Change of Opinion

Change of Opinion 5 --- Finale and Epilogue

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After several minutes, Darien returned with the items Bobby had requested and laid them in his partner's hands.

"Good. This is real good. Okay, Ebes. I'm gonna lay out your options. It's up to you how this happens... or if it happens at all."

"I told you I'm...."

"I know what you told us, but I gotta be sure you're really seein' the whole picture. The first time you take somebody inside you... it can really hurt. Don't get me wrong, it don't take long to start feelin' damn good, but the hurt usually comes first."

"I... I understand and I'm more than willing to endure whatever discomfort I have to in order to... to be that close to you. I wish..." Eberts smiled tensely at Bobby then lowered his eyes, censoring himself again.

"You wish what?" Darien prompted gently. "Go ahead."

"No. It's alright. Please... let's just... move on."

"Eberts..."

"Robert, no." the other responded firmly. "Perhaps I'll tell you later. We'll see. Right now.... I need you to make love to me. I need that so much...." he pleaded, his voice tight with emotion as he reached for and grasped Bobby's hand.

"Absolutely. Absolutely, I can do that." Hobbes replied, finding his own throat suddenly a bit dry and constricted. "Ari. Go get a couple glasses of cold water, wouldja?"

Darien responded without a word and without hesitation.

"What was it you just called him?" Eberts asked curiously once the other was out of ear shot.

"Ari. It's a... whadda ya call it... pet name. We don't use 'em anywhere but here. It's just somethin' we do at the end of the day that lets us know we're not out in the world anymore.... that we're home an' together.... an' it's just us."

"He must have one for you."

"Yeah..."

"Oh, come now. It can't be that bad."

"Bert. He calls me Bert."

"Bert." Eberts repeated, speaking the nickname as if he were contemplating the worth of an intensely beautiful object. "It suits you. Not as formal as Robert and not as common as Bobby. Quite fitting."

Just then, Darien returned carrying two near full glasses beaded with condensation, the ice within rattling occasionally as he moved. He handed one to each man then resumed his place on Eberts' right side.

"Drink just a little now, okay Ebes? Just enough to wet your throat." Bobby instructed. "Good. Put it on the nightstand over on your side an' lay back down for me."

Eberts handed the glass back to Darien, who placed it where Bobby had directed. To Fawkes' surprise, however, instead of continuing to speak to the newcomer, Bobby turned on him, his expression deadly serious.

"You know you broke the rules today, right?"

"I... I guess so. I'm..."

"Stop. You weren't about to apologize, were you?"

"No."

"I didn't think so. You know better than that. I'll admit, my first thought was to sit you on the floor and handcuff you to the leg of the bed. Then maybe put the blindfold back on you, add a set of earplugs and let you drive yourself crazy wonderin' what you might be missin' out on."

For a very brief moment, Darien considered offering a mild protest, but immediately realized that would only get him in deeper with Bobby than he already was.

"I could handle that. If that's what you want, I'll go with it."

"You not only could, if I told you to you *would*. Like I said, that was only my first thought. Since your lessons today were more for fun than anything, this once, I'm lettin' it go, but when I say once, I mean it. Clear?"

"Perfectly."

Over the next few seconds Bobby's expression softened and lightened considerably and he reached his hand out to cup Darien's face.

"I love you, Ari. You know that, right?"

His lover nuzzled into the touch, closed his eyes and smiled.

"Of course I do. You answered all my questions before we ever did anything... hell, before we even moved in together. I've always known the hows and whys. Plus you said from the beginning that I could leave anytime I felt like it was too much. You swore you wouldn't make me stay if I didn't feel right about what we have and what we're doin'. I believed you then and I believe you now. I'm still here because I wanna be.... an' I love you too."

Swallowing with some difficulty, Bobby fought down his knee-jerk emotional reaction, nodded his acknowledgement of Darien's obeisance and further disarranged his lover's already volatile hair before returning his attention to Eberts.

"Okay, where was I? Options, right? We can do this a lotta ways; on your back, on your stomach, on hands an' knees... my suggestion would be on your back. It'll let me control the speed an' the timing... easier on both of us that way."

"Dearest Robert... I surrendered control the moment I walked into this apartment today... and please trust me when I say that I never had any doubt who I was surrendering it to. Being a novice in this field, I'm more than happy to allow you to 'run the show' as they say."

