Page 80 of Obsessed

“Break time!” Rain declared after a while, jumping back into the bedroom and shivering. Mason closed the doors, rubbing hands up and down Rain’s arms, trying to warm him up, and the beaming smile he got in return would feed him for the rest of his life.

A demanding meow rang out on the other side of the door and Rain darted over, letting Mouse in. She was already in her harness, and Rain grabbed the leash he’d brought upstairs with him, attaching it and hefting her in his arms before going back outside.

As if on instinct, Mason started snapping away, taking close-ups as Rain rocked Mouse in his arms, cooing at her. She stared at him suspiciously before blinking slowly, and Rain began to pose with her, gently changing positions until she began to wiggle.

“You want to see snow, Mousey-girl?” Rain placed her at his feet and Mason crouched, framing her.

Mouse just stood there for a few seconds, her golden eyes perplexed, her nose going a mile a minute. Eventually, she lifted a paw, and after much hesitation took a step.

Letting out a warbly cry, she shook the paw violently and looked up at Rain.

“Okay, girl, I gotcha. Not a fan of it, huh?” Picking her up, he booped her nose, his eyes clear and calm. Entranced, Mason could only stare, forgetting about the camera in his hands until Rain shivered again.

“Let’s go inside.” Standing up, he pulled a plastic bag from his coat, putting the camera inside.

“Is that because of the cold?” Rain asked, eyes on it.

“Yes. The bag warms the camera up gradually, preventing condensation.” Mason gestured and they both stepped into the house.

“Ah.” Removing their shoes, they left the bedroom and Rain detached Mouse’s leash once they got downstairs, shrugging off his coat and showing Mason the skintight catsuit he wore underneath.

Freezing in place, Mason studied how the fabric clung to Rain’s body, hugging him in just the right way, and his fingers twitched, not wanting the shutter but wanting to touch, to trace, to claim. He must’ve been staring for too long because Rain smirked.

“You should take a picture, it’ll last longer.” Approaching, he stood on his toes, giving Mason a kiss that started chaste but before Mason could blink Rain was sucking on his tongue, and Mason’s brain short-circuited.

Cock instantly hard, Mason explored the smooth fabric, wishing he could feel the skin underneath. Pushing Rain back, Mason trapped him against the counter, nibbling on his neck and enjoying the soft sounds he made, how he clutched at Mason’s shoulders, his bulge obvious. Aligning their hips, Mason pressed a bit and Rain gasped.

And then he stilled in Mason’s grasp, his eyes filling with fear.

It was like being dunked in ice, and Mason instantly pulled away, holding up his hands as he stepped back, giving Rain space.

Pale and shaky, Rain wrapped his arms around himself, taking deep breaths through his nose.

“S-Sorry I-”

“Nothing to apologize for.” Mason lowered his arms, emoting concern and support at Rain. “I meant it when I said that sex wasn’t necessary. I didn’t mean for it to go that far.”

“No, I liked it.” Walking over to the couch, Rain curled up in the corner and Mason joined him, wanting to put a hand on Rain’s leg or shoulder to comfort him, but he’d wait until Rain initiated touch. “Ever since I accepted that I was sexually abused, I’ve been getting these…flashes. I’ve been remembering things, it’s like I opened the floodgates.”

“That’s understandable. Is that what happened a few minutes ago?”

Rain nodded, turning one of his hands palm up. Relieved, Mason grasped it, trying to radiate comfort through his skin.

“I can’t predict when it’s going to happen, but sex might be a trigger for it.” Rain sighed. “I feel like I’m punishing you when I should be thanking you.”

Mason slightly tilted his head. “Thanking me?”

“Yes. I didn’t even know that I’d been abused. You were the one to point it out.” Tears glittered in Rain’s eyes but he blinked them away. “Thank you for telling me, for helping me see. And thank you for being patient while I sort this out.”

“You don’t have to thank me. You choose when you’re ready and we can always stop. I will never be upset.” All Mason wanted was to have Rain by his side, to be able to look at that stunning face whenever he wanted, to reap the inspiration it brought, and to share his every breath with him.

“I know.” Rain interlaced their fingers, holding on tight. “That’s why I feel safe with you.”

While the photos from the winter shoot had come out divine, Mason kept picking up the picture of them together, the selfie he’d taken the morning after their reunion. He’d used a few simple techniques along with some unusual choices in the darkroom and the results had blown him away.

Turning, Mason studied the blank wall where the shrine had been. Only marks and small pieces of tape were left, showing him the scars of their relationship, but those scars were healing. In fact, they’d been talking more than they ever had.

And Rain was blooming. Aside from handling Mason’s schedule, he’d raided Gran’s library and had torn through three books to Mason’s one, chatting nonstop about meditating under the weeping willow as soon as it got warmer. He still slept a lot and took up a ridiculous amount of the bed, drooling and mumbling, but after those barren and bleak nights alone, Mason was more than happy with his tiny sliver of mattress. He’d sleep on the floor if he had to, as long as they stayed together.

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