Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

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Patrick sat in bed reading his new book. An action/adventure with a love story between a secret service agent and the President of the United States. He loved the suspense of it all and was excited that it was one of several books in the series.

The slow burn was killing him and he was excited for what would soon unfold.

David lay beside him alternating between scrolling through social media and playing a game on his phone.

“Huh.” David said.

Patrick turned the page in his book and continued to read, ignoring David. He sometimes made those sounds when scrolling through social media. He waited for Patrick to ask him what he was reading and then he would impart some little piece of trivia.

But Patrick wasn’t feeling it. Not really. He was engrossed in his book. He was nearing the good part. He didn’t want the distraction of whatever David had to share.

So, he just kept reading when David made another sound, “Hmmm.”

Patrick turned the page.  

“Hey,” David said.

Patrick continued reading.

David poked Patrick’s thigh and said, “Hey,” more persistently.

“Hm?” Patrick stopped reading and looked down at David.

“Just got a text that you might find interesting,” David turned his phone to Patrick who leaned over to read it.

Jake (10:11 pm):

Realized the other night you might have thought it would be just the three of us. If that would be more appealing to you both, I’m down for that.

Patrick looked at the text. Read it again. Locked eyes with David.

And his belly did a flip-flop.

Just then another text came through.

Jake (10:12 pm):

‘Let me know.’ *Winking face emoji*

++++++

“Where’s your little shirt?” David teased him as they got out of Patrick’s car.

“I don’t know what you mean.” Patrick said. He busied himself tucking the car keys into his pocket.

“M’Kay,” David rolled his eyes.

He’d anticipated Patrick wearing the tight little number he wore the night when they visited Jake’s place and found far too many people were there.

But Patrick wasn’t wearing that shirt. Instead, he was wearing a sweater.

“Is that the sweater he said compliments your lips?” David asked.

“Is that leather-scented lotion that you’ve rubbed all over your body, again?” Patrick shot back at him.

“Touché,” David responded.

Patrick opened the trunk of the car and pulled out a brown paper bag.

“What’s that?” David asked.

Patrick took a bottle of whiskey out of the bag and tossed the empty bag back into the trunk. “Brought some whiskey. We’re here for whiskey or… whatever. Right?” Patrick shrugged. Casually.

“We’re bringing the whatever. The least he can do is supply the whiskey,” David told him.

“But if he doesn’t have any, I don’t want to have to drink wine,” Patrick told him.

“Mmmhmm,” David drew out the sound and looked Patrick over. Snug jeans. Sweater that… really brought out his lips. Doing everything in his power to look like he wasn’t nervous.

David dug into his pants pocket and pulled out his wallet. Tossed it into the trunk.

“What are you doing?” Patrick asked.

“Put your wallet in the trunk,” David told him.

Patrick did as he was told. Looked at David with furrowed brows.

“What else do you have in your pockets?” David asked him.

Patrick shook his head. “Nothing,” he said.

“Really? You always have….”

“Breath mints,” Patrick admitted.

“And?” David asked.

“My keys,” he challenged David.

“And?”

“David…” Patrick didn’t want to answer him further.

“Patrick,” David raised an eyebrow.

“A few condoms. OK?” Patrick shrugged and looked to the side; refusing eye contact with him.

“A few?” David asked with a bit of teasing in his voice.

“You always say don’t go unprepared….”

David rolled his eyes and admitted, “I brought a few, too. And some lube.”

“Why are we putting our wallets in the car?” Patrick asked.

“Reduce the likelihood of us leaving something behind that we have to come back for,” David told him.

“What about our phones?” Patrick asked.

“Leave yours in the car. I’ll bring mine in.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want you to accidentally leave your phone if you get… panicky,” David told him, honestly.

“I’m not going to get panicky,” Patrick mumbled as he set his phone in the trunk of the car – knowing that David probably knew best in a situation such as this.

David rubbed his hand over Patrick’s upper back, “I just mean if we need to leave in a hurry.”

Trunk shut and locked, they walked toward Jake’s apartment building.

David stopped them at the front of the building. Put his hand on Patrick’s chest. Voice soft, breathy, higher in pitch. “Are you sure about this?”

Patrick shifted from his left to his right foot. His heartbeat had quickened and breathing was a little difficult. His dick twitched with excitement. His belly did another flip-flop. “Yeah. Why do you ask?"

“Because… this could happen tonight. For real,” David told him. After trying, in vain to get Patrick to meet his gaze, he added, “You know all you have to do is say the word and we stop. Right?"

That got Patrick’s attention. His eyes met David’s and he asked, “We’re using the safe word?”

“I mean… if you’re comfortable telling him No, then tell him No. But if you’re uncomfortable and you need me to stop it, just … say our word. Then, I’ll tell him to stop,” David told him.

“David…”

David cupped Patrick’s cheek in the palm of his hand. His thumb brushed over the stubble on Patrick’s chin. “Hmm?”

“What if he only wants to touch you. Am I just supposed to watch? Or…do I… do I go? Like,… wait in the car or something?” Patrick had expressed the worry that had rolled around in his brain since they went to Jake’s place a couple of weeks prior. Knowing that David and Jake had a history…

“Oh, my sweet, precious fiancé. I am not the person he wants to be with tonight,” David said before he pulled open the door to the building.

“What?” Patrick stepped into the building behind David.

David turned to him. Wrapped his arms around Patrick’s shoulders. Kissed him. Then spoke very quietly in his ear. Quiet so that nobody else would hear, if anyone else was in the vicinity.

“He wants you, Patrick. You do anything you want to with him. I’ll be there with you. You’ll be safe. If you want to stop, you tell him… or tell me. Let him touch you if you want it. Let him fuck you if you want it. Fuck him if you want it. I’ll be fine with whatever you do. Don’t worry about me.” David pulled back slightly so he could look at Patrick. “I only have the one rule…”

“Condom,” Patrick said quietly. His stomach did another flip-flop as he thought about what they’d be doing if he used a condom.

“Condom,” David confirmed. “And get a new condom if you move from him to me, or me to him. Or, just… always get a new condom.”

“OK,” Patrick nodded. Looked up the stairs. He was somewhat frozen in place. He hadn’t, prior to that moment, thought about moving from one to the other. He took a shaky breath.

“You sure?” David asked. “We can go back to the car.”

Patrick kissed him and whispered, “Let’s go upstairs.”

They walked quietly up the stairs. Patrick led the way. One hand behind himself. David holding on to his hand.

They stood at the door outside Jake’s apartment.

Patrick took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

“You sure?” David asked him for what was probably the 10^th time that evening.

“No,” Patrick said quietly.

Without hesitating, David said, “Then, let’s leave.”

“No,” Patrick said.

Then… as his belly flip-flopped… Patrick knocked on the door.

“Hi, Boys,” Jake’s tone was, as always, low and smooth. “So glad you could make it. Come on in.”

++++++

They stood in Jake’s kitchen and talked. Each of them leaning against a different cabinet or appliance. David sipped on a glass of wine while Patrick and Jake drank the whiskey Patrick brought.

Jake talked about his shop. The set of chairs he’d just finished. A big project he and Jamie were working on.

David talked about the store, the community nights they hosted. Their success with online orders. An upcoming open mic night.

Patrick didn’t speak at all; and he barely heard what either of them said.

All Patrick heard was his own heartbeat in his ears.

His mind was both full and empty at the same time. There was no way he could form words, let alone express them coherently.

Patrick mostly stared at the floor and drank his whiskey.

And blushed.

++++++

Patrick polished off his third whiskey neat in the half hour that they had been there. He set his glass down on the counter.

“Restroom?” he asked Jake; looking at him in the eyes for the first time that night.

It was the first word Patrick had spoken since arriving, other than his awkward greeting of “Hey, … Man,” when Jake kissed his cheek. A move that made his heart stop and his breath catch in his throat when he felt Jake’s body close to his.

“Right over there,” Jake said in that slow, easy, velvety smooth voice of his. He lifted his hand that was holding the glass of whiskey and pointed with one finger to the door in the corner of the room.

Patrick pressed his lips together and nodded.

As he walked by David, he slowed. Trailed his hand along David’s abdomen. Glanced into David’s eyes.

David’s hand wrapped around Patrick’s wrist and stopped him from moving away. David locked eyes with him; raised one eyebrow.

Patrick nodded and kissed David, briefly, before walking across the room and closing the bathroom door behind himself.

David turned to watch him go. A smile on his face. “I’ll be right here,” David told him as he walked away.

As soon as the bathroom door closed, David spun around quickly. He held up a finger to Jake. His voice stern. “Now, you listen to me.”

Jake’s head pulled back. A bit startled at the intensity he saw in David’s face. Heard in David’s voice.

David continued, “This is a one-time thing. One time. No calling us back here after tonight.”

“What if it’s really good. I think it’s going to be a fun night, David,” Jake said.

“The only one who gets to initiate another night is that man in there,” David pointed behind himself toward the bathroom. Then he reiterated, “No texts from you after tonight.”

“Understood,” Jake said slowly. Nodded his head. He took a sip of his drink.

David continued, “Tonight? He calls all the shots. You don’t make any move without his agreement.”

“All right,” Jake agreed.

“If he says stop… at any time… we stop,” David’s finger continued to wag.

“Of course,” Jake shrugged. “I’m not an animal.”

“Even if it feels like it’s too late. If he says stop, you stop. I mean it, Jake. At any time.”

“David. Jesus. That’s a given,” Jake told him, wondering how long the list of rules was going to be.

