Free at Last Ch. 03

"I don't mean that way, Nikolai." Clark smiled.

"Oh, uh... Okay then sure." Nikolai hesitantly followed Clark to the bed. Clark pulled his shirt off over his head and stripped down to his boxers.

"Clark..."

"You don't have to if you don't want to." Clark said.

'It couldn't hurt, he's not trying anything." Nikolai thought to himself.

"I'm fine." Nikolai rubbed one of his arms nervously. Clark walked up to Nikolai slowly and unbuttoned his own shirt.

"You okay?" He asked, once Nikolai was stripped down to his own boxers.

"Yeah." Nikolai said quietly, and climbed into bed, under the cool covers. Clark slid in next to him and spooned against him.

"Goodnight." He whispered in his ear. The snuggling was intimate but not sexual. Nikolai felt his eyes brimming with tears as he felt the warm touch of someone who cared for him. It was the first time in a long time he had felt that kind of touch on his bare skin.

"What?" Clark asked, when Nikolai mumbled something.

"I said, Don't ever stop holding me." Nikolai repeated, only slightly louder. Clark hugged him tighter.

"If you let me, I never will." Nikolai cried silently as Clark soothed him with his strong chest against Nikolai's back.

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Nikolai woke. He heard the soft snores of Clark behind him, and found he was still lying wrapped in his arms. He listened to his snores for awhile and then finally decided to get up. He tried to shift out of the bed but the more he moved the tighter Clark hugged him. He eventually gave up and laid there quietly, savoring the warm embrace of the other man.

"Morning." Clark mumbled as he woke up.

"Morning." Nikolai said, the sleep long gone from his voice.

"Did you sleep alright?"

"Better than I have in weeks, thank you." Nikolai said, he heard and felt Clark take a long sniff of his hair.

"You smell nice." Clark chuckled.

"Thank you?" Nikolai turned to look at him. Clark made sure he stayed in his arms but let him move enough to face him.

"I hope this isn't making you uncomfortable." Clark said, suddenly worried.

"No, it feels nice." Nikolai said honestly. "It's strange really." he added.

"What?"

"Feeling warm. It's something more than just body temperature. I don't know how to explain it... I'm just so warm." Nikolai huddled deeper into his arms.

"I know what you mean." Clark hugged him tighter.

'Nothing like holding the man you love.' Clark thought to himself.

"We should get up." Clark said.

"It tried about an hour ago, it didn't work so well." Nikolai looked down at the muscled arms wrapped around him.

"Oh, sorry." Clark blushed.

"It's okay." Nikolai stayed under the blankets. Clark let go of Nikolai and could have sworn he heard a grunt of disagreement. He stepped into the bathroom and turned on the hot water. Nikolai poked one eye out from under the blankets and listened to him get undressed. He caught only a fleeting glimpse of Clarks' firm ass as he stepped into the shower. He quickly tucked the blankets over his head and inhaled the scent of Clark from the pillows and sheets.

"You have to come out of there sometime." Clark said. Nikolai poked an eye out again and saw Clark standing there. A fluffy white towel was around his waist and he was using a smaller towel to dry his hair. His chest was smooth and glowed with tiny droplets of water from the shower. His arms had decent sized muscles and his legs showed the same definition. Nikolai buried himself in the covers once more.

"No I don't." His voice was muffled by the blankets.

"Yes, you do." Clark pulled the covers off of him, exposing him to the freezing air. Nikolai growled and curled up in a ball, trying to keep the body heat.

"Come on." Clark pulled him up and pushed him towards the shower. "Take a shower, you will feel better. I'll make breakfast." Clark said. Nikolai did as he was told and climbed into the warm shower. As soon as the hot water ran cold he turned it off and stepped out. Clark had been right and he did feel better than he had in a long sleep.

"Morning, again." Clark smiled as he came out.

"Morning. God I feel great." Nikolai stretched.

"The shower helped?" Clark asked.

"Yes, and so did the good nights sleep." Nikolai sat down at the table.

"Good, I'm glad I could help." Clark set down a plate with two pop tarts on it. Nikolai stared down at them silently for a moment.

"This is making breakfast?" He looked up at Clark. Clark stared at him while chewing his own pop tarts and shrugged.

"I pushed the button on the toaster." Nikolai laughed and broke one of the pop tarts in half, chewing it slowly.

"So what are we doing today?" Clark asked.

"You don't have to work?"

"Nope, I was hoping we could go see Ana." Clark said, Nikolai could see the sadness in his eyes as he mentioned his daughter.

"Of course." Nikolai said, and finished chewing his pop tart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How is she doing today?" Clark asked the doctor as they watched Ana play.

