Date: Sat, 21 May 2011 17:23:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: Daniel M <heartmindsoulau@yahoo.com>
Subject: Bruised Love 18

DISCLAIMER:

If you are under the legal age of 18 (or 21, depending on local law) please
discontinue reading. If homosexual content and themes offend you, please do
not read further. I accept no responsibilities if the written text offends
as you are reading it of free choice. This work remains solely my property
and may not be reproduced without prior request.

Always remember safe sex is the way to go. Don't pick something up when you
pick him up.

This is purely fictional work, any similarities between characters and
events and any real situation are purely coincidental, unless otherwise
noted.

A Message from the Author:

I would like to thank Nifty for publishing my writing which they have
kindly been posting on the site for the last 9 years. To Jeff for his love
and support. Deeze for her unwavering support of my writing over the last 7
years... thank you. To Billy... for no other reason than you keep my
spirits light with your banter and emails during my working day. Ok, maybe
also because I call you a friend and value your friendship greatly.

FEEDBACK:

heartmindsoulau@yahoo.com

Story's Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bruised_love_fiction/


The Story:

Bruised Love 18
By
Daniel M


Cameron awoke to the gentle breeze blowing in through the window. The
curtains flapped lazily in the summer breeze. The lazy tranquillity let him
slowly come to the realization he was in bed alone. He slid his hand over
to the other side of the bed and realized that it was still warm and
figured Andrew hadn't been awake long. Looking out the window, he could see
the clear sky above him and hoped that he could lift his friend back to his
feet. He sighed to himself at the thought of what it was going to take to
help Andrew heal. It wasn't a thought he relished but knew that regardless,
he would be there.

Trudging out to the balcony, he found Andrew in what had become his
favourite chair. He wasn't even looking out over the water blankly like he
normally did. He was looking at his arm and carefully tracing his finger
around the ornate 'CS' which sat proudly his up his arm. The darkness of
the ink in stark contrast to the golden hued skin. So lost in his thoughts,
Andrew didn't realize Cameron was there until he felt Cameron sit beside
him.

   "Do you regret it?" Cameron asked quietly. His own fears of what Andrew
might say lacing his voice. Andrew continued to look at his arm and then
over at Cameron's which proudly bore his own initials. His silence in the
gaze started to unsettle the normally placate calm that Cameron exuded.

   "No force of God or man could ever make me take it back." Andrew finally
answered softly. A gentle smile whispered across his lips as he finally
lifted his eyes. Cameron stared into them, searching for whatever was
making these emotions float so close to the surface.

   "We didn't move too fast did we? I know you're still recovering and..."
Cameron's words were silenced by a finger placed lightly against his
lips. Andrew shook his head at the fears that flowed in waves.

   "Which time do you think we moved too fast? The time in the shower or
when I was just about hanging out the window?" Andrew asked
lightly. Cameron, for the first time in recent memory, blushed. Andrew
marvelled as the red tint started at the top of Cameron's ears and flowed
down through his cheeks, neck and spread lightly across his chest.

   "Then what are you thinking about?" Cameron asked when he finally found
his voice again.

   "You marked yourself for me." Andrew replied quietly, his eyes
downcast. Cameron leaned in and captured Andrew's lips with his own.

   "I wouldn't mark myself for anyone Andy. You are the only one." Cameron
said softly letting his hand travel up to cup Andrew's chin and lift his
eyes to meet Cameron's own.

   "I think you're a fool for it. I can't help but love you for it either."
Andrew said quietly. The ghost of a smile gently pulled at the corners of
his mouth. This time it didn't whisper away but stayed there as he looked
at Cameron, for the first time in a long time seeing the warmth that they
held. Andrew leaned forwards and kissed Cameron.


Finally pulling away from the kiss, Andrew smiled abashed and looked away,
unable to remove the smile from his face.

   "Was that okay?" He asked. Cameron's mouth fell open.

   "Okay? That was phenomenal Andy." Came the quick reassurance. Andrew's
face again lit up with pleasure and Cameron recognised the first glimmers
of Andrew's healing.


