Share "You should perhaps not train tomorrow."
Terry gazed up at Jaeger from one eye; the other was swollen shut. Since Dik Dik had left the Texan's heart simply hadn't been in his sparring sessions, and today Kevin Mask had pounded him into the mat. Not maliciously, he'd just been annoyed that Terry wasn't proving much of an opponent…
"Ah'm OK."
"Sure you are." The German wiped an antiseptic-soaked pad over a long, deep scratch somewhat less than gently, and Terry winced.
"Ow! Can't yew be more careful?"
Jaeger planted his fists on his hips and glowered.
"Ja, I could be, but do you deserve it?"
Terry scowled.
"Yew gonna make me suffer much longer?"
"It is not I who makes you suffer..."
"OK, Ah know it was ma own fault. Yew don' need ta rub it in."
Jaeger suddenly grinned and straddled the Texan's waist, earning himself a gasp, then leaned down to brush his lips over Terry's mouth.
"Then how about you do a little… rubbing…?"
The Texan groaned. He was aching all over - but it had been two days since he'd last fucked anyone and he was getting twitchy. Pushing aside his feeling of guilt - in a moment of self-castigating madness he'd promised himself he'd stay celibate until they had Dik Dik back - he grabbed Jaeger's hair and pulled him down for a proper kiss, the ache in his groin almost painful.
"Aw heck… Jaeger…"
"Ja, cowboy?"
"Kin Ah…" He bucked his hips suggestively.
"And vhat if I vant to be on top for a change?"
Terry glowered up at him, then flipped them both over so he was astride the German, holding his wrists down on the bed.
"Ah don't think so."
Jaeger's legs whipped up and around the Texan's shoulders, pulling him back and slapping him to the mattress in a perfect reversal, then grinning down.
"Ja, I think so…"
"Yew wanna wrestle or fuck…?" Terry slapped his hand over his mouth, shocking himself with his language and giving Jaeger the opportunity to pin him down, one hand unzipping his trousers and easing inside to squeeze his rigid cock.
The Texan cried out, body arching upwards.
"Jaeger!"
The German gave him an evil grin.
"You vant something, cowboy?"
Growling, Terry struggled to reverse their positions, half-heartedly headbutting Jaeger when the German refused to budge and following up with a twist, forcing Jaeger underneath him.
The German went limp.
"Ach, Terry… you haf defeated me… take me!"
The Texan stared - then chuckled and ruffled Jaeger's thick mop of hair.
"Yew tease…"
"But nein! I vant you to fuck me."
Jaeger smirked wickedly, and Terry grinned.
"Better git these clothes off then, ain't we?"Moments later, naked, aroused, they were writhing on the bed, Terry gritting his teeth and trying not to come as Jaeger sucked his cock deeply into a hot throat, laving it thoroughly with saliva, then rolling over and spreading his legs widely. The Texan quickly positioned himself and rammed roughly into the German's body, grunting with the effort as Jaeger bit back a cry of pain…
… which subsided into pleasure as Terry began to fuck him, very hard and very fast, each stroke of the thick cock pummelling his prostate, the Texan's hands gripping his hips. Jaeger groaned, his own hands reaching for his aching erection. Terry slapped them away - then wrapped one of his own hands around the twitching dick, squeezing and pumping roughly, grinning as Jaeger's eyes closed and his back arched into the twin thrusts of hand outside and cock inside…
He cried out as he came, semen pulsing over Terry's fist, rectal muscles clenching, spurring the Texan's own climax. Terry shoved into him powerfully and held still, head flung back as he jetted into the hot tight channel, then collapsing forwards onto his partner.
"Aw… hell… Jaeger…"
"Vas gut, ja?"
"Ya, it was very good…" He winced, his body complaining about the harsh treatment he'd received in the ring earlier, then chuckled. He'd completely forgotten about it while he was inside Jaeger. He slid out wetly and rolled to the side, carefully stretching aching legs, and flung an arm over the German's chest. Jaeger rolled his head to the side and regarded his partner from under his thick blond mane.
"Danke."
"Y'r welcome…"
He sighed, and Jaeger stroked his face.
"Is not the same vithout him, is it?"
"Naw… What d'yew think he'd like?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if we're gonna… court him, what d'yew think he'd like? As a present, kinda."