"I'm not going to lie to you, Clark. It's not looking good." The doctor said.

"It's getting worse, isn't it?" Clark said, leaning his head against the glass that separated them from the sick little girl.

"Yes." The doctor said simply. Clark sighed and buried his head in his hands. He felt a thin hand on his shoulder and looked back to see Nikolai comforting him. He turned and pulled Nikolai close to him. He was worried Nikolai would pull away but was glad when he returned the embrace.

"It will be okay, Clark." Nikolai promised.

"How do you know?" Clark felt childish but he had every right to act that way in his eyes.

"I don't." Nikolai said honestly. Clark cried quietly into his shoulder. Nikolai held him while he cried and waited until the tears stopped to speak.

"Come on, we need to go see Ana." Nikolai wiped the last of Clark's tears away.

The time they spent with Ana was bleak. They tried their best to pretend nothing was wrong, but even Ana knew that it wasn't looking good. After a few hours with her the two men were exhausted and promised they would return that weekend, and call later. Nikolai and Clark dragged their fatigued bodies through the door, lazily throwing it shut behind them. They dropped their keys and wallets onto the counter, kicking off their shoes and stripping off clothing as they went they landed in Clarks bed. No words were needed, Nikolai knew he would be staying in Clark's bed from now on.

The two men landed on the bed and fell into each others arms. Clark held Nikolai's face as they kissed passionately and Nikolai kept his arms wrapped around Clark's neck. Clark reached down and pulled Nikolai's briefs off desperately. Nikolai did the same until they were both laying in each others arms with no clothing separating them. Clark wrapped his hand around Nikolai's smaller cock and began jacking him off steadily.

"I'm not very big." Nikolai mumbled between kisses.

"You're perfect." Clark promised. Nikolai tentatively touched Clark's dick and was pleased when he was rewarded with a moan. "Don't worry." Clark promised him.

"I'm just not very experienced." Nikolai blushed.

"You're doing fine." Clark said, as he continued to kiss Nikolai's neck and chest. Nikolai continued to stroke Clark's cock with more confidence.

"I want to suck you." Nikolai whispered. Clark nodded and let go of Nikolai's cock. Nikolai scooted down so his head was level with Clark's hard pole. Clark stroked his hair, urging him on. Nikolai grabbed his shaft and licked the head tentatively. He paused for a moment and decided he liked the flavor. He sucked on the swollen head and stroked the rest with his hand. He went as deep as he could but found once it reached the back of his throat he gagged.

"Take it slow, you're doing fine." Clark caressed the back of his head. Nikolai began sucking on what he could take and jacking what he couldn't.

"That's it, baby." Clark tossed his head back and savored the feeling of Nikolai's hot mouth. Nikolai got to the point where it touched the back of his throat again and tried to take more, he gagged again and backed off.

"You'll get it babe, just not tonight." Clark panted. Nikolai looked up at him and cool gray eyes met emerald green. Nikolai continued to suck and lick Clark's erection until he was pulled off.

"I don't want to cum yet." Clark kissed Nikolai and tasted himself on the other man's tongue. He reached over and pulled out a tube of lube and a condom.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Clark asked. Nikolai looked at the lube and condom and swallowed nervously before nodding.

"Anytime you want me to stop, just tell me." Clark said. Nikolai nodded again and dove back down to Clark's mouth, eager to taste the other man again. Clark pulled him up so Nikolai was straddling his lap, legs being held up by Clark's strong arms. Nikolai sat chest to chest with Clark, his arms hanging from his shoulders lazily. Clark squeezed some lube on his fingers and prodded Nikolai's tight hole. Nikolai jumped.

"Cold." he muttered, and returned to kissing the other man.

"It'll get warm." Clark promised, rubbing the lube in small circles around his ass. Nikolai pushed back and felt Clark's fingers slide into him. He wiggled on the two digits and bit his lip.

"You okay?" Clark asked, Nikolai nodded and started humping back on Clark's fingers. Clark began scissoring his fingers, stretching Nikolai for his cock. When Clark felt that Nikolai was ready, he grabbed the condom. After tearing it open with his teeth he was about to roll it onto his prick when Nikolai stopped him.

"I want to." Clark handed him the condom and Nikolai rolled his down his hard shaft.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Clark asked, once he had lined up with Nikolai's private opening. Nikolai nodded and leaned onto Clark's shoulders. Clark held his hips with one hand and slowly pressed his large cock into Nikolai's hole.

"Oh god, you're tight." Clark gasped. He held still a moment, letting Nikolai adjust and making sure he wouldn't cum before he was all the way in. After waiting awhile, he moved and began sinking deeper into Nikolai's warm depths. Nikolai whimpered and jumped, Clark waited for him to relax and continued going deeper. Nikolai bit Clark's shoulder as he was filled with the hot piece of meat.

