Before the Storm, Chapter 4 (Patreon)

Knock on the door, Jarek. Just lift your hand and hit it against the wood. That’s all you have to do. It’s not a big deal. You’ve done it a million times! So just do it. Before people start to wonder what the hell you’re standing out here for.

It’s the middle of the afternoon, and I’m standing in front of Orlun and Rurig’s home, staring at their door. It’s been over a week since the last time I was here. Since Orlun and I fought. Since Rurig was hurt... Maybe this was a bad idea. They have bigger things to worry about than me.

The rebellion only officially ended days ago. I wasn’t part of the climactic final battle or anything. I wasn’t even on duty the night when Warhunter’s location was discovered, and they made the final push—inside the city walls. The fighting is over, but there’s still plenty of cleanup going on. Since the danger has passed, I’m no longer officially a part of the militia, but I have been volunteering where I can.

I actually already tried looking for Orlun at the militia headquarters—the temporary one set up in the main ranger station. Rangers on duty told me he hadn’t been in all week—he was home caring for Rurig. So, ignoring the stab of guilt in my chest, I thanked them and headed down here. I’ve been alternating between standing and pacing in front of their door for what feels like an eternity but realistically has probably been around fifteen minutes.

Yeah, this was a terrible idea. There’s no way they’d want to see me right now. I should just go.Just as I’m making the decision to leave, the doorknob starts to turn. Oh, shit.

“Jarek?” Orlun is surprised to see me, which hopefully means he doesn’t know how long I’ve been out here. “Is everything alright?”

“Orlun, hi.” I wince at the casual tone of my voice. “I— Yes, everything’s okay.”

“I was just going to check the mail.” He points toward his mailbox near the road. “It is good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you, too,” I tell him honestly. “I was just in the area, and I wanted to...” I start to trail off, suddenly nervous.

“I’m sorry—”

“I’m sorry—” We both blurt out at the same time, stopping just as quickly. Orlun motions for me to continue first.

“I wanted to apologize for what I said the other day,” I start to say. “You were right. I had no right to tell you how to raise your—”

“No, you were right.” He doesn’t let me finish. “About leaving the children alone, about the way I dumped them on you, everything.”

“It’s... It’s okay.” I say what it feels like you’re supposed to say, even if it sounds like nonsense.

“No, it really isn’t.” He sighs and shuts the front door behind him before leaning back against it. “Yogik starts to bawl if he’s so much as in a different room as me or Rurig, Ayla has been waking up almost every night with nightmares, and Khazak will barely speak to any of us. I am a failure as a father.”

“You’re not a failure.” That’s easier to say because it’s true. “You just made some mistakes.”

“You know, we were already planning to cut back our hours so the children would no longer be alone.” He looks up at me with a sad smile. “That is what we wanted to talk to you about, right before...”

The bombing in the mess hall.“Well, that’s good. You guys were already trying to do better.”

“Fat lot of good it did us.” He shakes his head with a cynical chuckle.

“How is Rurig?” I decide to move on to hopefully happier news.

“He is doing well.” His shoulders relax, and he gives me a real smile. “Or as well as he can be. He has healed just fine but is still getting used to the prosthetic.”

“Have you been able to get him to rethink finding a healer to regrow his leg?” Such capable healers are rare, and it would probably be expensive, but it’s still possible.

“We’ve discussed it, but Rurig insists that the money can be better spent elsewhere.” He smiles at his husband’s stubborn nature. “I think he is also put off by the excruciating pain that would no doubt come with reopening the wound.”

That’s true. Technically his leg has already been healed, and the only way to regrow something that is already healed—like an improperly set bone or missing a limb—is to reopen the wound. I assume that is exactly as painful as it sounds.

“Well I’m glad he’s doing alright.” I could have found out about days ago if I had just come to see him.

“Would you like to come in?” Orlun asks hopefully. “He’s missed you. We both have.”

“…Yeah, I’d like that.” I’m suddenly full of nerves again. “I missed both of you, too.”

There are thankfully no more awkward words, just another smile as Orlun reaches back to the door, holding it open as we both walk inside. I’ve only been here once, and it ended pretty badly, but I feel a pulse of warmth knowing that I’m back in their home. I let Orlun lead me from the entrance into the den, where Rurig is seated on one end of the couch.

The man is wearing a robe looking a little dour, and I can’t exactly blame him. Unable to help myself, my eyes immediately go down to where the bottom of his robe opens, where his missing leg would be, taking in the wooden prosthetic in its place. It’s a thick and sturdy looking rod made of dark brown wood, starting at the scarred skin under his knee, going straight down, and then turning at a 90-degree angle where his foot would be and curving upward slightly.

