Dreamspinner Press Year Nine Greatest Hits

by Michael Murphy

  “Richmond? Or one of the nice suburbs.”

  “What are you thinking of? I don’t have a lot of money, Scott. My savings are almost nonexistent. I don’t earn a lot either, so I can’t really contribute to a household.”

  “We’ll find something that works for both of us.”

  “Are we seriously considering living together? We’re not even, you know, dating yet. We’re not even fuck buddies yet. We’re just two assholes who admitted they like each other.”

  Scott snorted. “Hey, Evan. I like you.”

  “I like you too, asshole.”

  He laughed then, and Evan knew he loved that sound.

  “You’ve been my best friend my whole life,” Scott said softly. “Even when things were weird, I still knew no one would ever get me like you did. It doesn’t feel like this is new, you know? It feels like….”

  “Like we just took our time getting here,” Evan finished for him.

  “Yes. Exactly. Like this was always a possibility… but it’s like trying to see the moon when the sun’s out. You know it’s there, you just can’t see it.”

  “Profound.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Can I ask you about something?” Evan asked.

  Scott frowned. “Sure.”

  “I didn’t change my mind or anything,” he said with a rush. “But it’s been a really long time, and I haven’t exactly been keeping tabs on you. I only know what Lacey mentioned in passing.”

  “What do you want to know?” Scott asked. He leaned back against a counter and crossed his arms over his chest. If he hadn’t just spent the better part of two weeks in the hospital, Evan was pretty sure his biceps would be puffed out. Scott still looked sick, though.

  “Just… who you’ve dated, I suppose,” Evan mumbled.

  Scott’s expression turned wicked. “No one as incredible as you, I promise.”

  “Scott,” Evan whined.

  “Okay. Well, I’ve mostly dated women. Though I fucked a few guys.”

  “Since we were together?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay.”

  “You want to ask me how many women, don’t you?”

  “No,” Evan said pointedly.

  Scott bumped their shoulders together. “You’re adorable. Probably the longest relationship I’ve ever been in was with Missy.”

  “Missy? You dated a girl named Missy?”

  “Don’t be bitchy. She was a sweetheart. Total wild child in bed, though.”

  “Ew. Girls.”

  “I’m bisexual, Evan,” Scott said with a grin. “I’ve been having sex with women.”

  “I know. I just sort of get weirded out by the details. Sorry.”

  “That’s okay,” Scott laughed now, the sound as bright and perfect as Evan remembered. “Are we exchanging sexual history?”

  “If you like.”

  “Hmm. Well, since Rachel, that girl in college? I haven’t had unprotected sex since. Not once. I really don’t ever want to be in that position again. The next time someone tells me I’m going to be a father, I want it to be the best news in the world, not some terrifying thing I have to deal with.”

  Evan nodded. “I can understand that.”

  “I get STD checked once a year with my physical. It’s always come back clear.”

  “I’m probably not as safe as you,” Evan said, feeling something twist in his belly. It wasn’t shame, he wouldn’t let it be that, but his attitude to safe sex had been slightly less safe. “I don’t use condoms for blow jobs, never have. I don’t like the taste of them. I get an STD test every six months, though, and I’ve never had anything show up. That’s a full screening by the way, with the HIV test included.”

  “Okay.” Scott nodded. “I don’t have a problem with the condom thing, by the way. Girls don’t seem to do that.”

  “Want you to use a condom for oral?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’ve been asked if I’m on PrEP before,” Evan said, remembering a guy from a night out, maybe a year before. He’d been perfect. The most beautiful guy in the club. Evan wasn’t going to tell Scott that, though. “I didn’t fuck him after he asked. It could have been nothing, you know? He said he was negative, but there was something wrong. He was high, and I didn’t want to take the risk.”

  Scott reached out and ran his fingers over Evan’s forearm. “Sounds sensible. Did I answer your question, anyway?”

  “Yeah. Suppose so.”

  “Good. Anything else?”

  “Yeah. Do you have any chips?”

  “I have Doritos. Unless you ate them all already.”

  “What flavor?” Evan asked, narrowing his eyes.

  “Cool Ranch. Duh.”

