Birthday


Author: wanderingsmith
Started jul 2021 - oct 2021 -
Summary: "My mother used to insist on large birthday parties," he felt René's hand stroke his back, as though hearing his wistfulness, "All my supposed 'friends'..." He let himself absorb the care in the hands stroking him and combing his hair until his jaw stopped twitching and he could shrug, "They are not memories I enjoy."
Rating: NC17
Disclaimer: I ain't got no money, and nobody'd be daft enough to pay me for this. As it is thought, so let it be said; you make the toys, I play with 'em..

AN: 1) the seesaws are on loan from Nyruserra (and permanent thanks for word bouncing!)

2) some 'ships take over my head to play drama and heartbreak, some spout limericks, some snuggle with sickeningly schweet love words and promises.
Some just do it like they do in on the discovery channel. (guess which this is)
Apropos of nothing, if you have never looked for music vids of these two, I found a few and made a list, some are verrrry lovely (they were my playlist as I pushed through to write this out, lol, there are probably 4, maybe 5 words/lines/expressions that are directly to blame on hearing a song at just the right moment - can you spot any?)

3) There were 2 or 3 other fics I debated finishing next.. but then I realized that Birthday was an appropriate one to post as 200th fic on ao3 :)
"Hee!" 200 fics.... :D

Prequel: Blond Locks


Goto Chapter 2
Goto Chapter 3
Goto Chapter 4


Chapter one (NC17)
2021-07-06

-s-e-x-s-e-x-s-e-x-s-e-x- WARNING -s-e-x-s-e-x-s-e-x-s-e-x-


René watched Edith jump and twitter on her way out the door as Monsieur Alphonse pinched her bum, among other fondling.

He knew she didn't object in the least, of course; she even probably wished he would invite her to his little apartment above the mortuary without insisting on a wedding ring first. René rather wished he would as well; she might stop nagging *him*!

But still. For all the faults René readily acknowledged in himself, forcing any of his attentions anywhere that they were not unequivocally welcomed had never been one. And he was not fond of anyone else that did so, even other Frenchmen. Let along a 'Belgian'.

It was simply not necessary. A man could indicate his interest without completely ignoring propriety. 'Of course, he'd be the first to say that once a lady *did* return the interest, propriety could go 'ang! ...In private, mind.'

And the notion that he had come to this unsettling epiphany because of one of the occupying Germans... made him glare upward at God's sense of humour, whenever he accidentally let his thoughts wander in such unnaturally philosophical directions.

Because he truly had not appreciated the joke, a few days ago, when Gruber had reached out and gently squeezed his arm during a conversation 'Purring ridiculous compliments again' ...and then immediately released him and stepped away, even before René could react and pull his arm back. This having happened moments before Monsieur Alphonse insistently grabbed Edith's hand and tried to eat it -in front of René, Gruber, and Yvette, no less!-, René had suddenly had a horrifying vision of *Gruber* behaving in such a rude way. He had been very glad for the distraction provided by Gruber officiously leaving -with another of his fond looks for René- 'And, come to think of it, a disapproving frown for Monsieur Alphonse'.

The thought had come back to him later, unfortunately. Not only would such behaviour from one of the Germans have been 'concerning' 'He might actually have started carrying a gun, for all pulling it would lead him to as bad an end as... not puling it', but even if he believed such a man did not mean to follow through with a further lack of manners, it would have simply been even more intensely embarrassing than the current coy pursuit. Even more unnerving than that far-too-close 'dance' to escape notice had been, back in the early months of their acquaintance.

He was quite annoyed to find himself *grateful* for Gruber's... manners; even when René had so carelessly offered him 'anything' in thanks for his life, the man had never actually cashed in the favour.

René had even caught himself almost *smiling* at his ridiculous flirting, yesterday! Really, the man's enthusiasm was practically schoolboy-ish.

Which had made his mood when he stopped by earlier in the day all the more... difficult to.. ignore.

---

As soon as the door closed on his erstwhile 'wife', René quickly stepped out from behind the bar, ignoring the midday diners that might be talked into another glass of wine, and going straight to the nearest table.

He stopped behind the lone occupied chair and leaned to Gruber's ear where he had been sitting moping into his drink for the second time today, "Lieutenant. Do not say. A word." He waited until the man gave him a shining side glance, that wrinkle to his chin from unsuccessfully hiding a grin making René think he also remembered getting dreamily wide-eyed at having a large sausage passed to him. "Come into my back room."

This time the smirk escaped and he even murmured a properly sultry "Of course, René" before finishing his drink and putting on his hat as he rose, though René was just as glad he slipped his gloves into a pocket rather than put them on.

And René found himself thinking he'd been a fool to be so worried by the man's clumsy, but, in the end, gentle, attentions for so long.

He stepped into the room first and turned to face Gruber from besides the table. And the lone cupcake sitting on it with a candle stuck in its off-yellow icing.

"Happy birthday, lieutenant."

As Gruber's eyes flicked from the little cake to René, getting suspiciously shiny while a smile trembled on his lips, René shrugged uncomfortably, "I only heard your birth date accidentally, some months ago; it was made clear you did not wish any 'public' celebration... but everyone deserves an acknowledgement of their continued existence," he shrugged again, glad that Gruber seemed to have swallowed his incipient sentimentality -René had wanted to cheer the man, not temp him to bruise René's shoulder again-, and was now simply watching René with his usual fondness, "I did not have enough supplies left for a full cake anyway..."

To stop babbling, he scratched a match to light the candle, then looked at Gruber over the flame with a very fake serious expression, "You will remember that the tradition, in France, is for one big poof to blow it?" René grinned at the giggle and wide smile he got in response, softening his voice with reluctant fondness that he truly hated admitting to 'He still remembered how little he had objected to that hug several weeks ago when the lieutenant had come in with his old locket. He was just glad the man had not taken that to mean he could drop his 'manners'!', "And this time, it is *your* birthday."

With a suspiciously wet "Hee!" Gruber skipped over and stood still a moment, his eyes closed, and then leaned down and blew the candle out. Without reaching for the sweet, he looked at René with a smile and a raised brow, "Plaster of Paris?"

René reached down to carefully pull out the candle, and then handed the cake to the happily smiling lieutenant, "No. Absolutely not. As I said, the last of my rations." And it was a good thing he had so much practice sneaking, these days. Baking the treat this morning without anyone noticing -and questioning- had been nerve-wracking; he had had no intention of explaining to anyone what he was doing!

Gruber's breath hitched a moment as he was taking the pastry, and he caught René's hand with his free one before René could step back, looking humbly touched, as though he were rather better aware of the situation for the average 'peasant' than he usually let on. He pressed a quick kiss to the back of René's hand and then did another of his youthful skips back, giving René his space with an apologetic shrug and pressed lips that René suspected held back very uncomfortable babbling.

Still grudgingly smiling at having his hand kissed as though he were some maiden to be wooed 'He had not even tried to pull his hand away from the touch of the man's lips! He was going soft in the head!', when Gruber licked at the icing with an unfaked moan of pleasure, René's attention was strangely caught, and he found he did not want to look away as the lieutenant took small, savouring nibbles down the side of the cake body, breathing a pleased "Ha!" when he found the small chunk of chocolate in the centre, -still soft, much to René's pleased notice- ...but then René's notice flamed and he watched as though time were slowed as Gruber's tongue darted out and... curled ...in ...before drawing back with a dollop of precious dark chocolate.... and 'oh god' closed his eyes and hummed, the pink tip of his tongue peaking past his lips repeatedly to search for every trace...

 

It was not that there was never sugar to be had at mealtimes, particularly for officers, but René had used spices as well, and he was a good cook and- and he had made this heavenly sweet treat *for Hubert*, without agenda. And he could not remember the last time anyone had given him such a gift. And perhaps he was allowing that to spice the cake as much as sugar, vanilla, and chocolate, but Hubert did not care. René had never put him down for behaving like *himself*, it was safe to truly enjoy this prize, here in this quiet room where it was only him and his dear friend.

When the last of that first taste of chocolate with the faintest hint of coffee was gone, he opened his eyes to find more of the sweetly buttery icing, with a hint of citrus, this time using his tongue to smear it over a bite of the white cake, something he had not done since he was an unmannerly child, and then carefully wrapped his teeth around the bite, avoiding that lovely dark centre. He was just enjoying the lovely flavours when he glanced up to realize René was watching him far more intensely than usual.

For an instant, he wondered if the cake was a trap, some sleeping potion -because he absolutely could not allow himself to think that René would poison him- to embroil him in some new Résistance scheme. But then he noticed that René's breath was... quickened. And watched his tongue slick over his lips... as he stared at Hubert's lips.

And Hubert very nearly dropped the little cake at the shock of arousal. Surely he was wrong... He made himself swallow his mouthful, surprised he did not choke. And then stuck out his tongue, deliberately slowly, to gather what was left of the molten chocolate centre, his eyes fixed on the man standing bare arms-lengths away.

And watched his René shudder, his hands fisting at his side. This time he would have preferred to be able to keep his whimper in check, but René only shivered in reaction. He swallowed again, his own breathing more disturbed than after an hour of calisthenics, barely tasting the precious chocolate in the wake of this greater gift. He could not remember the last time he had felt so... alive. His skin tingled everywhere, never mind the rush of blood to his cock. And René had not moved, still watching him... very much as though he suddenly wanted to do things to Hubert that Hubert had been volunteering for, almost since they had met. He tried to steady his shaking hand, licking at the icing, this time entirely deliberately trying to seduce -as much himself with the thoughts of what he wanted to do-. With a final shudder, he made himself calmly take the last bite of cake; René had made this for him, he would not for the world dishonour such a thing.

And then he covered the space between them and slid his no doubt sticky fingers to René's cheeks. And met his already open lips with a kiss that even he acknowledged lacked finesse. But the groan René gave, and the hungry response, said passion was at least as welcome. Those lovely fingers that were always busy slid to his arse and pulled him the last inches he had tried to keep between them to give the man the room to refuse this intimacy that he had always avoided.

Lips and tongues did not so much battle for victory as they searched -desperately- for pleasure; from intimacy, from knowledge, hands grasping and stroking. That moustache much softer than he'd dreamed, tickling his upper lip in the most delightful way. And the hunger for ever-closer grew until Hubert needed more, as much for himself as for the man groping and biting at him, behaving as starved as he. For lack of a wall to press René into, he wrapped a foot behind René's knee to hold him steady as they rocked into each other; the childish enthusiasm would never truly be enough, but it might, barely, satisfy the insanity of the moment.

When René raised those lovely hands to Hubert's shoulders and held him in place as he pulled out of the kiss, Hubert could not help the moan of protest, refusing to release his own grip on René's shoulders.

It took all his utterly lacking control to stop himself from sliding his lips to René's neck to continue to slake the need simmering through him, but he managed to face the man as René stared at Hubert, a flush high on his cheeks, and enough need gone a little wild of his own showing to assuage Hubert's fears that this had been a dream, or worse- "It is not safe here, lieutenant!"

The breathless words did not immediately make sense, an utterly uncouth side of him thinking to brandish his pistol and swear to protect his mate; he would not allow René to be endangered again! But then noise from the main room of the café made it through the sound of pounding blood in his ears, and some semblance of reason forced its way onto his thoughts.

"René-"

Before he could articulate a proper reply, René leaned back in for another, close-mouthed, press of damp lips to Hubert's. Then pulled back with a gasp, "The cellar."

It was not a question, but Hubert nodded eagerly, willing to forgo his more pleasant -and private!- rooms for something so much closer.

He let René take his hand and pull him hastily through the window that only French people would have bothered putting where a door was obviously needed, and then back into the building through the kitchen, after René made a practised check for occupants. Hubert wanted to laugh at himself for behaviour better suited to a boy avoiding disapproving parents than a decorated officer of almost middle years as they crept to the door leading down, but he was too busy watching René's arse shift in his always too-loose trousers.

René sent him through the door first with a rushed "They *should* not need anything from down here until this evening", but nonetheless, as Hubert watched from the bottom of the well-worn, earthen steps, he used a broom handle as a makeshift bar to delay unexpected entry.

When René then hurried down the stairs, Hubert held out his hand, exhilarated all over again when René actually took it, warm and strong, and allowed himself to be pulled into another kiss.

It had been entirely too long since Hubert had felt drawn to a person for more than a few moments of pleasure, let along trusted the man as an equal. Trusted him enough to let himself melt into the other's build without so much as a moment's thought for keeping the upper hand. He could be held, and feel free to stroke every inch of René's body that he could reach; moan with pleasure at the hands wandering his back with every indication of appreciation and tousling his hair with an affection that Hubert felt starved for. Could slip his hands to the man's own back and dance them closer to the wall with faith that René would follow his lead.

With René's back on the rough brick, at least slightly out of sight of the kitchen door, untying and laying René's ever-present apron on a nearby crate and unbuttoning his trousers was the work of a bare few feverish moments, fumble though he did as René gasped into his mouth and sucked at his tongue most distractingly. He was vaguely aware that he was not treating his René as a gentleman should, but René had brought them here with just as much amorous haste as was driving him; if he had not meant for more than kisses, he would have easily stopped Hubert's hands -as he had many times in the past-.

