Caught in Possession

Testimony

Warnings - discussion of past violence, threat to life and firearm use. Psychological trauma and diagnoses.

~~

"Your husband's home, did you miss me baby...baby?" - Mew pulled back to survey the younger man, suddenly acutely aware of the faint trembling of the body beneath his palms, the ragged, laboured breaths that disturbed the air of the room. "Shit, it happened again"

Turning Gulf gently away from the kitchen sink - patting prune-wrinkled hands dry with a tea towel - guiding him towards the soft, tan suede sofa, warmly illuminated by the soothing glow of a Himalayan salt crystal lamp upon the corner table.

And there he lay down chest to chest with the younger man, embracing him, holding their bodies so tightly together that their heartbeats found one another to sync into familiar patterns.

Just held him, for a while, whispering:

"I'm here. I'm right here"

Until the trembling ceased and gasping breaths became sporadic hiccups instead, Gulf's arms hugging back at last.

"You should have called me", Mew murmured into the younger man's shoulder betwixt the planting of chaste kisses.

"I didn't...know...it happened...so fast"

"Shout for Pai then"

But an adamant shake of Gulf's head - "No, I don't want her to see me like that again"

"I understand, but we both know what can happen..."

"Hoy, there's no gun for me to shoot this time-"

"-Don't joke Gulf", Mew's voice was stern, arms tightening around the other once again.

"Manner of death: suffocation by hug"

"Gup! Stop it naaa" - the elder was pouting, then, even as the corners of his mouth twitched a little, amusement sparkling into his eyes...

Quiet stroking and poignant caresses. The sound of an owl hooting from a tree beyond the window, wispy clouds prancing like reindeer across the light of a poised, calm crescent moon.

And up a creaking, wooden staircase, into a candlelit bathroom...

"It's because of the court case, right?", the men's bodies gleamed together in the bathtub, Gulf seated between Mew's legs - own knees hugged to his chest - as the elder massaged shampoo through the tendrils of his dark, wavy hair.

"Shai krub, I think so"

"I should have known..." - Mew's voice was low, pained.

Bath water sloshing violently, overflowing into puddles on the tiles below as Gulf twisted suddenly to straddle the other, knelt up on long legs, bubbles glistening across both men's chests...

"How could you know? It's been eight years for fuck's sake. It's not your fault, it's not my fault. It never was. So let's just help each other to get through the next few days and then, after our testimonies, the book closes"

"Will you talk to Dr Anurak again? You know the talking therapies and CBT helped. And she did say to go straight back to her if the attacks ever re-started..."

"I'll call her tomorrow morning. I promise. Nowww...stop worrying and show me a good time, Daddy" - flicking bubbles playfully at the elder man's nose before leaning in for a cherry scented kiss. Messy, soapy and wet, as the bathroom mirror steamed over like a bawdy metaphor for the desire that swelled between their slippery bodies.

//

"I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth"