Nick watched as Kevin paced back and forth in the bedroom. He couldn’t believe the amount of temper rolling off the oldest most levelheaded of the group. The words Kevin had said still seemed to echo through the whole hotel room. Even now he was mumbling to himself. After listening to it for a short bit, Nick dared to finally speak up. “You know you might be overreaching, right Kevin?”
“Overreacting?” Kevin demanded as he spun to face Nick across the room. “Are you telling me that it doesn’t bother you that your two friends are, g-gay?”
“Doesn’t it bother you that you’re so prejudiced that you can’t even say the word ‘gay’ without a stutter?”
That question rocked Kevin back on his heels. He couldn’t believe that this was coming from Nick of all people. He was just a kid! But that kid continued talking, and his words were more powerful than Kevin would ever have thought.
“It doesn’t bother me to see them together. The first time I eavesdropped on them, I admit that I was in denial. I can grant you that much leeway. But to be honest, it wasn’t so much the gay portion of things that my brain really rebelled against. It was the two of them being the ones who were together, and the fact that they were keeping it a secret. My feelings were hurt that Brian had let me think he had a girlfriend, simply so he wouldn’t have to tell me about him and AJ.”
Nick leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. He knew Kevin was watching him and that his words were apparently calming the older man’s temper. Because of that, Nick continued to expose his feelings.
“I felt hurt that he didn’t trust me enough to tell me. For a while I felt confused as to what had even attracted them together to begin with. I mean, come on, are there any of us who are more different in this whole group than those two? Am I right?” He looked over at Howie, who had joined them halfway through Nick’s speech. The smile that curved Howie’s lips let Nick know he had an ally with him.
“Nope. Those two are polar opposites in most ways.” Howie said cheerfully. Though he looked as if he’d rather bite his tongue off than have this conversation, Kevin said “That’s true. But what’s your point? It sounds like you’re arguing points for my cause.”
Smiling, Nick shook his head. “When I calmed down enough I sat and actually looked at this. Where AJ’s easily angered, it takes a lot to rile Brian’s temper. AJ can be a smart ass, while Brian’s humor runs to the sillier side. AJ went through alcoholism while Brian’s gone through all these problems with his heart. In so many ways, they’re like perfect counterparts of one another. But it goes deeper than the surface of things, I think.”
Lost in his thoughts, Nick started tapping his toe as he tried to explain to Kevin in a way he hoped would make him understand. “I mean, look at AJ. He’s one of the strongest people I know. Even when he hit rock bottom, he still showed more strength than most people we know. Who better to partner our Brian, who needs someone’s strength more than anything in the world while he goes through these problems with his heart?”
Spreading his hands, Nick focused on Kevin again. “Were you paying any attention to the way they were in there? AJ’s temper was ready to snap at one point, and all it took was a touch from Brian to calm him down. Did you even see the way that sat together? It was like they were one person, thinking and talking with the same brain, just separated into two bodies. They are like two halves to a whole. Who are we to judge them for taking that when they found it? You can’t deny their love, Kevin. You may not approve, hell, you may think that you’re justified in being angry.”
Nick pushed away from the wall. He walked toward Kevin, pausing by his side. “But open your eyes and think about this. When it’s obvious that your cousin in so happy, and that a friend who’s like a brother to you is so happy, how can you not be happy for them?” With that parting comment, Nick left the room.
There was a confused look in Kevin’s eyes as he watched his younger friend leave. He was speechless. He had never expected to be so perfectly scolded by Nick, of all people.
A quiet voice startled him. He spun his eyes to Howie, staring at him as he spoke. “Nick’s right, you know. Brian’s happy, Kev. It practically oozes out of him. They’re perfect for one another. I want you to think about one other thing. Did you notice that, even as you were insulting AJ, insinuating that he tricked your cousin into being gay, or putting him down, AJ never got upset with you for what you said. No, what upset him was the way you were talking about Brian. That right there should tell you how much he loves your cousin.” With that, Howie turned to follow after Nick.
