Suddenly, it was as if real time smacked into Calvin. Pain and the sound of Cobra begging him not to die were the first real live things Calvin realized were going on around him.
Pit dropped next to Cobra, telling him, “Keep pressure on that, Cobra.” Turning, he shouted, “Smoky go get Jude!”
“It’s going to be alright, Calvin. Jude’s gonna help you out.” Looking towards Taco, Pit asked Taj, “How is he?”
“He’s coming round.” Taj replied.
“Why did you do that, Calvin?” Cobra asked
Calvin could see tears shimmering in Cobra’s eyes. Calvin lifted a shaky hand to the man who had claimed they were mates, softly saying, “Di… didn’t wa… want y-you hurt.”
“Damn it, where’s Jude?” Cobra shouted.
Calvin had no idea whether anyone answered Cobra as he drifted into darkness.
* * * *
Cobra sat in a chair watching his sentience sleep. Thanks to the gods above, Jude was able to save his mate. It had been touch and go for a while, since the bullet apparently had nicked an artery, but Jude was able to fix it, and with a small blood transfusion from both him and Taco, Calvin was on the road to recovery. “Now if you would just wake up.”
Taco lifted his flattened-out body from Cobra’s arm, whispering, “How is he?”
“Jude says he made it through surgery fine, and all he needs now is some rest. How are you feeling?” Cobra asked his longtime friend.
“Better. I still can’t believe Cameron drugged me.” Taco muttered.
“He knew that with you by my side he didn’t stand a chance of killing anyone.” Cobra explained.
Sighing, Taco replied, “I know, but why? Why did he not try and hurt us sooner?”
“He couldn’t. Like you said, we’re always away on one mission or another, and when we’re here I never mix it up with the people from Drago. He needed to get close to me to even have a chance of success. He and Calvin were friends, and he knew how Calvin felt about me, so he stuck close. I think when he found out that Calvin had sent me that last note, he knew this was his chance. Cameron must have suggested he make the picnic lunch, and knowing your love of tacos, he laced your meat with something to knock you out. Then, he waited for everything to fall into place.” Cobra explained.
“He just didn’t expect that with everything that’s been happening to D.O.A., that you guys would be so paranoid and think Calvin was doing something devious.” Taco finished, in understanding.
Sighing, Cobra replied, “I don’t equate being careful with being paranoid. Besides, just because your paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.”
Calvin surprised both Cobra and Taco when he turned his head, rasping, “Well, I don’t know what’s been happening to you guys, but I will forever be grateful for the paranoia.”
Cobra sat up as Taco lifted a little higher from his arm. Cobra brushed Calvin’s hair gently, softly asking, “How ya feeling, baby?”
“Like he’s been shot.” Taco muttered.
Calvin giggled, then groaned, “Oh gods, don’t make me laugh.”
“With as beautiful as you look when you laugh, I plan on making you do that regularly, once you’re healed, for the rest of our lives... if you’ll let me?” Cobra replied.
Calvin’s eyes widened. Cobra could see the hope within the man’s gorgeous blue-grey eyes, “You want me for the rest of your lives?”
“Oh yes, Calvin. We want that more than anything. We already told you, our lives will cease to exist without you in it.” Taco said with a smile.
Calvin tilted his head to the side, looking at Taco, asking, “You do know that is really freaky, right? It reminds me of a newspaper comic strip come to life.”
Taco peeled off Cobra’s arm and slowly grew until he stood as tall as Cobra, smiling, “Is this better?”
Calvin smiled at his friend, “You were fine like you were before, Taco. It was just a bit freaky, but I’ll get used to it.”
“Does that mean you’re willing to give Taco and me a chance to prove to you how good we can be together?” Cobra asked.
Calvin looked at Cobra as he replied, “I have dreamed about you for twenty-five years, Cobra. There is no way in hell I’m giving up a chance to be with you and Taco, but first… I mean after everything you said… I think it might be good to get to know each other a bit before we talk lifetimes.”
Cobra leaned over Calvin, whispering, “Thank the gods, because there is no way in hell I would be willing to give you up, and if you want to wait a while, I will do my best to honor your choice. I just wish you hadn’t written all those notes for twenty-five years, but instead forced a face-to-face meeting. We wouldn’t have wasted so much time.”
Cobra’s lips met Calvin’s before the man could say anything. It was a soft kiss, but filled with a desire Cobra had been feeling since smelling his sentience.
Taco hissed, “Damn that’s hot.”
Slowly pulling back, Cobra whispered, “Let me go get Jude. He asked to be notified when you woke up.”
Calvin was panting hard, but then grabbed Cobra’s forearm. “Wait... What notes?”
