Chapter Ten (Tristian's POV)

"So, you're going to live at Rex's cottage?"

Ace sounded annoyed by this. I was a little irritated with the fact that he found that annoying. What was the word for people like that? Oh yea.

Hypocritical.

"Yea," I answered drolly, taking a big gulp of hot chocolate before digging my fork into my pancakes, "Ain't no law that says I gotta get a new apartment right off the bat. 'Case you hadn't noticed neither, I ain't got the money for that sorta stuff. I'm barely makin' in through college and the office work. Rex is being hospitable by lettin' me stay." I wiped the syrup on my lips with a napkin before tossing it on the table as Rex just sighed, rubbing his temples as if he wasn't shocked with Ace's reaction. Vic didn't seem shocked either, but he was joining Rex and I in our pit of irritation.

"You could stay with us," Ace insisted, his fork sliding across his plate and making it screech obnoxiously so I winced, "And the insurance should cover fires anyway, so--"

"How come you're allowed to be a little gay and I ain't?" I demanded in frustration, smacking my fork on the table in exasperation, ignoring the stares we got from other diners. Vic covered his face in embarrassment while Rex just patted his hand reassuringly. However, that didn't stop Ace as he sputtered.

"I-It's not whether you're gay or not! Besides, you just met! You can't possibly want to live with him. Rex is too busy. Whether that's working or some of his sick hobbies that you'll be forced to participate in, I don't know. I do know that you can't live with him forever." Ace snapped, sounding just like the disgruntled father he was. He couldn't nag at his sons because they were too busy with their boyfriends and since I was young and parent-less, he'd take it upon himself to nag my ear off. I scowled, folding my arms over my chest.

"Oh, so what? Maybe I got sick hobbies of my own." I responded snarkily. Ace's cheeks pinkened and he looked like he was searching for something to say, but Vic held his hand up for the tirade to dissipate.

"Enough, Ace. Tristian's old enough to make his own decisions. Besides, I can't think of anyone better to take care of Tristian than Rex." He added, smiling at Rex, who beamed proudly. I blushed lightly and avoided their telepathic conversation to see Ace glaring at me. I stiffened, then stuck my tongue out at him, making Ace throw his hands up in exasperation.

We didn't talk for the rest of breakfast. We finally got up and left so Rex and I could do some errands before heading back to his cottage.

"He don't gotta be such a dick," I grumbled as we headed out to the truck, my hand buried in Rex's pocket, clasped around his hand, "I had no problem when he got together with Vic. Why's he gotta get in the way of me bein' with you? He acts like you're gonna do somethin' awful. No offense, but you already had sex with me. What worse could there be?" Rex didn't answer at first, making me blink and look up at him. He had a thoughtful expression on his face, making me blush and elbow him in the ribs, causing him to laugh out loud.

"I'm just kidding! It's all right, Tristian. Ace is just doing what he was born to do. Worry about his friends and family. And Ace considers you both. I'm not offended or anything. In fact, I expected it." He added with a shrug as we got in his truck, starting up the heater. I shivered in the passenger seat and Rex cranked the heat up as we pulled out.

"He still doesn't have to act like a douche."

"Fathers will be fathers."

"Guess so... Well, anyway, where we goin'? By errands, I figured you was gonna grab stuff for yer dog." I admitted with a shrug as headed down the road, but Rex shook his head as he smiled confidently, scanning the buildings for a moment before turning onto Romance Rd. toward the Super Mall.

"You have no clothes, no shoes. Seeing as I have a brand new credit card ready to be used, I'll treat you to a shopping spree." He replied, reaching into his pocket and taking out a silver and blue credit card, making my eyes widen.

No way.

"Y-You don't gotta do that." I managed. Rex shrugged, pocketing the card as he searched for a parking spot closer to the entrance as the bitter winter wind picked up.

"I want to. You gave me a ring. I'll give you clothes and anything else you wanna buy. See a nice pair of shoes? Bag 'em. Like puppies? Sure, why not? Coco needs a friend. Want that nice vibrator? Say the word." He answered with a wicked grin, winking as I blushed hard and shook my head quickly at the final suggestion.

Rex parked the truck a few spaces past the handicapped parking and we got out. I walked up to him as he took my hand, unafraid of flaunting our relationship in front of the public. I was honestly a little afraid of walking around like that. Not because I was a shamed, but because I felt like I was walking around in public naked. Exposed.

