Co-habiting

Written By: LJ


Startled awake, TJ lay panting on his side of the bed; his heart pounding and his body covered in a fine layer of sweat. Looking over at his nightstand, he watched as the red numbers change to 3:36 AM. What the hell had that been about? Glancing to his other side, he saw Glen sleeping soundly in his usual position of flat on his back with his arms bent above his head.

TJ quietly slipped out of bed and into their en suite. After relieving himself, he washed his hands and face, gulped down a few mouthfuls of water and then stood staring at himself in the mirror, trying to remember what happened.

He was only able to recall being very upset; shouting and running away from someone or something. Both activities were almost always impossible to do in a dream; or in this case, a nightmare.

Shaking his head to rid himself of the residual feelings of fear, he turned off the light and returned to the other room. He looked down at his partner for several moments before crawling back in bed and snuggling up against Glen’s left side. Even in slumber, Glen’s arm automatically wrapped around his beautiful black lover and drew him closer. TJ now felt safe enough to relax and slowly drift off once again.

************

TJ got up from the breakfast table and put his few dishes in the sink. His hand was grabbed as he made his way passed Glen and he found himself sitting on the other man’s lap.

“Did you sleep all right last night, TJ?” Glen asked in a soft voice filled with concern. “You look a little haggard.”

“I’m okay, Glen. I just have a lot on my mind and sometimes it keeps me awake,” TJ mumbled as he put his arms around his lover’s neck and rested his head on Glen’s shoulder.

“Hmmm. You know, I now wish we had accepted Rowan’s invitation to visit at the cabin a couple of weeks ago. We could have used a few days of relaxation before jumping in over our heads like we seem to have done,” Glen wistfully commented.

“But who have thought two such grand strokes of luck would hit at the same time? It takes most people months to find the house of their dreams, yet we ended up with the second one the realtor took us to,” TJ reminded his partner.

“That’s true; we both knew it was meant to be ours before we even stepped inside.” Glen smiled and gave TJ a loving squeeze. “And then you taking the monumental leap to go into business for yourself and open your own pharmacy.”

“In a location close to our new community,” TJ mused happily. “Even though it’s a move I wasn’t planning until the very distant future, it was an opportunity I couldn’t let pass me by. It’s just that there is so much extra work involved in hiring staff, getting the place renovated, ordering stock and setting everything up, and right when our time is at a premium.”

“But the timing was perfect, my love, especially in light of Mr. B. retiring and selling his drugstore.”

“Yeah, and the fact that the new owners are such miserable schmucks,” TJ groused. Glen fought to contain his urge to chuckle, but TJ felt the restraining movement and giggled.

“Up you get, babe,” Glen ordered, lightly swatting his Brat’s rear end. “We’ve got another hectic day ahead of us.”

************

TJ woke with a start, breathless and confused. This time he knew why he had been upset and why he had been trying to run away as he recalled more of the reoccurring nightmare, beginning with his standing in the corner with a very sore backside.

“What’s the matter, babe?” Glen questioned in a sleepy voice, reaching for his partner.

“S’okay, it was just a bad dream.” TJ rolled over and nestled into his lover’s welcoming embrace.

“Want to talk about it?” Glen lovingly offered, coming fully awake.

“I was running away from you,” TJ responded, emphasizing the last word. “I was pissed off because you spanked me and then stood me in the corner.”

“That is not how we do things, TJ. If corner-time is involved, it is before I spank you, not after.” Glen rubbed a soothing hand over his partner’s back.

“I know that, but this is not the first time I’ve had this dream; I just remember more each time I have it,” TJ grumbled before yawning loudly. “I don’t want to talk anymore. I want to go back to sleep.”

************

Glen and TJ stood side by side, gazing up at the newly-painted, three-bedroom bungalow in front of them.

“It’s absolutely stunning,” TJ breathed out in hushed tones, totally in awe at the exterior of their new home. “I love the mint green with white trim. It offsets the multicoloured stone pillars and veranda base beautifully.”