“Jarek?” He instantly brightens when he notices me behind Orlun. “It’s so good to see you.” He starts to try and stand, grabbing a cane with one hand and pushing off the couch with the other.

“Let me help you.” Orlun rushes over when he sees him start to struggle.

“Leave me alone.” Rurig tries to shoo off his husband’s fussing. “I’m never going to get used to the damn thing if you don’t let me.”

“You are not supposed to push yourself,” Orlun grumbles but leaves him be.

“I’m just standing up!” Rurig huffs as he straightens himself before turning to me and hobbling forward, grinning. “It’s so good to see you.”

“It’s really good to see you too.” I embrace him in a hug, instantly feeling the way he has to shift his weight because of his leg. “I’m so sorry about—”

“Hey, did you set the bomb?” I look at him in shock, shaking my head no. “Then you don’t have anything to apologize for. This was because of Warhunter and his friends.”

“Then I’m sorry for not coming to see you sooner.” I let him go slowly, making sure he has his balance.

“Orlun told me about what happened.” He grimaces but tries to give me his signature grin anyway. “I was starting to think that our terrible parenting scared you off for good.”

“I’m sorry.” My turn to grimace. “It was a lot, and there was so much going on...”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he tells me again, Orlun coming up behind him and shaking his head in agreement.

“I could have come by sooner,” I argue. “Just to see how you were.”

“Well as you can see, I am doing just great.” He tries to strike a little pose, holding up his cane—and loses his balance.

“I’ve got you,” I tell him after catching him, Orlun and I both rushing forward when he stumbles.

“Thanks,” Rurig grumbles from my hold.

“It’s good to see you, too,” I tell him with a chuckle.

“We really did miss you,” he admits as I help him stand.

“And I missed the both of you,” I repeat what I said to Orlun. “How have you been?”

“Oh you know, as fine as can be,” Rurig gives me the non-answer as Orlun helps him back to the couch.

“I already told him about everything outside,” Orlun tells him as he takes his own seat.

“You’re supposed to tell me that before I lie,” Rurig grumbles. “Okay, not fine,” he admits. “It’s like learning to walk all over again. Not to mention how much of a bitch it is to get pants on.”

“Well, it’s barely been a week,” I encourage. “The first time you learned to walk had to take almost like a year, right?”

“Spirits, I hope it doesn’t take that long.” He leans back, looking up at the ceiling. “I couldn’t go back to work now if I tried. Good thing I was already planning on taking time off, right?”

“Yogik is certainly happy about it,” Orlun says with a sigh. “Attached to our hips. We only just got him to take a nap ten minutes before you arrived. I think this is the longest we’ve been alone in days.”

“It’s a small price to pay considering how much we haven’t been around lately,” Rurig adds guiltily.

“So... Is it just the three, or do you have any more secret children?” I tease, sitting on his other side.

“Kid...” He looks reluctant to continue. “We didn’t mean to hide them from you. We just didn’t think you’d want to hear about any of that.”

“What he is trying to say is that... You are young.” Orlun leans forward to look at me. “Part of us assumed that you would not be interested in romantically pursuing two men with a family. Especially now after learning everything else about our parenting.”

“Hey, I’m not that young,” I start, wanting to prove my intent to them. “I admit I wasn’t exactly thinking long-term the first time we…got together. I don’t like the way I found out about it, and I’m not saying I think leaving your kids alone like that is okay, but I’ve had a lot of time to think about things.”

“Anything else you don’t like, kid?” Rurig asks with a smile and a huff.

“Maybe don’t call me ‘kid,’ seeing as you have actual kids.” I nudge him with my elbow.

“I can do that,” he agrees, “and you won’t hear either of us arguing about being complete screw-ups as fathers.”

“I don’t think you’re complete screw ups.” The hyperbole feels like a defense mechanism.

“That makes one of us,” Orlun says in response.

“No, really. You messed up, but it’s not unfixable.” I know a thing or two about family troubles thanks to my own. “I’m not trying to promise you anything, or get ahead of myself, but... If you’ll let me, maybe I can try and help you figure some of it out.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?” That might be the most vulnerable I’ve heard Rurig ever sound.

Instead of answering with words, I lean forward and kiss him. Even with everything that’s happened, I still want them, both of them, messy family and all. I only hope they feel the same.

“You know... Yogik is probably gonna sleep for at least another hour.” I’m gonna take that hungry look as a good sign.

“Does that mean you’d like to show me where the bedroom is?” I mean, if they’re both up for it, so am I.

“Follow us,” Orlun answers for his husband, helping him stand.