When René's hands instead tried to hold him in place with a moan of protest, he teasingly bit the man's lip, far more pleased than he had a right to be at such obvious distraction from a man that he knew participated in plenty of assignations, then whispered a quick "Let me" before throwing his hat to join the apron -or fall to the dirt floor for all he cared!- as he dropped to his knees and drew René's cock into his mouth. He heard the man choke a cry as he savoured the slow slide of his lips toward his fist, musk and heat and a sweet taste turning bitter as he took more of the swollen shaft into his mouth, until his lips were parted by the hard width of the base. He looked up as he pulled off, his saliva slicking the way, his hands holding René's hips in place -for now-; and shuddered at the dark lust in René's eyes above the fist he had stuffed in his mouth.

The unavoidable danger of being interrupted without having his chance to satisfy René, more than anything else, drove him to hurry where he would have preferred to spend an hour shamelessly making the other man cry out his pleasure. He kept his eyes up as he sucked back down, feeling the shaft flex and grow on his tongue as René's fist failed to completely silence his groans. Years since he'd done this particular act, but it only took heartbeats for the trick of breathing through his nose to come back. The dirty wet sound of suck as loud in his ears as René's whines and his own pulse, making him feel drunk on the power to please another. Let along being allowed to please his René; alive and safe, and aroused by *Hubert*!

He finally had to pull back to take a deeper breath, moaning at the trickle he sucked from the tip, slowly opening his mouth, barely keeping the shaft resting on his bottom lip, picturing himself in René's eyes as he cupped his tongue snugly against the underside, half-blind himself with how wide his own pupils felt, and slid his hands to René's arse, encouraging him to thrust.

Pitch-black need was all that he saw in René's eyes, stark above his pretty hand hiding his mouth. His hips gave several short, stilted jerks before Hubert tightened his lips, hearing a desperate groan in response, and he would have smiled if he could, letting his tongue flick as he slid his lips back down to the nest of dark curls, and swallowed before turning the movement into as quick a seesaw as he could manage. He was almost too lost in the pleasure of it to remember to shift his hands back to René's hips as Hubert felt him suddenly stiffen.

He had to drop one hand to clamp on his own cock as he swallowed the thick fluid hitting his throat, listening to the barely-choked groans echoing through René's chest; on fire but unable not to hope to have even more than this, if he could just hold out.

When gentle fingers came to trail through his hair, Hubert realized his eyes had slid shut at some point, and he forced them open, every muscle feeling heavy as treacle, his skin glowing with hungry heat. He let René pull his softened cock out of his mouth, swallowing to clear his throat, the edge of soreness registering far behind the need coiled hot and tight in his belly and burning under his palm.

The fingers tugged teasingly at his ears as René smiled down at him, lazy and satisfied as a fat tom in the summer sun, "Come 'ere."

Hubert was grateful for the hand René held down to help him up, his knees no longer those of his 20 year-old self, and the German army's admittedly fashionable high boots not helping any more than the stick in his trousers. "Thank you, René."

René chuckled, pulling Hubert against him as he slouched against the wall in his sweat-damp shirt and open trousers, "Those are *my* words, lieutenant."

Hubert grinned, pleased -possibly proud-, his hands sliding around René's waist as he tried to calm himself, resisting the temptation to dive into that so beautifully-laughing, plush mouth for another whiskery -he used to hate whiskers so much, the more fool, he- kiss and to finish himself rough and quick against that full body, "You could, perhaps, call me Hubert?"

 

René hummed agreeably, distracted by the images flickering through his mind. He had always thought himself a man of the world, a good French man; had played his share of bedroom 'And airing cupboard' games with a number of ladies. He had to admit that it was actually surprisingly pleasant to discover on this side of 40 that even familiar pleasures... could be improved upon.

Feeling the hands wandering his body so restlessly, and watching the man holding himself stiffly in his arms shiver, pale skin flushed and a bright sheen of sweat on his forehead, he spoke softly, "What do you want, 'Ubair?" When Gruber look up from staring at his lips, René winked, feeling very mellow indeed, "It *is* your birthday."

When he saw the man hesitate, a familiar look of desire 'Though certainly he had never let quite this much show' tamped 'For fear of giving insult? Or of René reacting... worse than he always had? Or was it really simple manners?', he slid his hands down to Gruber's bum, gently tugging him closer, "Whatever you like, 'Ubair. You... did that very... well," 'An understatement!', "And generously." René shrugged, gazing at the man seriously, "Considering how you have always... treated me, it seems silly to have thought that you would desire something that would be... painful...?" Though possibly requiring skills René could not boast. Even if he had a mind-twisting desire to give back the pleasure that still shimmered through him, to make Gruber feel as he had; however much the very idea had, among others, even recently, been enough to make him jump a foot in the air. But Gruber had enjoyed that, it had not been a sacrifice for René's sake, that had been very obvious. And René had always enjoyed making a lover respond.

And if Gruber did not have the body type René would have turned his head to follow on the street 'Drat. He was going to be doing that, now, wasn't he? And picturing things fit to get him both excommunicated, and shot by the Résistance -all the different Résistances-!! And Edith, of course. Oh yes, and Yvette', well, neither did Mimi. Yet he'd never hesitated to encourage *her*.

Gruber's eyes widened, his voice trying to get high as it often did, though the definite rasp he'd developed was something else René could grow very addicted to... "No. Not painful, I swear-"

René felt the hands clenching on his own bum and made himself silence the howling little voice in his mind ' 'e 'ad already agreed Gruber would not hurt him!', instead nodding slowly, "Your hands are 'placing' a vote..."

Gruber froze for a moment, staring at René as though searching for the answer to a question he could not voice, then leaned in and kissed René rather wildly. And however shocking it had been to discover, passion, it turned out, did not care that Gruber had very different equipment than boobies. He had lips; nice and wide and he knew how to use them. And hands. And a very demanding tongue. And René had always been fond of forcefulness in lovers. That Gruber *could* overpower him... Meant nothing once he admitted that he knew he *would* not 'Unlike, say, Denise, who would *cheerfully* shoot him if she so much as suspected him of anything she did not like.' Gruber, demonstrably, could barely utter the command when ordered to do so.

As quickly as he'd started the rough kiss, Gruber pulled back, breathing as disturbed as when he'd just sucked René's cock down his throat, "You are certain, René?"

René nodded, squeezing the man's flat bum; nothing plump and squeezable, but the piece on the other side had certainly felt lovely to grind into 'And would likely react very nicely to squeezing...' "I put myself in your actually artistic hands..." he eyes dropped to Gruber's swollen lips and he should be far too drained for even the memory of rocking himself into that most perfect tight suction- 'They hadn't been grinning like that though!' René met Gruber's shining eyes wryly, "In your anything."

Still smiling brightly, Gruber stepped back with a nod, then looked around, "Do you by chance have oil here?"

René stared at him for a moment, caught off guard, "Oil? Of course, on the shelf next to the butter. But wh- oh!" 'Oh yes, that was suave and confident.' Gruber paused as he was turning, watching René carefully until René rolled his eyes at him, "Go on, 'Ubair. I 'ave not changed my mind. It is merely that I did not think."

Gruber gave him a small -reassuring- smile, "I do promise, René, it feels... *very* pleasant."

'Perhaps not 'reassuring' so much as reminiscing? Well and good. All the more proof he spoke the truth.' " 'Tis less about promises, 'Ubair, than about reminding myself that I trust you." 'At least about this' "There is a glass by the wine shelf that we use for tasting." It belatedly occurred to him that he could take the five steps over there 'imself; though tidying his trousers when he knew they would get taken back off soon- '...And perhaps it would be best he did not think of that too much while Gruber was not nearby to distract him...' seemed a bit of a waste. In any case, the man had never been unpleasant to watch. And he might as well enjoy daydreaming whatever he wanted while it was safe.

Gruber shifted direction with a nod, taking the inelegant -but much safer for practical use in the cellar- small glass and giving it an unexpectedly indifferent wipe before slipping a small portion of oil into it. When he turned and saw René watching him, he grinned and skipped back to his side, as light and cheerful as a boy without a care in the world, a quality René had always rather envied him, not that he could imagine 'imself as such. But... it was nice to see. Even nicer now.

Putting the glass down next to his hat, Gruber's movements slowed and he looked at René hesitantly, "I.. Should have been more precise... There... may be some ...discomfort, at first-"

René snorted, giving him a mildly insulted look as he reached out and started to undo his lieutenant's stiff uniform collar, "I am not that much of a fool, 'Ubair. And did not assume it would be *easier* than it is for women." 'Oh, he had thought of it, had he??'

Gruber's lips parted as though he were going to ask something, but then shook his head, relaxing in place, his earlier tension still present, but banked as he let René remove his belt and tunic, dropping the leather next to them and throwing the tunic toward the nearest onion-hook. 'If René was going to spend the afternoon catching whiffs of diesel on 'imself, it was only fair Gruber spend it smelling of onion.'

Once René turned back from the throw, Gruber stepped closer and leaned in to kiss him, softer than they'd managed before, though the rough trousers that pressed into René's bare cock were tented with pressing interest. René slipped his hands back, starting to be rather fond of their flat grips, and then spoke into the kiss, "Get on with it, 'Ubair, before the R.A.F. decide to bomb us." Or the Résistance come up with another certain-fool plan.

Without answering, Gruber reached for René's suspenders and slid them off his shoulders.

Feeling his trousers fall past his knees was... distracting. But having his lieutenant suddenly leaning his full weight on him and parting his lips with an insistent tongue soothed the little spike of nerves. At least until his underwear were sent the same way. And wide, warm, strong hands slipped under his shirt to stroke his back, so different from the small feminine hands he was used to. But also ...surprisingly ...pleasant.

Even when they slipped onto his now bare bum. And... 'Oh 'eck'' squeezed pretty much as *he* was doing.

Gruber raised his head to meet René's eyes, then, and silently reached down to the glass. René watched those long, thick fingers dip delicately in the cheap oil and rub themselves all slick 'Slowly, he is definitely being slow; someone has played at seduction before'; and he completely ignored the way his pulse was kicking back up. Trust. He trusted Gruber. 'And was that reason enough to become one of 'them'??'

Gruber was waiting when René raised his eyes back up and met his gaze steadily, his weight coming back to rest comfortably on René. His cock still pressing his trousers into René's entirely bare waist...

And that was another man's -slippery- fingers between his cheeks.

"René?"

René deliberately pictured those lips stretched around his cock while dark eyes let him see just how lost the man was. And rocked his hips back against the foreign touch, watching as heat flared through Gruber's eyes.

And caught his breath as those fingers slid deliberately -firmly- over his 'back quarters'. Gruber's other hand came up and cupped his jaw, tender stroke of fingertips as his forehead brushed René's, intimate and strangely soothingly close, their lips not quite touching, "You trust me."

"Yes." René's eyes closed and he made himself relax muscles he was not in the habit of thinking of, tipping his chin to touch lips he was already attached to 'And not *just* for 'that'! He had always enjoyed a good kiss, too.' He was half expecting it when Gruber's tongue slicked into his mouth as a finger gently pushed into him. René sucked on that tongue and focused on utterly dark thoughts of sucking something else 'Well, they should certainly be dark... though they were perhaps a bit more red. The red of Helga's so-often seen underwear, for all his lieutenant denied wearing anything that was not all man.' And Gruber moaned quite satisfyingly indeed. And as for that long finger...

René had to break the kiss enough to breathe, "That is... Very odd."

"Um. It will get better," Gruber rasped near his ear, which made René shiver for more than one reason 'Strangely enough, all of them good', before trailing wet kisses back to the corner of René's mouth, the tension René felt in his body making it plain he was restraining himself quite firmly. Which was reassuring in itself. As much so as the fact that, odd or not 'Wet; wet was a *very* odd sensation!', this was not painful. Yet.

"Squeeze my finger."

René gave a questioning grunt and he felt a puff of amusement against his lips, "Yes, truly, squ- Yes, just so."

Still odd, but less worrisomely tight. Though those were definitely not muscles René was used to bringing into play. And it would be best if he refrained from thinking that that in-and-out movement made him the wom-

'My god!' René gasped, and tensed in plain shock, and his eyes flashed open to see Gruber watching him avidly. "I did not know of *that*!"

Gruber chuckled darkly as René moaned, his hips shifting, not to get away 'Who would want to get away from that??", but unable to resist trying to rock into the tingling feeling, even though it was inside and that hand was moulded to his cheek and moved with him and that finger would only move if Gruber willed it. And he did will it, bless the man 'And when was the last time he had actually thanked God for anything??', slowly circling swipes between those unsettling thrusts, layering pleasure that was closer to need.

René clamped a hand on the man's shoulder when he slid the finger out, " 'Ubair?"

Gruber's expression was almost unfamiliar, nothing like his seductive looks, or the admiration that always made René so nervous; instead, there was dark intensity, a passion he would not readily have expected from the man's clumsy wooing. "Shushh, " René's eyes widened as the finger came back.. with a friend, "Trust me."

The words were whispered quietly against his lips, introduction to soft little kisses as though to tempt him into deepest sin.

Gruber as a genuinely knowing lover might take a few more minutes to get used to, but René decided he didn't really have time to worry about it as he worked to stay relaxed as just one more finger pressed in. It was painlessly slick with oil, but it made ignoring what this was working toward quite impossible 'Um. A mess...' Less 'odd' and more, well. 'But that little brush of a fingertip had felt like sin well worth working for. Regardless of every other consideration!"

