Chapter 20

TWENTY

Barrett kept his gaze high above the earth on the massive beanstalk. He"d stared at it for so long Barrett worried he would someone get stolen inside the giant vines of the plant.

Vines that twisted and coiled around themselves in a seemingly impossible feat of growth. At the base of this colossal shaft, Barrett waited, a flash of anticipation in his eyes as he scanned the heights.

His jaw remained set in a determined grin, and his posture radiated an air of regal confidence. Though he wore simple human attire, Barrett"s true nature as a Prince couldn"t truly be concealed.

"My nephew has not returned?" Jackson"s Aunt stepped up beside Barrett. She"d insisted on coming when she learned what her nephew would do … again.

"Not yet, but it"s only been three hours since I watched him disappear into the clouds themselves."

"You"re going to fall down from fatigue if you don"t come inside soon."

Barrett heard the woman but refused to take his gaze from the stalk.

"He"d better be up there," Barrett muttered under his breath, his voice a low growl that carried a hint of both impatience and concern. "I can"t believe I let him do this."

He paced back and forth, his keen senses attuned to any sign of movement or distress. Barrett could sense Jackson"s footsteps above him but tried not to think about what danger lurked up there or how fragile their connection truly was.

As if sensing Barrett"s nervous energy, a cool breeze swept through the clearing, carrying with it a sweet scent of celestial flowers that grew only in this realm above.

Sleep threatened to close his eyes, but Barrett ignored it, knowing that Jackson had been awake just as long. They would rest together when he returned.

Eventually, the distinct sound of rustling leaves and shifting branches filled the air. Barrett turned, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he tried to visualize Jackson"s location on the beanstalk. The vine shook and swayed, its leaves glistening in the pale light.

Then, finally, there he was.

A muscular figure appeared just beneath the clouds on the spiraling stalk, descending slowly but surely. The young farmer"s hands gripped tightly onto roots and vines as he climbed down towards them, his feet finding solid ground with each step.

"Jackson!" Barrett gasped, stumbling over his feet as he rushed to move closer. "Father, Jackson is back. We will have our answer."

However, Barrett did not care about what the Realm Above held. He only cared that Jackson returned and appeared to be in as perfect of a condition as when he left.

Time passed so slowly that Barrett wondered if he hadn"t angered a time wizard somewhere. But finally, after another hour, Jackson jumped the final three or four feet off the stalk.

Barrett rushed forward, wrapping an arm around Jackson"s shoulders and pulling him close in a tight embrace. Relief coursed through him like electricity as he felt his friend"s heart pounding against his chest. They held each other for several moments before parting slightly to share a warm smile—a bond forged by their shared experiences that transcended worlds or class differences.

"You"re okay," he whispered, pressing his lips to Jackson"s as his hands tangled in the man"s hair.

"I am."

He knew his father stepped up behind when the king gently cleared his throat, causing Barrett to release Jackson and they both took a step back.

"Tell us what you saw." The king demanded, something akin to wonder glistening in his eyes.

"The land is as we left it—a desolate and destroyed landscape. But it is untouched and there was no sign of any—be them or size or giant."

Barrett"s sigh of relief was a surprise to him. He"d come to enjoy the Realm Below and hadn"t realized what going home would mean.

Leaving Jackson.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to hold on to this moment as long as possible before their return journey began.

A moment they only had because Jackson climbed up a beanstalk almost a year ago.

"Jackson here risked everything to save our realm. He even faced the giant itself."

Barrett knew Jackson didn"t need a title for Barrett to marry him, but it was the least they could do. And no one has proposed anything. You"re getting ahead of yourself.

"I believe it is only fair that Jackson be recognized for his bravery as well. He shouldn"t return to his home unrewarded or without honor." Barrett fixed his gaze on Jackson"s face, seeing the stubborn set of his jaw and knew this wasn"t just about returning home but something deeper - a desire for recognition from those who mattered most to him.

Thankfully, his father did not hesitate to agree.

"For your courage and valor, Jackson Walker," the king began, "Your deeds will be remembered for generations to come. You have proven yourself a worthy ally to our kingdom. Therefore," he said, extending a gilded arm, "I bestow upon you the title of Sir Jackson Walker, Defender of the Realm."

"And your approval to wed," Barrett spoke, turning to Jackson when he realized what he"d done. "If he"ll have me, that is."

"Oh, he"ll have you." Jackson"s hand snaked around Barrett"s waist and pulled him close.

"I believe we"ve passed the need for that," his father said with a grin.

"You must be tired," Barrett ran a hand down Jackson"s cheek. "You need to go in and rest."

"Yes, rest," Marie chided. "I have replaced you on the farm, there will be no objections. Next time they leave, you go with them—but I want the wedding down here!"

Laughing, Jackson offered Barrett his hand. "I'm not certain what my life would be without my farm, its all I've ever known."

Barrett spoke before he even realized it. "Then we will stay down here. The stalk can remain cloaked at this motel and we can come and go as needed when time allows."

"You've only just found your father."

