The morning air was chilly but it felt good against his skin. Brian stood on the back steps and stared at the trees that surrounded the back of his property. The wind that the northwest was famous for was whipping through the trees and stirring up the leaves. He realized that he’d lost track of time with touring and these problems. What month is it? He found himself wondering. Funny how time could slip away from you like that. Judging by the weather it had to at least be sometime in the fall.
If it was fall, that meant the holidays were coming up. For the first time in years, Brian had something of his own for the holidays this year. A home. A partner. After this surgery was said and done, he wanted to devote his time to getting the house in order. Maybe, if they worked hard, they could get it done by Christmas time. Wouldn’t that be pleasant? To have his friends over to join them for the holidays. Denise, as well. All of them loved her, but she had become special to Brian. Like a mother-in-law that he actually loved almost as much as his own mother.
Brian took a sip off of his coffee and continued to stare at the trees. He’d slept through the entire evening and all night long. Now that he was awake, and had a cup of coffee in his system, he could look at yesterday and understand things better. The doctors news had put him into shock. Embarrassing as that was, it could have been worse.
If AJ hadn’t been there…that wasn’t a thought he wanted to pursue. The point was AJ had been there, and he had stepped up to the plate admirably. Without making Brian feel like an idiot or a weakling, AJ had just taken control of the situation. Getting Brian to the car, bringing him home, tucking him in bed to sleep the shock off. Never making judgments or criticizing him. He’d been absolutely wonderful.
Hope bloomed in Brian’s chest. Maybe, just maybe, AJ was right. This time he had a partner who was strong and who loved him. Someone he could lean on and pass the load to for a little while. Yesterday was proof that AJ was definitely capable. Brian knew that he could trust him with anything. So maybe this time he didn’t have to be as strong as he had last time. Maybe this time he could lean, and trust that the person there would hold him up.
A loud thump caught Brian’s attention. He turned, cocking an ear toward the house before a smile curled his lips. There was another thump. AJ was up.
Still smiling, Brian went inside and found the only other coffee cup in the house. He poured a cup for AJ, setting it on the countertop. Then he grabbed the creamer from the fridge, adding some to AJ’s and some to his own before he topped his cup off with more coffee. Just as he was putting the creamer away and closing the fridge, AJ came stumbling into the room, his eyes still half closed. “Umph” Was the only sound he made as he grabbed his coffee cup and took that first drink.
Brian smiled to himself as he looked at his lover. AJ was wearing crisp pajama pants, that were actually Brian’s. That must have been the thumping. AJ digging through bags in his effort to find clothes. It wasn’t unusual that AJ had grabbed the wrong pair. It was either accidental, or AJ had grown so frustrated at not being able to find his own that he just grabbed a pair of Brian’s.
His body still had that slightly flushed look that comes from sleeping. His eyes were still at half mast, and his hair was sticking out in every which direction. That mouth that Brian loved so much was swollen from sleep, looking delicious enough to want to taste. To top it off, AJ was still barefoot. He looked like a kid just roused from bed for school who was none too pleased about it.
While AJ wasn’t paying attention, Brian slipped away and jogged up the stairs. He dug through their stuff until he found what he was looking for. With a grin he went back down the stairs. AJ was still in the same spot, but one hand was patting at the pockets of his pants and he was scowling. Brian chuckled at the predictability of the younger man.
He tossed down the slippers he’d grabbed so that they landed right by AJ’s feet. When AJ looked up, Brian smiled and held out the coat he’d grabbed, AJ’s pack of cigarettes and lighter in his hand as well. As much as he hated the fact that AJ smoked, he wasn’t stupid enough to try to mess with the man’s morning smoke and coffee.
Gratitude lit AJ’s eyes as he slid into the coat. He took the pack and lighter from Brian’s hand as he dipped his head in for a quick morning kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Alex.” Brian chuckled. “Go smoke. I’m going to finish my coffee cup and go hop in the shower.”
“Mmm.” AJ paused at the door, looking outside and back in, the debate obvious on his face. Brian couldn’t help it. He laughed. “Go smoke!”
With a grin and a wink, AJ headed outside while Brian went upstairs to dress down for his shower. He piled his clothes in the basket that he kept in the master bath, and set his coffee cup down on the counter. With a sigh he stepped underneath the warm spray. He felt much better than he had yesterday. The shock had worn off, and he wasn’t left with a sore throat from the TEE either. But he was achy from having slept for a long period of time. So the spray from the shower felt wonderful.
The shower door slid open and Brian smiled. Speaking of feeling wonderful he thought to himself as the door closed and AJ’s hands were on his hips, sliding around his waist. Brian leaned into the embrace, letting his head fall back against AJ’s shoulder. “Didn’t think you’d mind if I joined you.” AJ rasped in his ear.
