Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Soul Of The Night ❯ Our Master Beckons ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

WARNINGS: YAOI, LEMON, M-PREG (It’s a long and complicated story. If you are confused, read my story ‘Baby of Mine.’) Mention of NCS

DISCLAIMER: I don’t own Yugioh, but I do own my OC’s. This is merely just a nice diversion from my everyday work when I need a break. I’m a part-time newspaper writer, full time author, close to Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and I don’t have a lot of time to work on this, but I’ll update when I can.

AUTHOR’S NOTES: Anyone who has read my stuff knows I do a little background. In Return to Paradise, Aten died of a stroke, but Marik couldn’t live without him so he resurrected his son, only to revive Yami Aten. Robbie was killed by Eric and Aten was going to unleash Duel Monsters into the living world in retaliation. Yami Aten and Yami Aria slaughtered the Crusaders.  Marik killed his son to prevent further death. Bakura offered Aten and Robbie a chance to return to the real world as Undead.  Ryou died in his sleep, but Bakura returned him to life because he couldn’t live without his husband. Bakura never told the Ishtars that Ryou had died. Heaven Raine Ishtar is the baby that was abandoned on Aten and Robbie’s doorstep in the middle of the night. There’s the basic idea of Return to Paradise. Anything that I missed is filled in by character allusions.

Our Master Beckons

Ryou picked Kailani and held her in the air. “Who’s a happy baby girl?” Ryou brought the baby down and kissed her cheek.  “Who’s a pretty baby?” Kailani smiled as she looked down at Ryou.  The four-month-old’s arms and legs dangled below her.
Ryou brought the baby into his arms. “Time to go back to your mommy,” Ryou said with a smile. He carried the baby down the marble staircase and found Bakura watching him from the bottom of the stairs. “I thought you got lost up there in the labyrinth that is Seto’s Summer Mansion,” Bakura said with a grin.
“Just playing with our granddaughter,” Ryou said, holding the baby girl on his hip. “We’ll be doing this with our own child in a few months.” Ryou stood at the bottom of the steps with a smile at Bakura.
The yami slowly stepped toward Ryou and caressed his lover’s cheek. “Five months and counting, my angel.”
Ryou sighed as Bakura kissed his cheek.  “It will come fast.”
“Hey, guys, are you coming or not?” Malik called from the sliding door to the indoor pool.
Ryou and Bakura walked towards the patio where Rhett and Kai were running around in their swim trunks.  Aten and Robbie were lounging beside each other on chairs. Heaven squealed happily as she bounced in her little floater.  Joey closed her eyes as she splashed water at him.
Seto sipped his iced tea from his glass, trying to avoid looking at Marik in his speedo.  “Marik, there are children around for god’s sake.”
“They’re too busy playing to notice my ass,” Marik said, rubbing sunscreen on his arm.
“You are disturbing.”
Marik chuckled. “Malik likes it.”
Malik ran towards Marik with the matching speedo. “Bakura and Ryou finally returned with Kailani. You should take her swimming, yami.”
Marik handed Malik the sunscreen and gave his lover’s right buttock a slap. “Consider it done.”
The blond yami walked to Ryou and took Kailani from him. “I’ll take that, Ry.”
Ryou handed Marik the baby and saw Aria and Umi wave to them.
“Mom, where were you?”
“I had to put Lani’s swimsuit on before she went swimming,” Ryou removed his shirt and placed it on the chair beside Malik, who was now lounging beside Seto.  
Seto and Malik saw Ryou stretch and walk towards the pool. Bakura sat beside Malik and put his arm around the Egyptian. He’s so perfect, Bakura thought as he watched his lover walk towards the pool, his slender legs carrying him gracefully as if he were walking on air.
“Hello, sexy,” Bakura said with a grin at Malik.
Malik giggled. “Hi, Bakura. Do you think that Ryou should go swimming? He told me he hasn’t been feeling well lately.”
Seto turned his head concerned. “Ryou has been sick?”
Bakura continued to watch Ryou step into the pool.  Neither one of them had notified anyone of Ryou’s current pregnancy for a good reason.  When Ryou lost his last pregnancy due to Yami’s vicious attack, he and Ryou were devastated.  Marik and Malik were very concerned about the Itemris’ loss. The loss hit both of the Itemri’s hard. Ryou felt responsible. Bakura felt heartbroken. Now they had a chance to start new with Yami out of the picture.