Barrett looked to the king, knowing it was bittersweet. "But I've found you first."

"Are you certain?" Jackson looked into his eyes.

"I'm certain."

Jackson took his hand and they walked quickly toward the motel lobby they knew far too well. They moved in silence, going back to the same room they"d shared the night they made love.

"Jackson. . ." he started to say, but Jackson cut him off with a kiss.

Their lips met tentatively at first, but soon the passion between them ignited, their bodies pressing together as if they had been made to fit this way. All the tension, all the fear and yearning, poured into that single, life-affirming moment.

When they finally broke apart, panting and flushed, they smiled at each other, their eyes reflecting the budding love that had blossomed between them.

"We should probably get back to the farm tomorrow. I"ve got things I have to do if I"m going to leave forever," Jackson said reluctantly, his heart still pounding in his chest.

"Yeah," Barrett agreed, brushing a stray hair from Jackson"s face. His hair had grown long enough to cover his eyes in the past months, but Barrett only seemed to notice now how much more he was than the farmer who went seeking help. "But tonight. . . we have this."

Barrett pulled him closer, his hands moving over Jackson"s strong body with a possessive grace. He tugged at Jackson"s shirt until it pulled over his head, revealing Jackson"s naked, muscular form. Barrett let his hands trace over the delicate scars covering hard muscles on Jackson"s chest.

Muscles that had been tested over time, honed to perfect through hard work and suffering.

Barrett"s hands reached for the button on Jackson"s jeans, undoing them slowly and pulling them down slower still.

A small gasp escaped from his lips as Barrett ran his cool fingers up Jackson"s inner thigh, tracing the contours of his legs before meeting the dampened fabric covering his cock. With gentle but determined motions, Barrett lowered Jackson"s boxers and grasped his hardening member, giving it all the loving strokes he"d been thinking of doing since Jackson climbed away.

Jackson"s cock twitched slightly, leaning into Jackson"s touch. "I think he likes me."

"I am damn certain he does," Jackson spoke through gritted teeth.

"Fuck!" Jackson cried out, unable to contain himself any longer. He gripped onto Barrett"s hair tightly yet tenderly.

The taste of pre-cum filled Barrett"s mouth, and he hummed appreciatively around the man"s erection.

As if in sync, they moved together - Barrett bobbing his head faster while jacking off Jackson"s cock in time with each lick and suckle while Jackson ground against him hungrily, seeking release from their mounting passion. Their gasps and moans filled the room like music composed only for each other, creating an intimate melody that echoed off concrete walls.

"Not like this," Jackson growled, his hands tugging Barrett off his thick cock as his hands went to Barrett"s sweatpants, tugging them and his boxers off at once. "I think he likes me, too."

Barrett groaned as Jackson took his dick in his grasp and pumped up his length until Barrett couldn"t see straight.

"Now, we continue." Jackson gave Barrett a playful push until he sprawled out on the bed.

The bed creaked under their heavy bodies as Jackson climbed on top of him, bracing himself above with one hand while using the other to guide his rock-hard cock towards Barrett"s inviting entrance.

A moment passed where neither moved as they waited for permission. Barrett nodded his consent. With slow yet steady strokes, Jackson began penetrating him, inch by agonizing inch until he bottomed out inside with a final thrust that sent shockwaves rippling through Barrett"s body. His eyes rolled back in pleasure as he felt himself stretched by Jackson"s imposing girth.

Jackson began to slowly withdraw and then plunge back in again at a leisurely pace. Jackson grasped Barrett"s cock firmly in his hand, sliding it up and down its length at the same tempo as his hips thrust in and out of Barrett.

The walls seemed to disappear amidst their blissful sighs and gasps of pleasure while nature-inspired magic coursed through every inch of their entwined flesh.

They moved together like dancers in tune, each thrust sending shivers of ecstasy through their intertwined beings. Hot skin slapping against hot skin was likely heard by those around but neither man stopped.

The bed squeaked under their weight as sweat began to form on their torsos from the intense session ahead. Barrett"s hands fisted in the sheets as he moved, trying to encourage Jackson to speed up.

As climax neared, an electric current passed between them - sparking arousal from every nerve ending - leaving tiny trails of fire wherever it touched.

Jackson"s thrusts became more urgent, driven by an overwhelming need to claim and be claimed. Barrett cried out in pleasure as he felt his release approaching, his body trembling with anticipation.

"Come for me," Jackson growled, his voice thick with desire.

Barrett let go, his body convulsing with intense pleasure as he released himself onto Jackson"s hand and their chests. The sight of Barrett"s orgasm sent Jackson over the edge as well, spurring him on until they were both spent and satisfied.

They lay intertwined for a few moments more, their breathing slowly returning to normal as they basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

"Well, we did it," Jackson said, rolling himself off Barrett and onto the bed before tugging him close.

"We did." Barrett leaned into Jackson"s embrace, casting him a sideways glance. "But who"s to say our story ends here?"

Jackson"s eyes twinkled with mischief. "I don"t know. Why don"t we find out?"

"I think I"ll like this one last climb up most of all."