Meet Your Mate 11

Chapter 11

Luke had twice wakened during the night. Now it was six thirty, and he didn’t think he could go back to sleep. He stared out the windows; at this time of year, only the faintest grey told of the impending dawn. He’d gone to bed at nine unsure what else to do when Tilden sent Mike to bed. Only Mike was on punishment, but the house had seemed empty with his partners in the bedroom. Tilden usually sent Luke to be with Trent or Milton if he was occupied, but Luke didn’t feel comfortable inviting himself. Both couples had disappeared for the late afternoon and evening. They probably were only politely giving them some space, but Luke had felt lonely, and now both his partners were asleep while he watched the minutes tick by at an agonizingly slow pace. The clock never moved this slowly when he needed more time for a test.

Luke shifted in bed; no sign that either partner was close to waking. He padded across the floor, grabbing a robe and slippers. If Trent was in the kitchen, he’d complain about bare feet in winter, not that he ever did more than complain. Milton was quick to swat, but Trent just looked at you with a long, slow stare and suggested you fix the problem.

As Luke walked into the kitchen, a radio was playing softly in the background, the folk tunes favored by Trent. Trent was whisking something, singing to the music, his foot keeping beat. Luke opened the refrigerator for a glass of juice; he debated having Coke but didn’t feel like getting nagged even if Trent did it with good humor.

“You’re up early. Is everything OK, kiddo?” 

Luke shifted uncomfortably under Trent’s gaze. All the tops did this; they seemed to look right through you. “Yeah, I guess.”

Trent reached in a drawer, tore off a sheet of plastic wrap, and covered the bowl before he turned back to Luke. “Are you feeling left out?”

“No, I just went to bed too early.”

Trent looped an arm around Luke and kissed his forehead. “Tilden’s been tied up with Mike. You know you’re welcome upstairs with us anytime you want.”

Luke nodded but kept his eyes on the ground.

“Hey, you can talk to me. I don’t bite.” Trent turned Luke around so he was facing Trent. “How much is Mike being in trouble bothering you?”

“It doesn’t.”

“Lying to me is probably not the best idea,” Trent said, brushing the blond curls off Luke’s face. “You don’t have to talk to me, but then you do have to talk to Tilden. It’s up to you.”

“Tilden’s busy.”

“He’s not too busy for you.” Trent wrapped his arms around Luke and pulled him close, resting his chin on Luke’s head. “You’re short enough to do this; it’s kind of nice. So—do you want to talk about it?”

“It’s stupid.”

“It’s not stupid if it’s got you upset.”

“It is stupid,” Luke repeated, his voice rising. “I’m envious Mike’s getting all the attention, and he’s in trouble. I hate being in trouble.”

“Do you know Mike’s envious that you do this so easily?”

“Really?”

“Yep, that’s what Tilden pried out of him yesterday.” Trent kissed the top of Luke’s head. “Tilden’s crazy about both of you. Do you want to help me finish breakfast? Everybody will be up soon. I’m making sirniki, cottage cheese pancakes. Ask Tilden how to pronounce it correctly.”

“That sounds gross.”

“You’ll like them. Have I made anything you don’t like?”

“Well, I don’t much like vegetables.”

“Brat.” Trent briefly tickled Luke before he pushed him out of his arms.

Everybody came to breakfast. Sheldon bounced around as usual until Milton kicked him under the table. At least Luke suspected Milton kicked him because Sheldon yelped, gave Milton a dirty look, and stopped bouncing. Trent had been right; the sirniki weren’t bad. Mike was quiet, and his eyes looked red. He was dressed in a plain sweatshirt without vulgar slogans and jeans that had to be Tilden’s as they had no holes. Trent seemed to have a silent conversation with Tilden that involved raised eyebrows and quick glances. 

Tilden must have understood because he came up behind Luke and wrapped his arms around his blond partner. “Hang in there, Luka. Everything will settle down in a bit.” 

“If you guys are done making out, I need to talk to you about the TV people,” Sheldon interrupted.

