A Ticklish Thriller - 4. A Night Of Discoveries

Adam & Jai

“Hey Dad’s how’s your evening? Sean’s missing, and Mikey found a body…. How do they know Sean’s missing? He could just be with friends…. You’re right, he’d never leave his favorite sneakers just laying on the ground….. Jai’s attention was caught, hearing Adam’s end of the conversation. Adam locked eyes with his fiance, and pushed the speaker button. I hope he’s alright. We’ll light a candle and say a prayer for him tonight…. “Wait, Mikey found a body? Both Jai and Adam hollered in unison. The Dad’s laughter sprang from the phone. “Well, if you guys had the same reaction, I don’t feel as bad….. Mikey’s at the lake with Papa Tony, and Lance…. Thanks for telling us. Knowing my baby brother, he wouldn’t have said anything, unless he had to…. Jai and I are gonna drive out there, Mikey might need the emotional support….. We’ll be careful….. Yes, we’ll call you. We love you too Dad’s.

“You ready to go babe?” Jai standing with the door open, jackets in hand, and tapping his foot. “Hurry up Ad, we need to get to Mikey. I’ll give Dad, and Lance a call on the way.

“Right behind ya babe.” Adam chuckled, turned the lights out, and locked the door.

“Hey Lance, are you with Dad? Yeah, put it on speaker…. Hey Dad/Papa Tony….. Gee, how’d you guess we called about Mikey?” Jai, and Adam chuckled. “He’s okay, and with Dakota… Cool…. No, we’re not home, we’re on our way to Mikey’s…. Yeah, I know he wouldn’t have told anyone, if he didn’t have to….” Adam said, as Jai turned onto Mikey’s street. “Have you guys heard anything from Sean? “Well, let’s just hope he turns up soon… Lance, are you still gonna be at Mikey’s this weekend? That’s good, call us if anything comes up, and we’ll do the same. I don’t think Mikey’s back yet, the lights aren’t on…. Yeah, he’s probably still with Dakota…. Lance, you threatened him already? Oh, after welcoming him to the family…..” The car was filled with giggles, and chuckles. “We love you too. Be safe going home.”

The two men pulled in the garage, got out of the car, and used their key to enter their brother’s house. “Mikey, ya home little bro?” Adam called out, as he and Jai made their way through the silent home. They turned on the living room, and kitchen lights. Jai opened the fridge, and pantry. After locating what he was looking for, he started cooking dinner. “Ad, do you think Mikey might bring Dakota back here tonight?”

“I don’t know babe. Why do you ask?” Adam replied, coming out of the downstairs half bath.

“I’m making dinner, and wanted to know if you thought I should make enough for Dakota.”

“You know my motto babe. It’s better to have extra, than not enough.” Adam opened a bottle of white zinfandel, and poured a glass for himself, and Jai.

“Thanks love, I needed this.” Jai turned his head, and kissed his thoughtful fiance.

As soon as Jai’s back was turned to him, the brunette very lightly stroked his fingers along the center of his lover’s lower back. Instantly, Jai’s knees started to buckle, as boyish giggles, and squeals flowed through the house.

“Ad, that’s not fair. I’m trying to cook.” Jai’s attempted protests, only encouraged his playful lover.

“So, go on and cook.” Adam threw in soft kisses, mixed with gentle nibbles along his fiance’s extremely, ticklish neck. Jai dropped the spatula, giggled uncontrollably, and fell against Adam’s chest.

“Don’t make me burn dinner.” Jai squealed, as he tried escape the tickles.

“Then don’t.” Adam chuckled. He loved their playful relationship. “I love you, baby boy.”

“I love you too, ya big goofball.”

Dakota & Mikey

“I think I’m ready to go home now babe. Call me tomorrow?” Mikey said looking into Dakota’s deep brown eyes. God, he loved those eyes, if he could, he’d spend all day, drowning in his boyfriend’s eyes.

“Of course, I’ll call you tomorrow. How are ya getting home? Your car’s not here.” Dakota smiled, and kissed Mikey’s forehead.

“I’m gonna finish my run.”

Dakota gave his young boyfriend a questioning look. “You’re gonna finish your run? I don’t think so babe, not after the evening you’ve had. C’mon, I’ll drive you home.”

