by Laurin Kelly
Rob looked at the screen again, and then down to where Kelan lay on the floor. He placed the laptop on the table and set his gun next to it, facing away from the center of the kitchen towards the wall. Silently he offered his hand to Kelan. But instead of taking it, Kelan rolled over and stood up under his own power. He reset the chair he'd been sitting in when Rob had knocked him and it to the ground and sat down, pushing Rob's gun away with a distasteful expression. His eyes flickered to the laptop as he continued to ignore Rob's presence entirely.
In all the years he'd been alive, Rob had never felt guilty about anything. Regret wasn't particularly useful in his line of work. But as he walked back to his room, leaving Kelan behind to continue his solitary research, Rob had to admit that if the sensation churning in his gut wasn't guilt, he wasn't sure what else it could be.
Eight
The next few days passed painfully slow for Rob, as Kelan continued to barely communicate with him unless it was absolutely necessary. The rapid exchange of ideas, snarky banter, and long heated looks of the previous two weeks disappeared, and Rob was surprised at how much he missed all of it. Once he realized Kelan was committed to freezing him out, he figured his interest would start to wane. Unfortunately it had the opposite effect, making him feel unpleasantly excluded, another unwelcome first.
Rob purchased another laptop, since sharing the screen of the previous one was obviously not going to work anymore. He sat in the living room chasing dead end after dead end until his frustration finally got the best of him. After dumping the computer on the coffee table, Rob stalked into the kitchen, which had functioned solely as Kelan's home base since Rob's accusations.
"This is bullshit," said Rob. His temper flared even higher when Kelan acted as if he hadn't heard a thing. "I'm talking to you, Pratt. And before you ignore me again, I'll remind you whose house this is. If we're not going to work together on this like we agreed to, you're welcome to find a new place to stay underground."
"If you'd like." Kelan's tone was off-hand and his eyes remained stubbornly on the laptop screen.
Rob tried to rein in his anger. He was sick of being rebuffed by Kelan every time he tried to initiate even the simplest of conversations, but he made one last try. "I never said I'd like it if you left. But we're supposed to be partners in this. If that isn't working for you anymore, then we need to cut our losses and go our separate ways. And I'm sure as hell not going to be the one leaving."
Kelan didn't respond, but he did turn in his chair slightly to face Rob. There was a familiar light of challenge in Kelan's eyes that had been absent lately, and Rob felt a surge of triumph.
"I still think we're safer and more effective working together than we are separately," Rob said. "Have you changed your mind?"
Kelan continued to stare at Rob, but he could tell Kelan was thinking about his answer. After so much time in close proximity, Rob could nearly hear the wheels turning in Kelan's brain. Finally, Kelan dropped his gaze.
"No. The reasons for teaming up on this still exist."
Relief took the place of anger; Rob hadn't admitted to himself how much he had hoped that Kelan would stay. "Good. I'm glad we still agree on that."
There was an uncomfortable pause; an unspoken acknowledgement that while they still saw the value in working together, they could hardly just pick up where they'd left off. Rob floundered for a moment, unsure of what to say to bridge the gap that had divided their previous synergy. His previous talent for quickly identifying the best approach to solving a problem appeared to have abandoned him entirely. Eventually he just started talking, hoping something useful would come out.
"Look, about the other night. I'm... I shouldn't have accused you of lying. Considering the danger we're in, I wasn't wrong to be suspicious of you creeping around in the middle of the night. But I was observant enough to know you were telling the truth. There was no reason for me to throw that in your face."
"Understood." Kelan turned back to the computer and raised his fingers to the keyboard before pausing. "I think we've worked our way through all of the leftovers, by the way. If I make a list, will you make another Walmart run? I was thinking of making white bean pumpkin chili with jalapeno cornbread."
Warmth bloomed in Rob's chest, chasing away the tightness. "I can do that."