Kevin stood in the center of his bedroom, wondering when everything had changed so much.
~~~~~~~~
The night air was crisp against AJ’s skin as he stood on his balcony, smoking a cigarette. He couldn’t stop thinking about Kevin’s words earlier. Despite what Kevin may have thought, the insults to AJ’s character didn’t bother him. He’d been called so much worse, and been told worse things before. That wasn’t a big deal. But the way he had talked to Brian, and about Brian, well that was….fucked up.
It had almost been worth it in the long run, though. He never would have guessed that a simple temper tantrum would turn Brian on so much. God, he still felt wonderfully loose and relaxed. It had been quite an effort to throw on a robe and step out here for his cigarette. But Brian needed to call the airport and such, so AJ had elected to take a smoke break while his lover dealt with business
Turning slightly, he watched Brian out the side of his vision. Dressed only in sweats, Brian was pacing the living room, gesturing with his hands as he spoke to someone. He was so cute when he talked about things. Brian was a very animated speaker. Then again, AJ knew he was too. But still it was something he liked to watch with Brian. There wasn’t much that he didn’t like to watch that Brian did. For a second that made his lips curve. Then his thoughts when back to Kevin.
Seriously, how could someone who was supposed to be a friend, hell, family! How could that person judge so harshly? Or not know the person they were supposed to be close to? Kevin gave Brian no credit for the man that he was.
AJ turned to stare back out at the night sky. A part of him was filled to bursting with joy. How could he not be, when his lover had finally told the people closest to them about their relationship? The other part of him was weighted down with anger and worry. Anger at the reaction that Kevin had given. Worry about Brian’s heart. There was so much happening at the moment that it was hard to focus on any one thing, and inevitably when AJ felt this much turmoil, he always seemed to fall on the side of being angry.
“You’re getting yourself all worked up again.”
Brian’s voice caught him off guard. With a small yelp, AJ spun around. When he saw Brian standing there, he glared at him. “You really have to quit scaring me on balconies, Rok. One of these days you’re going to make me topple off the side of one.”
“God forbid that.” Brian mumbled, his eyes darting to the edge of the balcony. Even with the railings there he gave a slight shudder. Brian was not fond of heights. If pressed out on them, he could actually end up throwing up. Remembering that, AJ ground his cigarette out in the ashtray and moved to step back inside with his lover.
“I mellowed you out and you go out there and work yourself up all over again? Some gratitude!” Brian teased as he shut the glass door. AJ shrugged as he moved into the kitchen to get himself a glass of water. “None of it erased anything that fucker said. I wish you’d let me hit him back.”
Brian leaned against the bar to watch him. “I didn’t want you to.”
“Yeah, well, I wanted to.”
“You would’ve regretted it.”
AJ drained his glass before setting it down with a dull thud on the counter. “The hell I would have. He would’ve deserved it! Saying all that shit.”
“Alex, you know he’ll regret it soon enough. We caught him off guard and overloaded him with information. Not exactly my smartest move, but someone pushed my hand on things.” One of Brian’s eyebrows arched. It didn’t faze AJ in the least. “I’d do it again.” He answered pertly.
“Yeah, well, you can’t walk around making my decisions for me, Alex. Partners or not, I am my own person. You have to respect that I can make my own decisions.” Brian’s voice had cooled slightly, a sign of his own temper. That didn’t faze AJ either. He wasn’t scared of other peoples tempers, let alone Brian’s. Sure, he knew that Brian could have a nasty temper if the right buttons were pushed. But in this one area AJ wasn’t going to give ground. He hitched himself onto the countertop.
“You were going to skip out on seeing a doctor for two months just so you wouldn’t have to tell them, Bri. I won’t try to make all your decisions for you, but if it effects your health in a serious way do you really expect me to stand by and let you be stupid? Cause if you do, you’ve got another thing coming to you.”