Mikey stood up straight, placed his hands on his hips, and glared at Dakota. “I know you’re a cop, and protective of me. As good as that makes me feel, I’m a big boy Kota, and can take care of myself.”

The twenty-seven year old gasped in surprise over Mikey’s reaction. “Babe, I’m not saying you can’t take care of yourself, I saw the knife strapped to your arm, and, I’ve seen you take down trained cops, stronger, and bigger than you in self defense courses. And, they weren’t holding back. However, you can’t blame me for wanting to make sure you’re safe, I… I really like you, Mikey. It’d totally destroy me, if something happened to you.” The big cop didn’t try hiding his tears from the man he cared for.

“Kota, please, don’t cry. It’s okay, I’m really grateful you care for me, but, I’m not gonna let anyone or anything disrupt my sense of normalcy. Mikey sat down, cradled his boyfriend, and kissed his cheek.

Dakota smiled, and playfully cashed in on his Cherokee ancestry. “You, tiny adorably cute angel boy. Need heap big cop warrior to protect you from evil spirits.” The exaggerated, broken speech, caused both men to start giggling. Taking advantage, Dakota quickly maneuvered Mikey’s smaller body, so he was lying face down on the ground. “See? Big warrior easily take down his ticklish little boy.” He then proceeded to wiggle his fingers between Mikey’s ribs.

“You fuckin’ cheated, heap big dope.” Mikey squealed, and screeched, as his body writhed, and flailed.

“Not smart to insult strong and wise Indian.” Dakota turned around to face Mikey’s kicking legs. Just like he did in Barefoot, he trapped, then stripped his boyfriend’s shoes, and socks off the wriggling feet.

“I’m sorry, heap wise Indian warrior. I give, I give. Mikey’s pleas were totally ignored. The silent evening was shattered, and filled with high pitched screeches and tickle induced wild laughter.

“Little angel boy must give in to tickles.” Dakota giggled, and used his nails to trace random patterns over the soft bare soles in his grasp. Leaving his boyfriend’s feet, the cop wrestled the brunette’s shirt off, with the intent to tickle his captive’s bare pits, and sides. However, the playful mood was broken, when he saw the scars and burns that remained on his boyfriend’s back. Dakota quickly got off Mikey, and turned the softly sobbing young man face up. Tears fell from the cop’s eyes, when he saw the streaks from a whip along the chest and mid section. It suddenly dawned on him, what Tony meant by the two men having a similar experience. He closed his eyes, wishing he could beat the shit out of the person who did this to such a beautiful soul. Dakota swallowed hard. “Babe, you don’t have to talk about it, if you don’t want to. Just know, I’ll listen if you ever do.”

“It’s okay Dakota, I’ve heard that before, and everyone just leaves. I’m gonna walk home, and forget about what we could’ve had. Just, please, don’t stop being friends, and playful with me, okay?” Mikey’s eyes filled with tears. He was about to get up, when Dakota placed his hand on his wrist. The younger man, looked up, and saw the tear stained cheeks.

“Please, don’t go, and don’t think I’m just saying what I did to save face. I think you need to see something.” Dakota sighed, he’d been through the same thing as Mikey with guys who said they’d stay around, but didn’t. He took a deep breath, and hoped he wasn’t about to lose the blossoming relationship the two shared. Dakota closed his eyes, and slowly removed his shirt, then stepping out of his shoes, he also removed his jeans, and stood in just his Scooby-Doo boxer/briefs, and white ankle length socks.

Mikey’s eyes widened, and gasped. The sight of this strong, beautiful man, standing before him half naked, covered in scars, and burns from his chest to his legs brought tears to the brunettes eyes. “Kota…”

“I’ve had guys walk out on me too, because I wasn’t as physically perfect as they thought I’d be. One guy, didn’t even say anything, he just picked up his clothes, and walked out.” Unable to help it, Dakota fell to his knees, sobbing.

“Shh, it’s okay, I got you babe. I promise I’ll never leave you, at least not because of the scars. Dakota, you’re beautiful.” Mikey cradled the bigger man in his arms, and kissed his forehead. “Hey, why don’t we get you dressed, it wouldn’t look good for an officer to be charged with indecent exposure.” Both Mikey and Dakota started boyishly giggling. Mikey felt it in his heart and soul. “I...I love you, Dakota Buckingham.

