"No! It burns!" Maddox's thrashing and whimpering jolted me out of my sleep. Maddox was clenching and unclenching his gloved hand. Seriously, in all the commotion, how was he still wearing that glove?

A hand caught me in the chin and I flinched back, rubbing the offended skin. Sweat slickened Maddox's forehead, eyes clenched shut, sheets tangled around as he continued to go on about how it burned. Whatever 'it' was.

Seeing an opportunity, I pounced. Wrapping my arms around Maddox, I gritted my teeth as I restrained Maddox's flailing arms. He continued to shake his head and mutter, but at least I didn't have to worry about another fist to the face.

"Shh, shh. You're not alone. I've got you." Nuzzling his neck, I breathed out a sigh of relief as Maddox collapsed in my arms.

His body shook slightly, but was calm. Gently nudging Maddox to face me, I cupped his cheek as his glassy eyes stared unseeingly at me. Almost like he was still trapped inside whatever nightmare had held him in it's grip.

Maddox's left hand fiercely gripped my hand. It seemed to center Maddox, and clarity returned to his eyes. Laying on our sides, we stared at each other. A little bubble surrounded us in a moment.

Our moment.

An unnamed emotion flickered between us. It wasn't just desire and lust, it was something more. Something deeper.

Maddox's head shifted forward. Before I knew it, his lips lightly touched mine. Shock rendered me still. Was this really happening?

Just as quickly as it began, Maddox pulled back. Giving me a tremulous smile, he shifted away from me. In the silence, I could tell when his breathing evened out and he fell asleep.

Lightly touching my lips, I turned onto my back with a smile.

••••••••••••••••

It hurt. It fucking hurt.

Rolling my shoulder, I grunted as pain seared through me. The memory of the thrashing I had done last night sent a fresh wave of pain rolling over me. My shoulder throbbed, but the emotional pain of the memory cut far deeper.

Lifting my good arm to attempt rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I discovered Austin curled around my left side. His hair fanned out around him, almost like a halo. Except for the red tint to his hair, I'd say Austin looked angelic in his sleep.

A sense of rightness permeated my body. A light, airy feeling. Seeing Austin peacefully asleep in my bed just felt...right. While staring at Austin, my lips tingled as I remembered how I had kissed him last night.

I groaned inwardly. Oh God. The medicine and pain had left me weak and unable to fight the desire that had been steadily growing inside me.

But I hadn't done it for desire. I had kissed Austin because any type of contact with the younger man soothed my emotional wounds.

Austin snuggled closer into my side, the blankets slipping down to reveal his creamy shoulders. My cock jumped. I had been too out of it last night to recall my order to Austin.

But now I remembered, and so did my cock.

Carefully pulling my arm free, I lightly skimmed my fingers over that smooth skin. Austin breathed out a small moan. I shifted. My balls felt heavy with need, my cock stiff and pulsing.

Unknowingly, my frustration had travelled to my hand where it gripped Austin's shoulder. Austin stirred, and I pulled my hand back. The silk sheets bunching around his waist as Austin shifted revealed a little tent

Despite the rationalization that his semi was because of my ministrations, a surge of jealousy washed over me.

Just as strong and hot as the jealousy flared, as did my anger at said jealousy. Stiffly shoving into a sitting position, I groaned as my weary body wobbled slightly on my feet.

A chill coursed through me, deflating my hard on. Realizing I only wore a pair of thin boxers and my glove....

My glove. A burst of panic threatened to overwhelm me. Tamping it down with a deep breath, I regained control. Austin hadn't seen.

My chest heaved with the emotion I forced deep inside, under lock and key. It was bad enough Austin had been witness to one of my nightmares, I didn't need him to see my palm.

Some part of me balked at Austin ever seeing the real monster inside, the one I hid behind the barrel of a gun.