“Thanks for your help yesterday,” Tilden said.

“You’re welcome.” 

Luke watched Sheldon. He was sober and direct as he spoke about the contractual obligations to the television show. He did tap his fingers on the table, but there was none of the bouncing and sly grins that usually marked a conversation with Sheldon.

“Laura, the producer, wants to keep you on the show. I’m sure you’ve heard that two couples have already bailed, and the audience loves you guys. You were picked to win the bedroom set, but it was reallotted to the second place couple when you became a threesome. Well, to make a long story short, I told them they could interview you today at ten.”

“What?” Luke, Mike, and Tilden said simultaneously.

“Hey, don’t bite my head off. I thought this would be easier.”

“Sorry, Sheldon, you did the right thing,” Tilden said. “Are there any benefits to us remaining on the show?”

“Well, other than I think you have a good chance of winning it,” Sheldon said with a broad grin. “I’ve seen some of the footage from the other households, and you’re much more fun.”

“I don’t care about winning,” Tilden said. “I care about you guys.” Tilden wrapped an arm around Mike and Luke.

“I think they might have fun. There’s some interesting stuff planned. I can’t tell you the specifics, but I can tell you Dave and Lionel will be out of your hair. The couples, or in your case the threesome, get privacy in their own homes. After the initial weeks, the show focuses more on special projects and trips.”

“And how big of a bonus do you get if you persuade us to stay on the show?” Tilden asked.

“Tilden, I know you’re a cynic about television, but even I’m not that mercenary,” Sheldon said with mock indignation.

“Save the innocent act for someone who will believe you.” Tilden smiled, enjoying the banter.

“I think it might be fun,” Mike said. “You’re always such a stick in the mud.”

“Ouch, that hurt.” Tilden ruffled Mike’s hair. “Do you guys want to stay in this circus?”

Luke looked at Mike, trying to judge his opinion. He wanted to stay. Yeah, having the camera crew had been a bit of a pain but kind of fun also, and when the show had aired last time the couples had traveled to some fabulous locations. One episode had been filmed in Hawaii. “I want to do it.”

“Mike, what about you?”

“Does my opinion matter? I’m not allowed to pick my own clothes. How can I be trusted to make a judgement about a television show?”

Luke saw Sheldon wince and heard him mutter something under his breath at the tone of Mike’s outburst. It sounded like death wish, but it was hard to tell. 

Tilden grabbed Mike by the back of his sweatshirt and hoisted him to his feet. “Corner now.” He landed a hard swat on Mike’s butt.

“Fuck you! I told you my opinion doesn’t matter. You just shove me in the corner—”

Mike didn’t get any further because Tilden landed four hard, rapid swats, driving Mike into the corner to escape the punishing hand. “Not another word.”

“I’ll leave you guys to think about it,” Sheldon said, throwing repeated glances at Mike who was grumbling in the corner with Tilden standing right behind him. “Do you want me to take Luke with me?”

“No, we’ll be fine,” Tilden answered. “Since Mike doesn’t seem inclined to answer at the moment, use Luke’s answer. Tell the station we’ll stay.”

“OK,” Sheldon said over his shoulder as he headed up the stairs.

Luke watched, both mesmerized and horrified as Mike kicked the wall, spun around, and launched a string of obscenities at Tilden. 

“Excuse us a moment,” Tilden said with icy politeness as he pushed Mike towards the half bath off the hall. Luke sat hunched at the table, listening to bangs, muffled curses, and finally crying from the bathroom. He didn’t notice Milton on the stairs until he felt the strong arms around his shoulders and a short beard rubbing against his cheek.

“Hey, kid, it’s going to be all right.” 

“How’d you know?” Luke leaned into Milton, but still strained to hear the commotion in the bathroom.

“Sheldon told me.” Milton rubbed Luke’s back for a moment before he turned the radio on and increased the volume. “He may bounce around like a jack-in-the-box on speed, but he’s been in this type of relationship for a long time. He knew you were upset, and he understands Mike’s motivation.”