The cosy, Craftsman-styled cottage stood on an acre of land. The woodland surrounding three sides of the structure gave it the privacy the men craved. It was hidden from the road, and their closest neighbours were just barely discernable through the trees. To the left of the driveway was a two-car garage, painted to match the main building. Over half of the property would not require any mowing or maintenance, but such could not be said for the remaining area. The back of their home overlooked a grassy expanse that gradually sloped towards the narrow strip of sand edging the lake that was fully visible from the large windows of the kitchen-nook and family room. Off to the side of the dock, jutting over the water, was a small boathouse.

“Quite a history behind the old place,” Glen mused. “It was designed and built a hundred years ago by a retired sea captain. The story goes he never married; choosing to live out his remaining years here in the foothills of the Rockies with only his somewhat younger first-mate for company.”

“Thank God the cottage has been modernized, but without losing any of its’ original quaintness of course.” TJ nodded his head contemplatively. “Kinda like stepping into the past.”

“Let’s go see the carpenters’ finished product, love,” Glen happily suggested. He was enjoying the expressions of wonder and enchantment lighting up his partner’s handsome face.

Inside, the generous open plan of the first floor was punctuated by a strategic placement of beams and easy traffic flow was sustained throughout. Both the living and family rooms boasted large fireplaces made with the same stones that graced the outside of the cottage.

“They did a great job closing in what had been the dining room and converting it into a study, don’t you think?”
Glen inquired, standing in the middle of the empty room and slowly rotating in a full circle.

“Yeah, and I’m glad they left that deep window seat intact. I was afraid they’d get carried away and want to make everything look too modern.”

“I agree, as I believe that particular spot will make a perfect reflection place and probably a welcomed relief from a corner,” Glen half-seriously teased.

“Sooo droll,” TJ gripped and left the room to make his way down a short hallway leading to the back of the house.

“The upper floor is ready to inhabit and we only have two rooms to finish painting down here,” Glen commented, following a momentarily disgruntled TJ. He made allowances for his Brat’s lightening-fast mood swings, fully aware of the man being overtired and somewhat stressed out.

TJ felt his lover’s presence behind him. “I’ll be so relieved when all this cosmetic work is done and we can move in,” he murmured wearily and turned to burrow his head into Glen’s shoulder. “It’s almost the end of September and it seems like we’ve been cleaning and redecorating forever.”

“It’s been a long month all right but will all be behind us in a couple of weeks. We’ll be settled in by Thanksgiving; just in time for our housewarming party,” Glen gently reminded the other man, hoping to lift his spirits.

“Do you think Rowan, Darby, Jayson and Riley will be able to join us for the holiday weekend?” TJ glanced up, a look of hopeful expectation on his face.

“I received confirmation e-mails from both Rowan and Jayson yesterday. They plan to be here with bells on,” Glen chuckled and managed to squeeze a giggle out of TJ. “It’s just about time to get back to the apartment and even though it is still early evening, we’ll hit the hay because we have another full day ahead of us tomorrow.” He tenderly kissed TJ’s forehead before stepping back. He smiled with sympathetic understanding when his Brat’s exhaustion circumvented the usual mutterings of protest.

************

TJ lay there staring up at the ceiling, silently fuming and waiting for his heart rate to return to normal. It was so frustrating; trying to run and getting no where, yelling without a sound emitting from his throat. But that was what nightmares were made of. He turned on his side and glared at his peacefully sleeping partner. He felt a little ashamed at the resentment he harboured as a result of irrationally blaming Glen for the predicament he found himself in. Logically he knew the older man was not responsible for the recurring dreams but he was too tired to be logical, so he bounced to get his Top’s attention.

“Huh!” Glen was instantly awake and supportive. “What did I punish you for this time, love?”

