Broken Toys

Chapter 53

Dust particles hung suspended like dirty gems against the crystal blue sky. Casey stared at  them, enthralled, oblivious to everything else.

Nothing broke the spell. Not the sound of the approaching car that he'd waited for all night; not the sight of the black machine skidding to  an angled stop; not the smell of the coffee and  pastries that Zeke held out as a peace offering;  not even the whisper touch of breath across his cheek as Zeke leaned close in concern.

Nothing. Senses weakened by worry and fatigue were vulnerable to pale enchantments and Casey could not free them on his own.

"Case."

A counterspell pressed into his mouth by a gently seeking tongue, sealed in place with tender lips.

He came back to himself gradually, the moist warmth of Zeke's kiss bringing the tingle of returning awareness, like the pins-and-needles prickle of circulation.

One by one the other senses woke: the feel of skin and cloth, the familiar, comforting smell of coffee and cigarettes and Zeke, the sound of steady breathing and soft words and oh, the glorious vision of that beautiful smile when Zeke stepped back.

"Hi."

"Today's the big day," Zeke prompted gently, noting but not commenting on the fact that Casey was sitting on the porch, wrapped up in a blanket still wearing the same clothes he'd had on the previous day. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to conclude he'd spent the night sitting in the rocker, waiting for Zeke's return.

One more mess-up to add to the very long list.

"You brought pastries," Casey noted absently as if he were unaware that that they were going to be late for their graduation.

"Three different kinds. Let's get ready and we can eat in the car. Billy's going to kick both our butts for being late."

Casey just shrugged and took a sip of the coffee Zeke brought. It was black with no sugar and Casey  made a face.

"Shower first, Case. Sugar fix second, okay?"

Casey set the coffee aside and stood, shrugging off the blanket before going inside to the upstairs bathroom.  Zeke followed, frowning at the other man's unhesitant obediance.

He was still frowning when they returned to the kitchen fifteen minutes later clean and dressed. Casey was in full "good puppy" mode, doing whatever he was told, and Zeke was ready to scream. He had thought they were past this stuff.

Sugar and caffeine seemed to help somewhat, although Casey still couldn't seem to rouse himself completely from whatever trance he was in. His body was oddly still, moving only as much as necessary to propel himself out of the house, across the lawn and into the car. He made no attempt to change the music, his usual first priority whenever riding with Zeke.

Zeke tightened his hands on the steering wheel and resisted the urge to press the gas pedal to the floor, tilt back his head and curse at the gods.

"Will she be there?"

Zeke cast a startled look over at his passive lover, unsure that the voice he'd heard was Casey's; it was so achingly tentative.

"She'll do her best, Case," Zeke eased his grip on the steering wheel and slid one hand over to rest on Casey's knee. Even after the hot shower, the young man felt so cold. Zeke rubbed a circle over Casey's knee and thigh. "It will be all right."

Without looking he could feel Casey's eyes piercing him, searching for truth and reassurance. It made Zeke feel even worse. He had no excuse for his behavior the previous night; certainly nothing that  would ever justify how close he'd come to striking his lover. That Casey had already forgiven him only damned Zeke more.

"Don't," Casey said firmly, his hands capturing Zeke's right hand in an almost painful grip. After a moment he loosened his hold, caressing the hand before letting go. "Don't punish yourself for last night, Zeke."

Zeke glanced over at Casey once more, then returned his attention to driving. Traffic was heavier as they neared the school and he needed to concentrate. It wasn't until they were pulling into the student parking lot that he finally nodded. "I'll try."

Casey waited until the car engine stopped, then slipped out of his seatbelt. He pressed a kiss against Zeke's jaw, then slid back and opened the door.

"That's all I'll ever ask," he assured the older man as they were swept up into the circle of their friends.

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