The fog, heavy with moisture, hung low to the ground and curled around Matt’s legs like
a sinister cat as he gazed up at the stone monster in front of him. He felt Austin’s arms encircle
his waist and he rested his head back against his drummer’s collarbone. The night air was chilly
and Matt pressed his back against Austin’s chest; feeling him was a comfort at least. The two
men remained quiet as they took in the enormity of their new home. A solitary beam of
moonlight shined through the gatehouse’s heavy iron gate. The gate was red with centuries of
rust and Matt could almost make out the front door beyond the courtyard. Two small window
slits peered down on them like eyes watching their every move. Matt shivered slightly,
dismissing the thought.
“You cold?” Austin asked, rubbing Matt’s arms. He breathed in Matt’s scent quietly; it
was warm and masculine, comforting and yet intoxicating.
“Yea, just a little bit. You ready to go in? English moors aren’t known for their
warmth,” Matt said quietly, as if he was afraid of being heard. He looked up at the gatehouse
windows again and remembered the day Austin told him.
* * * * *
It had been a normal day until Matt got home from work. Austin had called him at work
and told him that he had some news. Since Michael got married and Rusty left for school, Austin
and Matt were left looking for a new guitarist and bassist. Matt got home, expecting to hear
about two new members, but found Austin pouring over piles of papers with a lady from the
bank.
“You must be Matthew Stromberg,” the woman said smiling. Matt shook her hand and
nodded, somewhat confused. “I’m Mary Kain, from Morlen Savings and Loan. Mr. Brannick
wanted to wait for you before we got started this afternoon. Mr. Brannick, as you must know,
has no other surviving family now. A woman by the name of Matilda Brannick, a very distant
relation of Mr. Brannick’s, was his only surviving family member, and she passed away last
Tuesday. We are very sorry for the loss, however, Ms. Brannick left Mr. Brannick a rather large
inheritance, and we are pleased to be the financial group that Mr. Brannick has chosen to work
with regarding this inheritance.”
“Wh–What kind of inheritance are we talking about here?” Matt stammered in disbelief.
Austin and Mrs. Kain looked at each other, then back at Matt.
“Well, to be quite blunt, Mr. Stromberg, Mr. Austin has inherited an English castle, along
with Ms. Brannick’s fortune, which has been resting safely with Morlen Savings and Loan since
she opened the original account with us nearly thirty-five years ago.” Matt blinked, his eyes wide
as saucers, as she continued, “the grand sum of the inheritance, not including the possessions in
the castle itself, come to approximately 12.4 million dollars.” Matt suddenly felt light-headed,
and was thankful that he had sat down before hearing any of what she said.
“Matt, you ok?” Austin sounded rather worried, but Matt laughed.
“I’m fine. I think,” he laughed as he sat back in the couch. He looked at the woman,
“you’re serious, aren’t you?” She smiled and nodded, pushing the paperwork across the coffee
table to him. He looked it over, then looked back at Austin.
“You always said you wanted to visit England, Matt,” he smiled. Matt laughed again, a
little nervous and barely containing his excitement.
“Ok, so, when do we leave?” Matt asked. Austin’s smile was priceless.
They spent the next four hours making arrangements and signing papers. After two
weeks of shipping their belongings over and setting up necessities in England, they were on a
plane bound for Heathrow.
* * * * *
A soft kiss on his neck brought Matt out of his daydream. The two men walked through
the iron gate and into a large courtyard. The flora had taken over and covered several pale
figures in sickly green garments. It looked like an odd combination of a ghost story and a
grotesque fashion show, and Matt ran his hand over the moss-covered stone wall as Austin
unlocked the door. The stones were cold and damp from the moisture-heavy fog, sending a chill
down Matt’s spine. Austin leaned into the large wooden door, pushing it open. Both men stood,
mouths agape, as they took in their new home for the first time.
The black marble floor opened out into a long entry hall, centerpieced by a grand
staircase. Made of mahogany, it began in the middle of the room, rose up several feet to a
landing, and then split off to the right and left. The walls of the entry hall were panelled with
mahogany to waist-height then continued in tightly-mortared stone to the ceiling. Lamps resting
on several small tables along the walls bathed the hall in a golden glow, bringing out the richness
of the deep browns and reds of the woodwork.
“Well come in, dears! Can’t let you catch your deaths in that chill,” a soft motherly voice
said. Out of a doorway to their right, a small figure emerged. She was about Matt’s height and
was slightly plump. Her white hair was pulled on top of her head in a tight round bun, and her
face was bright and cheerful. She quickly ushered both men inside and shut the door behind
them.
