Stranger Things Have Happened: Dallas, Book 2

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Chapter One

"Oh -- my -- God !" Rack collapses on top of Daniel, who has his legs wrapped around Rack's waist. Makes for a slightly awkward position, but hey, Daniel's not complaining. He rubs his hands down Rack's sweat-slick shoulders while he untangles his limbs. They feel rubbery and boneless, the sure sign of a good orgasm. Jism is sticky on his stomach from where he came when Rack angled his cock just

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right, and he knows it'll turn to glue if they lie there like that much longer.

But once again, he’s not complaining.

They've arrived in Dallas a day early, and are taking every advantage of the fact. Sure, they could have gone out to see the sights, but Daniel prefers the view from underneath as Rack fucks him from there to eternity. Okay, so no beach, but he still feels like he's flying when he has that long, fat cock buried inside him.

He whimpers a little as Rack rises up on his arms and pulls out. The metal feels so good shoved inside that he actively misses it, and what's attached as well. Rack strokes a lock of hair off Daniel's forehead, kisses him on swollen lips, and then collapses on his side.

Daniel knows Rack is dying for a smoke, and this hotel does allow it in some rooms -- which Rack jumped at -- but to give him credit, he doesn't automatically reach for his pack and lighter. Instead, he reaches for Daniel's left hand and tangles their fingers together.

"Go ahead and smoke," Daniel whispers. "I don't mind." And really, he doesn't. Rack without the scent of smoke lingering around him just isn't the same.

"In a minute, love." Rack scoots a little closer until their shoulders and hips are touching. "Don't go calling me a girl, but you feel like a bit of a cuddle for a while?"

A smile touches Daniel's lips. "I could cope. Be warned, though, if I don't wash off soon we'll end up stuck together."

"Oh, yeah, right." Rack's up and out of the bed before Daniel can protest, but he only goes as far as the bathroom, and returns lickety-split with a wet, soapy cloth in one hand and a dry cloth in the other. He crawls up onto the bed and rubs the wet material over Daniel's belly, sudsing down to his groin, and even his ass.

"Talk about a wet spot," Daniel jokes. Rack laughs, and uses the clean side of the washcloth to clean himself up. The dry cloth is applied next, and then both are tossed carelessly to the floor. "Now, you said

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something about holding each other?"

"Sounds better the way you put it."

"Hey, nothing wrong with a good snuggle."

"Oi, don't call it that. Makes me sound like a tutu-wearing old Nellie." All the same, Rack does cuddle down against Daniel. "Spoons," he orders. "Put your arms 'round me."

Daniel obeys, turning on his hip so that he and Rack are lying like cutlery in a silverware drawer, hip to groin and back to chest. Rack's just the right height to tuck his head underneath Daniel's. Daniel takes in a deep breath of the smell surrounding his lover -- sex and smoke and old leather -- and sighs in contentment. "This is the life."

"Don't have to tell me twice." Rack finally does reach for his pack and lights up, even though the angle is awkward. He lies there with smoke wisping from his nose and mouth, holding the cigarette out at arm's length. "Really should stop this, you know. Ever heard of passive smoking?"

"You without cigarettes?" Daniel is genuinely shocked. He doesn't think he'd know what to do with a Rack who didn’t have a cigarette in his mouth or on his person. Or, he thinks with a wince, he doesn't want to deal with a Rack coming down off the smoking train. "Seriously?"

"Eh." Rack waggles his hand. "Maybe."

"So what brought this on?"

"Mmm? Nothing, really. Just got to thinking 'bout how long I've been addicted to these things, and what the state of my lungs must be right about now. I fancy being around a long time for you, pet, and I want you by my side."

Daniel can't say anything to that, either a yes or a no, so he hugs Rack tighter until Rack makes an "oof"

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sound in protest. "I'm just sayin' it's a maybe kind of thing," he grunts. "Don't get all soppy on me now. We've just had a glorious fuck, and I want me a bit of afterglow, right?"

"Glow on," Daniel says, feeling sleepy. Forget glorious, that was spectacular, and there's nothing like coming hard enough you forget your name to wipe you out. He tucks his head more securely against Rack's. "You mind if I..." He breaks that off with a yawn. "Don't think I can help myself."

Rack curls closer backwards. "Nah, love, you go on and rest. We've got hours before daybreak."

"Not that many of them."

"Enough for you to catch forty winks. Shut your eyes now, you git, and get some sleep."

"Or you'll what?"

"I'll sing you a lullaby."

"Oh, God." Daniel shudders against Rack's shoulders, but then lets himself relax. The utter state of relaxation is taking him over, and he's drifting away, floating on a sea of whatever chemicals are released after sex, on a fluffy white cloud that smells like smoke. He'll just shut his eyes for a minute...

When he opens them again, Rack has drifted off, himself. He wakes at Daniel's slightest movement, though, and sleepily nudges his head backward. "All right, then?

"More than all right." Daniel hugs Rack closer. "Hey, can we stay like this all day? You and me, wrapped up in each other?"

"Same thing we did yesterday?"

"I'm a fan of reruns. So, can we?"

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"Sure," Rack answers easily. "No, wait, we've got this convention thing to go to."

"Damn. What about all morning? Is that an option?"

"Might be... but no, wait, I've got a booth that needs building and a chair set up. Need a handyman for that. Know anyone with a good hammer?" Rack wiggles his ass backward on Daniel's groin.

Daniel groans at the contact, his tired member trying to rise to the occasion. But hey, twice in one night already, and his cock wants to go on having its naptime. "Until breakfast?"

"Sounds about right." Rack reaches for his smokes again. "No need to go anywhere until then. Go ahead and shut your eyes again, love. I'll just have meself another one of these, and then I might nap too. We've got a wake-up call scheduled, right?"

Daniel nods, his head bumping Rack's. "I phoned that in last night, right before you tackled me." He chuckles at the memory of Rack, so horny after the way Daniel had teased him all day, pouncing him and knocking him down to the bed as soon as his portfolio was secured.

"See? We're all right, then. Just need to grab a bite and head down to the main floor by seven."

"What time is it now?"

"Mmm. Around four, I think." Rack squints into the darkness at the bright red numbers on their clock. For the first time, Daniel wonders if glasses might be in Rack's future himself. He doesn't have to worry about dropping any hints, though. The first time Rack can't see what he's tattooing with razor clarity, he'll be off to Lenscrafters before you can blink. He has to narrow his own eyes to make out the time, but Rack's right. They can snooze on a little longer.

"What do you," he breaks off to yawn, "want for breakfast, anyway?"

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"Don’t want to spend my own money on it, for one. They'll have doughnuts and coffee downstairs, complimentary like. Maybe some bananas and such. Orange juice."

"Mmm, doughnuts. I want a cinnamon cake one."

"With a banana. Got to get off to a semi-healthy start. Plus some OJ. Nice and tart, tingling on the way down..."

"Coffee?"

"One cup, with your doughnut. Think that'll fill us up?"

"Just might." Daniel yawns again. "God, I'm worn out."

"Then go ahead and sleep, you nut. I'm not quite tired again, but I'm just fine lying here. When I get an itch, I'll wiggle out and take care of a few things. You stay put and keep me warm until then."

"Can do," Daniel says with another jaw-cracking yawn. He's more conscious of falling asleep this time, drifting away with the smell of smoke and salty sweat and Rack in his nose...

When he wakes up a third time, daylight is just peeking in through the window. He can tell this because the drapes are pulled open and Rack's sitting there, in this great built-in seat. Daniel takes a moment to admire the craftsmanship, but then he focuses on Rack instead. Both are great views, but Rack's the one that takes his breath away.

Looks like he must have showered while Daniel was asleep. He's dressed in his work clothes -- a black leather vest and a pair of tightly hugging jeans. His feet are bare, though, tapping out a soft rhythm on the window seat. The fingers of one hand drum on his knee, while he holds yet another smoke in his free hand. His hair, normally done up in a dozen-plus spikes, is soft around his face. Curly. Daniel wishes he could bury his hand in it and stroke Rack's scalp, run his fingers around the tattoo there, but he doesn't want to shatter this moment.

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Framed by the rising sunlight, Rack is a gorgeous man. Not that he isn't always, but still. Sometimes Daniel can't believe that Rack belongs to him, and he loves to take in the fact that they're together, and that he owns Rack just as Rack owns him. That man is his, from bright blue eyes to strong jaw to defined abs, and oh, maybe he's about ready for round three. His cock seems to think so, but again, Daniel doesn't want to shatter the almost-quiet with a demand for sex.

He lies there by himself instead, admiring Rack with a frankly biased eye. With his now-free hand, he reaches up to finger the new tattoo they've begun on his right arm. It's a swirly, ornate design that reaches from shoulder to wrist. Rococo, Rack calls it, refusing to acknowledge that he's doing Celtic knotwork, which he still insists is "fiddly little shit". They've got the outline done already, working on it through the past few shows as a hands-on demonstration for the crowds that inevitably flock to Rack's booth.

The shading will come next. He'll be a riot of rich jewel tones, saffron and indigo, royal blue and crimson, all up and down his arm. Rack's own blend of inks will stand the test of time and it'll stay looking this good for years to come.

On his other arm there's going to be a simple tribal band that's not yet begun, although Daniel's seen the sketches for it. Rack likes the idea of asymmetry, and wants Daniel to keep the left arm unadorned save for that band and his tattooed ring.

The thought makes him wish that they could coax Josh into getting a little ink of his own. The man always seems to stare so longingly at the chair when he sees Rack and Daniel there, lingering for just a few minutes before hurrying off on whatever errand he's busy with.

