Deep in Your Shadows

by Darien Cox

  “Feelings even,” JT said. “Maybe the cyborg is becoming a real boy.”

  Myles yawned.

  “We’re gonna head out,” Christian said. “If anyone hears from Baz, call me. Because I’m not doing any more work tonight.”

  “Agreed,” JT said. “We can try to contact him tomorrow. I need to make up for neglecting my boyfriend all week.”

  Christian retrieved Cuervo, and he and Myles left JT’s house. “Shit,” Christian said. “Are you all right with walking? I forgot we rode over here with Ogden.”

  “Well,” Myles said. “Your house is close. I’m okay to walk if your dog is.”

  Christian smiled. “Cuervo will be fine. So...once we reach my house, will I be driving you home? Or are you willing to stay over? After what happened, I understand if you don’t want to be at my house.”

  Myles stared down at the lake behind JT’s house. “Let’s walk along the beach.” He looked at Christian. “We need to talk.”

  Chapter Twenty

  When they got down to the beach, Christian let Cuervo off the leash, and walked along beside Myles. Christian was nervous. In his experience, nothing good had ever come out of someone saying, ‘we need to talk’. And Myles was quiet and serious, staring down at the sand as they walked. “So what’s up?” Christian asked.

  Myles picked up a stone and skimmed it across the water. “I wanted to take a few minutes before we got back to your house. Look out at the lake. The village. The mountains. Everything’s peaceful. Like nothing’s changed.”

  “Except you,” Christian said. “You feel changed, am I right?”

  Myles shrugged and skipped another stone. “Yes and no.”

  Christian sat down on the sand, resting his arms on his knees, waiting for Myles to get out whatever he wanted to say. Eventually, Myles approached, and sat down behind Christian, wrapping his arms and legs around him, squeezing. Christian sighed, holding onto Myles’ arms. “I love when you hold me like this.”

  Resting his chin on Christian’s shoulder, Myles said, “I love it, too.”

  They were silent for a time, staring out at the lake as Cuervo ran around, playing along the shoreline. “Are you unhappy?” Christian asked.

  “No.”

  “Because I’d buy you a baby elephant if I thought it would make you happy.”

  Myles chuckled, and nuzzled behind Christian’s ear. “Last night when we got back to your house, you asked me if you were mine.”

  Christian tensed. “And you said ‘You are tonight.’ Then carried me to the bedroom. That was hot.”

  “I know. I was out of my mind with lust. But your words scared me.”

  “Oh.” Christian waited, and when Myles said nothing more, he asked, “Are you still scared?”

  “Um hmm. Very much so.”

  “About me. Not the alien shit.”

  Myles laughed softly. “No, that shit scares me too. But yes I’m talking about you.”

  Christian nodded. “I see. So what do you want to do about it?”

  Myles shifted so he was in front of Christian, and wrapped his legs around him again. Their eyes locked. “I think you’re incredible, Christian Boucher.”

  Christian smiled. “But?”

  “No but. I’m in awe of you. And watching you with your friends just now, I even got a little jealous.”

  “Jealous? But why?”

  “Because you belong to them. You’re a part of them. And they’re a part of you.”

  “Myles, you can be a part of us too. When you agreed to meet with Ogden, to sit through the briefing with us, I guess I assumed you wanted that.”

  “I do. I want to be a part of it because I want to remain informed of any threats to the village. But I also want...” Myles sighed, taking Christian’s hands.

  “What?”

  “Christian,” he said. “I want you to belong to me. I want you to be mine. Whatever else is going on, and whoever else is in your life, I think I need to know that you’re mine, first and foremost.”

  Christian’s stomach lurched, relief and happiness washing through him. “I’ve been handing myself to you on a silver platter.” He laughed. “Just waiting for you to claim me.”

  Myles smiled. “I’m claiming you now. If it’s still what you want.”

  Christian caught Myles face in his hands and kissed him. Myles’ arms wrapped around him, pulling him close, deepening the kiss. They were interrupted when Cuervo’s cold nose pressed against Christian’s cheek, nudging him away from Myles.

  Myles laughed as the kiss broke. “Guess I’m not the only jealous one.”

