John raised his hands in a circle, then pushed them forward, causing a greenish, blue shield to appear. He looked down at Strange and smiled. Strange returned the smile. He then ran his hands over Strange's body, allowing energy to flow through each chakra point. Strange responded to his touch by pushing up against his fingertips. You are mine Strange and I am yours, together forever in every dimension. His thoughts faltered, when he reached Strange's battered hands. Maybe I can help him—heal him. He focused all his power on Strange's trembling fingers. You are mine and I will make you whole. Sweat poured down his forehead, dripping into his eyes, and veins stood out on his neck. Strange surrender your pain to me. His heart beat accelerated, causing his breath to come out in short pants. Though he could feel his skin starting to burn, he continued, then stopped when he heard Strange cry out.

"John, stop, you're burning me."

His eyes flew open and he stopped, looking down at the red, angry welts that doted the skin on Strange's pale scarred hands. "Strange, I'm sorry. I thought that if I concentrated that I could take away your pain. Let me get my bearings, then we'll continue if you still want to."

Strange nodded and looked up at him. Damn those haunting green eyes. They've pierced my soul— Strange. He then took a deep breath and began again. His body began to relax, while it adjusted. He reached his spectral fingers through each of Strange's chakra points, reveling in each bubble of power. They're like the Bailey's beads effect—Strange my eclipse—my totality—my sun.

He ran his hands up and down Strange's arms, then pressed his thumbs against Strange's forehead—his third eye. Together they floated through different dimensions, some benevolent and peaceful, and others malevolent and full of malice, stopping to let a butterfly land on their entwined hands. When they began to come back to their own dimension, he gasped when a colorful DNA helix appeared before their eyes, then another lined up with the first. They lined up with each other, swirling around until they merged. Strange and I are one, together forever, nothing can separate us. Nothing.

He opened his eyes. Strange shifted beneath him, remaining silent. "I could stay this way forever," he whispered, tracing Strange's jaw with his index finger.

Strange nodded, then rolled over, curling up in a ball. He pulled him into a tight embrace. They lay locked in each other's arms, their bodies tensing with each click of the clock.

"John."

He rubbed the back of his hand along Strange's beard. "Yes?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For rescuing me."

He kissed Strange behind the ear. "If anybody rescued anybody, it was you who rescued me. I was so alone before I met you. I had no one."

"Nonsense, you're adorable."

"No, I'm not adorable. No one has ever said that about me."

"Then it's time someone did. John you're adorable, funny, loyal, and wonderful in every way possible and I love you more than life itself."

Tears filled his eyes. "Strange, I swear to fucking god, you're going to make me cry."

Strange laughed. "John, you can defuse any situation with that quirky wit of yours."

He smiled, then moved a lock of hair out of Strange's eyes. "Yeah, I learned to do that when I was in care."

Strange's expression sobered. "I'm sorry, it must have been difficult."

He nodded. "It was. I guess my childhood was pretty lonely."

Strange sighed. "Mine too."

The sound of the ticking clock filled the room, making it the focal point. He looked at the face of their enemy—time. "It's five minutes after 8. We have just a few hours left."

Strange snuggled close to him. "I know, I can feel it in my heart—my soul."

He kissed the nape of Strange's neck. "Don't think about it. You are part of me now and even though we will be apart, our spirits will remain forever entwined. So, let's make use of the time we have left and remember we will see each next year."

Strange reached back and grabbed his hand. "So, do you want to talk?"

He took Strange's hand in his own. "Hell, no you owe me a blow job, remember?"

Strange sighed. "Horney, horney, John, your wish is my command, but let's listen to some music first."

He reached over, grabbed his phone off the nightstand, then pulled up his playlist. Before he could react, Strange snatched the phone out of his hands. "So, let's see what John Watson has on his playlist." Strange pulled up the list, then his eyebrows rose in surprise. "A Chopin Nocturn? I'm impressed. I must be wearing off on you."

Strange pushed the play button, then closed his eyes. "This is the Nocturn that I played for a college recital."

"I know. I downloaded the video from your alma mater website. If it brings back too many sad memories, just skip it."

"No," Strange whispered, "each note I've lost has brought you closer to me."

"Christ, Strange, you are an eloquent, sensitive creature."

"Umm, just think how those sensitive qualities apply to my tongue and lips. Though I'm a novice, I do believe you're in for a treat, John Watson."