“For tearing off a strip of recently put-up wallpaper; it was still wet. But I didn’t do it,” TJ wailed. “So far I’ve been spanked for putting dirt in the paint; stirring two different colours together; tipping over a full litre of the stuff; painting bright, water-based pink over a blue enamel; knocking over your antique vase; deliberately breaking a mirror; the list goes on,” he complained, his voice steadily rising.

“Ssssh, TJ, they’re only dreams. Bad ones grant it, but nevertheless only dreams.”

“What makes it worst is that after you spank me and shove me into the corner, you actually laugh at me.” TJ scowled at the remembered sounds of pure glee echoing off the walls of an empty room and punched Glen on the arm to emphasize his aggravation over the unfairness of it all.

“But that would never happen in real life, TJ.” Glen gathered his Brat closer, holding TJ’s hands by his side to prevent further abuse.

“I know, but it doesn’t help,” TJ whined.

“I am confident that this time next week, when we’re in our new home, these nightmares will cease and you’ll be able to catch up on the sleep you’ve lost this last little while. At least, everything is in place for your grand opening on Saturday.” Glen took a chance on a change of subject acting as a balm for his partner’s irritation.

“Yeah,” TJ sighed wistfully as the ploy worked. “I’m really fortunate to have several of my former fellow-employees now working for me. Not having to train a new staff is a big plus.” He yawned, snuggled in closer and drew imaginary pictures on Glen’s chest with his finger.

“Is Sally planning on commuting?”

“Nope, she, Jane, Barry and Mac are renting an old semi-detached together, not too far from the mall. Matter of fact it’s within walking distance. They plan to party hardy, man.” TJ giggled when he heard a groan of foreboding emanate from the other man’s chest. Another, louder yawn had TJ drowsily admitting, “I’m ready to go back to sleep now, Glen.”

************

“Please, TJ,” Glen pleaded once again. “I identify with your excitement but the perpetual motion is really interfering with my driving.”

“Sorry, Glen, but I just can’t help it. After four years of living in the apartment, I thought I’d have a hard time moving on. But once it was emptied and cleaned, turning the keys into the superintendent was just so easy. In a very short time, we will be permanent residents of our own home.” TJ unconsciously continue to bounce in uncontained joy.

“That does it!” Glen grumbled several minutes later as he pull over to the shoulder of the road and turned off the motor. “Out! Get out and run around the car ten times,” he firmly ordered.

“Huh?” TJ was render speechless. The expression on his Top’s face had him quickly doing what he had been told.

“I trust that little bit of exercise burned off some of your excess energy,” Glen drolly commented when his Brat slipped back into the passenger seat after obediently completing the short laps.

“What the hell was that all about?” TJ demanded, doing up his seatbelt and glaring at the other man.

“Bounce control!” Glen chuckled at TJ’s upward glance and head shaking of disbelief. “Hopefully you can sit still for the remaining fifteen minutes of our trip.”

“I not promising anything,” TJ grinned impishly. “You know, I was wondering whether you’re supposed to carry me over the threshold or if I should carry you. What do you think?”

“I haven’t given it any consideration at all,” Glen responded, astonished that the subject had even come up.

“Hmm, maybe we can carry each other,” TJ mused.

“Now that could prove just a tad tricky?” Glen teased, trying unsuccessfully not to laugh at his partner’s proposal.

“On second thought, let’s forget it,” TJ mildly suggested seconds later. “It’s kinda redundant now that we’ve been in and out of the house so many times.”

“Sounds like a plan, love.” Glen was only too happy to agree. “By the way, have I told you recently how proud I am of the dazzling success of your grand opening?” He reached over to gently place a hand on Glen’s knee and give it a loving squeeze.

“To tell the truth, I do believe you’ve neglected to mention it at anytime during the past couple of hours,” TJ joked. “But we forgive you, don’t we, Miss. Muffin?” TJ twisted around to see his pet in the carrier on the back seat and received an apathetic blink in reaction to his query. “I think you’re spending too much time with my cat, Glen. I could swear she just rolled her eyes at me,” he complained.

