About Tommy's Story: The Six of Pentacles

by AKM Miles
41 pages / 20400 words
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, epub and Sony Reader pdf

Tommy Marsh lives a good life. His first twelve years were hell on earth, but the last nine have more than made up for it. He's living alone, mostly, in an apartment that was part of the Scarcity Sanctuary, built and run by Soldier Marsh and Dillon Kramer. In the years since he was adopted by Soldier, he's gone to school to become a counselor. He's worked with abused children, just like he once was, and he's proud of his work.

There's something missing, though. Tommy wants a relationship like Soldier's. He wants to be part of a loving couple, sharing life and love. And he wants it with Daniel Anderson. Tommy has learned to love Daniel over the last few years, working closely with him in their shared profession. But Tommy is afraid his past will interfere. A traumatic event sets things in motion, and he’s forced to admit his feelings and face his fears. Will Daniel’s love be enough to get him through?
 

Sample

Tommy led the way into the house, and as they both headed for the living room, he realized that Daniel was familiar with his home. He hadn't really thought about it before, but Daniel spent a lot of time here, more and more recently. The fact had kind of snuck up on him without him being aware of it.

Daniel worked at a shelter downtown and was part of the social services network. He helped people on a daily basis, but took special interest in abuse cases. Daniel had been twenty-six when he began sending special kids, all boys, to Dillon on a temporary basis all those years ago, and it had gotten bigger than they expected before they could really get a good plan going. Then along came Soldier, and since he owned the property they'd more or less been squatting on, he joined the effort, became part of the group, and ended up falling in love with Dillon, and subsequently, the boys. So basically, it had all started with Daniel.

Usually, when they found themselves in here, most often to talk about a case they were both involved in, Tommy made a conscious effort to avoid sitting with Daniel on the couch. He always let Daniel choose a seat, and he made sure he wasn't too close, choosing a chair or pulling up a piece of floor. Tonight, he wasn't paying attention. He sat on the couch, and his heart dipped when the couch did the same thing beside him.

Tommy put his elbows on his knees and rested his head in his hands, taking a moment. It probably looked a bit despondent to Daniel.

"Tommy, are you all right? Is Gom okay? I had to go back to the center. I wanted to come over earlier, but hesitated. I know he needs Soldier and Dillon right now, and rest. God, he looked awful."

"I sang for him. He asked me if I would," Tommy said, then wondered why he said it. He wasn't thinking clearly.

"Good. I know that made him feel better. Your voice has always been a calming influence on all of them," Daniel said.

"The rest of them asked me to sing, too," Tommy admitted. "I gave two shows tonight, compliments of whoever beat the crap out of Gom. Were you there when the police talked to him? Do you know anything about this?" Tommy sat back and looked at Daniel, who was a lot closer than he'd thought. He didn't want to scoot away, making his discomfort obvious, but found Daniel's proximity unnerving. Wishing he could lean in, get a nice cuddle, some comfort, it seemed almost too good to pass up right now. He just wanted…

"Do it." Daniel said.

"Do what?" Tommy asked, freaked that Daniel had read the look right off his face.

"Do whatever that thought was that just crossed your mind. You need something. I think it's about time you went for it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Tommy tried. Oh, my God, no way was he ready for this. Not now. Not tonight. His defenses were down. He just needed…

"Take it." Daniel said.

"Damn it. What are you, psychic?" Tommy was getting rattled. It was like Daniel could see right through him, knew what he was thinking. He'd been fighting these feelings for so long and now Daniel seemed to be saying... What was Daniel saying?

Daniel laughed softly, reaching out and putting his hand on Tommy's chin and holding his face still so Daniel could look into his eyes. "No, not psychic, I just pay attention. I have a feeling we both want the same thing, and I've waited a long time for you to get to the same page I was on. There was no way I was going to start something, but I think you're finally realizing that there is something between us. Am I right? And Tommy, be honest, with yourself and with me." Daniel moved his thumb up and brushed it across Tommy's bottom lip as he put the challenge out there.

Tommy knew he must look like a deer caught in the headlights, but he couldn't move. Was Daniel saying that he wanted the same thing?

"I'm scared," Tommy admitted quietly.