  “I take it all back,” Evan said dramatically, holding up his hands. “I’ll move in with you right away.”

  Scott laughed and quickly squeezed Evan’s ass as he passed on his way to the big pantry. It was one of the first sexual things they’d shared, and Evan was okay with it. It didn’t feel forced or contrived.

  They ate the sandwiches from one plate, sat on the couch with feet propped on the coffee table, watching one of Evan’s Discovery Channel shows. After, Scott was sleepy and swung his legs around to put his head on Evan’s lap.

  It felt right to run his fingers through Scott’s hair, so he did, gently smoothing through the silky-soft strands. Scott had showered in the hospital but didn’t have any products to fix his hair, so it was clean and shiny.

  While Scott napped, Evan pulled his phone from his pocket and fired off a quick text to his mom to update her. She’d been worried about Scott, naturally, and had been Evan’s main sounding board when he needed to offload all the stress and anxiety about Scott’s condition.

  After they’d exchanged a few catch-up messages, Evan rolled his shoulders and steeled himself for the next bit.

  Mom, I think Scott and I might be dating, he typed, then hit Send before he backed out. He watched as the read notification appeared on the message trail, then the three little dots to say his mom was typing.

  Oh, she said after a truly terrifying amount of time. I didn’t know he was gay.

  A few seconds later another message appeared. Are you happy?

  Yes, he rushed to respond. It feels so right. We just fit together.

  Then I’m happy for you xoxo

  He huffed a laugh, felt Scott stir, and quickly rubbed his hand over Scott’s head again to soothe him.

  Thanks, Mom. Love you.

  THAT NIGHT Scott showered again, saying he still felt like he smelled of hospital, while Evan cleaned up the kitchen. He’d made dinner, a hearty stir-fry with plenty of vegetables, fresh grilled chicken, and piles of snowy white rice. Scott seemed to appreciate the home-cooked meal.

  After living in the apartment on his own, it was almost strange to be sharing it with Scott now, even though it was Scott’s place. He’d grown comfortable with just he and Princess occupying the space. If anything, he was the third wheel.

  Since he still didn’t have his own pajamas, he changed into a pair of Scott’s and purposefully got comfortable on Scott’s side of the bed with his Kindle. Scott came out of the bathroom, one towel wrapped around his waist, the other rubbing over his head, and stopped dead just inside the door.

  “Hey. Scoot over.”

  “Hmm?” Evan asked, playing dumb.

  “My side of the bed. Scoot over.”

  “I wasn’t sure if you’d want me sleeping in here at all,” Evan said, not moving. “It might be too soon. I could always sleep on the couch.”

  “Fuck that,” Scott said, frowning as he crossed to the dresser and pulled out a clean pair of boxers, T-shirt, and long pajama pants. With no shame, he dumped the towels in his hamper and pulled the clothes on. Evan only got to look at his ass for the shortest time.

  “Look,” Scott continued, “I want you in my bed. It’s cold out there. I don’t even mind that you stole my PJs. You’re just not sleeping on my side of the bed.”
>
  Evan chuckled and butt-wriggled over to make room for Scott.

  “Thanks,” Scott grouched.

  Evan leaned over and kissed his cheek.

  “Do you want to keep reading? I know I’ve done nothing but sleep all day, but I’m fucking exhausted.”

  “No, it’s fine,” Evan said, turning the device off. “I can sleep now.”

  He set the Kindle down on the empty nightstand and shuffled down under the covers. A second later, the light went out and Scott curled himself around Evan’s side.

  “Did it get weird yet?” Scott whispered as he ran the flat palm of his hand over Evan’s chest.

  “No. Honestly,” he added at Scott’s humph.

  Evan shifted so he was on his side, facing Scott in the dark. After a moment he reached out and stroked his hand over Scott’s hair, then leaned in for a kiss.

  Their noses bumped together awkwardly at first. Then Evan smiled into it and their lips parted and Scott wrapped his fingers around Evan’s hip. The kiss was slow and purposeful, a kiss to confirm who they were and what they were to each other. It was a kiss of promise and sweetness, and Evan sighed.

  After a few moments of those slow, purposeful kisses, Scott pulled away.