“And if he’s not crystal clear? If you don’t know for sure? You look at me. I’ll tell you what he means,” David continued to shake his finger at Jake.

Jake nodded, “You know him best.”

“I do,” David said. “I do know him best.”

“OK,” Jake said.

“I will always be the one who knows him best,” David added for good measure.

And then he took a step toward Jake and added, “And be gentle. No rough stuff. He needs… he likes… gentle. Don’t scare him.”

“Got it, Pappa Bear,” Jake reached out for David. He liked this assertive side of David. He wasn’t that assertive when they were together. Jake reached a hand to David’s waist, to pull him closer.

David took a step back, “We’re here for him. Not… not you and me…” His voice softened and he added with a slight grin, “Unless he says so.”

“We were good together, David,” Jake’s eyes moved lazily down David’s body.

David smiled briefly. His eyes drifted down Jakes magnificent body; David felt a tingle run down his spine, “Yes... we were.”

Jake cleared his throat and said, “But this is about him.”

“He’s only kissed two men. I’m the only one he’s been with,” David clarified. “Don’t fuck this up, Jake.”

“We don’t have to do this, you know,” Jake said.

David looked over his shoulder at the bathroom door and then back at Jake, “He wants to. He’s…he’s just nervous.”

“We’ll make it a good one,” Jake took a step back as he heard the bathroom door open. Sipped on his whiskey. Enjoyed watching Patrick walk toward him. Such a serious looking man. Jake liked the way Patrick seemed to be constantly thinking… and blushing.

“Hi,” David smiled at him.

Held out a hand and Patrick grabbed it as he walked by. He paused to kiss David’s cheek.

“Hi,” Patrick said quietly. He walked past David to his glass.

With Patrick’s back to David, David looked at Jake.

David held up two fingers. Pointed those two fingers at his own eyes and then pointed those two fingers at Jake. As if to say, I’m watching you.

Jake grinned and then took a sip of his drink.

Patrick refilled his glass. His fourth. Poured more into it than he probably should.

David eyed it. Was that a triple?

Overall, Patrick could hold his whiskey, but David didn’t want him to drink any more than that. He didn’t want him so pliable that he couldn’t consent to what they would… or would not… be doing that night.

David looked at Jake. Tilted his head toward the other side of the room.

Jake eyed the way the whiskey sloshed over onto the counter as Patrick poured, “You guys… want to go sit where it’s more comfortable?”

“Yeah. I…” Patrick’s eyes dragged down the length of Jake’s body. Paused as he eyed Jake’s crotch. “I… uh… yeah… I think so.”

Jake looked at David. Figured David would be the one to give the final cue on that one.

David nodded.

“This way, Boys,” Jake led the way. The loft apartment was softly lit with one lamp at the far end of the room. A few non-scented candles placed here and there.

Jake moved to the speaker. He’d had music playing… a soft jazz-sort-of-mix… before they even arrived. Jake turned the volume down slightly.

Patrick sat on the couch, toward the middle of it; assuming David would sit beside him.

David, wanting to give Patrick and Jake a moment, busied himself looking at the tapestry that hung on the wall above a piece of furniture. Commented on it. “This is… nice.” 

“Yeah. Picked that up at the flea market over in Elmdale last winter.” Jake took a sip of his whiskey and settled down, casually, beside Patrick on the couch. Draped his arm across the back of the couch. Sat on his left leg. One of his fingers on his left hand trailed along Patrick’s shoulder.

Patrick’s body jerked in reaction to being touched. But then he settled. He liked the feeling of Jake’s finger touching his shoulder. His snug pants were even tighter because he was sitting. He liked the feeling of his dick pulsing in his tight pants.

David watched Jake close in on Patrick. Noticed that Patrick was suddenly very interested in the drink he held tightly in his hand. David noticed the vein in Patrick’s neck throbbing. Noticed the deep blush on his skin.

“Patrick, did you see this tapestry?” David asked him, getting his attention. Pulling him out of his head space. Knowing full well that none of them gave one flying fuck about the goddamned tapestry.

Patrick looked up at him. His face flushed. His breathing shallow, “Yeah. Yeah, it’s nice.” He swallowed down the last of his drink.

“Want another?” Jake asked.

“Sure,” Patrick said.

“No,” David said. He shook his head.

Patrick looked up at him.

David told him, “That was four…”

“OK. No, thanks Jake. I’m good,” Patrick said. David was right. He was feeling the effects of drinking the previous three glasses, all doubles or larger, of the stiff drink.

“Let me take that for you,” Jake said. His voice as smoky and smooth as the whiskey Patrick had just swallowed.

Patrick turned to him. “OK,” he said slowly. Quietly. He realized his hand shook as he passed off the glass.

He was very aware that he wanted Jake to do things for him.

To him.

Put Patrick? Just like always, he just didn’t know where to start.

How to start.

Jake’s fingers brushed against Patrick’s as he took the glass from him.

Patrick’s breath caught in his throat. The throbbing in his dick intensified.

Jake turned to set the glass behind himself on the small table at the end of the couch.

“I like this sweater,” Jake’s hand flattened against Patrick’s chest. “You wore it the other day. When I was at your place.”

“Yeah,” Patrick said as he looked into Jake’s eyes. He suddenly felt awkward for wearing the sweater, and not wearing something else.

Jake pressed his hand firmly against Patrick’s chest. His hand worked its way up to Patrick’s left shoulder. He squeezed Patrick there.

His touch was different than David’s. David’s was usually soft, circular, soothing. Jake’s was firm. Not really rough, but… purposeful. No beating around the bush about what he wanted. He was sending clear messages.

Patrick’s eyes fluttered shut. The flush on his cheeks grew redder.

David watched Patrick for any sign that he wanted to leave. And then he saw Patrick move. Watched him slowly lift his left hand and rest it on Jake’s hand as it squeezed him again. Watched as Patrick opened his eyes and look up at David.

David raised an eyebrow. “It’s OK,” David said so quietly that he basically mouthed the words.

Patrick shut his eyes as Jake leaned in and nuzzled Patrick’s neck. Kissed him lightly along that vein that David liked to kiss.

Patrick tilted his head to give Jake more room. He exhaled quietly. His hand moved, then, to the back of Jake’s neck. Silently asking him to continue.

This felt different. When David did that, the stubble along his upper lip and chin scraped Patrick along the neck. Patrick always liked the feel of that. David’s stubble.

Jake had more of a beard; not exactly stubble. It seemed soft. The hair that brushed along Patrick’s neck seemed softer than David’s.

Not better. Not worse.

Just… different.

And, he liked it.

Patrick felt his dick fill with each pulse of his heartbeat. He felt the throbbing and the ache of being trapped in jeans too tight for a dick that was growing harder by the second.

Patrick pulled back. Looked Jake in the eyes.

Jake’s eyes seemed grey…ish.

Patrick’s eyes dropped to Jake’s lips. They weren’t full and curvy like David’s. David’s always looked like they were ready to smirk or kiss at any given moment.

Jake’s lips were thin, masculine. Patrick wondered what they’d feel like on his own. He wondered what they’d taste like. Whether Jake would use his tongue forcefully or gently.

His eyes moved back up to Jake’s grey eyes.

Jake’s thumb drew across Patrick’s chin. “What do you say, Patrick?” He asked him. His voice smooth and confident.

Patrick’s eyes shifted over Jake’s shoulder. Locked on David. His brows furrowed. His eyes asking David. What do I do, David?

David shook his head slightly, his voice soft. “Whatever you want, Patrick.”

Patrick scooted closer to Jake. He held out a hand to David and then patted the cushion on the other side of himself – his left side. Asking David to join them.

First, he tilted his wineglass, drinking down the last of it. Then, David set his wineglass on the shelf nearest him. He moved to sit beside Patrick.

He sat on his right leg. Rested his right elbow on the back of the couch. Turned toward Patrick. His own back to the arm at the end of the couch.

Patrick backed into David’s semi-embrace. David was the big spoon.

Patrick’s left hand reached sort of behind himself; rested on David’s thigh as he was turned to face Jake. While his left hand gripped David’s thigh, his right hand reached over to Jake. Reached to Jake’s chest. Pressed against the cotton plaid shirt he wore.

His soulful brown eyes looked up into Jake’s. Patrick’s tongue darted out and he licked his own his bottom lip.

He swallowed.

Jake looked over Patrick’s shoulder at David. Behind Patrick, David quickly tilted his head forward. Gave Jake the silent go-ahead.

Jake rested right hand on Patrick’s thigh. The other on his shoulder. He leaned in to kiss him.

Just before his lips touched Patrick’s, Patrick pulled his head back. Just slightly. Less than a half inch. But he backed up nonetheless.

Jake pulled back. Waited.

The three men were silent.

The music that played softly, the only sound in the room.

Patrick turned to David. Their eyes locked.

“Whatever you want,” David told him again on a whisper. “I’m fine with whatever you want, Patrick.”

Patrick reached for David. Pulled him close.

Kissed him. Kissed him in front of Jake in a way that they’d never kissed in front of anyone. Kissed him as though they were alone.

Tongue delving deep into David’s mouth. His hand pressing firmly to the back of David’s head. Holding him close. He took David. Owned him. Asked him, nonverbally to do the same.

Patrick’s mouth opened for David – and David, one hand behind Patrick’s head, pulled him close. His tongue reminding Patrick that he belonged to David.

Always.

Forever.

As quickly as the kiss had started, it ended. Patrick pulled back.

His lips wet from their kiss.

He turned to Jake. Looked up at him and boldly moved.