Luke stared at Milton who walked back to Luke’s side, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him to his feet. Milton kissed Luke firmly on the forehead, a possessive, claiming kiss of a family member.

“I know it doesn’t much fit with Sheldon’s outward personality. Sheldon likes absolute boundaries; it makes him feel secure. When he’s stressed, he’ll push just hard enough to get me to remind him that the boundaries are still there. He understands the dynamics of the relationship and plays them to get the results he needs and wants. With two new housemates, he’s needed more reassurance than normal. I think you see him as a bit of a lunatic, is that right?”

Luke nodded.

“You think I’m strict and scary and can’t figure out how I can have such a wild partner?”

Luke blushed. “I...”

“It’s OK to find me scary.” Milton ruffled Luke’s hair and kissed his forehead again. “Mace tiptoed by the second floor landing for six months, hoping I would never hear him and that boy rode bucking horses for a living. He told me later that he’d rather ride a horse that hadn’t been ridden in a year than talk to me alone.” Milton sat down on a kitchen chair and pulled Luke down on top of him before he continued. “Mike needs hard boundaries just like Sheldon. He’s testing right now to make sure they’re always going to be there. It’s going to be noisy and ugly with a lot of tears for a few weeks. Tilden’s not mad at Mike; he just giving Mike what he wants.”

Even with the radio, Luke could hear the sounds of a spanking from the bathroom, the crack of Tilden’s hand against the bare flesh and the answering wail of Mike. Luke shuddered and buried his head in Milton’s chest.

“I know it’s hard to listen to. From the sound of it, it’ll be over soon.”

Milton was right. Luke strained his ears. He could hear only steady crying and the sound of water running. A few minutes later, they both came out of the bathroom. Tilden had his arms locked around Mike who’s face was hidden in Tilden’s shoulder. Both men had their sweatshirts off, and their T-shirts were wet and clinging to their chests. Tilden’s tight white T-shirt, dark jeans, and hair hanging wildly in his eyes made him look like a misplaced teen rebel. Like a rehearsed dance, Milton slid Luke from his lap and hooked an arm around Mike, pulling him from Tilden’s embrace, and Tilden drew Luke into his chest. Luke felt the wet cotton against his cheek and Tilden’s hands running down his back, comforting but also possessing. The hands were driving Luke tighter into Tilden’s chest, controlling him, dominating him. Luke shuddered and the tears came.

Luke didn’t know how long he cried. Tilden made no effort to quiet him, just held him tight and waited. Finally still sniffling and hiccuping, Luke pushed himself out of Tilden’s arms. “Sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“I’ve been crying like a baby.”

“Does it look like it bothers me? Do I look upset about it?”

Luke studied Tilden. He was leaning against the counter, the same pose that Luke had seen thousands of times against the chalkboard in class—casually interested, friendly, engaging. His eyes were bright, sparkles of violet glimmered in the deep blue color. Someone who Luke couldn’t remember had written that the eyes were the windows to the soul. If that were true, Tilden couldn’t be upset, nothing but warmth shone in his eyes and now a faint glint of humor.

“Do you like what you see? Tilden smiled a wry grin and flipped his hair out of his eyes like a boy model.

“Yeah, you’re hot.” 

“Come on, brat.” Tilden captured Luke and kissed him hard and deep. “Enough,” Tilden said, laughing and pushing Luke away. “We’ve got TV people in less than thirty minutes, and I’m not exactly presentable.”

“Ah, you’re no fun. I thought we could have a wet T-shirt contest.”

“Wet T-shirts are for the ladies.”

“We can’t let them have all the fun.”

Tilden playfully swatted Luke. “No, we’re not going to scandalize a national television audience. I don’t care how much fun you think it would be.”

“No fair.”

“Bedroom, now.” Tilden made a playful lunge at Luke, who dodged out of the way and ran toward the bedroom with Tilden chasing behind.