by Andria Large
“Hi, I’m Valerie Martin.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Come on back.”
Gunnar follows her back to one of the rooms where she lets him walk in first then follows, shutting the door behind him.
“Have a seat,” she says and motions toward the comfy looking love seat against one wall.
Gunnar sits and pulls one of the throw pillows onto his lap, hugging it. The couch makes him feel vulnerable, but hugging the pillow helps. Valerie takes a seat in an armchair across from him. She grabs a clipboard with paper and a pen from the table next to her.
“So why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”
Gunnar laughs. “How much time you got?”
She smiles. “Okay. How about just pick one thing that you think is important and start there.”
Gunnar sobers and swallows hard. “I’m…I think I have PTSD and a bit of a drinking problem."
“That is a great start…”
***
Gunnar goes right home after therapy per his agreement with Griffin. He pulls into his driveway to see Bowen’s car there. Excitement races through him. He was going to call Bowen to see if he could come over anyway, so this works.
Gunnar walks in the front door to find Bowen sitting in his office working on his laptop. Gunnar walks right up to him, spins his chair around, grabs his face, and kisses him hard on the lips. Bowen flails.
“Jesus, I’m happy to see you, too, Babe, but what was that about?” Bowen chuckles.
“Nothing. Just because.”
Bowen’s eyes wander over his face. “That’s good. I guess therapy went well?”
“Yeah,” he chirps. “I actually feel a bit lighter.”
Bowen smiles and it reaches his eyes. “That’s fantastic.”
“I was thinking…” Gunnar begins. He throws his leg over Bowen’s lap, straddling him. “Maybe we can do a bit of celebrating since you’re already here.”
“What are we celebrating?” Bowen asks, his voice going low and husky as he runs his hands up Gunnar’s thighs.
“The beginning of the new Gunnar.”
“Mmm, that totally sounds worth celebrating. How about we take it upstairs this time?”
“I like the way you think.”
Gunnar extracts himself from Bowen’s lap and stands. Bowen follows but wraps his arms around Gunnar’s waist and tugs him in close, kissing him languidly.
“I was also thinking, maybe I’d let you top this time,” Bowen purrs.
Gunnar moans and palms Bowen’s ass. “I’d fucking love that.”
They make their way upstairs, clothes coming off as they go. By the time they fall onto Gunnar’s bed, they’re completely naked. Gunnar pushes up to his knees and gives Bowen’s outer thigh a swat.
“Hands and knees, pal.”
Bowen cocks an eyebrow but does as he’s told. He’s not used to Gunnar giving commands; usually it’s the other way around. When he’s on his hands and knees, he glances over his shoulder, his caramel eyes smoldering with desire. Gunnar moans at the sight in front of him. He runs his hands over Bowen’s ass cheeks and up his back then comes back down so he can spread those gorgeous cheeks apart.
Bending forward, Gunnar kisses and nips at one cheek then the other. Bowen gasps and makes all other kinds of mewling noises, causing Gunnar to lose his damn mind.
“Dammit, Gunnar, stop teasing me,” Bowen rasps.
Gunnar chuckles. “Oh? How does it feel to be on the other side this time, Love?”
“Fuck,” he hiss and drops to his forearms so he can smash his forehead into the bed.
Gunnar gives him what he wants, diving in to eat the hell out of that puckered hole. Bowen’s strangled cry is all he needs to know he’s doing a good job. After a couple minutes of giving Bowen's hole some major attention, he licks his way down to his heavy sack and hard as fuck cock. He wraps his hand around his shaft and strokes it while giving Bowen’s balls some lovin’.
“Babe! Please, fuck me,” Bowen begs.
Letting Bowen’s ball pop out of his mouth, he moves to the bedside table for the lube and condoms.
“Just lube,” Bowen murmurs.
Gunnar whips his head around to look at him. “Really? You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Gunnar smiles and grabs only the lube. He moves back behind Bowen, who’s ass is on full display for him. Gunnar lubes them both up then lines his cock head up. Bowen’s whole body shudders when Gunnar rubs small circles around him. Pushing forward, Bowen hisses as he throws a hand back to clutch at Gunnar’s thigh.
