Enamored To A Fool (7 page)

Moaning, Foster tried to tell the person to come back later, but the knocking persisted. Axle grunted and emptied himself inside Foster before slumping sideways onto the bed.

Clumsily, Foster got up, covered Axle and grabbed a pair of shorts off the floor before stumbling to the door. Foster wasn’t sure who he was expecting, but about the last person he expected to see was his brother, Puck. A short blonde was standing behind him, wringing his hands. This had to be Axle’s brother, Torque. Axle had talked a lot about his brother on hunting excursions. This man fit the description that would make Axle smile fondly while the two of them trekked through the forest.

“Having a little trouble, brother?” Puck smirked while plowing past him, entering his hut without even being invited.

Axle laid on the bed over in the corner, moaning. The place smelled of sex, and both he and Axle probably looked like they could use a shower and a meal. Yeah, he was having a little trouble.

Foster stood in front of Axle who was currently sleeping but moaning as if he was having an erotic dream. For some reason, he just knew that Axle would not want his brother to see him in this condition when seeing him for the first time.

Puck stood in front of Foster. “He needs your blood. You mated, and he’s having trouble with your Seelie side. Too many pheromones for him to handle while still being mortal and mated to a fae.”

“What?”

Torque came closer, trying to crane his neck to see around Foster to check on his brother. “Your blood is an antibody of sorts. He needs it to get control of his sexual cravings.” Torque weaseled his way around Foster and sat down next to his brother, rubbing the sweat-coated hair.

Puck pulled out a dagger and sliced into Foster’s arm before he could even protest. The two quickly made their way over to the bed, and Foster sat on the floor as he placed the cut to Axle’s lips.

Axle began shaking his head in refusal, but Foster pressed closer, and Axle groaned then starting licking at the wound. Sheesh, he knew how much Axle hated the sight of blood. Foster was pretty sure Axle wasn’t even awake, because the man didn’t open his eyes as he sucked on the wound for a few minutes, finally slumping back on the bed, mouth still open, fast asleep. For the first time in hours, the man seemed relaxed.

The three got up and walked over to his table. Puck sat down, and Torque sat on his lap while Foster took the only other seat.

“How’s he been doing?” Torque glanced over at the bed while asking the question.

“Axle’s been doing a lot better than when he came here. I think the incident that brought him here was his rock bottom, because he’s been working on getting himself cleaned up. He knows he fucked up big time.” Foster got up and went to get his visitors drinks and some bread.

When Foster placed the repast on the table, Torque smiled. “Thank you.”

“I know we didn’t have an easy time growing up with Dad, and Axle got the brunt of it,” Torque began.

“There’s no excuse for the way he treated you.” Puck growled.

Foster added, “Puck’s right. Axle holds himself accountable for his actions entirely. “

“He does?” Puck and Torque said at the same time.

“Yeah, he does. Axle knows that he went wild after his father died and was going down the wrong path. Seeing you hurt and having to come here was the slap in the face that he needed. His words, not mine. I’ve watched the darkness leave his soul. He watches you every morning, looking at you across the lake and hoping that one day you’ll forgive him for treating you bad after your dad died. He carries a lot of regrets.” Foster took a chunk of bread and shoved it into his mouth just to shut himself up.

Torque began tearing his bread into pieces. “He took all the beatings for me from Dad when growing up. It’s just going to take time for me to forgive the way he treated me the last few years. Words hurt, and his were…so painful,” Torque ended hoarsely.

Foster knew this was not going to be an overnight fix. That damage had been done between these two brothers. Foster had hoped the brothers could patch things up but not everything in life was a quick fix. Axle was doing so much better. Foster had only dealt with a little of the troubles Axle had. Torque had witnessed all the dark times and hadn’t seen his brother turning around.

Foster glanced over and saw that Axle’s eyes were open, full of despair. Axle's eyes were watery before they closed once more, a tear escaping and running down the nose before dropping onto the pillow below.

“We’re going over to the mortal realm. Oberon gave us permission. Torque wants to go to college, and we’re going to find a place to live near campus. We’ll be back when he graduates.” Puck rubbed Torque’s back absently. Clearly, his brother loved the young man. So strange seeing the prankster fall fast and hard for someone.