The two lead the way toward their bedroom with Rurig in front and Orlun right behind him. I can tell he’s paranoid that Rurig might fall again, but he doesn’t want to say as much. When we reach the door at the end of the hall, Rurig pushes it open with his arm, and I’m happy with what I see: a nice big bed, at least twice the size of mine.

The rest of the room is as you’d expect with a small table on either side of the bed, open chests filled with clothing, and a door to the bathroom off to the side. Rurig sits on the edge of the bed, laying his cane down flat on the floor and patting the spot beside him. Without any more delays, I take my seat, leaning over for the kiss I know is coming.

He quickly locks our lips together, so fast that I can hear Orlun chuckling above us when our tusks bump into each other. He steps closer, his legs brushing my knee as Rurig slides his tongue into my mouth. Not to be outdone, Orlun bends over once we break apart, taking his turn with each of us.

Already in an opportune position, Orlun’s hands move to unbutton his pants and pull out his cock. Rurig reaches for it first, wrapping his fingers around the thick green shaft and squeezing lightly. Then, after giving me another grin, he leans forward and swallows it down. Seeing as there’s still plenty of room, I join him, bending over and mouthing at Orlun’s heavy sack.

I run my tongue over the skin of Orlun’s balls, nuzzling against the furry bush at the base of his cock. I missed the way he smells, too. A hand moves to the back of my head, and I bet Rurig has one on the back of his as well. Orlun groans when Rurig takes him all the way down, and I can’t help the silly giggle that escapes when our tusks once more bump together. A short while later, Rurig pulls off and grabs his husband’s cock, pointing it at me.

Not needing to be told twice (or even once, technically), I happily wrap my lips around Orlun’s prick. Before you ask, yes, I also missed the way he tastes. I savor the stretch of my lips and the weight on my tongue as I bob up and down on his shaft while Rurig has taken my previous spot lapping at his husband’s testicles. After another minute or two, we trade off again, and then again.

“Alright, I get to suck that dick every day,” Rurig says after pulling off for a final time.

“Is that a promise?” Orlun asks, wet cock still dangling in front of our faces.

Rurig rolls his eyes, turning to me. “What I mean is that it’s your turn.” He slaps me on the thigh. “Get those clothes off and move up on the bed.”

I am happy to comply, pulling off my shirt and tossing it to the side. I shuck my pants off and slide backwards up the bed as Rurig and Orlun both join me in undressing. Once he’s naked, Rurig crawls his way up the mattress, stalking me like a hungry predator. At least until his prosthetic gets caught on the sheet at the edge of the bed, and he looks back, growling in frustration. He attempts to shake himself free but only manages to tangle himself further before he loses his balance and rolls onto his back, taking the sheet with him and trapping his legs in the fabric.

“I hate this stupid fucking leg!” Rurig yells at the ceiling in a way that tells me this is about more than just the sheet. He crosses his arms over his chest. “They should have just left me with a stump.”

“Come on. You don’t mean that.” I kneel up and lean over, looking at his face upside down.

“He is right.” Orlun works to untangle his husband’s new foot. “It has not even been two weeks yet. You will get used to it in time.”

“Easy for the two of you to say. You’re not the one stuck looking like a pirate.” He frowns grumpily.

“I’ll have you know I happen to love pirates.” I boop him on the nose. “Alright, change of plans—you move up the bed.”

I roll to the side and let Rurig take my place at the head of the bed, which he does with some more grumbling. While Orlun watches these developments with interest from the foot of the bed, I take Rurig’s previous spot, crawling between his spread legs. I place a kiss against the scarred knee on my way to his crotch, stroking over his thighs with both hands as I settle on my stomach.

I nuzzle against his crotch, kissing and licking my way up his shaft until I reach the head and engulf it. Rurig lets out a little moan as I start to suck, and I can feel the weight on the bed shift when Orlun joins us, cuddling up to his husband’s side on my right. I hear the wet smacking of lips while I bob up and down on Rurig’s cock and can feel Rurig’s body relax underneath me as he is kissed and sucked.

I hum happily to myself as I make one of my two men feel good, enjoying the taste of his pre-cum on my tongue. I like that thought—my men. I’ve had a lot of time to think about it, and this is exactly where I want to be. I don’t just mean between Rurig’s legs, either—though that’s pretty nice too. I’m not sure how long we go, but eventually my jaw starts to hurt, and I need to pull off and give it a rest.

“I think Jarek had the right idea,” Orlun tells his husband. “I want you on your hands and knees next.”

“Oh, you're gonna be pushy too?” Rurig challenges, but he is already turning over as I move to the side.

“I could be less pushy if you were not so stubborn.” He gives Rurig a playful smack on the butt.