Rex gave my hand a squeeze and I looked up at him to see him smiling down at me reassuringly.

"Thank you." I said at last. Rex beamed wider and stooped to kiss me on the temple, brushing his hand over my hair before looking up.

"No problemo, sweetheart." He answered proudly and led the way into the Super Mall. It was a huge small, bigger than any of the malls I'd been in back in Michigan. It was three floors of multiple shops, ranging from your stereotypical Dollar Trees to DEBS to T.J. Max and Hot Topic. The smell of coffee from a nearby Starbucks filtered through the warm air inside, giving it a homey sensation.

I was relieved when no one looked twice at Rex and I as we maneuvered through crowds of very early holiday shoppers and the Thanksgiving rush. Rex led me to a Men's Warehouse across from JcPenny's where I was awed by how neat and organized everything was. The prices also worried me, but Rex ignored them swiftly as he picked out a couple pairs of jeans and casual shirts, tossing them at me and insisting I try them all on.

"Wait here," Rex added as he led me to the dressing rooms, "Try everything and anything on that you want. I'll be back in a second. I wanted to grab a couple things from a shop further down." I just nodded and went inside as Rex left me to try on several different outfits.

Most of them made me uncomfortable because I was used to Goodwill and Wal-Mart. The clothes were great quality and made me look middle class rather than a struggling college student. I went through several more outfits in the next hour or so and still, Rex had yet to come back. For a second, I was worried he had abandoned me, but as I slipped a shirt off over my head, I caught sight of the ring on my finger.

I paused to study it as the small diamond glittered in the lights above, making me smile.

I gave Rex the other ring for a reason. I trusted him.

I took a deep breath and continued to try on clothes until Rex showed up while I was hanging up another shirt. He had a couple bags from different stores; Macy's, JcPenny's, Spencer's, and one reading Sassy Sounds. I raised an eyebrow.

"Where were you?" I asked. Rex smiled brightly, slipping an arm around my waist and placing a chaste kiss on my cheek.

"Just running errands faster so we can get home and be together. I'm excited." He added brightly, approaching the register with his credit card. I blinked and looked at him curiously as he paid for the twelve new outfits I'd picked-- mostly because they were the cheapest of all the ones Rex piled on me.

"What'd you buy?" I asked, reaching out to snag one of the bag's by the side, but Rex gayishly twirled out of my reach and watched the woman behind the counter bag my new clothes, an impish smile on her face too. I scrunched up my nose impatiently, but I didn't ask any further as Rex held my bags out to me. I went to grab one of Rex's, pretending it was an accident, but he pulled it out of my reach and wagged a finger in my face.

"Ah, ah, ah. My, you're naughty this evening, Tristian."

"I'm nosy. Ain't nothin' wrong with that."

"Hmph! Have you no manners? Well," Rex turned on me, making me scowl as he waved at the cashier, "Thank you so much, Opal! I hope he wasn't any trouble." I threw my hands up in exasperation, my bags almost falling out of my hands, making the cashier grin knowingly.

"No problem at all, Mr. Meyers. Have a fantastic evening." She nodded her head and Rex did the same before he nudged his head for me to follow. I was going to question him again about his suspicious behavior when my stomach growled loudly enough to make Rex look at me. I blushed.

"We skipped lunch. I'm hungry." I stated, making Rex smile.

"Perfect. Let's go home and I'll cook you a feast." He responded. I blinked, but didn't say anything, just let my expression tell how eager I was. Rex laughed and led me through the mall back to the truck. He put all the bags in the back, so I wouldn't be tempted to rummage.

"What're you gonna make?" I asked curiously as Rex started the car, turning the heater on as he backed out and got on the road. Rex hummed thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded.

"I'm thinking beef. Sliced beef with vegetable casserole, buttered rolls. Mmm, some scalloped potatoes. How about a little wine too?" He asked, making my mouth water as I leaned back on the seat, facing him and whining.

"Break the speed limits!" I complained, making Rex laugh. To my surprise, he pressed harder on the gas pedal and we were home in no time. I decided to get ready for a bath as Rex got the dinner started, hopefully so it'd be ready once I got out. I washed my new clothes so they'd be more wearable, picking out a black and white striped button up shirt and black jeans to go with. I folded it up and brought it to the bathroom, always amazed with how large the tub was.