Patrick initiated the kiss. With his left hand still on David’s thigh, his right hand behind Jake’s head. He pulled him close.

First their lips just pressed together. Jake knowing to take it slow with the tender situation. With or without David’s warnings, he hadn’t done all he had in life to rush a timid man into a new situation.

Patrick felt him. Jake’s beard against his face. Felt the heat of his body just inches away.

Then, while they were still kissing, Patrick felt his hand move. The hand that had been resting on David’s leg. Felt David kiss the palm of his hand. Felt David move his hand to Jake’s face, knowing Patrick would want to feel him there.

With his left hand, Patrick palmed Jake’s beard. His fingers moved over it. Lightly scratched him.

Oh god. His beard felt... Just how Patrick had imagined it would feel. Soft.

Patrick tilted his head back. Opened his mouth a little wider and Jake knew that he was being invited to deepen the kiss. Sitting on his leg, he was sitting higher than Patrick. He lowered himself and pressed Patrick back. Partially against the couch, but also back into David’s embrace.

David’s hand slid around Patrick’s waist and his hand pressed solidly against Patrick’s chest.

Patrick’s hand dropped down Jake. Down Jake’s neck to his shoulders. Then to his chest. Patrick wanted to feel it. Find the hair he knew was there.

God, he wanted to feel his chest hair.

As they kissed, his nervous fingers fumbled. Seldom having the opportunity to unbutton another man’s shirt; David rarely wearing button-downs.

As he unbuttoned first one, then another of the buttons on Jake’s shirt, Patrick felt David’s hand slide under his sweater. Felt the familiar touch of David’s fingers sliding over and around one of Patrick’s nipples.

Three buttons. Four buttons. Patrick continued unbuttoning Jake’s untucked shirt while Jake’s tongue lapped into his mouth. Then he sucked on Patrick’s bottom lip.

Jake pulled away and moved to nuzzle Patrick’s neck. His right side. He exhaled near Patrick’s ear. A chill ran down Patrick’s side. Then he felt Jake’s beard brush against his neck. His tongue and lips trailed down Patrick’s neck.

God. He was gentle. So very gentle.

It surprised Patrick at how gentle Jake was. He moved slowly and purposefully. And gently.

Then Patrick felt David, who was still behind him. He felt David’s mouth on the left side of his neck. David was kissing him. Nuzzling his neck. David whispered into his ear. “I’m here, Baby. You’re safe. Do what you want. It’s OK.”

David seldom used the term of endearment with him. He certainly never used any such term in front of another person. Patrick wondered if he called him ‘Baby’ in front of Jake to show Jake that they belonged to each other. To mark his territory, so to speak.

For whatever reason he used it, Patrick liked it.

Patrick’s hand reached up to David’s head. Held David to him. Pushed gently on Jake’s shoulder. Nudged him. Jake pulled away from him. His sleepy eyes looked into Patrick’s. Saw Patrick’s gaze drop to Jake’s lips. Back to his eyes. Patrick asking, without words, for more kissing.

“Sure Patrick,” Jake said quietly.

Jake’s lips met Patrick’s again. His tongue taking command of Patrick’s mouth. Patrick melted into it. Jake tasted of whiskey and… mint. Maybe tobacco. He wasn’t quite sure.   

Patrick’s hand slipped into the opening of Jake’s shirt to find a chest full of hair. Not more hair than David had. But different. It was brown and not black. Curlier. Denser.

He felt David’s tongue on his neck. David’s fingers on his chest. As his own tongue was in Jake’s mouth and his hand on Jake’s shoulder.

Patrick wanted something else. He wanted… no… he needed to see it.

Patrick sat up.

David, ever aware of Patrick’s movements, stopped kissing his neck. Gave him room to move.

David’s hands moved to Patrick’s side. Resting on his hips. Touching him, grounding him; so he’d know David was there, but not intruding on his moment. Not impeding his movement. Giving him freedom to move.

One of Jake’s hands rested on Patrick’s shoulder. The other his thigh. Jake sat still and watched Patrick. Let him do what he wanted.

The music soft in the background.

Patrick finished unbuttoning Jake’s shirt. He sat still. His eyes raking over Jake’s muscular chest. The thick hair across it. His eyes followed the trail down Jake’s abdomen to where it disappeared into his jeans.

His heartrate increased, again. He heard his own heartbeat in his ears. He wanted to touch Jake’s chest. Run his fingers through his chest hair. Wanted to follow where it went. But he didn’t… he didn’t want David to…

Patrick abruptly turned to look at David. His eyes locked, again, on David’s.

“It’s OK,” David whispered, again. Same calm voice. Same steady gaze.

Of course, David knew before they even walked into Jake’s place. He knew Jake’s body well and he knew what Patrick liked. Knew that Patrick would be drawn to the hair on Jake’s face. On his chest. On his… body.

“It’s OK,” David said again.

“Promise?” Patrick asked him.

“Promise,” David said without hesitation.

Jake stood. Held a hand out to Patrick. Patrick stood in front of him. Jake was taller than David, so Patrick was much shorter than he.

Patrick liked it. He liked being shorter.

He turned. Looked at David, again. David sat on the couch. Elbow still resting on the back cushion. A lazy smile on his face. David reached down and rubbed his crotch; his erection taunting him. He was, as he expected, remarkably turned on by watching Patrick explore the situation. Explore Jake.

Looking back at Jake, Patrick tentatively raised a shaky hand. His fingers brushed against Jake’s chest. Trailed down his tanned, muscled, fit abdomen.

Jake’s loose jeans rode low. Patrick’s fingers traced the edge of one side of the V that formed in his muscles there.

Jake’s hand brushed up the sweater that covered Patrick’s arm, up his shoulder, settled at the nape of Patrick’s neck and he stepped forward. Closer.

Tilting his head back, Patrick was ready to accept Jake’s kiss. Jake lowered his lips onto Patrick’s opened mouth. Welcoming Jake. Asking Jake to inhabit him. Control him.

As Jake’s tongue slid into his mouth, both of Patrick’s hands settled on Jake’s pecs. Hands splayed; his fingers began to massage Jake. Feel the muscles under them. Feel the hair. One finger slid over a nipple. Moved back and teased him. Circled. Pinched. The pad of his thumb rubbing over it.

Jake made a soft, low sound of pleasure.

Though Patrick didn’t see, or know, Jake’s other hand reached beyond Patrick. Reached out to David. His forefinger crooked back and forth. Inviting David into their embrace.

David stood. Stepped forward. Stood directly behind Patrick. Hands on Patrick’s waist. When Patrick felt him, he leaned back a fraction of an inch. He felt stronger with David at his back. Felt turned on by feeling David’s erection pressed against his ass cheek.

Jake’s hand moved to David’s head as David lowered his lips to Patrick’s neck. Kissing him the way he knew Patrick liked along that vein. David heard a soft, muffled sound as Patrick moaned into Jake’s mouth.

Patrick’s hands moved up Jake’s chest to his shoulders. Slid his hands further, under his shirt, pushing Jake’s shirt back and off his shoulders.

In order for his shirt to drop to the floor, Jake needed to release both men. He did.

Patrick was suddenly sorry for the move, because the kiss stopped. The warmth of his hand on the back of Patrick’s head ended. The kissing David was doing on his neck stopped.

But Patrick watched him. Breathless. As Jake let his shirt fall to the floor.

My god he’s beautiful. Patrick thought. He struggled to inhale.

David’s voice was quiet and breathy as he whispered in Patrick’s ear, “He really is stunning. Do you want to touch him? Taste him?”

Patrick’s eyes never left Jake’s chest. They roamed from collarbone to nipples. To six pack to bellybutton. To the V that he could only partially see before it hid, seductively, in the jeans that set low on Jake’s hips.  

Patrick nodded wordlessly.

“Do you want to feel him against your chest?” David asked him, still whispering.

Patrick turned suddenly. His hands hooked at the hem of David’s sweater and swiftly pulled it up and over David’s head. He turned it right side out. He folded it. He tossed it onto the armchair near the couch.

Patrick’s hands moved over the familiar hair covered chest. He kissed David. Whispered to him, “I love your chest, David.”

“I know you do, Patrick. This isn’t about me. He has a great chest. If you want to enjoy it, enjoy it.” David slid his hands under Patrick’s sweater and the t-shirt he wore under it. Pulled them both up and over Patrick’s head. Tossed them onto the chair alongside his sweater.

All three men, now shirtless.

David smoothed his palms over Patrick’s chest. Pressed his forehead to Patrick’s. “It’s mine. I know that. We’re just visiting here.”

Patrick’s soulful brown eyes met David’s.

The, “Thank you,” he whispered was nearly inaudible. His eyes locked with David’s for a moment before he turned back around. Suddenly quite embarrassed, as he was shirtless in the presence of … well… Jake.

Jake’s mouth moved to a slight grin as he shook his head. “You’re fucking adorable. Come here.”

Jake’s hand on Patrick’s shoulder pulled him nearer. Their chests pressed together for a brief moment before he lowered his mouth over Patrick’s again.

Patrick’s hands wrapped up and around Jake’s neck. He stood up on his toes to press into Jake’s kiss. Then he slid his tongue into Jake’s mouth. Tasted him. Explored him. Jake sucked on his tongue.

One of Patrick’s hands dropped to Jake’s chest. And then Patrick tore his lips away from Jake’s and began to kiss his way down. Across his jaw. Down Jake’s neck. Inhaling his scent. Wood and leather.

Jake was slightly bent down to give Patrick access. He tilted his head to the side to give Patrick more room.