Mind you, they've only seen Josh a few times since New York, and it's like he seems to be staying out of the way. Daniel frowns and shakes his head lightly. Josh is a riddle wrapped in a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, one he doesn't have a clue about figuring out, and for some reason that bugs him.

His slight movements are enough to attract Rack's attention, and the man hops out of his window seat, stubs his cigarette out in the ashtray, and sits down on his side of the bed. One hand comes out to stroke down the length of Daniel's arm, top to wrist, tracing the lines of his tattoo design in circles and curlicues. "All right, then?"

"Oh, yeah. More than." Daniel lets himself nuzzle into Rack's hand. "I've been up for a while. Watching you. You looked like a Botticelli angel sitting in the window seat there, with your curls and your face. I didn't want to disturb you."

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"You're never a disturbance, pet," Rack says firmly. He tosses up the covers and slides underneath, groping Daniel without the least trace of shame. His mouth quirks up at what he finds there. "Well, and good morning to you, too."

Daniel chuckles. "Two of us are happy to see you."

"So I notice. Wonder if we can do anything about this." Rack ducks his head under the blanket. Daniel feels the roughness of denim and the smooth rub of leather worming its way down his body, and then, without warning, the hard suction of a mouth on his cock.

He gasps and bucks forward, coming to full hardness so fast that he can feel himself expand. Rack sucks encouragingly, one hand kneading Daniel's hip. Daniel senses that he's in a mood to just take it, so he bucks and humps forward, filling Rack's mouth until he feels the tip of his cock bump into the back of Rack's throat.

And oh, yeah, Rack is loving this just about as much as Daniel. His tongue is busy as a busy thing, tapping and lapping and licking. The pressure never lets up, not for one second, and then to top it off he takes his hand off Daniel's hip and begins to roll Daniel’s balls in his palm, squeezing with just the right amount of pressure to- to-

Daniel explodes, starting with his cock. Fireworks dance in front of his eyes, blocking out the natural sunlight, and he knows he's thrusting too hard into Rack's mouth but Rack doesn't seem to mind and this just feels so damn good that he keeps on thrusting until the last spurt of come pulses from his dick and he feels himself collapse back down into the pillows.

Rack backs off slowly, cleaning Daniel's cock with that same wicked tongue, and then wriggles back up until his head pops into view. He gives Daniel a come-flavored kiss, one which Daniel gladly returns, savoring the salty taste of himself on Rack's lips.

Daniel sighs in contentment. "Now that's what I call a good morning."

"Same to you, love." Rack kisses him a second time, swiping Daniel's bottom lip with his tongue. The

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stud running across Daniel's mouth gives him good shivers.

He reaches for the fastening to Rack's jeans. "You want me to --"

"Nah." Rack gently moves Daniel's hand away. "We'll have to get moving in a minute here, and I don't want to start what we can't finish." At Daniel's pout, he amends, "But you can finish me up tonight. And I want your promise that you'll do it right, like. Let me give it to you the way you just did with me."

Daniel's mouth waters at the thought. "It's a promise," he says, just as the phone begins to warble.

Rack groans and reaches for the receiver. "Yeah, we're up," he says without preamble, then puts the receiver back in its cradle. He gives Daniel's hip a slap underneath the covers, and then rolls out of bed. Daniel can see a bulge in those jeans, but he knows Rack well enough to see that he's already got his adrenaline up and working, and all his attention is focused on what the day's got in store for them.

Daniel sighs and scoots off the bed, standing up naked and yawning. "Is there any hot water left?"

"Should be plenty. But get a move on, yeah? Don't want to be late." Rack's tugging on his boots. "And here, just wear that black wifebeater today, eh? Shows your arms off a treat and I want to start by doing some of the shading on your tattoo. Blue first, I think. Yellow's fiddly, but after this the red, I think." He looks up with a wicked grin, tongue between his teeth. "We'll have you shining like a beacon by the time we reach San Francisco. Not that you don't already. Dallas won't know what hit it."

Oh, yeah. Daniel's forgotten all of this, but it comes rushing back to him now. "Yeah, about Dallas. Have I mentioned to you how comfortable I'm not being in the heart of Texas?"

"Balls and rubbish." Rack stands up, bouncing a bit on his toes to get the fit of his boots just right -- that and pure energy. "'S a tattoo tour, love. Anyone who has a problem won't be walking through those doors. And if we decide to go out and see the sights later, maybe we'll inspire you to save a horse and ride a cowboy, eh?" Rack waggles his tongue again, sexy as hell and well aware of the fact.

Daniel likes what he sees, but he isn't so sure about the whole "going out" thing. "I don't know if it's such a good idea..." he starts.

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"Like I said, love -- utter balls. There's bound to be some open-minded folks as well as cowboys around here. Mmm, cowboys." Rack grins sharply. "Wouldn't mind doing me a bit of ink on a Marlboro man."

Daniel throws a pillow at him.

"Oi, what was that for?"

"You're mine," Daniel informs him. "No cowboys allowed."

"Oh, come on." Rack slides closer to Daniel, wrapping an arm around his neck. "Not even one to nibble on? You know I'll be the only body in your bed tonight, and you in mine, so where's the harm in flirting a little? It's not like you don't come over all fluttery when Josh happens to hurry past."

"I do not -- do I?" Daniel's startled.

"Yeah, and it's bloody obvious. No wonder he's in a rush to get past our booth." Rack doesn't seem to mind though, even giving Daniel's ass a light spank. "He's a treat, that one. I don't care if you look, as long as you know who you're coming home to." He moves back. "Go on, then, get your shower. You're whiffy; you smell like sex and sweat."

"Love you, too," Daniel says wryly. Then, more seriously. "You know I do, right?"

"Reckon so, at that." Rack gives him a light push. "And the same to you. Hurry up, now. I've had my stomach set on a doughnut ever since you mentioned them, and I want to get downstairs before the ravening crowd descends on all those pastries."

"Aye, aye."

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"Oh, so you like taking orders now, do you?"

"I'd take anything from you, Rack. Even a lecture on why we should enjoy the nightlife of Dallas, and to hell with how many eyebrows we raise." Daniel comes in for a kiss, just like a plane taxiing in to the runway, and licks Rack's lips for one more taste before dodging the swipe of his lover's hand and heading for the bathroom. "Look out, Texas, here we come."

"Too damn right," Rack says, lighting up again. "They won't know what hit them."

Daniel has a feeling that Rack's right. But what the hell? Die all, die merrily. And if he has Rack by his side, he can handle just about anything.

Rack's worth braving the world for.

Chapter Two

God bless Texas.

Daniel's made quick work of setting up Rack's booth -- practice has made perfect -- and Rack's pinned up all his flash and set his portfolio out. Pre-advertising has brought in a huge crowd, and Daniel thinks his eyeballs may melt from all the sheer "hot" that's filling the convention center.

"Eyes to me," Rack murmurs, bumping Daniel with his hip as he makes one last adjustment to his chair.

"I was just looking," Daniel protests. "Don't tell me you weren't copping a glance or three at those fine cowboy asses yourself."

"Hell, yes, I was. All tight and round and mmm. " Rack hums. "Still, eyes to me, eh? Or if you've gotta

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look, then don't touch. You're mine, and we both know it. Besides," he says, wickedly laying a hand on his tattoo machine, "don't you want to get started on your ink?"

Daniel jumps for the bait like a doggie for a chew toy, which Rack probably knew he would. His butt's in that adjustable chair before you can say "boo", and he's wiggling in excitement before Rack can even squeeze out the first cap of ink. "Indigo first, right?"

"'S right," Rack says, already absorbed in his work. "A nice rich purple. We'll go down the length of your arm with that particular shade if you've the nuts to handle it."

Daniel gives Rack a look so long and patient that even the Devoted Artist has to turn around and meet his eyes. "Rack," he says, patiently as he can, "I have pierced nuts and metal studs in my dick. I also have a tattoo on said dick. I think I can handle partial shading on one arm."

Rack's grin is wicked. "Right, sure. You up to a performance before the crowd, then?"

Daniel shifts to the people bunched around them, from cowboys who look absolutely fascinated by he and Rack, to the already punked-out who are there to learn at the master's feet. He shifts to get a little more comfortable in the chair, and then throws Rack a daring smile right back. "Go for the gold."

"Saffron's not until later."

Daniel reaches out to swat Rack's ass. "Smart-mouth." He leans back. "Come on, time is money. You've got at least a dozen customers lined up already."

"And how d'you know that?"

"I have faith. Also, I have a pretty good view of your sign-in book. It's filling up fast."

"Gonna be another long day with the machine, then." Rack gives it a test buzz. There are a few flinches, but still more curiosity. "You can spell me by drawing up a few designs to order."

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Daniel's heart catches in his throat. He's only been practicing for six cities now -- is he good enough? "Rack?"

"No worries, pet. I trust you with the art." Buzz, buzz goes the machine. "Just like you trusted me all along. And I'll do any punches myself, but you watch, because that's the next thing you're learning."

"I have no idea what I'm going to do with all this knowledge once we get back home."

"Oh, I dunno." Rack scoots his chair up to Daniel's side, dipping his machine's needle in the indigo ink. "I'm thinkin' you can decorate me up a good bit. After all, I haven't anything on my back yet."

"I want to hear the story about that scalp tattoo, then," Daniel bargains. It's the only one Rack hasn't told him about.

To his surprise, Rack blushes and mumbles something like, "No way in hell," but Daniel thinks he can coax Rack to give in. A good hard fuck and a blow job ought to get him spilling his secrets.

"Was it for that one guy who dumped you before you and I got together?"

Rack jumps. Daniel grins. "Who went and told you that?" Rack demands, aggravated. "Has Mei Li been tellin' secrets out of school?"

