The trip to Denise’s was a bust. AJ got all the way there and found her gone before he remembered that she was out of state for the next week. What he had to say wasn’t something that he wanted to say on the phone, so he just left her a message by calling her house phone and saying for her to call him when she got back home.
Since they couldn’t do that, and they were already out and about, the two men decided to go to Brian’s house and get some of his things. About halfway through doing that, AJ started to get nauseous again. He tried to hide it from Brian but his boyfriend caught on pretty quickly. They went back to AJ’s house and he ended up sleeping most of his day away, really only waking up to take the night time medication and then going back to sleep.
By the time the next day rolled around AJ felt horrible. He didn’t want to get out of bed, didn’t want to go and take his medication and force himself to eat something. But he did, grumbling the entire way. Curled up in his chair at the kitchen table he pillowed his head on his hands as Brian puttered in his kitchen.
A minute later a bowl was set in front of AJ and he found himself actually sitting up to eat. A smile curved his lips as he saw what Brian had given him. Though he got teased for it, one of AJ’s favorite breakfasts was a bowl of oatmeal and strawberries. He liked to cut the berries up and put them in his oatmeal. “How do you remember these kinds of things?” AJ asked as he cut up his berries and stirred them in.
Brian grinned and sat down opposite him with a bowl of his own. “Talent, baby. Sheer talent.”
“You’re such a modest fellow, Rok. It amazes me you’ve stayed so humble while being in the business we’re in.” AJ said sarcastically. It only made Brian grin an oatmeal filled grin that had AJ laughing. The food, as well as Brian’s company, perked him up enough that he ate all that was there for him and took his meds at exactly eight without complaint.
Right after breakfast they had to head out to the studio to record. AJ dressed as comfortable as possible. His stomach was bothering him. So far he hadn’t thrown up, but it was a close thing. He sat in the passenger’s seat of his car, one hand resting on his stomach, feet drawn up on the seat. From the glove box he pulled out a pair of sunglasses, hoping to kill the slight headache that the light was giving him.
This stupid medicine was supposed to be making him feel better, not worse. But he sure felt like shit. Still, he was going to the damn studio and he’d sing his stupid lines and then he could go home again and crawl into bed. This was not going to affect his life. He refused to let it change everything. He’d worked sick before. Hell, he’d toured sick! This was nothing.
Thankfully Brian didn’t comment on it as he drove them to the studio. He did hold AJ’s hand the entire way there. It was comforting. Somehow, over the last two days they had become closer than ever. AJ marveled at it, allowing his mind to drift and focus on something other than the vomit that threatened to rise up. In a situation that might have split most people apart they had somehow become closer and stronger.
He knew it wasn’t just because he was sick. That had made things progress a little faster, yes, but he and Brian had already been headed this way beforehand. His relationship with Brian was one thing he did not doubt. How could he, when the love was right there to see in Brian’s eyes? It said a lot to him that Brian hadn’t brought sex up again. He knew that, until the side effects went down enough that he felt normal, sex was out of the question. Well, neither of them had brought up actually doing it. Flirting and innuendos, though, they did constantly.
“Baby, we’re here.” Brian called softly, drawing AJ back to the present moment. He looked around and realized that they were at the studio. “Sorry, hon. Just woolgathering.”
“I’m almost scared to ask what you were thinking about.”
They climbed out of the car and, despite the nausea that rose, AJ found himself smiling at Brian’s teasing. He looked at him as they rounded the car and gave a cheeky grin. “You.”
“Oh!” Brian’s eyebrows wiggled and his own grin grew. “Well, that’s different. Tell me everything. Don’t spare details now.”
Laughter bubbled up from AJ. “I’m not telling you that. A man’s entitled to his fantasies.”
“They were fantasies? Damn, J! Now I really wanna know!”
“Nope.” AJ insisted. He kept one arm around his waist, feeling kind of special as Brian held the door open for him.
Once they were inside, Brian shamelessly started to beg. He liked listening to AJ laugh. “Please?”
“Nuh-uh. I don’t think so.”