The pair slowly went down to the beach and made their way along the shore,
looking out over the water and not talking. As the walk grew, Cameron
reached out and slipped his hand into Andrew's. He looked at Cameron in
mild surprise but then back out over the water. Leaning in, Cameron
whispered softly into Andrew's ear.

   "I love you." Andrew looked back at Cameron and smiled at the
sentiment. Without saying anything further, the pair ventured off together
walking down the beach and watching serenely as the waves lapped at the
shore.


Entering the beach house, Cameron led Andrew over to the couch. Lying back
on the couch, he pulled Andrew down on top of him. Feeling Andrew have a
flash of tension ripple through his body, Cameron loosely wrapped his arms
around his friend's shoulders. Andrew smiled softly and relaxed a little
feeling safe in the warm embrace. The pair lay there in silence listening
to the sounds of the ocean and wind whispering gently outside.

   "Where does our future take us Andy?" Cameron asked his friend gently.

   "Forwards Cam. I don't want to live in the past or dwell anymore."



Andrew lay on his back, half awake with his eyes closed. He could hear the
slap of flesh hitting flesh ringing in his ears. Bruise upon bruise
layering upon the sensitive layers of flesh. He remembered the sobs that
had fallen up deaf ears. The sneer that seemed to linger in the dark as it
faded from sight. As he slowly opened his eyes, he near swore he saw the
same sneer floating in front of his eyes. Instead he reached up to knuckle
his eyes. Instead he found his cheeks wet with tears he didn't realise had
even fallen. Andrew lay there wondering why Cameron had forgiven him when
he couldn't even forgive himself. Letting himself be fooled. Leaving behind
those who loved him. Betraying Cameron and abandoning Mitch. Everywhere he
looked he could see the mistakes he'd made. He realised the longer he
thought about it, the more freely the tears started to fall.

Cameron watched from the door way as the tears slipped down over his
friend's face. He hoped that finally crying would help before moving to the
bed and lying beside his broken lover. Andrew jumped at feeling the bed dip
but was reassured as Cameron slipped his arms around Andrew and pulled him
back against him. The demons of the night seemed to now leak into the
daylight and Cameron was going to protect Andrew as best he could. He felt
Andrew turn in his arms and bury his face into Cameron's neck. The tears
slowly subsided and Cameron felt Andrew's breathing even out. Cameron let
go of a breath he wasn't even aware he had be holding.



Cameron woke some time later and found Andrew still curled up and lying on
top of him. He smiled at the simple beauty of the act and warmth that
flooded through him. Trying to move as gently as possible, Cameron craned
his neck down to kiss Andrew. He was surprised when he turned his head back
to see vibrant hazel eyes looking at him.

   "Evening." Cameron said gently. Andrew said nothing but continued to
look at him. Cameron reached up to brush Andrew's hair out of his eyes.

   "You okay?" He asked eventually. After a moment of silence, Andrew
leaned in and kissed Cameron's lips gently. The first light brush of lips
was greeted with surprise but then as they didn't retreat, Cameron settled
more into it, feeling his own lips move against Andrew's. The feeling of
familiarity awash within Cameron's skin. The burning of desire that sparked
within his chest at threatened to consume him as it did every time he
kissed Andrew.

Andrew, as apprehensive as he was, was remembering the reasons why he need
not be afraid and just let himself go with Cameron. Sliding into warm
memories and become awash with desire for the man who lay beneath
him. Andrew groaned as he positioned himself so he was lying atop Cameron
and groaned into the kiss as he felt Cameron's obvious arousal grind into
his own.

Cameron's lips left Andrew's and worked the way down along the jaw line and
down his neck. Andrew's head fell back as pleasure lit his veins and moved
him and pulled him closer to Cameron. Reaching down he pulled Cameron's
lips up to his own and let his hands wander down over Cameron's body. He
took pleasure in the way that it felt under his fingers. He reached down
further and grabbed the bottom of Cameron's shirt tugging it up. Eventually
the pair worked the shirt off and Andrew let his mouth trail down over
Cameron's body. His hands tangling lightly at the hair that grew on chest
while his tongue flicked out and over Cameron's nipples. The slow teasing
way he sucked on them and manipulated them. He squawked in surprise as
Cameron flipped them over and began to kiss Andrew's neck gently.