Things didn't go back to where they'd been immediately, but Kelan thawed substantially over the course of the rest of the week. The refrigerator filled with leftovers and ingredients for future meals. They took breaks from research together again, ending their days watching TV in the living room before making their way to their respective bedrooms. Kelan's sly smile and heated gaze had returned slowly, and was directed toward him more and more often as the days passed.
Even as Rob settled back into complacency, in the back of his mind he was well aware the clock was ticking on their occupancy of his safe house. It had been nearly a month since they'd arrived, which was the longest Rob had ever stayed hidden there in the past. The thought nagged at the back of his mind, even as he bantered and matched wits with Kelan. He observed how loose and at ease Kelan had become compared to when they first agreed to be partners, and even though he could hear warning bells faintly clanging, Rob found himself wanting to hold on to the status quo for both of them.
One evening as sunset began to fall, Rob walked back into the kitchen from a bathroom break to find Kelan where he'd left him as usual, frowning intently into the laptop screen. There was a bit of concern tightening the corners of his eyes that went beyond mere concentration. "Something wrong?"
"Not really," answered Kelan, not looking up from the screen. "Just keeping an eye on McLennan's campaign. He's really gaining traction, especially in the swing states. It's another year before the primaries, but most news outlets are already calling him a shoo-in to go on the ticket."
Rob understood Kelan's concern. The closer Brock McLennan came to being named the Republican Presidential nominee, the higher the stakes were for him to make sure Rob and Kelan were taken out of the picture. Rob stood behind Kelan's chair, bending his large body over and bringing his face next to Kelan's to check out whatever news story he was reading in more detail. But as soon as he did, Rob completely lost his train of thought as his rough stubble brushed inadvertently against Kelan's cheek.
As close as he was, he could hear the minute catch of Kelan's breath and see his long lashes flutter as they fell closed. Heat flushed over Rob's skin and his heartbeat picked up to a fast thrum, sending his blood racing southward. They stayed locked in tableau for several ragged breaths before Kelan turned his head to the side, his lips finding Rob's and parting eagerly beneath them. A tiny, needful sound emanated from the back of Kelan's throat, and it was all Rob needed to push him over the edge. He gripped the back of Kelan's chair and jerked it around until they were facing each other, then brought his hand to the back of Kelan's neck to press his mouth harder into their kiss.
Kelan's hands rose to Rob's straining biceps, but he seemed unable to lift himself out of the chair. Needing to feel the press of their bodies against each other's, Rob straddled the chair and dropped his full weight into Kelan's lap; Kelan grunted as he was ground back into the seat and rungs of the chair, but his hands slid from Rob's arms to his shoulders and tightened even more. Rob's blood heated further as he felt his bulk sink into Kelan's long, lithe body, his sharp hipbones digging into Rob's flesh where his jeans had ridden down a bit. Their cocks were hard and straining against their denim flies, and Rob snapped his hips forward with enough force to nearly topple them over. Rob broke the kiss, sinking his hand into Kelan's soft hair and pulling it back until their eyes met.
"I want to fuck you," said Rob.
Kelan smiled, dirty and sinful. "That's been obvious for a while. Why don't you try asking me instead?"
Rob groaned. "Can I fuck you?" He winced slightly at the whine in his voice.
Kelan's smile widened, becoming less sultry and more delighted. "Say 'please'. Just one little word, Rob,
and you can have me."
It was obvious Kelan was again getting quite a charge out of having the upper hand, and for once Rob didn't mind. He gave in effortlessly. "Please."
Kelan's hips surged against Rob's and his eyes fell closed. "Take me upstairs."
As much as Rob was dying to do exactly that, his usual inclination to even the playing field between them refused to be denied. "You didn't answer my question." He grinned as Kelan's eyes cracked open slightly. "Just one little word, and you can have me."
Kelan laughed. "Yes."
Rob stood, sliding his hands behind Kelan's slim hips to bring him up and out of the chair with him. They bumped and tripped their way out of the kitchen and through the living room. Near the base of the stairs, Kelan jumped up and wound his long legs around Rob's waist; Rob squeezed and supported Kelan's ass as he climbed the staircase rapidly. With a couple of awkward grabs Kelan finally twisted the handle of Rob's bedroom door open and Rob stumbled inside, eventually setting Kelan down on the floor and turning him so his back was pressed against Rob's front.