The bathroom was mostly made up of marble floor until it came to wooden steps to the right, that led to a wood platform where the tub sat built into the floor, ready to be used with multiple shampoos, fragrance oils, bubble baths, and other fun stuff sat.

"Need help setting up?" Rex asked from behind me, making me jump a little, turning to look at him.

"I guess." I admitted. Rex beamed and came in, heading to the tub and turning the water on so it came out in steaming warm streams. I set my clothes out and a towel, glancing in the mirror as I went to undo my shirt, but Rex came up behind me, taking my hands in his.

"Will you let me do something?" He asked hotly against my ear, making me blush all the way to the tips of my ears. I bit my lip, then scowled, glancing up to look at him in the mirror.

"You're gonna ask permission this time?" I asked dryly. Rex smirked and undid my shirt for me, tugging it up to reveal my flat stomach. He ran his hand down to the rim of my jeans, making my breath hitch as I watched him in the mirror, surprised by the look on my face. It wasn't fear or pain or anger, but... excitement.

"I think you just want me to force myself on you, again," He added lightly, running his finger along the inside of the rim of my jeans, giving me goose bumps and making my belly do flipflops, "Otherwise, you'd have done something to stop me by now." I didn't answer, just sucked in my breath as Rex leaned in and kissed me under the ear. I sighed and gave myself over, once again, to Rex's skillful hands as he undid my jeans and let them drop to my ankles.

"Undress for me. I have something I want you to wear." He commanded, drifting away from me. My body literally ached for him to touch me again, but I leaned against the sink and only answered with a nod as Rex left the bathroom to grab whatever it was.

I nibbled my lower lip, flicking my shirt off as well as my jeans and briefs. I was hesitant, standing there completely naked and seeing my reflection come at me from not only the mirror over the sink, but the ones around the tub made me self-conscious.

I wasn't downright scrawny, but I wasn't muscular. I wasn't flabby either. My high metabolism just burned everything I ate after a couple hours, leaving me starving for more. I rubbed my hands along my chest, tracing my ribcage before touching my abdomen. A flat stomach, lacking fat and abs. One of those was nice. Lacking the other was unfair.

I sighed, then looked up to see Rex walk in, stark naked and holding what looked like a black thong. A thin black waistband that morphed into a small triangle in the back before turning into just a thin string and traveling up to a larger triangle that was meant to house a man's groin.

Out the corner of my eyes, I saw my face light up red as Rex held it up, beaming happily as he twirled it on his finger, then held it out to me, giving the waistband a snap.

"Look what I bought for you." He stated. I sputtered for a second, leaning against the counter, using one of my legs to hide my groin as I shook my head.

"I-I am not wearin' that!" I protested in embarrassment. Rex pouted for a moment, then smiled as he sauntered over, completely unabashed by his nudity and "happy" private parts. In fact, this was the first time I'd seen Rex naked. Before when we had sex, he'd been completely clothed, save for the zipper in his jeans.

This time, I could see the hard, ripping muscles under a warm, Californian tan. He didn't have a six pack, but an eight pack. His legs were long and muscular, trailing up to a very proud, prominent manhood that actually made mine twitch shamefully. I immediately looked away, bringing my leg up further to hide my groin as Rex approached me.

He leaned against the counter for a second, his body so close that I could feel his heat assisting my blush in warming my body up as he held the thong in my face.

"Pretty, pretty please with whip cream on top? Maybe a cherry? Some yummy chocolate sprinkles." Rex urged sweetly, swinging the thing in my face. I blushed hard, shutting my eyes and shaking my head.

"I ain't never worn one of those! How would I even put it on?" I protested in embarrassment. I heard Rex hum before shifting, making me peek my eyes open to see that he'd gotten down in front of me, jerking my leg down, but not enough to touch the floor.

"What're you doin'?!" I gasped, trying to jerk my leg away from him, but he held my leg down as he slid my foot through one of the holes in the thong. I wanted to tear away from him, but my body wouldn't obey my mind as Rex carefully put my other leg through the other hole, hiking the thong up my legs.

