When it Rains, it Pours

DISCLAIMER: The following chapter depicts fictional characters. It is not a reflection, criticism, or denouncing of the United States military. I do not condone the actions of these characters.

I will not disrupt the flow of the story to give trigger warnings that spoil scenes. I am presenting this chapter as it will be written in the physical release. "Pet Soldier" is a 18+ illustrated novel.  It will contain explicit sex scenes, violence, objectifying/degrading language as well as cruel, disturbing or inhumane treatment of human beings and/or animals.  

The sky was sour and gray. It had been raining off and on all day and now threatened to start again as fat clouds from the east rolled over the Ohio hills. The end of day formation had already occured, dismissing sergeant Avery’s company to go home.

Avery already told his wife he would be late.

As the other soldiers sloshed down horse-worn roads towards west Strasburg, Avery was heading south to the stables. He had unfinished business with Archer.

A few days ago, the blink sunk his teeth knuckle-deep into his lower neck and caused him to become sickly with infection. The sergeant had been so shocked by Archer’s unexpected act of violence that he failed to address and correct the blink.

Better now than never.

The sun slowly peeked behind the horizon, illuminating the drenched countryside a lovely burnt orange. It would be short-lived as night fell.

Avery thought of Archer often and wondered if he did the same. It was becoming increasingly difficult to resist staring at the blink or to force himself to lock up the stables in a timely manner. The once casual "see ya later" had evolved into excruciating-slow goodbyes every night.

It started to rain.

Fuck.

Avery's brisk walk turned into a sprint. He was close enough to the barn that he could avoid becoming soaked if he ran.

Avery didn’t run fast enough.

The Marine sighed in frustration as he clomped through the barn doors, red mud caking to his coyote-tan boots.

Avery paused when he saw Archer.

Did I forget to lock him up?

“Hey Blink.” Avery growled, realizing the root of all his frustrations were stemming from Archer.

Instead of giving the private a firm, professional negative counseling, Avery decided to speak to Archer in a language he knew.

Archer didn’t anticipate being tackled.

The sergeant got a running start and threw his body at the blink with a force great enough to knock him off balance. The blink had plenty of time to move harmlessly out of the way, but truthfully, he wanted to see where the human was going with this.

A moment later, Avery was attempting to pin Archer to the ground. The blink could have easily flung Avery across the room and into next week, but was too curious to not allow himself to be manhandled. Archer winced in pain as he felt the sergeant’s teeth grinding into his right trap.  He wasn’t fast nor gentle. His human mouth wasn’t meant for leaving deep scars. After the act was done, Avery released Archer and glared down at him with a smug look.

“I bite back.” Avery tutted, his blood-stained teeth flashing.

Avery’s smile quickly faded as Archer grinned back. Oblivious to the Marine, Archer had mistaken Avery’s act of vengeance for a blink-courting ritual.

Avery felt Archer’s pants tighten beneath him. He quickly eased off his waist and stood to his feet. The blink followed. Did I just feel Archer get a boner? Avery swallowed, resisting the urge to glance at Archer’s pants. Avery blushed, realizing the thought of it could make himself hard.

“Reckon I oughta’ clean yer neck.” Avery said, quickly distracting himself. “It’s gonna get infected if I don’t. Trust me, I’m speakin’ from experience.” Avery rubbed the sore scar on his neck then turned to the tack-room to find cleaning supplies, only to be interrupted by Archer standing in his way.

“Move Archer.” Avery barked, still trying to hide the blush from his face. He turned to go around, but Archer stepped in front of him again. This time Avery looked up at Archer, glancing at his crotch as he lifted his head to meet his eyes. “What part of, ‘get the fuck outta mah way’ don’t cho understand?”

He’s hard.

Archer stared at Avery.

Avery opened his mouth to say something but couldn’t. Was Archer aroused just because he sat on his waist or because he sat on his waist and is gay?

Avery clenched his fist.

The sergeant exhaled, frustrated. He then went to walk around a final time but was interrupted by Archer grabbing his hand. Avery ripped Archer’s hand off and slammed the blink against the wall.

“Are you a faggot Archer?...or are ya hard because yer a stupid blink who’s never been touched?”

Archer froze. He did not understand the context of Avery’s sudden aggression.