After making sure he’s in a comfortable position, Orlun moves behind his husband, grabbing the thick green rump with both hands. From my spot next to them, I watch as he kneads the flesh before parting it and lowering his mouth to his target. Rurig moans and shudders when the tongue touches his hole, and I reach down to give my plump dick a squeeze as Orlun starts to noisily eat out his husband.

“The oil and charm are in the bedside table,” Orlun tells me after briefly pulling his mouth away from Rurig’s ass.

I roll off the bed and retrieve the objects requested, liking where things are headed. After presenting them to Orlun, he wraps up his rim job and takes them, reaching under to press the charm to Rurig’s belly before dribbling some oil down the crack of his ass. As Orlun massages it into Rurig’s hole, I start to stroke myself slowly, enjoying the show.

“You just gonna sit there, or are you gonna get up here and feed me some of that?” Rurig looks over at me, and then down at my cock, suggestively.

I quickly and happily move up the bed, sliding between the headboard and Rurig’s upper body. I spread my legs, letting Rurig close the gap between his mouth and my cock. He moans around me while Orlun continues to finger him open, the vibrations making my cock twitch.

He moans again a second later when Orlun starts pushing his slicked-up cock into his hole, holding his breath as he feels each centimeter sink inside, sinking down onto his chest. His eyes are closed, holding my cock in his mouth as he adjusts while Orlun’s face is filled with pleasure as he savors the feeling of being buried in a warm, tight ass. Then the real fucking starts.

Orlun’s thrusts start steady, his hands holding tight to Rurig’s hips. Meanwhile, Rurig bobs up and down on my dick, swallowing me to the root and massaging the base of my cock with his tongue. As Orlun’s thrusts get stronger, Rurig starts moving with them in time and letting that guide his mouth up and down my shaft.

I run my fingers through his hair, humping up to meet him halfway and feed my dick into his mouth. As I do, he slides one of his hands under me, giving my butt a squeeze before his fingers dive into my crack. I twitch in surprise when I feel my hole being teased but quickly push down against them. Rurig pulls them away, quickly spitting on them before bringing them back, this time gently seeking entry. I bite my lip as I’m breached with a fingertip, happily humping upward to feed Rurig more cock in exchange.

I lose track of time after that, the three of us doing whatever we can to stuff holes and play with pricks. I’m almost sweating by the time Rurig has his full finger inside of me, rapidly humping against his face, which is a saliva-soaked mess. He has been moaning almost continuously as Orlun gives him multiple anal orgasms with his thick hammer of a cock. He’s even having another one now, his hands squeezing my thighs as the tremors roll through him.

I’m not expecting it, but I’m the first of us to cum as Rurig works his finger against my prostate. He seems to be expecting it more than I am as he has no problem swallowing down the load I shoot, still giving short, shuddering thrusts into his mouth. Orlun must have been waiting for me, or seeing me finish is what triggers himself, as he cums inside Rurig’s ass with a low growl, hands still holding tightly to his hips.

Rurig, after having his ass literally wrecked, is more concerned with slumping down onto his belly and catching his breath, easily the sweatiest of us all. Orlun joins him, falling onto his side next to us and throwing an arm over his husband while squeezing my hand with the other. I slump back against the headboard, exhausted and content. After releasing all of those pent-up emotions (okay, and the orgasms), I think all I want to do is lie here and relax.

“Ruda?” A small voice calls out from somewhere else in the house—Yogik. He sounds scared.

“I better go get him before he gets upset.” Rurig extracts himself from the bed with a groan, being careful of his foot and slipping on his robe. “I’m right here, cub,” he calls down the hall as he exits.

“Are you sure you want to be a part of all this?” Orlun asks me with a laugh, though I can tell he’s half-serious.

“Yeah, I do.” I stand, offering him a hand.

After cleaning up—ourselves and the bedroom—we get dressed and find Rurig in the den playing a card game with Yogik on the couch. I’m not planning on doing anything else today, so I join them, and not long after that, it’s time to start dinner. While Rurig instructs me and Orlun on how to prepare the pheasants in the kitchen, I can’t help but think about how much I really don’t mind all of this, being here with them and their family. Maybe being a part of that family.

“So, what were you planning on doing now that you are finished with the militia?” Orlun asks, sitting at a small table in the kitchen with Yogik on his lap.

“Remember how I mentioned that I like to do things with my hands?” I look at them both for confirmation, ignoring the eyebrow wiggle Rurig gives me. “Well, I was actually looking into taking an apprenticeship at Urgnot Nursery & Carpentry.”