  “Sorry. I don’t think I have the energy for sex yet.”

  “This doesn’t have to lead to sex,” Evan murmured as he rubbed their noses together. “It could just lead to more kissing.”

  Scott smiled. Even in the dark, Evan knew he was smiling.

  “Can I hold you?”

  “Yeah,” Evan said softly.

  He rolled over, then wriggled back into Scott’s comforting embrace. Scott fit his legs into the crook of Evan’s knees and wrapped his arm around Evan’s waist. He pressed one last kiss to Evan’s shoulder and fell asleep.

  IT WAS almost two weeks before Scott felt like he was ready for more. They had taken their time in those liquid hours before bed, exchanging simple kisses that made Evan hard in his borrowed pajamas. Scott was still recovering, though, and he often fell asleep before Evan had a chance to ask if he wanted more.

  Scott had made the arrangements by conference call to arrange his transfer to the DC office, and one of his colleagues had packed up his cubicle and came over with a box of stuff. Angie seemed nice, but the way she flirted casually with Scott was a clear indication that there had been something between them. Once. Not anymore, though. Evan decided not to pry.

  They had a few days left in Chicago—where it had gotten colder, to Evan’s mighty disgust—before Scott had to hand back the keys to his apartment and they could start the long journey home.

  For now, though….

  Scott’s fingers were in Evan’s hair, and he was tugging in an erratic rhythm as Evan slowly bobbed up and down on his cock. This was something Evan was sure he could do for hours. Scott came to pieces when he was being blown, back arching off the bed, toes curling, a panting, sweating mess. Evan adored it. It was everything he loved about being with a man, the taste and smell and raw animalism. There was no holding back, not when Scott was losing control and begging for more.

  “Scott,” Evan said and lapped at the very tip of Scott’s pink cock to get his attention. “Scott.”

  “Fuck, Evan. Fucking hell.”

  “Yeah. Want you to fuck me.”

  Scott made some choking noise in the back of his throat. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Shit. Okay. Give me a moment.”

  Evan hid a grin in the crease of Scott’s thigh, then bit it gently. “You got lube? Condoms?”

  “Yeah. Top drawer.”

  He carefully avoided touching Scott’s dick as he leaned over and dug through the top drawer, this time with permission. There were more condoms in here than last time and lube too, making Evan wonder where it had come from. He hadn’t let Scott outside yet. There had been packages arriving in the mail, though. Fuck.

  Evan tossed the condom onto Scott’s chest and rolled onto his back. It took a minute of fiddling with the wrapper to get the bottle of lube opened, and then Evan pulled his knee back to his chest and poured some of the slippery stuff on his fingers.

  “I’m gonna blow just looking at you,” Scott grumbled.

  Evan leaned over and pressed a wet kiss to his cheek. “Watch,” he murmured, “and learn.”

  “Fuck,” Scott said. His pupils were blown so wide, hardly any of the blue was left showing.

  Evan rubbed his lips over Scott’s jaw and pressed two slick fingers against his hole. He hadn’t done this for a while, not even when masturbating, so it took a moment for his body to accept the insistent intrusion.

  “Let me see,” Scott whispered.

  Evan just nodded.

  They shifted around on the bed until Scott was between Evan’s thighs, watching as he slowly stretched himself with slick fingers. He kept one hand wrapped around the back of his thigh, keeping it pulled up toward his chest. Scott whimpered.

  “Come on,” Evan said, his voice now a low, desperate whine.

  “Shit, yeah, sorry,” Scott said and fumbled with the condom wrapper.

  Evan laughed, feeling too light, breathless. While Scott got himself wrapped up, Evan slicked more lube over his hole and spread his legs, planting both feet on the bed.

  “This okay?”

  “Mhmm. Want you inside me.”

  “Okay.”

  Scott leaned forward and balanced himself on both hands, nuzzling at Evan’s throat for a second, then kissing him soundly. They found their angles, the way their bodies fit neatly together, and Scott pushed forward.

  It was breath stealing, that first nudge of the head of Scott’s cock against his hole, until Evan forced himself to relax and welcomed the thick cock inside himself. They groaned together, hands scrabbling for purchase on sweaty skin.

