"All yours, Peter." He'd meant the words to be light and loving, but somewhere inside, some part of him demanded that he make certain the Yank knew that he understood exactly who he belonged to. Maybe it was to balance out that small, completely twisted part of him that had been somehow glad to know Colm still wanted him.

It wasn't anything he'd ever admit, not even to Peter, but the part of himself he hadn't really trusted to be around Colm again was still there. Some sick, masochistic part of him that wanted much more than just a bit of pain. It wanted to push every limit, even the boundary between life and death. Perhaps that part was there because of Colm, perhaps all the years had left him permanently broken in some secret corner of his soul. If so, it was a part he would never allow to see the light of day.