“Now then, you must be Austin and Matthew! I’m Mrs. Bartlet. I’ve been the caretaker
for Eldred Castle for well over forty years. My husband, the late Mr. Bartlet, was the
groundskeeper, but since he passed away two years ago, no one has been here to look after the
grounds as you can see. Oh, it’s so nice to see new faces around here; it gets so quiet. Now, do
you have any questions?” Her smile was contagious and warmed the otherwise chilly hall.
“Good evening, ma’am. I’m Austin Brannick and this is my partner, Matthew
Stromberg.” Austin shook her hand gently.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bartlet,” Matt said as he gently kissed the top of her hand.
She giggled softly as he smiled.
“You boys must be exhausted. Come with me, and I’ll show you to the master bedroom.
I hope everything is arranged how you like it.” She led them up the stairs and Matt marveled at
how quickly she moved for her age. They ascended the left side of the staircase and followed her
down the hallway to a door at the end.
“Breakfast is at seven, but the kitchen is down the stairs and it’s the last door on the left.
Sweet dreams, boys,” she smiled before hurrying back down the hallway.
Austin opened the door to reveal a bedroom twice the size as their old one. The walls
were panelled from floor to ceiling in the same mahogany as the foyer. All their furniture had
been perfectly arranged, and Austin started a fire in the stone fireplace as Matt collapsed on the
thick red rug in front of it. He watched the soft glow of the flames bathe Austin’s body and
realized how badly he missed touching him. The days before the move had been hell and they
never had time or energy for each other. He laid on his back on the rug, his arms under his head,
and waited as Austin finished.
Satisfied with the fire, Austin crawled over Matt, stretching his muscular frame over the
lithe body under him, and kissed him softly. Matt slipped his arms around Austin’s neck and
pulled him closer, returning his kiss with equal passion. Their tongues danced together,
exploring each other as if it were the first time. A few minutes later, Austin broke the kiss and
moved his lips over Matt’s neck, nibbling and kissing it softly. He savored the taste of him,
sweet and musky, and his entire body tingled with wanting.
“Take your shirt off,” Matt whispered as his lips brushed Austin’s ear. Austin sat up,
straddling Matt’s thighs, and pulled his black t-shirt over his head. Matt sat up and slid his hands
over Austin’s hard, tight chest. He leaned in and pulled on Austin’s nipple ring with his teeth;
the metal was as warm as his flesh. Austin moaned and wrapped his fingers in Matt’s hair,
pulling his face closer. His head reeled with the sensations and he threw his head back, his eyes
closed. Matt flicked his tongue over the metal ring, sucking and pulling on it as Austin held him
close, grinding on his lap. Not able to wait any longer, Austin pushed Matt down on his back
and kissed his way down Matt’s chest, unbuttoning his shirt as he went. He unzipped Matt’s
jeans and pulled his achingly hard cock out over the waistband of his boxers. In one swift
movement, Austin had engulfed Matt’s cock to the hilt with his mouth. He tasted sweet and
clean, and Austin’s groin tingled and ached as Matt’s cock filled his mouth. Matt drew in a sharp
breath and gripped Austin’s head as he ran his tongue over the contours of his cock. He
whimpered as Austin began sliding his mouth up and down the rigid length, his barbell grazing
the sensitive underside. He squirmed under Austin, knowing he didn’t have permission to cum
and trying desperately to obey despite the excruciatingly sweet pain of forcing it back. Austin
hummed lightly, and the vibrations caused Matt to tense up as he gripped the rug. Austin
chuckled softly. Goddamn him; he could be so fucking cruel.
Obviously satisfied with the effect he had on Matt, Austin released the tortured cock and
let it slap back down against Matt’s belly. Matt watched breathlessly as Austin stood and slipped
the rest of his clothes off before pulling Matt’s jeans and boxers completely off. He then
straddled Matt, the hard, throbbing cock nestling perfectly between the cheeks of his ass. Matt
bit his lower lip as Austin began to grind slowly on him, the friction sending shocks down his
spine. Austin leaned down, his lips hovering only inches from Matt’s. His words burned into
Matt’s mind as he whispered, “fuck me.” Never one to disappoint, Matt sat up and turned Austin
around. Austin rested his head back as Matt pulled him tight against his chest. He moaned as
Matt slipped his arms around his waist and began planting soft kisses on the nape of his neck.
He ran his fingers through Matt’s hair, gripping it tighter as one of Matt’s hands slowly slid its
way down his belly and into his lap. He closed his eyes as he felt Matt’s hand wrap around his
cock, coaxing it to full size with long, slow strokes. The kisses soon ceased and Austin felt
himself being pushed forward.