“He’s has a little stomach bug,” Bakura said.
“He’s looking a little puffy around the middle,” Seto said.
“Hey, that’s my husband you’re talking about, moneybags!” Bakura said defensively.
Seto relaxed against the chair. “I didn’t mean it to sound like that.”
“I hope his heart isn’t the cause,” Malik said. “Maybe he needs to go back to Zira.”
Bakura smiled as Ryou dived under the water and broke the surface with his hair clinging to his body.  The yami grinned and licked his lips as he watched his lover’s body shimmer in the sunlight.  He’s so beautiful...
Ryou turned his head towards Bakura and blew a kiss towards him.
“He has an appointment with Zira in a couple weeks,” Bakura said watching Marik hand Kailani to Joey and dive under the water.
The Egyptian yami swam towards Ryou and circled around the hikari. Marik jumped from under the water and tackled Ryou, making the hikari fall into the water.  “Good heavens!” Ryou squealed before disappearing under the water.
Heaven turned her head toward the rippling water current.  
Ryou emerged from the water squealing. Marik chuckled as he splashed Ryou.  Ryou splashed Marik back. “Bloody wanker!” Ryou said, rubbing his eyes.
Heaven began to cry in her inflatable floater. Robbie and Aten stood and walked beside the pool. Joey handed Robbie the baby girl. Aten sat beside the pool as his husband disappeared into the home to feed his daughter.
“How are you feeling, Aten?”
“Feeling pretty good, Uncle Puppy,” Aten said with a snicker.
“You know, Aten,” Joey said as he swam towards the edge of the pool with Kailani. “I want to thank you for giving me your liver after you died.”
Aten nodded. “You were suffering because of your father.  Had he not made you addicted to alcohol, you never would have got Cirrhosis. I didn’t need my liver anymore anyway.”
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” Aten watched his mother step out of the pool and dry himself off with a towel.  He saw his mother kiss Bakura and walk toward Seto. The CEO stood and lead Ryou towards the sliding door. “Mother, are you alright?”
“Yes, dear, I need to lay down for a while.”
“Are you feeling alright, mother?”
Ryou nodded. “Yes, sweetheart. I’m just very tired.”
Aten watched Ryou and Seto disappear into the mansion.  Seto lead Ryou into the nearest bedroom where he watched the hikari remove his wet swim trunks and put on a dry pair of pajama pants.
Ryou laid in bed.  “Seto, it was nice of you to invite us to your summer home for Christmas.”
“Well, it may be cold outside, but the enclosed pool makes a good way to keep warm in the winter.”
The hikari yawned and watched Seto sit beside him. “Thank you.”
Seto caressed Ryou’s hair tenderly. “Did you not sleep well last night, angel?”
“Well, Seto, I probably should tell you...that…I’m-,” Ryou closed his eyes and fell asleep.
“Ry?” Seto asked as he saw the hikari sleep quietly. “Sleep well, handsome.”
Seto left Ryou and returned to the pool. Kai and Rhett jumped into the pool.  Aten and Joey were talking beside the pool.  Seto saw Marik making out with Malik beside the pool.  Bakura looked at Seto. “Is he asleep?”
Seto nodded. “Ryou started to tell me something, but he fell asleep.”
“What did he say?”
“He fell asleep before he could finish his sentence. Are you sure he’s been alright, Bakura?”
“He’s been very tired as of late, moneybags. He’ll be alright.”
Marik turned his head. “You don’t suppose his heart is giving him a difficult time, do you?”
“Guys, Ryou will be fine, trust me.”
“We’re worried about him,” said Malik.
Bakura stood up with a sigh as he turned to the Ishtars and Seto. “Ryou will be alright. He’s been busy getting ready for Christmas. Buying presents, baking, chasing after the grandkids….”
“Are you sure mom is alright?” Aria asked. “I’m worried about him. He’s been sick for a while.”
Malik nodded. “A few months ago, he was thin and looking really sick.”
Marik raised a curious eyebrow. “He’s improved over the past few months, but he still pukes in the morning.”
“Even that is starting to calm down,” Malik added.
“Daddy, is mom really alright?” Aria asked.