"Nope. I guessed by my own self." Daniel wiggles around. "Hurry up with that ink. The crowd's getting restless." Besides which, he's itching for the feel of the needle on his skin and the adrenaline rush that always follows that first sting of pain. It's addictive as he imagines drugs to be, not that he's ever tried anything harder than pot, and that made him cough.

"Hush up, then, and I'll get started." Rack's absent again, fading away into his utter stillness of concentration. He narrows his eyes at Daniel's arm, moves it to and fro a little, dips his needle again, and then starts up the machine.

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The first touch of metal to skin burns like fuck, but then Daniel's flying. He closes his eyes and arches as much as he dares, savoring the fine burn as if it were a good wine or a really hearty beer. Beer, he thinks. Guys with tattoos don't drink a lot of wine. Well, Toby does, but he's really, really gay, as opposed to the everyday gay that Rack and Daniel are.

Speaking of Toby, Daniel wonders how he's doing with the thing he's had for Joey all this time. Daniel can't see the attraction himself -- come on, Joey is an out-and-out asshole, and they fight all the time -but maybe with Mei Li running the shop, things have settled down and the two are getting to know one another.

Stranger things have happened.

Rack's working his way down Daniel's arm when one well-muscled specimen steps forward, tugging at the brim of his cowboy hat. "Don't mean to interrupt," he says apologetically. "You mind if I get a closer look?"

"Nah." Daniel waves him on. "Close as you want, but just don't get in Rack's way."

"Oh, no. Wouldn't do that." The cowboy, or so Daniel assumes, is wearing a beige suede vest with a little fringe. It's a little campy, and Daniel knows from camp, but hey, who is he to question what a guy wears during his day out on the town? "Doesn't that hurt?"

"Some," Daniel admits, still riding the waves of bliss. "But that's part of the fun."

"I don't get how pain can be fun."

"Let me put it this way." Daniel winces a little as the skin Rack's going over starts to get tender. "You ever been out riding for a whole day? Your ass is completely sore and your thighs are aching, but the wind is blowing and your horse is still going at a gallop. You can't help but feel the thrill of being out there in the great wide open with all that power churning around you."

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His speech draws murmurs from the crowd, the line of waiting men, and a nod from the cowboy beside him. "It's kind of like that," Daniel goes on. "Hurts at first, sure, but then you get that total bliss going on. You could compare it to running, if you wanted. You start gasping and your legs burn, but then there's that second wind and you feel like you can soar. It's all about the adrenaline rush, man."

"That'd be why you have so much on you?" the cowboy wants to know.

Daniel grins. "That, and my honey's the one who does my artwork. Any chance to get close, you know?"

The cowboy's cheeks go slightly pink, but to his credit he just nods and tips his hat again. "Mind if I keep on watching?"

"Help yourself. Viewing pleasure is free."

At that, several others crowd in. "Here!" Rack snaps. "Out of my light!" He adjusts the halogen lamp over Daniel's arm. The cowboys back off, their faded jeans showing off all their best ass... sets.

Daniel waves his free hand at the men. "He gets involved in his work. Don't mind him. Just stay out of the light, and you'll be fine."

More murmurs. "Think he'd do a stallion on my bicep?" Mr. Fringe asks. "Something like that horse on the chalk cliffs."

"That'd be Devon," Rack says abruptly. "And if you’ve got the dosh, I can do you up anything you like."

"He's that good," Daniel affirms. "And 'dosh' means money, for those of you who don't speak Rack-ese." He grins a little. "I'm fluent, but throw me a y’all and I'm lost, got it?"

Chuckles break out. Daniel thinks he even sees Rack's lips twitch a little. He's good, and he's fast, almost to the bottom of Daniel's arm. The wrist is a little more painful than the rest, but from top to

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bottom there are wild spirals of deep purple, and Daniel's loving it already.

When Rack finishes, it's with a pat to Daniel's hip and a relieved sigh. "Tricky stuff, this, but it turned out just fine. You can have the next color when we reach our next stop."

"Aw, not until then?"

"Healing time, pet, healing time. I want this piece to shine." Rack rolls his chair back and puts his machine down on the counter. He removes the needle and places it in the biohazard container, then snaps off his rubber gloves. He tosses them in the trash, then reaches for a bottle of Vitamin E capsules. Waving them at the crowd, he orates, "Listen up, all of you blokes. There's some that'll try and sell you on anything from Vaseline to some concoction of their own to use, and make no mistake, you do need to keep a healing tat moist, but there's nothing better than these. Pierce one and squeeze the goop out. Use that to moisten your ink and it'll heal up a treat. Trust me on this one." He gestures at a stack of pill bottles. "Three ninety-nine along with a tattoo."

There’s more noise among the crowd, sounds of agreement. Daniel sits up for Rack to bandage his arm. He knows enough to keep the gauze on for an hour, and then wash himself off with a little soap and water. There's a small bottle of Vitamin E in his pocket already.

God, he's gonna look good, walking around as Rack's living billboard. Preening a little, Daniel examines his tattoo one more time before it's covered with white hospital padding and Rack's pressing down tape that won't hurt coming off. "There you have it," Rack says, patting Daniel's ass again. "Go and wander about a bit, maybe a couple of hours, and then come back so you can give me a breather."

Daniel grins. "Yes, sir." He hops off the chair and offers it to the cowboy, who was after all first in line. "Ups-a-daisy. And remember what I said about adrenaline."

The cowboy takes his mount with a definite air of bravado. "I've mended wire fences since I was twelve years old," he says. "I don't think a needle's going to -- fuck!"

Rack grins up at him. "Calm down, mate." He brandishes a purple surgical marker. "I'm just drawing in the outline so you can tell me what you think of the design."

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Their whole waiting crowd finds this hilarious, and even the cowboy, who's bright red, has to chuckle. Daniel gives an imaginary hat a tip, and he's off into the crowd, wearing his bandage like a medal of honor. He's looking good with a lot of his ink on display, and the black wifebeater Rack suggested was a fine choice. It's hotter than New York down here in Dallas, but that could just be because summertime is burning high and hot in the skies. Better than looking good, though, he's feeling fine. Nothing can bring him down.

Speaking of being up, though, he wants a second cup of coffee. Rack's given in a little since they've been eating a lot of beef dinners on this trip, and Daniel even got a blood test to show that his iron levels are fine. Rack still nags a little, but it's mostly out of habit. Just goes to show that he cares, anyway, so Daniel doesn't mind.

He scans the crowded convention center, savoring the sound of tattoo guns buzzing and the noise of the crush of people. There has to be a kiosk somewhere... yeah, there. Not too far away, too, and staffed by a plumpish girl who looks to be friendly. Smart vendors, setting up shop at a place like this. They know that tattoo artists live by their caffeine, and they probably do a booming business.

Daniel bops over and gets in line, knowing he's acting like a kid hyped up on too much sugar, but unable to help himself. New ink! And maybe he can coax Rack into those cheek piercings later. He's been promising for a couple of cities now, and Daniel's already picked out his studs. He wants holes in the upper cartilage of his ears, too.

He's bouncing up and down, humming snatches of a country song he only half-remembers, when he gets a little too enthusiastic and bumps into the guy ahead of him in line. The man jumps as if he's been shot, and Daniel's ready with a quick apology when he turns around and Daniel sees that it's Josh.

"Oh. It's...it's you." The hunted look in Josh's eyes fades a little bit, and Daniel has to hold it in not to reach out and touch the man's shoulder. Josh just invites that kind of touching, but Daniel's pretty sure he isn't gay and it's not a wise idea to get all touchy-feely with someone you a) don't know too well and b) are pretty sure could cold-clock you if you made a move.

Not that he's going to. Make a move, that is. He just wants Josh to calm down a little, you know?

"And it's you," Daniel answers with an easy grin. "How's life as a gofer treating you?"

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"Not...not too bad." But Josh's hands tremble a little as he holds out two dollar bills and says, "Large coffee, please."

The vendor turns to pull a cup. On impulse, Daniel says, "Hey, don't worry about it. This one's on me, okay?"

Josh flinches. All the same, he nods after a moment. "Thank you."

"It's just a cup of coffee." Daniel fishes a fiver out of his pocket and passes it over to the vendor. "Same for me, and keep the change."

The vendor rolls her eyes. "A whole dollar, just for me." Her grin belies her words.

"Hey, doesn't every little bit count? Especially when I know for pretty certain that what you're charging two dollars for probably costs less than ten cents?"

"Hush up, now." The vendor changes Daniel's coffee cup to an extra-large. "That kind of talk's bad for business." She eyes his arm. "Got something new today?"

She has a tattoo of her own on her forearm, so Daniel is free and easy in showing off his bandage. "It's a full-arm design. Today I got one of the colors done."

"Can I see?"

"Sorry, it's not ready for public viewing yet. But I may be back later." Hell with maybe, he knows he will be. Now that he's back on the java, he may never stop. But for now, he collects his cup and Josh's, passing the one over. Josh takes in hands that never stop their fine trembling, and nods his thanks.

They move over to a small stand crammed with packets of raw sugar, yellow, blue and pink packets, and metal dispensers of cream and half-and-half. "Anything for you?"

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"I can get it myself," Josh snaps. Daniel backs off, and fast. You don't want to piss off the ex-military. Josh looks down, though, as soon as he's said the words, and sighs. "Look, I'm sorry."

"Hey, no worries. You feel like sharing a bench while we drink?" Josh nods, and Daniel's feeling some of that adrenaline surging back in. He bounces, a little like Rack on an average day, and points the way to a couple of free seats. Going on ahead, he's glad when he gets there that Josh has followed.

As usual, the man hunches over his cup, looking hunted and haunted. They're mostly alone in the small seating area, with just a couple of women flicking through tattoo magazines across the way. The roar of conversation rolling through the hall blocks out extra conversation, so Daniel feels at his ease with Josh. They can talk without Josh worrying about his stammer -- which Daniel can tell he does.