The entire time, he gazed up at me intently, slowly rising to his feet as he pulled the thong up until he snapped the waist band around my waist, smirking when I jumped. It felt snug and the thing string that ran right up my crack made me wiggle my hips a little uncomfortably.

"Cute." Rex commented, resting his hands on my hips, rubbing slow circles and making my groin ache.

"Y-Yea, well, w-what now?" I asked nervously, avoiding Rex's intense stare. Rex laughed softly, brushing his fingers through my hair and tracing a finger over the shell of my ear. He took my hand and led me to the tub where the warm water sat waiting, steam rising and fogging up the mirrors.

Rex stepped into the tub first, turning so our hands were together as he slowly led me into the tub. The hot water felt great on my skin, giving me goose bumps and making me gasp. It wasn't as hot as a hot tub, but hot enough to have my skin flushing an even deeper pink than I was already blushing.

"Not so bad, is it?" Rex asked as I finally got in the tub with him. I shifted a little, almost completely forgetting about the thong that was massaging my crack. Rex pulled me up against him as he took a seat on the bench that was under the water. I just shrugged, uncomfortable as I sat in his lap, my legs on either side of him. I felt his hardness rub against my groin under the water, making me bit my lip.

"What's wrong? Too hot?" Rex asked when I didn't answer, just tilted my head to the side. I shook my head as Rex cupped my cheek, making me tilt my head toward it. He stroked my cheek with his thumb while his other fingers brushed at strands of my hair.

"Do you like bubbles?" He asked me. I looked at him curiously and he beamed, reaching over to what I figured was part of the dials for the water to turn on. He pushed a button and I immediately gasped as jets of water stirred the surface, making bubbles explode around us. I hissed as one of the jets shot right at my ass, making me jump in Rex's lap.

I turned my head to ask him to turn them off, but he captured my lips. My lips were already parted, giving him access to every square inch of my mouth. He licked and sucked, bit my lip and tugged, making me whine.

He ran his hands down my sides, resting his hands on my hips. He ground himself against me, making me moan shamefully. He ran one hand back up, his thumb massaging my nipple. I whimpered, getting lost in the haze of heat and lust.

I didn't care about hiding anymore.

I didn't care about pretending I hated it because in the end, both Rex and I knew that I didn't.

He trailed his kisses to my throat, pausing to suck hard and make me gasp. He finally brought his mouth to my nipple, taking the hard bud in between his teeth and tugging. I clamped my teeth onto my lip, hardly stifling the moan that rumbled in my throat. He stroked my hips under the water, tracing them and giving the thong a snap.

It didn't help that the jet behind me was burying its blast between my cheeks when Rex pulled on them, hiking me further into his lap. I panted hard as he suckled on my nipple, his hands massaging my ass. With that and the jet and his lips all on me at once, I couldn't concentrate anymore as I came, gasping aloud and grabbing onto Rex's shoulders, tugging him against me desperately as I panted for breath and slowly came down from my peak, only to have Rex pull away, giving me a pout.

"Well, that's certainly not fair. You came before I had the chance to do anything... But that's fine. I like seeing you come anyway." He teased, making my face feel even hotter-- if that was possible. Rex caught my embarrassed look and only made it worse as he switched our positions.

He pushed me so I was bent over the side of the tub, my ass completely exposed to him as he held me by my hips. I went to twist away from him, but he pushed me on the back again so I was just bending over again.

"I'm tired," I complained, trying to twist around again, but he only pushed me back, "And I'm hungry."

"And selfish too. Why can't I come?" Rex asked, making his voice an exaggerated whine. I scowled at his teasing, but it only lasted a moment longer as Rex reached between my cheeks and pulled the string, making me gasp. He let it snap on my ass cheek before he spread them and leaned in. As soon as I felt his hot wet tongue, I melted onto my arms as I leaned on the edge of the tub, moaning as I pressed my cheek to my arm.

His tongue did wonders, curling and stretching, in and out, side to side. It drove me insane as his hand trailed along the inside of the front of the thong, his fingers brushing the wet tip of me. I squirmed, panting hard as he stroked me with his tongue and hand, making my hips wiggle. Rex laughed quietly, the sound of him fumbling with something on the edge of the tub, making my eyes flutter open.

"What're you doin'?" I mumbled in a daze, trying to see what he was doing in the mirror, but to no avail past the fog.