"Good man." Bobby chuckled, grinning as he slowly ran his hands up and down Eberts' inner thighs. "Just relax... an' let me make this happen, okay? Just close your eyes... forget where you are... forget the world even exists. Just focus on what you feel... focus on the way your skin goes all pins an' needles when I touch you... like it's been asleep your whole life an' it's just wakin' up. Let that be all there is to think about right now. Fawkes? Find one a'those pieces of silk rope. The long one."

As Darien turned away to complete the task, Bobby watched him carefully. "Tie one end around your left wrist. Don't make it too tight. Loop the rest around the bedpost twice and leave the other end hangin'."

Darien complied with all Bobby's requests, though his expression grew more and more confused. It stayed that way until Hobbes reached out and quickly secured Darien's other wrist with the trailing end of the cord.

"What's this about, Hobbes?" Darien asked, carefully tempering all harshness or whiny tendencies out of his voice before speaking. "You said you'd let it go..."

"It's not punishment, babe. It's another lesson."

"In?"

"Patience. Maybe a little self-control thrown in for good measure." Bobby whispered gutturally in his ear. "There's enough slack here so you can touch yourself all you want...." he told him, caressing the rope. "but don't you dare come until I say so. You get off before I do.... I'll suck you back to full erection, put the cock ring back on... and you'll wait another hour. On your feet with your hands tied behind your back. Understood?"

"Yeah. Understood."

"Alright. Here we go, Ebes. Spread your legs apart a little more.... better. Stay just like that."

Retrieving the bottle of lubricant, Bobby squeezed a few drops out onto his index and second fingers and began rubbing the digits together to warm the gel. "Stay cool, here.... this is gonna feel a little weird at first." He warned as he began massaging and manipulating the sensitive skin around and behind Eberts' testicles.

"Ohhhh.... heavens.... it... it seems to be quite.... delicate there... please..."

"It's okay. I'm in no rush. Slow an' easy is the only way."

"I-I must agree.....ah! Robert... good.... that was.... good..."

"You're learnin', goat boy. Keep talkin. What's good?"

"Tongue.... there.... very good..."

"Back to one and two word sentences. That's a step in the right direction. Now let's see if I can get you down to groans, moans an' gibberish...." Bobby said as he slid the tip of his index finger barely inside Eberts' body.

"Oh!"

"You okay?"

"Yes... yes, I'm... fine... keep going... more, please...."

"Fawkes was right, you are gettin' the hang of this. Okay, I'm gonna start to stretch you out a little. Hang on..."

Over the next half hour, Bobby gradually loosened and relaxed the muscle with his fingers and tongue, proceeding gently as long as Eberts seemed to be with the program, stopping or retreating when his responses indicated he was feeling fear or discomfort. Gradually he was able to insert two fingers and scissor them apart to his satisfaction, but his experience told him that two wouldn't be quite enough and he cautiously raised his concern to Eberts.

"You're doin' really great, Ebes. You're a champ, man. One more finger and you'll be ready to finish this..."

"More? Robert.. I'm not sure... I don't know if I can...."

"It's okay. You're free to back off, even this far in. Let's give it one shot, okay? If it's too much to handle, it's too much. Should we give it at least one chance? What about it?"

"I... alright. Just one attempt..."

"That's the man... here we go.... relax as much as you possibly can...." Bobby soothed, talking and stroking his free hand over Eberts' abdomen to help keep him from tensing up. "I'm so proud of you, Eberts. When you found out what was really goin' on.... I figured you to run like your tights were on fire, but you stayed. You've been incredible. You can't know how hard I am right now... how hard you make me.... knowin' I'll be inside you in a minute.... knowin' how tight you're gonna squeeze me... You were practically unconscious, so I know you didn't see this.... but after that hand-job I gave you, I licked my fingers... Fawkes is so right, man.... you taste like nothin' I've ever known.... the flavor was all about your sweetness an' innocence... backed by that touch a'heat an' spice.... All I wanted right then an' there was more.... I wanted to taste you, over an' over, forever. Maybe Darien ain't addicted yet... but I sure as hell am...."

"R-Robert.... if you're going to m-make this a-attempt... do it now...."

"I already did, buddy. I've had three fingers inside you for a couple minutes now. Matter a'fact... I think I'm finally deep enough to show you somethin' amazin'.... grab the sheets or somethin'. This can be intense..." Bobby warned, crooking the tip of one finger and making momentary contact with Eberts' prostate. The man beneath him bucked suddenly, hips lifting completely off the bed, and screeched. By the time he landed, his lavishly treated, but exhausted prick was back at half mast for the third time that day. Bobby chuckled softly. "Whoops. Did I say intense? I meant six point five on the Richter scale. It's just about time, Ebes... you ready?"