"So what brings you out on a break?" he asks, swirling a small wooden stick in his coffee to get the cream evenly mixed in. "They don't need a gofer right now?"

Josh shakes his head. "I've got thir...thirty minutes. Left out of an hour." He looks embarrassed. "I was watching you early...earlier. Just for a minute. Rack was doing some good work."

"He's a hell of an artist," Daniel agrees.

"And you just leave him with all of these cowboys?" Josh blurts.

Daniel blinks. "Well, yeah. The rule is look, but don't touch. I know he's going to be sharing the same mattress with me tonight, same as last night. I trust him." That trust is something he doesn't take lightly. "Rack isn't the type to stray. Once he finds something he likes, he latches on like a dog with a bone and doesn't let go." He lets himself grin. "I happen to be one of his favorite things."

Josh half-grins. "That's good for...for you." He looks back down at his coffee. "How'd you two meet, anyway?"

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Daniel's mind flashes back to installing counters in the soon-to-open tattoo parlor and do you want to fuck, or what? and Rack nailing him hard within four hours of their first "hello", but he figures that's probably not the best kind of story for Josh to hear and settles on the abridged version. "You know I'm a carpenter, right? I have my own workshop back home. Six-week sabbatical. Anyway, I was installing some stuff in Rack's parlor and we just sort of hit it off."

Josh nods again. "I guess that's not...not what I was asking," he says. Coloring an even deeper red, he asks: "How did you...did you know that you were gay?"

Oh, boy.Daniel has a feeling that this conversation is going to be long and possibly painful for both parties involved. He gently tests the waters with, "Why? Do you think you might, maybe be, yourself?"

He gets a short nod, and swallows down a lump in his throat. This isn't something he's ever done before, but it looks like he's about to play counselor to someone just peeking out of the closet.

But hey, it's Josh. The quiet, unassuming medic. With shell-shock, can't forget that. Daniel thinks he can handle this. "Well, sometimes it kind of starts when you realize you're watching guys more than you are girls..."

***

Later that night, Daniel's still thinking over his conversation with Josh as he sits down in Rack's chair one more time. Rack's busying himself with putting on yet another pair of fresh rubber gloves, humming under his breath. Daniel's finally coaxed him into doing the piercings, and there was probably something about his attitude that's convinced Rack that tonight is the night.

He glances down at the purple lacings down his arm, admiring the view. It's gonna be gorgeous once everything's filled in -- hell, it's already spectacular -- and he adores the look of his lover's mark on his skin.

Josh has to get a tattoo, he decides. Or get his ears pierced. One or the other. Something to celebrate, to show him it's okay to come out of the closet. The military might have a "don't ask, don't tell" philosophy still firmly wedged in place, but out in the everyday world it's okay to feel what you feel. Maybe if he gets some reassurance, and a physical reminder that he can be himself, he'll ease up a little.

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"Still thinkin' about your meeting with what's-his-name?" Rack asks, picking up a needle and a cork. "Open your mouth, and not to talk." Rack applies a clamp, which stings like a bitch, but hey, it's part of the game. "I want to get these just right."

Daniel manages to avoid wincing as the needle sinks through the meat of his cheek into the cork inside, but sighs as the stud is fixed in place. "You know the aftercare instructions well as I do," Rack says, scooting his chair a little away and leaning back. "Go on, then. You're worried about your chick hopping out of his nest."

"He's not my -- gees, Rack. I haven't adopted the guy."

Rack's face is deadpan. "Could've fooled me."

"He's just nice, that's all, and he's been through hell. He deserves a little TLC."

"How L is this TLC, then?"

Daniel frowns. "Hey, I don't cheat on you. You know the rules. Think I'm gonna break one now?"

To his relief, Rack shakes his head. "'Course not. Let me get back over here and do your upper cartilage before I have you move around to get the other side." He picks up a fresh needle and cork, gesturing for Daniel to lean down a little. The pointy end slides in with ease, and within thirty seconds Rack is clicking the bead of a loop together. He looks at Daniel with something like admiration. "Don't know why I waited so long, or why we didn't think of this before," he says. "You look proper fetching with those on you, and don't think otherwise."

"Wasn't planning on it." Grinning feels a little odd with the new metal in his mouth, but Daniel knows he'll get used to the feeling soon enough. "Other side, now?"

"Other side," Rack agrees, gesturing for Daniel to turn. Daniel obliges. Rack readies the next cork and needle, so Daniel opens his mouth like a baby bird. The punch hurts no less this time, but there's that

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feeling like he's flying again, and he can't help a laugh as Rack fastens the stud in place.

"Got you soaring, don't I?" Rack asks as Daniel bends down for the cartilage ring. "You like to spread your wings, don't you, bird? Yeah, and you look like a bird of Paradise, you do, with all your color and with that wild look in your eyes, as if you're about to burst into flames." He licks the lower part of Daniel's clear arm, trailing his tongue up the short hairs until they tickle. "Save a bit of that expression for the bedroom, will you? Else I'm likely to ravage you here."

Daniel waits until the cartilage hoop is in place and Rack's supplies thrown in the red bin before he wriggles and hops down, right into Rack's lap. "So what's wrong with ravishing me here and now? Thought you had an exhibitionist streak. And it's not like people haven't been paying attention to the man behind the curtain all day long."

"And you would not believe the folk who've wanted to try it out for themselves," Rack informs him. "I had one bloke ask for a bronco on his Willie. I told him to go have one bite it, see how he coped with the pain, and then come back if he felt the urge."

Daniel bursts into laughter, which he muffles in Rack's shoulder. But never one to waste a good opportunity to grope and be groped, he grinds his pelvis into Rack's and reaches around to get a good double handful of prime ass real estate. He rumbles with satisfaction, hearing an answering purr from Rack, and pulls back far enough for a kiss.

It's a good kiss, too, one that goes on for long moments, although Rack's careful of his new piercings and doesn't play as rough as usual with his tongue. Daniel enjoys himself all the same.

"Tell you what," Rack says. "Make good on your promise to pillage my willing body once we get up to the suite and I'll have a talk with your friend Josh tomorrow, should I see him walkin' by. Show him it's all right in me own way. That is, if I don't send him screamin'." Rack makes a face. "You know how I can be."

"Yeah, which is one of the things I love you for." Daniel kisses Rack again, humping him and not caring who might see. "How fast do you think we can get upstairs?"

"It's not a race, pet."

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"It is when the winner gets to be on top first."

Rack bucks Daniel off him. "No fair starting until I've put my gear away," he warns. "This place gets secured for the night, and I'll fire the starting gun myself."

Daniel gets off Rack completely and leans against the tattoo chair with, yes, a shit-eating grin on his face. They've done this before, but it never gets old. Sex in the offing, and Rack promising that he'll be nice to Josh. Life doesn’t get any better than this.

He isn't aware of it, but he's about to be pleasantly surprised, and more than a little shocked, once the next day arrives.

Chapter Three

Breaking in a virgin is never an easy thing -- or so Daniel's been given to understand. He's feeling it first-hand now as he has to lead Josh almost by the hand over to Rack's booth. Another day has gone by, and Daniel's proudly sporting the purple that was applied the day before.

While they were sharing another coffee earlier that afternoon, Daniel couldn't help but notice that Josh never took his eyes off the fresh ink. There was a sort of longing and deep sadness in his eyes, like a diabetic kid yearning after a fudge brownie.

"You ought to, ya know," Daniel had said, taking a cautious sip of steaming hot liquid.

Josh jumped. "I...I ought to what?"

"At ease, soldier. I couldn't help but notice you looking. If you want a tattoo -- and God knows, you've seen enough of the process to know if you can handle it -- then why not get one?"

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Josh shook his head and looked down at his hands, clasped around the cup. The coffee seemed to soothe him rather than get him pepped up, which was unusual, but hey, in Daniel's world the unusual was the norm. Anything could happen, and it usually did. "I don't...don't know what I would get."

Daniel pounced. "Ah-ha! But you have been thinking about it, haven't you?"

"Do those piercings hurt your teeth?"

"Don't dodge the question, mister." Daniel leaned back and grinned. "At ease. And you really respond well to being commanded, so stop it, okay? No, wait, that's an order itself. Aw, damn, you know what I mean. If you want a tattoo, get one."

Josh mumbled something.

"What was that?" Daniel leaned forward.

"I said, no one's better than Rack. I've seen." Josh lifted his head, looking apologetic. "I've thought about approaching him, but he's always got such a big crowd around him, and I... I don't do well with... with crowds. Or lines. I can't wait in a long line. I've got stuff to do during the convention."

Yeah, like run around with your clipboard and check things off. Why the hellare you trailing this tour, Josh? "Okay, I can understand where you're coming from," Daniel said with some sympathy. "But I bet I can make an arrangement for you. Rack might work on you after hours."

Josh flinched again. "Wait, no...no. I don't want him to go out of his way."

"It won't be," Daniel assured the ex-soldier. He let himself grin. "I can talk Rack into just about anything if I promise him what he wants."

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Josh chuckled. After a minute, Daniel did, too. The fellow-feeling passed between them and left a warm afterglow. In that period of quiet reflection, Daniel decided that he would ask Rack to do Josh's tattoo, for sure. He'd offer up his own cock in the Gates of Hell, if the thing would fit. That ought to do the trick.

Sure enough, Rack's jumped at the bait, and now, as Daniel's leading Josh along, he can see Rack moving among his equipment, getting things out and ready. Josh hasn't decided on a design yet, so Rack has a few books of flash sitting on his table as well.

