Chapter Ten

Dane

“But why? What’s wrong? How come no one called me?”

Dane really wished he had answers for Ezra.

“He doesn’t know, baby. He showed you the text from Brandon. They’ll be here soon and then we’ll figure it out,” Eric said.

“How soon? What if something is really wrong?” Ezra asked.

Dane finished changing the sheets in the guest room before he added several thick blankets. Eric helped him straighten the comforter. The room was clean. Ezra had even worriedly run the vacuum over the bedroom carpet. Dane didn’t know what was going on, but Dom should be comfortable.

Pulling his phone from his pocket, he checked the GPS app that tracked Brandon’s location. Only a few blocks away. He passed the phone to Ezra. “Almost here. See?”

Ezra stared down at the screen while nodding.

“You're tracking my brother’s location?” Eric questioned.

“You don’t track your boy?” Dane retorted.

“Didn’t think about it,” Eric mumbled.

“I’ll wait by the door.” Ezra ran off with his phone.

“Amateur,” Dane mocked as he followed Ezra from the room.

He made a stop in the kitchen to check their supplies. He knew his boy and if Dom was sick, he would spend the entire night caring for him. Dane did not want Brandon overwhelmed. He’d already worked a full shift. They could all take turns if need be.

The fridge was well stocked, including juices and Gatorade. They had soup and plenty of other meals or snacks that could get thrown together easily enough.

He strolled into the living room to catch Eric whispering frantically into his phone. Dane shook his head. Now was not the time to be playing matchmaker. Eric shrugged before he said one last thing and hung up.

“Dude,” Dane admonished.

“You would want to know,” Eric replied.

“Dom should have a choice,” Dane said.

Eric smirked. “Might want to hold off on the judgment. It was your boy who basically kidnapped Dom to bring him here.”

Dane groaned. “No, he didn’t. And how do you know?”

“Ezra is texting him off your phone.”

“Ezra.” Dane crossed the room to where Ezra was standing next to their gorgeous Christmas tree and he peered out the window.

Every time Dane saw that tree, he remembered how brave his boy had been and his heart warmed. He held his hand out for his phone.

“Sorry.” Ezra passed it over before he started to pace in front of the window.

He immediately went to the message thread.

It’s EZ. Is Dom ok?

Yes. Had dialysis and no ride. Bringing him home.

But he’s not sick sick?

I don’t think so. He fell asleep when he got in the car. He doesn’t actually know I’m bringing him home with me.

O no! He is gonna be mad mad.

Maybe we can get him inside with him still asleep? IDK. I got us this far. Someone else needs to figure it out.

I’ll make my Daddy get him!

K! Green light. Got2go

Dane snorted. Two littles trying to kidnap their third little friend? This was going to turn into a disaster. He didn’t even want to imagine what would happen if he and Eric weren’t there.

Tires screeched and lights flashed across the window.

He would give his boy a stern lecture if it was Brandon driving like that. Instead of seeing his boy’s car, Remi had jumped the curb in his truck. This was not going to go well. Dom loved to push Remi’s buttons and Remi wasn’t used to anyone arguing with him.

Brandon’s vehicle came into view, respectful of the speed limit. He pulled into the drive.

The lights from the front of the house illuminated where his boy sat behind the wheel. His eyes were huge and Dane could imagine how stressful the short drive had been for his boy.

Remi was out of the truck and stomping toward the passenger side.

Brandon quickly scrambled from the car before Remi yanked the door open.

Ezra raced for the door with Dane not far behind him. Ezra unlocked the door and Brandon ran in. Dane caught his boy against his chest.

“Dom is gonna be pissed!” Brandon whispered. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Voice drifted to the open door. Dom and Remi arguing.

“It’ll be okay,” Dane promised. He didn’t know how he’d keep that vow but he would do his best.

“Don’t crowd him,” Eric ordered. “Let Remi bring him in.”

Dane pulled both boys into the living room.

There was still a muffled argument but it wasn’t long before Remi strolled in with Dom in his arms.

“I can fucking walk,” Dom bitched. He spotted Brandon huddled in Dane’s arms. “Traitor.”

“I just wanted you in a safe place for the night,” Brandon told him.

“And this is safe?” Dom waved his hand at Remi’s chest.

“Well,” Brandon hedged. “I sort of thought it would be Eric carrying you in.”

Dom sighed but rested his head against Remi’s chest. “I don’t care. I’m tired.”

“Spare bedroom?” Remi asked.