  Christian stood, offering his hand to Myles and helping him up. “She’s gonna have to get used to you.”

  “Yes,” Myles said. “She is.”

  ****

  When they got back to Christian’s house, Myles helped him clean up. Their half-eaten burgers were still out on the table, and several items had been knocked around in the living room during the altercation with the bizarre creature. Christian finished setting something back on the shelf, then sighed, hands on his hips. “My house feels violated. Feel like I need to burn some sage or something.”

  Myles hugged him from behind. “Maybe a long, hot shower will be enough.”

  Christian turned in his arms, facing him with a grin. “For both of us? Together?”

  Myles’ cock swelled at the mental image of having Christian’s nude, soapy body at his command. “I am feeling kind of dirty.”

  “Me too.” Christian nibbled at Myles’ neck. “So dirty.”

  Myles caught Christian around the waist and walked backwards, leading them toward the bathroom. “It’s been far too long since I’ve gotten you naked. There are still some tattoos I haven’t licked.”

  Christian’s breath caught. “There are condoms in the bathroom.”

  Myles pulled Christian into the bathroom and flicked on the light, tugging him close, breathing against his lips. “Let’s just get soapy and kiss and touch and explore and then come all over each other when we can’t take it anymore.”

  Christian peeled Myles’ shirt off. “You looked cute wearing my tie-dye all day. But now I need your skin.”

  Their mouths smashed together, and Myles worked at getting Christian out of his jeans. Christian stepped back with a hard breath and peeled his own tee shirt off. Myles’ eyes trailed over his body, the cut muscles of his stomach, the erection standing straight up. “I like the way you look at me,” Christian said. “Get your pants off.” He reached in and started the shower.

  Myles stripped, watching Christian step under the stream of water. He simply stood there for a moment as Christian tipped his face into the stream, water slicking his hair down and cascading over his body, the plump curve of his ass wet and beckoning. Myles stepped in behind him and cupped Christian’s ass, squeezing as he licked one of the fallen angels on his back.

  Christian leaned back into him as Myles grabbed the soap and ran it up and down Christian’s stomach, sliding it over his cock. He slid the soap around Christian’s hip and glided it along the crack of his ass. Christian turned and grabbed Myles, wet mouths coming together.

  Myles dropped the soap and pushed Christian against the wall, exploring his mouth with his tongue. Christian made a soft sound and gripped Myles’ head, pulling his mouth harder against him. Myles wanted to lick every tattoo, suck his cock, but he couldn’t stop kissing him. All the feelings he’d been storing up and keeping at bay surged forth as he kissed Christian with all the passion he had inside, trapping him against the wall with his body, claiming him. “You’re mine,” Myles said between bruising kisses.

  Christian’s brows pinched, his breathing heavy. “Say it again.”

  Myles pressed their foreheads together, his palm sliding down and cupping Christian’s balls. “You’re mine.” Myles stared into Christian’s eyes. Christian’s long dark lashes lowered as his eyes closed. Myles fondled his sac, sliding a finger over his hole. “No one gets to touch you but me.” Ch
ristian huffed as Myles penetrated him with his fingertip. “Understand?”

  “Yes.” Christian’s eyes blinked open. “Your touch is all I need.”

  “I changed my mind,” Myles said, watching Christian’s expression go rapt as he slid his finger deeper, relishing his heavy breaths. “I want to feel this squeezing around my cock.”

  Christian’s fingers threaded through Myles’ wet hair. “Drawer on the right, under the sink. Oh shit, Myles!” He clenched around Myles’ finger. “Get a condom before I come already.”

  Myles released Christian and hurried to the sink, finding condoms and lube. He got himself prepped as quickly as he could, then jumped when he felt Christian’s arms wrap around him. He chuckled as Christian reached around and stroked his cock. “You’re gonna get cold out here.”

  “Get on the floor.”

  Myles turned around. “On the floor?”

  “Yes. I want to show you that you’re mine, too.” He grasped Myles’ shoulders and pushed him down. Myles paused to lick Christian’s shaft, then lay down on the soft rug. The shower was still running hot, their bodies wet and dewy in the steam-filled room.