Halfway in, Gunnar moves his hands to Bowen hips, gripping him tightly as he slowly pushes the rest of the way in.
“Fuuuuck,” Gunnar moans, throwing his head back.
A strangled cry escapes Bowen as his nails dig into Gunnar's thigh. Gunnar pulls back slowly before shoving forward. Bowen shouts in pleasure. Gunnar continues to slowly pull out and snap his hips forward, each time getting some kind of noise from Bowen. Damn, he loves that he’s turned all submissive this time.
Gunnar picks up the pace. He gives Bowen’s ass a sharp smack. Bowen’s head whips around to glare at Gunnar, making him laugh.
“What? I’m in charge this time. I’ll smack your ass if I want to.” Gunnar grins.
“I will get you back, just so you know,” Bowen growls.
Gunnar presses his hands on Bowen’s lower back and rolls his hips, hitting that sweet spot. Bowen’s eyes roll back in his head as his mouth opens in a silent scream. God, that’s hot. Gunnar loves that he can make Bowen come undone.
“Jack yourself off, Baby,” Gunnar pants.
Bowen moans long and low. Shifting his weigh to one side, he brings his hand between his legs.
Gunnar’s orgasm builds, making his breathing become more labored. “Fuck, I’m close.”
Bowen doesn’t answer; he just cries out as he comes, his hole squeezing Gunnar like a vice. Gunnar lets out a strangled cry as he comes hard into Bowen’s ass. He shoves into him and holds himself there as his cock pulses inside of him.
Still panting, Gunnar slowly extracts himself from Bowen and flops over onto the bed. Bowen slides down until he’s lying on his stomach. Gunnar takes Bowen’s hand and kisses his palm.
“I love you.”
Bowen turns his head to face Gunnar, a silly grin on his face. “I love you, too.”
“That was hot,” Gunnar murmurs.
Bowen nods. “Mmm hmm.”
“How about we get cleaned up?”
“Yeah, your cum is dripping out of my ass.” Bowen laughs.
Gunnar barks out a laugh. “Come on you sexy fucker you. Let’s get in the shower.”
“Get me some tissues first. I’m not trying to leave a trail from here to the bathroom.”
Gunnar laughs again, grabs the box of tissues off the nightstand, and hands them to Bowen, who shoves a couple between his cheeks. He then walks to the bathroom with the tissues sticking out of his ass. Gunnar dies laughing as he follows.
"Nice tail."
"Shut up."
Chapter Twenty-Two
"HEY GRIFF?" Gunnar murmurs while sitting across the table from him as they both drink their morning cup of coffee.
"Yeah?" Griffin replies looking up from his phone, where he's checking his Facebook messages.
Griffin has been living with Gunnar for a few weeks now. Gunnar is doing really well with his therapy and not drinking. He hasn't had any slip ups. Mainly because either Griffin or Bowen is always with him, and neither will let him near any alcohol.
"I just remembered something from when we were deployed together."
"Oh yeah?" Griffin replies, intrigued. "What is it?"
A slow smile curls Gunnar's mouth. "That time I got shot in the ass saving yours."
Griffin barks out a laugh. "Oh god, I don't know how we made it out alive." He shakes his head.
"Sheer luck, my friend." Gunnar chuckles. "You're dumb ass had to go and trip."
"It wasn't like I planned on it. That dead guy's foot came out of nowhere."
Gunnar shakes his head and closes his eyes. "Then when I stopped and bent over to help you, a stray bullet got me right in the ass."
Griffin starts cracking up. "You yelled like Forrest Gump! 'Somethin' bit me!' Oh man, I thought I'd die laughing."
"Yeah, you were not helpful. I was limpin' and tryin' to run and you were pissin' your pants."
"You shouldn't have quoted Forrest Gump then. You know I love that movie."
Gunnar smiles softly. "Yes, I do know. I remember."
Griffin's heart fills with joy. "Do you?"
Gunnar nods. "Yeah, I remember a lot of our friendship now."
Griffin smiles wide. "Thank the fuckin' Lord. I've missed you, man."
Griffin is overjoyed that Gunnar remembers their friendship. It took forever, and Griffin was afraid that he'd never get those memories back. They've been through so much together that it would have been a real shame for Gunnar to have forgotten all of it forever.