“Yes, please.” Brandon waved toward the hall. “I’ll help you get him settled.”

Dane kissed Brandon’s forehead. “Meet us in here when you’re done. I know you thought you were doing the right thing, but Dom had the right to refuse our help.”

“I know, Daddy. I will tell him I’m sorry. I’m just worried about him.”

“I understand.” He did. It was hard to fight instincts when he knew that he could help. That didn’t make this situation any less volatile.

Brandon shuffled down the hall after Remi and Dom.

“Don’t be too hard on him. His hearts in the right place,” Eric advised.

“I know.”

“What? I don’t get it?” Ezra said.

Eric pulled Ezra over to the couch before sitting and placing him on his lap. “It’s about consent, baby. Dom should have a choice.”

“I thought kidnapping cute boys was your style, Daddy,” Ezra teased.

“Funny.” Eric hugged Ezra tight.

“Dom won’t ask for help,” Ezra said. “Even when he needs it. He’s convinced himself that he had to do everything on his own. It’s the only thing that we argue about.”

Dane settled back to wait for his boy.

Twenty minutes later, Dane was getting antsy. Brandon had to be exhausted. Finally, a bedroom door opened then clicked closed.

Brandon was dragging his feet as he came down the hall. His boy headed directly to him and crawled into his lap. Dane cuddled him close.

“Dom is asleep,” Brandon said. His words muffled against Dane’s chest. “He agreed to stay here for a few days. And that Remi could help him out. He doesn’t want us making a fuss though.”

Like that was even an option. “Is he sick? Was he at the hospital?” What had happened to bring them to this point?

“He has chronic kidney disease,” Brandon said. “I asked permission to tell you and he said yes. He…” Brandon lifted his head. “He admitted that he was struggling and needed help.”

“We’ll be there with him every step of the way,” Dane agreed.

“But he goes to dialysis,” Ezra said. “That means he’ll be fine, right?”

He suspected the answer even before Brandon shook his head. “He has zero kidney function. He must go dialysis three times a week for five hours. It cleans waste and toxins from his blood. Takes away excess fluid. But he still had to watch how much fluid he takes in. The fluid will build up around his heart if he misses any treatments. He can’t miss treatments.”

“Wait.” Ezra paled. “He could die?”

“Yes,” Brandon said seriously. “He should also be on a very specific diet. Low sodium and no potassium. I didn’t know that before.”

“We know now.” Dane rubbed Brandon’s back.

“But if he goes to treatment and eats right, limits his fluids, then he’ll be okay?” Ezra asked.

Tears pooled in his eyes. “No.”

“No?” Ezra gasped out.

“He needs a new kidney,” Brandon explained gently. “Every treatment that Dom goes through keeps him alive but also puts serious strain on his body and heart.”

“He lied.” Ezra was also crying. “He told me that everything would be fine.”

“Don’t be mad,” Eric encouraged. “Dom is probably scared and doesn’t know what else to do.”

“We’re going to help him,” Brandon promised.

“He can have one of my kidneys,” Ezra offered. “I can donate, right? I’m healthy.”

“We’ll get tested. You must be a match, Ezra. There are thousands of people on transplant lists, so a living donor is our best bet. I’ll start the research in the morning and get us scheduled for all the testing we’ll have to do.”

“Me too,” Eric said.

“And me,” Dane offered.

“The group of us then. Better chances of one of us being a match.” Brandon yawned. “We have time to figure this out. Dom is young and strong. He’s a fighter.”

“He is!” Ezra agreed. “And when he feels like giving up, we’ll fight for him.”

Brandon grinned. “With friends like us, how could he not fight?”

“Yeah, and while he’s here, we’ll make sure he’s spoiled and gets plenty of little time.” Ezra nodded.

“That might be where we run into trouble. It doesn’t seem easy for him to accept help,” Brandon said. “He argued but finally gave in, but I think that was mostly because he had a bad day.”

“I can be very determined when I want to. Plus, he totally owes me for not being honest. I’ll hold that over his head if I have to,” Ezra vowed.

“Let’s call Lake in the morning so he can come visit, help talk some sense into Dom, and doesn’t feel left out.”

“That’s a good plan. And there’s nothing more that we can do tonight,” Dane decided. “Now it’s time for me to take care of my boy.”

Brandon turned toward him. “Can I still have my bath?”

“Of course.” Dane slid to the end of the couch. That had been what he’d been preparing before he’d received the text from Brandon.

