by Trina Solet
"If I had known he was out there, I would have torn apart the whole world looking for him. I would have given anything to have him in my life, and she just threw him away." Cory was close to tears. His anger held them back. He would make sure that Teddy knew he was wanted, that he was worth everything to Cory. He just couldn't understand how anyone could abandon him. "And to leave him in the middle of nowhere. There were so many safer places to abandon him."
"Less chance of being seen," Alec said.
"She worried about herself instead of about Teddy's safety. When I was left, I could have died if the neighbors hadn't heard me crying. Instead of Bonnie, Teddy might have been picked up by anybody."
"He's safe now."
"I was never this angry before." Cory remembered years of wondering who he was and yearning for what he didn't have, not anger.
"You're angry for Teddy's sake. You are looking out for him like someone should have done for you. It took you long enough to get angry. He has plenty of time, the rest of his life, to be angry at her," Alec said.
"I didn't really have a target before. To me, she was just a shadow. She's more real to Teddy. How could she do that to him?"
"If she hadn't, you would have never met him."
"Don't tell me to look at the silver lining." Cory was too angry for that.
"You can look at it or not, but the silver lining is there. And not just for you. You guys are both here, together. Teddy has a big brother, someone who cares about him and won't leave him."
"I hope he knows that."
"If he doesn't, he will. You have plenty of time to prove it to him."
Now that Teddy was talking, he had to tell his story to the police. Alec, his mom, Cory, and Teddy went Monday. Teddy was understandably nervous and would only answer questions if Cory stayed with him. Alec had to wait outside, but Miriam was there. It didn't last too long, but it was still an ordeal. Teddy was exhausted by the time they were done.
As Cory carried him out to the car, he could feel how tense Teddy was. Instead of putting him in his booster seat, he held him the whole drive back. While he drove, Alec told stories from his childhood, and his mother interrupted to scold him for every scrape and scratch he got. Soon Teddy was absorbed in the adventures and all the trouble Alec and his brother got into. Cory could feel him leaving behind the world of stark, government offices and becoming part of Alec's world of recklessly climbing rocks and trees, of brothers chasing each other through fields and trying to scare each other at night while their parents watched out for them constantly. That was the world Teddy drew and wanted to be a part of. That was the life Cory wanted to give him.
Chapter 14
Tuesday after dinner, Alec and Cory played baseball with Teddy on the field behind the house. They used Alec's and Ian's old equipment, and they were all terrible at it. Alec did admire the tenacity and effort both brothers put into playing. It was nice to see Teddy excited and running around. At the police station, Alec had seen the same blank stare Teddy had on his face when he was first found. Then Cory held him tighter and the look was gone. It was as if Cory had the power to chase away every cloud in his sky. That was just who Cory was, timid but strong and always sure of what was right. It was the reason Alec was no good for him. Cory knew what he wanted and Alec had no clue. All he knew was that they didn't want the same things. They were a bad fit. But watching Cory bravely trying to catch every crazy ball Teddy batted, Alec found himself grinning. He saw a whole life in Cory – sex, love, marriage, family, a lifetime of happiness. Too bad that life wasn't for Alec. He envied the guy Cory would one day choose to settle down with. Still, Alec was glad he got to spend this time with Teddy and Cory even if it was just a taste of sweetness before he moved on to a completely different life.
When they had enough of baseball, Alec and Cory grabbed some cold drinks and dropped into the wicker chairs on the back porch. Teddy wanted to draw them playing baseball and went to sit at his table, as Alec thought of it now. He remembered it years ago as the place where he and his brother fought while doing homework. They would be kicking each other under the table, trying to make each other mess up. Mom and Dad would be sitting and relaxing in these same chairs that he and Cory were sitting in now. Alec wondered if Teddy had it in him to cause that kind of trouble. He was a good boy, but he had spirit, just like Cory.
A little while later, Mom came out to get Teddy. She was taking him to Nancy's for kids' movie night. They all thought it was good for Teddy to spend some time with other kids.