"Just making this time a little more pain less and a lot more pleasurable, for both of us." Rex added, making me tilt my head on my arm in confusion. I started to get up to see what he was talking about when he inserted a finger. It wasn't entirely the invasion that shocked me, but the cool sensation that followed it along with the distinct scent of peppermint.

"R-Rex!"

"Don't worry, sweetheart. It's peppermint. I bought this too. I think Sassy Sounds is my favorite store now." Rex mused as he plunged another finger in. I cried out, clenching my fists and squeezing my eyes shut as I came again, my hips pushing back on Rex's digits desperately before I squirmed uncomfortably, panting.

"Is this really making you that horny? How cute," Rex crooned, not ceasing his assault on my ass, "I could do this all day, you know. Make you come a hundred times until you're dry, but that would be cruel. After all, you're hungry, aren't you? Hungry and tired." When he spoke, he put emphasis on each of my issues by adding a third finger and pushing hard.

"Mmph! Ugh! R-Rex, please..."

"Please, what?" Rex asked sweetly, pushing harder and almost, but not quite, reaching a spot inside of me that was quivering from neglect. My body trembled as I bit into my lip, my clenched fists resting on the edge of the tub before I gave in.

Denying it wasn't doing to get me what I wanted most and what I wanted most in that very moment was Rex.

"Please, Rex, I need you." I mewled as he pressed his fingers in further, then stopped moving much to my distress. Rex didn't say anything for a moment, then laughed softly and pulled his fingers away from me, leaving me empty and needy. I wanted to turn around in confusion when I felt Rex grab my hips. I didn't have much time to react as Rex plunged himself inside of me in one swift thrust that had stars flashing across my vision, my heart leaping into my throat and pushing a loud cry of surprise.

My body quaked with tremors and I almost lost my grip on the edge of the tub, but Rex caught me and held me as he began to piston himself, in and out of me. His hands wandered my chest, pinching and touching every where he could get. He trailed a hand down to my groin, engulfing my manhood in the heat of his hand, stroking me in time with each powerful thrust.

The blood rushed in my ears, my heart throbbing loudly like a drum against my skull. Or maybe that was Rex pounding into me like he couldn't get enough. I panted, reaching behind me with one hand to grab onto Rex's arm. I felt him smile against the back of my sweaty neck, kissing me repeatedly before sucking on my earlobe.

Everything came rushing at me like a train. My body ached and trembled, throbbed and shivered as the force of all of this struck me in one loud cry that tumbled out as Rex's name. I felt like I exploded more than once into Rex's hand as he burst inside of me, filling me to the core.

The first time, it had lasted a split moment, but now, I felt like it was eternity before I came down from one of the heaviest orgasms I'd ever had.

My legs trembled as I slumped in the water, almost falling under if Rex hadn't of caught me and moved us around so I was sitting across his lap, his arms supporting me as he let the water wash any filth away. He stroked my hair back from my face, splashing water gently to soak my hair.

"You were amazing," Rex commented, smiling down at me as he ran his fingers through my wet hair, "I don't think you've come that hard since we met." I blushed and pushed his hand away, scowling a litte, but my hips were too sore for me to actually stand up or sit, so I let myself rest across Rex's lap as he shampooed and conditioned my hair, rubbing body wash on my skin.

"You're embarrassin'." I grunted, closing my eyes and relaxing, but not too heavily because I was on the verge of falling asleep. Rex noticed and hurried to clean the rest of me, slipping the thong off and hanging it on the faucet of the tub, smirking as he glanced at me.

"I just bought that and now it's all dirty."

"Who's fault is that?"

"The one with no self-control."

"No self...! Oh, fuck off." I huffed, making Rex laugh. He helped me out of the tub and I forgot about dressing in anything that wasn't one of Rex's t-shirts and a pair of snug black boxers. We went out to the kitchen where Coco greeted us with his excited barking, running around my legs. I smiled and knelt down to scratch him behind the ears as Rex set the table and the food that made my stomach rumble.

We sat down and ate, even sharing some with Coco, who acted like this was freakin' Christmas already. I finished off the rest of the feast, not even leaving a crumb for leftovers. We didn't say too much because I don't think we needed to.