Torque glanced down at the table. “I think my brother needs to talk to someone over in our world. I know you said he was doing better, but I think with everything that happened growing up and the last couple years, he needs to talk to a therapist. I don’t want him to work this out alone.”

“He has me.” Foster was already shaking his head in protest. Going over to the mortal realm was a bad idea in Foster’s eyes.

Puck reached over, grabbing his hand, which unbeknownst to Foster was tapping the hell out of the wood table. “I know you’re falling for him. That is your mate over there. Your one love in all immortality. Listen to my mate. He has seen what your mate grew up with, the pains he was dealt and the shithead he turned into. Axle may be getting better, but even I can see the tar that still surrounds his soul. Yes, he is lighter, but he needs help that we aren’t equipped to deal with.”

Mind churning, Foster was at a loss at what to do. First off, he wasn’t even aware that fae mated. This must be a secret the queen and king held tight to their chests. Puck’s words made so much sense, though. The way he loved being around Axle and had been patient with him. The attraction. The care. It all added up to them being mates.

“They’re right. I need more help. I’m trying, but I…yeah, it would be good to talk to someone.” Foster turned to see Axle standing behind him, wrapped in a blanket. “Hi, Torque.” Axle warbled while adjusting his blanket.

There was such an awkward silence in the room. Foster could feel the anger radiating off of Puck. Clearly, his brother was going to need a lot of time to get over what happened to his mate. There was confusion on Torque’s side, and Axle stood there, visibly waiting for the blows to come.

Torque stood and walked toward Axle. They didn’t embrace; it was just too much too soon. “Hi.” Torque whispered.

“I’m so sorry.” Axle whispered to his brother. “I think you’re right. I need more help than I thought,” Axle choked out.

Torque stood there, nodding before turning to Puck. “Can they come over with us?”

“We’ll have to get it okayed,” Foster answered. “When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow,” Puck's brows were furrowed.

His brother wasn’t pleased with the idea of them tagging along. Well, he better get used to it. Foster was nervous as hell to go over to the mortal realm, but he would do it if Axle could get the help he needed.

“I’ll go talk to Queen Titania tonight then. We’ll be ready in the morning.” Foster moved to stand next to Axle. He was shaking, standing there alone in that damn sheet as his brother stood out of reach. He knew it was going to take time for the two of them to bridge that gap between them. Foster pulled him into a one-arm embrace.

Puck stood up and stepped behind Torque, putting his hands on Torque’s shoulders. “C’mon, we have a lot to do tonight, and apparently, they do too.” Puck grunted. But then, he turned and looked right at Foster. “It’ll be good having you around more. I miss you, brother.”

“Miss you too, Puck.” Foster had always wished there was some way for them to be together.

Puck and Torque walked out and the soft snick of the door was deafening.

“You really want to go?” Axle asked.

“Will it help you?” Foster asked.

Axle nodded.

“Then, I want to go. C’mon, we have to do some smooth talking with the queen and get ready to go.” Foster thought he would need a lot of smooth talking if they were going to leave during the gathering. The queen liked her entire court present for the occasion.

Two hours later, Foster and Axle stood before the queen as she scrutinized the two of them. They had asked to leave, and the other Seelie stood in silence, waiting for the queen’s response. Except, she just pursed her lips as if she was mulling over all the details and not willing to share them out loud.

Foster was used to it, so he stood still, silent and waiting. Axle, on the other hand, fidgeted, began biting a thumb nail and had a bead of sweat running down his temple. Foster reached over and grabbed his hand for support.

“Go, but Axle isn’t to be out of your sight except for the therapy sessions.” Queen Titania looked over at Axle. “Can you handle someone watching over you all the time? Hell, I don’t want you taking a piss without Foster nearby.”

Axle seemed a little taken back from the last comment as Foster watched his eyes widen.

Axle cleared his throat before answering. “I’m okay with that as long as I can go talk to someone.”

“Then, get ready to leave.” Queen Titania got up and walked over to the volleyball court, completely dismissing them.