"I...I really don't want you going to the trouble," Josh says, his voice soft and hesitant. Daniel decides that despite the stammer, he really likes the way Josh speaks. It's cozy and warm, wrapping itself around you like a hand-woven blanket. "I'll be fine finding someone once I get home."

"Why wait when you have the perfect opportunity right now?" Daniel asks reasonably. "Rack doesn't mind, I swear. He loves the chance to practice his art. He is the Master, he is Zen, he loves this shit. And he is the shit when it comes to putting on some ink. So come on, already."

Josh half-laughs, and they move along more easily. He does freeze up a little when they get close enough for Rack to notice them and he gets treated to the full-on diamond stare, but there's enough army backbone in Josh not to freak for long. He pulls himself up, almost rigid, and Daniel worries that he might salute and say "Reporting for duty."

To ward off any sort of flashbacks, Daniel reaches forward and gives Rack a kiss, not too long and not too hard, just saying 'hello' as it were. "Hey, love," he says, imitating Rack's accent, which earns him a fond growl and a roll of the eyes. "Wotcha up to, then?"

"Waitin' on you lot," Rack says lazily. He sits down in his chair and stretches his arms. "So you'd be Josh, then, would you?"

Josh nods mutely.

"Don't say a lot, do you, Josh?"

"Rack, take it easy on him." For some reason Rack's bristly as his hair, and Daniel can't figure out why

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for the life of him. He can't be jealous, can he? Daniel and Josh are just friends. God, that ought to be obvious, and Rack trusts him -- he knows that for a fact. "Josh is a newbie to this whole tattoo thing."

"Thought you'd been following the tour. God knows I've seen your mug at every city we've stopped in."

Josh turns faintly red. "I...I have been. I'm not new to tattoos. I've never gotten one before, is all."

"Yeah, I've heard that a lot today." Rack idly begins to flick through a book of flash. "All these cowboys in their nice, tight Levis with asses that make you want to just grab a handful and squeeze. None of them had any ink, but they walked away satisfied." His eyelids lower. "So did I."

Daniel frowns, not sure what to make of the comment. He was at Rack's side for most of the day, so there wasn't any inappropriate touching going on -- at least not that he noticed. Was there?

Trust, trust, trust,he reminds himself as he steps behind Josh, making him inch forward a little. "Go ahead," he encourages. "Pick out something you like. That one is full of Rack's own designs, and these are tribal --"

"Tribal," Josh says, his voice steady for once. "I'd like something tribal."

"Mmm." Rack looks noncommittal. "Armband, maybe? Something you can hide under your shirtsleeves?"

This is a challenge. Daniel can feel it, and he senses that Josh can, too. "You have a better idea?"

"Yeah. You need something that'll show. See, Daniel's told me all about you. With your permission, or so I hear. But you need something that'll show, tell the world you had something to commemorate."

Josh looks frustrated. "Outside of my face, there's no piece of me that can't be covered with clothes. And don't...don't even go there. I don't like metal near my eyes."

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"Hmm." Rack tilts his head to a side. "Tell you what, then. Not one piece, but three."

"Three?" Daniel blurts.

"Yeah. A tribal armband, sure, but then two small pieces of my choosing on your chest. Fair enough?"

Josh looks uncertain. "I don't...don't have that much money."

"On the house, mate." Rack waves a hand. "Welcome to the wild and crazy world of gay men, eh?"

Daniel's beginning to feel distinctly uncomfortable. "Josh, if you really don't want to do this..."

But no, Josh is stripping off his tour T-shirt. What's underneath is enough to make both Daniel and Rack stop and stare for a moment. Josh is ripped. He must still do the regulation exercises three times a day, or whenever he can find a few spare minutes. He might be meek, but with muscles like his he could rip either of them in half. His arms ripple and flex as he crosses them over his chest.

And he's got a few barbs of his own when he asks, "You like...like what you see?"

Rack stares for another few seconds, then grins. "So you've got the balls to match that brawn. And brains, too, I'd wager. Right, then. So you're ready to put yourself in my hands?"

"I hear they're...they're talented hands."

"Best on this tour," Rack says as a simple statement of fact. "I won't do you wrong. And I tell you what, we'll revise the offer a bit. You pay me say, twenty, and I'll do the armband plus a few piercings, and forget the chest pieces for now. Man like you ought to have a bit of tough metal hanging off him."

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The way metal and medal sound alike isn't lost on Daniel. He doesn't think it's lost on Josh, either, who turns slightly darker, but gives a curt nod. "I'm...I'm game."

"Then you're on." Rack pats the tattoo chair. "Hop on up. This arm work for your band?"

Josh gives a glance down. "Yeah, it's fine."

"Don't be too picky then, will you?" Rack shakes his hand. He reaches in a nearby bin for a purple surgical marker and begins sketching lines on Josh's bicep.

"That tickles. What are you doing?"

"Drawing me a pretty picture. See, lots of artists, they have to go by a stencil," Rack says, his natural personality effacing away into his usual still calm. "Me, I do all my artwork freehand, but I still like a bit of a guide. Don't want any lines going wonky."

Daniel stands back and watches. The design Rack is drawing looks fierce, all sharp edges and hard turns. Not the kind of thing he would have picked out for the quiet, gentle Josh, but with his shirt off it kind of matches. Josh is tougher than he appears at first glance.

Josh has his head turned so he can watch. Every now and then he gives a murmur of approval. Rack's eyes flick up at him, and he gives Josh a quick, tight smile. He likes it when someone approves of his own designs. This is one Daniel's never seen before, which means Rack is doing that weird aura thing of his, where he just reaches out into the ether and comes up with the perfect design. You can almost hear the puzzle pieces clicking into place.

It's almost a little too perfect.

After some adjusting -- they decide on the band being three-quarter length instead of circling all the way around -- Rack reaches for his ink and pours out three tiny caps of black. "No colors on this one," he says. "You ever decide you want anything else, we'll talk about shades. But a tribal like what we have here, it needs to be a good solid midnight color. Remind you that you're a warrior, eh?"

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Both Daniel and Josh flinch, but Josh recovers first. "Right," he says slowly, his eyes never leaving Rack as Rack readies his tattoo machine and puts on fresh rubber gloves. He breaks open a new needle and inserts it, then gives Josh's lower arm a brisk pat. "Ready, mate?"

"I'm not your mate. And I'm ready." Josh leans back, resting his head, but his jaw is clenched tight enough to break teeth. Daniel applauds the balls, but he's starting to question the wisdom of this little endeavor. Maybe he shouldn't have pushed Josh so hard.

Josh does flinch when the machine starts buzzing, and once again when it touches his skin, but aside from that he seems fine. Rack gets through the outline with no trouble at all. He stops. "Want to give it a few minutes before I start filling in the blanks?" he asks. "That's the worst part for a neophyte."

"I can...can take it," Josh says flatly. He glances down at his arm, and there's a flicker of something Daniel can't interpret in his eyes. It could be pride. "Go ahead and do what you're gonna do."

Rack's look is definitely pleased. "Right, then. But if you need a break --"

"I won't. Just...just go on and do it."

"Hey," Daniel says softly, coming up on Josh's other side. "Look, you don't have to be such a total tough guy, okay? Here, take my hand." Josh whips his head around and stares. "All I'm offering is something to hold on to. Seriously, take my hand and hang on. You've got the adrenaline, sure, but it does hurt like a bitch if you're not used to this."

Ever so slowly, Josh reaches up toward Daniel. The move seems harder than when Daniel was coaxing him into this, but he does take Daniel by the hand and begins to squeeze lightly as Rack starts the machine going again. His palm is warm and dry, his fingers long and nimble, and all in all he has a good hand to hold. Rack flicks a look at them, but then settles down to his work without a single word muttered in their direction.

Apparently it doesn't take as long as Josh was expecting, because he looks surprised when Rack takes the machine away and announces, "All done." He snaps off his gloves and throws them away, then

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reaches for a hand mirror. "Check yourself out, then, pet. Nice job. What d'you think?"

Josh looks down into the mirror, and slowly, slowly, begins to smile. "Fucking A," he says, surprising Daniel. It's the first time he's heard Josh curse. "Thanks, man. Th...thanks."

"My pleasure," Rack says. There's something new in his voice now, a sort of warmth. Daniel guesses he approves of how Josh took the tattoo like a man. "Now, piercings. Four of them, I think. We want both your nipples pierced, and your earlobes." He glances at Josh, eye to eye. "Titanium hoops through each of them. And if I hear you say one single word about the cost, so help me I'll make you eat one. You've been lookin' out for my boy, and I like to return a kindness if I can."

Josh looks like he does want to argue, but swallows hard and nods. "Do you want me to sit up?"

"If you would, yeah. Ta." Rack readies his needle and cork. "Hang on to Daniel's hand again. That's the way." He pinches Josh's nipple between two fingers. "Here we go..."

Josh doesn't make a move as the needle goes in, but does shudder when it comes back out again and Rack inserts the titanium ring, clicking it shut with a bead. He grips Daniel's hand a little tighter as Rack moves to the other nipple, and this time around his shiver is even more violent.

"You all right?" Rack asks. It's a routine question, but his voice is a little more personalized than usual. Daniel realizes with a slight shock that Rack actually cares, whereas with most customers it's just a courtesy thing and a chance to back out. "Good to do the ears now?"

Josh takes a deep breath, as if to steady himself, and nods. "Whenever you're ready."

"Think that's my line, pet." Rack stands to get a better angle on Josh's ears. He's taller than Rack, but not as tall as Daniel, kind of a nice in-between. Needle and cork are at the ready, and after a quick eyeball of how he has things lined up, Rack is driving the needle in.

Josh moans.

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The noise startles both Daniel and, apparently, Rack, who gives Josh a sharp look. "Sure you're all right?"