After Mom and Teddy were gone, Alec and Cory made their way back to the porch. The sun was low and painting the horizon some crazy colors. The air was cool and breezy. Birds were singing to each other, and a flock of them rose from the woods at the end of the field.
"Did you stay behind to try to seduce me?" Alec asked, seeing that he was now dangerously alone with Cory.
"There goes that ego again. I was going to go, but then I realized Teddy would be starting school in the fall. I want him to be with other kids without me there to distract him," Cory explained.
"You want to pounce on me," Alec insisted. "You think it's just a matter of time before I fall victim to your dirty methods of persuasion."
"It's not dirty. It's purely practical," Cory claimed. "Either we're each other's social life, or we don't have any."
"It's door number two for me," Alec told him. "I wouldn't have moved back here if I wanted a social life."
"So I have to suffer because you want to be a hermit. At least take a walk with me." Cory set his drink on the table and stared Alec down like he was ready to call him chicken if he refused.
"Will I be safe?" Alec asked.
"Get moving."
They walked out into the field where the grass reached their knees. Cory looked at the top of the trees where the sunset glowed purple and blue-gray. Alec only noticed it out of the corner of his eye. He was too busy watching Cory.
"Teddy is going to miss this place," Cory said.
"He doesn't need to miss it if you stick around," Alec told him. Even if Cory didn't believe it, it wasn't a farfetched idea.
"We'll stay here as long as we can, but we can't live here forever," Cory said.
"Why not? Mom wants you guys to stay. She'll need you even more when I leave. She hates coming home to an empty house. And you see she needs to be fed all the time."
"How soon are you planning on leaving?" Cory asked. He seemed to be afraid of the answer.
"I'm not going to ditch you guys any time soon."
"You will when you run back to your real life," Cory said and looked away.
"I'm not running anywhere for a while. Not until I have things figured out."
"The way you are going about it, that will never happen." Cory smiled now.
"Then I'll stay here forever," Alec said though he shouldn't have.
Good thing Cory didn't believe him. "Don't let Teddy hear you say that," he warned Alec.
"I won't. But you should think of this place as your home." Alec wanted to know that Teddy and Cory were settled and happy even if he wasn't.
"I go where Teddy goes," Cory stated simply.
"So the answer to all your questions came in the form of Teddy?"
"True. From now on my life is about that little guy."
"Don't forget to do stuff for yourself too," Alec said. He could see Cory devoting himself to Teddy and forgetting all about his own happiness.
"Everything I do for Teddy is for me too. I've wanted a family ever since I could remember. Now I have one." Cory smiled. Alec could tell that his dream came true.
"I'm happy for both of you."
"And how are you going to find out what will make you happy?"
"I'm meditating on the question. One day the answer will come to me." Alec looked up like the answer was supposed to fall out of the sky.
The evening was darkening as they skirted the woods. They walked among the trees that were scattered over the edge of the field. Looking into the thickest part of t
he woods where it was already night time, Cory asked, "You said you never got any action here. Does that mean this is all virgin territory?"
Alec looked at him suspiciously before he answered. "That's right. No groping and grinding in the bushes for me. No blowjobs with my back against the rough bark of a tree trunk, no screwing in the depths of the forest. Just my own tireless hand and everyone yelling at me to hurry up in the bathroom."
Cory gave him a bemused look for being so descriptive, then he said, "I can fix that."
"I like how determined you are," Alec said. He turned away from those captivating, hazel eyes and scanned the long grass. He spotted the familiar orange cat sneaking through the grass. It looked like a tiny lion stalking its prey. Alec looked over at Cory, who was doing the same thing.
"Is that all you like?" Cory stepped close. He wasn't letting him have any space.
"Ooh. Now things are getting interesting," Alec said. He felt like the heat of Cory's body was pouring over him as he looked into his eyes.
"Isn't it about time?" Cory said. His gaze traveled from Alec's eyes to his mouth.