The declaration, made Dakota smile, and his heart leap with joy. After getting dressed, the burly cop gently guided his boyfriend’s body to the ground. He knelt down, grinned, and kissed Mikey’s nose. “I love you too, Mikey Carter. Dakota leaned over, and with a mischievous grin, started kissing, licking, and blowing raspberries on the brunette’s bare stomach. Immediately, Mikey’s wild laughs and squeals filled the night air. His body thrashed, and writhed, under the weight of his boyfriend. “Are ya gonna let me drive you home, or do I have to get your bare feet again?” Dakota continued to tickle Mikey’s helpless, writhing body. In addition to his raspberries, the older man, wiggled his fingers in the center of both damp pit hollows.

“Oh fuck, you’re soooo gonna get it Kota.”Mikey screeched. “Okay, I give up. You win, Uncle, Uncle.” Mikey yelled out every possible phrase of submission he could think of. “Just you wait, You’re soooo gonna regret that Indian warrior.” Mikey boyishly giggled. He ran to the car, with Dakota in hot pursuit.

The twenty-seven year old, caught his playful prey, and gently pressed the giggling boy against the car door. The two gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes. Dakota got on his knees, and surprised the younger man with gently placed kisses along the scars. “I think you’re the most beautiful boy I’ve met. Both inside and out. Now that things have settled down between us. I’ll understand, if you feel the need to take back your declaration of love. But, I’m keeping mine, and will continue to say it. I can’t keep it inside anymore. I want to verbally express my feelings, as well as display them.”

“Dakota Buckingham! I’ll never take back the declaration. I said I love you, and I meant it. Yes, our relationship’s young, and new. However we’ve been seeing each other regularly as friends, and talking. My feelings for you were already growing. Tonight, we both broke a major barrier, and exposed our darkest experience. At least visually, we still have to get to where we can be okay talking to each other about what happened. And there’s no rush on that, I don’t want either of us pushed into sharing that. You did something no one else has, you tickled my bare skin, and kissed my scars after seeing them. That proves to me, you’re not gonna leave me because of that, and I’m not leaving you either. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mikey, my sweet angel boy”

Mikey, Dakota, Adam, & Jai

“Hey, I turned those lights off when I left.” Even before the car was fully stopped, The twenty-two year old jumped out, and was swiftly heading around the back of his house.

“Whoa, Mikey, hold up. Wait for me, you don’t know what you’re about to walk into.” Dakota caught up with his determined boyfriend. “Where are you going? That door opens up in the kitchen. We’ll lose the element of surprise.”

“We will, if you don’t shut up, sorry for sounding so harsh. But, this is one time, where you need to follow my lead. Watch, and learn.” Mikey softly giggled, and kissed Dakota’s chin. Just before they reached the corner of the house, the brunette stopped, and pressed a slightly off colored brick.

“What the fuck?” Dakota jumped back as a hidden door opened. He gasped in shock, when Mikey turned on the light.

“This is my panic room, It opens up in my walk-in closet. I had it built after I bought the place. Even the family doesn’t know about it.” Mikey picked up a Smith & Wesson revolver, made sure the safety was on, and it was loaded. He pressed another button, and the outer door silently closed. He toed off his shoes, and slipped his socks off. “It’d be a good idea for you to slip your shoes and socks off, The floors were just cleaned and waxed earlier today, and being barefoot, our shoes won’t echo in the hallway.” Once Dakota complied, Mikey made the hush signal, and kissed Dakota’s lips. He pressed another button, and a second door, opened into a large closet. He stopped, and slipped into a pair of house sippers, with thick soles. He then gave Dakota a pair as well.

“Are you sure these will fit me? My feet are bigger than yours.” Dakota whispered.

“Try them on, I keep them for Adam, and Lance whenever they sleep over, and don’t have anything. Mikey placed the gun in his pocket, and picked up a bat once they entered the bedroom. The younger man, again made the silence signal, and quietly opened the bedroom door. He saw two men, in baseball caps, at the kitchen table, with their backs to the pair. Mikey motioned the cop to follow him, and the two crept up behind the two unsuspecting men. The brunette chose the bigger of the two. He held onto both ends of the bat, and quickly brought it down, and pressed it against his chosen target. At the same time, Dakota cocked his gun, and held it against his guy.