"This will feel odd as well." Gruber's tongue slicked over René's lips after the warning 'Or perhaps it was a promise?' as though to make sure he was paying attention. 'Not an unreasonable question.'

And then those two thick fingers very carefully separated, stretching him, the skin at his entrance feeling as though it were already at the limit, and he should he worried; but really, all René could feel was that spot Gruber had awoken, throbbing so close to those intruders and if his German lieutenant did not have the decency to return to it-

He was marshalling words to make the man stop torturing him when Gruber finally stroked where René needed 'Need?...' him and a whimper escaped at feeling himself actually begin to harden again, "That, oh my god that feels-"

"Ummhumm." That pleased hum 'You cannot deny he has every right to be!' vibrated on his cheek as lips left a damp trail to his neck again, and René's head tipped back against the wall looking for support, surrounded in a surprisingly pleasant way by someone as tall and almost as 'built' as he, a wide hand still warm on his jaw, holding him to be kissed, an arm around him... and those fingers thrusting lazily, slick and warm 'Almost a pleasure in itself, that was the oddest notion...', in time with hips rocking into his front restlessly; in and out and slip-sliding almost teasingly over that aching little core of need that made his cock jerk; not the most pleasant sensation against rough trousers, however, to be honest.

"Squeeze again-"

And that response had been more of a moan than a hum, and René would smirk if he were not too busy shuddering and wondering if he was truly so far gone that *this* could bring him to orgasm.

More of that very strange stretching sensation and the fingers slid out, again leaving him feeling terrifyingly empty 'Well, apparently becoming 'one of them' really did not take long at all. Who knew.'

René made himself kick his brain out of its scattered pleasure, this time, " 'Ubair, let me..." he slid his hands, from the bum he only now realized he had actually been massaging rather insistently, to the man's fly and unbuttoned it, hoping those annoying uniform trousers would stay up, managing to smile at the groan against his neck. "There. That material is not pleasant to rub against." For good measure, and to prove to himself that he could, he reached into 'Ubair's underwear and delicately guided his stiff cock free of that too.

Gruber's chest shook against him with a laugh, drawing René's hands up to slide under the practical uniform shirt, soft cotton much more pleasant than fire-proof wool, pleased to find smooth skin as overheated as he felt.

He had vaguely been aware of Gruber leaning over to reach for the glass again as René worked, and winced to realize he could only call himself 'eager' for whatever the man would do next. He had gone so far now that all he wanted was to find where this lead.

Apparently it led to tempting him to make a comment that would stroke the man's ego. Surely three of those fingers were not necessary- René gasped, hands fisting on shoulders as the nearest bit of flesh he could grip because yes, alright, they fit, and yes he *was* getting used to feeling wet there. And ego or not, René would as soon not set himself up for any avoidable 'discomfort'. He squeezed down without being asked, entirely eager for that full feeling to ease enough for those other, much more pleasant, sensations.

And hearing Gruber gasp in response was certainly pleasant, as well.

René groaned a complaint when the fingers slid out far too soon, leaving aching desire within, opening his eyes when Gruber straightened slightly away with a regretful expression. "In a bed we could do this face to face, but here I need you to turn around."

Responding to the nervous edge in the man's voice, René patted his cheek gently, and, before he could think, he stepped out of the pile of fabric around his feet 'Since apparently he was going to make a mess on the floor in a bit. Though if someone comes barrelling in, now...' to turn around, making damned certain to keep a certain out-sticking part of his anatomy away from the bad brickwork 'Even if that did make his bum stick out in a way that he had best not think of.' He looked behind himself when he felt Gruber step close, and forced his lips into a grin when he still saw the edge of nervousness at the corner of his lieutenant's mouth, "I would appreciate your input in this, 'Ubair." 'And where such ridiculous audacity was suddenly coming from, he did not want to know!'

Gruber huffed a laugh that was choked off as his eyes closed, René's eyes dropping to see him running his slick hand on his cock- '...Well... That- ...Audacity. Let us remember audacity. And trust. And... and dark sin.'

As René turned to face the wall and closed his eyes, one of Gruber's hands, sans oil, slid under his shirt to rest over his heart as his warm body came up against René's back, a soft kiss dropping on his nape, soft as the affection in Gruber's voice, "Ready?"

And though René nodded firmly, he still gasped and stiffened at feeling something hot and hard and unmistakably male slide in where he had just complained of losing the stretch of fingers.

"Easy, René," Gruber's other hand must have gotten wiped on his trousers because it rested on René's belly without the slide of oil, "Squeeze down."

Even though it had less been pain and more shock that had frozen him, René did as he was bid and felt the man resting against his back groan with pleasure; and even as René relaxed at the sound, he felt that heavy intruder slide in further, unsettling as nitroglycerine in a gin bottle... but not... truly painful.

Gruber's hands smoothed, restless and hungry, which was far from unpleasant 'Was all too welcome, really', all over his chest now, lips muttering nonsense against his nape and shoulders that René was familiar with, had spouted himself, often, of perfect and tight and good and all the while more of that thick heat pressed into him, waiting for a squeeze every so often, until René was shivering and not entirely certain how he'd landed 'imself 'ere, and with no idea what he wanted to happen next. That surprising arousal had softened 'Always unsettling in itself, of course, unless one was deliberately trying to calm down in a hurry...', but there was still the feeling of needing more, deep inside.

"Are you all right?"

He felt... Too full. There was mild panic at the back of his mind, not least at the sensation of rough trousers brushing his bare bum. He was stretched by heat and hardness... But that simmering tingle of need Gruber had roused was definitely still there. And when he made himself relax and squeeze down carefully again, it was far from pain that made him gasp. And hearing a lover groan always gave him thrills...

His voice sounded under water when he finally replied, "Yes... All right..."

And then Gruber moved, pulled out slightly, making René gasp again at friction that had not been there before, and thrust 'And it was even odder to receive thrusts with the power of a body behind them... Even if he trusted Gruber; he did...' but then that hard cock that was branding him one of 'them' brushed that spot, stretched and full from much more than fingers, and René groaned, and hurriedly stuffed his fist back in his mouth as Gruber repeated the slow movement several times, then pulled what felt like all the way out and René almost gibbered at the sudden emptiness and flaring, unfulfilled 'Unfilled!' need, barely aware of fingers touching him where they joined, and then that heavy shaft was back, sliding so easily and filling him back up, and then 'God!' not just rubbing past that spot, but *hitting* it and René stopped thinking.

He knew this dance, used to leading though he might be. Rock and thrust and squeeze and do not cry out or all 'ell will break loose. And Gruber was right with him, heat and strength at his back, urgent and panting and biting kisses and grunts into his neck and shoulders.

He had not expected to be aroused by this when he'd agreed, had simply hoped to enjoy Gruber's pleasure. And now he felt a little madness at the edge of his movements, desperation for this coiled bed of embers to catch fire and release him and a ridiculous fear that he would not be able to reach that point and be left- "Please please please more, I need-"

"Yessss."

*He* hardly knew *what* he needed, though hard and fast came to mind with a worrisome lack of fear; but then those lovely long fingers slid past the painfully hard -and oversensitive- rod between his legs... And pressed in behind it-

And René thought he might have screamed there 'Hopefully into his fist...', as fire exploded from where Gruber had woken that hungry monster, and twisted through his balls and pulsed and it left him drained and ecstatically weak, and trying to keep his feet as Gruber groaned against him, still thrusting, short and fast with a desperation René could relate to. He made himself find a few willing muscles and squeezed down, rewarded amply by feeling Gruber slam in without any of those respectful manners and then tense, his mouth clamped in René's shoulder barely stifling a high-pitched cry as René actually *felt* him pulse inside. And that should not have made pleasure trickle through his poor abused body again.

 

Hubert was not certain how long he had allowed himself to wallow in the echoes of pleasure ringing through him, and in the pleasure of resting on René's wide body, of stroking his soft chest -of being *allowed* to!- He could feel his lover's breathing ease, even as his own did, intimately feel him occasionally tense and shiver through his own pleasure, until he knew he needed to pull out of their sweet embrace. They had been unaccountably lucky to be left in peace so long already, he must not put René at risk merely to satiate his greedy need for touch.

He sighed and pressed a sad kiss to the side of René's neck, whispering gently, "Try not to tense. This will also feel odd."

He waited to feel René nod and then gave a last squeeze to his soft belly and slowly straightened, quelling the fear that he would never again be allowed so close. Nothing that was not offered freely would be a pleasure; he had to believe that René would not shun him for this. He kept a hand on René's hip as he drew his own back from where they'd joined so intimately. The man shivered as Hubert slipped out of his body; but did not flinch, he was glad to see.

"Very odd," Hubert made himself let go as René raised his forehead from its rest on his arm against the uneven wall, "And wet. I had not expected that, for some reason."

Hubert choked off his laugh, though he obediently bent to get René's apron as the nearest cloth, "Yes. Though surely that is no different with women?" He gently patted the offended area dry before giving René's shoulder a gentle tug to make him turn.

He was -ecstatically pleasantly!- surprised when René immediately reached out and cupped his jaw to press a soft, ticklish kiss to his lips before releasing him to grin conspiratorially, his eyes so relaxed that Hubert would have cheerfully stood staring 'till supper, "No, not really. But not something I am tasked to deal with."

Hubert snorted, shaking his head as he reached out to gently wipe a last drip of pleasure from his lover, unable to resist a little gentle fondling -René had kissed *him*! He was not regretting this. Not yet.- "Be glad for this dirt floor; the one disadvantage to a comfortable bed is wet bedding." He quickly wiped himself off before dropping the apron back down and looking at René, catching him staring at Hubert with appreciation that made him grin far too widely as he crouched down to untangle René's clothes and offer them up before rising to attend to the condition of his own attire.

René shrugged wryly at being caught and leaned on the wall to quickly get dressed, "I have not been jealous of anyone in 20 years, 'Ubair, but I think I would like to refuse to serve whoever knew enough to start rumours about that dynamite."

Hubert froze a moment in confusion, then slowly continued tidying his shirt into his trousers, an unpleasantly sober feeling cooling the warmth of their interlude. He watched René smoothing his waistcoat and spoke quietly, "..And I would be pleased to promise there will not be any such people. But I learned long ago not to make promises to anyone that will not, or cannot, return them."

René paused visibly in the act of reaching for Hubert's tunic, but then took it carefully off its hook, brushing it off before handing it to Hubert and meeting his eyes unhesitatingly, if ruefully, "Wise man."

When he leaned back against the no doubt uncomfortable wall and gently tugged Hubert's shirt to bring him closer, Hubert relaxed muscles he had not realized he'd tensed and left the tunic open to lean into him.

René's hand slid up, warm and gentle, and settled on the back of his head, uninsistently encouraging him to lay his cheek against René's. Hubert's hand came up to rest on René's other cheek, pleased to have the soft cuddling -more memories to treasure-.

"Are you going to be late for duty?"

Hubert shrugged, unconcerned, "The general had no need of me and sent me to keep the peasants in line. I am allowed to take lunch from this strenuous duty."

"Um. Good," René's head turned enough to press a kiss to Hubert's cheek, "...You can tell him you have me tightly in line."

Hubert giggled slightly, hugging the man close and closing his eyes, thinking of how his day had completely changed from its melancholy start.

"My mother used to insist on large birthday parties," he felt René's hand stroke his back, as though hearing his wistfulness, "All my supposed 'friends'..." He let himself absorb the care in the hands stroking him and combing his hair until his jaw stopped twitching and he could shrug, "They are not memories I enjoy."

"No. I can imagine."

Hubert finally looked up to meet René's unjudging look, "But it .. was different when you made that cake for the colonel. Perhaps you are not true friends, but.. you are closer than most I had. As this day dawned it occurred to me that.. perhaps I could have had.. even a moment of ...your regard-" his eyes slipped closed as René stopped his babbling with soft lips.

"You do."

AN:Originally this was just going to have a little epilogue scene.. but then the characters jumped on me while I was picking berries and completely changed the plan -rolls eyes- so now separate chapter


Chapter two: Let the music play on
2021-07-16



"Colonel?"

Kurt looked up from reading more pretty lies about the front, "Yes, Helga?"

"Lieutenant Gruber has been seen returning to his rooms."

He sighed; not surprised, but still mildly annoyed. "Thank you, Helga." The lack of her perennial curiosity made him suspect she knew very well both the date, and its meaning to Gruber.

It was devilishly hard keeping things from the woman.

Putting away the reports, for all the good a drawer did with Helga about, Kurt grabbed his hat and went hunting for the lieutenant. He'd been willing to let the man have a private celebration, if that was his wish, but the dejected look the boy had worn when he'd dropped off the reports this morning was silly. Whatever his dubious tastes, he was a decent officer and reasonable drinking companion. No replacement for Hans, unfortunately, but still, Kurt was not about to have someone he worked with spend their birthday alone.

He rapped sharply on the door to the room the general had given Gruber and waited impatiently. Only to be more than a little surprised to have him open the door clearly in the middle of getting ready to go back out.

"Colonel? Is something wrong?"

Kurt narrowed his eyes. A waft of cologne, definite signs of a quick wash... and no sign of the drooping mouth from this morning. Not at all the glum man he'd expected to have to jolly out. "Nothing wrong, lieutenant. I was going to invite you for a drink at René's. Unless you have other plans?"

