by Avery Ford
“Like?”
“Like what the hell do you think you’re doing, stringing him along like you’ve been doing?” Quip narrowed his eyes, some of the lightheartedness fading from his face. “Arthur’s been miserable lately when he should be having the best week of his life. Why are you so set on making him hurt?”
“I’m not trying to make him hurt. That’s the last thing I want to do.”
“Then why are you treating him like you don’t love him?” Quip asked. He crossed his arms, much to Poindexter’s disappointment. “Why are you making him feel like he’s in this all alone? He thinks you’re disappointed that he’s not leaving for Florida because you wanted it to be easy when you broke up with him.”
“What?” Dmitri narrowed his eyes. “That’s not true.”
“Yeah, well, that’s what Arthur thinks.” Quip pushed off the kennel wall. “So either you go fix things with him right now, or you can consider yourself through, because if you don’t get your act together and start acting like a loving boyfriend, I’m going to tell Arthur to cut it off with you. And he will. He listens to me. Because unlike some people, I know how to treat Arthur right.”
Dmitri knew it was a threat, but he wasn’t sure how far that threat ran. Was Quip trying to take Arthur from him? Did he need to be concerned?
“It made me feel terrible that he gave up graduate school for me,” Dmitri said. “He had a future, and I feel like he threw it away to make me happy. That’s not healthy behavior.”
“Ugh.” Quip covered his face with his hands. “Okay, okay, I’m starting to see what’s up. You think that Arthur threw away his future because he’s got the hots for you. Well, you’re partially right. Arthur has the hots for you. He’s got them bad. I’ve never seen him like this before. He’s into you.” Quip took a few steps forward. “But the throwing away his future part? You’ve got that all wrong. Arthur was only studying biology because it’s what his slave-driver dad wanted. He never liked it. And now that he’s not talking with his dad and he’s found something he’s actually passionate about, he’s going for it. His choice to stay here doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
Quip was a little rough around the edges with his delivery, but Dmitri understood the importance of what he said. He wasn’t going to sugarcoat anything. The fact was, there’d been a misunderstanding and a breakdown in communication, and it needed to be fixed.
“So, what’s it going to be?” Quip asked. “Are you going to go and tell Arthur how you really feel and be there for him when he needs you the most, or are you going to let what you have fizzle out because you’re so sure that you ruined his life?”
It was a no-brainer. “I’m going to talk to him.”
“And?” Quip asked expectantly.
“I’m going to apologize.”
“And?”
“… And what?” Dmitri frowned.
“You’re going to make sure a breakdown in communication like this never happens again,” Quip said. “You’re going to take steps to make sure you both talk to each other, because I’m not going to play messenger the rest of my life. You’ve gotta get this worked out on your own.”
“I’ll do it,” Dmitri said. He meant it.
If it meant having Arthur in his life, there was nothing he wanted more.
“Good.” Quip made his way to the door. “That’s all. I wanted to give you one last chance before I take matters into my own hands. Good to see that you’re still interested in making things work.”
He stepped around Dmitri, and Dmitri took a few steps to the side to grant him free passage.
“I’m serious about Arthur,” Dmitri said. “I love him.”
“Then you’d better start acting like it.” Quip opened the door. “He’s patient, and he’s shy, but he’s got me in his life, and that means that he’s not going to put up with shitty behavior forever. Arthur is my best friend and I refuse to see him brought down by a grown man who should know better.”
Quip looked Dmitri over one last time before he stepped through the doorway. Dmitri returned his gaze.
“So, I’ll give you another three days. Three days to set things right. I think that’s more than enough time.”
“More than enough,” Dmitri said. “I’m not going to wait long to set things right. I can’t.”
“Good man.” Quip curled his fingers in a playful goodbye. “I’ll see you a little later then. Good luck.”
Dmitri didn’t need luck. Even after the door was closed and he was alone, resolve rushed through his veins.
If he didn’t do something, he’d lose Arthur over a misunderstanding. He refused to let that happen.
He loved Arthur too much to say goodbye over something like that.