Gunnar nods. "I've missed you, too."
"Do you remember what you said when you were coming out of anesthesia from having the bullet taken out?"
Gunnar eyes crinkle at the corners. "Didn't I say something like, 'Lt. Dan, ice cream'?"
"Yes, you fuckin' did, and I almost died laughing again!"
"Man, we were crazy. What happened?" Gunnar laughs.
"We grew up?"
Gunnar hums and nods. "Speaking of growing up. When are you going to ask Eva to marry you? Why are you waiting so long?"
Griffin's smile fades and he clears his throat as a lump of emotion suddenly lodges itself there. "I...uh, I was waiting for you. First, I was waiting for your deployment to be over, so you would be home for when I proposed and for the wedding, but then you got hurt."
"Were you waiting for my memory to return?" Gunnar frowns.
"Well...yeah. I want my best friend, who remembers being my best friend, by my side when I get married."
"Even if I didn't remember, I’d still be by your side."
"I know."
"Since I remember now, you better get to movin'."
"Already got the ring." Griffin grins.
"Sweet."
"How about you? You plannin' on marrying my brother?"
Gunnar shrugs. "Perhaps."
When he sees Griffin giving him the stink eye, he starts laughing.
"All right. Yes, I was planning on askin' Bowen to marry me."
Griffin smiles. "Good. I'm glad. You two are really great together."
"Funny how that worked out, huh?"
"Totally. I swore you two hated each other for a while there."
"Well, Bowen did hate me for a while there, but he’s too damn sexy for me to hate," Gunnar says, wagging his eyebrows.
"Don't start," Griffin warns.
Gunnar laughs.
"Any ideas on how you plan on askin' him?" Griffin asks, changing the subject.
A sly look comes over Gunnar's face and he grins. "Oh, I have the perfect plan. How about you? Do you know how you're gonna to ask Eva?"
"She's gonna fuckin' die. I got us tickets to a Kenny Chesney concert, front row. I've been in contact with Kenny's people, and he's gonna bring us up on stage so I can propose."
Gunnar gapes at him. "Are you for real?"
Griffin smiles brightly. "Completely serious."
"Fuuuuuck. I can't beat that."
"Gunnar, it's not a competition. You gotta do you."
Gunnar nods reluctantly. "Yeah, I know. But that is fuckin' cool."
Griffin grins. "Yeah. It is."
"When's the concert?" Gunnar asks.
"Six months."
"Oh, shit. That's far."
"Yeah, so don't say anything to her," Griffin says with a pointed look.
"My lips are sealed." Gunnar agrees.
"Thanks. Any idea when you'll be proposin'?"
"I was thinkin' in a couple months. I gotta plan some stuff out and get a ring still."
"Are you not tellin' me what you're doin'?" he asks, cocking an eyebrow.
"Nope. It's a surprise."
Chapter Twenty-Three
IT'S BEEN two months and Gunnar has been doing exceptionally well. He’s working hard at the gym, doing his exercises that the physical therapist showed him for his shoulder, and has continued to see his therapist religiously every week. She determined that he does have PTSD, which wasn’t really a surprise.
Gunnar hasn’t touched a drink since Thanksgiving and is now hooked on root beer instead. Works for Bowen. It’s better than regular beer.
Bowen has basically moved into Gunnar’s house. He’s there all the time and sleeps there more often than not. He’s starting to think about selling his house and making the move permanent. He doesn’t think Gunnar will mind; he’s been kinda hinting at it a lot lately anyway.
“Baby?” Gunnar murmurs sleepily next to him, where they still lie in bed one February morning.
“Hmm?” Bowen asks.
“Wanna go to the shootin’ range with me today? It’s been a while since I’ve gone and I wanna go.”
Gunnar’s memory has fully returned over the past couple months, which is something he’s had a hard time with. Especially when remembering things from his times overseas. He had a few hard days when he remembered his base getting attacked. Bowen actually had to call his therapist the day he remembered because Gunnar had a breakdown and was sitting on the edge of the couch, rocking and holding his head for hours.
“Just think of it as research for your new game,” Gunnar says, lifting his head from his pillow. “I'll show you how guns work, so you can be more accurate in your game.”