For a moment the boy looked nonplussed, hesitating, and Kurt really did wonder if he had a date, or at least an assignation. But then Gruber shook himself and nodded with a polite smile, "Of course, colonel. I was on my way there if you would rather not wait."

Kurt waved away the offer; the boy was obviously mostly ready and he'd rather have the driver.

They were halfway to the café when Kurt realized the man had hardly said a word, which was definitely not like his usually burbling self, and he looked over sharply, expecting to find him mournful again. To catch a grin flickering on his face as he drove, only to be pressed out; or at least attempted to be, seeing as it popped back out a moment later.

Um. Normally that would not be *entirely* out of character; Gruber's strange fondness for the owner of their café had always been entirely obvious. But that was not usually enough to silence him. Nor did he usually bother to -try to- stop himself from grinning like a boy in the flurry of his first affair.

They reached the café before he could decide what, if anything, to say to him.

And then he could only watch with narrow eyes as the lieutenant *skipped* like some teen-aged girl -though he couldn't imagine Helga, for one, *ever* doing so!- to the door, the grin no longer restrained. Already searching the inside of the café while he held the door for Kurt.

Walking past him rolling his eyes, Kurt heard René call out "Lieutenant!" and saw him step out of the kitchen and walk up to Gruber.

And then Kurt gaped in shock as he watched René clasp Gruber's shoulders and kiss both of his cheeks firmly. Something he would have bet, well, the Madonna, that René would *never* do! Willingly.

Slowly walking to his table by the window and distractedly nodding at Yvette's distant offer of a wine decanter while continuing to watch their café owner behaving so strangely, Kurt could just barely hear when René spoke next to Gruber's ear, "I hope you will forgive me, lieutenant."

He would have worried -or perhaps been less confused, really-, that this was some Résistance scheme, again, except that he could see the almost never-seen, utterly real, grin on René's face as he straightened.

Gruber was still smiling, of course, as was to be expected after such a welcome from the man he was so smitten with. Though the lack of surprise at said welcome was odd. Downright suspicious, as a matter of fact.

This time René spoke in a tone that everyone could hear, "Happy birthday, lieutenant."

And before Kurt could wince, or Gruber complain of his secret being spilled, René leaned forward. And kissed him firmly on the mouth.

...It was quick enough, but Kurt was quite certain, not least by the utterly intoxicated expression on Gruber's face, that it had been anything but Gallic. As the café erupted in loud voices, he only heard the lieutenant's dazed "René..." because he was so close.

René stepped besides the lieutenant, smiling far too gently for Kurt's peace of mind, and keeping a hold of Gruber's arm a far too caringly-long moment; and otherwise ignoring the chaos he'd just caused.

Yvette was the first on them, carrying Kurt's wine, smiling brightly and reaching up one-handed to tug the lieutenant's head down while husking "Happy birthday, lieutenant!"

Gruber had looked momentarily terrified at her approach, but Yvette was actually very sweet; her kiss almost sisterly, to Kurt's view. And to Gruber's as well, based on the hesitant smile he responded with, "Thank you, miss Yvette."

Yvette then set the wine on Kurt's table with a wink, leaning down to listen when he asked for drinks, making room for Madame Edith, bustling up behind her and exclaiming loudly, "Why did you not tell us it was the lieutenant's birthday, René?? Happy birthday, lieutenant!" For all that she only kissed his cheeks, the lieutenant still looked rather less pleased, not that Kurt blamed him. "Monsieur Leclerc-"

Before she could finish her call, René interrupted just as loudly, "No, Monsieur Leclerc. You have the evening off. Since it is the lieutenant's birthday, the piano is strictly *his* for the evening."

"But René!"

"No. It is his *birthday*."

While they were arguing, with Gruber looking worried and almost like he wanted to interject, which Kurt would have put a stop to, for all their sakes, Miss Mimi had stomped ahead of the group of officers impatiently waiting for the café staff to disperse, and stopped in front of poor Gruber with her hands on her hips to order peremptorily, "Lean down."

Quite reasonably, Gruber flinched back and looked at her warily, "Are you going to kick me?"

One of Mimi's brows raised cynically, "It is *your* birthday. Do you *want* to be kicked?"

"No."

"Then I will not. Now lean down."

Kurt pressed his lips to keep his snicker quiet at the lieutenant's wary bend, but the woman simply kissed his cheek and grinned manically, "Happy birthday, lieutenant."

Then the group of officers that had been having drinks by the piano managed to surround him and shift him away from the excitable French, reproaching him as they went for having hidden his birthday from them. Though predictably enough, Gruber continued looking back for René as he was pulled.

Kurt spoke quietly to avoid notice from the lieutenant, "René."

It was disturbing to notice that René's eyes had been tracking Gruber just as clearly as Gruber's had him.

"Colonel."

Kurt nodded for him to sit, speaking grudgingly, "Thank you, René, for giving him a birthday. I was bound to respect his wishes." He bit back a comment about René having broken what amounted to his own agreement to bide by that silence.

René shrugged, his expression schooled to one whose blankness told Kurt he was aware that he'd shown a bit too much, just now.

Kurt narrowed his eyes, letting his suspicion show clearly, "I would like you to remember that the lieutenant is not French, René."

René snorted and gave him a wry smile that did not reach his eyes. Unafraid and without pretense, it was a look Kurt had seen as rarely as that grin, "Are you asking what my intentions are, colonel?"

Kurt took a swallow of wine to give himself extra seconds to choose his words, "No. As *utterly* unbelievable as it is, they are quite obvious. But I am responsible for the officers under my command. The lieutenant is no innocent, and knows how you live your life. But I am nonetheless, I- am *asking* you, René, not to lie to him. About this."

It almost reassured him to see René's jaw clench and eyes harden, "I do not lie to *anyone*-" his lips pressed tight as he looked away from Kurt, then skittered away from Gruber, where he had apparently automatically looked, and finally muttered, "About this."

Kurt nodded, unreassured and still flummoxed at this development, but knowing there was nothing more he could do. He unbent enough to offer René some wine in the second glass that sat unused next to him.

Yvette eventually brought Kurt his drinks, and René silently finished his wine and moved away to get back to running his café, leaving Kurt to sip his own wine for a few minutes before he saw Hubert escape his fellow officers, waving toward the bar, obviously jittery.

"Hubert."

The man twitched, turning to Kurt as though he had forgotten his presence, "Colonel!"

Kurt stood as Gruber approached, offering him one of the two glasses of cognac he'd ordered, "Here. You look as though you need a stiffener." Looked very much on the edge of touched tears, as a matter of fact.

The lieutenant murmured "Thank you" and quickly swallowed the liquor.

"Happy birthday, Hubert."

The man smiled shakily, eyes tracking René as he served a trayful of drinks to the table next to the officers before he made himself focus on Kurt, "Thank you, colonel." He took a deep breath, visibly firming his trembling chin, "My past experience of birthdays had never been pleasant. This-" the small wave of his hand encompassed the officers, the waitresses, and René at the bar.

Kurt patted his back, taking the empty glass and replacing it with the one René had used, refilled, "René can be a good man." For a French peasant.

Gruber nodded, sipping the wine, uncharacteristically sober, though his eyes predictably were back to trailing to René, "Yes, he can be a very good man."

"You will remember that he leads a... complicated... life?"

The eyes that Gruber turned back to Kurt were much sharper. That lovesick boy quite eclipsed by the intelligence of an officer, and the rarely-seen grit of one that had seen combat, however little he seemed to want to return to it. "I am *fully* aware of it, colonel."

Kurt nodded slowly, somewhat surprised to have gotten a serious answer.

The unnaturally stern look faded, and Gruber relaxed somewhat, looking toward Madame Edith with growing determination before nodding to Kurt and raising his glass, "Thank you, colonel. I hope you have a good evening."

Nodding back, Kurt caught Yvette's eye and grinned at her before winking at Gruber, "I expect I will, thank you, lieutenant."

The boy winked back before marching determinedly toward Madame Edith, which Kurt firmly decided he did not want to know anything about. He had done his duty.

 

"Madame Edith."

Edith turned from serving the town's second-best cobbler, passing her smile to the lieutenant, "Yes lieutenant? Would you like me to sing you a s-"

She barely refrained from glaring when he interrupted with an imperiously flipped wrist, "That will not be necessary, the men have asked me to play a few songs once I have a drink." She followed automatically when he stepped away from the occupied table, lowering his voice, "Do you remember when René blew up Herr Flick of the Gestapo with a nose made of plastic explosives?"

Edith blinked, thrown off by the abrupt change of topic. Then she glanced around to be certain they were far from the nearest customers, and lowered her own voice, "Yes... of course."

And now that intense look from the usually casual lieutenant was rather disquieting. "And I protected René by telling the general that the French general was responsible?"

Though a bad feeling was growing in her stomach, Edith made certain she was smiling brightly, "Yes, of course! That was so kind of you!"

As usual, he hardly reacted to her enthusiasm. Men like him were so very strange! "I never asked for your offered reward."

Edith tensed, knowing the smile no longer reached her eyes. "...No. You did not."

He nodded, his gaze sharpening unfamiliarly, "I would like René to come to my room tonight."

After a moment's shock, Edith could not help but gasp at the brazen demand, hissing angrily, "Lieutenant! You would force-"

Gruber straightened sharply and snarled in an undertone, voice going high the way it always did, "I would *never* force René to do anything!"

Edith gaped, her eyes flickering to René as he handed Yvette a full platter of drinks at the bar, thinking of that kiss he had given the lieutenant earlier, "Are you saying René *wishes*-" All these years she'd feared he would run away with a younger *woman*!

"I will ask him to join me when you agree not to object."

Edith glared silently, but he did not back down in the least, glaring right back. And she was reminded of where she had seen him give her that strangely jealous look. And her eyes flicked to René again. And this time he was watching the two of them, unmoving and frowning. Except that that was not the look he wore when he was scared that they were going to make the Germans angry and land them all against a wall. He looked worried, yes.

But not for her. And not for himself.

She wondered when he had stopped being scared of the lieutenant's affection.

Gruber was still watching her with hard eyes that would have scared her when she was a young girl. But this was the man that had given René the same utterly-smitten look earlier that he always did. And they did owe him. "Very well." He immediately relaxed; not smiling, not to her; but no longer trying to be an intimidating conqueror. "So long as René agrees."

For a moment a grin flickered on his lips, his gaze no longer seeing her, obviously lost in the past, before refocusing on her to murmur, "Of course, Madame Edith."

Edith's jaw twitched. There was no doubt in his eyes. The old lieutenant might have flirted breathlessly with René, but you could always see that he knew it was not returned. This man... knew something very different.

"Madame," Edith tried to make her lips smile, but she knew she failed when that disturbingly warm glow of anticipation faded from his eyes and he focused on her with what might be reluctant sympathy, "I know that René is the man you were married to," he nodded at her no-doubt shocked reaction at the old secret having finally reached him, "I am aware that he remains... loyal to you."

"He remains loyal to the *café*." Gruber shrugged at her snap, watching her steadily, and Edith exhaled sharply through her nose, "Oh, very well," she waved in the general direction of the bar, managing a twisted smile, this time, "I would rather share him with you than Yvette, somehow."

She had had a strange feeling about that embrace she had interrupted last month. For all that René had often worked rather well with the lieutenant, she had never seen him willingly touch him for more than a moment, before. Let along so... tenderly.

 

Something between manners and a modicum of discretion forced Hubert to refrain from immediately going to René; making himself return to the small group of officers who also frequented the café. It was torture to then make himself go to the piano and play, and he knew his voice reflected his distraction. But he was finally able to excuse himself and saunter to the bar. And the man slowly wiping it with a small smile playing on his lips.

"René."

He could not have stopped his grin at the pleasure in René's eyes when he raised his head with a start. " 'U- *Lieutenant*! What, ah, what can I get you? Your usual?"

Ignoring the babble, Hubert leaned over the bar, warmed again at René mirroring him without hesitation. He lowered his voice, "Will you come to my room, tonight?" René's eyes flew to Edith and Hubert continued calmly, "She will not object. I told her I was taking both of your offers of thanks for lying about the French general."

René's brows rose as though he were impressed, reassuring Hubert that he had not overstepped by speaking to the woman, "Then I encourage you to save my life more often so I can be certain to offer you such breathless thanks again."

Hubert sobered, starting to reach for René's hand before stopping himself, jaw twitching at the reminder that the need for secrecy had not only been from the man's not-quite wife, "I will always try to save you, René."

René sobered as well, closing the distance between their fingers and grasping his hand for an instant, "I know, lieutenant."

Hubert nodded, smiling dimly, "I assume you will need to wait and sneak in, to avoid the Résistance hearing of it?"

René grimaced, "I'm afraid so. And my neighbours. Speaking of staying safe."

"Then I will see you later this evening."

For a moment, René's gaze dropped to Hubert's lips and Hubert fancied there were heated promises in the look that met his, "Oh yes."


