drained I was. As though I’d been waging a fierce war for a long time. I guess in a way I had been, even if I was the only one who was fighting it. Now, finally, I felt like I’d found respite. Like I’d won the battle. Long fought, I thought. Hard won.

It wasn’t the end, of course. I won’t tell you we lived happily ever after. It was only the beginning of a longer, different struggle, the kind you spend your whole life negotiating. But I will tell you this: we grew old together.

I didn’t know that at the time, of course. All I knew that day on the back deck was that I finally understood what Rocky was offering. And I accepted.





END OF PART 3



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I want to credit this to Brains Over Brawn by MaineBoyXY (at nifty.org in the M/M Authoritarian category). Although I can't find the wording, I'd swear Alex expresses a very similar sentiment somewhere in that story.
**With inspiration from ocotillo_dawn's The Violet and the Tom, chapter 18.
I also think this chapter generally owes small debts to O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" and to Darcy and Elizabeth at the end of Pride & Prejudice.