"Fi...fine." Josh clenches his jaw shut and grips Daniel's hand. Daniel squeezes back, concerned for his friend and totally what-the-fuck? confused about the whole undercurrent that's developing here.

Then Daniel looks down and realizes with a shock that, through the loose khaki pants Josh is wearing, he's hard. Josh moans again, the sound of a man who's being kissed instead of having metal driven through him, and it sends chills down Daniel's spine.

Josh, on the other hand, seems oblivious to his own erection. He reaches up to touch the hoop of metal through his right ear. Rack's there to gently swat his hand away. "Not until you wash those," he orders. "That's a fresh wound, that is."

"Battle scar," Josh whispers.

Rack gives him another dose of the Diamond Eye, but after a moment, nods. "Reckon it is at that. You did well, pet. Any time you want more, just ask Daniel here to give me the word, right, Dan?"

Daniel's having a hard time tearing his eyes away from Josh's fly, but manages to come back with a "Sure. You betcha."

"That's a love." Rack hesitates, then picks up Josh's other hand. His thumb makes a few small circles. "I was telling the truth there, you know. You did do well."

Josh grins shyly. "I bet you tell that to all the customers."

"Only the sexy ones," Rack says straight-faced. Daniel cracks up, and Josh laughs. It's a moment lifted right out of the tattoo parlor back home, except when Josh isn't looking but Daniel is, Rack gives him a slow wink with one eye. Then it's right back to what the fuck ?

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"Get on your way," Rack says, freeing his hand and giving Josh's thigh a light slap. "Go show that off to some of the lads still hanging about here. Bet they'll be proper appreciative."

Josh turns dark, dark red this time. He mumbles something Daniel can't understand and hops off the table. Still low-pitched, he offers his thanks and then takes off like a bat out of hell, leaving Daniel to stare after him.

"Oi!" Rack complains. "He shorted me the twenty. Dan, make him pay for your coffee from here on out."

"I don't think he meant to," Daniel says slowly. "I think he just realized he had a little... problem."

"Eh, not so little, if you ask me."

Daniel stares at Rack. "You noticed?"

Rack leans back in his chair and shrugs. "Kind of difficult not to. Notice I didn't use the word 'hard', if you please. So the lad gets off on a bit of pain. Not exactly what I expected, but then again, like calls to like. Only makes sense you'd gravitate toward someone with the same tastes."

Daniel isn't sure he likes the tone of Rack's voice. They're back on prickly and it's damned uncomfortable. "Yeah, I guess so." His voice sounds lame to him. He rubs the back of his neck. "You want to... finish up here, and head back to the suite?"

"Yeah, might as well." Rack's eyes are slightly unfocused, as if he's staring off into the distance.

"Gates of Hell," Daniel entices. For some reason, he's anxious to have all of Rack's attention focused on him just then. "My cock, all trussed up for you to do what you want with."

Ah-ha, those words bring Rack back around and he grins at Daniel, his most wicked look of all. "Well,

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what are you hanging about for, then? Get a move on and let's pack this stuff away. One more day in Dallas, and I mean to go out and taste a bit of the nightlife. Might even dance a few songs away. But that," he says, standing up and twining his arms around Daniel, "is after we take our stroll through Hell. Get me?"

"Oh, I got you." Daniel puts his own arms around Rack's waist and bends his head for a good, raunchy kiss. By the time they're done thrusting tongues into one another's mouths, Josh's isn't the only hard-on that's graced this booth tonight.

"Upstairs," he says with his own attempt at the naughty smile. It must pass muster, because Rack's eyes go dark with lust and he gyrates against Daniel.

"Upstairs," he agrees. Then, with a wink, he adds: "Race you."

Chapter Four

When they make love that night, it's a little... different. Almost angry. Although what they're "fighting" about, Daniel couldn't say. He just knows that from the second they got off the elevator to the moment they entered their suite, the air between he and Rack was charged with something almost electric, like the great outdoors right before a hell of a storm.

Daniel's just locking the door behind them when he's assaulted from behind by Hurricane Rack, who's all over him as if it's been days, weeks, years since they touched and he can't wait another second to get his hands on Daniel's skin. He's got one hand up Daniel's back and another down his pants, groping at his ass, before Daniel's hand has even left the doorknob.

"Hey, tiger, take it easy," he tries to say, worming his way around, but that almost feels like a mistake when Rack seizes his face between two hands and kisses him hard, almost angrily, thrusting his tongue into Daniel's mouth like a little spear.

That gets Daniel's blood hot and racing. He doesn't understand this mood swing on Rack's behalf, but damned if he's not going to take advantage of it. He grabs Rack back, and with a firm ass cheek in either hand pushes them backward in the direction of the bed.

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Rack fights back. He has his hand down the front of Daniel's jeans now, grasping at the metal-pierced cock and squeezing it, making it grow into a monster that wants to get free. He laughs into Daniel's mouth, a rough and almost primal sound, like a wild animal claiming its mate.

Oh, so that's how you want to play, is it?Daniel retaliates, dueling against Rack's tongue with his own. He pushes his hand down the front of Rack's pants, gripping his cock hard and feeling the metal cold in his hand while the rest of Rack is hot and already hard enough to hammer nails. And he knows from nails and hammers.

"Rack," he tries to say between kisses. "Bed. Nice soft bed over there. How about we go and-"

Rack shuts him up with another kiss, savage as before, pawing at Daniel like he's the last chunk of meat at a carnage. He's smaller, but he's a force of nature, and he backs Daniel up against the wall easily, as if he were twice Daniel’s size. "No," he rasps, the cigarette habit coming out in his voice. "Like this. Like the first time. Turn around, you. Want to see that gorgeous ass all spread out just for me."

Daniel finds himself being manhandled until his face is against the wall, his hands flying up to brace against the impact. Rack isn't in any mood to be gentle or to wait, which makes Daniel just about panic. "Lube," he pleads, hoping Rack will at least listen to him on that count. "If you've gotta, I'm here for you, but for God's sake slick yourself up."

He hears Rack spitting on his hand, and guesses that's as good as it's going to get. Then he knows it for sure because Rack is unzipping him and shoving his jeans down to around his knees. His lover's cock, bristling with metal, chafes against the seam of his ass.

"Don't try an' tell me you don't love this," Rack hisses in Daniel's ear. "You fell for me the first time I took you this way, rough and hard and fast, right over the counters you were building with your own two hands. And I'm goin' to remind you about it now."

"Don’t need any reminders," Daniel says as Rack presses against him, his saliva-covered cock pressing against Daniel's unprepared hole. Not like he can't take Rack on and take him in after all this time together, but he likes a little TLC, you know?

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"Hell with bein' gentle," Rack growls, and pushes his cock against Daniel's entrance. Daniel feels his muscles twitch and jump, letting Rack in, and immediately stops caring about "careful" and "easy" because fuck, this is good. The rough thrusting, the grunting and the way he clenches his teeth all take him back to that first day in the unfinished tattoo parlor.

He lets out a deep groan as Rack pushes into him time and again, the metal scraping his soft inner tissues until they're flaming sore, but begging for Rack to do it again, again, again. As if he's not satisfied with just plain fucking, Rack takes it one step further -- he snarls and bites at Daniel's shoulder, almost but not quite breaking the skin.

Daniel keens and throws his head back. God almighty, that's hot! "Rack...me," he manages to get out, wondering if he'll be heard or heeded. But no, Rack's reaching around to grab ahold of Daniel's cock, stripping it up and down, ruthless in his urge to get Daniel off as fast as possible.

This time, Daniel yells.

Rack claws down Daniel's back, his fingernails scoring the skin. He lets out a sound that's part cats on a back fence and part junkyard dog, and comes in hot, heavy spurts deep inside Daniel's ass, so deep Daniel can almost taste it on his tongue. He's still reeling from the sensation when Rack does something with his hand that should be illegal and his own orgasm hits him like a fist in the gut, knocking the wind out of his lungs and sending him down to his knees.

Luckily for Rack's cock, he's there to follow Daniel every inch of the way, sliding out and catching Daniel in his arms as he crumbles into a crouch on the floor.

They're still for a minute, breathing heavily and harshly. Finally Daniel turns around, knowing his eyes are blazing, and says, "Jesus fuck , Rack, what the hell was that all about?"

Rack's eyes are a little crazed. He's patting down Daniel's back. "Didn't hurt you, did I? Didn't hurt you..."

"No. I'm okay. But Rack, come on. You were suddenly possessed by an incubus or what?" Daniel tries getting his legs to work. They wobble like jelly, he came so hard, and he's there to tell anyone who asks that the wall is never going to be the same again. Some things just leave a stain that no amount of elbow grease will remove.

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"Just... wanted to claim you, is all." Rack's shaking. "Didn't hurt you."

"No. No, see? I'm fine."

"Good," Rack mumbles. He lets go of Daniel, standing up on wobbly legs. His own jeans are down around mid-thigh. He shoves and kicks until they're off completely. He should look ridiculous with a bare ass and a leather vest, but from Daniel's point of view he's fucking edible. Even if he has suddenly gone crazy.

If he had to go, though, Daniel's glad Rack dragged him along for the ride. He still feels like he's made of jelly as he stands up and divests himself of his own jeans. He takes his royal purple wifebeater off as well and throws it in a corner.

Naked and semi-naked, they face each other down.

Rack is the one to give first, rubbing a hand across his face. "Let's go to bed, yeah?" he suggests. "I'm all in."

Daniel gives a weary nod. They make for the queen-sized, overstuffed piece of luxury, neatly made up with clean sheets and turned down at the corners. By some unspoken agreement, Daniel goes to one side and Rack to the other. They crawl underneath the covers and lie there.