Chapter three (NC17): Love me tender?
oct 2021

AN: The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Black velvet and that little boy's smile

Sorry, they kept babbling in my head [namely, Hubert wanted to beg].. So have to write it. So this gets another porn chapter and another 'post-chapter' before the non-porn sequel birthday references the french general, and Denise and remarrying.
remarry is 204, french general is 511, 506 Denise, 502 is bath, so yes, he knows his room
so after 511 but has to be before 518 which has move to new room at top of tower

-s-e-x-s-e-x-s-e-x-s-e-x- WARNING -s-e-x-s-e-x-s-e-x-s-e-x-


Sneaking to the château while trying to avoid the *Résistance* instead of the Germans was... unnerving.

...To meet a man. Without doubt for the plain purpose to kiss and touch and be as intimate as two men could be. When even this dawn as he had relieved his morning tension, he would have been wide-eyed with dismay at anyone hinting at such.

Though possibly he had occasionally thought it might be pleasant to be held by the man who had gripped him so strongly, if desperately; only, without that grief making him bruise René's poor shoulders. ...Possibly even Gruber's occasional filthy intimations had been known to make... something suspiciously like arousal nip below the waist. Not that he would have *ever* admitted to any of that!

Until he had been utterly ambushed and had fallen to far more than a nip. And... now he was well and truly in thrall to physical pleasure he had no defence against; and an affection that he had accidentally let root in him, too long ago, now, had suddenly found water and sun and was breaking the foundation-stones of the wall he had long kept between himself and the world. And here he was, risking his actual *life* to be with a lover.

He was definitely going to end up hung for a collaborator. If the Germans did not mistake him for a skulking Résistance girl and shoot him.

And yet, he did not turn around.

He should have worn something dark. Or better yet, used one of the assorted German uniforms they had acquired in their attempts to get the British back to England.

Next time.

'Assuming there *was* a next time.'

And what exactly had 'Ubair said to Edith, anyway? It was all fine to claim the favour he was owed, but Edith's jealousy was usually more than enough that he would have expected her to draw the line. To say nothing that her 'agreeing' was tantamount to selling René! 'Not that he objected in *this* case, but he could not help but wonder where this would lead!'

Or. Had 'Ubair told her that he and René were... well. More than conqueror and peasant. In which case, he was going to be in almighty trouble once 'Ubair was not there to make her keep her voice down.

He saw the secret entrance up ahead and gave up worrying. He had to remember the way through those dratted tunnels, and then... he grinned to himself. Then, he had an evening of hanky-panky ahead before he had to deal with the repercussions.

It took an annoying half hour to get un-lost and find the right door, by which time he most definitely wished he'd worn a jacket in spite of the warm night; this shirt had just been washed and was now covered in dust and soot and unfit for a café-owner, even in war-torn France on short water and soap rations.

At the dim shout through the door, René tried the knob and found it open; resisting the urge to check for anyone watching, he confidently let himself in 'Best way to go unnoticed! ...And avoid getting assigned work.' Once past that gauntlet, though, his shoulders slumped in relief, closing and latching the door hurriedly -a safety he was not used to having the luxury of-, the dimly-lit hallway replaced by the lieutenant's opulent bedroom -and its ostentatious bed-, warmed by the lit fire and the well-placed candles.

He rounded the bed to meet Gruber, skipping over on bare feet from the large window on the opposite side of the bed, in only his shirt and trousers and a bright grin that René suddenly could not help but return with long-forgotten exuberance.

"René!"

Before he could reply to the breathless welcome, the lieutenant's warm palms smoothed over his cheeks, and even warmer lips pressed to his, if far more softly than they had when sweetened by icing. René's hands rose to the man's nape, and 'Ubair tipped his head back into the touch, his smile going soft, breath whispering against René's jaw, "I could not help but fear it had all been a dream, and you would not come."

For a moment René's gaze slipped to the window, wondering how often Gruber had waited in vain for lovers 'and a blind Frenchman...' 'Ubair was watching him when he looked back, the forgiving softness of his smile utterly plain to see. " 'Ubair..." René sighed, suddenly just as at ease as the man now relaxed in his arms, "I came through the tunnels; I'm afraid I lost my way for a bit."

He pressed their foreheads together for a moment before tipping in to suck a single kiss of his own from those smiling lips before slipping the tips of their noses together, staring into such joy-filled eyes that he paused, his own lips curling into a smile in the cozy little space with just the two of them; the rest of the world, the war, even the sun that would rise tomorrow, were all silent for a few easy moments. This night René had not caused him hurt, and 'Ubair was not alone. And even René had someone that cared for him; and that asked no more of him than he could give. They had found their way to each other. At least for now.

Then 'Ubair slowly tipped his chin to stroke their lips together and René returned it, that warmth that suffused him every time they kissed once again rising through him. Their heated tryst this afternoon had sated him enough that there was no immediate urgency, and 'Ubair's planning ensured there was no worry of discovery to make them hurry. He shifted to press another kiss. And another. And more. Shivering when 'Ubair slipped his tongue in for a moment. René angled his jaw up a few degrees, and 'Ubair did not resist, instead parting his lips, clearly expecting -desiring- René to take the kiss deeper, tenderness slowly changing to tongues and suck and teeth and some of the afternoon's heat stirring lazily.

Suddenly feeling his trousers fall down his legs for the second time that day, René raised his head with a chuckle, "You enjoy doing that."

'Ubair hummed agreeably, pressing his hands to René's chest, which made René look down, only then realizing that not only had his sneaky lieutenant undone his suspenders without his noticing, he had also undone his shirt! The hands were still, long and warm and only resting lightly on René's chest; as though still waiting for permission. Smiling to himself, René brought his own hands up to cover them, lips quirking to realize those talented fingers were actually thicker and longer than his own, then looked up to meet 'Ubair's watchful gaze. And pressed the hands harder against his skin, arousal jumping at the intimate touch, before letting go and, resisting, with some difficulty, the automatic urge to reach for the man again, let his arms hang by his side, "Well? Do carry on lieutenant."

'Ubair lost the hint of tension that had snuck around his eyes, murmuring gently, "My *dear* René."

Smiling softly, he caressed his hands up to René's shoulders and slowly down his arms as René felt himself shiver, refusing to think how long it had been since anyone had touched him with such slow appreciation 'However misplaced'. As his shirt went the way of his trousers, 'Ubair drew René's palms to his lips, candlelight shifting to leave his eyes in shadows as he pressed a kiss to each before closing the space between them to resume their kisses, even hungrier than before.

And René ignored that he was bare-chested 'And bare-legged! ...Down to his underthings, not to put too fine a point on it.' in the warmly-lit room, something he tried very hard to avoid unless there was a sheet on hand. He slipped his hands to grip a certain flat bum he had discovered a taste for earlier in the day, and focused on toeing his shoes off -and 'is trousers- before he tripped, feeling 'Ubair grin against his lips. And shivered more, warmth turning to stirring arousal, at those wide hands smoothing avariciously along René's shoulders and back... and front.

That unfamiliar touch finally made René realize that if he did not get his wits in order, he was shortly going to be tumbled naked onto the bed like an inexperienced girl! He set his socked feet to stop the slow waltz he had actually not noticed being led in, and started chuckling, half in admiration and half at his own utter lack of ability to resist this man, now he 'ad let 'im in. He broke the string of soft kisses, grinning at the unconcerned affection with which 'Ubair reacted to having his plans changed.

He cupped those smooth cheeks and very deliberately -slowly and thoroughly- poured years of experience into a deep kiss. He was breathing hard himself when he raised his lips, dropping one last peck on the open mouth of the man whose fingers were now digging convulsively into his shoulders 'He was entirely too fond of doing *that* as well' before reaching firmly for the waistband of 'Ubair's trousers, grinning proudly at his slightly dazed look, "Your turn, my lieutenant."

'Ubair's delighted giggle held no objection, and he willingly raised his arms when René tugged his shirt upward, standing still when René undid his trousers with a bit of teasing clumsiness, and then pushed them down, distractedly pressing a kiss over 'Ubair's heartbeat while he was leaning down, only realizing the sentimentality as his lips touched warm skin. On straightening, though, sentiment faded as instead it was the simple reality of skin that caught him.

The last time 'Only time', in this very room, that he had seen 'Ubair naked 'Well, not *seen*. He had looked away quite firmly' he had been far too rattled; by the danger of his mission, mostly, though also at suddenly being faced with a naked man 'Who fancied him... and who happened to be quite... easy on the eyes, as well as friendly -though he would have wished luck at anyone trying to get him to admit it. Then.' Now... he rather wished there was any chance of playing hide-the-soap and making this man laugh.

Though not bulging with muscles 'Thank God', there was an easy strength hinted at by all that smooth flesh 'Possibly partly because René had felt that strength just a few hours ago, never mind during that hug a while back', unassuming, though it was. Movement under the remaining strip of material at 'Ubair's waist drew René's attention and made 'im grin as he looked up, only then realizing 'Ubair had stood calmly as he stared 'More calmly than *he* would have stood!'

...Or perhaps 'calmly' was the wrong word, and René gave a full-body twitch on realizing that his own far-from-smooth body had had eyes on it; which was a great deal more difficult to ignore than a stroking touch had been!

Even with the tent-post that the view had apparently caused.

But he still was not going to be'ave like a girl at her first pancake party!

When René set his hands at 'Ubair's waist, 'Ubair's palms returned to his shoulders in very like a proper dance form 'Except they were on his bare skin. And stroked him tenderly' as he grinned at René as though this was the best of birthday presents, even better than a cupcake with real icing. And René danced him around and backwards the rest of the way to the side of bed, vaguely feeling a quiver at the exhibitionism of having the drapes wide open on the bed they were about to make lewd use of, but the warm breeze was far too lovely to interrupt their dance to block.

Once there was nothing but the soft mattress behind 'Ubair, René leaned in to steal more kisses, humming to feel a hard chest press bare and warm against his own 'Which was much softer'. He slowly stroked his hands up a strong back, shifting muscles with just a bit of padding, that René could not help but feel slightly better for, up onto hard shoulders.

And pushed 'Ubair backwards to fall onto his bed with a bounce, laughing loudly as he went, nothing but joy in his expression as he pulled himself closer to the pillows, pale flesh and paler underwear on the rich red bedspread, while staring eagerly at René, now standing fully on display -and by his own doing, at that.

Smiling back, René reminded himself of the lovely images he still carried of this man from the afternoon, refusing to hesitate as he reached for his underwear and pushed it down. Ignoring his socks, he climbed onto the bed and set his knees on either side of his lover's calves, and crawled over him on all fours, eyes on 'Ubair's. Ignoring how those bright hazels were hungrily trailing over René's bare skin. Every gravity-betrayed inch of it. And still not losing any of their shine.

Once they were face to face, 'Ubair's smile softened and he reached up to cup René's jaw, "My René."

" 'Ubair." René leaned down to touch that smile with his own, trying to remember the last time he had kissed anyone so much in such a short time; and so softly, with so little extravagant passion. He went down to his elbows, carefully keeping some of his weight off the man under him, but 'Ubair reached up and firmly tugged him down, wriggling with a pleased hum as René gave in and laid on him fully for another long, slow kiss, his hands slipping into thin hair cut militarily short while those wide hands stroked his back again, wordless murmurs passing between them as their lips touched and parted again and again. And for all 'Ubair had made it plain possessiveness had no place between them, still, there was a dose of it present. René could feel his lips demanding a surrender from 'Ubair that he usually outright avoided. Felt the tight grips clutching at him laying a claim he had no wish to deny. Perhaps they could not share words, but their bodies did not care for such realities.

The slow rock of 'Ubair's hips under his, rough fabric once again rubbing against his cock 'This man truly did play havoc with his ability to plan' reminded him that as lovely as kissing was, there were other very lovely things they could do on this soft bed in this private room with its stout door 'and stouter lock!' He shifted, slowly mouthing toward the crease at the corner of 'Ubair's lips and following it down to the smooth line of his jaw. Slipping down to his neck, René huffed, nipping gently before raising his lips just enough to speak, "Did you expect to be the one doing all the kissing, my lieutenant?"

René felt the answering laugh all along his chest, and a joyful hug around his shoulders before those arms released him. "My apologies, René. It was less planning and more forgetfulness; my beard has never grown so quickly as to need repeated shaving, so I frequently ignore the neck without anyone being the wiser. I will... be more diligent in future..."

"Umm." René let the edge of his teeth graze the decidedly UN-smooth skin for a moment, feeling 'Ubair swallow and his breath catch. It caught again as René moved his arm to take some of his weight so he could shift further down until his lips tucked into the faint hollow behind 'Ubair's collarbone 'At least *that* was as smooth as it looked!', where he gently sucked the delicate skin, utterly pleased at the way 'Ubair shivered under him and gave a shaky breath that was *almost* a moan. A lick along the bone got him a twitch and he circled the bony crater before the hard ball of the shoulder with the tip of his tongue before pressing a soft kiss on the beginning of arm muscles.

He sighed happily as the arm he was mouthing at rose and slipped stroking fingers into his hair.

"René..."

His name had been little more than a sigh, as unhurried as the body rippling softly under him while René's lips found more skin. 'They had all night...'

But he still heard a question in it. "Umm." With a last love-bite into the bicep, and a lick at the bent elbow besides his cheek, he moved to the smooth canvas of chest waiting for him, starting with the gentlest suck he could manage on the little flat patch of brown; glad he had gone easy at the almost-flinch even *that* caused. He raised his lips to simply press on it apologetically, then answered the silent question in interrupted mumbles as he moved on to an expanse of flat pectoral he was definitely unfamiliar with. "You do not know-" 'Ubair giggled when he slipped a little too far to his side and onto what was apparently very sensitive skin...