Avery then slid his hand over Archer’s thigh, careful to watch his face for any signs of distress.

Archer became more confused.

The sergeant’s hand hovered over his pelvis, but made no attempt to touch him.

Oh.

Archer pressed his crotch into Avery’s hand.

“I don’ belive it.” Avery whispered, more to himself than to Archer. Avery had certainly enjoyed grooming the fantasy of Archer being gay, but that’s all he had ever thought of it...his own boyish fantasy.

He’s gay? He’s gay. Archer is gay. Archer is actually gay.

Avery slowly swallowed.

He gently clenched the fabric framing Archer’s erection.

Archer stood dumbfound, unsure if Avery knew he was arousing him.

Avery thought of Archer often and wondered if he did the same. It was becoming increasingly difficult to resist staring at the blink or to force himself to lock up the stables in a timely manner. The once casual "see ya later" had evolved into excruciating-slow goodbyes every night.

It started to rain.

Fuck.

Archer nodded.

Avery raised a brow. “Are you jest noddin’ cause yer stupid?”

Archer nodded...then furrowed his brows as if pondering a deep question. He then quickly shook his head ‘no’.

Avery inhaled and exhaled slowly, trying to control the shakiness of his breath.

I’m his sergeant….I shouldn’t be doing this.

He took a step back.

The blink followed his movements closely, anticipating what actions the human might take next. Archer wanted Avery. It was all he could think about since the day he imprinted. His needs were driving him mad but he had let Avery be. Having Avery’s respect was more important than satisfying his sexual desires.

Beads of sweat clung to Avery’s forehead. It wasn’t too late to stop and pretend nothing ever happened.

Avery couldn’t stop staring at Archer. He was...undeniably very handsome and unlike any partner he had been with. He had been tempted by beards and muscles before, but always redirected his lust at smaller, non-threatening men.

Besides his good looks, there was something deeply enticing about the taboo of their relationship.

It was an unspoken rule that people shouldn't have sex with blinks. Although tecnically not a chargable offence, engaging in sex with blinks is considered extremy disrespectful to the memory of the infected-human. A blink cannot make sound decisions on behalf of their old self.

And of course there were real legal repercussions for Avery to consider. Fraternizing with Archer, the lowest ranking member in his command, would reflect poorly on his character as a sergeant and he would be charged accordingly. Infidelity and infringement were also not light charges.

I have no business fucking him. He thought. And yet that notion only seemed to make Avery lust Archer more.

I can get away with it.

Avery then proceeded to pull his shirt off, revealing the rest of his tribal tattoo and a half-healed bite mark covered in loose bandages. He threw his green t-shirt on the barn floor and approached Archer who was still crouching at eye level. Archer and Avery now mirrored each other in shirtlessness.

Archer felt a warm sensation flood his body upon seeing Avery’s bare chest. As a feral blink, Archer had been desensitized to nudeness. It was not until after he integrated into human culture that he grew to appreciate the attractiveness of the male body.

It was starting to get dark outside.

Avery reached out and touched Archer’s face with his hand. Archer mirrored him, nearly cupping his entire face with one hand.

“Wanna  lern’ a new word?” Avery asked quietly. God dammit, what am I, 12?

Archer could hardly contain his excitement. He nodded enthusiastically, enjoying the warmth of Avery’s face in his hands.

“Kiss.”  Avery craned his neck slightly to the right and leaned towards Archer’s face. He paused before their lips touched.

Fuck it.

Lighting exploded in Avery’s stomach. This was the first time he had ever felt another man’s beard against his own. Avery had never been with, let alone kiss, a masculine man before this moment. It felt like 32 years of bottled-up frustration, anger and lust were unveiling  as the Marine started kissing Archer. Fuck Bethany. Fuck Ralph. Fuck Benny. Fuck Dad. Fuck the military. Avery clenched his hands over Archer’s jaw and firmly pulled his face closer to his own and started trying to pry Archer’s mouth open.

Archer’s heart skipped a beat, startled by the sudden act of intimacy. He didn’t entirely understand the concept of kissing or what a normal reaction should be... but he quickly concluded that the act was as intentionally sexual as it appeared.