36
Arthur
Arthur’s day had been spent finalizing the donations to Locust Hill and planning new fundraising campaigns to benefit the shelter in the future. Celeste, who’d at first been reluctant to accept him into the office, had come around quickly when he’d proved to her how much of a benefit his presence could be.
None of the cats or dogs would have to be sent away, and none of the people who devoted themselves to Locust Hill would have to leave. With the money Arthur was able to make from the events Rachel had helped him organize, there was a possibility they’d even have a surplus of funds they could invest into bettering the shelter or building a nest egg for leaner financial months.
But as fulfilling as work like that was, it was also exhausting. By the time Arthur made it back to his apartment building, he was ready to order in and call it a night.
Before he could open the front door to the main lobby, a hand dropped on his shoulder. He froze, cold fear sweeping through him.
“Arthur.” It was Dmitri. The fear evaporated, and Arthur turned to face the man he loved. In his other hand, Dmitri held a bouquet of roses. “Can we talk? I need to tell you how sorry I am.”
Arthur looked from the roses to Dmitri. The expression on Dmitri’s face was serious, but not unkind. Arthur dug his heel against the stoop, nervous.
“Can we talk inside?” Arthur asked. “I’m not sure I want to talk in public, you know?”
“That’s okay,” Dmitri said. “As long as you’re fine with that, I’m fine with it, too.”
“I am. Just… gimme a sec.” Arthur unlocked the front door and let Dmitri in, then brought Dmitri to his apartment. It was in the basement, down a set of side stairs by the laundry. Arthur unlocked the door and held it open, and Dmitri stepped through.
For the first time, Arthur found himself embarrassed. The apartment was tiny. When he was alone, it wasn’t such a big deal. Bu to have Dmitri there with him? Arthur worried that Dmitri was judging him.
“It’s just a temporary place to live,” Arthur admitted. “The rent is cheap, and it means I can invest more money into paying tuition back. I’m hoping in a year or two I’ll be able to move to somewhere a little bigger.”
Arthur didn’t have a couch. There was a small table pushed against the wall near the kitchenette flanked by two mismatched kitchen chairs and the bed he slept in. That was it for seating.
“Should we sit on the edge of the bed?” Dmitri asked.
“Yeah.” Arthur kicked off his shoes by the door and squeezed past Dmitri on his way into the room. He led Dmitri to the bed and sat on the edge, uncomfortable.
“I guess I should start off by saying that I brought these for you,” Dmitri said. He handed Arthur the roses, and Arthur cradled them in his arms. There was a plastic vial of water containing the stems, so he didn’t feel too bad about leaving them on the bedside table. “I’m sorry for how I’ve been treating you over the last few days. It wasn’t right of me to do. We’ve both been pretty bad at communicating, and I think that in order to make things better, I need to take the first step and open myself up.”
Arthur nodded. He wove his fingers together and pressed against his knuckles. He didn’t look at Dmitri, staring at his hands instead.
&nb
sp; “I’m sorry for what I did,” Dmitri said. “I’m sorry that I hurt you the way I did. When you told me you weren’t going to graduate school, I felt like you were throwing your future away because of me. I don’t want to hold you back.”
Arthur looked up from his hands, surprised. Dmitri looked so troubled and guilty that he knew he couldn’t be inventing stories.
“You’re not holding me back,” Arthur said. “Even before we were involved, I was feeling hesitant about going to graduate school. I thought when I was accepted that I’d feel something, but I didn’t. I just felt empty.”
Dmitri nodded, but he didn’t speak.
“Volunteering for Locust Hill made me happy, but when I started working with Rachel on a plan to save the shelter, I found something really special.” Arthur parted his fingers and ran his hands down his thighs. “I feel like this is where I belong. This is where I want to be, not where someone else wants me to be. It feels right.”
“I should have asked you before I jumped to conclusions,” Dmitri said. He settled on the bed beside Arthur. “I’m sorry for doing this to you. I’m not used to having a relationship, and while I know that’s not an excuse, I want you to know it means that I’m still learning.”
“I’m still learning, too.” Cautiously, Arthur reached out and placed his hand on Dmitri’s thigh. “And I think, if we learned together, we’d be a lot better off than if we tried to learn alone.”