Which René absolutely could not resist stroking with his moustache, his heart actually warming to hear 'Ubair's shout of laughter as he convulsed to get away from the ticklish touch. René held his head up, both to watch the man catch his breath and to avoid any further tickling. Once 'Ubair had himself under control and sighed with a last laughing glare at his abuser, René leaned down for a very careful, non-ticklish kiss on the man's bicep before exploring that very masculine stretch of muscle where he usually encountered the subject of van Klomp's annoying painting.

It took a few kisses to remember he'd been going to explain his possibly out of character appreciation of a man's body. "How many years it has been since I-" closing his teeth slowly where the pectoral gave way to an unexpected trail of invisibly pale 'soft!' hair down the centre of his chest made his 'victim' give a silent gasp, and made distinct *muscles* flex around him, "Have had the leisure, or-" the same treatment to the other side made 'Ubair hum, "Really, the desire, to worship a lover." 'Nor had a lover that would actually have the patience to enjoy it, which 'e 'ad a feeling this man would...'

And indeed, the hand that had been teasing at his nape smoothed over the top of his head, bald patch and all 'As odd a sensation as having his bare belly fondled...' with decided gentleness before slipping to his shoulder, 'Ubair's other arm joining it in another unrestraining hug. And then both arms fell off him and flopped onto the bed, even 'Ubair's legs sprawling further apart, letting René's body slip between them.

René smiled to himself at the unspoken offer, and continued his meandering path. He found the spot where his lieutenant apparently applied his 'lotion' when he slid his tongue along his sternum. He was going to reek of diesel and lily 'And hopefully sweat, before they were done...' Well, Edith knew exactly where he was... and would not accuse him of having gone elsewhere, not with *that* mix!

Now as to why it made him want to growl possessively... that was a thought for another time. He did bite at the stretch of skin that had so distracted him though. 'Ubair shivered and pushed up into the touch and René smirked, glancing up to meet the wide-pupilled eyes staring at him. And deliberately keeping up the gaze as he lazily mouthed at the area, and then even more slowly sucked a bit of skin into his mouth, feeling the stiff shape that had been pressing into his stomach twitch; hard.

This time the moan escaped, 'Ubair's voice high, "I thought you did not like the scent of lily?"

René shifted over and took another suck; and got another twitch. He rubbed the tip of his nose at the scent, faded after hours of wear, but still very much the too-sweet flower that had once made him recoil. But now... "It is... still stronger than I would wear, 'Ubair," he rose back up to share another -flowery- kiss, pulling back with a gentle smile when 'Ubair tried to pull him tight, "But diesel and lily are as much *you* as your accent and the longing in your eyes-" This time he let the man drag him closer and part René's lips; and make him feel so very desired, the passion well outside the skilled seduction 'Ubair had shown himself capable of.

His own urgency was starting to prick at him, but René refused to rush this night. For once he did not 'ave to! However, he did have to deal with some practical matters.

With an effort, he eased out of the drowning kiss, a moan of regret in his own chest, reluctant to give up the closeness as much as the ardour. But with muttered reassurances and a hand to 'Ubair's chest so he would stay down, René sat up and reached for 'Ubair's underwear. "Hips up, my dear." 'Ubair snorted, but obediently raised his hips while René slid the material down, freeing that thick 'dynamite' 'e 'ad developed a fondness for. Once it was off, René stopped and got his own socks off, ignoring 'Ubair's eager, wandering eyes and the way he stroked his toes along René's thigh; and just how much the resulting bent leg unashamedly exposed...

Dropping the clothing off the edge of their little world, René crouched back down, running his palm along that teasing leg before licking at the ankle, grinning up at the man watching him with parted lips, "Tut tut, blond hair is still a very hairy leg, lieutenant."

'Ubair's head tipped back as giggles shook his chest, that joyous wide grin parting his lips again, something René thought he might make a goal of making happen regularly. René kept taking slow nibbles toward his knee as the laughter passed, replaced with a confident leer he was more familiar with, "I have told you before, my dear René," one of 'Ubair's hands slipped over to wrap round his swollen cock, drawing René's gaze and making something very hot indeed flare in his belly, and elsewhere that was a touch sore, and gave it a slow tug, "I am no girl," his smiled softened, "Nor have any interest in behaving like one."

Wondering if there was a warning in the words 'Alright, *how much* of one', René sucked at the bottom edge of soft inner thigh before gently slapping that hand away, giving an absent squeeze at the sac pulled up tight by that stiff shaft, "Good." 'Ubair squirmed, an almost silent moan at the edge of his breath as René sucked higher, letting his other hand barely stroke fingertips on the opposite leg, "I've no wish for you to be anything but yourself, 'Ubair." Well, he could do without that uniform and all it stood for, but that was not this conversation.

As he slowly crawled back onto his now perfectly-naked victim, desperately stomping on the wish that he could spend all his nights tasting every inch of this man's skin -and, even more to the point, making him moan and shiver- 'With some breaks to feel those lovely skilful lips return the favour', he utterly ignored the arousal that poked his chest in hint as he went by, instead laying back down to kiss and nibble at the arm he 'ad neglected, distracted as he had been, before.

His chest was slick where 'Ubair was slowly rippling against him by the time he mouthed his way from arm and ticklish side to the sensitive skin of a soft belly, feeling it twitch and shiver under his touch, hearing 'Ubair sigh, and finally moan, ever so softly; though his hands stayed on the bed -twitching- rather than reach for René. He leisurely continued to trail his way down, deliberately tickling with his moustache more than once, just to feel his lover's muscles coil up and hear him laugh René's name. He was well aware when he moved so low that that column of heat slipped free and landed tight against a belly button René had been planning to tease, and he could hear 'Ubair's breath quickening in excitement. Knew if he were to look up there would be naked lust watching him avidly.

But, for all his lieutenant had refrained from teasing, earlier in the day, and for all that he could feel his own cock wanting these games to get serious, still, René slowed his already slow path of kisses, and went on a detour to hardly-visible hips, grinning at the faint groan of disappointment before taking a firm nibble at the tender skin. And another to the hint of hollow above the hip, feeling a bit like a glutton taking advantage of the feast offered 'im.

Following the crease between thigh and pelvis, he finally stopped, resting the side of his head on that recently bitten hip. Knowing his breath had to be streaming on the hard cock, twitching as he watched against that soft belly a bare inch away. And René felt warm, as though there was something as unlikely as a blush having crept over his cheeks.

This time it was less teasing, and more nerving himself. He 'ad wanted to do this since he had died a little death while watching 'Ubair suck him so beautifully. He *had*. ...It was still... daunting.

But he was not about to be a coward for *this*! Enough. He leaned forward, touching a last kiss at skin that still looked bare, even so close, until you touched it and felt the so-soft and pale hairs leading him to a nest around his goal, and then skimming over the pouch at its base. And then he slid his lips further along until he could just barely mouth at the base of the stiff shaft filling his sight, pausing to gloat a little at the way it twitched at even that hesitant touch.

"Please..."

He looked up at the whisper, breathy and choked as though 'Ubair could not help himself, catching eyes utterly black now, the need making the man shiver having swallowed all trace of soft hazel. Just as when he had knelt before René.

René kept their gazes locked as he slowly trailed his parted lips higher, surrounded by musk and diesel and arousal, feeling all the more feverish at the pleading, low moan in 'Ubair's throat. He brought a hand up, gently grasping the base, and then there was nowhere to go but over and at first it seemed impossible he could fit all that in his mouth. But even with just the tip between his spread lips, that low moan turned loud, 'Ubair's eyes closing even before his head swung back against the bed, for all his hips never moved. And René sucked experimentally, listening to his lieutenant gibber but otherwise taking a minute to get used to the taste of the slick he was teasing out. And though he tensed at feeling fingertips touch his temples, all they did was touch, and twitch as he ran the flat of his tongue over the smooth, seeping head.

He had to swallow the saliva pooling in his mouth before pushing his lips down to take more, feeling himself stretch over the crown, surprised and forced to pull back when he felt it grow in his mouth. He stubbornly slid back down, barely hesitating this time, though he did not try to go any further, for now. Completely pleased with the breathless litany of his name, and "Yes" and "More oh please more", and broken words he could not decipher but understood perfectly. So lost in the strange pleasure of pleasing another that he only slowly become aware of the raging need between his own legs. Oh but he was not near ready to give in to *that* demand. Instead he guarded hit teeth, and tried to suck.

Only to discover that it was assuredly *not* the same as a lolly!

Oh but it was lovely to listen to a lover cry out. Those fingertips were frozen on his skull, slipping on the sweat that had long since appeared at his temples, but still a pleasant connection as he tried another suck, wondering how anyone could possibly take more into their mouth, and finally had to slip back to breathe a moment before going back down, lost in 'Ubair's harsh cries and the feeling of soft skin over hungry flesh sliding into his mouth; so entirely different from all he'd known.

But he *knew* the pleasure that he heard in 'Ubair's voice, and making Gruber sound so desperate was just as utterly lovely as driving his 'Ubair mad. If he let himself, he could finish just like this, lips stretched over hard, twitching heat, and his own cock rubbing on the old, but still silky, bedspread. He even rather *wanted*, just in this moment, his mouth filled with a man's, with 'Ubair's, pleasure.

...But there was more. More he wanted.

Remembering some other airing cupboard amusements, and knowing he had to stop this or 'e would give in to both their needs, he tipped his head and set his parted lips on the underside, and licked firmly as he slowly trailed down, the needy moans slipping though his lieutenant's tensed throat proof René was not the only one to enjoy the sensation.

When he took his hand away, the moan in 'Ubair's throat turned disappointed, and when René met his eyes, they were faintly desperate, just as his whine was, "Rrrrrenééééé! Pleeeeaaaaase!"

René grinned, if a bit wildly, promising the throbbing in his cock that the rewards for patience would be lovely 'They always were', "Umm, you sound so sweet when you beg. We have all night..." Oh that was very much a moan of protest, René gloated silently, "It might take me that long to learn to do this."

The fingers in his hair *did* very faintly try to tug at him, this time, but he ignored them and dipped down, feeling one of those smooth thighs slide slickly against his cheek as he sucked firmly at the sac of skin with its sprinkling of invisible hair until he got hold of a surprisingly *slippery* ball within, and then had to suck tightly before he could close his lips on his prisoner.

"René!" This time the sharp cry was accompanied with a faint jerk, as though he really could not help himself, and legs winding around René's chest, sweat on sweat but the muscles strong enough to hold him in place, if gently, "Oh more, please..." And he could see that stiff cock twitch sharply, sending a white trickle to slide down it, above him as he sucked, and used his tongue to play. It was tempting to give in to the pleas; he was quite confident, right now, that he could send 'Ubair over the edge 'loudly', with very little effort; though, really, he was not so certain he would be able to suck him through it...

But he *was* going to stick to his plan, for once! 'It was his own, after all!'

He made himself raise his head, but then stopped with his lips parted as he glanced around with confusion 'Oh 'eck, so much for his plans...', "Err, 'Ubair, do you not have oil?"

'Ubair's eyes widened, a twitch of his hips giving away his desire even as a deep blush rose up his neck to his cheeks. He took a shaky breath and nodded before sitting up slowly, giving René time to sit up as well to get out of his way. 'Ubair tried to smile, stroking René's pride with his continued shivers as he twisted his body 'Umm, there was a whole other half of skin he had yet to sample...' to reach over for the little shelf between the door and the bed that had a small potted palm on it. And taking the small tube sitting next to it which René had not spotted. Then he straightened and, before René could reach for it, 'Ubair's arms were wrapping tight around him, and a passionate kiss stealing his breath as he barely noticed the rolled edge of the tube getting pressed into his shoulder-blade by the desperate embrace.

When he surfaced, it was to 'Ubair groaning as he pulled out of the kiss, both of them shivering and rocking against each other, arms still wrapped so tight there was no room between them for anything but the slickness of sweat as hands grasped and slid on overheated flesh.

René was blinking sluggishly, panting for air as he stared at his wild-eyed and distinctly pink-cheeked lover; he felt utterly ravaged, taken and possessed and there had been desperate words being expressed there that he wanted to echo back, if he could but find his voice.

"I am sorry, my dear René," 'Ubair's voice was breathlessly high even as he pulled himself away with visible reluctance, "I- I fear I quite lost control, there."

René gave him a still-dazed smile, and tried to speak, though he had to clear his throat twice to manage it, "We both did, my dear 'Ubair." He reached out to touch the edge of the man's mouth, where someone's tooth had left a scratch that would no doubt be very visible come morning. "You are going to look as though you got in fisticuffs for your birthday."

'Ubair laughed, a surprisingly deep sound that made Rene feel warm even without the brief return of that tight embrace before 'Ubair pressed a smacking kiss on him and then handed him the tube that René vaguely recognized as Vaseline, not least by the residue around the cap, though the surface had been abused enough that few of the German markings were left.

"Thank you." As 'Ubair let him go and laid back down, René also shifted back down to his elbows, "I think I remember what you did, but you will let me know if I am... if I do anything wrong?"

'Ubair smiled, taking the time to tug a pillow properly under his neck; quite obviously making himself ease away from the edge he had just strung them both onto, "Of course, my dear René."