Rack sits up, curses, and takes his vest off. It hits the wall when he throws it.

Daniel's not sure what to make of him. He's seen this side of Rack before, the crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon aspect of his personality, but he doesn't know what brought it out.

Well... maybe he knows who.

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"Rack," he whispers, turning on his side. "Josh isn't... I don't... I'm yours, okay? You don't have to worry."

Rack lets out a long breath as he lies back down. "I know, pet. I do." He doesn't apologize for taking Daniel like an animal, and frankly, Daniel doesn't want him to. He enjoyed every second of that fuck, and he kind of wishes they could do it all over again.

Maybe they've gotten too cozy lately. Could be the stress of the trip, or the whole honeymoon glow. But there was fire in Rack's cock tonight, and he let Daniel have the full blast of his personality force.

They lie there in silence until Rack reaches up to click the lights off. The night's still young, but Daniel's exhausted all of a sudden. He isn't sure whether to touch Rack or not, and eventually ends up with the compromise of reaching out for the man's tattooed hand with his own.

Rack grips back. He doesn't say anything, and that's fine. Daniel's comforted just by the touch.

It's not until he's almost asleep that he realizes -- Rack didn't say that he was Daniel's. And that thought keeps him awake longer than he'd like, long past the time when Rack's breathing has evened out into light snores.

The tattooed ring on his finger seems to tingle. What this all means, Daniel doesn't know. But he has a feeling that this was just the first wave of the hurricane.

The eye of the storm is still ahead.

Chapter Five

When Daniel wakes up, things are already starting to shake loose. He reaches over for Rack out of sheer habit, and finds only cool sheets. No mouthy, pierced punk to be found in their bed. He panics for a second, then fumbles his way around, grabs his glasses, and shoves them on.

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A quick sweep of the room finds Rack sitting in the window seat again. Daniel relaxes, letting out a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding, and leans back against his pillow. God, but Rack is enough to take his breath away. He's dressed in the robe and boxers again, sexy as a fallen angel. Smoke drifts and curls away from a cigarette he holds loosely in his left hand, as if he's forgotten he's holding it.

"Rack," Daniel says quietly. "What are you up to?"

"Mmm? Oh -- just thinkin' is all, pet." Rack lifts the cigarette to his mouth and takes in a drag. A column of ash falls on his thigh, and he wipes it away with a short, annoyed-looking flick. There goes the carpet as well as the wallpaper. Daniel hopes they don't get angry letters from the hotel about the wreck they've made of this admittedly very nice suite.

Daniel leans up on one arm. He wants to go join Rack, but for some reason he's holding back. That troubles him as much as Rack's slightly distant air. Usually Rack's only this absent when he's working on a tattoo, and that's because he has something that's absorbed his whole attention.

Daniel pushes a little. "Thinking about what?"

Another drag. "This and that," Rack says, the smoke escaping his mouth in a white puff of vapor. "That and this."

"Anything I need to be worried about?"

"Dunno." Another puff. "Maybe. Could be nothing."

Daniel's getting worried now. He sits up, sliding his legs over the edge of the bed. "Are you still upset about last night? 'Cause I'm here to tell you that although I may be walking funny for half of the morning, that was one spectacular fuck."

A half-grin lifts the corner of Rack's mouth. "Was good for me too, love."

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Petand love . Rack's endearments. Things can't be too bad if he's still treating Daniel as a lover and a partner. Daniel chances getting up and crossing over to Rack, kneeling beside him.

Rack's grin widens. "There's room up here for two, you know." He scoots forward, crossing his legs.

"Are you sure?"

"Might have to wedge ourselves in a bit, but come on. I've an itch to feel you solid behind me."

Daniel isn't at all sure that they will fit, but what the hell? He gets up and tries getting into the window seat. Awkward as fuck, but he finally manages to get behind Rack and stretch his legs on both sides. Rack gives a contented sigh and leans back, resting against Daniel's chest. Daniel hides his own sound of relief and wraps his arm around Rack's waist, holding him close.

Rack is still for a moment, then chuckles. "Been a while since we've done it like that, fast and furious," he says. "Fancy having another go?"

"Yeah, I do. Maybe not this morning..."

"Oi, I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"What? No, no. I'm a little sore, but that's all." Daniel gives Rack a light squeeze. "This is gonna sound like a cliché, but you were an animal last night. That's the kind of fuck that goes down in record books."

"Mmm. Glad you were pleased. Enjoyed myself, too." Rack takes the last possible puff of his cigarette, and reaches down for an ashtray tucked between his knees. After staring at the cherry, though, he picks up his pack and uses the dog-end to light a fresh one. The smell of tar and nicotine fill the air around them. Daniel would cough, but he keeps it swallowed down even though his throat tickles.

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They sit in silence for a long minute. "This isn't about Josh, you know," Rack says so abruptly that Daniel knows he's lying, or at least not telling the whole truth. "You've found a friend and that's good, yeah? He's not such a bad type from what I can tell. Took to that ink and punch like a pro."

Which are big selling points to Rack, Daniel knows. He holds Rack closer. "I figured it upset you when he got hard."

"Eh." Rack waves that aside. "Happens to more men than you'd think. Some of them notice, some don't."

"Does anyone ever ask..."

He gets a disgusted snort. "'Course they do. The gay ones, anyhow. But I always tell 'em no. I've got me a man, and I don't plan to stray."

That knowledge comforts Daniel more than he could say. "Same here," is what he manages, raising his chin so that Rack's head fits underneath it. "I'm just..."

"Worried for your pal?"

"How can I not be? He trusts me enough to come out. And for a guy like him, who jumps at every sudden sound, that's a big deal. And he trusted you enough to let you get in close and personal. I don't think he's just my problem, Rack. I think this is big enough for both of us now."

"Could be you're right." Rack smokes for a few minutes. Daniel lets him, just waiting in the silence to see what'll happen next. He is, however, surprised by what does come out of Rack's mouth. "Good thing you woke up, then. I invited him by for breakfast."

"You -- what? Rack, hey now." Daniel's more or less trapped, inhibiting his body movement, or he would have jumped up in surprise. Rack's cool hand comes to rest on his knee.

"Take it easy, pet. Just figured it'd be the kind thing to do. Let him see us both together, in our element,

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and he won't be getting' ideas about one or the other."

"Ideas? Oh, God, Rack, that's ridiculous. Josh knows we're an item. He wouldn't try to come between us. The guy can hardly say boo to a goose." He pauses. "Isn't that an English expression? Why would anyone walk up and say boo to a goose, anyway?"

"Got me, love. What's the time?"

Daniel shakes his head in exasperation, but he does check. "Quarter to eight. Do I at least have time to get dressed?"

"Hmm." He can all but hear Rack's wicked grin in his voice. "Might be better if you didn't. Then I can hump you in front of him and really drive my point home."

What's disturbing is that Daniel finds this more enticing than not. "Get up, smoke boy. If Josh is coming by, I'm going to be decently dressed, anyway. Did you order room service?"

"Yeah, while you were asleep. Should be here any minute. No worries about your maidenly virtue. If you're still starkers when the food comes, you can hide inside the bathroom." He chuckles as Daniel pushes at him, and pushes right back, his ass against Daniel's groin. The morning half-wood that Daniel woke with starts turning into a full frontal redwood.

"Oh, now that's not playing fair."

"Whoever said I was fair?" Rack does push Daniel's leg aside and crawl down then. "There. Now you can just go without satisfaction until we're done sharing pancakes with this bloke, eh?"

"You asshole, you did that on purpose," Daniel accuses me. "You want me to have an erection when Josh comes over."

"You bet." Rack is heading for his suitcase. He bends over, enticing ass in the air, and digs for something. "An' I want him to know that it's all for me. We clear on that?"

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Daniel gazes down at his aching cock and gives a long sigh. "There's no chance we could, real quick..."

"Nope, none at all." Rack straightens up. His hands are full of something soft and silky in a rich ivory. He tosses the fabric at Daniel, who just manages to pull off a catch. He unfolds the cloth to find an outfit that matches Rack's -- boxers and robe. "You want the chains, too?"

"Rack." Daniel stands up and heads for his suitcase, to hunt for a pair of jeans. "This is ridiculous. I'm not going to look like a pornographic Bobbsey twin just to prove a point to Josh."

"Dan." The tone in Rack's voice, quiet and as close to serious as he gets, stops Daniel in his hunt. "For me. Please."

Daniel weighs the handful of creamy silk in his hands. He'd be a complete bastard to deny Rack, wouldn't he? "All right," he says with a sigh. "But we're going to look like we fell off a really gay, X-rated wedding cake."

A bit of Rack's grin returns to his face. "Well, that's the point, innit? Besides, you'll look a treat all done up in ivory, next to my red. Red! That's the color we should do next on your arm tattoo."

Those words are music to Daniel's ears. "Yeah? When can we do it?"

Rack seizes Daniel by the waist for a little raunchy bump-and-grind. "Any time you like," he says, deliberately misunderstanding. "Right in front of the room service lad, if you like. In front of Josh."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Daniel pulls back. "I meant the tattoo."

"Yeah, that. When we hit the next convention, I reckon. You should be healed up enough for me to start in on you as our kickoff demonstration." Rack gestured at the red. "Go on and get your kit on, then, or you'll be bollocks to the wind when our breakfast shows up."

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Rack's mood is changing faster than the colors on a strobe light, and Daniel's not sure if he can keep up. Stepping into the way-too-short shorts, he pulls them up to his waist, and gazes ruefully at his erection. For the first time since he's met Rack, he's willing himself to go soft. Maybe if he belts the robe... damn. The thing doesn't have a belt. "A really pornographic wedding cake," he repeats, letting the robe hang open.