Jaeger frowned pensively - then grinned.
"A teddy bear."
Terry's jaw dropped.
"Say whut?!"
Jaeger smirked.
"A teddy bear. I vill bet he has neffer had vun. Und all kinder should haf a teddy bear."
Terry was about to protest - but the more he thought about it, the cuter it seemed. And Dik Dik had always insisted he was the cute one of them all.
"Ah think that'd be jest perfect."
Jaeger tweaked his cock.
"Then shall ve shower and go hunting bear?"
Terry licked his lips, heat building in his groin as he grew erect again.
"We got plenty o' time…"
Jaeger grinned and rolled onto his hands and knees, thighs wide apart, smouldering at the Texan over his shoulder.
"So vhat are you vaiting for…?"
Growling, Terry crouched over the German's back and sank into the hot, slippery channel, ramming into him again, hands fondling Jaeger's balls and cock…Checkmate ran his palms down Dik Dik's chest, thumbs smoothing along the muscle of abdomen and hip, then stroked the rigid column of pale flesh jutting from his groin. The buck shuddered, his head rolling back as he came for the third time, still straddling the chessmaster's hips and impaled on his erection.
"Sweet creature."
Dik Dik slumped forwards, panting, and smiled down into tender turquoise eyes.
"Checkmate…"
The chessmaster pulled him down, kissing him gently, one arm across broad, soft-pelted shoulders, the other hand fondling his tail, hips curling upwards, heavy penis sliding deeply into the buck's body as Dik Dik gasped and clung to him.
"Sweet-hart… Thou dost me such honour…"
He shuddered as he came, pressed tightly to the buck, Dik Dik climaxing again, whimpering against Checkmate's neck. It was several minutes before either could summon the energy to speak. Then the chessmaster sighed and stroked his partner's neck.
"Art thou happy?"
Dik Dik nodded, eyes closing. Checkmate chuckled.
"I, also. But though t'would be most excellent to lie abed, we should eat…"
Dik Dik wriggled sleepily as the lax cock slipped from him, trailing stickiness in its wake.
"Mmmm… In a minute…"
"And thou should'st take a shower."
The buck blinked and raised his head, expression faintly indignant.
"You need one too." He lifted his body a little, wincing at the sticky schlurping noise that emanated from between their bodies where his semen had liberally coated their skin. Checkmate laughed.
"I cannot deny it! But must needs replace the pieces 'fore I shower."
Dik Dik sighed. Leaving the chesspieces off his shoulders had meant that firstly, Checkmate was in constant pain, secondly, that he had to remain lying on his back when they made love, because any stress at all on his shoulders - such as supporting himself on his arms - made them bleed copiously, and thirdly, that they couldn't shower together, though this latter didn't change even when he wore them: the pieces were bulky and got in the way, not to mention the strange things they did to the water flow! But Checkmate had so far refused to leave them on when they were in bed, saying they were an encumbrance he did not want.
The buck eased himself up to straddle the chessmaster's waist, then climbed lithely off the bed - leaning back to kiss his partner.
"Thank you."
Checkmate blinked.
"For what?"
"For… for being my knight. My rescuer."
The chessmaster stared for a moment - then blushed and averted his eyes.
"Nay, 'tis I should thank thee, Master Dik Dik - for the joy thou hast given me."
Close to tears, Dik Dik swallowed and offered a hand: Checkmate held it gently and rose gingerly to his feet. Thin trickles of blood discoloured his shoulders, and the buck frowned.
"I wish there was something we could do about that…"
Checkmate smiled but remained silent, wishing the same himself…Dik Dik had quickly showered by the time the chessmaster was ready for the bathroom, and rang room service for their usual breakfast while Checkmate used the shower - realising as he did so how it had become such a comfortable, comforting routine in such a very short space of time. Positively homely!
And it felt very, very nice.
However, he still had to face Terry and Jaeger…
He didn't want to. Well, yes, he did - his sense of honour and fairness wouldn't let him get away with not being honest with his friends for long - but he was dreading their reaction…
Checkmate's arms slid around his shoulders from behind as he stood gazing out of the balcony windows. The chessmaster's skin was warm and soft, and faintly scented with the lavender soap he favoured: he rested his chin on Dik Dik's shoulder, kissing the buck's neck tenderly, his voice low and gentle.