Of course, yes. Well, he had acquitted himself fairly well with his tongue, had 'e not? This should be much easier. Yes? Yes. He rubbed his temple against the fingers that had returned to their gentle rest on his skull. And then he squeezed some of the grease onto his fingertips and rubbed it along the three centre digits, smirking and looking up as he remembered 'Ubair making a show of it earlier, but the gaze he met was as much on him, stroking his features, as Gruber was wont to, as looking at his fingers with anticipation. With a wink, he dropped a quick kiss on the cock-tip waving in front of him, ignoring the choked moan it caused, before sliding his hand down and past the saliva-shiny bag. Slick and circle, that was the first part- René moaned softly and dropped his head to lip at hot, taut skin, salted now with bitter masculine streaks, trying to distract himself. Because that far-too-small wrinkled patch had parted at his touch as eagerly as 'Ubair's lips did for a kiss and he had to breathe deeply for a moment to avoid shaming himself. And however odd the notion was, hot, clutching, walls were a reality he *did* know, and stroking them was-

"You can add another." At the breathless words, René raised his head enough to meet 'Ubair's slitted eyes with a slight frown of worry. 'Ubair winked, holding up a hand and wriggling those long fingers, "I have often thought of you before going to sleep. You can go more quickly."

Blinking at the thought, even while trying not to let it drive him a little mad, René finally cleared his throat and managed a smirk as he shuddered, awash with intoxicating heat that roughened his voice, "Naughty, 'Ubair. Very naughty."

The grin he got in return was indeed naughty, with no apology in sight. And René loved it just as it was.

As much to avoid the thought as anything, he focused on pulling his finger out and carefully tucking a second besides it, and gently circling 'Oh dear god!' He was not certain if 'Ubair had gasped, there for a moment, because his own moan had *not* been soft! Patience.... he could be patient... He had not the slightest idea when he had slid his lips up to suck at the source of that salty fluid, but 'e now had a fair idea of why 'Ubair had been so lost in the act... He made himself remember what 'e had to do and spread his fingers, whimpering at the immediate squeeze back, thrusting in and out and looking for-

"René!" He froze at the urgent gasp, looking up in worry, reassured at the arched chest and bitten lip 'That poor lip was going to swell to twice its size...', "If you do that I am not going to last."

René obediently stilled his fingers and shifted his lips away from 'Ubair's dynamite 'Which he had apparently lit, and quite well', "I would like to know where to 'aim', as it were..."

'Ubair moaned softly, his hips rocking into René's touch, "Without teasing!"

René nodded, pressing a gentle kiss to 'Ubair's surprisingly hairy -even if blond- thigh, "No teasing." He was as true to his word as 'e could be, trying to remember how it had felt and stroking- Aha! Yes, he remembered that reaction! The fingers on his scalp clenched in his hair as 'Ubair shuddered, moaning René's name brokenly as he quickly moved his fingertips away and stretched his fingers apart with another gentle kiss on the nearby thigh. Alright, yes, he would remember that.

He tugged his fingers out and fumbled for where he had dropped the little tube and added a touch more grease to 'is fingers before slipping back to circle with three fingers, listening to 'Ubair moan softly, though he was quite certain it was eagerness rather than any protest 'Well perhaps protest that it was too slow, but René was not about to risk hurting him, not even at his own word!' He braced himself before even trying to slide his fingers in, feeling all too 'lit', himself.

In a way, he was glad to feel 'Ubair tense as he started to press in. It tamed the runaway streak of pleasure as he carefully slowed the movement, going back to mouthing gently at the slippery balls hiding in their sac in distraction as he thrust in and out in gentle increments, feeling grateful strokes at his forehead as 'Ubair slowly relaxed.

René finally looked up to ask softly, "Alright?"

"Ummhumm." René frowned for a moment, but 'Ubair tightened on his fingers and then sighed into the release, "You did that fine, René."

René grunted under his breath, dropping a nibble on that handy thigh before focusing back on slowly thrusting further, more than glad to hear the low hum of pleasure reappear in 'Ubair's throat. After a bit, instead of drawing back out, he found that odd little spot and gently circled, his breath catching raggedly at the surprised cry it got him. He only did it twice, watching 'Ubair's erection regain what stiffness it had lost as he moaned like a dying man 'And if 'e 'ad nails like Yvette, René's temples would be bleeding'. Then René carefully stretched his fingers apart, shuddering himself at the whimper and rippling clench that followed.

"Enough, René!"

Nonsensically, he wondered if Edith would actually agree to this again 'Or if he could indeed come with a wild enough story to escape for a night.' Because he very much wanted to just take 'Ubair loudly over the edge by every means there was. Well, they had hours still...

For now, he sat up, feasting his eyes on all that pale skin, flushed and patched with faint marks he had left. His. ...However little 'e had a right to the feeling. "You said we could do this face to face?"

"Oh, yes." René sat still, refusing to make wrong assumption as 'Ubair carefully raised his legs and rested then against René's shoulders, "More than one way. This might be easiest, to start."

René nodded slowly, looking around and then, kneeing himself nearer until 'things' were lined up, reached for the grease he had spotted near 'Ubair's hip, and slicking himself, slowing the movement when he noticed 'Ubair watching, his lips parted avidly. He could only keep up the tease a few moments, though. Then he pressed a shaky kiss to the knee near his mouth and very carefully pressed his tip against the dark little pucker utterly exposed by 'Ubair's position.

And gently rocked his hips forward, moaning as he watched the crown swallowed into that slick heat, shuddering at just how shockingly tight it was.

"Slow." René froze, looking up at the quiet word. 'Ubair's eyes were closed as he seemed to breathe very deliberately, but he must have felt René's stare because he answered, " *This* is not something I could do for myself. Just go slow, René."

Instead of moving just yet, René reached down and wrapped his palm around 'Ubair's flagging arousal and gave it a few slow grease-slicked tugs, seeing a smile curl his lover's lips and feeling his legs tighten a little, pulling René a bit deeper. And then 'God!' squeezing... He turned his head and bit gently at the nearby calf, breathless, trying to keep himself under control in the wave of pleasure, "You are all legs, 'Ubair."

"Umm. *Move*, René."

René huffed a laugh, "So used to giving orders, my lieutenant." Before the man could snip back, René rocked his hips, gasping and doing it again when 'Ubair only tightened his legs further. It hardly took so long, but still, by the time 'Ubair's cock was flush to René's waist, he was panting, sweat sliding down his jaw and almost dizzy with the need for more. So tight and hot and perfect and he wanted to stay here forever but he wanted just as badly to thrust and-

'Ubair took the choice out of his hand, reaching up to grip the headboard and pulling his hips back enough that René could not help finishing the job, the friction as sweet as being encased had been. How he managed to stop from pushing right back in he was not certain, but he shakily managed to get some grease onto them both, and *then* he pushed in, feeling almost no resistance but the sweet ripple of muscles dragging him in and hearing no pain in 'Ubair's long moan.

This time he needed no encouragement to slide out and thrust back in, confident he was not hurting 'Ubair as he rocked back hard against René, muscles flexing along his chest and arms as he held onto the heavy carved wood for leverage. Quickly lost in the utterly filthy sounds of grunts and moans and flesh slapping on flesh, sweat and sex 'and diesel and lily' and nothing but need and pleasure.

"Harder-" René did not ask for reassurance before obeying *that* order, caught in his lover's so-darkened eyes, though he did dimly wonder how long he could keep up the athletic performance. Watching 'Ubair groan and arch up at a particularly good thrust, he rather thought he might be willing to just keep going until he collapsed...

He was grasping at 'Ubair's hips with desperation of his own, wanting more but unable to reach for it in the odd position.

"Faster, please René, please please please."

And that burning plea decided it. René shrugged the legs off his shoulders, quickly leaning his hands to the bed by 'Ubair's shoulders and feeling those well-muscled calves wrap tightly around his waist with a manic grin for 'Ubair's wide, desperate eyes. And now he could shift his hips and try to catch that angle, even as he fought the legs clamped around him and trying to pull him into a wild ride, along with the hands that could now reach his shoulders and forget that René was not near as bruise-proof of aged walnut.

He was expecting 'Ubair to go back to issuing orders, since he knew he was not going particularly 'fast', but then 'Ubair cried out and René could not help but groan as he suddenly seemed to be surrounded with coiling muscle, but he made himself keep that lovely angle and *now* he pistonned in as he'd been asked.

And tried to find enough air as he watched 'Ubair go a little mad under him, his head whipping back as though looking for something and René leaned down and slid his hands over his forehead and backward to hold his head still to the bed, and kissed him, feeling 'Ubair return biting kisses that would leave his *lips* badly marked as well, and pressing harder to make him stop, both their moans buried in the breathless, wild kiss, broken by theirs gasps for air. René was feeling all too close and desperately thrust faster, slick sweat making it more difficult, and he would have sighed in relief when he felt 'Ubair freeze under him, but the pulsing squeezes around his cock pushed him over the edge even as 'Ubair all but screamed his name.

---

Hubert sighed with pure contentment, even though he could already feel them getting sticky where they touched, "I have needed that for far too long."

He felt René's frown against the skin of his chest, and when he did not speak the expected question aloud, Hubert hugged him the tighter, appreciating being given the option not to explain. "I know I seem trusting, René... But I am not," for a moment he lazily stroked his fingertips along René's spine, thinking how the man had so easily gotten through his defences, "Certainly I learned long ago not to allow anyone to have physical advantage of me."

He felt René tense, even felt his jaw twitch repeatedly, and frowned at the patch of bare scalp that was all he could see of him in this position, "René?"

It took a few minutes before the man laying on him took several deep breath, quite obviously trying to calm himself, though Hubert still felt alien tension in his shoulders when René finally raised his head. And the bleak fury he saw in those usually so easy-going eyes shocked him.

The violence retreated, then, and René grimaced, "I apologize. I expect you would not want me to interfere."

"...No..." Hubert frowned, silently stroking his shoulders. Not quite certain what, exactly René was proposing, he chose his words carefully, "I would rather you not put yourself in the middle of any situation of mine. ...But," that dark expression had been nothing shallow, nothing born out of macho possessiveness for a new lover. He could recognize old pain, all too well, "I do appreciate your wish to... protect me?" It was... an odd thought, after all these years. Pleasant. Almost too pleasant; he could feel himself wanting to believe. And knew he could not.

René shrugged, laying back down, still stiff, his cheek pressing perhaps a little too hard against Hubert's heart to be accidental. "I will not... seek trouble out." Hubert frowned at what seemed a trick-wording, and René must gave felt it for he grumbled, "Do not expect me to do nothing if I actually see you threatened."

It was such a strange idea that Hubert felt frozen for several moments before slowly wrapping his lover in a tight hug. He hoped René never saw such. But... he could not deny the moment of ease he felt at the thought that he might actually not be entirely alone, at least for a time. Though he suspected the 'offer' did not extend to threats from the Résistance...

There was too much between them, between the war and René's responsibilities, to fully trust each other, but... that René even *wished* to help him made warmth creep a little deeper in his heart. And a little anxious grief too: there was no guaranty he could wrangle another visit like this. These precious hours might be all he would be allowed to have alone with René, let along in a bed in a private room. For all the very real affection he had for him, and the pleasure he had always taken in their little chats by the bar, Hubert wanted *this* as well. Desperately, if he let himself face it. Which he could not.

Idly licking the tang of iron from his lip, he could not help remembering that moment when words had boiled up in him so strongly that he was not certain how he had kept them in, the need to speak even now echoing faintly in him. Even more so with this protective side of René showing itself. He needed to distract himself.

He tipped his head forward to press a soft kiss at René's exposed temple, "We could have a wash and a drink. ...And push off this bedspread." As much as he would give a week's rations to spend an hour begging René to keep sucking him, he also wanted to take his time pleasuring *him*. He stretched his neck a bit and sucked the lobe of René's ear, grinning when the man actually giggled, even as he flinched, "And I could suck you..." Without the need for him to silence himself... laid out bare on Hubert's bed... And they did indeed have hours left at their disposal... It was his turn to shiver in anticipation as he whispered, "And you could take me again..."

René raised his head, a gloating grin finally replacing the foreign violence, "I hope you do not have to ride any of the general's horse tomorrow..."

---

Hours later, all too close to sunrise for two men who hadn't gotten around to anything so innocent as sleeping, let along snoring, Hubert stretched every limb, slowly, feeling bruised and sore and his muscles weighed down with satiation. He *was* glad he did not have to ride a horse tomorrow. Today.

"Are you alright?"

There was a thread of concern in René's voice, hesitation in the hand that touched his shoulder, and Hubert quickly opened his eyes and turned to look at him, smiling reassurance, "I am perfectly alright, René, I assure you." He rolled to his side, making certain not to show any discomfort, and rested his arms around the man in a loose hug, "All I need 'ride' is a desk, and I will do so smiling like a fool. And squirming in my chair just to make this night feel all the closer." And likely raising a tent pole in spite of the long hours being pleasured. Because that was certainly what René had done, which Hubert was dimly shocked by; though again, he refused to let such grey thoughts dim what time he had left with his darling René.

René snorted, though the softness in his eyes belied any harshness. "I will have to try to sneak away and drag you behind the woodshed to remind you properly"

Hubert grinned widely, purring as he deliberately shifted to rub against his smiling lover, "Please do, René."