“It could’ve been solved differently.” Brian insisted, crossing his arms over his chest. His blue eyes were dark with temper. In that instant, AJ could see what Brian had meant about temper being sexy. Because Brian sure looked edible right then, in only his sweats with his eyes looking like blue fire as he came around the island and closer to AJ. “You could have brought me in here, Age, and talked to me. I was scared, but eventually I would have seen reason.”
“You’re still scared, and there was no guarantee on that. I’m sorry it makes you mad, and I’m sorry that I made you feel like I was stepping on your toes. But I can’t be sorry at the end result, baby. They needed to know, and it couldn’t wait two months. I did what I thought was best at the moment, even if it wasn’t right.”
Brian stood in the middle of the kitchen. His face was a picture of indecision. In it, AJ could see that Brian was still annoyed, but logic and love were battling with it. Pressing that advantage shamelessly, AJ tipped his head. “If the roles had been reversed, you’d probably do the same thing. It’s part of loving someone. You take care of them as best you can, even if your best isn’t always the greatest.”
For a second he thought Brian was going to stay livid with him. Then he was stepping forward, moving to stand between AJ’s knees. He brought his hands up and put them on AJ’s waist. “I don’t want you to do something like that again. If I act stupid next time, try talking to me first. Please?”
It was the please that did AJ in, cutting off any smart ass reply he’d been ready to make. He sighed. Damn Brian for being kind enough, and cute enough, to get what he wanted. “Fine. If I remember.” That was the best he could promise.
A sparkle danced in Brian’s eyes. “Best I can ask for, I guess.”
About that moment was when AJ realized that Brian was standing between his legs, and that he, AJ, was still wearing only a robe and nothing else. He brought his arms up, wrapping them around Brian’s neck, and leaned in to kiss him. As always, Brian kissed him back without hesitation. AJ deepened the kiss a little, letting his tongue come out to trace Brian’s lips. The little nip that Brian gave had AJ’s blood heating further.
He slid forward on the counter, letting the robe fall open as his legs were pushed apart even more by Brian’s hips. He tasted Brian’s moan; felt his lovers hands tighten in the robes fabric over his hips. AJ toyed with the curls at the nape of Brian’s neck.
They broke their kiss, AJ’s lips traveling along Brian’s jawline, which he knew drove the older man crazy. He heard Brian’s small moan, then a soft chuckle. “Again, Alex?”
“What can I say?” AJ whispered against his skin. He moved his mouth to Brian’s ear, nipping the flesh there. He heard Brian gasp and smile to himself, doing it again before running his tongue over the shell of Brian’s ear. Suddenly Brian’s grip tightened in the robe and he pulled, separating the material. He placed his hands on AJ’s knees then, sliding them against the skin there.
AJ shuddered as Brian’s hands slid closer and closer, but never actually touched him where he wanted them to. He brought his lips back to Brian, fisting his hands in those curls to hold Brian’s head there as they ravaged one another’s mouths. As Brian’s hands slid back up his thighs, AJ moved his hips, gasping as Brian’s hands brushed against his erection. He felt Brian chuckle into their kiss, but he didn’t care. Brian’s hand was wrapping around him, stroking ever so lightly. On a ragged breath AJ dropped his head backwards, resting it against the cupboard. “God, that feels good, baby.”
Brian leaned in, his tongue leaving a wet path over the vein in AJ’s neck. “You like that?” he whispered, letting his breath blow against where he had just licked. AJ shivered at the sensation. “I want more.” He replied huskily. He knew how much Brian loved it when he talked to him. Not to mention how much it turned AJ on to talk that way. “I want your mouth on me.” He tugged lightly on Brian’s curls
His lover didn’t hesitate to drop down to a squat. He knew what AJ liked, and knew what would drive him absolutely crazy. Very lightly he licked at the swollen head of AJ’s cock, teasing the slit there. He began to suckle on the tip of the pre-cum leaking cock, enjoying the noises the younger man was making.
