I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

Phone Call

Tommy had left his phone charging on the nightstand while he read the girls a bedtime story. Paul had no intention of being nosy but when it kept ringing, he picked it up. When Tommy came back, Paul handed him the phone. "I don't know who keeps calling but could you please take care of it?" 

Looking at the missed call number, Tommy turned pale and put the phone in his pocket before running down the hall to the guestroom. Paul was now suspicious so he followed his husband. 

"Tom, is there something wrong?" he asked gently. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"N-n-no." "I-I-I will take care of it." He was pale so Paul knew something had spooked him. "Baby, that number is freaking you out. What is it?"

Tommy managed to stammer out that he had been going back to the mental hospital to visit a young patient he had befriended there. He had agreed to go to therapy with her to help her but it gave him flashbacks. "I-I-I can't let her down but I-I-I'm afraid of...." he trailed off. "I-I-I'm sorry."

Paul took Tommy into his arms. "Babe, it's a nice gesture and all, but the location could be better. I know she probably can't pick one but you're still terrified of the place."

Tommy mumbled something about not understanding and caring under his breath. He had tears in his eyes when he looked up. "S-s-she wants to move in with me when she gets out. I-I-I told her I was married but she needs a friend."

Paul couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What?" "We will talk about this, later." he said firmly. "What you're basically asking is my permission." "Am I right or am I wrong?"

"I don't like your tone!" snapped Tommy. "You don't understand what I'm going through!" "You know what, never mind! I'll take care of it myself!"

Tommy went to leave but Paul stopped him. "Get back on the bed. We are not ending this conversation like this." Paul pushed Tommy onto his back and sat on his thighs. "We are not leaving here until we agree." 

"Get off of me! You will not make me submit to you! I am not letting you have your way with me!" Tommy began to fight Paul to get him off of him. He had gone from angry to scared. "Get off! Now!"

Paul realized sitting on Tommy wasn't the best thing to do. As soon as he moved, he got kicked in the shins.

Tommy fought him for all he was worth. Paul didn't lay a finger on him. Finally Tommy ran out of steam and energy. He had put several bruises on Paul's shins.