***
Shane reached behind Chris’ chair and released the knot, without getting off his knees or raising his head from Chris’ lap. He was content where he was.
Chris stretched his hand over his head to restore the blood flow and ease the discomfort in his shoulder. Then he brought his hands down to cuddle Shane’s head, smiling when he heard Shane’s sigh of contentment.
“Give me your hand, Shane,” Chris demanded softly. He didn’t have to tell Shane which hand he was referring to.
Shane brought up the hand that help his essence and Chris took it to his mouth, pried Shane’s fingers loose, and went to town on the cum in there. He licked Shane’s palm clean before placing Shane’s hand on his chest, right where his heartbeat.
“Feel that?” Chris rasped. And when he felt Shane’s nod, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to his head. “It beats for you,” Chris whispered. “Just you.”
And it was the gospel, honest, naked truth.
***
Shane’s subsequent sessions with Dr. Murray went without a hitch. The doctor was pleased with his progress. Shane himself felt lighter, as though a load had been lifted off his shoulder.
“I feel good, Chris,” Shane confessed. “I can’t wait for us to start going together.”
“So you can insult me to my face, huh?” Chris said dryly.
“Actually, yeah.” Shane deadpanned. “It’s gonna feel damned good to be able to haul insults at you in the name of therapy.”
“Jerk,” Chris muttered, throwing a pillow at Shane. He couldn’t help but laugh too when Shane burst into uncontrollable laughter. At least Shane was okay.
Eventually, the day came for Chris’ private sessions with the doctor to begin. By his third visit, he finally understood how Shane had felt. Chris’ emotions became so heightened when he was made to confront his inner demons that, he became a totally different person. The extent of self-hate he felt was so bad it made him physically ill. He became short-tempered and would snap at anyone and anything except Shane. His workers and business associates suddenly found it difficult to be around him.
Shane couldn’t help but notice how withdrawn Chris had become after starting his sessions with Dr. Murray. Chris had lost weight, had bags under his eyes, looked lost in thought almost all the time, and didn’t seem like his usual self at all. The only time there seemed to be any life inside Chris was when they made love. Other times, he just looked like a shell.
Even Abigail had asked her boss once whether all was well with Mr. Don, whom she’d really come to love and even acknowledged as her boss too. All Chris said when Shane asked him about how he’d changed was that, he was fine. When Dr. Murray extended Chris’ private sessions over the two-week schedule, Shane knew something was very wrong. He wanted to talk to Dr. Murray to understand what was going on but on second thoughts, decided to allow the good doctor to do his job.
Even the squad began seeing and hearing less and less of Chris. He would rather go on a trip out of town than hang out with the guys on Saturdays, leaving Shane to show up alone to their Saturday get-togethers. The guys were getting worried…especially so, as they could see the worry in Shane’s eyes.
“Shane? What is going on with Chris?” Damon asked one day whilst they were sitting around the poker table.
Shane threw his cards down on the table and buried his face in his palms with a deep sigh. “I don’t really know guys.” He muttered. “He just doesn’t seem like his usual self. He started his sessions with Murray and has become withdrawn ever since. He’s always in a bad mood and…”
“Does he lose his temper with you?” Michael asked with narrowed eyes. He would sic Mary on Chris if he dared give Shane any grief, Michael thought determinedly. In his opinion, Shane didn’t deserve any shit from Chris.
“No, no.” Shane shook his head. “On the contrary, he treats me…like an egg, when he’s not avoiding me that is.” Shane gave a slight smile. “I catch him watching me all the time, it’s fucking disconcerting.”
“Well…” Dean gave a naughty grin. “He’s a horny fox…”
“No.” Shane quickly said. “It’s not like that.”
“Idiot,” Matt muttered, smacking Dean upside the head.
“Hey, careful.” Dean gave a mock growl. “I’m somebody’s father.”
“Yeah right. Whose?” Cole growled back at Dean. “Have you asked him what the problem is?” He addressed the question at Shane.
“He says he’s fine. But he looks different.” Shane sighed. “The only time I see the Chris I know is when we’re…” Shane trailed off.
“We get it.” Michael grinned. “So…”
“…why not do it all the time then?” Matt finished Michael’s sentence.
“And who said that was what I was going to ask, you moron?” Michael gave Matt an incredulous look, making the guys, including Shane, dissolve into laughter despite the seriousness of the whole issue.
“Now, who’s the idiot?” Dean mocked.
“Have you spoken to Murray?” Michael asked, finally getting to complete his question.
“No. I thought it will be better to allow him to do his job.” Shane said quietly. “I didn’t want to interfere.”
“Well, maybe you should,” Kyle said, looking very tense.
“Or we could talk to the asshole,” Cole said, pulling out his phone, obviously with the intention of dialing Chris’ number.
“Cole, don’t.” Damon stopped him. “You know how strong-headed Chris is. Maybe just one of us can try to…”
“Allow me to go knock some sense into the bully when he gets back.” Tristan chipped in from his perch on the couch.
“Honey, if you go to Chris, he’ll send you back in a body bag,” Damon said, laughter greeting his comment.
“I’ll do it,” Aaron said from the doorway. He’d been standing there in Michael’s doorway, listening to the guys talk, knowing exactly how Chris was feeling, and knowing he was the right person to talk to Chris.
“Dude, do you have any other skill I don’t know about?” Dean asked with a smirk, which turned into a peal of full-blown laughter when Aaron flipped him off.
“Yes he does,” Kyle said softly, looking at Aaron with so much adoration. “Talk to him when he gets back, baby.”
“Well, if Chris will listen to anyone, it’s Aaron,” Cole said, earning a chorus of yeses from the guys.
“In the meantime, talk to Murray, Shane,” Kyle advised.
“Okay.”