Brian pouted as they walked into the main part of the studio where the others were waiting. “You’re a cruel, cruel man, Mclean.” He said sulkily. AJ leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “Don’t you forget it.”
Watching the byplay between the two, Howie chuckled. “You two bickering already? The day’s barely started.” He teased them. The couple was notorious for their fake arguments. Many times they’d had one, to the high amusement of their friends.
With a sigh and a scowl Brian flopped himself down on a chair. “He won’t tell me what he was fantasizing about in the car.” He griped to them. The look on his face was totally childish and a perfect sulk. “It’s not fair.” he grumbled. The others laughed at them and AJ stepped forward, leaning down to whisper in Brian’s ear. “If the tummy stuff’s gone by tonight, how about I show you my fantasies, honey? That work for you?”
“Mm. That’ll do.”
One of the techs came out and signaled to them that it was time for them to come inside. AJ straightened up and sent a quick prayer heavenward that he wouldn’t embarrass himself in this session. It was supposed to be their last one before starting tour. He took his pride and determination and wrapped them around himself as he walked into the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
He made it until their lunch break before his body took over. The doors opened to let them out to eat and AJ practically ran out of them. His face had been pale for the last twenty minutes and he’d kept his arms constantly around his stomach but his voice had sounded just like normal. Now that they were free for an hour he knew he couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Inside his mind he swore up a storm as he bent over the toilet and brought his breakfast back up. Stupid fucking medicine. Why couldn’t he have skated on the side effects like he always had with prescription meds? Usually if he had to take a prescription they’d warn him of the side effects and he’d never had a problem. Twenty four hours into taking these stupid pills and he was bent over a toilet, emptying his stomach.
Thank God no one came in after him. He imagined that Brian wanted to and was grateful that his partner knew him well enough to understand that he didn’t want company. Not for something like this.
When he was finally done he stumbled over to the sink and spent a few minutes rinsing the bad taste out of his mouth. Without a toothbrush there was only so much he could do but he did the best he could. Gingerly he set out for the cafeteria where everyone else was at.
On his way in he grabbed a water bottle and bypassed the rows of food. None of them even looked the slightest bit appealing. He made a beeline for table where everyone sat. Right next to Brian was an empty seat, one that he had most likely saved just for him. AJ gratefully sat down. Brian was in the middle of telling a story, he and Nick, about a prank they’d pulled. Kevin and Howie were laughing so hard they could barely eat. Not pausing in his story, Brian slid his arm around AJ’s waist.
Unashamed of it, AJ scooted his chair closer to Brian’s and moved so that his head was lying on Brian’s shoulder. Tucked in Brian’s embrace he closed his eyes and just let his boyfriend’s voice wash over him. Didn’t matter what he was saying. Just hearing him talk and laugh was soothing enough. He had to admit, throwing up seemed to have helped. At least, the nausea wasn’t as strong as it had been. But now his headache was pounding in his head. Stupid fucking medicine.
As Nick took up telling the story, Brian turned and kissed the top of AJ’s head. He didn’t ask the typical question of ‘are you ok’ or anything like that. He just kissed the top of AJ’s head before resting his cheek there. Smiling, AJ snuggled in closer, keeping his eyes closed. There may have been hell in his life right then, but there was one good thing going for him. One light in the middle of all the darkness. He was blessed with the love of one of the best people he had ever known. Thinking that, AJ drifted off to sleep snuggled against his side.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
By that evening AJ was feeling a little better. When he got home one of the first things he did was take a pain reliever and drink some of that nasty Pepto-Bismol. While they waited for them to kick in, he and Brian settled down on the bed in his room and picked a movie off of pay-per-view. AJ didn’t really care what the movie was. Dressed down in their pajama pants, the two men were snuggled together in the bed, and that was all he cared about.
Brian was propped up against the headboard, pillows behind his back, and AJ was tucked under one arm, his back against part of Brian’s chest. As the movie started, Brian almost absently moved his fingers around, tracing over the skin on AJ’s stomach.