Matt released Austin’s cock and slid both his hands down his spine as he leaned him
toward the floor. He knelt behind Austin, running his hands lightly over the round, shapely ass in
front of him that begged for attention. He slipped the fingers of one hand down the crack of his
ass and teased his tight hole lightly with the tips. Austin moaned and backed against his hand,
desperately wanting to feel more. Matt broke his gaze long enough to dig the lube out of their
suitcase on the floor, his cock painfully hard as he rummaged through the clothes.
He got up on his knees and stroked his cock, the lube causing it to glisten and shine in the
fire light. He slipped two fingers slowly into Austin’s waiting ass, stretching and sliding them in
and out. Austin drew in a breath as he felt Matt’s fingers slip out. Matt rubbed the head of his
cock against Austin’s hole, teasing it lightly before slowing pushing in. Austin moaned aloud as
he was impaled on Matt’s cock. Once he was buried completely in Austin’s tight ass, Matt held
still for a moment, savoring the warmth and tightness. He didn’t know if he was allowed to cum
yet, and he didn’t plan on doing so, if only to prolong the pleasure for the both of them. He
slowly pulled out all the way, then pushed back in, loving the sensation of the head popping back
in. He pushed in to the base, and pulled back again, leaving the head in this time. Austin’s head
reeled; he wanted more.
“Fuck me...please. Fuck me hard, Matt,” he growled with labored breath. Matt gripped
his hips and pulled him down the same time he pushed in. The force behind it took Austin’s
breath away, and he repeated his plea. Hearing his lover and master beg to be fucked made
something in Matt snap and he plowed his cock hard into Austin’s ass. He pulled almost all the
way out and, gripping Austin’s hips, slammed back in as hard as he could. Austin let out a
growling scream as Matt ravaged his ass repeatedly, never relenting and always forceful. Matt
bit back the urge to cum several times as the velvety tightness of Austin’s ass enveloped his cock
over and over. His body shook with the force of every stroke in, and his mind reeled with the
knowledge that his master was on all fours and begging him. The pleasure and pain of forcing it
back was becoming nearly unbearable, and his mind was spinning as he plowed deep into
Austin’s ass. Then he heard what he had been waiting for: “cum for me.” With a deep, throaty
growl, he pulled back again and, with a force that shook them both, he slammed with all his
might into Austin’s ass, burying his cock as it exploded. Austin screamed as Matt’s cock
massaged his prostate with its throbbing hardness as it convulsed and filled him full of cum. His
body shuddered with his own internal orgasm, and his ass milked every last drop from Matt’s
twitching cock. He collapsed on the floor, Matt on his back and his cock still resting in his now
sore ass. Matt softly kissed his back and neck and whispered, “I love you,” before getting up.
He held out his hand and pulled Austin up and against him, their sweaty bodies pressed together
as he kissed Austin deeply.
Matt rested his forehead against Austin’s and chuckled softly, “don’t know about you, but
I could really use a nice, hot bath.”
“Mmm, that sounds really damn good,” Austin moaned softly. Matt kissed his head and
went to the bathroom to start their bath.
Once the tub was full and the bathroom sufficiently steamed up, Austin stepped in and
leaned back. Matt climbed in after him and nestled between his legs, his back against Austin’s
chest. Austin held him close, and they soaked for several minutes, enjoying the silence and each
other’s company. It was Austin who spoke first.
“Are we really here?” he asked, kissing Matt’s hair softly. It was damp from the steam,
and still had a sweet, sweaty smell.
Matt chuckled softly, “I thought this is what you wanted too. Don’t tell me now that
you’re having second thoughts.”
“No, no. The whole thing has really started to sink in now, I think. It’s just hard as hell
to believe that we’re here. I love being here, and I wouldn’t want to be here with anyone else in
the world,” he said as he held Matt tight against him. Matt rubbed Austin’s arms lightly and
smiled down into the water at their reflection: the two of them, entwined; heart, body, mind, and
soul. Life was great, he thought, and he couldn’t ask for more.
They stayed in the bathtub for nearly an hour before they did any washing. By the time
they were done and out of the tub, sleep was a welcome idea. Austin pulled the quilt on the bed
back and climbed in. Matt climbed in the other side and snuggled against Austin’s body, resting
his head on his chest. Austin wrapped his arms around him and held him as they fell asleep.
* * * * *
The scream echoed throughout the dark halls of the castle, startling Matt awake. He
looked over at Austin, who was sleeping like a baby on his back. He didnt hear it. Matt sat up
on the edge of the bed, the chill in the room crawled down his spine as the scream echoed again.