When Jake opened his eyes and looked over Patrick’s shoulder, he locked eyes with David.

His arm rested on Patrick’s shoulder and his hand reached out for David who stepped closer to Patrick so that he’d be within reach. Jake’s hand first touched David’s shoulder and then smoothed up the side of his neck to the back of his head. His thumb and forefinger played with David’s ear for a moment before he moved his hand. His thumb brushing over David’s lower lip.

David’s lips parted. His tongue darted out, licking Jake’s thumb.

As Patrick’s lips moved down to Jake’s chest. As he nuzzled Jake’s pecs. As his fingers moved from feeling the hair on Jake’s chest and his tongue teasing Jake’s nipples, Jake’s thumb moved on David’s lip again. And David, while maintaining eye contact with Jake, moved his head slightly to pull Jake’s thumb into his mouth. Sucking him in.

Patrick glanced up at him. Saw that Jake was looking over Patrick’s shoulder. Knew his hand was likely on David. He realized Jake and David were interacting. Patrick didn’t care. He honestly didn’t care. He was enjoying the muscled, hairy, masculine body in front of him. All the while, enjoying David’s erection pressed against his ass.

As far as Patrick was concerned, David and Jake could do whatever they were doing so long as he could continue what he was doing.

He felt a hand smooth up over his own abdomen and chest. Assumed it was David. He felt David’s body press snugly against his back.

And while those two hands smoothed over Patrick’s chest, he felt it. Felt another hand… he assumed it was Jake’s, smooth down over the front of his jeans. Press against his crotch. Squeezing him. Feeling Patrick’s thick erection through his jeans.

At feeling Jake’s hand on him, Patrick figured it was a sign that he could do more.  Patrick’s hands moved lower; and then they circled around Jake’s waist. And then slid into the back of Jake’s loose-fitting jeans.

Oh, god.

He wasn’t wearing underwear. The thought of Jake with no underwear made Patrick’s breath catch in his throat.

Patrick grabbed one firm ass cheek in each of his hands and he began to squeeze and massage them. As he did so, he pulled them apart and squeezed them together. Then he pulled Jake closer, pushing Jake’s groin toward his own. Pressed himself against Jake.

Jake reached to unbutton his own jeans. Patrick felt his hands between them and quickly moved his hands to cover Jake’s, stopping him. He looked from Jake’s chest to his eyes.

Jake’s brow furrowed. His eyes scanned Patrick’s face. Patrick’s head moved. A small, subtle shaking of his head. No. Not yet.

Jake looked over Patrick’s shoulder for direction from David.

“Not yet,” David spoke quietly, giving the instruction to Jake. Then he kissed Patrick near his ear, “What do you want, Patrick?”

Patrick turned, then. His arms comfortably encircling David’s waist. His hands tucked into the back of David’s jeans. He kissed David. Familiarity. Comfort.

His hands moved to unfasten David’s jeans. His hands reached in to grip David’s cock. The cock that belonged to Patrick.

“Mine,” Patrick whispered, possessively to him.

“Always,” David spoke as quietly as Patrick did.

Then David realized Patrick was wanting the same.

David stepped slightly back. Less than a half step. He looked down as he cautiously began to unfasten Patrick’s belt. Uncharacteristically, David left it in its loops. There was no way David wanted that belt to leave the beltloops of Patrick’s jeans. No way he wanted it to accidentally get left behind. No way he wanted them to have to come back to get it.

He slowly unzipped Patrick’s jeans.

Patrick rolled his head back. Leaned back against the wall that Jake created behind him. Felt Jake’s hands cup his ass. Felt the sweet release of his cock being freed from the tightness of his jeans. Felt David’s warm hands encircle his thick erection.

Then Patrick heard the words he needed to hear.

“Mine,” David said much louder than any of them had spoken all evening.

Then Patrick opened his eyes. Saw that David was looking up and over Patrick’s shoulder. Clearly making eye contact with Jake.

David said again, confidently and possessively, “Mine.”

Patrick first felt, then saw, Jake’s arm reach over his shoulder. Jake’s hand caressed David’s cheek. His hand slid down David’s neck. Rested on his shoulder.

Patrick took a step. He stepped to his right. Moving partly out of the way. No longer a barrier. For the first time, not standing completely between them.

Jake and David locked eyes.

One corner of Jake’s mouth pulled back and up. That sly, sexy grin that David used to know all too well. The grin that caused the tug at the base of his abdomen. The grin that caused his cock to jerk.

Yes. Just like that.

David’s eyes darted quickly to Patrick. Checking on him. He saw Patrick lick his lips in anticipation. Felt Patrick’s hand on his lower back. Saw Patrick nod.

“Please, David. I want to see it,” Patrick said when his right hand rested on David’s back.

David raised an eyebrow as he looked at Jake. A slight tilt of his head. “Whatever he wants,” David said quietly.

Without hesitation, Jake put two hands on David. Just as he always had when he pulled him in for a kiss. One hand at the base of David’s back. Jake’s left hand was on David’s back, near where Patrick’s hand rested. Jake’s right hand moved quickly to the back of David’s head. Controlling, firm, strong. Rough. Powerful. The way Jake knew David liked it.

David’s head tilted back; his mouth slightly opened as he felt himself being pulled. Eyes closed; he felt the familiar feeling of Jake’s muscled body against himself. It was as delicious as he remembered. He tasted the familiar taste of Jake in his mouth. Felt the familiar shape and firmness of his tongue.

God he’s talented. David thought. So fucking good.

Patrick never leaving his mind, David reached out for him. Patrick’s hand clasped his.

While he watched the taller man pull his fiancé in, Patrick was surprised to find that he found it arousing. Arousing to see David in the arms of one of his former lovers. To see him the arms that Patrick had just stepped away from. To see David’s head slightly tilted up. See those curved lips open for Jake. See him tasting the tongue that Patrick had just tasted. To hear that muffled little sound David makes when he’s being properly kissed.

Patrick touched himself as he watched it. Gripped his erection. His thumb teasing the sensitive head of his cock.

When David reached for him, Patrick didn’t hesitate to join. His hand clasped David’s. Their fingers intertwined. He stepped closer to him. Began kissing David at his shoulder. While he did so, his hand gripped the base of David’s cock as it stood out, proudly, from David’s jeans.

As he moved nearer, Jake’s body shifted. Allowed space for Patrick to tuck in. Somewhat between them. Jake’s hand remained on the back of David’s head. Though, from time-to-time, it slid up through David’s thick mop of hair on the top of his head. Jake’s other hand ran seductively down Patrick’s smooth, muscled back.

With Patrick’s jeans now loosened, there was plenty of room for Jake to wedge his hand inside. His hand slid in and down over one of Patrick’s ass cheeks. Patrick’s back arched slightly, offering what he could… asking for what he wanted.

Patrick’s lips moved up the side of David’s neck as his hand continued to stroke David’s erection. He palmed him; palmed the head of his cock. Then his thumb began to tease him. Tease the beads of cum that were forming at the slit.

David’s body remaining still, he pulled his head back slightly. Jake read his cue. Also pulled back slightly. David turned his head and Patrick lifted his.

David’s lips were swollen and wet from Jake’s kiss. Patrick leaned into him and licked David’s bottom lip. Pulled it into his mouth and sucked on him. Roughly.

David’s lips were parted. Patrick could see that David was looking at Jake while Patrick was kissing him. Patrick used his tongue to lick along the opening of David’s mouth. His tongue just inside the ridge of David’s upper lip.

As he was licking and kissing David, he felt Jake’s finger.

Oh god, he felt it.

Jake’s long, thin finger slid down between the crack of Patrick’s ass. The tip of it teased Patrick’s hole. Pressed against it.

On an exhale near David’s mouth, Patrick moaned.

David smiled into their next kiss.

“Something feel good?” David asked him before reaching down. His fingers curved around Patrick’s cock.

“David,” Patrick breathed his name. “Oh god, David.”

David’s fingers danced over Patrick’s cock. Feather-like touches of his fingers over the velvety skin. Just like Patrick usually liked before they got down to business. The gentle tease before pumping him to climax.

Patrick wrapped both his arms around David and his tongue took control of their kiss. Commanding. In charge. He licked into David all while Jake kissed Patrick’s neck and teased his hole.

Suddenly, Patrick turned.

Turned between the two of them.

His arms snaked up Jake’s chest. One hand quickly to the back of Jake’s neck, pulled his head down so that Patrick didn’t have to stand on his toes. Patrick’s tongue moved boldly into Jake’s mouth. Jake was ready for him and opened to him willingly.

Patrick felt David behind him. David’s chest pressed against Patrick’s back. One of David’s hands sliding over Patrick’s chest the other to Patrick’s cock. Slow, lazy strokes of his shaft. Staying away from the head. Reaching deeper into his jeans to massage his balls.

Jake’s hands reached past Patrick. Brushed up and down David’s arms.

Jake’s smooth voice broke the silence. “What do you say, Boys. Want to move this over to the bed?”

Patrick, awash in lusty sleepiness, froze in place.

Jake’s words like a splash of cool water on his face. His hands stilled. Then he moved his hands. They rested, lightly on the sides of Jake’s waist. He leaned his forehead against Jake’s chest.

He inhaled, long and deep. Exhaled slowly.

I need to check with David. Patrick thought. He said nothing, but took another long and slow breath.

Jake looked to David.

“How about you give us a minute,” David, still standing behind Patrick, suggested. His voice quiet as his hands smoothed down Patrick’s arms and grasped each of Patrick’s hands. The fingers on both of Patrick’s hands curled around David’s.