Bowen's Highlander game launched last month and has done great. It's getting fantastic reviews. So he's started working on the second one, where the Highlanders are going to save the rest of Europe.
Bowen’s eyebrows lift in thought. “Hmm. That is a good idea. Okay, I’ll go.”
“Awesome, let’s get ready,” Gunnar says excitedly and bounds out of bed.
Bowen smiles at his suddenly very awake boyfriend. There is never a dull moment with Gunnar.
“Come on. Get your sexy ass outta bed,” Gunnar says, yanking the covers off of Bowen’s naked body.
Bowen does as he’s told and gets out of bed. He goes to the drawer that he commandeered for his stuff and pulls out a pair of underwear. He slips into them then goes to the closet where he grabs a pair of faded jeans and a black T-shirt. He puts his glasses on before leaving the bedroom so he can to go to the bathroom to finish getting ready.
Gunnar joins him in the bathroom, where they brush their teeth together. Bowen looks at his gorgeous boyfriend through the mirror. He can’t picture life being any better than this.
As Bowen goes to leave the bathroom, Gunnar swats his ass and mutters something about him being a sexy fucking nerd. Bowen chuckles and heads downstairs to make them some coffee.
Gunnar comes into the kitchen about ten minutes later with a couple of long gun cases.
“I can’t wait to see you shoot my rifle. I might just jizz in my pants,” Gunnar says, setting the cases down next to a cabinet.
Bowen laughs. “Please. I’ll probably look like a total dumbass.”
“No way. It’s impossible. You’re too fucking hot to look like a dumbass with a gun in your hands.”
“Shut up.” He chuckles as Gunnar walks over and wraps his arms around Bowen’s waist.
“No, I will not shut up,” he murmurs and kisses the spot of Bowen’s neck that meets his shoulder.
Bowen melts back against him, turns his head, and puckers his lips. Gunnar smiles and gives him the kiss he silently asked for.
After they drink their coffee and have a little something to eat, Gunnar drives them out to the shooting range. He gets them all signed in while Bowen has to watch a safety video. It’s an outdoor range, and luckily, it’s a beautiful day.
The ran
ge master tells them what lane they are on when Bowen is done watching the video. Following Gunnar out to the wood and steel awning-covered lanes, Bowen checks out his ass in the dark tan tactical pants that he’s wearing. Gunnar looks hot as hell in those pants. He’s got his black T-shirt tucked into said pants with a side arm holstered on his side. He carries the gun cases to the table against the back wall of the lane and sets them on it.
He opens one of the cases and pulls out a bad ass looking rifle with a big scope on it. There isn’t anyone else in their section, which is the three hundred yard range.
Gunnar checks the weapon with a precision that only someone who’s had many years of practice could do. He then brings it over to the small table at the base of the lane and sets it up on its bipod. He then goes back over to the case and grabs a roll of paper.
“I’m gonna go put the target up. I’ll be right back,” Gunnar says, a nervous edge to his voice.
“Okay,” Bowen agrees, watching him carefully, wondering what could possibly have him nervous.
Gunnar walks the three hundred yards out to the wooden stand in front of the berm. He clips the target at all four corners to the stand. Bowen can’t see it too well because it’s so far away, but from what he can see, it’s the shape of a person with a heart on the chest. There is something in the heart, but Bowen can’t make out what it is. His guess is that it’s another smaller target.
Gunnar walks back, looking even more nervous. He takes a couple deep breaths as he goes back to the gun case to get the already loaded magazines, as well as their eye and ear covers.
“Hey, are you okay?” Bowen asks him.
“Huh? Yeah. I just haven’t shot in a while. Afraid I don’t have it anymore,” he says with a faint smile.
Gunnar hands him a set of ear covers.
“Babe, come on. I’m sure you’ll be just as good as before,” Bowen assures him.
“We’ll see.”
He motions for Bowen to put the ear covers on, so he does. Bowen already has glasses, so he doesn’t need eye protection like Gunnar does. Gunnar gets himself set up, sitting on the tiny stool that’s at the table, while Bowen stands over in another empty lane. He loads the rifle and chambers it. He then brings the stock to his shoulder and sites in his target.
