Title: A Father’s Love
Author: Angelee
Fandom: The Sentinel
Pairings: Jim/Blair, Steven/Michael, Rafe/Lee, (preslash) William/Daniel (slash)
Rating: Adult
Summary: How strong can a father’s love be?
Beta: By my sister Anna. All remaining errors are mine-with apologies.
A Father’s Love
“How long has he been in here?” Daniel asked, softly, coming up to William sitting in a chair in their new living room, crumpled newspaper forgotten, on the floor. Steven sound asleep in his lap, head buried against his father’s neck.
William looked up. “About half an hour.”
Daniel knelt by father and son. “He sure looks comfortable.”
“Yes,” William sighed, heavily. “I just wish he wasn’t in pain.”
“Isn’t Blair taking care of that?”
“Yes, but I can still feel the echoes of it.”
Daniel reached out and gently caressed Steven’s pale forehead. “You can feel it?”
“Yes.” William’s eyes filled with tears. “I wish I could take his pain so he’d never have to feel it.”
“You can’t.”
“I know. I just wished I could.”
“Can I ask you a question, Will?”
William looked at Daniel curiously. “Of course.”
“Would you die for your sons?”
“You already know the answer to that.”
“I do, but I need for you to voice it.”
“Why?”
Daniel looked out into the living room, not really seeing its. “It’s a question we’ve never really discussed.”
“Are you unsure about your place in my life, Daniel?”
“Some.”
“I love you.”
“I know you do. It’s just not as much as you love your sons.”
William reached out, cupping the side of Daniel’s face. “Is it enough to keep you here?”
Daniel moved into the gentle touch. “Oh, yes. Your love is worth twenty of anyone else’s.”
William chuckled softly. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”
“I do and trust me, it is.”
“I would miss you very much if you left.”
Daniel smiled at him, hazel eyes twinkling merrily. “Oh?”
“Yes. You give the best massages in the world.”
“Is that why you love me? For my massages?”
William ran his forefinger over Daniel’s sensual lower lip. “Among other things.”
Daniel bit the finger gently. “Hmm.”
William’s eyes became serious. “Do you want a commitment from me?”
Daniel held up his left hand, the light catching the ring. “I have your commitment. I wear it proudly every day.”
“A deeper commitment? Stronger?”
Daniel sighed softly. “I don’t think there is such a thing. Your body next to mine late at night. Your warm and passionate kisses. You understanding and consideration is commitment enough.”
“Yet you still doubt my love for you?”
Daniel gently stroked the soft hair of William’s son. “Not really.”
“What is it then?”
“Would you die for your sons, Will?”
William frowned. “I would die for you?”
“That’s not what I’m asking. Would you die for your sons?”
“Yes,” William answered with no hesitation whatsoever.
Daniel closed his eyes, fighting back tears. “That’s what I thought.”
“What is this about?”
Daniel reached out and placed his hand against William’s face. “There may come a time when you may have to give your life for your sons.”
“I know that,” William whispered softly. “I am more than willing.”
“Does it bother you even a little bit that you would be leaving me behind?”
“More than a little bit, Daniel.”
Daniel looked at the youngster sleeping peacefully in father’s arms. “Then there’s only one thing to do. Something I have wanted for a long time.”
“What?”
“If that time ever comes we will do it together.”
William frowned. “What are you saying?”
“If the time ever comes. We will both die protecting your sons.”
William felt a shock course through him. “No. No,” he whispered hoarse. “No.”
Daniel nodded. “Yes, William. That is the way it will be. The way I want it.”
William shook his head. “No, Daniel.”
“Yes, Will. You can’t stop me.”
“I can try.”
“If you do that it might cost you’re sons their lives. Besides…”
“What?”
“They may not be of my blood, but they’re as much my sons as they are yours.”
William looked at him incredulously. “Daniel…”
“I love them, too.”
“I know, but…”
“There is a ceremony that will make them as much mine as they are yours…”
William’s eyes held shock. “Oh, God, Daniel.”
“My sons, William. My sons. I want this. I. Want. This. I want them.”
“Do you know what you’re saying?”
“Yes. I want them to be my sons in every way possible. I love them, too. With all my heart and soul and I will protect them to the death. They mean that much and more to me.”
William bit back a sob. “Oh, Daniel…”
“I want them, William.”
William blinked back tears. “Alright. Alright.”
“My sons?”
“Yes, Daniel.”
“Tomorrow?”
William nodded. “Tomorrow, we will perform your ceremony.”
“Will?” Daniel laid a gentle hand on the top of Steven’s head.
“Yes?”
“To the death?”
William laid his hand over Daniel’s. “To the death.”