"Are you okay?" Clark asked, once he was all the way in.

"Uh huh, just give me a sec." Nikolai whispered. His hands squeezed Clark's back and his head was buried in Clark's neck. Clark waited until he felt Nikolai relax and then began slowly pumping in and out of Nikolai's tight hole. Nikolai whimpered more, only this time it was whimpers of need and pleasure.

"Oh god." He panted as Clark began thrusting in and out of him faster. He wiggled on Clark's penetrating cock. The room was filled with panting and groans from the two men. Nikolai let out mews of pleasure and lust as Clark grunted every time he bottomed out in Nikolai's warm ass.

"Don't stop." Nikolai begged. Clark kissed him eagerly as they fucked. Nikolai was filled with eight inches of hard cock and felt completely full.

"So tight." Clark gasped in his ear. Nikolai held onto Clark's shoulders as he bounced on his cock and Clark thrusted up.

"I can't hold back, I'm gonna cum." Clark gasped. Nikolai opened his eyes and looked into Clark's green eyes. He kissed him hard and continued to bounce on Clark's hard cock. Clark removed one of his hands from Nikolai's hip and began stroking his cock that sat between them and Nikolai tossed his head back, moaning at the smooth hand that stroked him. Clark took the opportunity to suck on Nikolai's exposed neck. Nikolai turned his head so Clark had full access and felt the hickey forming on his neck.

"I'm cumming, babe." Clark gasped, filling the condom with his liquid hot spunk. Nikolai felt his twitching cock and couldn't hold back anymore. His own dick let loose a torrent of sperm between the two men, showing their chests with Nikolai's release. Nikolai squeezed Clark closer, squishing the cum between them. Both men panted heavily and collapsed onto the bed. Clark slipped out of Nikolai who jumped as the slick cock slid out. He was suddenly empty and didn't like the feeling. He curled up next to Clark who hugged him to his spunk covered chest. Both men ignored the mess as sleep overcame them.

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Clark woke and smelled the familiar shampoo that Nikolai used. He opened his eyes and found his chin was resting on top of Nikolai's head, Nikolai buried in his neck. Nikolai wiggled in his sleep and curled up closer to Clark. Clark smiled and sighed. He hugged the smaller man to him and ran his hands up and down his spine. Nikolai shivered and opened his eyes.

"Good morning." Nikolai said, the gray eyes showed slight fear. Clark guessed he was afraid he regretted what happened last night.

"Morning, sleep well?" Clark asked, hugging him closer still.

"Yeah, last night..." Nikolai didn't know what to say.

"Was fantastic." Clark finished. Nikolai smiled.

"Yeah, it was. I cant believe I waited that long." He laughed.

"Agreed, I didn't hurt you did I?" Clark asked.

"No." Nikolai smiled.

"Come on, we should clean up. Share a shower with me?" Clark asked, Nikolai frowned.

"But I'm comfy." He pouted.

"To bad," Clark kissed his head. "We need a shower. He pulled away and flakes of dried cum came off of their chests.

"Sorry." Nikolai blushed. Clark laughed and tossed his legs over the bed.

"Oh my god!" Nikolai shouted. Clark turned around to face him.

"What? Are you okay?" Clark asked, worried. Nikolai pushed him so his back was to him again and That's when Clark felt the pain.

"Ow, what the hell?" Clark felt a stinging pain in his upper back. He reached a hand back and felt the ten small cuts in his back.

"I scratched you, I'm so sorry!" Nikolai covered his face with his hands, embarrassed.

"It's okay, it doesn't hurt that bad." Clark laughed, surprised he didn't notice it earlier.

"Are you sure? Oh god I feel so bad." Nikolai blushed.

"It's fine, we're even since I gave you that giant hickey." Clark wiggled his eyebrows. Nikolai's smile vanished and he put a hand to his neck.

"Clark! I have to see Henstridge today." Nikolai blushed harder.

"You were going to tell her about us anyways, right?" Clark smiled. Nikolai pouted.

"Yeah, but I didn't want it to be so obvious." He smiled. Clark laughed and stood up. Nikolai looked at his firm ass and felt his mouth water just a little.

"Are you staring at my ass?" Clark turned to look at Nikolai, keeping his ass to the other man. Nikolai blushed again.

"Yours isn't so bad, either." Clark helped Nikolai up, who groaned and hissed.

"Are you okay?" Clark asked, worried.