The nausea had almost completely faded but the feel of Brian’s fingers on his skin put a whole new sensation in AJ’s stomach. He didn’t act on it; just sat there and watched the movie without seeing it. He was reveling in the feel of simply being with Brian. The mental high that came from having his lover in his bed with him. It seemed almost surreal. To think that Brian not only loved him, but loved him enough to stay by his side with the problems he was having. That amazed AJ to no end.
Brian laid his palm flat against AJ’s stomach for a moment before starting to lightly trace his fingers up and down. Sensation flared under his fingertips. AJ bit back a moan and let his eyes slide closed. He must have made some sound, done something to let Brian know that his touch was welcomed, because Brian’s fingers came up to rub at a nipple before taking it between finger and thumb and rolling it around. AJ almost came up off the bed. His nipples were a very sensitive spot for him.
Before he could even think of anything at all, Brian had bent his head down and was kissing the side of AJ’s neck, nibbling at the skin there. It was enough to have a man wanting to pant and moan. He barely noticed it when Brian shifted them until suddenly he felt himself lying back and opened his eyes to find Brian now braced on one hand over him.
The kisses on his neck moved up until Brian found his lips. Their kiss was hot and sweet, full of love and passion and so much more. It was more than anything AJ had ever felt before. He lost himself in it. As they kissed, AJ brought his hands up to run over Brian’s body. To touch every inch of exposed skin and familiarize himself with it.
Behind them the movie continued on, forgotten. The two men were intent on exploring one another’s bodies for the very first time. They had seen one another before, which came from years of touring and sharing rooms and such. But for the first time they were free to touch and taste and explore. AJ’s fingers danced up Brian’s back, sliding over the smooth skin up to his shoulders, then down and over his chest and stomach.
Brian’s free hand was doing the same to AJ. Starting at his shoulder, down over his chest and stomach and then around his side and back up again. All the while their tongues dueled one another, mimicking the act their bodies longed to do.
Somewhere in the back of his mind AJ was still coherent enough to remember that there were important things to do. “Brian...” he murmured, breaking from their kiss. “We need a condom. I have to be careful…even with pre cum.”
Brian didn’t break stride. Still kissing along AJ’s jaw, moving to bite at his ear and suck before going back to his jawline, he reached a hand out to the nightstand and opened the door. From there he pulled out a condom as well as a bottle of lube. Any other time AJ might have laughed at how prepared he was. Now all he could think about was gratitude that his baby had thought ahead.
He knew his eyes were heavy with lust as he watched Brian sit up in bed. There was something so erotic about watching Brian, especially as he hooked the waistband of AJ’s pajama pants and tugged them down. Nerves tried to flare up in AJ’s stomach but he forced them down. They had talked about this. They’d agreed on what they were going to do. Brian knew the risks, even if they were extremely minimal, and was willing to take the chance.
All thought fled from AJ’s head when he felt Brian start to slowly unroll the condom onto his aching cock. He hissed and arched his hips. “Oh, fuck!” he swore softly.
A light sparkled in Brian’s eyes. He was watching AJ’s face and body as the condom slowly slid on. Every muscle n AJ’s body looked tight and tense and he almost seemed to quiver. His eyes were shut as if he couldn’t handle keeping them open. It thrilled Brian to know that he turned his partner on that much that he would react so strongly.
Once the condom was in place, Brian pulled AJ’s pants the rest of the way off. When they were on the floor he slid back up, kissing along AJ’s stomach and chest, pausing to flick his tongue at AJ’s nipples, enjoying AJ’s moan so much that he did it again. By the time he reached AJ’s mouth his partner was panting slightly.
They drove one another slowly mad with kisses and touches, bringing the passion to a steady blaze. By the time that AJ rolled them over so that he was on top they were both slightly sweaty and were panting to draw in air.
AJ took the bottle of lube and put some in his hand. He rubbed it over his cock, adjusting the condom more comfortable as he did. As he kissed Brian’s neck he took one finger and probed at Brian’s entrance, liberally coating there was well with the lube. Slowly, gently, he pushed one finger in, lifting his head so that he could better watch Brian’s face. There was mild discomfort, but nothing serious.