I helped Rex wash the dishes while Coco took up residence in the middle of the kitchen floor. As Rex dried off his hands, I felt something in me swell as he took great care in replacing the silver wedding ring on his finger. I looked up at Rex, who smiled down at me pleasantly. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and we went to his room.

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was asleep, hoping that morning would take it's time.

At first, anyway.

Because as soon as I was asleep, I was plunged into not just a horrible nightmare, but a horrible memory.

I was sitting at one of my classes back at Western, taking notes when the bell rang. I was so relieved because the whole hour, something felt off. I kept getting these uncomfortable chills and nervous spasms. I packed up my things, bidding my professor farewell and a couple classmates as I made my way to my car, eager to get home.

Mom promised she'd make some Japanese food, celebrating the fact that once I graduated, I was heading off to Tokyo in hopes of snagging a job in animation. My heart pounded at the thought. I was finally doing what I'd always wanted to do and my parents supported me fully.

Because of my father, I was slowly, but surely learning the language I'd need to know for my job. Because of my mother, I had the confidence that I'd need to snag that job. Because of both of them, I was sure to get a job.

With that in mind, I headed toward home, pulling over once when a fire engine came screeching down the road. It was when I pulled off to the side, watching those red lights flash like flames that my gut sank. It was headed right in the direction I was going in. It was hard to tell where the smoke was coming from as there was a heavy amount of trees around my parents' house. I sat there for a moment, as the rest of the traffic continued. I waited, hoping and praying.

Please, don't turn right. Please, don't turn right.

The fire engine honked loudly, skidding to the right and my foot hit the gas at the same time. I shot out in front of a silver Honda Civic that honked loudly, but I barely heard it over the sirens that seemed to wail inside my head now.

No, no, no.

It's not their house. It's probably just a little fire from someone's grille.

I shot past the traffic and through a red light before turning onto my parents' road. When I did, I slowed down to see two fire engines parked across the street from my parents' house. Or what was left of it. The top of the house was engulfed entirely in flames as spews of water from the fire hoses sprang to save what was left of the burning house.

I didn't even park on the side of the road, just stopped my car and shut it off in the middle of the road as I came running down the street. I didn't even make it to the lawn as one of the fire fighters lunged out, catching me around the waist.

I was a normally calm person. I had everything planned out. My mom always told me to have things planned. My father always told me to be calm because panicking only made things worse.

But in that moment, I felt a wave of hysteria hit me as I writhed in the man's muscular arms, uselessly elbowing at him through his suit.

"No! Get off me! Get off! My parents!" I managed, my voice hardly sounding like my own. I didn't recognized the hysterical screams. I kicked and squirmed some more as a couple of police officers arrived to grab me by the arms, holding me back as neighbors poured from their homes to watch in horror.

The fire fighters rushed inside once the doorway was doused. I waited, every muscle in my body taunt as the police officers gripped my arms.

Please, no.

Please, please say they weren't home.

My mom was at the grocery store. The bank. The bookstore. My father was at work. Visiting a friend downtown. Something! Anything!

Just please, don't be in there!

My chest felt tight, my heart was in my throat, pounding violently enough to choke me. My eyes burned, but nothing fell yet.

Yet.

It was one the fire fighters came out, one by one out the front door, rushing without anyone else with them. The first one coming onto the yard and starting to yell when he saw me. His mask was fogged up, burnt, but I still saw the look on his face that told me the truth.

I couldn't tell if it was a siren or my scream. I just know my throat burned, my eyes stung with tears as my legs gave out and I crumpled to my knees, the cops letting go instantly when they realized the truth.

"Nooooo!"

"Tristian! Tristian, wake up!" My eyes few open and I blinked rapidly, grasping out and trying to swing my fist at the cop that was shaking my shoulders. It took me a moment to realize that it was Rex, staring down at me with worry. His face was blurry for a moment until I blinked, finally feeling the wet hot tears on my face.

"R-Rex?" I managed, just to make sure. Rex nodded and I wanted to sigh in relief, but I was too pained to even bother. Instead, I choked on another sob that made my throat ache. Rex reached out and gently gathered me into his arms, holding my head against his shoulder as I tried to stop myself from crying.

I hated myself for crying, but if there was anyone I was willing to trust to watch me cry, it was Rex.

So I let myself cry until I fell asleep again. Thankful that I fell into a dark, dreamless sleep this time.