Archer parted his lips slightly and was greeted with Avery’s tongue. The blink felt his chest tighten as Avery aggressively explored every part of his mouth, not even stopping when he nicked his tongue on Archer’s upper fang, filling their mouths with the faint taste of blood. Avery’s force made Archer stagger and fall over. This wasn’t an obstacle to the Marine, who didn’t acknowledge the situation. He fell heavy on Archer’s chest.

Avery raked his tongue over Archer’s teeth. Feeling the exotic sharpness of his canines felt dirty. He’s not human. Avery thought. His cock impulsively throbbed. This is wrong.

The Marine's eagerness excited Archer in more ways than one. He had never seen Avery be so needy before. He needed to make Avery needy for him.

Archer bucked his hips, consequently causing Avery to grind against his cock. Avery only broke the kiss to exhale sharply. He could feel Archer’s cock pulsing between his legs even with their pants on.

God damn Archer.

Archer’s actions were rewarded with Avery’s touch.

Immediately, Avery deepened the kiss and curled his fingers around Archer’s jawline, gently stroking his beard.

Avery loved men, but more specifically, strong men. It was his guilty pleasure. All his life, he had shied away from having such partners, afraid of being perceived as the bottom. It wasn’t so much the label that bothered him, but the connotation. Cultural assumptions of tops and bottoms made Avery despise other gay men, and society's assumptions of gay men made him despise himself.

Avery tensed as calloused hands slowly slid down his lower back.

I look pathetic.

Their mouths remained locked but Avery had stopped giving him tongue. Archer released the pressure from the sergeant’s back, concerned.

Avery’s eyes glazed over. He became painfully aware of how small he must look laying on Archer’s chest.

Archer grunted in alarm.

“Sorry.”

He shook his head to rid himself of the thoughts.

“You good Arch?”

Archer blinked slowly while holding eye contact. Avery hated that he knew exactly what Archer was asking him.

“I’m okay. I just zoned out.” Avery flenched. Why would I tell him that?

Archer gave no negative reaction, which the Marine was grateful for. Instead, the blink returned his hands to Avery’s back while holding eye contact. There was a mutual understanding.

Avery blinked slowly, just as Archer had before.

Archer proceeded to move his hands down his back, never averting his gaze.

His eyes are so pretty. Avery thought.

Archer paused over his ass.

They exchanged a look.

Avery?

Go ahead.

With his permission, Archer started squeezing and groping Avery’s ass.

He almost chuckled. Men.

It was 20:00. The smell of horses, sweat and leather hung in the air. Archer’s weight felt good straddled between Avery’s hips….but he felt stifled by the heat and the glaring fluorescent lights. He hated to imagine how attention-grabbing the barn lights must look against the rainy night sky.

If I get caught every man in this battalion will know.

Archer tugged at the back of his pants with a pleading look.

My men would never respect me again.

“I’m sorry.”

Avery peeled his body off of Archer’s in a layer of sweat. Archer followed his movements closely and panicked when he saw the Marine walking to the barn exit, silhouetted against the rainy night sky. He flipped the lights off.

I can pretend this never happened.

The barn door slammed behind Avery. He started walking.

Avery braced himself as a blast of cool wind chilled his wet stomach. In the distance he could see the faint lights of the barracks housing. If he took the east trail he could avoid the usual duty-tour paths and not have to worry about a confrontation for his shirtless.

What the hell was I thinking? I work with him.

The thunder groaned.

He’s probably not even really gay, just horny and lonley.

Avery folded his arms over his chest and continued to slosh through puddles of brown water.

Fuckin blink better not be following me.

His thoughts were interrupted as a crack of lightning split the sky, briefly igniting the base in a hard white light.

Avery gritted his teeth.

“Stop followin’ me Archer.”

He turned around.

Nobody.

Avery’s anger dissolved.

The wind howled, ripping twigs off of the branches which then swirled in shallow puddles at Avery’s feet. He shivered

I wish he followed me.

The barrack’s block was only a quarter mile away. He sighed. He wasn't relieved but at least he would be home soon and could crawl into his warm bed to sleep off his guilty conscience.

But he would be coming home shirtless and soaking wet on a friday night. There was wine in the cabinets. Lottie was at her aunt’s house.

Beth.

The barn door squealed as Avery ripped it open.

“Archer.”

Shadows shifted on the wall as Archer slowly emerged from a dark empty stall. The blink stared at his feet with his arms pressed tightly behind his back.