“You know, we should probably call the contractor back and get a quote on adding an extension for another master bedroom with a bath,” Eric said. “You know, if you don’t plan to return to your own house.” His smirk spoke volumes.

Dane looked down at Brandon. He had no intention of returning to his house. That wasn’t home to him. “We’ll discuss what to do with my house later, but I don’t have any plans on going anywhere. This is where Brandon feels safe. I’m not pulling him out of this environment or away from you all.”

“I don’t mind admitting that I’m relieved.” Eric smiled at his brother. “I like having you around.”

“I want to stay here. At least for now. I always wanted a big family. With lots of people around.”

“I know you did.” Eric rose with Ezra.

It was harder for Dane to get off the couch with Brandon clinging to him. He managed and they all said good night.

Dom’s door was closed as Dane carried his boy to the hall bathroom.

“Thanks for helping tonight,” Brandon said as Dane placed him on the counter.

“I would do anything for you,” Dane replied. He kissed Brandon slowly until the boy was leaning into him and not thinking about anything other than Dane in that moment. “Let Daddy start the water for us.”

* * * * *

Brandon

Their position reminded Brandon of the first bath they’d taken together.

The stress of working a full chaotic shift before running into Dom melted away into the hot water. He was still worried about Dom but also knew that with their group, they would figure out how to best take care of their friend.

Christmas was around the corner and by the looks of it, he was going to have a full house. Just like he had always wished for.

Eric had been so much older than Brandon that they’d never had much in common. He’d joined the military when he’d been seventeen, leaving Brandon behind with parents that cared more about their social life than the children they were supposed to love.

He’d understood more of how Dane had felt than his Daddy would ever know.

Brandon had also left home for college as soon as he’d been able to. He’d fallen in with the wrong crowd right from the start. His parents hadn’t minded paying for nursing school as long as Brandon was out of their way.

For so long he’d been mad at his parents. At Eric. Then the worst had happened, and Brandon had run out of options. He’d called his brother with a desperate plea for help and to his surprise Eric hadn’t even hesitated.

The man that had picked Brandon up when he’d been broken and scared wasn’t the same as the seventeen-year-old boy that had fled from their family. Little by little Brandon had begun to trust his brother again. They were the first two members of Brandon’s newfound family, but they had just been the beginning.

This Christmas he would have the holiday of his dreams. A man he loved, his family, and everything he’d wished for over the many years he’d been alone. He even had a dog!

“Did you fall asleep on me, baby?”

Brandon turned his head to kiss Dane’s neck. “No, Daddy. Just thinking.”

“About what?” Dane asked.

“Our family.” He loved saying those words.

“We do have an amazing family,” Dane said. “Do you know what I was thinking about?”

“No, Daddy. What?”

“About Eric’s offer. Having the contractor adding onto the house and making us a bigger room. And a nice bathroom of our own so we can soak in the tub whenever we want. Especially if you keep kidnapping people and bringing them home.”

Brandon giggled. “Eric started it.”

Dane sighed. “That is not a ringing endorsement. I have never seen your brother do anything that spontaneously before.”

“He knew it was right,” Brandon said. “Just like I know with you. I want our own bathroom.” He hummed. Brandon hated to bring up something else that he still needed. “And maybe a little hidey-hole like my closet. For when you’re at work. Just in case I need it.”

Brandon held his breath as he waited for Dane to respond.

“That’s a great idea. Even if you need your safe space when I’m home, that would be okay. We might want to make it a little bigger than your closet though. Maverick’s big butt takes up a lot of space.”

Brandon giggled. “It…that’s okay?”

“Yes. I will never take that safe space from you.”

“Not too much bigger though.” Brandon needed the smaller enclosed space to really feel safe. That no one bigger than him could fit to get him.

“We’ll take some measurements tomorrow.” Dane thought about that. “Or later today. Pretty sure it’s past midnight now.”

“Yeah. And we promised Dom that we’d go to his apartment and get some of his stuff. And his bird.”

“Bird? Dom has a bird?”

Brandon nodded. “Jimmy. I haven’t met him yet but Dom wants him.”

“Huh. I never pictured Dom as a bird person. He seemed more the black cat type.”

“But if Jimmy is already here, then Dom might stay longer,” Brandon said. That was the beginning of his new plan to get Dom to let them help.

“Now we’re going to hold a bird hostage?”

Well, when Daddy said it like that, he made Brandon sound a little crazy. He wasn’t crazy. But—

“Do you think Dom and Remi would move in?”

Daddy threw his head back and groaned. “Baby.”