"It's a good sore." Nikolai smiled. They walked to the bathroom, Nikolai walking with a funny limp. Clark smiled and turned on the hot water. He stepped in, and pulled Nikolai to him. Kissing the other man, the water poured over them. The dried cum washed off easily and Nikolai made sure to scrub Clark's back well, cleaning the scratches. After they were clean, Clark pulled Nikolai to him again and they sat under the warm water, holding each other and kissing.

"I'd stay here all day with you, but I'm going to be late for my appointment." Nikolai pouted.

"Okay, I'll see you tonight?" Clark asked.

"Yeah." Nikolai smiled. The two men got dressed and with one final kiss, Clark was off to work and Nikolai to his appointment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So, I'm hoping Clark is the lucky guy?" Henstridge pointed to the hickey.

"Yes, you win the prize! Ding ding ding What do we have for her Johnny?" Nikolai pointed to his invisible assistant.

"I see getting laid didn't fix your sarcasm." Henstridge scribbled something down in her notepad.

"You can't fix what isn't broken. Mine is working just fine." Nikolai smiled and crossed his legs.

"So are you two in a relationship now?" Henstridge asked.

"I guess, yeah." Nikolai smiled.

"You seem happy."

"I am, this is the happiest I've been in a really long time. I'm getting a full night of sleep, I have the man of my dreams, I just cant help but think..." Nikolai trailed off.

"What?" Henstridge turned her head to the side.

"I'm just worried that this is all too good to last."

"Why?"

"I don't know, I just have this feeling. About my ex."

"You think he would come back?" Henstridge asked.

"Yes, I just can't help feel like this is over. And I'm worried that he would hurt Clark... Or you know, that Clark would hurt him." Nikolai laughed.

"Why would someone hurt him?" Henstridge asked.

"Justin? Maybe because they met him? Did I say that out loud?" Nikolai coughed.

"I meant Clark."

"I don't know, you just don't know Justin. It's something he would and could do." Nikolai said.

"I'm sure it's nothing Nikolai. It's been almost a year since you've seen him. Why would he come back now?" Henstridge asked.

"You're right." Nikolai waved a hand. "It's probably nothing." Nikolai nodded.

"I'd like for you to come in on Thursday too, I think we should get a hold of this anxiety thing before it gets out of control." Henstridge wrote down the date in her notepad.

"But I have an important date." Nikolai pouted.

"Oh, okay. I'll just jump in my time machine, go back two years ago, ask the rapist to postpone the rape a few days so that you can have your date."

"Now you're just abusing the sarcasm." Nikolai glared at her, but couldn't help feeling the lurking dread in his stomach.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"God, every day here is the same." Nikolai groaned once he got home.

"Bright, sunny, beautiful. How can we escape this torment?" Clark looked up from his sandwich.

"Hey, sarcasm is my thing." Nikolai scowled at him.

"Want a sandwich?" Clark asked, ignoring Nikolai's glare.

"No, I had pizza earlier." Nikolai sat down at the table to keep Clark company.

"So I was hoping we could go out tonight, yeah? I know this great Indian place." Clark said.

"Eh, I'm not a fan of Indian." Nikolai smiled.

"I know a great Italian place, then." Clark smiled.

"I love Italian." Nikolai smiled.

"Italian it is." Clark laughed.

"Oh hey, I have good new. I got a promotion today." Clark smiled.

"That's nice." Nikolai stared out the window.

"What's a guy gotta do to impress you?" Clark smiled.

"It involves a rabbit and the theme to Mork and Mindy." Nikolai said, coming back to the conversation.

"Uh huh... Well I'll get started on that." Clark nodded. "What were you thinking about, you got all spacey for a second there." Clark asked, finishing his sandwich.

"Nothing, just something Henstridge and I were talking about. I'm tired, I think I'll go take a nap and then we can go out for dinner when I wake up, yeah?" Nikolai asked.

"Sure. You want me to come?" Clark asked.

"No, I'll be fine." Nikolai smiled at him as he disappeared into Clark's room. Clark could sense he was lying and followed him into the room.

"You know me to well." Nikolai was lying on his back, his eyes were closed but he knew Clark was there.

"Are you okay?"

"Why is everything so hard?" Nikolai asked.

"It's called life." Clark sat down, and began stroking Nikolai's hair. Nikolai scrunched his brow.

"Well make it stop."

"Cant do that, sorry."

"Does it ever get easier?" Nikolai opened his eyes and turned his head to the side so he could look at Clark.

"What do you want me to say?" Clark asked.

"Lie to me."

"Yes, it gets so much easier. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are always distinguished by their horns or black hats. We always save the day, no one ever dies, and we all live happily ever after." Clark laid down next to Nikolai.

"Liar." Nikolai whispered. A moment past and Nikolai spoke again. "I cant believe you knew that quote." He laughed.