Now it was Glen turn to shake his head in disbelief. Choosing another subject, he caringly asked, “Anything new happening in that reoccurring nightmare you’ve been having, love?”

“No,” TJ answered abruptly. “And I don’t feel like talking about it.”

“Might help,” Glen encouraged, knowing the true behinds the words.

“Yeah, well now that you brought it up, there has been a slight variance. I can’t figure out what’s going on, but I get the succinct impression that you are not the one doing all the malicious laughing; someone else is. But I’ll be damned if I know who.”

“You may never reach a conclusion to the dream, babe, because I still have faith in your sleep-disturbed nights ending once we’ve settled in,” Glen avowed as he turned onto the winding driveway that led to their new abode.

Several minutes later, TJ shuffled from one foot to the other while waiting impatiently for Glen to unlock the front door.

“Do you need the washroom, TJ?” Glen tormented, not bothering to hide the crooked grin spreading across his handsome face.

“Not funny! I’m just anxious to show Miss. Muffin her new home,” TJ offered the feeble excuse for his restlessness.

“Of course you are!” Glen’s feigned agreement was rewarded with an equally feigned scowl of irritation. He shoved open the door, took the pet carrier from TJ’s hand and set it down; then laughed uproariously at his lover’s squeal of delight when he swept him off his feet, carried him over the threshold and deposited him on the other side.

************

TJ woke with a start. “That miserable little son-of-a-bitch!” he gasped, willing the increased adrenalin pulsing through his body to abate. Gulping in air, he rolled over and shook Glen’s shoulder.

Glen was instantly awake. He tapped the lamp on his bedside table, providing the needed light to better see his Brat’s face before gathering TJ into his arms. He was taken aback to see the expression of anger on the other man’s features change into one of gleeful satisfaction. “What is it?” he asked apprehensively.

“I-I saw him!” TJ breathlessly exclaimed. “I actually saw him this time.”

“Who?”

“The guy who has been causing all the problems and laughing when I got the blame; he’s a ‘Brat’. Apparently he’s been having a great time getting me in trouble and enjoying the fallout that I’ve had to deal with. But no more!” TJ bounced hard enough to escape Glen’s confining embrace. “He’s got a Top: a very big, very pissed-off Top.” TJ’s eyes sparkled as he rubbed his hands together in unadulterated joy. “Man, did he ever get it!”

“You’ve lost me, TJ,” Glen muttered and scratched his head.

“In my dreams, Glen….you know; the nightmares that have been plaguing me for over a month?”

“I do. Please go on.”

“Well, like I tried to tell you, it wasn’t me pulling all those naughty stunts. It was another Brat named Micah; at least that’s what his Top called him. This Micah guy has been setting me up; that is until Jeremiah, or so his Brat called him, caught him getting ready to do it again.” TJ gazed into his partner’s eyes and seriously informed him. “There was no laughing this time, Glen, just a hell of a lot of yelping and hollering. Jeremiah sure whaled the living daylights out of Micah.”

“So I trust we have seen the end of all this nocturnal drama?” Glen smiled at the younger man’s obvious happiness and relief.

“Yes, I’ve been vindicated!” TJ crowed as he sprung up and raised his clenched fists into the air before throwing his arms around Glen’s neck and soundly kissing him. “Gotta love it, man,” he murmured contentedly.

************

“Tada! We made it, Glen! We’re going to have everything in place by the time our guests arrive Friday evening and with two days to spare,” TJ merrily announced as he shoved the pull-down ladder to the attic, into the recess of the upper hall’s ceiling. “I hope you don’t have anything else to go up there, because there’s no storage space left. Seems like the last owners forgot a few items but we can clear them out later…like next year maybe.”