God, that voice sent shivers down his spine. That low voice that he always had when he was turned on, combined with the extra rasp he usually had first thing in the morning. It was an erotic combination. “I never mind.”
AJ’s hands were running over Brian’s stomach, down his thighs and back up again. “I was thinking.” He whispered. He licked the shell of Brian’s ear, making the older man shudder. “I imagine that after your surgery, you’ll be on a sex restriction, so we don’t tax your heart.” One of AJ’s hands found Brian’s erection and wrapped around it. Brian arched into AJ’s hand and moaned. AJ chuckled against his ear and nibbled on the skin there. “Tell me what you want me to do, Bri.” He said huskily.
“I want…” Brian gasped as AJ’s hand moved back and forth across his length. “I want your…” Another gasp, this time accompanied by AJ’s chuckle. He knew what Brian was asking for. But he wasn’t going to move until Brian actually said it.
“What do you want, lover?” He pulled slightly, running his finger over the slit at the head of Brian’s dick. “Tell me. I want to hear you tell me.”
“I want your mouth, Alex.” Brian finally managed to gasp out. His hips were pushing against AJ’s fist, then back against his lovers erection that was pressing against him.
“Where?” AJ teased him. He pulled, long and slow. “Here?”
“Yes!”
With another chuckle, AJ spun him suddenly so that his back was against the wall. He dropped to his knees, the water running down them both, almost blinding AJ. He didn’t mind. All of his attention was focused on the throbbing cock in front of him. He wasted no time in leaning in and taking the head into his mouth.
Brian’s head thumped against the shower wall for a second as AJ’s warm mouth enveloped just the head. Then he was looking back down, fingers running over AJ’s hair, watching as his lover took him in his mouth inch by inch. It was an erotic sight that turned Brian on more and more. He knew what kind of mood his lover was in and it was rubbing off on him. “Don’t tease me, Alex.” He moaned, pulling slightly on AJ’s head.
In response AJ widened his throat and let Brian slide in as far as he could go. “Fuck.” Brian moaned, dropping his head back again. He couldn’t help the way his hips moved. AJ didn’t seem to mind. He kept his hands down instead of holding Brian’s hips still. By doing that he let Brian have control.
As AJ ran his tongue around him and sucked him in, Brian’s hips were pushing back and forth. He could look down and see his cock sliding in and out of AJ’s mouth and the sensations intensified. Oh God, he felt so good. He started breathing heavily as his body began to tingle.
Suddenly AJ was gone. Brian moaned at the loss of sensation, and then gasped as AJ’s body pressed against him from head to toe. His lover was kissing him, their tongues tracing against one another, dipping and teasing. AJ’s hands were on his hips, and Brian wrapped his around AJ’s neck. The pleasure built so that Brian felt himself quivering with the need to gain his release. He broke their kiss so that he could turn himself to face the wall. No sooner had he turned around then AJ was against him again, kissing his neck, running his hands over Brian’s hips.
It was almost too much. Brian could feel AJ’s erection pressed against his backside and he pushed against it, trying to let AJ know how ready he was. His lover got the hint and suddenly he was there, the tip of him pressed against Brian’s entrance.
He couldn’t take it, couldn’t wait. With hands braced on the wall he lifted one leg to rest on the edge of the tub and pushed back toward AJ. Both of them moaned as AJ slid inside. Brian didn’t wait for his body to adjust; he didn’t want to. The pleasure was too strong already. Once AJ was in as far as he could go, Brian started to move his hips. He heard AJ’s deep throated growl and shivered. He knew what that sound meant.
Then AJ’s hands were on his hips, bracing himself, and AJ was thrusting in and out. The water sprayed down on them, slicking their skin, washing away the sweat as it popped up. Moans grew louder as the bathroom grew hotter. Brian was so close. He could feel it building in him, like a fire that raced along each nerve and each vein until he felt as if his whole body was burning. Then AJ thrust in and tapped against that one special spot, and Brian’s entire world shattered at the seams. He dropped his head down as he shouted AJ’s name, emptying himself onto the shower wall.
Even as the tremors still rocked his body he felt AJ’s pace become harder and more uneven. With a shout of his own AJ buried himself as far inside of Brian as he could, his body twitching and quivering as his orgasm pulsed through him.
When they were both done AJ pulled back with a gasp. They came together under the lukewarm water, wreathed in smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
After their shower the two got dressed and decided to go out of the house. As much as they wanted to stay in bed all day, Brian had pointed out that they had no beds for the guys to sleep in when they got there. So they set off together to go furniture shopping.