Jake trailed a finger from Patrick’s ear to his chin. “Whatever you want. I’ll just be over there.”

Jake moved slowly, comfortable in his own skin. Went into the kitchen and poured himself a shot and downed it. Then he walked over to the bathroom, stepped inside, and closed the door; allowing David and Patrick some much-needed privacy.

David knew that Jake understood what they needed; and he was thankful that if they were going to do this that they were with someone like Jake. Someone who knew how to handle the situation with respect.  

Patrick leaned back against David. David wrapped his arms around his boyfriend. Leaned forward so his cheek could rest against Patrick’s. His hands splayed and pressed against Patrick’s chest; holding him tightly to him. Both of them facing the same direction.

“You OK?” David asked. Gently. Calmly. Supportively.

Patrick nodded. Eyes closed. Drawing strength from David.

“Do you want to leave?” David asked. “Because it’s fine if…”

“No,” Patrick cut him off. “God, no, David. I don’t want to leave. I want…” Patrick stopped talking.

“Tell me,” David’s words were quiet. Meant only for Patrick. Murmured into his ear.

“I thought… when we came here… I thought I didn’t want him to fuck you. I didn’t want you to fuck him,” Patrick said. Straightforward. He had thought he knew for sure what he didn’t want.

“Then we won’t,” David told him.

Patrick turned to look at him. His eyes locking on David’s when he said, “But it turns me on. Seeing the two of you… doing… stuff. So,…”

“OK,” David whispered. A slight grin on his face.

“I don’t care if he blows you.” Patrick said. He turned to look at David. “I don’t think I want you to blow him. I don’t…I can’t explain that part… David. I just…”

“What. Tell me,” David encouraged. His hand moving up and down Patrick’s arm. “Do you want to stop?”

Patrick shook his head. “No. God, no. I think… I just… I had an idea of my boundaries and now I don’t fucking care about them. I’m not sure I know what they are.”

David’s lips pulled into a slight and fleeting grin. Enamored with how flustered Patrick had gotten. Enjoying the uncharacteristically salty language.

He pressed his forehead to Patrick’s and asked, “Sweetie, are you drunk?”

“I know what I’m doing. I’m good,” Patrick said. “Just… It’s just… when we were all… it was… it feels good, David. I don’t want to keep you from enjoying it as much as I am.”

“How about I set some boundaries,” David said. “That way you don’t have to.”

Patrick looked at him. The pink leaving his face. His breathing returning to normal. Comforted by David’s response. By David being rational when he couldn’t be. Patrick nodded.

“No dick goes in any part of me… unless it’s yours.” David told him.

“Is that selfish?” Patrick asked, his brown eyes large and soulful.

David shook his head. “No, Patrick. Whatever you want.”

“OK.” Patrick kissed his neck. Held tightly to him. Knowing that David would ask the next question.

But it didn’t come.

So, Patrick asked, “What are your boundaries… for me?”

David shook his head. Pressed his forehead to Patrick’s. “I’ve thought over every scenario and I’m going to be OK with whatever you want, Patrick. This is all your call.”

“What won’t you be able to live with?” Patrick asked his question in another way.

“I told you, Mr. Brewer. The only thing I won’t tolerate is no condom.” David told him, honestly.

Patrick nodded.

“Do you want to fuck him? Do you want him to fuck you?” David asked.

“Is it rude if we don’t?” Patrick asked David. Realizing they should have talked through the whole thing much earlier than the moment they were in.

David chuckled. “Not rude at all. Tell him what you want and that’s what will happen.”

“Um…” Patrick started to speak but stopped.

David waited. Waited for Patrick to look at him again.

Patrick raised his eyes from David’s chest to his eyes. “What’s his dick like?” Patrick asked.

“You’ll have to find that out for yourself,” David’s lips danced into a slight smile.

“Are you going to be mad… later? If he and I…?” Patrick smacked the end of his fist with the palm of his other hand.

David grinned. There. There was his sweet fiancé with his inability to say the word. He enjoyed that the blushing was back.

“No. Patrick. I promise. I said I promise,” David tried to assure him.

“What will you be doing if he and I…?”

“Ohhh. I’ll find something to busy myself. Don’t you worry about me. This is not my first time at the dance,” David told him.

“Promise me,” Patrick asked again, needing reassured.

“I promise.” David said with patience and understanding.

Patrick nodded.

The bathroom door opened. Jake stepped back into the space.

Patrick looked over his shoulder at Jake. Then he looked back at David. Eyes wide.

David realized what Patrick needed in that moment. He reached and grabbed Patrick by the wrist. 

“You are mine, Patrick Brewer. Mine. Remember that.” He pulled Patrick close with a crushing and possessive kiss. “Mine,” he whispered. “Forever.”

“Mine. You’re mine,” Patrick told him.

“We’re just here for some fun,” David said.

Patrick nodded. A nervous grin on his face.

One side of David’s mouth pulled back in a grin. “If you need to stop at any time, Patrick… “

“I know. Apothecary.”

Patrick turned and took two bold steps toward the bed and then stopped. Turned back to David and held out a hand.

As Patrick and David approached him, Jake took a step toward them. “We OK, Boys?”

“Yeah,” Patrick told him. “We’re good.”

Jake looked beyond Patrick to David who nodded his consent.  

Patrick stepped close to him and, again, pressed his hand to Jake’s chest. Ran his fingers over it.

When he looked up at Jake – from Jake’s eyes to his mouth and back to his eyes – Jake grinned. “You are…”

Before Jake could finish his sentence, Patrick pulled him close. One hand on the back of Jake’s head, pulling him down. Patrick’s tongue kissing him; deeply. Roughly.

Confidently.

Jake’s hands slid down Patrick’s back. Slid into the back of his jeans. Massaging his round ass cheeks. Pressing their bodies together.

Jake reached to unfasten his own jeans, when Patrick’s hands stopped him, yet again.

Patrick’s hands paused only briefly before he began to unbutton and then unzip Jake’s jeans. Jake and Patrick holding eye contact while Patrick did so.

David moved; sat on the bed beside them. Leaned with one hand on the mattress as he watched. His other hand lazily stroked his own cock.

As soon as he knew Jake’s jeans had fallen to his feet, Patrick closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was looking at Jake’s cock. Long. Dark. With a slight curve. Uncut.

David watched Patrick’s tongue dart out as he licked his lips.

Jake’s hand reached out. Touched Patrick’s hair. Pet him. Slowly. Ran his hand from the top of Patrick’s head down the back of his head. Then back up to the top and down again. A silent request for him to drop to his knees.

David sat up. Reached out. His finger ran down Patrick’s arm. Slid inside Patrick’s hand’s grasp. Patrick squeezed David’s hand and looked down at him.

“Do you need to stop?” David asked. “Do you want to stop?”

Patrick shook his head. He was a little foggy in his brain. He was unsure if it was because of the alcohol he’d had earlier, or if it was because he was drowsy with lust. Either way, he knew what he was doing. “I want to take my pants off.”

“That’s a good step,” Jake said, encouragingly.

David told Patrick, “Me, too.”

Patrick kicked off his shoes. His socks and then pushed his jeans and underwear down.

The three of them stood. Naked. Erect.

“Whoever said three’s a crowd sure didn’t know what they were talkin’ about,” Jake joked.

Patrick breathed out a nervous chuckle. And before he knew it, he was sandwiched between the two, again.

And it felt so incredibly decadent.

David, behind him. Pressed against him. Kissing him. Licking around his ear.

Jake, in front of him. A solid wall of muscle. His hands roaming Patrick’s body and sometimes leaving it to stroke David’s arm, or his hair, or… something.

Both of their bodies warm and inviting. Both of them moving their hands over Patrick. Stroking him. Teasing him. Massaging him.

And then.

And then it was Jake who moved.

He moved to the floor. On his knees in front of Patrick.

Pulling Patrick into his mouth. The tip. A little more than the tip. Licking and sucking Patrick who rolled his head back. His head resting against David’s shoulder, behind him, while David breathed and whispered near his ear.

Words that he couldn’t quite concentrate on.

Filthy words. In that low, seductive way that David sometimes talked to them when they were having sex.

While Jake’s hot, wet mouth sucked on him. While Jake massaged his balls. While David’s erection pressed against his ass. While David pinched one of his nipples. And someone… someone’s finger toyed with his hole. He didn’t know who. He didn’t care who.

“Guys,” Patrick panted. “Guys.” Patrick knew that if they didn’t stop, he’d be done. He was nearly there.

“Mmmm?” Jake pulled off of him. Looked up. His lips damp. Jake’s spit and Patrick’s pre-cum.

Patrick moved. He looped a hand under Jake’s arm and pulled him up and pushed him back at the same time.

Jake fell back on the bed. Patrick dropped down over him. A knee on the mattress beside Jake. Patrick kissed him. Slow and deep. While his hand trailed between them. And then Patrick’s mouth followed his hand. Kissed Jake’s neck. His chest.

He licked one of his nipples and moved further down. Until he held Jake’s long, curved dick in his grip and looked at it. Looked at the color of it. Looked at the shape of it. Looked as his fingers gripped Jake’s foreskin that had pulled away from the head as his erection had grown.

David lay beside them. On his side. Elbow on the mattress holding himself up as he watched them. As he watched Patrick. Eyes wide as he looked closely at another man’s endowment. As he stroked Jake.

As he licked Jake.

As he opened his mouth and took part of Jake’s long erection into his mouth… and made eye contact with David while he did so.

Patrick winked.

