Epilogue

Austin

"Ican't believe he scratched me," Austin said. "I thought he was such a nice cat."

Lynton smiled and shook his head. He finished drying the wound on Austin's wrist and applied a large Band-Aid. "Cats are unpredictable creatures. You'll learn that."

"Oh, I already know," Austin replied, leaning back against the sink. "Lucky's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One minute she's trying to scratch Rupert's eyes out, the next she wants to cuddle up in his bed."

Lynton moved closer, sliding his arms around Austin's waist, leaning in to rub their noses together. "Female prerogative. And she's fourteen, too old for any canine bullshit. She's always ruled the house. You know the old adage? Dogs have owners. Cats have staff."

Austin laughed. He brushed his lips against Lynton's, the stinging of his wound receding into the background now his partner's body was pressed close to his. They stood looking into each other's eyes for the longest moment.

Austin was six months into his job at the animal hospital and he'd never enjoyed working as much as he did now. It was a joy to make a difference to animals and their owners lives, even if the inevitable deaths and suffering hit him hard every time.

Everyone at work knew they were together. Lynton had discussed trying to hide it which had failed on their first day when a group of nurses going into the hospital had seen him kissing Austin in his car. Now they were teased good-naturedly and the staff told Austin how pleased they were that Lynton had finally found someone. They were invited on staff nights out and Austin had lots of new phone numbers and was a part of the staff WhatsApp group.

He and Lynton had settled into a comfortable routine at home. They got up for work together and travelled there in Lynton's car. Austin went home first on the bus as he worked shorter hours, and usually prepared dinner. He also made sure the house was always tidy and clean, even though Lynton employed a cleaner who came in twice a week. At night they'd watch TV together or read, cuddled up on the couch together or in bed. If Lynton was free at the weekend, they might go out to eat or have a few drinks in some of the bars in town.

Lynton traced the curve of Austin's cheek and jaw with light fingertips, making him shiver. "I might be able to get off early today," he said. "We're quiet."

"Yeah?" Austin said, hooking his arms around Lynton's neck. "Did you have anything in mind?"

"Always," Lynton said in a low voice, gaze intent on his. "I'd like you to sit on my face."

Austin's cock jolted and started to thicken. He pressed his lips to Lynton's with a groan.

They kissed slow and long, tongues entwined, crushing their erections against each other, fever and momentum building until Lynton swung Austin into his arms and sat him on the edge of the sink. Austin gasped as Lynton started to unfasten his pants. "I have to get back to work!"

"I don't care," Lynton said, dropping to his knees and freeing Austin's dick. "I need you in my mouth."

Austin dropped his head back, moaning as Lynton slid his mouth down his aching shaft, engulfing him in wet heat. "Oh fuck." He grabbed at Lynton's hair, holding his head in both hands.

Lynton sucked enthusiastically. He let Austin pop from his mouth before easing his pants and underwear down enough to access his balls, which he licked, sliding behind to tongue his taint.

"Shit," Austin said, breathing hard. "Lock the door."

Lynton lurched to his feet. He ran for the door, sliding the bolt home, then he came back with a smile on his face and his pupils dilated. He gripped Austin by the hips. "Turn around."

Austin gasped as Lynton forced him face first over the sink and dragged his clothes down to his knees. Lynton pulled his wallet from the back pocket of his scrubs and rooted inside it. Austin prayed for lube and was rewarded with a grin when Lynton retrieved a small sachet and a condom. He had never yet disappointed Austin in being ready on any and all occasions for impromptu sex.

Lynton pushed Austin's scrub top up and the T-shirt he wore beneath. Bent over, Austin grasped at the taps as Lynton planted a trail of heated kisses down his spine while he rubbed a fingerful of lube over Austin's entrance.

"I love you," Lynton said, breath hot against the small of Austin's back as he pushed two fingers inside. "I love you so much."

Austin jerked as Lynton found his prostate, his cock dribbling pre-cum. "I love you too."