Avery felt like someone had ripped his heart out with a spoon and stomped on it.

“Arch-” The thunder boomed, amplified by the echo of the barn.

His face scrunched in discomfort.

“Look at me.”

Archer squeezed his eyes shut.

“Archer.”

He slowly lifted his head.

“I’m not gonna to laugh at cha. Come ere.”

Archer squatted and fell on his knees in front of Avery.

The Marine threw his arms around Archer’s neck and allowed him to press against his chest. He realized that the larger male was shaking. “Don’t cry. That makes you look weak."

Archer squeezed Avery tighter.

"Its jest thunder. The weapons you shoot are far more dangerus’ than the sound of clouds movin’.” He whispered.

All was silent except the sound of breathing and raindrops pinging on the tin roof. The sergeant almost decided to break the hug, then realized there was no pressure to do so.

Avery closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, enjoying Archer’s touch. Archer always had a certain smell about him, but the human had never had the chance to fully investigate it until now. He smelled something like freshly split pinewood and salt-laced sweat. It was strong but not unpleasant in the least bit.

Avery’s cock started to swell when he felt the moisture of Archer’s breath on his bare back.

I wonder what I smell like to him.

Archer pressed his mouth against Avery’s skin, not shy to itch his curiosity.

Avery uses the same shampoo bottle that he gives me. Archer thought. He smoked a cigarette about 5 hours ago. He ate poultry for lunch. He is sweating excessively.

Avery buried his fingers into Archer’s brown hair. I like the smell of him as much as he likes the smell of me.

Archer grabbed the back of Avery’s pants and tugged them suggestively.

Please.

Avery’s heart pounded.

How would sex with him even work...

Archer growled in an almost pitiful-sounding voice.

He’s begging for my cock.

Avery reached down Archer’s back.

He doesn’t even look at anyone else the way he looks at me. He wants me. Only me.

Avery slipped his hands under his pants and started to feel the blinks ass, resisting the urge to finger him dry.

Archer is mine.

Avery broke away from the blink suddenly.

Archer's eyes widened.

Please don’t leave me, Avery.

Avery started unbuckling his belt.

“Undo yer belt...that’s an order.” Order? Am I really going to fetishize fuckin’  my subordinates...

Archer released his belt.

Yes, yes I am.

Avery started undoing the buttons on his pants. He glanced at Archer, and saw he was doing the same. He pulled down his cammie pants to his knees.

Don’t be a pussy.

Avery pinched the waistband of his briefs and slipped them down, allowing his cock to spring out.

Archer paused to stare.

Avery was surprised he blushed. He had done this over a hundred times and met dozens of strangers. Getting undressed in front of new partners hadn’t phased him in a very long time.

“You too, Arch.”

Archer’s eyes fluttered and he quickly obliged, eager to please Avery.

“Jest pull em to yer knees and leave yer boots on so we can pull em up quickly if someone walks in on-”

Archer’s cock fell out of his underwear.

Jesus christ.

Archer easily had the most impressive cock Avery had ever seen. It was no surprise considering he had grown in proportion to his huge body.

Mine is so small compared to his...

Archer suddenly grabbed Avery and pulled him into his body. Avery yelped and tried to rip away, terrified of Archer’s strength. Avery only relaxed when realized Archer wasn’t being aggressive, but simply affectionate. It was a hug.

Avery was embarrassed but the feelings quickly dissolved as Archer’s naked body was pressed against his own. Yesterday, fucking Archer was nothing more than a fantasy he only entertained in the privacy of his own home with a pump of lotion. He could feel his own cock rubbing against Archer’s belly as the blink nuzzled him. Avery’s fears melted into ecstasy.

I’m gonna fuck this blink.

“Turn around.”

Archer released Avery and tilted his head to the side, confused. Then Archer understood. His face flooded red, much to Avery’s delight, who had never seen Archer truly flustered. Avery’s confidence grew.

“Jest cause yer bigger don’t mean yer topping.”

Avery didn’t know if Archer understood those terms yet, but he apparently understood the first order. Archer got on his hands and knees and backed into Avery’s crotch, making Avery’s dick twitch with excitement. Archer glanced behind him, locking eyes with the human.