"My God, yes.... I want you.... I need you, Robert.... please, now..."

"I'll be there. I got some preparin' to do myself. Won't take a second."

Once the condom was securely on and well lubricated, Bobby rolled on top of his new lover, aligned their bodies and leaned in, peppering Eberts' face with kisses in-between murmured instructions in his ear.

"Lift your legs around me... that's it.... lock your ankles.... good.... arms around my back.... you got it... okay... now all you have to do... is hold on... I'll do the work.... Not too much at first, okay? Just a little bit.... slow and easy..."

His movements deliberately controlled, Bobby guided an inch of his solid cock into Eberts' body then held very still for several seconds, wanting to give the other man all the time he needed to adjust, physically and mentally, to what was happening. Eventually, Eberts gave him the green light.

"M-more.... I need more.... deeper..."

"Yeah.... anything you want... here it comes...."

"R-Robert.... Ohhhhh.... I ... I never....all the way.... please do it now... "

Bobby responded immediately, employing a little more force and speed, and within seconds he was fully seated. Once again, he made himself wait, knowing that, no matter what Eberts might say in the depths of passion, the smaller man needed patience and coherence more than he needed swift resolution of the pressure building inside him.

"Ebes? Can I..."

"Yes... oh, yes...."

In one smooth motion, Bobby slid out then drove back in. He hesitated only a second or two this time before repeating the movement. Gradually, he established an easy, comfortable rhythm; lift the hips slowly as you withdraw, drop back a little faster, reveling in the restoration of skin to skin contact.

"Mmmm.... ahhh.... R-Robert.... i-it doe.... doesn't h-hurt.... please... harder...."

"I hear ya.... but if I'm gonna do somethin'... I do it right, goat boy.... we got a little time yet..." Bobby told him, reaching down between their bodies to stroke Eberts' cock firmly. "Makin' love ain't about just gettin' it over with.... it's about desire... takin' it to the point where you want it so bad.... you'll do anything to get it.... that place where every time your heart beats... you feel it all over your body.... but especially here...." he whispered, giving an extra squeeze and rubbing his thumb slowly over the head. "How bad do you want it? Are your nerves so on edge.... you think you'll go crazy if you can't come right... this... second? You there yet, Ebes? Hmmm?"

"Yes! I'm already crazy.... I'm begging you, go faster.... push into me deep and hard.... I need to feel that... Please, Bobby...."

Hearing his casual name forced from Eberts' lips shocked Hobbes for a long moment. He recovered quickly, however, and instantly sped up the work of both his hand and body.

"Do it for me, Ebes.... c'mon, baby..... come for me one more time.... let it all go... don't hold back now...."

"Ohhhh! I can feel it! I can feel you pulsing inside me! So hot... and powerful.... oh, don't stop....."

Abruptly, both men stilled, frozen in the moment, afraid that unnecessary movement would cause time to move forward before they were ready. Bobby held his breath, unwilling to risk even respiration until the wrenching spasms in his gut had ceased. Eberts held himself rigid, clamping down on Bobby's cock, suddenly terrified that if he let go he would wake up to his own bleak room and the clinging, tattered remnants of a fantastic, gossamer-fragile dream.

Eventually, the muscles in Eberts' lower back and hips began to ache fiercely and he forced himself to relax, uncrossing his ankles and allowing his legs to fall to the bed on either side of his lover's body. Sensing the weight fall away from his own lower back, Bobby carefully slipped out and rolled over, breathing harshly and heavily. After several minutes, he finally remembered Darien.

"Fawkes?"

"I'm here."

"You pass the test?"

"Barely.... but yeah, I passed."

"Good boy. Gimme a minute to catch my breath an' ill untie ya."

"Take your time. Sounded like you really outdid yourself. You must be beat."

"Pretty much." Bobby replied, slowly sitting up and disposing of the condom before releasing Darien from his bonds. Both then turned their attention to Eberts who had turned onto his side and pushed his hands under the pillow.

"Hey. You in there, Ebes?" Darien asked gently.

"Hmm? Yes... I think so. Er... I'm afraid I'm quite done in... would it be acceptable if I... sleep for just a short while?"

