by Trina Solet
Theo and Seth then got to talk to Rob while Julian was saying goodnight to Lucy and smiling as he held her tiny hand.
"Look at how that baby is smiling at Julian. She has good taste," Rob said.
"Babies are nice, but are you two going to regret not having a real bachelor party?" Theo asked him. "We can always drag you guys off somewhere for some more adult fun. I'm sure Rico would jump at the chance."
"I bet he would, but actually Mrs. Del Rio was ready to throw a proper bachelor party for us, bring in an army of strippers and everything, but I knew Julian wasn't up for that. He was dreading the bachelor party, but he didn't want to spoil everyone's fun."
"So you rescued him," Theo said.
"And made Rico spaz out. Don't forget that," Rob said. "I wouldn't mind a bachelor party, but I want Julian to be happy."
"Damn, that's sweet," Seth said. "I can see why you two are getting married."
"Are you a romantic at heart?" Theo asked him once they were off by themselves.
"Am I? I don't really know." Seth seemed to be thinking about it. "Maybe here I am."
"Here?"
"In Peach Tree and with you and Ace. Here I don't have everybody looking down on me and judging me, expecting the worst from me."
At that, Theo grumbled. "I don't know. I've been pretty hard on you." Theo didn't feel proud of how he acted, but Seth was ready to let him off the hook.
"Nah, that's just your natural standoffishness. You haven't been so bad." That wasn't exactly high praise.
"Might want to ease off on the flattery," Theo told him.
Seth laughed. "You're great. You know I think the world of you."
Hearing that only made Theo feel more guilty. "I haven't been fair to you." That was because he wanted too much, and now he knew it. He wanted Seth to be his undeniably, completely, not to have him wake up one day and realize he didn't like men after all. Theo just couldn't figure him out, and then he almost drove him away.
Seeing him looking remorseful, Seth nudged him. "You couldn't have been that bad. I'm still here," he said with a smile.
"And you won't get it into your head to leave again?" Theo stared at him hard.
"I was just trying to do right by you and Ace," Seth said to defend himself.
"Then stick around."
"I came back because of that Jerry. You sure you want me back for real?"
Actually Theo thought he was already back for real, and he didn't like hearing that Seth had any doubt about that. "Yes, I want you back," Theo said, but he didn't say the rest, that he never wanted him to leave again.
"We didn't dance," Seth reminded him.
"Did you want to?" Theo asked since it seemed to him he hesitated before.
"In front of everyone we know. Just sort of feels like..."
"Wrong?" Theo said.
"No, good. Too good. If I'm holding you like that, I'll get carried away," Seth said and Theo laughed, relieved and flattered.
"I promise to keep things under control," Theo said and they went to where the others were dancing.
Seth looked shy as they started to slow dance together. "I forgot to tell you I didn't know how to do this kind of dancing either."
"Too late now. We're already doing it," Theo told him.
"And I'm doing it right?" Seth asked.
"You're taking my breath away." Theo made it sound like he was kidding, but it was true. The way Seth held him, the way he looked into his eyes, he made Theo lose himself in him.
Chapter 31
Seth and Theo were on their way back from work with Ace. He was telling them what he had been up at school and afterward when he went to Lara's with Gloria. They made something called cake pops, and Seth had to admit, his ears perked up. He was ready to ask for a recipe if Theo wasn't giving him a look.
As they were making their way down the driveway to the house, Ace suddenly went silent and Seth saw why. Their aunt's car was parked in front of the house. It looked like she was alone as she leaned against the hood with her arms folded.
Getting out to go talk to her, Theo told Ace, "Go inside with Seth."
Ace didn't say anything, but he looked unhappy as they went in. Butter greeted them at the door, and she took some of the gloom from his face. While Ace took care of her water and food and petted her, Seth rummaged in the fridge for what to make for dinner, but the whole time he was worrying about what was going on outside.
He stopped when he heard the car outside start up and waited for Theo to come in. Ace was the first to ask, "What did she want? I don't want to go with her."
"You don't have to," Theo said and he cupped his face and kissed the top of his head. "It sounds like she has given up on that, and the lawyer is making sure of it. OK?"
"OK," Ace said.
"You said you didn't get all you homework done at Lara's. Go get started on that. Me and Seth are going to make dinner," Theo told him.
With him gone, Theo told Seth more about what went on with their aunt. "She was telling me how she was washing her hands of us, and doing some ranting, saying Ace and I were a curse on her family, that we ruined Mom's life and some stuff about dad."
"Good thing you sent Ace inside," Seth said and took his hand.
"I'm afraid he might have already heard that kind of thing from her." Theo sighed. "She didn't mention the house, but she did say we better not lie about her. I'm pretty sure she was talking about how she hit Ace. The main thing is that she said she didn't ever want to see us again, and I consider that good news."
"I hope she'll be gone for good," Seth said. Though it seemed wrong to him to wish away family, for her he made an exception.
"There's nothing here for her. With all the trouble her boyfriend has had here and finding out there's no buyer for the house, she has no reason to stick around," Theo said.