Andrew arched his back in delight and ran his hands through Cameron's
hair. Cameron kissed his way down over Andrew chest and then body. He got
to the bottom of Andrew's shirt and looked up grinning. His lover was
looking thoroughly kissed and dishevelled. Pushing the shirt up a bit he
saw Andrew look down at him. Smiling, he lifted the shirt and kissed his
way across Andrew's body and moved further up until the material grew too
taut for him to proceed further. Reaching up, Cameron pulled Andrew's shirt
up only to have it catch on the back of his head and get stuck. He felt
Andrew chuckle softly as he pulled the shirt down slightly before pulling
his head out and then lifting the shirt the rest of the way off. Holding
himself up off the bed, he looked down over Andrew's body and smiled. He
looked at his lover's face and saw a mixture of arousal, discomfort and
tenderness all mixed in together. Leaning down, he captured his lover lips
gently. His gentle coaxes pulling his lover close. Andrew smiled and kissed
back, his body reacting automatically and his legs parting to reach up and
wrap around Cameron's waist. Their kiss deepened as tongues danced against
each other.


Their tranquil mood shattered as beside them, Cameron's phone began to
screech with a rendition of some cheesy radio track that was set as the
ring tone. Andrew sighed into the kiss and pulled his head back before
turning his head and reaching for the phone. Cameron buried his head into
Andrew's shoulder.

   "Hello?... Yeah, he's here... just a sec." Andrew spoke into the phone
before nudging Cameron slightly. Cameron lifted his head and looked at
Andrew curiously. Andrew passed the phone to him and mouthed Mitch to
him. Cameron nodded and took the phone.

   "Yeah?... Tomorrow most likely... okay, yeah no problems.... alright,
see you soon." Cameron said clicking off the phone. Andrew looked at
Cameron curiously.

   "Mitch said that Nessa has been invading and making demands for you
since yesterday afternoon." Cameron told him smirking. Andrew sighed for a
moment and then nodded his head reaching up and pulling Cameron down,
hungrily seeking his lover's lips. Cameron moved on instinct and felt his
lips move against Andrew's and lost himself in the sensation of euphoria
that washed over him as he felt a piece of Andrew fall back into place.



The next day found Andrew and Cameron on the road back to the city where
jobs, reality and friends awaited them. Cameron watched Andrew twist
restlessly in the sit again, trying to find a comfortable position.

   "Will you sit still?" Asked Cameron, narking lightly.

   "I would except it's a little uncomfortable after having someone being a
little insatiable last night." Andrew snarked back.

   "So that was a complaint I heard last night between the more and
harder?" Cameron asked. Andrew blushed lightly and reached forward to
change the radio station again. He stilled his hand as Cameron looked at
him sharply.

   "Are you ready to see everyone again?" Cameron asked gently. Andrew
shrugged uneasily.

   "I know that they're not real angry with me but I... I don't know. I
have some demons who haunt me about it. I still hear his voice in my head
sometimes and it repeats that I'm worthless and tells me all my fears are
true and you'll all see the taint on my soul and walk away." Andrew
admitted. Cameron reached out and held Andrew's hand gently and squeezed.

   "Even if your soul was tainted, we'd love you all the same Andy. Don't
ever forget that your friends are your friends and will accept you however
you came to them." Cameron said quietly.

   "I know, but Cam..." Andrew began.

   "No Andy. No but about it. You know that they love you. Nessa and Mitch
are there for you. I'm here for you. We... I love you." Cameron told him
gently, squeezing his hand for reassurance. Andrew looked over and
smiled. It wasn't the carefree smile that Cameron grew up with but it was a
start.



Walking into the apartment, Andrew was propelled backwards into Cameron who
was closing the door. Both of them went down with Vanessa on top bouncing
up and down on top of them.

   "You're home! Finally! I've been going insane with only Fairy Dust to
keep me company." She squealed excitedly.