It wasn’t a dream. He threw on his jeans and flung the bedroom door open, but all was quiet
again. He walked to the staircase and called for Mrs. Bartlet. She came tottering out of the
kitchen, her apron dusty with baking flour.
“Yes, dear? You’re up awfully early; it’s only five,” she said as she wiped her hands off
on her apron.
“Did you not hear that?” Matt asked her.
“Hear what, dear?” Her look of confusion was bewildering to Matt.
“Never – nevermind. It must have been a dream,” he said, shaking his head. It simply
didn’t make any sense to him. He ran his fingers through his hair and started back to the room.
He nearly had his hand on the door handle when the shrill scream came again. It was coming
from somewhere deep...somewhere below the castle. Matt flung the door open and shook Austin
awake.
“Austin, wake up. Do you hear that?” he pleaded as the scream echoed again. Austin
jumped up, his face nearly white. He threw his jeans on and they ran out the room and down the
stairs, both breathless by the time they got to the bottom.
“Where is it coming from?” Austin looked to Matt for any ideas, but Matt had none. The
scream came again, louder this time...more urgent. It was coming from under their feet. The
men looked at each other and started searching the various doors in the entry hall for any sign of
stairs leading down.
“Matt! Here!” Austin was standing in front of a nondescript, wooden door. The
screams were coming from behind it. He opened it and the rush of stale, cold air hit them both,
chilling them to the bone. Matt fumbled in his pocket for his lighter and grabbed a torch from
the wall sconce next to his head. He followed Austin as they started down the cold stone steps,
the screams shrill and deafening now. Their hearts were in their throats as they descended
several flights of stairs into the bowels of the castle.
Twelve flights of stairs later, they came to a wooden door. The wood was decaying, but
still firm, and the metal hinges were red and encrusted with rust. The scream came again, and it
came from behind the door. Austin leaned into it and pushed it, the wood cracking as it swung
open. Stale, damp air hit them and as their eyes adjusted to the dark, they realized the room was
empty. Nothing. No one. The screams had stopped. Matt held up the torch and they looked
around the room. Shackles hung from the walls, cobwebs clinging to them and blowing in the
draft from the door. To their left there was a doorway of wrought iron bars. The gate was
padlocked shut and the metal was covered in red rust. To their right were more shackles on the
walls, but these were in stalls; almost like stable stalls. Austin backed against Matt, needing to
feel him to make sure he was still there.
“Dude, I think we just found the dungeon,” Matt whispered. The sound landed flat in the
air. Austin nodded, as they stepped into the room together. Matt walked to the iron gate and
tried to look through. It was dark, and he couldn’t make out much beyond a couple feet.
“What do you suppose is in there?” he asked Austin, nodding his head toward the gate.
“I don’t know, really,” Austin whispered. Matt brought his hand up and touched the
padlock. It was an older lock and was as big as his fist. It was heavy and cold as he ran his
fingertips over it. An odd chill ran through his body and he turned to Austin.
“We shouldn’t be here. Something’s not right here; I can feel it,” he whispered. Austin
knew he was serious; something in Matt’s eyes told him that. Austin nodded and they were
headed back toward the door when the sound of Matt’s footsteps disappeared. Austin spun
around in a panic, but Matt was gone. His torch rested on the floor as if someone had gently
placed it there. It was still lit and Austin picked it up. He frantically searched every corner of
the room, screaming Matt’s name, but no answer came. The chill of the room quickly dried the
tears as they streamed down Austin’s cheeks. He ran to the iron gate and rattled the bars. He
stumbled back as the chain fell to the ground and the gate swung open with the sickening creak
of old metal. He swallowed hard, determined to find his love, no matter the cost. He walked
through the gate and down a stone corridor, lit only a few feet ahead of him by the torch in his
hand. The iron gate slammed shut behind him, rattling the very stone of the walls.
* * * * *
Austin sat up with a start, the tears and sweat pouring down his face. He looked over at
Matt, who was still sound asleep. He sat against the headboard and ran his fingers through his
hair. It was just a dream, thank god. He breathed a ragged sigh of relief, thankful that Matt was
safe beside him. He looked at the clock. It was six o’clock in the morning, and he knew that
more sleep was out of the question now. He slumped back down into the bed and pulled Matt’s
sleeping body into his arms. He shuddered lightly as he held him close, the vividness of his
dream still painfully real. He kissed Matt’s head and pushed away all terrifying thoughts of
losing him. It was just a dream.