A wink that told David that he was good. It was good. Patrick was good.

A wink that told David that he could do as he wanted.

And David? Well, he moved. He crawled up and lowered his face over Jake’s. And they kissed.

Jake lifted his head slightly as his tongue explored David’s mouth. And David moaned into the kiss when he felt someone grip his cock and stroke him. He assumed it was Jake.

When Patrick moved, David responded and he sat up. His eyes locked on Patrick, whose hand was still on Jake, rounding down around Jake’s balls and cupping them. Massaging them. Tugging on them.

David found himself being nudged onto his back as Jake moved over him and Patrick moved out of the way.

Patrick watched as Jake moved over David. Pressed David’s back to the bed. He watched as Jake lined his body over David’s. As their dicks disappeared, pressed between the two men. As Jake lowered himself over David, there was no space between them; from hip to chest.

Patrick watched as David raised his knees and pressed the heels of his feet against Jake’s ass; pulling him closer in the way he’d known David do to him.

Patrick stroked himself as he watched. Watched David’s toes. First, they splayed wide and then curled in tightly. Then splaying wide again. He realized when David held him closely, his feet did that; he’d never realized.

His eyes trailed up Jake’s long, smooth back. And stopped on David’s hands. The hands that roamed up and down Jake’s back while the two continued to kiss. While Jake’s hips rocked against David.

David’s hands, moving in circles as the worked their way up to Jake’s shoulder blades and back down to the small of his back. How when they were there, just above Jake’s ass his fingers moved. A slight scratching motion; the pads of his fingers brushing back and forth. Patrick new the feeling of those fingers when they were on his own lower back.

Surprising himself, he realized he wasn’t jealous. He had no negative feelings, actually, about watching them. Instead, he was intrigued. Titillated. Because he saw David in a way he’d not seen him before. Saw the way his hair moved as his head pressed back into the mattress. Saw the way his eyebrows raised and then lowered at different moments of a kiss. Heard that moan of his, as he exhaled.

David, realizing Patrick wasn’t with them, moved.

He stopped the kiss with Jake. Sat up on one elbow. Looked around Jake and saw Patrick. Noticed the mesmerized look on his face.

And Jake? Well, he followed David’s gaze and he knew what he needed to do next. He wasted no time moving, on his knees in front of Patrick – who was also on his knees – Jake leaned toward Patrick and kissed him, his lips still slick from his kiss with David.

His lips took the journey down Patrick’s neck. To his shoulder. Then he moved lower. Pulling Patrick’s thickness into his mouth.

With the feeling of it, Patrick sat back a bit. His ass on his feet.

When his arms reached to lean against something, David moved. On his knees beside Patrick, he held him up. Patrick leaned against him and rolled his head to the side so that he could kiss David.

And while Jake was sucking him, David’s tongue fucked his mouth. And Patrick… in that moment,… he was sure he’d never felt such a feeling of exquisite ecstasy.

Jake was good. He didn’t do that swirly thing David did, but he was damn good.

Patrick reached a hand down. It rested on the back of Jake’s head and it asked, quietly, for him to go deeper. Patrick was used to being deeper in David’s mouth when he was being sucked off.

David had one hand on the back of Patrick’s neck as they kissed and his other trailed over Patrick’s chest. Toyed with first one, then the other nipple.

Patrick knew. He knew he was going to come if he didn’t stop. He was close. So close.

He pulled back from David. Looked him in the eyes. Shook his head. “I gotta… I’m gonna…”

“Jake,” David moved. His hand curled under Jake’s arm and tugged him. Getting his attention.

When he sat up, Jake swiped the back of his hand over his mouth. “We OK, Boys?”

Patrick nodded, his eyes trailing over Jake’s face, but landing on his lips.

“Are we calling it a night, or are we going to… ?” Jake asked; eying first David and then Patrick.

“I’m not done,” Patrick’s voice was low and hoarse. Determine. Then he realized He needed to read the room. “Unless… you…”

“I’m good for more,” Jake smiled and shook his head, “God…” he looked at David. “You’re a lucky man, David.”

David looked at Patrick. Leaned close. Kissed his shoulder. “I am,” David whispered.

“What’s your preference, Patrick,” Jake asked.

Patrick looked at David. “Whatever you want,” David whispered.

The pink on his neck and in his cheeks intensified. His eyes locked on Jake; Patrick’s voice was unwavering when he said, “I wanna fuck you.”

Then, he looked at David, “I want to…” he leaned his head to the side, in the direction of Jake. His voice was softer when he finished his sentence, “I want to fuck him.”

David nodded. The slightest hint of a smile on his lips.

“Would you be OK with David…helping me out… getting me ready for you?” Jake asked. His hand trailed down Patrick’s chest; he palmed Patrick’s cock. Stroked him.

Patrick looked at David and nodded.

Without words, David moved.

While Jake said, “David will you get the …” David was already there.

Jake didn’t need to finish.

David knew where it was; he leaned over on all fours and reached for the box that set on the bottom shelf of the bedside table.

It was the first move that David made that gave any hint that he’d been there in that bed before.

And Patrick? He didn’t care.

David retrieved the box there and took the lid off. Three kinds of lube and several different boxes of condoms – magnum, non-latex, ribbed, regular. It would seem he had something for everyone’s tastes.

“Thanks,” Jake grinned at David and chose a bottle of lube.

David took several condoms out of one of the boxes and held them out to Patrick.

With a shaky, but determined inhale, Patrick took a condom. He wasn’t sure what to do next. The whole conversation seemed to have derailed the mood like a cold blast of winter air. He was afraid that maybe stopping had killed the mood.

“Hey,” Jake ran a finger along Patrick’s jaw line. It rested under his chin until Patrick looked at him. “Do you want another whiskey… or… anything?”

Patrick’s eyes moved from Jake’s to David’s.

Together, they’d all been in the mood. They could get back there.

“Naw, Man. I’m good,” he said as he reached for his fiancé. The man he loved. He pulled David close and kissed him. Tenderly.

Knowing that David was good with them moving forward. Comforted by the fact that David was there. Appreciative of the respect that Jake was showing. Knowing that a kiss from David would bring him back to the mindset he’d need to move forward.

Patrick really was good. He was fine with what was about to happen.

David moved him. A gentle hand on his shoulder nudging him back. Patrick sat, unsure what David meant to do, but knowing he trusted him. He’d move where he was told.

When he’d reclined, David gripped Patrick’s dick. Stroked it twice before lowering and bringing him to his mouth.

There it was. That tongue swirl that Patrick loved. The familiar warmth of David’s mouth enveloped him for a brief moment before it left him. Patrick opened his eyes to see David pass Patrick’s dick off to Jake who’s hand replaced David’s while Jake and David kissed.

Jake, stroking Patrick, drew one leg up and then moved it over Patrick’s body. He straddled Patrick and held himself over him with one hand, while his other hand toyed with Patrick. Massaged his balls. Tugged at them. Stroked his erection. All while he kissed and licked Patrick’s abdomen and chest.

He had glimpses of David behind Jake. He knew what David was doing. Knew he was using lubed fingers to open Jake. Patrick closed his eyes when Jake made his way to his neck. His soft beard brushing against Patrick’s flesh caused Patrick’s hips to jut up. Seeking more. Needing more.

Jake spoke quietly. His voice low and smooth. “You ready, Bud?”

“Mm,” short, rough sound escaped him.

Yes. God, yes, he was ready.

Jake kissed him briefly and then moved to his knees beside Patrick, who also moved. Sitting up.

David had torn open the condom wrapper and took control of putting in on Patrick. Their eyes locked before Patrick winked at him.

The three of them on their knees, faced each other. Dicks hard and ready. Breathing labored. Anticipation vibrating the air between them.

It was Patrick who moved first. Ready. In control.

He put a hand on Jake’s shoulder to direct him. To ask him, without words, to move on all fours.

Because Patrick wanted him to face away from him. He needed him to face away from him.

And Jake? It didn’t matter to him. He moved to all fours.

David was beside them, still on his knees. One hand on Patrick’s lower back.

“Lube?” Patrick asked quietly.

David dripped lube onto the condom Patrick wore, and he reached over to Jake and pulled aside one cheek just enough so that he could drip a few drops of lube over Jake’s hole.

Patrick lined up. The head of his dick close to Jake. He looked at David who was looking at Patrick’s dick.

“OK?” Patrick whispered.

“I want to watch,” David said, stroking himself with a lubed hand. “I want to watch you fuck him.”

The thought that David was turned on by it; by watching it? It caused a shiver to run down Patrick’s body. He liked it. It was a powerful and erotic moment.

The feeling was intense, as he pressed against and then entered Jake. He forced himself to go slow. He was relatively certain that Jake was not someone who bottomed often. And the groans he was making indicated that it was not a regular occurrence for him.

Patrick realized that as he reached the point where he was as deep as he would be going into Jake, that David was busy behind him.

David had moved. Half behind Patrick, he kissed Patrick’s shoulder. And his finger… his lubed finger, had slid between Patrick’s ass cheeks and was sliding over Patrick’s hole. The feeling reminding Patrick of the times that David inserted the vibrator into Patrick’s ass while Patrick fucked him.

And with each movement he felt it. As he pulled slightly out of Jake, David’s finger slid into him. And as he pushed into Jake, David’s finger pulled slightly out of him.

He moved slowly. Patrick liked the feeling and didn’t want it to be over too soon.

He turned his head slightly so that he could kiss David. The kiss was short, but the attention David gave him continued. He licked down Patrick’s neck. Down the vein he liked to pay attention to. His fingering of Patrick had increased to two fingers and Patrick was starting to move a bit faster.