    "It was you and Andy who threw the glit... oh why do I even bother?"
Asked Mitch standing a little behind the tangled pile of friends.

  "What's wrong Andy? You've been back for five minutes and there's been no
caustic remark. Don't tell me you're acid tongue is no longer dangerous?"
Vanessa asked. Andrew glared up at her.

   "It's about as harmless as your nipples on a cold morning." Andrew
grumbled. Vanessa cheered happily.

   "Yay! He's back!" Andrew contemplated finding a wall to beat his head
against to give him an appropriate reason for the headache he could feel
growing behind his eyes. From behind him he heard Cameron's voice rumble.

   "Nessa, as much as I love Andy sitting on me, I prefer it naked and in
private. Would you kindly get off us?" Vanessa blushed lightly and stood up
and moved away from the pair. Andrew stood up and shook his head at Vanessa
and stepped past her and stood in front of Mitch. Tilting his head to the
side and looked straight into Mitch's eyes as though searching. Finding
neither anger nor judgement in the eyes that looked back at him, Andrew
wrapped his arms around Mitch and held him tightly. Mitch smiled
understandingly and hugged his friend back and felt Andrew sag slightly in
his arms.



Looking around the room, Andrew realised that there was no place left he
would call home but where he was. Awash with the sense of right that played
through his senses, Andrew didn't notice the door that opened and closed.
He yelped and tried to get away with fright coursing through his body when
a pair of arms encircled his waist and pulled him lightly back. He felt the
arms tighten and a voice but couldn't hear it until he tried to turn and
caught a glimpse in the mirror and then he forced himself to listen to the
voice.

Cameron's baritone voice finally broke through the confusion of his mind
and the fear slowly abated. When his breathing returned to normal, Andrew
felt the arms loosen their grip and he turned within them leaning heavily
on his friend, head resting lightly on Cameron's broad shoulders.

   "Are you dealing okay?" Cameron asked. Andrew nodded his head against
Cameron's shoulder. Cameron smiled and hugged his lover close, placing a
simple kiss at Andrew's temple. The pair stood silently until Cameron
released his grip and led Andrew to the bed and lay down beside him.

   "So Andy, what do you dream of?" Cameron asked.

   "Pain and screaming." Andrew answered blandly.

   "I asked about your dreams not your nightmares. What do you dream of for
the future?"

   "Well, it's not that long ago I didn't believe I would have one. I guess
I'm still struggling to come to terms with the fact that I do. I don't know
really. I think I would like to be settled in a house somewhere. Nice car
in the drive. My husband there with me. Our children playing in the yard
with a dog." Andrew mused.

   "How many kids?" Cameron asked, wrapping his arm around Andrew's
shoulder.

   "No more than two. Any more than that and I would spend all my wage on
school fees."

   "Why not public schooling? We didn't turn out too badly going there."
Cameron huffed. Andrew smiled as he curled into Cameron's side.

   "No, I think we turned out pretty well. Except for our drinking
escapades... and for the attempts at smoking... and the drug habit... and
the womanising... and the nights out gambling." Andrew mumbled.

   "Should have gone to a Catholic school with all those sins." Cameron
mumbled under his breath. Andrew snorted amusedly and settled his head onto
Cameron's shoulder.

   "You know what I dream?" Cameron asked. Andrew shook his head against
Cameron's shoulder.

   "I dream of driving up to a house with a beautiful yard and the man I
love waiting at home for me. Of getting out of the car and hearing my kid's
laughter from inside the house. Opening the door and putting my briefcase
down. A set of stairs going up to the second level just inside the door
with a beautiful white banister that I helped paint. Looking up and hearing
my daughter's excited squeal calling me daddy as she leaps into my arms
from the third or fourth step. Hearing my husband's voice from up the
stairs as he chastises her for jumping. Looking up the stairs and seeing
you standing there smiling down at us. My little girl in my arms and both
of us smiling up at you."

   "You dream of me in your future?" Andrew asked quietly, a feeling of
warmth blossoming in his chest. Cameron pushed his lips against the top of
Andrew's head.