Bakura nodded. “Your mother is fine, Aria. Trust me.”
Marik stood beside his partner and crossed his arms against his chest. “Why has Ryou put on weight, Bakura Osiris?”
“He’s….He got his appetite back?”
“Oh, really, Itemri? So why is Ryou spending a lot of time in Aten’s old room which used to be the nursery?”
Bakura’s eyes shifted from Seto, Marik, Malik, and Aria staring him down. “He wants alone time?”
“Why are you responding with questions, Bakura?” Seto asked.
“Well, umm….”
Joey and Aten joined the group flanking Bakura. “What’s goin’ on, guys?”
“Bakura is about to tell us why Ryou has been throwing up, eating more, and spending a lot of time in Aten’s old room.”
“Do you mean the old nursery room?” Aten asked.
The white-haired yami groaned and held out his hands. “Fine! Ryou and I were going to wait to tell you all, but…”
Aria watched her father intently. “Tell us, daddy!”
“Father Bakura, tell us!” Aten added as he stood beside his sister.
Bakura sighed and ran his fingers through his spiky hair. “Ryou and I are going to be parents again. Aria, you’re going to be a big sister.”Aten, Marik, and Seto started blankly at Bakura. “What?”
Malik and Aria smiled and jumped happily. “This is wonderful news!”
Marik shook his head and turned to his husband. “No, it’s not, Malik.”
“Why not?”
Marik turned back to Bakura. “Ryou’s heart can’t take the stress of another pregnancy, Bakura. I thought you and Ryou used protection!”
“We do! Except for one time a few months ago when we didn’t think of it.”
“Your husband has a bad heart, Bakura. How could you be so selfish?” Marik asked.
“I wasn’t being selfish, Marik,” Bakura said angrily. “Ryou will not be affected by this.”
Aten looked at Bakura. “How can he not be affected? Mother’s heart has added strain now. He was on his deathbed a few months ago and now I’m going to have another stepbrother or stepsister?”
“Bakura, I question your judgment,” Marik said flatly.
“Do you know yet if it is a boy or girl?” Malik asked.
Bakura shook his head. “We have an appointment coming soon with Zira.”
“What do you think it is?” Aria asked.
Bakura crossed his arms and turned towards the two boys playing in the pool. I went to visit my son in the Underworld, but did not find him. He did not run towards me to greet me as he always does.  I hope…I pray…the infant son I had lost five thousand years ago to Yami’s blade has once again tried to return to me. “I don’t know, sweetheart.”
“Did Dr. Zira clear Ryou for this?”
Bakura nodded. “Zira tested Ryou and found him healthy enough to carry the baby full-term. Marik, please don’t think that I did this selfishly.  It just happened.”
Marik looked at his son standing beside Bakura. “Ankhenaten, what do you think?”
Aten sighed. “Father Bakura wouldn’t hurt mother on purpose. Dr. Zira is a good doctor.”
“Now I feel like a jerk saying Ryou looked puffy,” Seto said.
“Try carrying around a ten pound watermelon in your gut and see how big you get,” Bakura said defensively.  
“Hey, Uncle Seto, that’s my mom you’re talking about,” Aria said.
Malik stepped beside Marik and put his hand on Marik’s shoulder. “Relax, Marik.  We’ll take good care of Ry and we’ll love the baby no matter what.”
“Of course I’ll love Ryou no matter what, hikari,” Marik said.
Aten saw Robbie return to the pool. He chuckled and hugged his husband. He tackled Robbie into the pool and the two began to play.
“Mommy, watch us dive!” Kai exclaimed from beside the pool.
Aria returned to Umi’s side to watch her boys dive into the pool.  
“Remember, Ishtar,” Bakura said. “You screwed my husband on the kitchen table and made your son.  There are some things in life you can’t control. They just happen.”
Marik sighed. “I know, Itemri. I’m just concerned about Ryou’s health. You can’t blame me for being protective of the ones I love.”
“No, I don’t blame you at all,” Bakura said, wrapping his arms around Marik’s shoulders in an embrace. “I know you mean well.”
Malik stepped away from the two yamis and allowed them to talk. The Egyptian hikari walked slowly into the house and to Ryou and Bakura’s guest room.  He opened the door to see Ryou sleeping over the covers. Malik slowly approached the bed and saw Ryou in his pajama pants covered with various sizes of rubber ducks.  Malik walked around the bed to look down at the sleeping man.  