"Then I want a slice." Rack sidles in for a kiss, which Daniel can't help giving him, deep and wet and hot. While their lips are still fastened together, they hear a knock on the door. It's a businesslike kind of sound, so Daniel guesses that it's probably their breakfast.

"You go answer that," he orders, stepping behind the bathroom door. "I'm not about to show off the goodies to some random bellhop."

"Isn't bellhops who deliver food," Rack shoots back, but thank God, he's heading for the door, snatching up some money from the dresser along the way. He flings open the door -- and there's silence. It goes on for a few beats, long enough for Daniel to get curious and peek around to see what's going on.

The room service guy is standing there staring, with a rolling tray in front of him covered in silver-domed dishes and a couple pitchers. One of them smells like dark, rich coffee, making Daniel's mouth water.

But behind him, there's Josh, looking embarrassed as hell, twisting his hands together. Rack has him in some kind of eye-lock, and Daniel knows he's going to be measuring Josh, weighing him in the balance. It's a hell of a look to have thrown at you early in the morning. Not exactly fair to Josh.

He steps out, holding his robe closed in lieu of a tie. "Come on in, both of you," he directs. "The food can go on that table over there. Josh, take a seat."

Neither the room service guy or Josh seem to know quite what to do, even when directed, but room service wins out over Josh when it comes to courage and brings his cart rattling into the room. If he takes a slight, alarmed glance at the mess, well, that's his business. They'll sort everything out with Housekeeping later.

Josh steps in behind him, looking down for the most part. Rack doesn't exactly get out of either man's way, so they have to dodge past him. Josh takes a seat at the table, still looking down. The room service guy hesitates, and then says, "Keep the cart. When you're done, just leave it outside for us to pick back up."

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"Ta ever so. Here, this is all a tip for you. Put the food itself on our tab."

The words earn him some startled but appreciative thanks, which Rack waves aside. "Go on, then. Sure you've got other deliveries to make. We're a hungry lot, we conventioneers." Daniel gets a look at his smile, which is almost feral. "Hurry it up, now. We want to dig on in."

Room Service makes an abrupt about-face and marches out, stuffing the money in his pocket. "Thank you," he calls over his shoulder.

"No problem." Rack reaches for the first pitcher on the cart plus a mug, and pours out a dose of what looks like really strong, high-octane coffee. "Dan, you want some? Josh?"

Josh shakes his head. "Nothing for me, thanks."

"I want some." Still trying to hold his robe closed, Daniel pads over on his bare feet and takes one of the remaining chairs. He grabs a cup and holds it out to Rack. "Fill it up to the top?"

"'Course, pet. Cream and sugar?"

"Just black, thanks." Sitting down, Daniel crosses one leg over the other and feels suddenly so much better about himself. He gives Josh an encouraging smile. "You sure you don't want some? I know you've got a java habit as bad as my own, and this smells like the good stuff."

Josh murmurs something and shakes his head. "Your loss," Daniel warns him before taking that first rich, delicious sip. It goes down like molten lava, warming his stomach and radiating out through his skin. "God, that is the best."

"Right. Coffee's good, we've got orange juice and pancakes, even a couple of muffins and such." Rack sits down with a thump. "But that's not really why we're here, is it?" He lets his legs fall open, spreading them wide. "We're goin' to talk about you and the interest you've taken in my boy."

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Josh turns a darker shade of red. "I wasn't -- I mean, I didn't-- "

Rack pours himself some juice. "Go on."

"It's not like that." Josh looks up at last. "I'm not trying to steal Daniel from you. What happened last night just... happened. I didn't know I would... I mean… I...I don't usually--"

"Josh, it's okay," Daniel says.

"Hell if it is," Rack snaps. "Look here, you. I've been tryin' to figure you out since New York, and bugger me if I can understand where you're comin' from or why you're along for this ride. Only reason I can think of is you've fallen for what belongs to me."

"Daniel, I didn't. I...I swear." Josh turns pleading eyes on him. "It's not like...like -- God, if I could just finish a sentence, I could explain!"

Daniel sits back and waits. He's had to do this a time or two before when Josh has gotten rattled. Rack seems like he's willing to wait all day, so long as he gets the answers he wants. He drinks some of his juice but doesn't take the laser gaze off Josh, not giving him any quarter.

"I...I don't know where to start," Josh says after the pause has dragged on way too long to be comfortable. "Rack can...can I just say what's on my mind?"

Rack has his Diamond Eyes aimed at Josh. "Wish you would, mate." He takes a measured sip of juice. "Go on, then."

Josh takes in a deep breath. "I know Daniel told...told you that I came out to him. Right?"

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"He mentioned somethin' along those lines."

"Look, this isn't...isn't easy for me, all...all right?" Josh rubs a hand across the remains of his crew cut. He's getting to where he needs a real trim now, or some kind of shape to his hair. As it is, he looks like he's going bald in reverse. Not the best look a guy can have, but Daniel hasn't mentioned it because this is Josh, and you don't just come out and criticize him. The guy's been through enough. Pushing him to get a tattoo was... well, it was different.

"Go on," Daniel encourages, getting himself a dose of the stare for his pains. He's the first to look away, taking a drink of his coffee. He can smell pancakes and warm maple syrup, just getting cold, and he wishes that this were all over with. "Josh," he risks, "you don't have to be worried. Just talk to Rack, and we'll have breakfast. Okay?"

Josh nods. His hands work against one another like he's got worry beads between his palms. "Rack, you think I want Daniel. Want him, want him."

"I do."

"Well, okay. You're...you're right." Josh makes a "hold on" gesture. "But it's not just him. I see the two of you together, and I think...I think that this is what perfection is. And God, I've been so long without anything good in my life that I can't help but want some of it for myself. You don't know what it was like over there. The noise, the smells, the sounds... it's hell." He swallows. "So I come back over here and the first thing I do is something crazy, something to prove that I'm not as much of a mess as they tell me I am. And...and I see the two of you. I see you. And I can't help but want some of it for myself." He spreads his hands wide. "I want you, Daniel. But I want you, too, Rack. Both of you."

Daniel doesn't know what to say. He feels like he's been sucker-punched. But Rack, he isn't looking surprised. He takes another sip of his juice, and says, "Thought so."

"What the hell do you mean, you thought so?" Daniel snaps, turning on him. "You thought so, and you didn't tell me?"

"Hush, Daniel. I think Josh knows this is between me an' him, isn't it?"

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"I would never take what's yours. And I wouldn't steal what belongs to Daniel." Josh looks helpless. "But this is all so...so new to me. You know? I've never even...never even--"

"Done this?" And before Daniel can say anything, Rack's leaned forward and caught Josh by the chin, pressing him into a hard kiss. Daniel gapes as Josh stiffens, then moans softly and starts kissing back.

Rack pulls away. "I've heard you out," he says, measured. "Me an' Daniel, we have to talk now. Unless you fancy a cold waffle, I'd suggest you be on your way."

Josh is the color of a brick as he stands up. "Daniel, fuck, I am so sorry--"

Daniel's too numb to say anything. He shakes his head, mute.

"Don't be...be mad at me. Please?" Josh turns his eyes to Rack. "I didn't mean to...to ruin things."

"Not saying they are." Rack licks his lips thoughtfully. "Move on, if you would. My boy and I need some time to talk."

Josh ducks his head and gets up, making for the door. Neither Rack or Daniel say a word until it clicks shut behind him. And even then, Daniel doesn't know what to say.

"Well, pet?" Rack asks quietly. "What do you think?"

"I don't know what to think," Daniel answers, honest as he can be while still in shock. "You kissed him."

"I did. To show him what it was like. I'm surprised you never kissed him before. I kept waitin' for you to tell me that you'd gone and done it."

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"Betray you? Rack, I'd never."

"Yeah. Figured that out for myself." Rack puts down his juice. "What this Josh of yours is askin' is for us to break him in, gentle-like. And we can say yes, or we can say no. Choice is up to you. But you know this, and know it for damn certain -- I'm not about to toss you over for him. And I reckon the same is true of you. Which makes the question: do we let him in, for a little while, and show him what all of this is about?"

Daniel's mouth opens and closes. "You'd let someone else in."

"For a time. If you were willing." Rack sits back. "Like I said, up to you. An' I think I know what your answer will be, if you just give yourself time to think about things."

Rack stands, then, the old spring back in his step. "I'm gonna get dressed in something proper," he says. "Then we've got to go down and dismantle the stand, get it ready for the movers. Grab a bite of muffin or something, get your kit on, and come downstairs when you're able to." He pauses, then leans down to kiss Daniel hard, rough as last night and when they first met. "You're still mine," he growls. "Don't be thinkin' that I'm casting you aside. I know what you're thinkin', and stop right there. You belong to me . Nothing's changed there. Just... maybe we'll share for a bit."

"I thought you didn't even like Josh."

"Like's got nothin' to do with it," Rack answers cryptically. He starts hunting in his luggage for a clean pair of jeans and a working T-shirt. "You take all the time you like, then. I'm gonna get a move on."

He does, leaving Daniel there with his mind spinning in a hundred different directions and his stomach churning. He belongs to Rack, but Rack wants to share? What the hell does this all mean for their commitment? Till death do us part, except when someone decides to have a little on the side? And why the fuck didn't Josh ever say anything before? Why'd he start now?

Daniel feels himself getting angry. The hell if he'll sit still for this.

The hell if he will.

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To Be Continued In "Stranger Things Have Happened: Denver" coming soon from Torquere Press Stranger Things Have Happened: Dallas

Copyright © 2007 by Willa Okati

All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680

Printed in the United States of America.

Torquere Press, Inc.: Single Shot electronic edition / April 2007

Torquere Press eBooks are published by Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680

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