  “Okay,” Myles said, reaching for him. “Show me.”

  Christian straddled him, immediately grabbing Myles’ cock and sliding down onto him.

  “Oh God, there it is.” Myles hips lifted, plunging into tight heat.

  Taking Myles by the wrists, Christian pinned his arms over his head and bucked against him, the strength in his body evident in each hard thrust. His mouth hovered over Myles’s lips, eyes locked on his. “You.” He tightened his grip on Myles’ wrists as he rode him hard, squeezing his cock tightly, muscles inside gripping. “Are mine.”

  Myles tried to reach for him but Christian held his arms down firmly and slapped against him with increasing speed. “Shit you’re strong,” Myles gasped. “Fuck, Christian, you’re gonna make me come.”

  Christian released Myles’ arms and held his face, kissing him as his undulations turned to long, deep strokes. Myles ate his mouth as his orgasm, prompted by the change in rhythm and the taste of Christian’s tongue, came without warning. His hips jerked up and banged against Christian’s ass, meeting each thrust as ecstasy tore through him, and he moaned into Christian’s mouth, lost in the body that writhed on top of him, crying out in helpless surrender.

  Christian straightened and gripped his own cock, eyes on Myles as he pumped his explosion out, the sight sending Myles over the edge, then he was crashing down the other side, slapping Christian’s hips and lifting him up and off as the sensitivity became too much.

  Christian hovered there as the last of his release spilled out of him, then slowly fell forward, gliding against Myles’ wet chest as he let out a long breath. “Mine.”

  “Damn.” Myles cupped Christian’s ass, squeezing. “After that, I sure as shit am.”

  Christian snickered. “Then remember this when I get difficult.”

  Myles squeezed him, wrapping his arms around his back. “Hate to break it to you, gorgeous. But you were always difficult.”

  Christian’s back shook as he laughed. “Yeah. I guess you’ve seen me at my worst.”

  Myles sat up and held Christian on his lap. He grinned. “To think it was a year ago I tucked you into bed one night while you were dead drunk and didn’t lay a hand on you.”

  “Oh, how absolutely noble of you not to molest me in my sleep, Sheriff.”

  “Even then though,” Myles said. “With how furious I was at you singing to me and tormenting me all night, I took a moment to stare down at you. Marveling at how this demon I’d endured all night could look like such an angel in sleep.”

  “Sleep,” Christian said, “sounds really good right now. I want to curl up with your naked body in my bed.”

  Myles wriggled out from under Christian. He shut off the shower, got himself cleaned up, then caught Christian behind his knees, picking him up, carrying him to the bedroom. “You’re the only person whose ever carried me around, kind of puts a damper on my toughness,” Christian said, but wrapped his arms around Myles neck, smiling.

  Myles set him down on the bed, and they climbed under the blankets. “I had to regain some of my dominance after you fucked me into submission in the bathroom and made me forget my name.”

  Christian sidled closer, and they clung together, still slightly damp, but it didn’t matter. They were warm and safe and together, and Myles had never been happier.

  “I love you,” Christian whispered against his neck.

  Myles squeezed him tighter. His lips parted, wanting to say the words back, but somehow he couldn’t get them out. He felt them, but suddenly couldn’t make his throat work. He squeezed his arms around Christian again. Christian’s eyes remained closed, and he breathed evenly, but Myles knew he was still awake. Waiting to hear the words back. As he stared at Christian’s closed eyes, he relaxed, overwhelmed with feeling.

  “For all the emotions I’m feeling right now,” Myles whispered, “the word love doesn’t seem big enough to cover it.”

  Christian’s lips curved in a smile, and he sighed. “As Baz would say, close enough.”

  Myles let out a long breath, relieved. Soon Christian’s soft breaths eased into the rhythm of sleep. And Myles followed him down.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Myles’ eyelids fluttered and blinked open when he heard voices. He peeled his head from the pillow, glancing around Christian’s bedroom. The light of dawn brightened the windows. Christian wasn’t in the bed, but Myles heard his voice, hushed words from somewhere in the house. Myles turned over onto his back, resting his forearm over his eyes. He quickly reached over and snatched his phone off the nightstand, checking messages. There were a couple concerning documents he needed to deliver today to various villagers, and one from Darwyn, asking if he wanted to meet for lunch.