"I never took you for the aggressive type," Alec said. His hands were on Cory's hips, lightly, indecisively. To push him away or to pull him closer, he wasn't sure.
"And I never took you for the shy type." Cory's voice was only a whisper. They were so close now, a whisper was all they needed.
"This isn't a simple situation," Alec said, struggling maybe just one last time even as his body was giving in, responding shamelessly to only a look and a voice and the nearness of Cory's body.
"But it can be simple. We'll help each other out." Cory's voice was low and seductive as were the movements of his lips.
"Are we talking about helping hands or more?" Alec said, curious about how far he wanted to go. Giving up all pretense of putting up a struggle, he held Cory firmly as he pressed into him.
"We're not two closeted high-schoolers sneaking hand-jobs," Cory said archly. His body told Alec he wanted more than just the touch of Alec's hand. He was hard, already grinding into him.
"I wouldn't know about that," Alec told him. "I went to high school here. I had to leave town to get even a hand-job. I started late then more than made up for lost time."
"Is that why you have no use for me?" Cory asked, looking into his eyes.
Alec shook his head. How could Cory think that with Alec pressed against him? He had to let him know that he was wanted no matter what the cost. Alec ran his hands down Cory's back to his ass then he kissed him. The last shred of his resistance dissolved into that kiss. Cory's lips glided over his. The tip of his tongue played with Alec's, sending sparks of pure lust through his body.
It wasn't easy, but they let go of each other and moved further into the woods. They were half in shadow but still lit by the deepening colors of the sunset. Done negotiating, they abandoned all thought and went for each other like hungry animals, starved for contact with hard flesh. They struggled to get their hands on each other. Desperate to feel one another, they freed each other's cocks.
"Damn," Cory said when he felt and saw how big Alec was.
"That means you like it," Alec concluded, happy to be able to impress him.
"Don't be smug," Cory warned him. He was hardly able to take his eyes or his hand off it.
Alec took hold of Cory's cock and gave it one long, slow stroke as he kissed him. Cory was hard in his hand while his mouth was hot on Alec's.
"Let me show you how much I like yours," Alec said as he kneeled.
"I was going to go first," Cory complained.
Looking up from his jutting cock, Alec smirked at his eagerness.
"If you don't come, you won't be able to concentrate on what you need to do for me," Alec told him.
Cory's eyes flashed, but he didn't make any further objections, just shuddered as Alec fondled his balls. Cory's cock wasn't as big, but God, he was beautiful, plenty to keep Alec busy. He wrapped his lips around the head of his cock like a kiss. Cory's insistent moan told him to get on with it. Like a man in a trance, Alec let Cory's cock slide between his lips until he felt it crowding his throat. He couldn't remember the last time a cock tasted this good to him or fit his mouth so perfectly. Pulling back, he let the tip rest on his tongue before he licked his way up. Eyes wide, hungry, teeth gritted, Cory urged him on, digging his hands into his shoulders. Alec took him in, tightening his mouth around his cock. His rhythm building until they were both dying for Cory to come, Alec worked the underside with his tongue and stared up at his hooded eyes and parted lips. Cory twisted his fingers through his hair, and Alec was glad he let it grow, that Cory had something to hold onto as he came.
*
Cory was more than ready to take the first turn giving head. He craved it. But when Alec got on his knees in front of him, there was no way to overrule him without coming off like a total slut. Cory had already abandoned some pride when he offered to trade sexual services. But how could he not go after a man like Alec when he flaunted himself, taunted him and then ran away? Cory couldn't let him get away with that. So he pursued him without shame or mercy, and now he was experiencing what a man like Alec could do to him.
The sight of Alec as he licked up the length of his cock then circled the head almost knocked Cory off his feet. But he wasn't budging an inch, not while Alec's mouth held his cock like a vise.