Ryou’s eyes slightly fluttered in his sleep.  His arms were thin and wiry. His long, white hair spread across the pillow and over his shoulders. Ryou’s side rose and fell slowly as he breathed.  Ryou’s pacemaker scar was still visible on his chest as he rolled over and laid on his back.  His pajama bottoms covered Ryou’s stomach and the birth scar from Aten and Aria. The elastic of the pants were slightly stretched as he laid on his back.
Malik heard the white-haired hikari whimper in his sleep as his toes twitched. Ryou’s hand went to his stomach. “Yami, stop,” Ryou sobbed in his sleep. “I’m sorry, Bakura…sorry.”
Malik walked to the other side of the bed and saw tears coming down Ryou’s face. “Yami…Yugi….please stop, don’t kill my boy.”
Malik cautiously laid on the bed beside Ryou and watched him sleep. “Nobody is going to hurt you, Ry,” Malik whispered. Malik watched Ryou’s fingers glide across his stomach.
Ryou’s eyes opened suddenly. “Malik?”
“Hi, Ry. I didn’t mean to wake you up. I wanted to come check on you, you know. I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
Ryou sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I hate those dreams.”
“Bad one again?”
“I dreamed of Yami. Nightmare.”
Malik smiled as he shifted close to Ryou. “Bakura told us.”
Ryou turned his head. “Told you what?”
“Ryou, I’m happy for you! I can’t believe we’re going to have another baby in the house!”
“Bakura and I were going to wait to tell you guys,” Ryou smiled. “It looks like you and Marik will have to have spontaneous sex in the Living Room only when the baby is with Seto or with his brother or sister.”
Malik sighed. “Yeah, Marik’s going to miss groping me and screwing me senseless whenever and wherever he wants.”
Ryou smiled. “Bakura and I were just enjoying the freedom to do it whenever the mood struck us, too. But, it’s a small price to pay, I think. How did Marik take the news?”
“Well, he was a little upset at Bakura, but I think he’s calmed down.”
Ryou sat up. “Why was Marik upset?”
“We all know how sick you have been, Ry. A few months ago, we didn’t know if we’d wake up to find you dead one morning.  Since then, you have been looking better and we’ve noticed you haven’t been taking your medicine. Did Dr.Zira take you off your meds?”
Ryou nodded. “Yes, he said that my pacemaker is doing a good job and took me off all my medication.”
Malik’s eyes widened. “Wow! That’s amazing! Dr.Zira cleared you for this pregnancy, too?”
“Yes, although Bakura and I didn’t plan this. I hope Marik isn’t too upset with Bakura.”
“He’ll be fine. You know how moody he can be.”
The Egyptian hikari shifted closer to Ryou and touched Ryou’s chest. “Are you sure you are well enough for this?”
“I will be fine, Malik. Bakura and I go to the doctor for the examinations.” Ryou sighed as he lowered his head. “I’ll talk to Marik later.”
“I guess it’s back to diaper changes, laundry detail, and baby toys again,” Malik said, leaning against the pillow. The Egyptian hikari smiled. “It’s been a long time since we’ve raised a kid of our own. Do you know the baby is Bakura’s?”
Ryou nodded. “Yes, positive. There’s no doubt this time.”
Malik turned to the other hikari. “You both have to be really excited.”
“Bakura can’t wait for the big day. I’m trying to take good care of myself.”
“Should we train the baby to call Joey ‘Uncle Puppy’ like we did with Aten and Aria?”
Ryou giggled mischievously. “Of course!  How could we pass up an opportunity like that? Joey can try to fight it all he wants, but he will always be ‘Unkie Puppy.’”
“Aten still calls him that after all these years,” Malik said. “So what is Marik going to be?”
“I have no idea what Bakura’s going to teach our baby to call him. It will be interesting.”
Ryou yawned as his eyes began to close.