God he’s fuckin huge. Avery thought, realizing he wouldn’t have to bend over to reach him. Avery’s stomach turned. I look small.

Archer wasn’t exactly glowing anymore either. He glanced back at Avery for comfort.

But I’m top.

“I won’t hurt you hun.” Avery promised. Avery leaned over Archer and let his mouth hang open. A trial of saliva escaped and fell on Archer’s backside. Archer flinched. Avery massaged the spit against Archer’s ass.

Avery couldn’t believe Archer trusted him this much. He expected a fight when he asserted himself as top, but Archer just rolled over without a second thought. Avery thought that Archer, being blink, would have been more assertive on making sure his dick got wet first, but Archer seemed more concerned about pleasing Avery.

Avery couldn't break Archer’s trust. He would not hurt him.

Avery let the spit fall on the end of his own cock. He massaged it for a moment then pointed it at Archer’s ass.

Avery barely pressed himself against Archer, not wanting to startle him. Archer tensed.

Avery then placed a hand on Archers back and traced his index finger over his largest scars.

“I wonder how many blinks ya fought fore’ you met me?”  Avery asked, gently sliding his hands across Archer’s back. He pressed slightly harder against him. “Ima’ fighter too.” Archer started to relax. “I reckon that’s why we like each other.” I'm really doing this. I’m going to make that blink my bitch. Avery barely pushed his tip in.

Archer whipped his head around and stared at Avery with wide eyes.

“Relax hun. I aint’ gonna hurt you.”

Archer slowly turned his head forward, anxiously anticipating what would happen next.

Avery penetrated Archer slowly and gently as possible. Archer stayed surprisingly still and didn’t make a sound. Avery realized Archer was holding his breath.

“Breathe.”

Archer exhaled.

Avery pushed the rest in.

Less than five thrusts later, Archer slowly turned to look at Avery. Archer looked embarrassed and concerned.

“It’s supposed to feel like that.” Avery said, understanding immediately. Archer didn’t look convinced

“I’m inside your ass. Moving in and out. It’s a completely normal feelin’. I promise you’re fine.”

Archer nodded slowly and relaxed.

Avery wrapped his hands around Archer’s hips. Avery started fucking Archer.

They stayed completely silent besides the sound of skin slapping and Avery’s dog tags jingling. There was an awkwardness that hung in the air. Avery had a strong suspicion that Archer had not had sex since he was human and was basically a virgin. There was also the fear of being caught and the knowledge that Avery would have to see Archer at work in the morning.

Archer stared at the floor wincing. It didn’t hurt but it certainly wasn’t the most comfortable feeling. He bit his tongue.

Avery slipped his cock deeper inside Archer, causing the blink to respond with a whimper.

“Yer so fuckin’ hot Arch.” Avery praised.

Archer’s own dick twitched. He had never seen Avery like this before.

Avery moaned.

His voice is higher pitch. Archer thought. Human voices change when they mate.

Archer didn’t know the sergeant was capable of making those sounds...he wanted to hear Avery moan again.

Archer backed into Avery’s hips and growled. Avery halted, concerned.

“Does it hurt?”

Archer growled again and pressed into Avery, swallowing the rest of his length.

Please moan Avery.

Avery grunted. A drop of precum escaped. Holy fuck.

Avery gripped Archer’s waist and spat on his dick. Avery started fucking Archer harder, confident that the blink could handle it. After a few minutes, Avery made that sound that Archer liked. Archer responded to Avery’s moan with a growl.

Avery felt a chill on the back of his neck.

“Growl for me.”

If I growl for him he will moan for me.

Archer snarled.

Avery rewarded the blink with his own moan, starting a chain of blink growls and human moans. The two became louder and bolder. The stall door that Archer leaned against started shaking.

I want Avery to feel good. Archer gritted his teeth. But it hurts.

Avery slowed when he sensed Archer might be at his limit.

He then slowly pulled out. Archer winced but didn’t make a sound. He then scooted to sit beside the other male.

Both males paused, panting. Archer stared at Avery shamelessly, making the Marine uncomfortable in his body. They pulled their camies over their asses to sit.

Everything they have been through has led them to this moment. It was hard for Avery to believe that less than six months ago Archer had hunted him in the woods to kill and consume. Now the blink laid beside him naked and covered in flakes of sawdust with a stupid smile on his face, willing to submit to the smaller human.