Both of Patrick’s hands were on Jake’s hips. He had complete control over the movement. Pushing his thick cock deep into Jake with each thrust.

David was beside them, one hand working on Patrick; two of his fingers fucking Patrick. With his other hand, David reached around them and under Jake. Though it was a stretch, he was able to stroke Jake’s erection.

The three of them moved in unison for a moment. Smooth movements that were satisfying to all three of them.

As Patrick picked up speed, Jake began to move to meet his thrusts. Patrick, one hand still on Jake, tugging him back – reached one hand to his side. To David. He gripped David’s cock that was aching for touch.

David, welcoming the touch, leaned against Patrick being careful to not disrupt his movements. His forehead on Patrick’s shoulder. He kissed him and then pulled some of Patrick’s flesh into his mouth. Slightly biting as he sucked on him. Marking him.

Patrick. David’s fingers in his ass. His dick deep in Jake. Stroking David. Patrick was ready. He’d worked to keep himself from coming multiple times that night, and he was at the point that he was ready.

His back arched and his shoulders pulled back as he thrust into Jake.

It felt good. Damn good. And he was nearly there. He knew he was.

He knew how he wanted to finish.

And Patrick knew that whatever he wanted, he was going to get.

Knew that David was there for him.

Understood from David that Jake would be fine with whatever they did.

With fingers to the base of the condom to hold it in place, he slowly pulled out of Jake.

As the head of his dick pulled out, Jake moaned.

He rolled onto his back and watched Patrick pull the condom off and reach for one of the cellophane covered condoms that David had tossed onto the bed earlier.

Patrick lifted the wrapped condom to his mouth and tore it open; quickly rolling the new one on as he eyed David.

Realizing there was a change in condom, David grinned and moved.

He rolled to his back and lifted one leg. A move they knew well. Partners. Life partners. Knowing each other’s moves without even thinking about it.

Patrick knew that David liked it. Liked when there wasn’t much preparation and it was rough. Liked it when he’d feel the after-effects of their intercourse the entirety of the next day.

He also knew he liked sucking dick when he was on his back.

Patrick was giving David what he knew David wanted. Something that David could take; something David would want.

His hand under David’s knee he pulled his leg up to his shoulder.

There was no hesitation. His condom was slicked with plenty of lube, and he added more to David’s hole for good measure. And then he pushed in, with no hesitation.

“Uohhh,” David didn’t quiet his voice as he moaned in pain at the rough entry of Patrick’s thickness.

Patrick pulled David’s hips into alignment as he thrust into him. Manhandling him. Taking charge.

“You’re fucking hot,” Jake said.

“Let him suck you,” Patrick commanded as he took charge.

“Patrick?” David looked at him. Confused. Knowing the boundary.

“Suck him,” Patrick told David. His voice stern.

And Jake moved over David. Straddled his chest, his knees under David’s arms.

David’s hands settled first on Jake’s thighs, but then moved to his ass cheeks, as Jake guided his dick into David’s mouth.

“Mmmmm,” David hummed a moan of pleasure.

Getting the movements, the rhythm; that was not easy. But eventually, they found their stride.

Patrick kept his thrusts at an even pace, knowing that with each thrust David moved under him. Knowing that Jake was working to find the pace so that he, too, could ride the movement that Patrick controlled.

From his viewpoint, Patrick couldn’t see Jake’s cock in David’s mouth. But he watched David’s hands, his fingers massaging Jake’s ass. And then he watched as one of Davd’s hands moved and one of his fingers slid into Jake’s hole.

Patrick’s head rolled back. He was nearly there.

He gripped David’s cock; hard and in front of him.

He did that thing he knew David liked, where he used that calloused part of his thumb to rub the sensitive head in that way that drove David crazy. David was dripping with precum and Patrick used it to slick his hand and he began to stroke him. Harsh and quick. He wanted David to get there as soon as he did.

It was Jake who was the first to go.

Jake, one hand pressed against his headboard and the other on the mattress near David’s head, uttered a brief and hushed, “Fuck,” before his body curved forward and with quick jerks, he obviously came in David’s mouth.

Knowing what was happening sent Patrick over the edge. The pulsing through his body caused him to jerk; and his fist tightened around David’s dick while he emptied himself into the condom with a deep groan that filled the room.

While he was mid-orgasm, he felt David’s hole start to contract around him; and then a stream of cum spurted out of David, some of it landed against Jake’s ass cheek, and it ran over Patrick’s hand.

Patrick leaned forward. Exhausted. His forehead pressed against the middle of Jake’s back. He gasped for breath as his heartrate refused to calm.

After a moment, he knew he needed to move. Needed Jake to move off David. Wanted to be sure David was comfortable. Make sure David was OK.

He pulled out of him; the condom full. He tied it off and dropped it off the side of the bed.

Patrick sat first, and then plopped onto his back. Mostly resting side-ways at the end of the bed. David’s feet near Patrick’s chest. 

At the same time, Jake moved off David, to the other side. He too, moved. On his side. His head hear David’s. His feet near Patrick’s knees.

David remained on his back, looking up at the ceiling. Then he lifted his head to look down his body at Patrick.

When Patrick finally saw his face, he grinned. Grinned at the look of utter satisfaction on David’s face. His hair had gone wild. His face, relaxed.

They were quiet as they each worked to regain control of their breathing.

Patrick moved. Wanted… needed… to be closer to David. He rolled and army crawled on the mattress until he was there by him. He kissed David’s shoulder.

They lay there. David flanked by the two men. Each of them on their sides, facing David.

David turned to look at Patrick and Patrick had one more thing he wanted to do.

With both hands holding David’s face, he pulled him near for a kiss.

David kept his mouth closed and kissed Patrick quickly and then moved away.

“David,” Patrick said.

Then, David knew what Patrick wanted. He leaned near him and as they kissed, David opened his mouth. Opened for Patrick’s tongue to explore him. For Patrick to taste Jake on David’s tongue.

When they finished, Patrick rolled onto his back and looked at the ceiling.

At that moment he wondered how soon was too soon to leave. A feeling he’d had in his past.

He recalled a time or two after he was with one of the handful of girls he’d had sex with, that he was ready to go when it was over.

But Patrick didn’t want to be rude.

It was not long after, when Jake spoke.

“Well, Boys, that was fun.” Jake sat up on the side of his bed. Reached for his jeans and, after putting his feet into them, stood and pulled them up his long, thin frame.

“Jake,” David said, following suit. Sitting up and accepting the black boxer-briefs that Jake handed to him. “That was quite a time.”

Patrick sat up. Watched the two of them talk as though they’d just shared a pizza and a ballgame together.

He caught his white briefs that Jake tossed him. Swung his feet off the bed on the opposite side of the bed from where Jake and David stood. He looked down at the floor and saw the two condoms.

Feeling responsible for cleanup, such that it was, he reached for the condoms and stood. He walked past David and Jake to the bathroom where he tossed them in the trash and then washed his hands.

He felt awkward that he hadn’t moved fast enough to bring David and Jake a washcloth or something.

He should have done that. Right?

By the time he exited the bathroom, David was fully clothed, with the exception of shoes. He had Patrick’s jeans in hand, “Here you go,” David said quietly when Patrick joined them.

David sat on the side of the bed to tie his shoes. While Patrick pulled on his pants.

Jake walked away from them to the kitchen area. Jeans only. No shirt. No shoes. He leaned against the kitchen counter and drank a glass of water.

Patrick sat by David and tied his own shoes.

David handed Patrick’s t-shirt and sweater to him and he pulled them on.

“You got your phone?” Patrick asked quietly.

“You got your belt?” David whispered back with a teasing grin.

Together they stood. Patrick followed David. They paused near Jake.

“Thanks for stopping by,” Jake leaned and kissed David. A quick kiss of goodbye.

“It was fun,” David said.

“Patrick. Sure was good getting to know you,” Jake said casually. As though they’d just played a hand of poker.

“Same,” Patrick nodded. He stood in place, but Jake stepped close to him and leaned in for a kiss. Patrick leaned forward, but turned his head slightly. A cheek kiss was plenty for him.

“You want to take the rest of your whiskey?” Jake reached for the bottle, three-fourths gone, that Patrick had in-hand when they arrived.

“Nah, Man. You keep that,” Patrick said.

David reached for Patrick. David walked a half step in front him, his arm back as he did not lose his grip on Patrick’s hand.

“You boys be safe going home,” Jake said at the door before closing it. Before leaving them alone in the hallway outside of Jake’s apartment.

Patrick couldn’t help but think it was rude. That Jake would just close the door on them as they stood there. But he also understood. The transaction was over.

What they’d done was nowhere near a relationship. It was sex. That was all.

Good sex.

Really good sex.

But it was over. And it was time to leave. No cuddling. No talking. No getting to know each other.

Just sex.

“Take me home, Mr. Brewer,” David said gently, nudging Patrick out of his thoughts.

++++++

After his shower, Patrick shut out the lights as he made his way from the bathroom to the bed.

David had been the first to shower. He sat in the bed, writing in his journal.

“Whatcha doin’?” Patrick asked him.

David tucked his pen into the book and shut it. Tossed it onto the chair on his side of the bed. Turned off the lamp beside the bed. “Just making a couple of notations.”

Patrick briefly wondered what he had written. Patrick sometimes wondered what David wrote in that journal of his that held everything from personal thoughts to statistics about their business.

“Will you hold me for a little bit?” Patrick asked him.