  Then he started to move.

  Slow and easy, like so much of their relationship. Slow and easy and sweet, no rush, no pressure, just the sweet slick slide of Scott’s cock in his ass. Evan threw one arm over his head and wrapped his other hand around the back of Scott’s neck, demanding kisses as they rocked together.

  It was almost too easy, loving each other like this. Easy and sweet and… vanilla.

  “Scott,” Evan murmured.

  “Hmm?”

  “You can… let go. You’re not going to hurt me or whatever.”

  Scott pressed up on his arms to look down at Evan’s face. A lock of dark hair was sticking to his forehead.

  “What do you want?”

  “Come here,” Evan demanded and dragged him down into a kiss. This was tongue slick and heavy, wanting to reassure, to calm.

  He shifted until Scott’s heavy cock slipped out of his ass, then pushed at Scott’s shoulder until he was on his back.

  “Are you okay?” Scott asked. “I didn’t hurt you?”

  “No,” Evan said emphatically. “I just want to show you something.”

  He moved around the room, turning on lamps, bathing the room in a soft glow. The door was shut, keeping Princess outside, but he threw the curtains open, exposing the room to the clear Chicago night sky.

  “Evan. People might see in.”

  “So what? Have you ever seen people fucking before? It never happens. Even when you think you’re being exhibitionistic, no one sees.”

  He stripped the condom off Scott’s dick, making him hiss, and took a new one from the drawer to roll on. Since he was there, he tickled Scott’s balls, making him squirm.

  “Fuck. Fuck! Get off,” Scott laughed.

  Evan kissed his belly. “Pass me the lube?”

  Scott did, and Evan poured a generous amount into the palm of his hand, using it to slick Scott’s cock.

  “I feel the need to warn you,” Scott said through gritted teeth, “I haven’t done this in a while. I don’t have my usual staying power.”

  “Pussy,” Evan teased.

  “Jesus, Evan.”

  That seemed to be his cue to hop back on. He
threw his leg over Scott’s solid thighs and grabbed the base of Scott’s dick so he could lower himself back onto it.

  Now slick and having felt this once this evening already, Evan’s body quickly adapted, and with a little rock of his hips, he took the thick cock to the base in one determined stroke. Scott’s body arched forward, and Evan thought he was maybe coming, but no, Scott grabbed Evan’s hips and dug in his fingers.

  “Fuck,” he groaned.

  Evan started to move, knowing this and loving it. He adored being astride his partner, being able to control the cant and thrust of his hips. Looking down at Scott was something else entirely. He was flushed all over his chest, pink nipples pebbled and hair in gorgeous disarray. His chest hair was stuck to his skin in sweaty whorls, looking darker like this than when his skin was dry. Muscled forearms, heavy biceps, the angle of his jaw, and the dent in his chin that Evan had fallen for a lifetime ago. He was gorgeous. It was so easy to love him.

  “Gimme your hand,” Evan said, breathless.

  “Huh?”

  Evan huffed a laugh. Apparently Scott had gone brainless. Not always a bad thing. Evan grabbed the lube again and carefully removed one of Scott’s hands from its death grip on his hip. He poured a good-sized blob into the palm, then guided it to his own dick.

  “Like,” Evan gasped, losing himself now. “Like this.”

  He canted his hips forward, into the cool lube in Scott’s hand, then ground back, taking Scott’s cock even deeper inside himself.

  “Holy shit,” Scott croaked.

  “Good, huh?”

  Scott just tipped his head to the side and whimpered. Now the long arch of his throat was exposed, and if Evan weren’t so determined to finish this, just like this, he would have leaned forward to sink his teeth into it.

  They quickly found a new rhythm—Scott fucking Evan, Evan fucking Scott’s hand, and both of them quickly spiraling out of control. Scott was making tiny little grunting noises with each push and pull, his fingers clenching on Evan’s dick almost like he was holding on to it for his own control.

  Evan tipped his head back and laughed, pushing the fingers of both hands into his hair and stretching. It changed the angle of Scott’s dick inside him, and he almost faltered, then ground down as he felt himself lose control.