Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

the order to, "Move forward."
    Jacob moved, keeping his face averted to hide the burning tears falling freely down his face. A soft thud sounded as Jeremy snuck up from the other end of the bath, and placed the cleansing bottles on the floor. Jacob turned away, planting his hands on the bath rim to stabilise his thought. He felt a ripple against his back and a groan from Jeremy as he entered the water. Jacob tensed and refused to move or even think about Jeremy being naked behind him, forgetting his woeful trails of thought entirely. He definitely refused to think of Jeremy undressing before his unseeing eyes, frustrated with his distraction.
    Jeremy saw the tension creep into Jacob as his ivy-like veins swelled under his skin. The dirt moved with the sensually flexing muscles. The water enhanced the dance as the movement created ripples that intensified the effect, leaving a yearning in Jeremy's chest. He could not resist the urge to move his foot out and touch Jacob's lower back with his toe. A searing ache ran through his nerves from the pad and toes of his foot; it was hotter than the scalding water they both sat in. They both felt the shock; Jacob turned puce while Jeremy went lax in the water's embrace.
    "Lean back, into my lap, and relax Jacob. You will only hurt yourself otherwise. It has been a stressful day, so relax." Jeremy clucked entreatingly. Jacob eventually leant back, collapsing under the weight of his own thoughts and shaking, aching muscles, his skin darkening, flushing in the heat.
    Jeremy reached out and pulled Jacob firmly into his lap, not permitting the little resistance Jacob offered in return, adjusting his body until he lay submerged in the water with only his face kissing the air. Jeremy looked down into Jacob's eyes and said with absolute conviction, "You are going to stay here until you relax. You will stay here with me until you are well. Then you may decide what you wish to do after I agree you are well enough. Your bones show and you are evidently in a pained way, so let the water wash it all away, and I'll deal with the rest."
    Another single tear escaped Jacob's eye. He shut them both to prevent more tears escaping as he broke off the stare in acceptance. Focusing, as Jeremy ordered, to relax, Jacob felt the weight of the world disappear, dissolving in the water. To Hell, with every condemnation, if I'm to die now or in the future because of my dependence , Jacob exclaimed in his mind; he finally felt a closure and sense of belonging in this stranger's lap. I want to stay , Jacob thought with complete faith, giggling hysterically at himself as he continued, if only to see what Jeremy has in store for me .
    Jeremy was relieved all this worked. The glimmer of innocence conveyed by the slight smile on Jacob's mouth spread warm contentment through his being, filling him with an ethereal glee that expanded like a balloon in his chest. He was not a specialist on the subject, so everything he did instinctively was because it felt right . So he was glad when he saw his efforts come to fruition and gratified by the fact that he is doing something truly worthwhile.
    It was at this point that Jeremy knew he would care for Jacob until he became better, offering his home as sanctuary for him if he ever had need of it again – Wall, library or personal security or not. However, he also knew this would not be enough. The thick shoulders resting on his thighs, warmed him beyond boiling, instilling the slight ache in his chest that grew to pain when he considered a separation of any kind. The alien feeling bound him to Jacob, and Jeremy felt with every fibre of his being that Jacob was the key to realising what this feeling was.
    With a sigh and a blink to stop unshed tears, Jeremy turned to resolve more practical matters. He reached down beside the bath and took the soap bottle that contained one of his favourite scents. With his other hand, he reached down between his legs, platonically, to gently push Jacob forward. Jacob's eyes opened and he did as requested without a sound and barely a ripple displacing the peace between them both as he turned to sit straight facing Jeremy.
    Jeremy smiled congenially as he got down to business. "Time to get clean," Jeremy motioned with a smile towards the bottle in his hand and added with a sinful gleam to his eye, "Like those police you mentioned, I think I have a right to ensure the prisoner is looked after properly."
    Brazen with confidence, Jeremy moved