Kelan tried to turn around but Rob firmly stayed his movement, bringing his hand to Kelan's hair and tugging it back to expose the long, pale column of Kelan's neck. He attacked the side of Kelan's neck with his lips, tongue, and teeth while his other hand slid down the front of Kelan's shirt and to the fly of the jeans below. Taking a brief moment to cup Kelan's length from the outside first, Rob deftly unbuttoned and unzipped Kelan's pants before moving his hand inside the plain white briefs he'd exposed. He grasped the shaft of Kelan's cock and guided the head through the gusset until every inch of taut skin was exposed. While continuing to suck tiny bruises into Kelan's neck, Rob worked the length of Kelan's cock with his palm and fingers until he could feel the slickness of pre-come.
With his groans increasing in frequency and volume, Kelan's hands scrabbled behind him to paw at Rob's fly. He eventually got it undone and thrust his hand down Rob's briefs, but the angle was awkward and unsatisfying. Rob loosened his hold on Kelan, who immediately turned around, his erection standing straight out from his pelvis unassisted. Kelan fell to his knees and yanked Rob's jeans and underwear down until they caught on his broad thighs. His eyes and lips opened as he pulled Rob's hips towards him, and he locked his gaze with Rob's as he slid Rob's cock into the heat of his mouth. It was just like the time Rob had fantasized in the shower about Kelan blowing him, but so much better because this time it was real. Rob savored the push and pull of Kelan's mouth until it became too much, so he stopped Kelan with a gentle but firm hand on his cheek.
Kelan pulled off and wiped his mouth with his forearm. "Something wrong?"
"Hardly. But I'm getting close, and I want to be buried in that tight ass when I come. You still want it from behind, I take it?"
Kelan's lips curved up. "You remembered."
"As if I've been able to think of anything else since." He pulled Kelan up from his knees and turned him again, so Kelan's back was to his front and they were facing the bed. Rob quickly stripped Kelan's shirt off and pushed his jeans and underwear down, exposing the firm globes he remembered so vividly peeking out from beneath Kelan's tiny shorts all those months ago. He brought his hands to the cheeks and rubbed his palms up and down the smooth flesh a few times before giving them a hard squeeze. "Take your pants off and get on the bed. Show me how you want it."
Rob removed his own clothes and retrieved the lube and condoms from his dresser, never taking his eyes off of the sinuous way Kelan peeled out of his jeans and climbed up on the bed, every inch of silky skin enticingly bare. Looking back over his shoulder at Rob, he stayed on his knees, chest facing the wall behind the bed as he gripped the rickety headboard. Casting a quick look at Rob's straining erection and smiling in approval, Kelan lowered his top half towards the mattress and arched his ass upwards. Rob crawled onto the bed behind Kelan and squeezed a healthy dollop of lube on his first two fingers, spreading it around with his thumb. Holding his hand out to the side, he eased up until the front of his thighs brushed the back of Kelan's and his cock rested in the crease of Kelan's ass. He brought his unlubed fingers to Kelan's chin, still turned towards Rob.
"You ready to turn your back on me?"
After a brief glance down at the worn comforter, Kelan looked up and gave a short, single nod. As he turned his face towards the wall in front of him, Rob smiled and eased his lubed fingers between the cheeks of Kelan's ass. He rubbed when he met the resistance of Kelan's hole, furled tight and unwelcoming. Rob was persistent though, and the barrier began to relax after a while, especially after Rob passed the lube to Kelan so he could use it to jerk himself. Kelan pushed back against Rob's fingers, which breached his hole in a constricted slide that had both men moaning. Once Rob was inside Kelan became even more eager in his movements, so Rob began to scissor and thrust his fingers, loosening Kelan's tight passage. Finally his fingers were a smooth glide; Kelan's thighs were shaking beneath his own, and the small of Kelan's back was damp with perspiration.