He pinned Strange underneath him. "No, you're the one that's in for a treat. Once you taste me, you will crave me, guaranteed."

"Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?"

"I have it on good authority that I taste marvelous." He felt Strange tense. "Are you jealous. Strange?"

Strange's pale cheeks flushed, and he grinned. "A little."

He slipped the top of his uniform off, his eyes never leaving Strange's. "Don't be. The thought of the red, hot passion that will begin to coil in my stomach, tightening my groin, then releasing into your mouth makes my whole being shake. It's going to be better than the first time."

Strange looked at him in wonder. "Now, who's the eloquent one?"

"You are me and I am you. Complete at last. Now, enough of this sexy talk. I want to take this slow. I want it to feel like a lifetime."

"It will last a lifetime, John. I will never forget this moment—my love, never." He then walked over and grabbed the belt from his robe and tied each end to a bedpost.

"Umm, is this going to get…rough?"

"Relax Strange, this is so I don't arch off the bed and into the roof of your mouth."

Strange gave him a half-lipped smile. "Okay, that's cleared up."

He grinned, then put two pillows on the floor near the foot of the bed. "Kneel on those and see if they're comfortable."

Strange kneeled down and after a few adjustments, nodded. "Okay, I'm comfy, but shouldn't you be standing?"

He smirked. "You've been watching a lot of porn, Strange. It's starting to worry me. I have no intention of slamming my cock into your mouth, while I pull on your hair, ignoring your attempts to breathe. I want to enjoy this. I want it to be romantic and it won't be if you are gagging the entire time."

Strange laughed. "Oh, John, no one could ever accuse you of being insincere."

He took off his pants, beckoning Strange towards him. "Come here."

Strange came forward, then kneeled, looking up at him. "Jesus, Strange you look so angelic, like you're going to be taking communion."

Strange made a clucking noise in the back of his throat. "That's very irreverent of you, John. What would your priest say?"

He reached down, ruffling Strange's hair. "You are forgiven my son?"

Strange groaned. "Oh, so, so naughty."

He sat down on the edge of the bed. Strange inched closer. He ran his fingers through Strange's hair.

Strange closed his eyes, enjoying his touch. "Should I take my clothes off as well? I don't want to come in…"

"Don't worry, I'm going to put a damper on your libido, because after I come, I want you to fuck me, not just the aftermath of your arousal from pleasuring me, but a full-on penetration, long and hard. Make me yours, Strange." Then he reached between Strange's legs. "You're going to feel a tightness in your groin. Just breathe deep and you'll adjust, then after you're comfortable we'll begin. Ready?" Strange nodded. "Oh, and one more thing, if anything about this whole process makes you uncomfortable or grosses you out, be honest and we'll stop. Okay? Strange? Okay?"

"Okay."

First Strange felt John's fingers pushing on his groin area, then he felt a tight, numbing sensation. "Jesus, did you just freeze my nuts off?"

"No, I would never waste such precious commodities."

They laughed together, a sound that he would never tire of. If I should live to be a hundred, I will never forget the sound of his laughter—John, my soldier, my doctor, my love. He watched while John fondled himself. I should get in there, but I love watching him get himself off.

John leaned back, and opened his legs. He looks so open and vulnerable. He takes my breath away. How I love him.

He took John's hardened cock between his trembling fingers. In slow motion, he bent down and kissed its swollen tip. John's body trembled, he reached over and pushed the play button on his music app.

He stopped and looked up. "John, you have the worst timing. A challenge round now?"

John began to laugh. "This is our song, tell me what is it?"

"Jeans On, by David Dundas on Naughty but Nice." He looked at John, then grinned. "Thanks, for helping me relax. I was starting to feel a bit tense."

"I know. It's okay if you want to stop."

He gave John a wicked glare, then began to swirl his tongue around the tip of John's cock.

"Oh, Christ, Strange you're going to kill me. You may just be the anti-christ."

He grinned, then continued with his work—pleasuring John. John shivered under his touch. He paused. "Any tips for me, John?"

"God, no, you seem to be a natural, just remember to cover your teeth with your lips."

He bent down, demonstrating John's instructions. "Yes, Strange, that's it. Fuck, that feels fucking marvelous. Are you sure you haven't done this before?"

He didn't answer. John's cock slid in between his lips and he reveled in its thickness. He wanted to swallow him whole. John pulled up on the robe belt and pulsed in his mouth. He breathed in through his nose, determined to remain calm. I don't want to waste a drop of his precious come.