Lynton stilled behind him. Both of them recognized the momentous occasion: the first time Austin had told Lynton he loved him. He pulled Austin up, an arm around his torso, and Austin turned his head so their lips could collide. It was fair to say he loved Lynton truly, madly and deeply. He wasn't sure why it had taken him so long to confess his love. No doubt it was fear. Fear of becoming too attached and having his new life wrenched away from him. Fear of Lynton becoming tired of him. But Lynton looked at him all the time as though Austin had the moon and stars in his eyes. He held him and kissed him as though Austin was the most precious thing in the world and he treated him as though Austin was royalty. Nothing was too much for him. Nothing was enough.

He swallowed, tears dewing his eyes, and whimpered as he felt Lynton pressing against his entrance. They both groaned together as Lynton penetrated him and Austin felt that blissful feeling of fullness and ecstasy that made him want to come immediately. Lynton rocked into him, holding him tight, their lips molded together, tongues in each other's mouths. He took Austin deeply, hand sliding around to grip his dick and jerk him and Austin found himself dissolving into the other world Lynton always took him to.

There was no average sex with Lynton. There was no ordinary fumble, half-hearted thrusting and substandard orgasm. There were only feelings involved and Austin giving yet another piece of his heart each time they tangled. Another piece of his soul each time Lynton gave him that gentle smile that told him everything he needed to know. Like one of his wounded animals, Lynton had tended to Austin with the utmost care, mending all Austin's many bruises and breaks and leaving him whole again, ready to face everything life threw at him. And Austin wanted to. He wanted to stand tall and come out of the dark and knew he could with Lynton by his side.

He kissed Lynton harder, pressing back against him, hand over his on his dick so they jacked him together and he felt the climax approach like a freight train in both their bodies, so perfectly synchronized were they with each other.

Lynton panted into his mouth and Austin saw stars behind his closed eyes as he spurted over their fingers, followed by Lynton who bucked unsteadily before slumping against Austin's body.

Their mouths broke; they took great gulps for breath, then they laughed, faces resting together. Austin looked into Lynton's violet eyes and knew this man would forever be his home.

◆◆◆

Lynton

That night at home, Lynton was still remembering their interlude in the staff break room fondly. He should have felt guilty about disrespecting his colleagues so by having his boyfriend over the sink in the room where they rested and prepared food, but he didn't. The way he saw it, Austin was so hot, so goddamn wonderful, Lynton was a slave to his hormones, to his dick, which needed its fill of Austin as often as he could perform.

They had done it in other public places too. One time in the car on the way home down a dark lane. Now that had been fun. Austin riding him in the driver's seat with his ass pressed against the steering wheel and sounding the horn. They had giggled about that until they almost couldn't carry on. Another time Austin had taken him over the hood of the car outside an abandoned building. He'd tied Lynton's hands together with his belt and pushed him down and the submission had titillated Lynton just right, to his surprise. They'd both experimented with tying the other up since, using Lynton's collection of nice ties. Never had Lynton had as much fun in bed as he did with Austin.

Austin was stacking the dishwasher while Lynton wiped down the table. He rinsed out the cloth, then stroked a hand over Austin's buttocks, outlined nicely in his tight jeans. Austin glanced back, giving him that radiant smile that melted his heart. For so long after he'd met him, Austin didn't smile. Even after he'd moved into Lynton's place, the smiles were hard to come by. Now they weren't rationed. Now Austin was glowing with happiness and love. He closed the door of the dishwasher and switched it on and the soft whir of the machine started. Lucky gave a meow and wound around both their ankles and Rupert appeared at the kitchen door too, wanting to get in on the action, trotting over to Austin's side.

"Hey, big boy." Austin took Rupert's head in his hands, scratching his ears. Lynton was awed at how much he loved that dog and yet, Austin still had room in his heart for him too, and Lucky, whom he treated like a princess despite complaining about her contrary attitude.

Rupert gave a little bark, tongue lolling from his mouth, rubbing his head first on Austin, then on Lynton. Lynton picked Lucky up and cradled her on his shoulder. He pulled Austin close with his other arm and kissed him and thought yet again, as their lips touched, that he was the luckiest man on earth.

THE END