"Let us break our fast."
Dik Dik sighed and turned his head to kiss Checkmate's cheek.
"Mm… Please…""Dost thou have anything planned for the day?"
Dik Dik shook his head, somewhat reluctantly.
"I really should go and see Terry and Jaeger…"
Checkmate took his hand, kissing long white fingers.
"Mayhap I might go in thy stead…"
The buck smiled sadly.
"Thank you - but I should speak to them myself."
"As thou wish'st. When wilt thou see them?"
He should go right after breakfast. Get it over with. Tell them right out that he'd been with Checkmate. Apologise. Take whatever Terry wanted to dish out in his righteous anger… He shuddered.
"Soon…"
Well, perhaps he could go for a walk, first - along the beach, perhaps. Enjoy the exercise while he still had two unbroken legs…
Now you're being needlessly melodramatic, Dik Dik, he admonished himself sternly. Terry isn't malicious. Or cruel - well, not deliberately…
He shivered apprehensively, but Checkmate had lowered his eyes and missed it.
"Wilt thou meet me for dinner, sweet-hart?"
Dik Dik smiled and nodded. The chessmaster kissed his fingers again, then laid his hand on the table and pushed himself to his feet.
"Your pardon, Dik Dik, but I must away."
The buck stood, smiling.
"Then I will see you at dinner."
Checkmate touched his face, fleetingly.
"The hours will be long 'til then."
Blushing, Dik Dik saw him from the suite…Checkmate made his way determinedly to Terry, Jaeger and Dik Dik's allocated rooms…
Jaeger answered the door, eyes widening, then stood back and ushered the chessmaster in. Terry - who'd been moping on the couch - scrambled upright with a nervous smile.
"Checkmate! Uh… Howdoo?"
The chessmaster inclined his head.
"I give you thanks - I am well. But I am not here to speak of myself."
There was a look in Jaeger's eyes: Checkmate could have sworn the German knew what he was going to say. Terry eyed him narrowly.
"Why're yew here, then?"
"I come to speak on behalf of Van Dik…"
"Dik Dik? What's yer business with him?"
Checkmate pulled himself up to his full - impressive - height, and gazed down at the Texan.
"Master Van Dik hath been… with me, since thou sawest fit to insult him."
There was an ominous silence.
"With… yew mean he's bin sleepin' with yew?"
Checkmate nodded.
"As thou wilt have it."
"Why yew…"
Terry leapt forward, fists flailing - only to have his hands caught in Checkmate's implacable grip. The chessmaster inclined his head to the struggling Texan.
"Let us not compound the flaw by causing damage to the furnishings. The ring is the proper place."
Terry snarled, but stopped struggling, glaring up at the Briton.
"Yeah… outside..."Dik Dik had taken himself off along the beach, running, long legs eating up the miles… But the day was overcast, in tune with his mood, the sea a dull metallic grey-blue, the sand damp and hard, sounds muted. After an hour he slowly trotted to a halt, rubbing his hands over his face and berating himself for his cowardice.
He had to face them.
Terry in particular.
He remembered what the Texan had looked like, last time they'd met; bruised, beaten… Jaeger hadn't held back. He must have been really angry.
He had to go back, and get it over with, take whatever… punishment Terry chose to dole out, apologise to Jaeger, say goodbye to Checkmate…
He bit his lip. Yes, 'goodbye'. And not just to Checkmate - to all of them. He just could not cope with this, being fought over, being the cause of such enmity between friends.
He would leave. Resign his place as one of Earth's protectors, go back home, disappear…
… be lonely again…
He drew a shuddering breath, swiping his hand angrily over his eyes, brushing away tears.
He knew lonely. Knew it very well. He could cope with it.
… but… Jaeger… Terry… Checkmate…
He moaned, dropping to his knees, arms curled around his head.
The thought of leaving them… never seeing them again… It was a physical pain.
Tears made small damp splashes on the sand below him. The harder he tried to stop them, the faster they fell. Finally, realising he was completely alone, he gave in and sobbed his heart out, alone on a lonely beach half a world away from everything old and familiar, an hour away from everyone he loved…It was after noon when the buck, red-eyed, weary and downhearted, slowly made his way back to the training ground. Sunk in his own misery, he didn't realise that something - unusual - was happening until he caught sight of the crowd gathered around one of the rings.