“Alright, hands on the table, and no sudden moves. I’m an officer, and you’re under arrest.”

“Make one false move, and I cut off your air.” Mikey’s low growl sent shivers up and down the other three men’s spines.

“M...Mikey, it’s us, Adam, and Jai.” Adam stuttered, after he swallowed the lump of fear in his throat.

Dakota, and Mikey looked at each other, and released their captives. “Adam, Jai, what the hell are you doing here?”

“Remind me, why we were so worried about this kid brother of ours? Damn, you and Dakota almost made me piss my jeans.” Jai said. He embraced the other two men, and gave them a kiss on the cheek. Adam quickly followed his fiance’s actions.

“The Dad’s called us, and we also spoke with Lance and Papa Tony. They told us about finding the body, so we rushed over here, and Jai made dinner for everyone.” Adam said with tears in his eyes. “Mikey, we love you, and you’re so damn independent, we knew you’d never say anything, unless forced to.”

“I love you two, and Jai, thanks for dinner. Why didn’t you two at least message me, and let me know you were here?” Mikey took the gun from his pocket, and again checked the safety before putting it in a drawer. He smiled, then jumped into each of his brother’s arms, and kissed them. Dakota chuckled and hugged and kissed his new brothers.

“This little guy, who’s scary as hell, when he wants to be.” Dakota giggled. “At least, he’s scary, until he gets tickled. Then he’s just adorable.”

“You’re adorably ticklish too, heap big Indian warrior.” Mikey giggled, and jumped into Dakota’s arms. I love you, my protector.”

“Well, we didn’t think about warning you. We needed to be here for you. Whoa, you guys are already at the I love you stage? You just became boyfriends. Mikey, don’t you think you’re rushing things, what if he doesn’t accept… well... you know.” Adam blurted out, before he thought about his words.

“Adam Grant Carter, I know you’re my big brother, but you totally need to back the fuck off. I wasn’t gonna say anything, but, Kota’s seen my scars. We were playing, he was tickling me, and he wrestled my shirt off. After he saw them, we talked. Then, he surprised me, by tickling my bare stomach, and kissing my scars” Mikey started tearing up, and was instantly wrapped in a cocoon of Dakota’s loving arms.

“Adam, Jai, I think you guys need to see something. It’s the reason Tony wanted us together.” Dakota looked into Mikey’s eyes.

“You don’t have to babe.”

“Yeah, I do my sweet love. They’re my brothers now. I need to trust, and love them.” He sighed, and wiped a few tears from his cheek. Then, with Mikey’s hand on his waist, Dakota again stripped down to his boxer/briefs. This was immediately followed by Mikey’s removal of his shirt.

Adam, and Jai gasped, and wiped their tears. In seconds, Dakota and Mikey were in the middle of a very loving, and emotional group hug. “We approve of your relationship, guys. Jai and I have seen the love for each other, shining in your eyes. Dakota, you’re now, and always gonna be our brother. I have a feeling, we’re gonna be joyfully dancing at your eventual wedding. We’d also like to ask you to stand with Mikey, and Lance as our third bast man, that’s if you would like to.”

Dakota’s joyful tears seemed endless. He couldn’t verbally describe the feeling of love, and acceptance he was experiencing. “I’d love to and am honored you asked. I… I love Mikey, with everything in me. This entire family is so loving and welcoming. Although, I’m a bit nervous about meeting both Mr. Carters and Mrs. Knight.”

Mikey giggled, and kissed his boyfriend. “Babe, one word of advice, start off calling them Dad’s, or Papa Bryan, or Bry, and Papa Max. And don’t call her Mrs. Knight, she’s Mama Pam.”

Tony

“Commissioner Knight… You found him naked, and on the steps of the New’s 3 building? I’m on my way….” Tony sighed, got dressed, left a note for his wife, and kissed her cheek. He made sure the house was locked up, and quickly drove to the crime scene. He dreaded calling his son’s in the morning.