Archer really let me fuck him...

Despite Avery’s history with smaller, more boyish-looking men, Avery couldn’t deny his attraction to large, manly-men like Archer. Even when he was with other gay men, it felt girly to admit his prefrence to beards and muscles, afraid that his own masculinity might be deemed questionale. He always strived to be bigger, less emotional and speak in a ‘straight’ voice. Any fuzzy feelings he felt for a man were met with guilt and anger...guilt from the lie he lived and anger from years of emotional suppression. If he was going to allow himself to feel anything, it might as well be anger.

“You ok?”

Archer nodded.

They both sat criss-crossed on the floor. They weren’t touching each other.

“If you were havin’ sex as a human I don’t reckon you’d remember. Do you understand?”

Archer shook his head no.

“Sorry, I know yer still learnin’....Arch?”

Archer leaned slightly towards Avery.

“Have you ever had sex before?”

Archer spoke something in gibberish and furrowed his brows, frustrated. Avery realized Archer probably didn’t understand the word ‘sex’ either, since Archer was use to Avery’s usual lingo.

“Have you ever fucked?”

Archer understood. He shook his head no.

Good.

“You ever gotten fucked...before me?”

Archer shrugged. He doesn’t understand how fuck can be used in diffrent contexts.

“Has anyone besides myself ever-” Avery paused. “Nevermind.”

Avery blushed realizing that might be a bit personal. Perhaps not by Archer’s standards, but definitely to Avery. He was usually never shy to pry into his partners’ personal lives.

If he doesn’t with me then he

Avery scooted closer and flipped to his stomach. He got on fours and presented himself to the blink.

“Hurry up fer’ I change mah mind.”

Archer didn’t hesitate to mount Avery. He paused in position. Avery could feel Archer’s breath hit the back of his neck.“But I uh...you should know I n’ver bottomed b’fore.” Avery suddenly confessed, embarrassed and scared. Not willingly. He thought in the back of his mind.

Archer started pressing into Avery.

“Archer!”

Archer jerked backwards so fast he hit the floor.

“Jest- don’t go in dry. Sorry, I dedn’t mean tah scur you.”

Archer slowly got up and swiped his hair to remove the new accumulation of sawdust flakes. He then returned to his previous position hovering over the smaller man. He placed his hands over Avery’s hips softly as if petting a kitten.

“Use spit.”

Archer growled in a tone similar to that of asking a question.

Avery glanced back.

"Give me your hand." Avery grabbed Archer’s right hand and held it below his mouth. He let a trail of spit fall in Archer’s palm and  then positioned Archer’s hand over his ass. Archer understood.

Avery resisted the urge to react to the sound of Archer spitting on his backside. The blink then slid his fingers between Avery and delicately massaged his sensitive area .  He then felt Archer’s tip pressing again.

“Jest be gentle.”

Archer delicately applied pressure until his tip had entered. He paused and tapped Avery, waiting for his input.

“Don’t go all the way.” Why must it feel so uncomfortable?

Archer moved slowly and maintained the distance between his pelvis and Avery’s ass. He found himself sweating from fear and anxiety. It was easy for the blink to forget how large he was during the day-to-day mundane task but now he couldn’t ignore the critical size difference.

Avery muffled a whine through gritted teeth. Fucking hell.

Archer’s hands started exploring Avery’s back, mimicking Avery’s previous behavior. His back was a lighter skin tone from his arms and face and was bare from any scarring, minus his own bite-mark. Archer reached to touch it.

Avery stared at the floor grimacing. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t help but remember.

“It doesn’t hurt that bad, stop crying.” Avery cringed when he felt Archer touching his neck.

Archer sighed in pleasure as he pushed his cock in slightly deeper. Avery winced but made no effort to stop him. It burned.

He let you do it to him. Let him do it. Avery coached himself.

Physically, the Marine was staring at the sawdust on the barn floor. Mentally, all he could see was the peach-colored sheets of a queen sized bed and his shadows moving on the wall of a stranger’s house.

“I love your hair.”

“Please stop-”

Archer slid his hand from Avery’s neck to his back of his head.

Avery flinched.

“Get off.”

Archer paused and leaned closer to Avery to verify what he heard.

“Get the fuck off.” Avery growled a second time, feeling a sinking feeling in his stomach.

Archer pulled out instantly causing Avery to shout and double over in pain.

Archer’s eyes widened as he realized he was the reason the Sergeant was now twisted on the floor in a bridge position. He reached out to touch Avery. Avery slapped Archer’s hand away. Archer froze, panicked, then moved backwards and threw his hands up to show Avery he had no intentions of touching him further.

Avery opened his mouth to scold Archer but stopped himself. Archer looked like a kicked puppy.

“Shit- sorry.” Avery muttered, realizing it was an accident. He soothed the back of his head.

The blink wasn’t convinced.

Avery closed his eyes and exhaled. “I liked fuckin’ you, Arch. Gettin’ fucked is diffrent.” His eyes trailed to the floor. “It’s not you, it's the position. Or maybe I jest have issues.” Avery laughed nervously.

Archer looked guilty and scared.

I can’t laugh that off.

“C’mere darlin’.”

Archer looked up. Is that my name? Archer thought. Avery had never called him darlin before.

Avery opened his arms.

I am darlin.

Archer closed the distance and pressed his head into Avery’s chest. Avery awkwardly placed his hands on Archer’s hair and started petting his face. “Sorry”

I’m a bitch.

Avery couldn’t help but cringe when he imaged how comedic it must look to watch them fuck or to see the blink head, which was larger than his entire chest, press against him. Avery gently pushed Archer’s head away from him and massaged his own  temples, trying to distract himself from his uncanny thoughts.

And of course, poor Archer was completely oblivious.

The blink made a grunting bark noise. Avery looked up.

“Hm?”

Archer reached towards Avery’s groin with his hands and paused. Their eyes locked.

“You want to touch it?”

Archer nodded.

Avery couldn’t hide his honest smile

“It ain’t that impressive compared to yours.” The Marine quickly added, feeling conscious, only to be interrupted by the blinks movement to his lower region. Avery inhaled sharply as Archer started exploring his entire crotch with both hands and leaned his face downwards.

Avery closed his eyes and prepared for what he thought was leading to a blowjob, but quickly snapped out of it when he heard sniffing sounds.

“Are you-”

Archer buried his face in Avery’s pelvis and smelled him.

“Oh my God, please stop. Yer’ fuckin weird Archer.”

Archer ignored Avery. He could tell by the tone of his voice he didn’t really mean what he was saying. That is one thing the blink had forced himself to learn, Avery’s body language and tone. All humans behaved relatively the same and were getting easier to understand.

To Archer, the extra insults were just another way the sergeant was giving himself attention. Avery tried to be subtle..but his attempts to be sneaky felt even more apparent to Archer….rather it was touches on the arm, quickly breaking eye contact and slightly raising his voice when he spoke...

“Arch-”

The blink was still groping and smelling him, but seemed particularly fascinated with the end of Avery’s cock. He gripped the shaft and moved his hand upwards, surprised to see the skin fold over the head. He moved it back down revealing it once more. Archer’s eyes widened and he quickly checked his own dick and looked at Avery.

“I’m uncut, dumbass.” Avery stated

Archer looked delighted with this new information. He kept moving the skin back and forth, fascinated by the diffrence.

Avery chuckled “And I’m glad you don’t care. It’s been a deal breaker in the past.” He felt his cock tingle as Archer moved his hands.

“C’mere you.” Avery reached over and grabbed Archer’s cock too, causing the blink to shiver with goosebumps. Both men had their hands on each other.

“You still good darlin’?” Archer nodded vigorously.

Touch me, Avery.

Avery started sliding his hand over the head and  attempted to jerk the blink off, but realized his hands may not be large enough. His index finger and thumb couldn’t make contact over the circumference.

Avery was about to stop but he saw Archer had closed his eyes and furrowed his brows together. He was inhaling slightly faster.

Archer likes it.

Avery felt his own cock harden just by looking at Archer’s pleased expression.

The sergeant was startled by Archer starting to do the same to him, except the blink’s hand easily swallowed his entire cock. Avery winced and put his hand over Archer’s hand to stop him.

Archer paused.

“Yer too rough. And yer hands are calloused. Jest...gentle.”