“I’ll let you get back to your nap, Ry,” Malik said standing up. “We’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”
********************
Marik poked the fireplace with the red hot poker.  When he removed it from the flames, he looked at the glowing metal.  His eyes narrowed as he remembered the act of violence which had awakened him from his eternal home, the Millennium Rod. When he emerged from the Rod, he had seen his host chained to a stone altar. The scent of burning flesh filled the tomb as Malik’s father carved into his son’s flesh with a dagger glowing hot from flames.  You dare injure my host, you old fool? Marik had stabbed the child’s father repeatedly. Yami Marik turned to the child chained face-down on the altar. The young boy raised his head to see the yami staring into his eyes. I will take you away from here, little one.  Do as I command!
Yami Marik turned his head when he saw Ryou enter the room. Marik stood up with the hot poker in his hand. “Ryou? What are you doing here?”
“I came to find you, Marik. I heard you were upset with Bakura this afternoon.”
Marik kneeled before the fire and replaced the hot poker beside the fireplace. “I was concerned about you. You know I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
Ryou smiled as he sat beside Marik on the floor. “That is very thoughtful of you.” Ryou put his arm around Marik and laid his head on Marik’s shoulder. The blond yami reciprocated the embrace. “Why are you here all alone, Marik? Why not spend some time with your family?”
“I was just thinking.  It’s good not to have to worry about Yami coming and ruining our fun.   We’re a family again.”
Ryou nodded. “Yes, we are, Marik.”
Marik raised his head and looked down at his lover. “I love you, Ry,” Marik said quietly.
Ryou raised his head and caressed Marik’s cheek. “I love you, too, Marik.”
“I’m happy for you and Itemri,” a small grin played around the yami’s face. “It will be a good change of pace to have another little Aria running around.”
“Bakura believes the baby is a boy,” Ryou said. “We won’t know until the next doctor’s appointment.”
Marik chuckled. “Now Bakura will have to give the lessons on how to be a man. I had to teach our son shaving and all about being a man. Now Bakura can impart wisdom of shaving and girls and why when you wake up in the morning you have an erection for no valid reason.”
Ryou pat Marik’s leg. “Well, it helped Aten that his mother is a guy, too. I had to share some knowledge with our son.” Ryou sighed. “Thank you for bringing him back, Marik.”
“Well, Ryou, I couldn’t bear to think that I could not see my son anymore. I know you would want him back.”
“Aten was the best thing that has ever happened to you and I, Marik,” Ryou said looking into Marik’s purple eyes.
Marik nodded as he hugged the white-haired hikari. “I agree, Ryou.  I love you and I want you to know that I will do everything I can to help you and Itemri.”
Ryou smiled as he kissed Marik’s cheek. “Thank you.”
Marik reached over and moved Ryou onto his lap. “You’re beautiful, Ry.”
Ryou blushed. “I do love you, Marik.”
Marik leaned over and pressed his lips to Ryou’s neck. The hikari sighed softly as Marik’s lips kissed up Ryou’s pulsing vein. Marik’s hands reached under Ryou’s shirt and caressed his lover’s side.
Ryou slid closer to Marik and buried his fingers in Marik’s blond, spiky hair.  Ryou wrapped his arms around Marik and held him close. Marik breathed deeply Ryou’s cologne and embraced the white-haired hikari. Marik’s fingers caressed Ryou’s back as he felt the hikari’s skin twitch under his touch.
“Are you finished wrapping the presents, Ry?”
“Malik and I are going to continue in the morning.”
Marik and Ryou turned their heads to see Rhett and Kai run into the room. Kai hugged Ryou and Marik.
“Goodnight, Nana! Goodnight, Papa Marik!”
Marik and Ryou kissed the boys. “Goodnight, you two.”
“Papa Marik, are you kissing Nana goodnight?”
Ryou chuckled. “Yes, Papa Marik is kissing me goodnight.”
Rhett kissed Marik and Ryou. “Night, Nanee and Papa Marik!”
“Goodnight, sweethearts,” Ryou said as he kissed his grandchildren.
Marik and Ryou watched the boys run from the room. “It’s hard to believe that we have them, Ry.”
“I know. In high school, I didn’t expect that I would marry Bakura, have kids, have grandkids...and eventually have another kid.”
“In Battle City, it was all about world domination...now it’s about diaper changes and playing with the children.”
Ryou chuckled. “Quite unexpected, I know, but I wouldn’t change anything, Marik. You, Malik, and Bakura make me happy. We’re a family.”