Curled up in the passenger’s seat this time, AJ watched Brian as he drove. They were discussing what kinds of things they wanted in the house. It amazed AJ, how involved they were both getting with this. Some of it they agreed was going to need to wait, because some things Brian wanted to do with his own hands. The very idea of his lover in a tool belt was enough to have AJ agreeing.
“So we’ve got four other rooms to get ready.” Brian was saying as he passed another car. “But only three of them will be used. Do we really wanna shop for all four today?”
“Hey, might as well. That’ll be a start on our house work we want to get done.” AJ agreed.
“If we want to paint them, I suppose we could always come back later.”
They crossed over a bridge, following the GPS to some store called Broadway Furniture. Once there they found two bedroom sets that they liked, one a more rustic looking wood while the other was basic oak. They liked the dressers that went with them, as well, and ended up buying the whole bedroom sets as well as the mattresses and arranging for them to be delivered later that afternoon, close to four. That gave them plenty of time to continue their shopping.
It amazed Brian exactly how many ways their tastes meshed together. The things that he loved he found AJ loving too and vice versa. There were some items that were a little more Brian or a little more AJ, but they both enjoyed them.
From that store to moved down the road, walking from shop to shop, picking up little things here and there. Some hats that AJ found that he couldn’t live without. A Buddha statue that he fell absolutely in love with. A new pair of shoes for Brian, a new cap, and he mooned over a beautiful painting done by a local artist of the Columbia river gorge for so long that AJ bought it even as Brian protested that it wasn’t necessary.
They were laughing as they exited the shop and started back toward the car. They put their bags in the trunk and were about to get in when AJ happened to glance across the street. He let out a loud whoop and darted past the car that was turning, ignoring their honk as he ran across the street.
Brian shook his head as he locked the car and waited until it was clear before jogging after his lover. When he caught sight of the shop AJ was looking at he couldn’t help but laugh. No wonder AJ had been excited. It was a tattoo and piercing shop. He was already inside by the time that Brian joined him. “Look Bri, look! I want this one.” AJ was peering into a book and pointing at one of the pages.
“Age, we don’t have time you freak. We’ve got furniture to buy before everyone else gets here.”
“I know, I know, but I’m just looking!”
Again Brian laughed. He knew better than to think AJ was ‘just looking’ at anything. “Get your ass in gear, shithead. We’ll come back another time, I swear.”
AJ let out a huge sigh but allowed Brian to lead him from the shop. “You owe me.” He grumbled as he climbed into the car. With a look at the map, Brian knew how he could kill two birds with one stone. Get what they needed as well as make AJ happy. But first things first. He reached into the backseat where he’d tossed a bag as they left the house. Out of it he grabbed one of his hoodie sweaters, just a simple blue color, and tossed it at AJ.
“Toss that on and I’ll make it up to you. You should probably remove the jewelry too, hon.”
As AJ started to take his jewelry off, Brian pulled the car out and headed down toward Lloyd Center Mall. Easiest way to make AJ happy, and also the quickest way to get the items they needed. If they were careful they’d be able to avoid detection. Most teenage girls should still be in school, it was only nearing noon on a Thursday.
As the building came into sight, AJ was tucking all of his rings and his bracelets into the glove box. He’d left his earrings in just out of habit. He felt naked without at least those. But when his head came back up and he saw the mall he let out a cheer. “You are the best boyfriend in the whole fucking world!” he shouted, kissing Brian’s cheek with a loud smacking sound.
Laughter echoed inside the car. Brian found them a parking spot and pulled in. Before AJ could go anywhere, Brian grabbed hold of his seat belt. “I have rules, young man.” He teased him. “It’s like 11 something or other right now, and we have to be home by four so the beds can be delivered, and we still have two beds to buy. Those first, and then you can shop your little heart out until three. But at three we’re going home, ok?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Brian let go of AJ’s seat belt and laughed as AJ practically flew to unhook it. Brian smacked his ass as AJ shot out the door.
With the hoodie on and one of Brian’s ball caps, AJ almost didn’t look like himself. Brian put one of his new caps on with the bill forward to keep his face slightly shadowed. As agreed they hit the furniture store first and found two more bedroom sets they agreed upon. After buying those, and mattresses, and arranging for those to be delivered at four as well, AJ grabbed hold of Brian’s arm and yanked him out into the mall. For the next few hours Brian resigned himself to bouncing from store to store.
AJ flew through stores, picking up more clothes than any one person should really need, as well as shoes and hats. To his surprise, Brian found he was enjoying the shopping more than usual and was even getting a few things for himself. What he loved the most, though, was dipping into the random stores and coming out with things for their house. A bowl to put on a table. A set of coffee mugs. Spice containers. Three different bedroom lamps. It amazed him that AJ actually said he enjoyed shopping for those more than for the clothes.