David rolled to face Patrick, and tucked his arm around him as Patrick settled into David. Patrick faced David. His cheek pressed against David’s chest. One arm wrapped tightly around David’s waist. His hand pressed firmly to David’s lower back.

David pulled the covers up over them.

David’s hand moved gently, making familiar, soothing circles along Patrick’s back. He stayed quiet.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Patrick asked him.

“Sounds like you might want to?” David responded.

“I understand now,” Patrick told him.

“Understand what?” David tilted his head slightly and kissed the top of Patrick’s head.

“Why you kept seeing him.”

David shook his head, “I don’t know what that means.”

“That night. Our first night. At Stevie’s. After the two of them left.” Patrick said.

“I don’t…?”

“I asked you why you continued to see him after finding out he was seeing Stevie,” Patrick said.

“What did I say?” David honestly couldn’t remember.

“You really didn’t answer my question. Just said something like, ‘It wasn’t a shock to your system’ that someone you were seeing was also seeing someone else,” Patrick told him.

“Mmm.” David nodded his head.

“You kept seeing him because he’s really good,” Patrick said.

“Mmm.” David nodded his head a grin flashing across his face.

“And… he’s hot,” Patrick pulled back a little so he could look up at David’s face.

David chuckled. “Yeah. He’s hot.”

Patrick tucked his head back where he had previously rested it. Pressed his forehead against David’s chest. Patrick’s hand slid up David’s side. His and rested beside his face on David’s chest.

They both lay, quietly. Both lost in their thoughts.

“Is there anything… um… do you need to talk about anything?” David asked. Taking care of him.

“I don’t think so?” Patrick said. His hand moved. To David’s arm. He rubbed up and down David’s arm. “I guess I was surprised.”

“At what?” David asked.

“The second it was over, it was over.”

“Mm,” David made a small noise. “Did you want something more?”

Patrick rolled away from him. Rolled to his back. “Not necessarily. I guess I just thought there might be more… talking or something?”

David said nothing.

“You know, I like that time after it’s over,” Patrick said.

David ran a hand along Patrick’s arm. Still said nothing. Gave him room to talk.

“But, to be honest, the first thing I thought when it was over was ‘how long do we have to stay here’,” Patrick chuckled.

“Have you ever had… an encounter… that was over quickly like that?” David asked him.

Patrick thought a moment. The car. The first time. But that was… different… wasn’t it? “Yeah, maybe? Hard for me to compare.”

David rolled to be closer to him. Tucked his head under Patrick’s arm. His head resting on Patrick’s shoulder.

“Did you have a good time?” David asked him. Nervous that Patrick was going to a place that would leave him with feelings of regret.

Patrick grinned up at the ceiling, “Yeah, I did. I mean… I thought that was evident.” He chuckled. Then he turned his head and looked at David, “Did you?”

“Oh, yes. Very much, so,” David said. “You surprised me there at the end.”

Patrick nodded. Looked at the ceiling. “That probably wasn’t… did that break the rules that I changed my mind?”

David closed his eyes. His fingers drawing circles on Patrick’s bare chest. “I was fine with it.”

“I liked watching you when he was…”

“Mmm,” David’s fingers continued their lazy drawings.

They lay there, again, in silence. Both thinking through the night.

“Oh god,” Patrick said quietly as something dawned on him.

“What?” David asked.

Patrick rolled. Up on one elbow.

“David. Oh, my god.”

David’s body mirrored Patrick’s. Up on one Elbow. “What?! What?!!!!”

“The center part of the Venn Diagram of sex partners I share with Stevie just got bigger,” Patrick told him.

David chuckled, “Just… stay away from the dirty-motel-sex guy and we should be good.”

Patrick threw his head back and laughed. Eyes crinkled. Mouth open wide.

David loved to see him laugh.

David really loved when he was the one who made him laugh.

He reached a hand out. Cupped Patrick’s cheek.

Patrick looked at him. A small smile on his face. “What are you thinking?”

David shook his head. Turned his body so that his back was to Patrick. He backed up into Patrick. Sighed as Patrick’s arm moved around him to hold him. As Patrick’s legs tucked snugly behind his own.

Patrick was the big spoon.

“I love you,” David said.

“I love you, too.” Patrick told him. “But that wasn’t all that you were thinking.”

David remained quiet.

Patrick kissed his shoulder through the t-shirt he wore.

Then Patrick, understanding what David was thinking, took a deep breath and spoke. “You’re not my only one anymore.”

David’s head moved slightly.

Patrick added. “That’s what you’re thinking. That you’re not my only one anymore.”

A brief nod of his head, David said quietly, “That’s correct.”

“What does that feel like, for you?” Patrick asked.

“You know that you’re not the only one I’ve been with… so…”

Patrick’s arm tightened around him for a moment before loosening. “Not exactly the same thing.”

David’s hand found Patrick’s. Their fingers intertwined.

“When I had… when I was with…” David stopped talking.

Patrick remained quiet. Knew that if David wanted to tell him something from his past it was likely significant to him. Because David almost never told him something from his past sex life.

David rotated. Lay on his back.

Patrick rested his head on his hand. His elbow on the mattress holding him up. He looked down at David.

Their fingers still intertwined.

“When I was in… a… group situation? (David’s free hand pointed down. His fingers bounced on the mattress between the two of them when he said “group situation.”) in the past…., it was much different than tonight was.”

“Hmm.” Patrick wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Back then… it was always about what I could do to feel good. What I could get out of it.” David looked away from him. Eyes averted. “But… tonight… my only thought was that you were safe and… happy… and… enjoying it.” David carefully searched for his words as he spoke. Meaning every one of them. His eyes locked on Patrick.

“Thank you for that,” Patrick told him.

“I’m not telling you that so you’ll thank me.” David said.

Patrick remained quiet. Gave David space to talk. Realized David had much more to say.

“Did you like it? Did you enjoy it? Tonight?” David asked. “Like… really. I mean… I know you came and of course it felt good. But… was it good?”

“David, it was. I mean it. I did enjoy it. A lot,” Patrick nodded. “You?” He eyed David, trying to figure out where the conversation was going.

“Same.” David nodded.

Patrick waited. Waited for David to figure out his words.

Patient Patrick.

“The reason I enjoyed it was that you were… at least it seemed like… and now you’re saying… it was good for you. I… god, Patrick… watching you experience it? It turned me on,” David told him.

“Your feet,” Patrick nodded.

“I’m sorry, what?” David tilted his head.

Patrick grinned. “I know what you meant about seeing me. I… there was one point where he was on you. Your feet.” Patrick sat up, realizing that David didn’t understand what he was saying.

Patrick moved. He sat, criss-cross-applesauce.

“When we have sex… sometimes you…” Patrick reached behind himself to his ass to give a visual, “You put the heels of your feet here against me.”

David nodded. His brow was furrowed as he tried to follow.

“You put your feet against his butt. Like you do me,” Patrick said. “And… I watched. I didn’t know your feet did that.”

“Against your ass?"

“Yeah. Your toes… they do this thing.” Patrick held one hand in front of himself and he splayed his fingers wide and then drew them close and curled them in. Then he splayed them wide again. “When your feet are back there, I didn’t know they did this.”

David rolled his eyes and a small laugh came out on his exhale. “OK.”

Patrick’s shoulders dropped and his hands sat in his lap, “I’m not explaining it well. But… like you said… seeing it. Seeing you with him. It was hot, David. But part of that… I guess what I’m saying is that part of it being hot was because I was watching you respond and I was seeing you from a different angle. You know?”

David sat up. “I know.”

David’s eyes were on him. Watching his face, his body language. Everything. On high alert.

Patrick chewed on the inside of his cheek for a minute. A sure sign that he was thinking about something before he spoke.

“The thing is,” Patrick started, but then stopped.

“Hmm?”

“The thing is, David. As much as I liked it, I don’t know that I want to do it again,” Patrick said.

David shook his head, “OK.”

“I mean, at least not any time soon,” Patrick said. “I’m not saying it’s off the table for me if you want it on the table.”

“I don’t have a preference in this moment,” David said. “Though I think it’s always good to have things on the table for when one of us has a preference.”

David was happy. Pleased that Patrick remained open-minded on the matter.

Patrick nodded. His lips pressed together and the corners of his mouth turned down in a slight frown. “Sounds fair,” he said.

“That was a big deal tonight,” David’s eyes still on him.

Patrick, finally, locked eyes with David, “Yeah. Pretty big.”

David rested a hand on Patrick’s cheek. Leaned into him for a kiss.

Tender. Caring. Reverent.

“Thank you, Patrick. Thank you for tonight,” David whispered as he pressed his forehead to Patrick’s.

“You give me strength to do things that I would… you know… normally not be able to do,” Patrick told him.

David leaned in again. Another kiss. Lingering and sweet.

Then he lay back down. His back to Patrick, again. Hoping to be spooned.

Patrick knew to follow suit. He lay down, pulled David close.

No other words were spoken.

He kissed David’s shoulder.

David gripped his forearm.

Patrick pressed his forehead to the middle of David’s back.

And, together, alone in the bed where David was most comfortable. Alone in the bed that they would share for years. A bed that would not last as long as David and Patrick lasted.

Alone in the bed that would always be only theirs.

Alone, in each other’s arms, they drifted to sleep.

+++

End of chapter

+++

Just one of the photos that served as inspiration during the writing of this chapter. Noah and Steve on the set of a show they did together: Tap House. (As I understand it, it never aired? I don't know... ask someone who is better informed than me. *Laughing emoji*)