AN: s7e09 - lolly

came across this and was just too perfect

ww2-german-frostbite-salve-tin-tube_russian-front


Chapter four : Für Elise
oct 2021

AN:Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao Tzu


The ease in their embrace, as they lay quietly before that wide-open window, and the calm night sounds it stroked over them after their last bout, had felt foreign; and yet.. Like the word home.

He had finally had to tear himself away, feeling dawn heralded by the change in the air from that window.

They had both sponged off enough to dress and he had reluctantly accepted 'Ubair's offer of a ride to the edge of town -with a last long string of kisses within the safety of the tank that had threatened to nullify the time saved with driving, and barely made it back before sunrise made his steps through the streets seen by too many curious eyes for what safety remained.

Edith had already been preparing the café, and looked at him bitterly as he walked in. And René braced himself for an unpleasant scene, feeling strangely calm in the face of what could actually become a dangerous situation. Not only did she legally own the café, but if she told the wrong people where he had been...

Surprisingly enough, she kept her voice even, though the sour edge was most certainly there, "Are you going to take up with him, now?"

René looked at her tiredly, not for the first time wondering how they had ended up locked in this relationship. He finally replied just as evenly, "He is a soldier, and soldiers can be reassigned at any time, and I am certainly not going with him, whether to the fronts or to Germany. And if the British succeed in freeing us... he will die in retreat or be taken prisoner of war and our neighbours would hang me for a collaborator. If the Germans win.. he will still be a soldier and can still be reassigned.. and our neighbours would still hang me for collaborating," René's shoulders had hunched further with every reminder of just how... hopeless it was. "There is no *future*, Edith." There was little enough even without 'Ubair. Too many people wanting him ill; too few chances of escape.

For a moment he thought he saw sympathy in her eyes, but then they hardened, "But you want there to be. You would choose to keep your boche boyfriend, if you could. It is not enough I constantly catch you with the serving girls, now you must add the German soldiers to your list of conquests??"

René had to clench his teeth to keep from saying something he would only regret. In all reasonableness, it could be argued that she had cause to be angry. Even if she also bore a fair share of the blame for their less-than-joyful marriage.

He finally managed a stiff nod, "Think as you will, Edith. I need to get ready before our customers begin arriving."

As he hurried up the stairs to not only change out of the shirt those tunnels had destroyed, but also sponge some of the scent of diesel off of himself, he was careful to be quiet, lest he end up getting another interrogation from Yvette or Mimi.

Catching sight of himself in the mirror as he washed his face of the lily he could still smell, he decided against shaving; the stubble did a fair job of hiding just how bruised his lips were. The sight of which would land him in that interrogation from the girls that he had just avoided. Perhaps a touch of aftershave would be good... except it would invite question, seeing as he never wore it... Best not.

Edith mostly ignored him when he hurried down, going about her work perhaps a little more quietly than usual, but that stiff anger had somehow passed from her shoulders. Part of René could not help but wonder at the apparent change of heart, but it was far from the first time she had chosen to simply ignore things she did not like.

Finally making it to his post, standing behind the bar watching the usual first customers enter, he stilled, feeling suddenly as though the last 24 hours had not happened; been a dream perhaps... This was... Every day. Any other day. How could such a completely different life have even occurred to him? ...It would explain Edith not being angry...

René turned hazily to pour the brandies the blacksmith and his assistant would be wanting in a minute, clenching his jaw to deny the cold wrapping around his gut at the mad haze of doubt taking him. Perhaps he should down these drinks himself to clear his head! Surely it had happened! ...Surely...

"Artois, two brandies, and make it quick!"

The familiar demand made him turn quickly, though his eyes did not see the tall, hulking man with the enlarged drinker's nose, "Here, Étienne, all ready for you."

The words were as automatic as the turn had been. Which was just as well, because the jerky movement had jostled a number of muscles that he did not remember ever making sore, before.

And he almost sagged with relief at the tangible proof that he was not developing a crazed imagination. The exhaustion, that had not yet hit him in the rush of getting to the café and getting ready, must be making his mind slip to have doubted himself so.

Though perhaps he should be questioning his *mind* slipping for having apparently fallen for a *man*, and so badly that the thought that he had only dreamed a night with him made René feel ill. And yet... the face he had seen in the mirror earlier... had had an 'int of unfamiliar *joy* in it.

He licked absently at his lips, feeling as parched as the morning after drinking entirely too much brandy of his own, as he used to do all too often. Only this time he smiled, and immediately made himself repress it, lest he be called to explain his uncharacteristic cheer; because *this* was not from drowning his sorrows in alcohol. It was from... drowning in the pleasure of kissing someone that cared for him, even beyond physical attraction. The thought, the *memory*, was so calming that he suddenly yawned, the fight-or-flight 'Well, 'ready-to-flight' tension he 'ad barely been aware of slipping out of his muscles and leaving nothing but soreness 'Oh but what lovely soreness, he really *would* volunteer for *this* every day!' and weakness. It was going to be a long day.

He was in the middle of serving breakfast to the arrogant fool who worked at the glass works 'When he was not making trouble' -and who was currently giving René a nasty sneer that tempted him to throw the glass of wine in his face, when René had an unpleasant flash of memory to those days when he *did* drink so much. And the reasons behind it. And again felt the old blinding fury roused at the thought of 'Ubair ever threatened as Claude had been.

But as he walked stiffly back to the bar, trying not to show the anger roiling through him, he suddenly realized the most likely people to threaten his lover, now, were the Résistance. And he went cold on realizing the choice he would be faced with. Not only to risk his own life, but that of Edith and the girls. And not only in the moment, but from then on; and not only risking the wrath of the Résistance, but that of their neighbours.

But letting 'Ubair die, or get beaten, as his brother had been, was no longer merely caustic; it was unthinkable, now.

He had spent years not caring about anything but the moment. But 'Ubair cared for him; in spite of the many reasons this was foolish. And a strength René had lost somewhere in all that bad brandy was stirring again; he would do what he 'ad to do.

Quite suddenly, he felt calm descending.

He had not lied to Edith, he could not see a future to this. And yet he could not deny the possessiveness stealing over him. The reflexes of a young man to desire to claim for his own. To *be* claimed. He could endure; he had learned long ago that you could never guess what the future held. Even if it was usually bad things.

----

When Hubert finally escaped the general's grumpy demands of dictations and errands, which had unfortunately put paid to his plan to enjoy the day, the café was into the busy part of the evening, and he knew there was no chance of any special welcome from René, not with locals present. He quietly made his way to an empty seat near the bar, covering another yawn and nodding neutrally to the peasant in the other chair, trying to be unobtrusive as he looked for his lover. And trying not to show a reaction when he did not see him in the loud room.

He nodded at Miss Yvette when she raised a cognac bottle at him from the bar, and was just as glad that both the colonel and the coterie of officers who liked his playing were absent; he wanted to spend the evening indulging in pleasant memories. Even if René was too busy to speak with him.

Miss Mimi was stalking about with a platter full of drinks, and Madame Edith was making the rounds chatting with each table, thought he'd noticed she'd taken the time to give him a quick glare when he'd come in. For which he did not blame her, of course. He did not entirely understand René's relationship with the woman, but he was not certain he would be able to share someone he had allowed himself to truly care for. He knew it was not rare for men, and women for that matter, to stray from even 'good' relationships; it might possibly be another reason he had always avoided such. Though he was beginning to suspect that he had perhaps found a reward worth the conflict.

He smiled distractedly at Yvette when she rushed past and left him his drink. Sadly looking around again, he wondered if he could ask Mimi the whereabouts of her employer; she'd been surprising friendly yesterday. Perhaps he was simply busy in the back...

"Lieutenant." Hubert jerked his head from staring at the door to the kitchen and met Madame Edith's flat look. "Monsieur Leclerc is feeling unwell this evening. Would you mind playing for us?"

He hesitated for a moment, taken aback at what felt a bit like a demand. But she had agreed to let René come to him last night, and providing music to the café was far from a sacrifice. He nodded slowly and watched her jaw twitch before she gave him a smile that did not reach her eyes, especially when her gaze flicked to his too-obviously bitten lip -at least if you knew what he had been up to last night; the general had instead asked if he had 'problems' with fellow officers. But she nodded back and walked on to the bar as he got up and made his way to the piano.

Setting his glass on the lid and loosening his jacket, he found himself smiling, even with René still absent. In an odd way, he felt as though he were... helping René. Sharing in the café. As he loosened his fingers playing a few chords, he found himself remembering watching his parents work together in their shop. Remembering that *their* marriage had... not been a circle of hell. He had been so young when his father died, and the years after had been so dire, that he hardly remembered them together. But he could not imagine either of those people straying.

And... he wondered, vaguely, what it would feel like to have such a partner in all things...

---

When René hurried into the main room with his arms full of meals, it was to the sound of Für Elise played so perfectly in his silent café that he froze, his eyes slipping shut and losing himself in the pure notes of the playful stretch of melody. When the following crescendo released him, he slowly turned toward the piano, incapable of imagining monsieur Leclerc producing such beauty. And stared with deep pleasure at 'Ubair, his lover playing with his eyes closed and a sweet smile curling his lips, jacket open behind his belt, whole body swaying slowly with the flow of his fingers along the keys.

He could barely tear his eyes away when he felt the weights he balanced change. Edith's lips twitched in a bare hint of a smile as she took two plates from him to take away, and he made himself deliver the rest of the dinners, though most of his focus remained on the feather-light music rippling through his awed customers.

And as soon as he was done, there was nothing that could have stopped him from walking up to the piano. He did not care that he carried nothing to excuse his presence, that he was front and centre before all his suspicious neighbours. When he rested his elbows on the lid, joyous hazel eyes opened on him as though 'Ubair had known he would be there, and that gaze twined every cheerful note into his soul; and nothing else mattered.

When the final echo of sound faded, there was a moment of crystalline silence around them, 'Ubair's smile unchangingly sweet, swollen cut ticking up one side and all, as he held René in thrall, René's lips irrepressibly stretched into a wide smile of his own.

And then applause broke out and the intensity in their locked gaze faded, 'Ubair's smile pressing out at the edges self-deprecatingly as he winked lightly at René before turning to the crowd to nod, and finally rise and bow with a laugh.

As his customers returned to their drinks and meals, René took the glass on the piano and stepped around to hand it to 'Ubair, feeling both dangerously exposed with his back to people he did not trust, but also safer, with his face turned away from everyone but his lover. "I thought you styled yourself a 'comic singer'?"

"I am," 'Ubair took a grateful sip of his drink, "My parents tried to teach me 'proper' piano when I was quite young. The classics: Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Beethoven; Debussy, even. But no matter how I focused or practised, I could not do honour to them. I would lose the notes, lose the rhythm." His lips twisted in memory, but then he shrugged and nodded to the keys, " *That* took me a year of dire effort to even be able to play roughly, and I am quite certain I only managed it because I loved the song. Then the war," he grimaced, "The *last* war, started and we had to sell the piano." René barely restrained himself from reaching out when 'Ubair looked back up at him with old sorrow dimming the joy those familiar eyes had held. "I had not played it... since before I joined the army. It..." he swallowed and tried to smile, his eyes stroking René's features in a way that used to make him so nervous... and now made it painful not to pull him into a kiss, into a private spot and a long hug, "It always made me think of my parents."

René finally could not help but reach out, resting a hand on the man's shoulder to squeeze the familiar muscles gently, "They loved each other."

'Ubair nodded, leaning slightly into the touch, "Very much." With another sip, he set the glass back on the lid and briefly reached up to squeeze René's hand with a tender smile, "Madame Edith asked me to play for your guests. I should return to it."

Raising a brow, René nodded and reluctantly turned back to the crowded café, catching several gazes that had been on him and feeling the chill of their dislike. And was suddenly annoyed with them. He risked his life for the Résistance, risked his living; and they hated him for not starting a war when some Germans entered his café willing to spend money. He found himself glaring back at them as he walked to the bar, utterly done with the fools.

As for Edith apparently setting 'Ubair to be their pianist... if she was going to take him on so, perhaps he *would* find a way to wrangle nights to himself...

----

As he played, Hubert tried not to stare so obviously at René as he hurried among his customers. But he likely failed all too often, watching the sweet swell of his lip through that uncharacteristic stubble and licking helplessly at his own sore lip. But he played on, returning Miss Yvette's friendly smile when she brought him another drink. And then grimaced to himself as he remembered that she was one he had to 'share' René with. One he suspected René had tried to run away with in the past.

Which was why he was trying so hard not to let himself fall completely for the man; perhaps he was more like his parents than he had thought...

But he was different as well. He had grown up knowing that he must live for today. And today he had a friend that desired him. A lover. However secret they must keep both things. Tonight he would sing for his lover's guests; and perhaps tomorrow Hubert would have time to sneak to the café in the afternoon, and perhaps René would have time to take him behind the woodshed... And the future would have to care for itself.

AN: Beethoven - Für Elise
This is one of the best classical piano songs because of its beautiful and lyrical melody. It’s also one of the standard piano pieces for beginner piano students to learn. The right and left hands play constant eighth-note lines that weave in and out of each other to create a smooth texture. Practicing this tune is a great way to develop your finger independence. If you want to learn an easy classical piano song, start with this gem. OK. this had better be the end of this! I have other things to write, you know...


Sequel: The Lily


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