“In speaking of family, Yugi and Glenn will be coming tomorrow.”
Aria and Aten walked into the room. “Mom? We wanted to say goodnight.”
“Goodnight, dears,” Ryou said, standing up. Ryou hugged his children and kissed his daughter’s cheek. “I love you, Aria Kanika Itemri.” Ryou turned and hugged his son. “Goodnight, Aten Bakari Ishtar. Pleasant dreams, my angels.”
“Goodnight, Father Marik,” Aria said, hugging Marik.
“Goodnight, father,” Aten said as he hugged Marik.
Ryou smiled as the teenagers left the room. “Nineteen and eighteen years old and they still come to their mommy for a goodnight hug.”
“You’re a good mother, Ry,” Marik said, hugging Ryou from behind.
Ryou turned his head and kissed Marik on the lips. “You have always been a good father to both of them. Aria may not have been your daughter, but you did everything with her that Bakura did as her father.”
“I never did the tea party with the stuffed animals, though. I drew the line at playing with stuffed animals.”
“I know you will be a good father to this baby no matter if boy or girl.”
Marik hugged Ryou close to him and caressed Ryou’s stomach. “I will love him or her regardless.”
“Goodnight, sweetheart,” Ryou said, kissing Marik on the lips. “Pleasant dreams.”
“I love you, Ryou. Sleep well, angel." Marik watched Ryou leave and sigh. The yami turned and sat on the chair beside the fire. I’m happy for Ryou and Bakura.  If Bakura is right about the new baby, he will be beyond thrilled.  Marik looked into the fire and felt a breeze brush across his back. He turned his head and saw no one else in the room.  
“Marik, are you alright?” Malik asked as he walked into the room.
Marik turned to his husband. “I’m alright. Ryou was just here. He and I had a nice talk and I had the chance to give him a little petting.”
Malik smiled as he sat before the fire and leaned between Marik’s legs. “I just kissed Kailani and Heaven goodnight and wanted to find you.”
Marik reached down and began to massage his lover’s shoulders. “Ryou and you are going to wrap more presents tomorrow?”
Malik nodded. “Yup,” Malik said, tipping his head back.
“I have your birthday present ready,” Marik said with a grin and leaned over to look down at his husband. “Perhaps I should give you a preview.”
Marik leaned down and kissed Malik on the lips gently. Marik’s hand reached down and caressed Malik’s chest.  The hikari moaned into the kiss as he reached up to bury his fingers in his lover’s spiky, blond hair.  Marik’s hand slipped under Malik’s shirt. The yami’s fingers brushed over Malik’s left nipple, making his husband squirm.  
We have found our master.
Marik broke his kiss with Malik and raised his head  quickly. He looked around the room. “Did you hear that, tenshi?”
We have found our lord and master.
Malik’s eyes widened as he looked around the room. Malik rose to his feet with his yami.
“Marik, what’s going on?”
Marik stood close to Malik and took his head. “I don’t know, my husband.”
All hail our lord and master, who has lead our people to greatness.
Marik winced and held his head with his free hand. “What is happening to me?”
Malik turned and saw the yami’s forehead contort in pain. “Marik, sit down before you fall down.”
Marik sat in the chair as his hands gripped his blond hair. “Malik...get help.”
Malik gasped as he felt his skin burn on his back. He fell to his knees before his yami and gripped onto Marik’s arms.  “Marik, what is going on?”
Marik raised his head and pulled Malik towards him. Marik felt Malik trembling against him.
Hail, our Master Malik Rameses Ishtar, who shall lead us into battle against the pharaoh.
Marik and Malik’s eyes widened as their eyes surveyed the room dimly lit by the roaring fire. Marik saw Malik throw his head back and scream in pain as he reached for his carved back. “Malik, hold on! ITEMRI! BAKURA!” Marik screamed loudly in alarm.
Malik’s arms fell at his side and closed his eyes.  Marik gently placed his unconscious husband on the ground. The yami kneeled beside Malik and winced at the pain in his head. May the gods of Egypt infuse their spirit into my son with the blade of this knife. Malik gasped as the voice of his father during his Initiation Ceremony into the Tombkeeper’s Clan echoed through his ears.
Marik took a sharp, painful breath and fell over onto the carpet beside his husband, his eyes frozen open.