AJ sucked in air sharply through his nose and his eyelids fluttered shut tightly as Brian teased just the tip of him. With a growl he gave Brian’s hair another tug. “Don’t tease me.”
Needing no other encouragement, Brian relaxed his throat and took his lover in as deep as he could. He rubbed AJ’s thighs and buried his face into his as he took all of the pulsating cock into his mouth. He swirled his tongue underneath it, finding that vein, and then began to bob his head up and down at the pace he knew AJ loved.
Moaning, AJ kept his head back and lost himself in the sensation. He felt every nerve in his body begin to heat. Already his orgasm was building, threatening to overwhelm him. It wouldn’t take much for him to finish, and this wasn’t how he wanted to finish. He pulled on Brian’s curls again, moaning “Up” at him. His lover complied, letting AJ slide from his mouth before he stood back up, their bodies pressing together.
AJ’s hands slid frantically down Brian’s body, touching as much skin as possible while their lips reconnected. AJ moaned again as he tasted himself on Brian’s lips.
Suddenly he was being lifted in strong arms. Instinctively he wrapped his legs around Brian’s waist. The older man broke their kiss to tell him “I want you in our bed.” In that husky southern voice that always sent shivers down AJ’s spine.
When he was gently laid on the bed he reluctantly released Brian, who stayed up only long enough to shed his sweats and then he was back. Their bodies pressed together, erections rubbing against one another as they both ground their hips. AJ spread his legs, letting Brian slip between them. “Now, now.” AJ panted, his hands running over that soft skin, down to squeeze the ass he loved so much.
Another kiss, and then their bodies were shifting, getting into position. Brian eased himself deep inside of AJ, almost crying at the pleasure that filled him. He stayed that way, AJ clenched tightly around him, until AJ moved his hips. Then Brian began moving, rocking against him. He rolled his hips as he rocked, trying to find that one sweet spot. He buried his face in AJ's neck and licked at the skin there.
AJ arched suddenly when Brian's cock grazed his prostate. His gasp echoed through the room. "There?" Brian asked, already knowing the answer. All he got in response was a deep throated moan from AJ as he did it again. He pressed his palms into the mattress to support his weight and looked down into AJ’s eyes. They were dark with lust, and full of love. Brian pulled out almost all of the way before sliding back in, making sure to tap that same spot.
"Oh, fuck." AJ moaned, arching up into Brian's thrust. He mindlessly reached up, holding to Brian’s shoulders as he pushed his body down to meet him thrust for thrust. Brian drove in slightly harder this time, causing the both of them to moan loudly.
AJ shuddered beneath him and brought his legs up around Brian’s waist. "Fuck, Bri, harder." He practically begged. He was past all shame. He had never begged anyone for anything before, but Brian could reduce him to that if he tried. Sometimes even if he didn’t.
Brian pulled out and then slipped back in. His thrusts became deeper and faster. He reached between them and wrapped his hand around AJ's cock, tugging, imitating the act their bodies were doing.
AJ wrapped his arms tighter around his lover. They were both moving frantically now, both wanting to reach that point.
The air filled with the sounds of their moans and panting as they got closer and closer. AJ’s eyes practically rolled up in his head as Brian kept hitting his prostate, until he felt dizzy with pleasure, not sure if he could take one second more, and convinced he would die if Brian stopped now.
Brian’s orgasm hit him first. He buried himself deep inside of AJ with a loud shout, shuddering as his body tightened and spasmed. AJ lost control as he watched Brian’s face and he shot his own load onto the both of them with a loud moan. He felt as his lover collapsed on top of him and enjoyed the weight of his body as they both panted.
“You know.” AJ gasped out. “They probably heard us on the next floor down.”
Weakly Brian chuckled. “Probably. Who cares?”
Smiling, the two men lay snuggled together, their problems momentarily forgotten.