by CKC

//Look at him sitting there, so relaxed, sprawled across the couch. Legs stretched out, arms wide. Smiling at the movie, sipping his beer. Look at the way his lips caress the mouth of the bottle. The way the muscles in his throat move as he swallows.

He glances at me and his smile widens. I treasure that smile, the way his eyes light up. Popcorn? Sure. I move to get up, but he's up before me, asking me to pause the movie while he makes it. The movie? Oh, yeah. I hit the pause button and turn enough to watch him as he moves around the kitchen.

Damn, the man is graceful. He's back quickly, handing me the bowl, sitting next to me so we can share. Napkin? Thanks. I press play and pretend to watch the movie again. All I can think about is him, sitting there at my side, where he's supposed to be.//

//Okay. I'm sitting next to him. That's an improvement. I wait until he's grabbed a handful of popcorn before I get any - I'm not sure what I'd do if our fingers touched right now. I take some, but get distracted by the way he tosses a kernel into his mouth and chews it slowly, deliberately. Again. God, the way his mouth opens, his lips ready to capture that salty, buttery morsel... I glance at the TV. The movie's still on, but I have no idea what's happening.

I stare at the screen, trying to figure out the plot of the movie I'm not watching. Oh. Right. Two good guys trying to save the world from the bad guys. I smile to myself - why does that sound familiar? Two good guys... Well, one good guy and one great guy, I amend, looking over at him. Great. As in incredible. As in amazing. As in my partner.

I grab another handful of popcorn and glance over at him again. Our eyes meet and I freeze for a second, lost in those blue depths before I force myself to look back at the TV. The temperature of the room rises a couple of degrees.//

//I take a deep breath. The images on the television in front of me mean nothing. My heart's racing, my palms are sweaty, and all I can think of is him, of the look we shared. Did I understand him? Did he understand me? We've shared looks before, almost from the beginning, but nothing this intense, nothing with this much promise. Oh god, the promise in those blue eyes...

I turn toward him, clutching my courage tightly. He stills, eyes fixed on the TV, then shifts around to face me. I can read the question in his eyes clearly and I try to make my answer as easy to read. He blinks, that slow, deliberate blink that makes his eyes look as big as saucers and his expression as innocent as a child's.

He puts his hand on my shoulder, and even through my shirt I can feel his heat. His head tilts - I can read another question. I move toward him, knocking my thigh against the popcorn bowl. Damn thing... With a grin, he moves it to the coffee table, then grows solemn again. Almost of its own volition, my hand raises and cups the side of his face. It feels so good to touch him, especially since I don't have to snatch my fingers away immediately like I usually do. He leans into my hand, then turns and brushes his lips - god, those lips - over my fingers.//

//His skin tastes salty - of course, the popcorn. Is that why my throat's so dry? He didn't flinch when I kissed his fingers. I can hardly believe it -- he didn't flinch... If anything, his expression gentled, like it does when he's touched by something and doesn't think anyone is watching. But we're staring at each other, and I couldn't look away now if my life depended on it.

His fingers feel so good against my cheek, over my lips. I allow one inside my mouth for a moment. A nip, a lick. The faint flavor of butter. His fingertip quivers against my lips. His other hand? Ahh, my hair. He massages my scalp, sending trickles of warmth down my neck and back. I shiver, and he smiles, pleased. I'm an open book -- he can see what he's doing to me, and I don't care.

I slide my other hand up his arm - god, the muscles - to his shoulder, and grip tightly. He frowns. What's wrong? I can't breathe. Don't let go, don't tell me it was a mistake... No? Good. I can breathe again. He moves a little, trying to... I frown. He wants me to sit in his lap? Like a girl? Hey, just because I'm younger and smaller...//

//No, no, no! You've misunderstood! I thought it'd be more comfortable... His nod and sudden smile of understanding startle me. And his graceful agility. The easy way he straddles my thighs, facing me. Oh god, look at the way his pants are pulled tight across his crotch... Breathe. Again. Once more. He tilts my head up and I meet his eyes. Ah. He understands that, as well.

I pull his face forward a little, then hold still. Will he? He continues toward me, eyes closing, lips parting. Warmth first, then moisture, and finally - wait for it -- pressure. The tastes on my tongue: beer, salt, butter, him... Something suddenly twists in my gut, almost painful. I moan as we kiss. He echoes it and pulls himself closer, our chests touching. His fingers dig into my shoulders, and I kiss him harder. I want to taste nothing but him.//

//I want this kiss to last forever... I want to touch every part of him, now... I want... I want to see that look in his eyes again. Pull back a little. Hold his face just enough to stop him from diving in again. Breathe. Yes, you too... Wait, don't be ashamed of your passion - I feel it, as well. Can't you tell? I rub myself against him, chest to groin. Yeah. Feel that? You're doing that to me. His eyes sparkle, his lips, those delicate lips in that chiseled face, turn up in a smile. Oh, god...

My fingers shake as I unbutton his shirt. Adrenaline? Only partly... I have to stop for a minute when he drags my shirt over my head. Fingers, palms. There. There? Yeah... Ah, he likes that. Must remember. Strange how something so small can be so sensitive. Okay, two somethings... Why do his groans sound like music?//

//My chest burns, my vision's blurred, I can't breathe, all I can hear is my pounding heart... I've never felt this good. He slides higher up my thighs, pressing against me, and grins. Tease. If I hold his hips so, I can... Oh! Sorry... That was close. Back down a little. Keep him on the edge, but don't let him fall over, yet. I don't want this to end... I never want this to end...

Bed's a good idea. Plenty of room to maneuver. His eyes widen again. Yeah, it's an invitation. No, this isn't a one-off thing for me... For you, either. I know. New? Yeah, me too. Hey, we're two intelligent guys. We can figure it out. I mean, how difficult... His kiss is sweeter than any words could be.//

//Oh god, oh god, oh god... Bed makes it real, not just a quick grope on the couch. Not that I thought he'd do that... Bed. His bed. Our bed? Could he mean... Yeah, okay, we'll talk about it tomorrow. How long are the damn stairs? They go on forever. Ah, nice. He's warm against my back, his arms wrap over my chest. Hey... Oh. Can you see what you're doing over my shoulder? That tickles! Shoes, socks, trousers, shorts. Now him. His legs go on forever, like the stairs. Yeah, I'm a comedian...

The sheets are cool, his skin is hot. So much smooth skin. It tastes as good as his mouth. And it's all mine. You heard me... Ahhh. Again? Wait! I didn't scream... much. Yeah, I liked it. Here, let me...//

//His hands are everywhere I want them. I don't have to say a word... Yes. There. And there. And, oh god, especially there... Quick. Taste him. Tell him... yes. Mine. Yes. Yours. Hold him. I'm shaking, too...//

//Yours. Mine. I can't tell the difference... You taste... right. Scared? Not anymore. Hold him. Almost...//

//...there. Almost...//

//...there... Yes. Hold on...//

//...together... Now! Oh god, hold me, don't let me go...//

//...together... Now! Oh god, I've got you...//

//Dark. Warm. Him.//

//Warm. Dark. Him.//

//Words cannot...//

//No. They can't... Except...//

//I know.//

//Say it?//

//Together.//

//Love you...//

//Yes.//

End