“Probably sooner than that, but definitely not at this time,” Glen partially concurred. “A bit of furniture rearranging, some beds to be made, a few remaining bits and pieces to pack away and our major move, like your nightmares, will be a thing of the past.” He hid his crossed fingers behind his back and sent up a silent prayer that he was right.

Some time later, Glen was putting the finishing touches on their evening meal when TJ approached carrying a can of cat food and a can opener.

“Have you seen Miss. Muffin?”

“Not since you shooed her away when she tried to follow you up to the attic.”

“Hmm, I wonder…..” TJ mused thoughtfully. He set the items he was holding down on the kitchen counter and headed out of the room with Glen following a short distance behind him.

“I bet she managed to sneak by me and is now locked up there,” TJ commented as he reached up to open the hatch leading to the uppermost story of their home.

“Miss. Muffin,” he gently called. He listened for any unusual noises and just barely made out the sounds of his pet making her way further into the far corner. “Come on out, girl. Don’t make this any more difficult that it has to be,” TJ pleaded.

“You’ll have to go in after her, love.” Glen’s no-nonsense suggestion met with a groan of frustration as TJ began to squeeze himself in among the cartons.

“This is ridiculous,” the younger man complained, sneezing to clear the dust out of his nose. “Get out of there, you dumb cat,” he ordered even knowing it would not change the situation. He grumbled and swore under his breath as he inched along the poorly-lit cramped area, pushing as many items out of his way as possible.

“How are you doing, TJ?” Glen stuck his head through the opening just as a large white ball of fluff raced by him and down the ladder. “Okay, TJ, your pet has escaped,” he chuckled. “Come out; come out where ever you are.” The musical refrain echoed throughout the limited space above him accompanied by TJ’s growl of annoyance.

There was a sudden loud thumping as a hefty, rectangular, paper-wrapped package fell forward and caused a small domino effect with several of the other stored articles.

“Are you all right, love?” Glen asked as he shoved aside some of the nearest cartons. He managed to make out a muffled ‘Yeah’ coming from the far reaches of the garret, then a number of grunts and groans as TJ slowly made his way back while propelling something along in front of him.

“Can you take this down for me, please?” TJ requested. He was rather dishevelled and slightly out of breath. “One of the corners ripped opened,” he panted. “It might prove interesting.”

Glen and TJ stood side by side in their living room, looking at the heavy parcel they had just dragged down two floors.

“The light wasn’t very good, Glen, but if these are really antique picture frames like I think they are, you’re going to love them.” TJ eagerly began tearing at the brittle brown paper.

“They are not just frames, TJ. They’re marvellous portraits.” Glen glanced over to see why his Brat was so quiet.

TJ was absolutely thunderstruck. He stared in total amazement at the two old paintings he had uncovered. He did not know the men in the pictures, but he had seen them before…..in his dreams.

“Captain Jeremiah Smith and First Officer Micah Hopkinson,” Glen read aloud the small, engraved, gold nameplates. “These are the original owners of this house, TJ,” he announced to his still-in-shock partner.

“They are also the two characters who played significant roles in my last nightmare,” TJ whispered. As he glanced around the beautifully decorated and furnished room, a feeling of warmth and serenity washed over him. “They still live here……well in spirit only, of course,” he murmured reverently.

Glen blinked in surprise at this statement but nevertheless accepted TJ’s word on it. “In other words, co-inhabitants, right?”

“Huh-huh,” TJ nodded and grinned up at his lover. “Can we hang them over the fireplace in here, Glen?”

“It only seems fair. After all, this is their home too.” Glen smiled back. “I’ll go fetch some nails and a hammer.”

TJ stepped back to gaze at the good-looking men in the portraits.

The older one appeared rather rugged, weather-beaten and so very stern. TJ looked closer. ‘Is that a twinkle in his eye?’ he wondered.

The younger one gave the impression of someone who loved to cause mischief. TJ laughed to himself when he imagined Micah winking at him.

The End.