“Building homes and furniture? A respectable profession.” Before Orlun can say anything else, we can hear a door being closed. “Ayla and Khazak must be home.”

With Orlun carrying Yogik, I follow the two fathers to greet their two other children in the foyer. Unfortunately, both children already seem to be upset for some reason—Khazak even looks roughed up. Ayla at least smiles when she sees me, but Khazak looks shocked that I’m here and immediately turns and runs from the room, followed by a familiar sounding door slam.

“Ayla, what’s wrong with your brother?” Rurig asks, looking in the direction he ran.

The girl looks down and kicks her feet, reluctant to answer.

“Ayla.” Orlun kneels down, setting Yogik on his feet. “What happened at school today?”

“Murok Breezehollow was making fun of Ruda’s foot.” I can tell that even repeating that is making her upset again. “Khazak got into a fight with him... I almost did too.”

“That little shit...” Rurig mutters.

“Rurig,” Orlun chastises. “Thank you for telling us, Wolfheart,” he calls her by an adorable nickname I had not previously heard. “Why don’t you get cleaned up and go play some before dinner?”

“Okay, Orda,” she tells him with a hug, followed by another hug for Rurig, Yogik, and even me—and yeah, maybe that makes me feel a little happy inside.

“We probably need to speak with their teachers,” Orlun comments after picking Yogik back up. “Possibly the other child’s parents as well.”

“Oh, I got a few things I’d like to say to them,” Rurig grumbles before calming down. “So, do you want to try to talk to Khazak, or should I?”

“He has barely spoken to either of us all week,” Orlun answers with a sigh.

Spirits, I hope what I’m about to suggest does not turn out to be a terrible idea. “Do you think that maybe I could try and talk to him?”

“Do you think that would work?” Orlun asks, both fathers looking surprised.

“Maybe?” I offer, unsure. “If he’s not willing to speak to either of you, maybe he will be with an outside person.” Even if he doesn’t really like me, it’s worth a shot.

“If you are certain,” Orlun says after silently conferring with Rurig. “Let us know if you need us.”

“Will do.” I hug them both and ruffle Yogik’s hair.

I head for Khazak’s bedroom, grabbing my bag on the way. I hesitate outside his door when I hear the quiet sobbing coming from inside. Poor guy is really upset. Steeling myself, I knock softly against the wood.

“Come in,” he says after sniffling. He’s lying in his bed and looks surprised when it’s me who enters instead of his fathers. “What do you want?”

“I heard you had a rough day at school,” I tell him, taking a seat in the too-small chair at his desk.

“School was fine,” he lies, hugging his knees. “I don’t need your help.”

“I know you don’t, buddy.” I think I’m going to have to try a different tactic with him. “You must be a really strong and tough guy for your dads to leave you alone like they did.” I move the chair closer to the bed.

“I thought I was doing a good job...” He sniffles, and something tells me there’s more to that sentence than even he realizes.

“I think you did a great job,” I try to reassure him. “So did your dads. They just wanted to be extra sure that you and your sister and brother were safe.”

“But then Ruda got hurt.” Another sniffle.

“Which wasn’t your fault, Khazak.” Shit, is he blaming himself for that?

This might be more than I can help with, but I might know someone who can. I need to remember to put Orlun and Rurig in touch with High Priest Azkosot. I’m not a religious person, but he helped me and my family through some of our own issues, when my parents were fighting all the time. I wouldn’t have even half as good a relationship with my family if not for him.

I pause and look around Khazak’s room, not having been inside it before. It looks pretty normal for a kid’s bedroom: bed, desk, small hunting bows lined up on one wall. But there’s also a bookcase that’s almost filled to the brim. I stand, browsing through some of the titles, surprised to see some I would expect for someone a few years older.

“Do you like to read?” I ask, running my fingers across a row.

“Uh-huh.” He nods, wiping his face with his arm.

“I like reading too,” I tell him. “What’s your favorite book?”

“The Rangers of Red Mountain.” I smile as I remember reading the action-and-adventure filled story when I was his age.

“I like that one too.” I take a seat back in the chair. “It used to be my favorite. I read it so many times.”

“What’s your favorite book now?” he asks, and I say a silent thank you to the Three that if I couldn’t help with the deeper issue, I can at least distract him a little.

“Oh, it’s great! It’s got adventure, and treasure hunting, and pirates.” I amso glad I grabbed my bag before coming in here. “It’s called Treasure Island. Do you want to hear some of it?”

He sniffles and nods as he slides over, silently clearing a space for me on the bed. I happily take it, cracking the spine on one of my oldest and most treasured possessions. I’m always happy to go on another adventure with Long John Silver. I bet Khazak will be too.