Even then he wouldn't have bothered to check what was going on - he was tired and depressed - except that he heard someone bet on Checkmate…
Foreboding a heavy weight in his chest, he shoved his way through to the ringside, staring in horror at the sight that met his eyes...
From what the other spectators were saying, the two of them must have been fighting for quite some time. They certainly looked it. Jaeger was nearby, hands clenched together: Dik Dik laid a hand on the German's shoulder.
"What happened?"
Jaeger winced as Terry hit the mat again, hard, and without taking his eyes from the action in the ring, muttered through gritted teeth,
"Herr Checkmate came to see us - he told us you haf been… staying vith him… Terry is jealous…"
"He challenged Checkmate?"
"Ja… the idiot… Herr Checkmate is stronger…"
"We have to stop this!"
"How?"
Dik Dik hesitated for a moment - then leapt into the ring, placing himself between the pair…
… a second later landing heavily on his tail as Terry, unable to check his momentum, slammed into the buck, tumbling on top of him in a tangle of arms and legs.
"Dik Dik!" Checkmate was there immediately, hauling Terry off and sliding an arm under the buck's shoulders. "Art hurt?"
Terry knelt at his other side, gripping one white hand worriedly.
"Dik Dik yew eejit! What'd yew wanna go an' do that fer?"
The buck eyed them both dazedly, then shook his head.
"I'm fine."
He tried to stand up, falling back to one knee as pain flared through his backside. His tail… It felt like he really had broken something this time. Checkmate wrapped an arm across his back, expression alarmed.
"Thou art hurt." He stood, swinging the buck easily up into his arms. "I shall bear thee to a chirurgeon…"
Terry glowered.
"He needs a doctor!"
Checkmate looked down his aristocratic nose.
"As I said. Thou needest not come."
"Damn straight Ah'm coming!"
Checkmate would have argued, but a groan from the semi-conscious creature in his arms had him hurrying in the direction of the medical station…The nurse bustled cheerfully out of the small room that held the gazelle-man and smiled at the three… people outside.
"Well, he's fractured a couple of bones in his tail, but there's no serious damage..."
Terry stopped pacing and stared at her, dismayed.
"No serious damage!"
Jaeger placed a hand on his arm, frowning warningly, then eyed the nurse.
"How long vill it take to heal?"
"Three weeks - maybe four, if he doesn't take things easy."
Checkmate folded his arms across his chest.
"Then I will make sure that he does not exert himself."
Terry growled; Jaeger nudged him hard in the ribs and inclined his head to the chessmaster.
"I think ve all need to talk, Herr Checkmate." He glanced at the nurse. "Can ve see Herr Van Dik?"
"He's sleeping right now: the doctor gave him something for the pain and it knocked him out…"
Jaeger nodded firmly.
"Ja, then ve vill come back later." He eyed the other two sternly. "Come, meinen freundin. Ve haf much to speak of…"Given Terry's volatile state, and Checkmate's protectiveness towards their gazelle, Jaeger thought that talking somewhere at least partially public might be best: they'd be less likely to go for each other's throats if they thought innocent bystanders might be hurt. Accordingly he led them to the hotel restaurant, which was almost empty at that time of the afternoon, but with just enough people taking afternoon tea to make a fracas unlikely.
He pushed Terry down into one seat, gestured to another chair, opposite, for Checkmate, then seated himself between them.
"Now, Herren… As I see it, ve are all in love vith the same person."
Terry blinked.
"Love? Ah ain't in lo…" he stopped, suddenly colouring brightly. Love? Was that what he was feeling? Aw heck, it could be…
Checkmate inclined his head.
"I have not a qualm about admitting to my affection for yon hart. Dik Dik is indeed a most lovely creature, to be cherished and loved as befits his noble and loving nature."
Jaeger grinned.
"Ja, und I like him a lot, too. So, how are ve to settle this?"
Terry glowered at the chessmaster.