“I agree,” Dmitri said. His hand slipped over Arthur’s. “I want you to know that I’m going to do my best to honor you always, and to talk with you openly. No more jumping to conclusions and no more hidden feelings. I love you, Arthur. I wasn’t lying when I told you that. I’m sorry if I made you doubt it.”
Arthur closed his eyes. Startling chemistry rose between them and wrapped him tight. It was warm and comforting. The hairs on Arthur’s arms rose, and he felt the prickling sensation on his nape that confirmed the tiny hairs there were rising, too. Dmitri made him feel like no one else did. He wanted to give things between them another shot.
And this time around, if something bothered him, Arthur resolved to talk it out.
“I love you, too,” Arthur whispered. Dmitri’s hand tightened over his own. “I want to make this work.”
Nothing more was needed. The wrong between them was in the past. Whether or not Arthur’s relationship with Dmitri lasted, he’d be staying in Rollins — but getting to stay in Rollins with Dmitri was even sweeter yet.
Arthur turned his head, and as he did, Dmitri met his lips. They shared a slow, sensuous kiss that curled in Arthur’s stomach and woke his arousal. As his cock hardened, he shifted on the bed to better angle himself toward Dmitri.
The kiss grew heated, but it didn’t lose its underlying need. Arthur moaned into Dmitri’s mouth. Dmitri’s hands guided him back onto the bed, and Arthur adjusted as best he could while still fighting to keep their kiss going. In a tangle of arms and legs, they sank back onto the bed together, Dmitri kissing him all the while.
There was nothing so satisfying.
Dmitri’s body pushed down against his, and Arthur felt how hard he was getting. Desire rippled through him, replacing the tender affection he felt with need. The room was small, and Arthur’s bed wasn’t big enough for both of them to fit comfortably, but that didn’t matter. All Arthur wanted was Dmitri, and Dmitri was what he was getting.
Arthur’s shirt hit the floor. He barely remembered Dmitri pulling it up over his stomach, nor the break in the kiss where it had to pass by his lips. His chest bare, Arthur reached for Dmitri’s shirt. When it was on the floor, he ran his hands over the planes of Dmitri’s chest and let his thumbs trace over Dmitri’s hardened nipples.
“Do you have condoms?” Dmitri asked against Arthur’s lips.
“Yes,” Arthur murmured. His hands trailed lower, crossing Dmitri’s abs to the button of his jeans. “And lube. I wanted to make sure… in case you… you know.”
“I know.”
Words stole from their kisses, and Arthur cut himself short. He wanted Dmitri’s lips on his, and so he claimed them and reignited the smoldering kiss they’d shared seconds earlier.
Dmitri’s button parted. His zipper fell. Arthur guided his jeans down his thighs and cupped the clothed cock now that it was free of denim. Dmitri moaned and bucked into his hand.
Arthur wanted to feel that cock inside of him — to feel it go deep and bottom out. He wanted Dmitri to claim him. He wanted to know everything was going to be all right.
Both of them were hard. Arthur’s erection pushed against his fly, and it wasn’t long before Dmitri freed it. Dmitri removed Arthur’s pants, and Arthur kicked them off. Dmitri tore his boxer-briefs down, and soon enough, they’d parted again — this time so Dmitri could prepare Arthur’s body.
Arthur watched as Dmitri found the lube and applied it to his fingers. He kissed Arthur again seconds before those fingers circled Arthur’s tight ring, then pushed into him. Arthur was used to the feeling now, and he welcomed it. The anticipation of delirious pleasure brought his hips to move, inviting Dmitri in deeper. The lube spread. Arthur took Dmitri as deep as he could go, then Dmitri moved out of him.
Before Arthur could so much as whimper in protest, Dmitri had already torn open the packaging on one of Arthur’s condoms. They were kept in the same drawer as his lube.
“Dmitri,” Arthur uttered, lifting his hips as best he could in their position. “Want you so bad.”
“I know,” Dmitri said. “I know, baby. I’m going to take care of you, I swear.”