"Fuck, I'm not going to last long—Strange."

John's cock jerked, then thick ribbons of warm liquid hit the back of Strange's throat. He coughed, swallowed, moved his head back to get air, then took the tip of John's cock, milking the remnants into his own mouth. Come coated, his lips and ran down his chin. I'm a slippery mess and I don't care. I thought going down on him would be a chore, but oh god it's wonderful. Jesus, there's more. Every drop is mine—every drop. When he sucked John's tip dry, he looked at its clean slit in disappointment. He licked a few more times to make certain, then gazed into John's glazed eyes. They shinned and their color appeared lighter than usual.

"Come here," John whispered, his voice hoarse.

Strange approached the head of the bed, where John handed him a clean towel. He wiped his face, then John's cock. Once they were clean, John smiled. "Someone likes sucking dick, don't they?"

He smiled, unable to answer. John smiled back, then reached forward and released the numbing spell that held his groin in limbo. Blood rushed into his lower extremities, leaving him breathless. He sank to the ground, palming his erection. John spread his legs and reached for him. "Make love to me Strange."

He grabbed the bottle of lube on the nightstand, preparing himself, then he stretched John's opening and eased himself in.

John's head snapped back and his hips pushed forward to meet Strange's deep, slow thrusts. The slapping of skin and their groans, drowned out the sound of the ticking clock. He held John's arms down, thrusting deeper into the warmth presented to him. John grabbed the back of his ass, pulling him in.

He sucked on John's earlobe, then his neck, scaping his teeth against the skin, while maintaining his pelvic rhythm.

His balls pulled up, a precursor to his release. He tried holding back to prolong the moment, but his body had other ideas and with one primal scream, he shuddered while his muscles shivered through a burst of orgasmic throes. He collapsed on top of John, wanting to weep when he heard the clock chime another hour of their time away.

They rested in each other's arms without saying a word, while John rubbed his arms. After a few moments, John stopped," Do you want me to rub your back?"

He nodded, not wanting John to see the tears that were starting to flow from his eyes. "Strange, it's okay, everything's going to be okay. After all we're sorcerers, we've got this—Strange."

He rolled over, putting his forehead against John's. "We've got this, John."

"Come on, let's get a shower and get cleaned up. Wong will be pissed if you show up, covered in come."

He laughed. "John, you're a prick."

"Ooh, your favorite word. It makes your mouth water."

He grabbed John and they play wrestled on the bed. Just when he thought he was going to get the upper hand, John found a ticklish spot.

"That's not fair," he said, while he tried to wriggle free.

In the shower, they squirted gel soap, then splashed water on each other. John began to laugh and couldn't stop. "I haven't had this much since I was a kid."

He caught his breath, then sighed, "Me neither."

"You want to talk, then watch a movie?"

He looked at John. "What movie?"

"Umm, a western." John laughed.

"No fucking way."

"Okay, how about we watch clips from each other's favorite movies?"

He grinned, at John. "Okay, you're on."

The movies were over, the passion diffused, now came the hard part— the goodbye, John thought. Strange stood in front of him, dressed in his uniform. Neither looked at the clock. "There's no need for a count down. I can feel it in my heart."

"Me too," Strange whispered.

They held each other tight, and Strange whispered, "I'll follow you into the Dark." Then he was gone.

Brownie whined at his feet and John stood still. When he finally moved, every muscle protested from lack of use. A letter rested at his feet. He bent down and picked it up, then sniffed it. "Like sex and Christmas."

Dearest John, this past 24 hours has been amazing. I am alive at last. There is a war coming and though you won't be by my side, you are in my heart. Someday Mordor's evil curse on you will be broken and we will be able to hold each other daily. Until that time, we will have to be content with one day a year. You have taught me how to love and how to live. I will live for you. You don't need time to tell me how much I love you. There is no such thing as time, according to Einstein, but there is such a thing as love and mine will endure for you forever. I am yours in every dimension—Strange

Tear dripped down John's cheek and he wiped them away with one hand. "I love you too—Strange. Thanks for making me cry—you fucker." Then he laughed, shook his head and looked out the window. Ominous clouds floated in front of the moonlight, threatening to block out its light. The light will never leave my universe as long as Strange is alive, so threaten all you want. I'm a soldier and I will fight and together Strange and I will win.