Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

sudden trepidation. This is not the right place , he felt in his stomach, automatically making space so he could talk, trying to ignore the hurt mortifying Jacob's features. "We can't do this here," Jeremy cried with a single harsh breath, disregarding the pain coming to Jacob's eyes at the construed rejection.
    "I want you. I love you . But not here." Jeremy earnestly pleaded, head bowed against Jacob's chest, now exposed between the gaping edges of the robe. He refused to cry as words failed him. Instead, unfamiliar to the sensation of being at a loss, he buried himself deeper into the pounding warmth of Jacob's chest. He let Jacob's size engulf him as the soft fur cooled the ache radiating from his flushed cheeks.
    The world and any Responsibility vanished as Jacob took charge. He grasped Jeremy's shoulders; aware of Jeremy's hand in a vice-like grip on his arm, holding onto him as if his life depended on it.
    Jacob gave his first order.
    "Take us home," he stressed the last word, humming the syllable in Jeremy's ear. Jeremy nodded slowly into his chest, his breathing gradually easing. Peaceful once again, he stepped back before taking Jacob's hand in his own to start the journey back. Jacob still held him back to whisper with a conviction Jeremy could never rival at that moment, "I love you too."
    With a pause to process the absolution, Jeremy led them both out of the library without incident. Demure, quiet and optimistic, Jeremy could only think while they walked side by side as equal partners, we are going home!
    CHAPTER 13 – The Compassion
    Jeremy is keeping me – he cares for me. I'm so happy. I'm euphoric.
    But does that means he feels the same way as I do? Does he want me?
    I am sure the answer's "yes".
    And I can only disagree if he says, "more than you do". And if he says otherwise… I guess I will just have to prove him very wrong… this will be fun.
    ~ Jacob, musings.
     
    When they reached Jeremy's – their – home, Jacob led them toward their room.
    Jeremy found himself curled up in Jacob's strong arms, being carried though the long corridors. Perhaps , he mused, I no longer need to be the carer, but can be cared for, after all these long years . All he had ever craved was to end the cold void festering in his chest. Jacob, by carrying him so they were almost heart to heart, was filling the void with a viscous warmth; being filled by Jacob himself.
    Before he realised it, Jacob reached the bedroom with the enraptured Jeremy curved perfectly against his chest, stroking absently at his fur, slowly removing the green robe at the same time, without much thought. Jacob almost smiled. He was going to do all he could to ensure Jeremy's happiness: to be fully mated to each other, like a harmony in tune with its component parts, it only required the physical actualisation.
    Jacob would give Jeremy everything: his very existence, to complete the mating that he had so far repressed, and be a pillar of support and comfort for him. The unity of their souls: it was something they had both considered in their youth before life tore that dream away, but now seemed a miracle as their beings synchronised with each other.
    He laid Jeremy on their bed, all cleaned from the previous night. He gently pried off pincer-like fingers from the fur on his pectorals as he set Jeremy down, laying him straight. The acquiescence in Jeremy's demeanour approved of Jacob's robe dropping to the floor and the gentle tugging and pulling off Jeremy's clothes.
    In these circumstances, Jeremy was glad he was wearing the casual clothes he usually wore – ones without complicated knots or buttons – as Jacob slipped the fabric off him with ease. Every centimetre of flesh revealed, Jacob scorched the area with his eyes, memorising every detail, with a slight twitch of muscles flickering underneath the soft, pale skin. Jeremy's stomach flattened as he held his breath at such probing inspection.
    Jacob expressed another order, "Breathe out and relax." He said this with a smile, recognising the role reversal, but not having the patience to wait for a bath this evening or night time, before he made his claim.
    The room was alight with the midday sun, but all Jacob saw was Jeremy. Jacob could feel the burn of his flesh as Jeremy eyed him; each lost in the other, a world separating them from anything else. Their essences responded to each other, supernaturally aware of the bond that they would soon be sharing.
    First, without an obstacle