She waited until a few Seelie joined her and then served the volleyball. Queen Titania played as if her decision wasn’t one of immense importance to Foster and Axle. However, as he stood staring at her with his jaw practically to the ground from her lack of care, he saw her wink and smile at him. The Seelie queen would always be a mystery to him.

Foster grabbed Axle’s hand. “You ready to get started? We have a lot to do today.”

Axle straightened his shoulders as if he was getting ready for battle. In a way, he was.

Four mortal years later

Axle was running out of the building at top speed. After having his last therapy session, he ran over to the lime green Lotus that was waiting for him in the parking lot. Once inside, Axle leaned over and gave Foster a chaste kiss. Then, Foster shifted it into gear, and they blew out of the parking lot.

“We’ve only got fifteen minutes before it starts.” Axle tapped his knuckles on the dash as Foster took a left at sixty.
Fuck!

“We’ll make it.” Foster drove with a calm ease. Axle would have had the sports car around a telephone pole by now. Pesky fae.

Axle tightened his tie that he had loosened during his session. He was so happy that they'd made the decision to come back to the mortal realm. The therapy had helped, and now, he felt better equipped to go back over to the fae realm without feeling like he was drowning.

His relationship with his brother had been strained for the first year there. There was no way around it. Axle had broken Torque’s trust, but Axle worked his ass off at bridging that gap, and he couldn’t have done it if Torque hadn’t eventually reached back. He was lucky his brother was willing to forgive him and loved him enough to give him a second chance.

Now, they'd spent many hours discussing what happened and how much their lives had changed for the better. Their mates had stuck by them and supported them every step of the way. Axle loved the hell out of Foster for all his support.

Even Puck had grown on him…well, more like a fungus, but he still loved the asshole. Axle got to witness how well Puck treated Torque, and in the last couple of years, the four of them had grown tight while living together.

They didn’t make it on campus, instead choosing to live near the forest ten minutes away. Foster and Axle went on nightly walks, and Foster seemed to soak up the forest just as much as he did in the fae realm. Axle had grown to love the sounds and smells of the forest just as much…craved it, actually. He and Foster were truly meant to be together. They were two of kind.

Man, Foster had proven time and again just how much of a miracle he was in Axle’s life. Axle had fallen hard for Foster. There was no way to avoid it, and he had something in his pocket that was a mortal tradition he was going to take over to the fae realm. He just had to work his courage up to ask the question that he so wanted to ask.

The building came into view, and they screeched to a halt. They both jumped out of the car and hauled ass into the building. The place was crowded, and they searched all over the place for the redhead with white tips. There, over to the side sat Puck, holding two seats for Foster and Axle. Making their way around the people, they took their seats just in time.

“Good timing.” Puck leaned over, looking at Axle. “How’d your last session go?” he whispered.

“Good. I’m ready to head home now.” Home…the fae realm where they would all be returning tonight. Yeah, he might not have been from there, but he was going home. Wherever Foster was, that was it for him.

Puck grabbed him by the back of the neck and hugged him. “You did good, Axle. Glad I don’t have to kill you now.”

“Gee, thanks.” That was Puck for you. Bloodthirsty brother-in-law that was protective as hell toward Torque. Axle's chest puffed up knowing that Torque would never have to face another dark time with this fae loving him.

Music came over the sound system as a row of professors filed two at a time down the middle row of the indoor athletic facility. A few moments later, everyone stood up and cheered as the graduates made their way down. Axle long-necked until he found his brother smiling, walking in his cap and gown. Cords and cowl decorated his neck, showing the many achievements and activities he had done in the past four years.

Dammit if Axle’s eyes didn’t sting a little that his brother had made it. He was so damn proud at how strong and amazing his brother was. Hell, he looked up to his younger brother.

Foster embraced him. “You okay?” He chuckled at him.

“Yeah,” Axle said hoarsely, thankful for all the cheering to cover his voice. He wiped his eyes. “I’m just so damn proud. He did it.”

Foster kissed him softly on the lips and whispered in his ear, “You did it too. I’m so proud of you.”