Tom rolled his eyes. [It’s about time I officially found out, right?]
“Found out what?” Cole hissed and tugged on Tom’s ear, dragging him in front of Ned.
The bratty expression softened. [That you two—]
Ned spread his arms in frustration. “What do you mean ‘officially’? Who told you?”
Tom glanced at Cole, his pouty lip dashing forward in a defiant expression. [People talk. And you’re not as quiet as you think.]
This must have thrown even Cole off guard, because he didn’t immediately chastise Tom and rested both hands on his hips. “What—”
[I’m mute, not deaf and blind.] Tom snapped, crossing his arms on his chest as if he’d been offended.
Ned’s face went hot, and his head spun a little when he realized that the boy had been aware of the true nature of their relationship all along. He licked his dried lips. “And… you accept it?”
Tom shrugged and a brazen smile bloomed on his face. [Sure. But I have so many questions.]
“You do understand it’s a secret?” Cole asked without mercy, his face increasingly tense.
[It’s no secret in the circus,] Tom signed with a squeaking chuckle.
“And I won’t answer a single question you might have before you apologize to Ned for your useless ‘joke’.”
Tom huffed and rolled his blue eyes. [I’m sorry. But it was pretty funny—]
Ned wanted to argue, but then noticed a dark shape on Tom’s forearm and grabbed his wrist, stiff with horror. “What the hell? I told you! No tattoos until you’re sixteen!” The crude depiction of a tiger’s head stared back at him from Tom’s skin, making Ned’s head pound with anger.
Cole gave a low chuckle. “It’s uglier than my cleaver,” he said but bit back the smile when Ned huffed at him.
[What you two do is not allowed either,] Tom signed as soon as he pulled his hand away, but Cole slapped him again.
“It’s not the same thing Tom, and you’ve known us long enough to grasp that.”
Ned hid his face in his hand. “Jesus, kid. When did you become such a smartass, huh? We’ll talk about this later. You said you had news?”
Tom beamed, unbothered by the chastising. [Jan bought the land. We’re staying!]
“We know,” Cole said and rested his hand on Ned’s shoulder. It burned like something Ned should’ve shaken off, but he couldn’t make himself do it. He didn’t have to anymore. Tom already knew, so what was the point of secrecy other than fear life had ingrained in him over the years?
Tom shifted his weight from one foot to the other, as if he suddenly found the situation awkward. [I’m going into town,] he signed.
Ned shook his head. They had a rough few years ahead of them if they were to shape the insolent boy into a man.
“That’s fine. Just come back with everyone else.”
Tom nodded, grinned, and was off, closing the door behind him.
Ned turned around and knocked his head against the wall, but Cole’s warm body aligned with his, bringing with it a sense of peace that directly counteracted the nervous pulsing Ned felt all over.
“It will be all right, Neddie.”
Ned hugged Cole tightly. There was only one thing he wanted now to relax. “Let’s fuck.”
The end
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Kat&Agnes AKA K.A. Merikan
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K.A. Merikan are a team of writers who try not to suck at adulting, with some success. Always eager to explore the murky waters of the weird and wonderful, K.A. Merikan don’t follow fixed formulas and want each of their books to be a surprise for those who choose to hop on for the ride.
K.A. Merikan have a few sweeter M/M romances as well, but they specialize in the dark, dirty, and dangerous side of M/M, full of bikers, bad boys, mafiosi, and scorching hot romance.
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Feel My Pain
K.A. Merikan
—Two enemies cursed to feel each other’s pain.—
Zane. “I will burn your life to the ground.”
Roach. “I’m a cockroach. I’ll survive.”
Two years ago, the Rabid Hyenas MC ripped Zane apart like a pack of starving wolves. But he’s not only a survivor, he took revenge that same night.