The condom rolled down Dmitri’s shaft. Arthur parted his thighs further and lifted his hips, but nothing could have prepared him for the way Dmitri grabbed his leg and lifted it over his shoulder. Quite suddenly, Arthur found himself on his side, gasping for air as Dmitri moved closer. Dmitri held his leg in place with one arm, the other supporting Arthur’s hip.
Then, the head of his cock met Arthur’s entrance. Arthur’s lips parted. Before he could make a sound, Dmitri was inside of him.
Dmitri’s length filled and stretched him. They’d had sex plenty of times since they’d started to see each other, but Arthur still wasn’t used to just how big Dmitri was.
Dmitri sank deep, then pulled out and rocked into Arthur again. As he moved, he subtly adjusted Arthur’s position until Arthur couldn’t help but cry out in pleasure. Dmitri was putting pressure right against his prostate, and the sensation was so good that Arthur couldn’t keep quiet.
“Oh my god. You feel so good!” Arthur looked down at Dmitri, vision starting to blur. He saw Dmitri look down, watching his cock sink into Arthur’s body, but when Arthur looked at him, he met Arthur’s eye. Electricity passed between them, powerful in a way Arthur wasn’t accustomed to. It sank straight to his soul and kept him riveted.
Dmitri was the only one who’d ever made him feel that way. Dmitri was the one he wanted to keep forever.
Their position changed. Dmitri let his leg down, and Arthur found himself momentarily empty while they settled together on the bed. Dmitri lay across him, supporting some of his weight on his elbows. He kissed Arthur sweetly, and Arthur kissed him back, glad to be close once more.
After a few failed attempts, Dmitri sank back into him. They rocked their hips together, and it wasn’t long before their bodies had synchronized in the way that Arthur was used to. They read each other seamlessly, one feeding off the needs of the other until they were caught in an infinite feedback loop of pleasure.
As they moved, Dmitri’s hand wrapped around Arthur’s cock. He pumped Arthur in time to their movements. Arthur broke the kiss to draw in a shaky breath, overcome by so many pleasurable sensations. His stomach clenched and his body tightened, and he knew there was only a little time left before he couldn’t hold back anymore.
“I’m going to come,” Arthur uttered. He rocked his hips as Dmitri thrust into him. “Baby, you’re gonna make me come. I can’t… can’t hold it.”
“Then come,” Dmitri
told him. “Wanna see you shoot. Wanna feel you lose it for me.”
Arthur tried to hold back. He did his best to fight against the sudden clench and keep himself from coming, but the things Dmitri did to him felt too good. With a sharp cry, he bucked up into Dmitri’s hand and came. Dmitri pumped into him steadily.
He’s milking the cum from me. God, it’s so fucking hot…
Arthur shot again, and again. He let his head roll back as his body did as it wanted — he was helpless against it. Then, when there was nothing left, his limbs loosened all at once and he collapsed back onto the bed with a satisfied sigh.
Dmitri moved with increased speed, but before Arthur could so much as meet his thrusts, Dmitri lodged himself deep and grunted in satisfaction as he shot. Arthur wiggled his hips and pressed against him, helping Dmitri get as deep as he could while he thrust in small, shallow ways.
When their orgasms were over, they laid together on the bed to catch their breath. Arthur traced his fingers along Dmitri’s side, eyes closed except for a sliver. In the aftermath of orgasm, Dmitri was stunning — his skin glossed with sweat, his muscles defined, and his face totally satisfied.
“What are you doing tonight?” Arthur asked when he found the words.
Dmitri opened an eye and looked him over. “Nothing out of the usual.”
“Can I come over while you look after the dogs?” Arthur asked. “Just hang out? Um, maybe sleep over?’
Dmitri grinned. “You can definitely do that. I’d appreciate the company. In fact, if you never wanted to leave, I think I might be okay with that, too.”
There was joy in his voice. It was a kind of joy Arthur’s body responded to and that his soul already knew well. It was joy brought about by love.
Arthur’s future had once belonged to his father, and while he’d been fine on a set path, he’d never understood what freedom was really like until it was almost too late to claim it. He was glad he wasn’t going to grad school. He was glad he was staying in Rollins.