“I’m just asking.” It wasn’t like he’d hide their shoes or keys or something to make them stay forever. Not crazy.

“Let’s get past the next few weeks,” Dane advised.

“Okay.” That was as good as he was going to get. He ran his soapy hand up Dane’s chest. He liked the light furriness. “We definitely need our own bath if they live with us though.”

Dane chuckled while shaking his head.

It was just a thought!

Dane cupped Brandon’s ass and Brandon turned where he straddled Dane’s lap. “Especially if my boy wants to keep having sexy times in the tub.”

His cock was already hard. Having Dane’s hands on him, yep, happened every time. Brandon loved this time being just the two of them. Yes, Brandon wanted a full house of happy friends and family, but he also needed quality time with his Daddy.

“I was looking forward to this all night,” Brandon confessed.

Dane ran his finger down his crease to tease Brandon’s opening. “Me too.”

“Did you remember the lube this time?” Brandon rubbed his cock against Dane’s stomach.

“I did.” Dane grinned. “But should I reward my boy when he kidnapped someone tonight?”

He squirmed and whined. “I did it for a good reason! Daddy! Don’t tease.”

Dane chuckled but picked up the lube.

Yes!

They’d both agreed to stop using condoms after they’d been tested and had a conversation. Brandon still appreciated that Dane cared about him so much that he had insisted that first time. Brandon loved how protective his Daddy was. Dane’s amazing character was displayed nearly daily.

Those wicked fingers returned, slick, to push inside him.

With his knees braced against the bottom of the tub, Brandon pushed back, taking two of Dane’s fingers deeper. He dug his fingers into Dane’s shoulders while leaning forward to kiss him.

Was there anything better than a passionate kiss?

The raw power and need that Dane showed as he fucked his tongue into Brandon’s mouth while working those thick digits in his ass?

Daddy knew how to work Brandon up.

The water splashed against the side of the tub as Brandon rode Dane’s fingers while sucking on Dane’s tongue like it was his favorite treat.

Dane’s third finger burned but Brandon knew that he had to take those thick digits before he would get what he was really after. Daddy’s nice big cock.

Throwing his head back, Brandon moaned loud enough to be overheard.

He didn’t care.

Nothing mattered but getting Daddy’s dick inside him.

“Please, Daddy,” he begged.

Dane withdrew his fingers. “If you want it, then you take it. Show me how much you missed me, baby boy.”

Reaching back, Brandon grasped Dane’s shaft, bringing the tip to his stretched hole. He sank down slowly, enjoying the pressure and slight sting as his body struggled to allow the thick cock in.

“Yes,” he hissed. Brandon worked Dane’s dick in and out of his ass until he could finally slide all the way down.

Full. Thick. Fucking hell! Brandon loved this cock. His cock. It might be on Daddy’s body but that cock was all his, damn it!

With his fingers biting into Dane’s muscular shoulders, Brandon started to ride his man.

Dane loved to tease him. Draw out the pleasure. Brandon didn’t bother. He began a hard and fast rhythm as he chased the climax that he knew would come. Dane ran his hands up and down Brandon’s back, encouraging Brandon with grunts and growls.

It wasn’t often that Brandon needed to be in control but Dane always seemed to know.

“Just like that, baby,” Dane said. “Ride Daddy. Take what you want.”

He was! Brandon slammed himself down on Dane’s thick shaft over and over. Water splashed onto the tile but that was just background noise. Their sounds echoed around and bounced off tiles.

The veins in Daddy’s neck strained.

Brandon laughed as the tingle started in his balls and traveled up his spine.

Dane wrapped his fingers around Brandon’s cock and stroked.

That was all he needed.

Brandon closed his eyes as his dick erupted, painting Daddy’s chest with his seed. At the same time, he clamped down on the cock inside him as hot come filled his hole.

Once Brandon’s shaft gave one last twitch, he face-planted against Daddy’s chest. Completely and utterly spent.

The water was cooling but that was a problem for when Brandon could move again. Maybe they should just live in the tub. Brandon was snug as a bug in a rug.

“Such a good boy,” Dane praised as he rubbed Brandon’s back. “That was good.”

“So good.” He mumbled his agreement. Brandon lifted his thumb to his mouth and even though he got a mouthful of soap, he didn’t care. He sucked on his thumb as sleep pulled at him.

“We’re not sleeping in the tub.” Dane pinched his butt.

Then Daddy would have to figure out how to move them. Brandon was done. Gone. Too much for one night. Sleepy time.