A smile curved AJ’s lips, making him seem to shine down on Brian. It amazed him to watch the satisfaction on AJ’s face that he got simply from giving pleasure to another. Brian shifted his hips, not used to that feeling of fullness. But it wasn’t painful. Then, when AJ started to move his finger, Brian realized that it was far from painful. AJ tapped against something that had him almost screaming and his body seeming to roll
The one finger pulled out, only to be replaced by two. Again the discomfort, the slight pain, but this time AJ went right for that pleasure spot and tapped it again. That brought the pleasure back, stronger than anything he had ever known. It tore through him even as he stared into AJ’s eyes. The combination was the most erotic experience of his life.
Then the fingers were gone and AJ was there, the tip of his cock poised at Brian’s entrance while he braced himself on the bed. “This will hurt a little, sweetheart.” AJ whispered to him. There was also the unspoken question. AJ was giving Brian one last chance to change his mind. Brian let his smile grow. “I want you, Alex. I love you.”
“I love you too.” AJ pushed his hips slowly closer, sliding him in little by little. He saw the pain flash on Brian’s face, tightening around his eyes, and wished that he could do this without hurting him. When he was completely buried he had to work to keep his own body under control while he waited for Brian to adjust. God, it was heaven and hell being trapped inside of that tight heat and not being able to move! But he kept himself still and kissed along Brian’s neck, hoping to distract him.
The pain took a few moments to fade away. The intensity of it had surprised Brian but he had kept himself still. He wanted nothing to stop what they were doing. Still, it did start to fade. He moved his hips experimentally, accidently sending AJ further in and making him tap against that pleasure spot. Both men gasped at the same time. “Move, Alex.” He moaned out.
AJ did just that. He started a slow pace, aiming to hit that one spot as best he could. It was heavenly, the feel of Brian tightening around him, watching those beautiful eyes looking up at him. Brian’s hands came up, trailing down his back with that light scratch that he loved.
Shifting his weight, AJ brought a free hand down to wrap around Brian’s erection, pumping it in time with the movements of his hips. The room filled with the sound of their panting and moaning. Soon the two were covered in sweat.
“So…close.” Brian gasped out, his hips rolling of their own volition. He was lost in a sea of pleasure that was threatening to take him under any moment now. “Oh God, Alex…”
AJ dropped his head so that his forehead rested against Brian’s. “You’re so tight, Bri. You feel so fucking good.” He picked up his pace a little, bringing them closer and closer to the edge.
It was Brian who lsot his grip first. AJ tapped that sensitive spot inside of him again and gave a long pull to his cock. The next thing Brian knew his orgasm hit him like a fist, sending his body arching on the bed as he threw his head back and screamed out AJ’s name.
That was it for AJ. Watching Brian cum, coating his hand and his own stomach, and seeing the pleasure on his face as well as hearing him scream his name. That was the end of the line for AJ. With a hoarse shout of his own he buried himself inside of Brian and emptied out everything inside of him. At least, that was what it felt like.
When they were done he managed to pull out before flopping onto the bed. AJ reached down, carefully pulling the condom off and knotting it before tossing it into the garbage can on his side of the bed. Once that was done he looked at the nightstand where he’d brought his own precautions. Inside the door was a bag of baby wipes. He took one out and cleaned himself up and threw it away before tossing a couple to Brian so he could get clean too.
“You, my sweet Brian, are absolutely fucking amazing.” AJ sighed out as he lay back down.
Brian chuckled while wiping his chest off. “Only for you, baby.”
When he was done he lay back down and the two men snuggled close together. Brian grabbed the blankets and pulled them up over top of them. He took the remote and shut the TV off first before tossing it down on the nightstand. The two men held one another loosely as they started to drift.
Just when he thought AJ was asleep, a raspy voice asked him “Bri…do you have any, well…regrets?”
There was no hesitation in Brian’s answer. “None whatsoever.”
Humming lightly, AJ snuggled back in. Within minutes the two men were sound asleep.