The wind from the west brought the earthy smell of a freshly plowed field not far from there. Darkness was falling as Cory came, swaying, holding on to Alec for dear life. The horizon still glowed. There was just enough light to see Alec stand up with his fly undone. In the next moment, he was too close to see, kissing him. Pressing his hard cock into him, Alec let him taste his own come. Cory raked his fingers over the muscles of his back. He loved the feel of Alec's broad shoulders, the raw strength in his body. Planting his knees in the dirt, Cory opened his mouth and devoured him. He wanted all of him, but had to pleasure the rest with his hand.
Alec had been so practiced and sure of what he was doing, nothing like Cory's hungry, desperate sucking. But Cory couldn't help it. It was all so sweet and new to Cory, so tasty and beautiful. Alec was like a dream. Cory clutched at him wanting to make him real. He wanted to make him come harder than any man ever had. When Alec cursed and grunted, Cory took it as a good sign. He sped up, put more pressure into it and heard a deep moan. Alec gasped his name to let him know he was coming then he poured his come down Cory's throat. Cory felt almost dizzy as he licked up the last drops. He wasn't sure if he could stand up. He was relieved when Alec collapsed next to him.
"That's one of my fantasies fulfilled," Alec said between heaving breaths.
Cory was happy to hear it. As they sat on the ground, against a tree, Alec's hand was on his knee.
"I always wanted to have a secret rendezvous out here when I was growing up," Alec elaborated. "Some guy who couldn't stay away from me, who watched me from the woods."
"Sounds creepy," Cory said, disappointed that the fantasy wasn't about him. Not that he was surprised. "Anyone in particular?"
"Different guys from school. Whoever was looking particularly hot that week," Alec said with a shrug. He couldn't even pick just one guy to crush on.
Cory stood up and closed his fly. It seemed weird, but he wished he hadn't enjoyed it so much. He was already thinking about next time with Alec and the time after that. As he was telling himself to get a grip, he noticed Alec looking up at him.
"I have to paint you. I have to," Alec said with too much passion in his voice.
Cory was breathless, but then he came to his senses.
"You will not paint nasty pictures of me," he ordered Alec. "As far as anyone is concerned, I am a clean living, upstanding guy who is going to get custody of his little brother."
"Understood," Alec said. He brushed himself off as he stood up and made himself decent, or as decent as he was capable of. "I would never do anything to jeopardize..."
Cory interrupted him. "I know yo
u wouldn't." He had to smile at how serious Alec got all of a sudden.
"I promise to protect your good name and take the secret of your nasty side to my grave," Alec vowed with his hand over his heart. He then put his arm around Cory's shoulders as they walked out from the forest into the field. The horizon barely glowed now. They watched the last of the light disappear with their arms around each other.
Chapter 15
That week they went to see the child psychologist so Teddy could finally talk to her. Cory was a little more used to the place now and didn't find it as intimidating. After Cory prompted him, Teddy said a very quiet, "Hi, Dr. Monica." Happy to finally hear him speaking, she let him call her Doctor. She grinned at both him and Cory and asked him to sit in again. Monica was thrilled with Teddy's progress though Teddy wasn't very talkative unless Cory asked him questions. To get him to talk, Cory asked him about kids' movie night at Nancy's. That got him going. Teddy wanted to tell him the plot of the whole movie.
This time, Cory got up the courage to stay and talk to Monica. They mostly talked about Teddy's progress while Cory tried to gage how likely she was to recommend that he be given custody. It was too soon to ask her about that, but before he left, she did say, "You and the Benchleys have done wonders. This is not the same kid that first came to me."
After that it was the social worker who wanted to see and hear Teddy for herself. When she moved up her scheduled visit, Cory wondered if he should stay home. Alec thought it was better if they followed their routine.
"You need to show her you are gainfully employed. Mom and I will be here, playing the perfect foster family."
Cory gave him a skeptical look.
"I promise I will not be myself for even one second," Alec promised. "I will be the quintessential responsible adult. I'll be you."
Cory wasn't really worried about him. He knew Alec could be serious when he wanted to be. Cory was worried about himself, that he was too anxious and too young to make a good impression.