Archer nodded and released the pressure off of Avery. Avery cupped his hand around Archer’s and started guiding him on how to move. Archer’s eyes became half-lidded as he watched Avery move and breathe. He was no longer watching the human’s cock slide in his hands but was staring at his face and eyes. He felt his chest tighten and the need to act on the sudden emotion.

Kiss.

Avery’s fingernails threatened to scratch  the hardwood floor and his body was convicted by waves of pleasure from Archer’s touch. He had been closing his eyes to focus and was completely caught guard by the sudden gentle touch of his lips. He opened his eyes and realized Archer was kissing him.

Avery pushed Archer off causing the blink immediately turned red and looked at the floor. The two stopped touching each other immediately and there was a sudden heaviness in the room.

Avery felt his throat tighten. “Uh…”

Archer looked down, embarrassed.

Avery cleared his throat and awkwardly placed his hand on Archer’s thigh.

“It’s ok. I jest-” Goddammit I’m giving mixed signals. “I don’t know if I’m ready.” Then why the fuck did I kiss him earlier.

Archer growled. He didn’t have to speak for Avery to know what he was asking.

“I know, I know I’m confusing you. Don’t feel bad I confuse humans too.”

Archer looked frustrated. He touched his lips with his index finger and then touched Avery’s lips. He shrugged as if asking a question.

“I don’ wanna date you”

Archer blinked.

“I don’ have boyfriends. I’m closeted. You don’t understand any of dis’ d’ya?”

Archer shrugged again, his face painted with every color of confusion.

“D’ya even know what bein’ gay is?”

Archer shook his head.

“It’s what we are.”

Archer growled.

“Men who like men. Understand?”

Archer shook his head.

“God dammit Archer. How many men do you see fuckin’ other men around here besides us?”

Archer became very small and looked around.

“I didn’t mean-” Avery massaged his temples. “Havn’t you ever noticed that most men fuck women?”

Archer didn’t move. He then slowly nodded.

“Boy, if yer just noddin’ cause yer scured of admittin’ you don’t understand, I’m gonna-” Avery stopped. A shadow moved behind the barn door. Archer also noticed.

Avery swallowed. He suddenly felt uncomfortably hot as he realized how loud everything echoed in the hollow barn stalls.

Archer sniffed the air and craned his ear to hear the footsteps only to be interrupted by the Marine placing a firm hand on his chest. Avery put his index finger over his lip, ordering the blink to be silent.

The shadow remained in place. Archer smelled something new, not from the scent outside but from Avery. His sweat reeked of it. Archer did not know the name of the pheromone that Avery’s body was producing, but he had grown to recognize that smell as the same smell a deer produced before they died.

“Grab my clothes.” Avery whispered pointing at his pile of cammies across the floor. Archer reached over and handed them over. Avery flipped his briefs inside out and quickly shoved them over his legs.

Archer growled softly in the tone of a question.

“We can’t get caught doin’ dis.” Avery whispered as he pulled his pants up.

The shadow moved.

“Where’s my shirt?”

Archer handed Avery his green t-shirt reluctantly and watched the Marine finish dressing.

Avery tucked his boot laces and bloused his pants leg over the boot. He sighed, relieved.

“I need to git home. I’ll see ya at work in the mornin’.” And with that, Avery turned to leave. He started to seal Archer’s door but stopped.

The blink still sat on the floor in the same position, naked and confused.

Avery thought about darting away, slamming the door shut and pretending it never happened.

He clenched his fist. Goddammit.

Avery walked over to where the blink sat.

“What is it, stupid?” Avery asked in a soft voice. He ran his fingers through Archer’s brown hair, releasing a few flakes of sawdust.

Archer leaned into Avery’s hand.

“Yer lucky yer cute.” Cute? When did I turn into a sappy school girl.

Avery picked up a stray blanket laying beside the blink and draped it over the blink’s shoulders.

“Maybe next time Arch.” Next time? Next time what? Maybe next time we won’t get blue balled?

Archer closed his eyes. Stay with me, Avery.

“Sergeant Avery, its duty! Are you in there?”

Archer and Avery exchanged a look.

I can’t.

I know.

“Next time.” Avery promised. He patted Archer’s shoulders firmly and quickly left, sealing the door shut behind him.

“Yeah I’m here. What’s up?”