Two hours later they sat down in the food court to grab a bite to eat. It was already two o’clock by then. Both ordered from Panda Express and got multiple containers of food, sharing them between themselves. Brian brought over two Orange Julius’ just as AJ was bringing the food to the table.
“After this, I guess it’s ok if we head home.” AJ said with a sigh. There were so many bags piled next to them that Brian wondered how they were going to get them all in the car and get them home. He looked down at the bags and back at AJ, one eyebrow quirked up. A blush stained AJ’s cheeks, making Brian laugh.
“We’ve got about two hours left till the deliveries arrive, so I’d say it’s a good time to do it.” Brian agreed. He took a big bite of his Lo Mein, smiling at AJ through the noodles to make him laugh. Rolling his eyes and chuckling, AJ picked up a pineapple from his sweet and sour chicken and threw it at Brian. When he simply opened his mouth and caught it, AJ laughed.
They discussed the furniture that they’d bought and which bed they thought should go to which room, and who was going to sleep in which room. By the time they had decided they were done eating and AJ was gathering up as many bags as he could.
Brian shook his head as he watched AJ load his arms down like a pro. “How the hell does your skinny ass manage to carry all that without falling over?”
“Talent, my dear. Pure talent. It’s ok to be jealous, though. I don’t mind at all.”
As AJ stepped away, Brian stuck his tongue out at the back of his head and picked up the remaining bags.
They had gone down the escalator and were at the hallway right by their exit when AJ stopped. He was looking in the window of the pet store where two families were sorting thorough puppies to take their pic. There were three puppies in there, and one was bouncing up and down as happy as can be to see the people.
Brian stood by AJ’s side, finding himself watching as well. The other two dogs looked almost identical. They were all Huskies, that was obvious. But the two the families were looking at had perfect markings, perfect coloring, and were happy and wagging their tails but were sitting and waiting patiently like the clerk asked them to.
The two families did exactly what Brian had known they would. They took the two well behaved pups and walked out of the store only minutes later. But still AJ stood, staring at that one little puppy. It had dropped down to sit on the floor now, and its head was hanging low and its ears were down. AJ stayed there until the woman came and took the puppy and put it back in its cage. Then AJ gave himself a small shake. “Let’s go.” He said softly.
In that instant Brian made a decision. He took AJ’s arm and passed off the three bags he was holding, as well as the keys. “Go put these in the car, I’ll be there in a minute. I gotta pop in the bathroom before we head out.”
Still looking down, AJ nodded and headed on out. He didn’t even bother looking to see if Brian went to the bathroom. If he had, he would have seen his love dart into the pet store.
Ten minutes later Brian was carrying a large box with one arm, and a bag in that hand, and that small puppy in his other. When he got up to the car he saw that AJ was squatted by the tire, smoking a cigarette. He hadn’t noticed them yet. Quietly Brian set the box holding the dogs crate on the ground by the trunk, and reached into his bag. He hooked the end of the extendable leash to the harness that the woman had gave him and he set the puppy on the ground, keeping his hold on the leash end.
The dog had been quiet since Brian had got it, but at the sight of AJ it let out a few barks and shot forward.
AJ’s head shot up in surprise just as the puppy slammed into him, jumping up and licking his face over and over. With one hand AJ held his cigarette out of the way so as not to burn the pup while the other was trying to catch hold of its harness. He was laughing in delight as the puppy continued to kiss him. Brian just watched the scene with a smile on his face.
Finally AJ looked up, and his grin was so wide and his eyes so bright that Brian knew he’d done the right thing. “You got us a dog?”
“I got us this dog, honey. He needs us.” Brian handed the leash to AJ and took the keys so that he could pop the trunk and stuff his purchases in with everything else. He had to take the crate to the backseat since it wouldn’t fit in the trunk. But finally everything was inside. By then AJ was done smoking and was sitting in the passengers seat with the puppy quivering for joy in his lap. It kept looking to the window and letting out a small bark, then leaning down to give AJ’s hand a lick as if to reassure him that everything was ok.
Brian slid in behind the wheel and shut his door. “It’s a girl. She had a stupid name that I’m not going to tell you, cause it’ll probably irritate me as much as you. Which means that you get to name her. She’s not fixed, but we can take care of that soon enough.” Brian put the car in drive and started to weave his way through the parking lot as he spoke. “Now I got her dog food, and some dishes, and the crate. I don’t care if she uses the crate or not, but I got it because it’ll be easier if for some reason she has to be out of the way, and the woman said that most huskies like having someplace to go that’s just theirs.”
As they stopped at the stoplight AJ leaned over and took Brian’s face in his hands to give him a big kiss. When he let go, the light was green and Brian had to remind himself to go. Neither one of them spoke. AJ was too choked up for words. Seeing that, Brian stayed quiet. It had been the right thing to do.