"Now?" Rob asked. He hoped so, as his cock was painfully hard and desperate for friction. Kelan raised his head and met Rob's eyes. His hairline was damp and his expression was beautifully needy.
"Now."
Rob rooted in the rumpled bedding for the condoms and got one on as quickly as he could. But instead of raising back up to his knees he stayed on his haunches, angling his cock up. With his other hand he urged Kelan's hips back until the head of his cock stopped just shy of entering Kelan's body. Placing both hands on Kelan's hips, Rob worked him down in small pulses that had both of them gasping for air. It was torture, but a delicious one, and only after several minutes was Kelan's ass settled completely in the apex of Rob's pelvis. Rob pulled Kelan's shoulders back so their bodies were flush, and they both grunted as the additional weight forced Rob even deeper inside.
"God, that's full," breathed Kelan.
Rob could feel Kelan's walls and rim loosening further as he adjusted to Rob's girth. His head lolled back on Rob's shoulder, and Rob licked the bead of sweat he spotted rolling down from Kellan's temple. Kelan turned his head and flicked out his tongue to tangle it with Rob's, encouraging him into a sloppy kiss. Rob brought his hand down and began to pull on Kelan's cock, hoping the pleasure would distract enough so that he could start moving. It had the desired effect, and Kelan wiggled in his lap. Rob thrusted shallowly at first, but increased his depth and speed when Kelan moaned appreciatively and started to lift himself up and down. The room grew warm, the house's old windows filming over on the inside with condensation. The hard slapping of their bodies echoed in the otherwise silent room, until Kelan threw his head back with an inarticulate shout. Come shot from the tip of his cock, splattering the bed with his release. He fell heavily back against Rob, shuddering with aftershocks.
Slinging a heavily muscled arm around Kelan's chest, Rob pushed up to his knees and fucked Kelan with increasing force. At first Kelan was only mildly responsive as he slowly came back from his own orgasm, but he soon began milking Rob's thrusting cock with clenching pulses of his ass. Balls tightening, Rob pounded Kelan's ass aggressively and came in a rush that took his breath away. He collapsed forward, covering Kelan's body almost completely with his bulk. It took a few minutes of recovery, but eventually Kelan must have realized he was being practically smothered in the stained bedding.
"Ugh, Rob." He canted his hips back, trying unsuccessfully to buck Rob off. "You're crushing me."
"Yeah, sorry." Rob rolled onto his back.
Kellan turned over and pushed himself a few inches up the bed until his head was level with Rob's. "Am I staying here tonight? In the inner sanctum?" He waved his arm to indicate the master bedroom.
"If you want to." Rob waited a beat. "Do you want to?"
Kelan stretched with catlike grace. "This is one lumpy bed, but it's a lot better than the futon next door. I'll stay." He curled onto his side away from Rob, and within moments his breathing had evened out into the cadence of sleep.
Nine
When Rob woke the next morning, he was overcome for a moment with a sense of deja vu: sunlight streaking through the bedroom window as the day before, the softness of the sheets, and just a hint of mustiness in the air. For a moment, it flashed through his head that he and Kelan finally giving in and fucking had been some sort of fevered dream. But there was a soreness and lethargy to him that only came in the aftermath of sex.
He blinked the last remnants of sleep from his eyes and turned slightly, propping himself up on his elbow. Still sound asleep, Kelan lay curled into Rob's side, his nose brushing Rob's chest hair and his knee wedged comfortably between Rob's thighs. He'd woken up beside other men before but never wanted to linger and touch and remember like this.
He traced the shell of Kelan's ear, and the slight touch caused Kelan to stir. He hummed quietly, burrowing deeper into the blankets and Rob's chest. His knee hitched up and made contact with Rob's dick, which was half hard and rapidly firming from the pressure. Rob rubbed against his knee, the sparse hair on the kneecap creating a pleasant friction on the sensitive head of his cock. He ghosted his hand down Kelan's neck, and Kelan's eyes finally blinked open. "Morning." Kelan yawned.