   "I couldn't have a future without you Andy. I love you." Cameron
whispered. Andrew smiled and closed his eyes. The steady rise and fall of
Cameron's chest lulling him softly to sleep.



The next day came far too early as far as Andrew was concerned. He cracked
and eye and looked out the window to the view of red brick which formed the
wall of the next building. Sighing, he sat up only to be pulled back down
by the arm wrapped around his waist. Smirking he fell back against Cameron
who planted several lazy kisses over Andrew's arm and ran his hand lightly
over the warm thigh that lay before him. Andrew looked down and smiled.

   "You have five seconds to unhand me before my inner-coffee monster kicks
in and removes your arms and fist fucks you with them." Cameron's hold
quickly let go and Andrew felt himself pushed off the bed. He looked back
and saw Cameron's sleep mussed hair sticking up in all angles and his eyes
half open as he slowly woke up.

   "It's not much, but thank you for the weekend. I love you." Andrew
admitted gently while pulling on his boxers and slipping quietly from the
room.



Walking into the kitchen, Andrew looked up as a coffee mug was held in
front of him. Looking up in surprise, he saw Mitch standing there, mug in
hand and smiling.

   "I don't want to take you on without caffeine in your system at least."
Mitch grinned. Andrew decided to revert to being juvenile and stuck his
tongue out at Mitch before turning on heel and walking out onto the balcony
to have his drink in piece. He was halfway out the door when he heard a
female's voice shatter the silence.

   "ANDREW!! What is that on your arm?" Andrew cringed and turned to face
Vanessa.

   "Nessa, I believe that it's called a tattoo. Something that people have
been getting for the last couple of years. They're probably just a fad but
hey, why not?" Andrew snarked at her. Mitch shook his head and covered
Vanessa's mouth.

   "He hasn't had coffee yet. Stay very quiet and very still. I've heard
that his sight is based on movement pre-coffee. You may make it out alive
yet." Mitch stage whispered and then chuckled as Andrew flipped him off and
turned back outside.


Andrew stayed outside, lost in his thoughts until he heard Vanessa's voice
break the tranquillity again.

   "He's got one too!" Andrew slapped his hand against his forehead and
turned around to see what was going on. Vanessa had Cameron by the arm and
was closely inspecting the new marking when she looked over at Andrew and
then back to Cameron's arm.

   "They match." She said in awe. Andrew sighed and walked in and sat down
on the couch, Cameron seated beside him. Mitch and Vanessa both obediently
sat down, waiting to hear what was going on. Andrew looked at Cameron and
motioned him to tell the story.

   "Well, we went away for the weekend as you know. We needed some time to
us and to heal. While we were away, I realised that there is no man that
could be better in my life and no woman who could compare. I wanted my body
marked so he knows that as long as I have this body, I am to be his. I had
Andy's initials tattooed on my arm and he had mine. It's our sign of
commitment to each other that we will make it work." Cameron told
them. Andrew reached out and took Cameron's hand in his own and smiled
shyly. Cameron beamed back and looked back at the other pair. Mitch was
grinning but Vanessa looked somewhat aghast. Cameron glanced over at Andrew
who was watching Vanessa. He watched the happy smile disappear off his
lover's face. He turned to glare at Vanessa who had risen to her feet.

   "You freaking bitch. You got married and didn't invite me!" She
fumed. Cameron breathed out a sigh of relief. Andrew just looked confused.

   "You two just committed to each other. It's a helluva lot of work to get
those fuckers taken off. You got something that can't be taken off. Rings
come off and get hurled off the bridge all the time. You can't. You two are
stuck with reminders of each other for the rest of your lives." She told
him, her voice finally choking with emotion. Andrew stood and wrapped his
arms around Vanessa's shoulders. She threw her arms around Andrew.

   "You be happy now you hear me." She told him.

   "I am Nessa, I love him." Andrew said quietly before looking at his
lover and smiling.


---

I do apologise for how long it has taken me to write not a lot. I hope you
did enjoy it. I couldn't leave it any longer because it was doing my head
that the story was incomplete. I will warn people now that I am looking to
wrap the story up shortly. Thank you for your wonderful support.

Regards
Daniel M