"Ah kin still take you on…"
"That serves no purpose - other than to cause pain and injury, which does neither ourselves nor Master Dik Dik any good." Checkmate sighed and rested his arms on the table. "I must tell thee both of the conversation of a twi-night ago..."Terry's blue eyes were huge.
"He wants us to share him?"
Checkmate nodded.
"Indeed, in a manner of speaking that is the long and short of his wish. 'tis not too far from thy current usage."
The Texan frowned thoughtfully. Checkmate had a point - after all, he and Jaeger had been sharing Dik Dik, sorta…
Jaeger looked worried.
"But that is not fair to the leibchen. There vould be three of us, and it vas hard enough for him vith just us two."
The chessmaster inclined his head.
"Dik Dik must not take the burden of us all."
Jaeger eyed him a little apprehensively.
"Uh, Herr Checkmate?"
The chessmaster raised a hand.
"Thou must call me simply Checkmate, if we are to become lovers."
Jaeger blushed and offered a small, delighted grin.
"Checkmate… haf you… I mean… do you… or does Dik Dik…" Unnaturally tongue-tied he fumbled to a halt, unsure of how to ask what he wanted to know. Checkmate eyed him with a puzzled frown for a moment, then his brow cleared.
"Ah, thou wishest to know who… rogers whom…"
Terry blinked, just stopping himself from asking who this Roger was… Jaeger was nodding: the chessmaster smiled.
"'tis the hart who offers his body to me."
Jaeger licked his lips.
"Und you have never let him…?"
"No."
"You do not vish to experience it?"
Checkmate frowned.
"I have not thought on it… I suppose, at some future time, mayhap… but for now, no I do not."
"OK - ve can cope vith that."
Terry looked less than perfectly happy - but then again, if it meant he got to… play with the chessmaster, he'd take bottom… There was always Jaeger, and Dik Dik when the buck was willing. Truly willing, this time, not just saying it because he wanted to keep everyone happy. The Texan nodded.
"Ah kin live with that."
Jaeger beamed happily - this was beginning to sound very close to his idea of heaven…"Leibchen? Are you avake?"
Dik Dik slowly opened his eyes, rolling carefully from his front to his side, very aware of the throbbing pain in his tail - and came eye to eye with something… yellow. And fluffy. With dark eyes…
"Jaeger…?"
The fluffy, dark-eyed yellow thing moved, to be replaced by the German's grinning face.
"Nein, but if you vant to call him Jaeger I vill be honoured…"
Dik Dik eased himself gingerly up onto his elbow and warily eyed the large yellow teddy bear with the soppy grin, then looked at Jaeger, seated at his bedside. With Terry at his side. And Checkmate behind them both, a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Wh… what…?"
"How yew feelin'?"
"I'm fine… why are you all here? Together?"
Jaeger glanced at the others.
"May I tell him?" At the twin nods, he grinned at the buck. "Herr Checkmate told us about your vish. For us all to live together, I mean. And ve haf talked about it, and ve vould like to try it. If you still vant us." he added hastily.
Still want them? Dik Dik's eyes filled with tears. You've never wanted anything so much in your life…
Checkmate reached over Terry's shoulder and brushed at the tears on the buck's lashes.
"Shall take that as a yes, sweet-hart."
"Oh… yes… please, yes…"
Terry grinned, a touch embarrassed by the display of emotion.
"Aww, shucks… weel, Ah guess we'd better git us a bigger place ta live. An' a bigger bed…" He rose to his feet, then leaned down to kiss Dik Dik's cheek. "Yew git yerself all better, y'hear, soon's yew can."
The buck nodded, too overcome to speak. Jaeger chuckled and stroked his face.
"Ve vill be back to see you later, leibchen. Teddy here vill keep you company vhile ve are gone."
Dik Dik managed a trembly half-smile, and Jaeger kissed his forehead.
"Later, leibchen…"
Checkmate slid into Jaeger's seat and took Dik Dik's hand.
"Art happy, sweet-hart?"
"Yes… oh, yes… more than I ever thought…"
"That pleases me."
"… Thank you…"
The chessmaster smiled, turquoise eyes fond.
"I am happy that thou art happy. We shall do all in our power to ensure that thy happiness never fades…"
© 2004 January 24th Joules Taylor
Thanks, Lutra, for the teddy bear suggestion!
© 2001-2004 WordWrights
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