"Great minds think alike, goat boy. I was just thinkin' about catchin' some zzz's." Bobby said, crawling up and molding himself against Eberts' back. Darien followed, dropping into a facing position with his friend and colleague and pulling the sheets back up over all three of them.

"Go ahead and get some rest, Ebes. We'll be right here when you wake up." Darien promised.

"I pray that's true...." Eberts mumbled drowsily as his eyes fluttered shut and he slipped into sleep.

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FOUR HOURS LATER

Darien was nudged out of sleep some time later by the sense that the pillow beneath his cheek was damp. Opening his eyes, he found that his feeling was accurate. Eberts, who had apparently been awake for quite a while, had been crying again and it was his tears that had soaked the surface both he and Darien slept on.

"Eberts?" Darien inquired softly. "What's this about, huh? You alright?"

"Fine. Truly... I'm so sorry for waking you. I was just... laying here thinking.... and my emotions overwhelmed me."

"You regrettin' what happened today?"

"Oh, no! Never. What you both gave me in just these few hours... it's been a revelation and a miracle, and if my experience has taught me anything... it's that miracles don't happen twice. You take them where they happen, appreciate them for what they have to teach you... and you hold yourself together when they go away. I... I was... storing up good memories... and the reality suddenly intruded and made me very sad. Again, my intention wasn't to wake you..."

"Eberts, stop." Bobby said from behind him as he slipped an arm around the other man's waist. "Just stop, okay? I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told Fawkes when he and I first got together. Then you can make your own choice. I want there to be more days like this. I want to be with you. I want you to be happy. What I *don't* want is for you to feel like I'm puttin' any pressure on you at all. I'd never make you do what you don't wanna do or stay where you don't wanna stay. I'd love it if you'd be a part of our lives... but it's up to you."

"Robert.... I need to believe what you're saying.... I need that so badly it's almost painful... but having been lied to so recently, blind belief is very difficult..."

"Blind? Who said anything about blind? Go back over today in your head. Look at the promises we made to you, check out the evidence for yourself an' use that to make your decision."

After a few minute of quiet contemplation, Eberts' eyes brightened and a cautious smile crept onto his lips. He sat up and Bobby followed suit a moment later.

"It's true. You never lied to me. Charles was the liar. I'm allowing his deception and cruelty to cloud my thinking. Robert.... I.... I'd like to take you up on your offer, if you'll accept me. I realize there will be tests, but I think I should do well...."

"Tests? What tests? You mean what I've been puttin' Fawkes through today? That has nothin' to do with you. That's between him an' me. Your acceptance is unconditional, Tummy."

The name brought a surprised giggle from Eberts.

"Tummy. I'd almost forgotten that. I think I like that very much."

"Glad to hear it." Darien replied. "Now, can we go out and get some dinner? I'm starved."

"But... oh, dear. I have no clothes. I can't...."

"You can borrow somethin' from me for now. We'll stop at your place on the way so you can change." Bobby offered.

"Oh. Yes that should work just fine. Thank you, Robert. Not for the clothes so much as for... everything. How I'll ever repay...."

"Don't worry about it. You can settle up next time by showin' me how well you paid attention today." Hobbes told him, throwing back the sheets and rising to his feet.

"Oh? Ohhhh...."

A wicked grin that was totally unlike him insinuated its way onto his face. As he examined its origins, he found he really didn't mind the thoughts and feelings behind the smile and allowed it to stay. Flopping back into the pillows, he tucked his hands under his head and relaxed as he waited for his turn in the shower.

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EPILOGUE: MONDAY MORNING

"You're half an hour late, Eberts."

"I realize that."

"Well? You're never late. Ever. I demand an explanation."

"They were out of 1% milk for my half-caf latte. I had to wait."

"They were out of what.... for your what?"

"Pardon the necessity of my saying so sir, but if I'm going to survive a morning with you, coffee is an essential. I wasn't about to walk out without it. Now, what case file was it you said you needed?"

The Official let his jaw hang open for a few seconds before he gathered his composure, cleared his throat and repeated his request. On his way out of the office, Eberts' 'Lord, I'm having fun' grin made an appearance. He had gotten accustomed to it throughout the day Sunday and now was quite comfortable with it and all it meant. He anticipated a major shift in the direction of his life over the next few weeks and months and, for the first time in his life, he welcomed the changes, no matter where they might lead him.

At the doorway, he stole a swift glance back at his employer and the smile widened. His future was not the only one he was anticipating....

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THE END

NEXT: Changing Partners.....