  Myles set the phone down and sat up, trying to figure out which one of Christian’s friends was here. Christ, must they drop by so early? Myles sat up when Christian’s tone became more agitated, and he heard his name spoken.

  “...to let him wake up! Myles has had enough otherworldly fuckery done to his body in the past twenty-four hours, so undo your Sand Man thing, now!”

  “Okay.”

  “I mean it, Baz. Now.”

  “Okay, Chrischris! Sex-man wake.”

  “When? And his name is Myles”

  There was a long pause. “Now. Myles awake now. Stop to be angry, Chrischris.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you, Baz. I just...I love him.”

  Myles jolted out of bed, tugging on sweats and one of Christian’s tee shirts. He darted out of the room and down the hallway, then stopped dead when he reached the kitchen.

  “Myles.” Christian stood.

  Seated at the table with Christian was a tall white man. The man turned his head and regarded Myles through red, wrap-around sunglasses. Thin white hair tumbled to his shoulders. He wore a black hat and an Arctic Angel Brewery tee shirt, his facial features delicate and strange, chin very long. His skin was the color of ivory.

  “This is Baz,” Christian said, walking over to Myles and placing a hand on his shoulder. “I told you about Baz. He’s not a threat. He’s come to talk about the angry nasties. I wanted you included. I wanted you guys to meet.”

  Myles couldn’t seem to move, nearly forgot how to breathe as he stared at Baz. “Is he...is that what a White looks like?”

  “Not exactly,” Christian said. “Baz is part human.”

  Baz placed a hand on his own chest. “Hybrid. Second generation.” He held up two fingers. “Second.”

  “Oh.” Myles let out a stuttered breath. “Okay.”

  Baz smiled. “Okay.”

  “You all right?” Christian squeezed Myles’ shoulder.

  “Yeah.” Myles took hold of himself, rolling his shoulders and taking a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  Christian gingerly led Myles to the table. “Baz looks a little diff
erent from the Whites because he has human DNA.” Baz’s head turned and followed Myles as he sat down across from the hybrid. “The Whites are...kind of freaky looking by comparison.”

  “Ah ah ah! Freaky.”

  Myles’ eyes widened when the hybrid laughed. He chuckled. “Okay.”

  Baz held his fists up over his sunglasses. “They. Bigger eyes. Giants. Freaky to Chrischris.”

  “So you’re a mix, part human,” Myles said. He looked at Christian. “I...guess I can see that. I mean, with nothing to compare to, he looks kind of human.”

  Christian snorted. “You might not say that if you saw his eyes.”

  Baz’s head bobbed. “Ah ah ah!” He tapped the stem of his sunglasses. “New. To hide eyes.”

  “Yeah, you broke your other pair, didn’t you? When you threw a tantrum at the boat house.” Christian sat down beside Myles.

  Baz’s shoulders hunched. “Baz frustrated. Chrischris invite danger. Did not listen.”

  “I’ll concede to that.” Christian stood. “We humans sure fucked that up. I’m gonna make us a pot of coffee, then we can get down to it.” He wagged his finger between Myles and Baz. “You two get acquainted.”

  Christian left the table and moved to the other side of the kitchen to make coffee.

  Myles stared at his own reflection in the red sunglasses, not knowing what to say. Baz didn’t help him out at all, simply staring back at him, still and silent.

  “So Baz,” Christian called over. “Why’d you chose me over JT this time? Is JT sexing again?”

  Baz’s head turned slightly, focusing on Christian in the corner of the kitchen. “Prefer Chrischris.”

  “Oh, really? That’s surprising. But I’ll take it.” Christian reached up and got mugs out of the cabinet. “I thought the Whites preferred you to speak with JT.”

  Baz’s shoulders hunched. “Shaytee angry at boathouse. Say to Baz...have conversation soon! Know why fucking look like us, Baz!”

  Christian chuckled. “JT was just upset.”