Seth hugged him and felt relief pass through both of them. He just wanted Theo and Ace to finally be happy.
During dinner, Seth talked to Ace about the wedding they were going to that Sunday. They made bets about how big the cake was going to be. Theo wasn't interested in the cake at all, and the two of them just didn't understand it.
"I'll look up the record for the biggest wedding cake ever. Good enough?" Theo asked trying to make up for it with research. "Hey, there's a cake that cost 50 million bucks."
"No way," Ace said and rushed over to look at Theo's phone.
Seth couldn't believe it either. When he and Theo were in the kitchen doing dishes, he had a look for himself.
"Well I'll be..."
Theo laughed at him then kissed him. "I'm done talking about cakes, alright," he told Seth.
"You taste better than any cake," Seth told him and he put his arms around him. Then he kissed Theo just as Ace came in.
"I saw you! You were kissing!" Ace said pointing an accusing finger at them though there was no one else around he could be talking about. "You didn't tell me you were boyfriends."
"We're boyfriends. There, now you know," Theo told him.
Seth blinked not sure if he meant it, and when Ace ran off, Theo turned to him and explained, "It's easier for Ace to understand it that way."
"So you didn't mean it," Seth said, disappointment hitting him hard.
"I don't want to explain the concept of friends with benefits to him," Theo said and Seth's heart just kept sinking.
"Is that what we are?" Seth asked.
"I... We're something. I don't have a word for it," Theo said looking away. If he didn't know, how was Seth supposed to?
When they were alone and Ace was asleep, Seth thought about talking to Theo, trying to get some kind of answer out of him. But he only wanted one answer – for what he said to Ace to be true.
In his head, Seth was still hearing him say that they were boyfriends. That made him wonder what Theo might do with a boyfriend that he didn't do with him. He couldn't really think of anything.
They were sitting together on the small couch. Theo was looking at something that
had to do with writing computer code. Seth had started watching some movie, but he wasn't interested in anything except Theo. He noticed that Theo twisted like his back was bothering him. It was probably because of the way he hunched over the laptop.
Sneaking a hand behind him, Seth started rubbing circles over his back. He made sure not to do it too gently or Theo would think he was hitting on him. Moving his hand up, he rubbed his shoulder. When Theo let out a groan, Seth pressed into that spot a little more.
He was using both hands now, and Theo turned to make it easier. After a while, Seth worked his way lower again, but Theo grabbed one of his hands and pulled it forward toward his crotch.
Seth didn't let him. He didn't want Theo thinking that was what he was after all along.
"Are you teasing me?" Theo said.
"Not me. I'm just trying to be good to you," Seth told him.
"Does a foot rub come with that?"
"Sure," Seth leaned down to grab for his feet but Theo pulled them back.
"I was kidding," Theo said.
Seth was disappointed, but then he leaned down again and lightly trailed his fingertips over Theo's feet, tugged on his socks a little. "You sure?"
"You're trying to seduce me," Theo said and reminded Seth that he didn't want him thinking that.
He straightened quickly and said, "No." That made Theo look at him funny and set aside his laptop. Before he could say anything, Seth asked him, "What are you looking for?"
"What do you mean?" Theo said.
"In a guy. I mean a guy you could see being with forever."
"I'll know it when I find it." Theo said, telling him nothing. Then he turned it around on Seth. "And you?"
Seth couldn't tell him that he already found what he was after. "I'm not looking for anything. Just as long as I get to be around you, that's good enough for me."
"And that's all you want?"
Seth didn't want to say too much, but he couldn't help speaking from the heart. "I always want to be where you are."
"You make it sound like your whole world revolves around me," Theo said like he didn't believe that could be true. But it was.
Seth smiled sadly. He just couldn't deny the truth. "Maybe that's just how it is. And how I want it. I don't know much, but I do know that I don't want to be any further from you than this."
"Don't you want something that's just for you?" Theo said and stared at him with his brow furrowed like he was trying to add up some hard math in his head.
"I don't know how to explain it." Seth cast his eyes all around then he noticed the trees out in the darkness out the window. "It's like a tree has roots in the ground. It doesn't have to wonder where it's going or what it's going to do with itself. I feel like that when I'm with you. Like you're holding me right where I need to be and..." He trailed off. That feeling of rightness wouldn't stay with him if Theo said he didn't want him. Just at the thought of it, his chest felt like there was a concrete slab pressing down on it.
Seth shut his eyes and then felt Theo's hand on his, their fingers entwining. Opening his eyes, looking at him, Seth got the most incredible feeling of being held in his steady gaze and knowing where he needed to be.
***
Theo knew he started this when he called them boyfriends then took it back. The word had scared him. His own feelings scared him, but now Seth was telling him how he felt, and Theo wished he had told him the truth.
"I wasn't expecting this," Theo said though he hated to break the spell.
"I'm sorry if I said more than I should have," Seth told him. "I just can't help thinking that you're amazing, and..."
Theo stopped him with a finger to his lips. "It's my turn. You're the one who is amazing. I should have told you."
"I'm nothing special," Seth said looking down at their clasped hands.
"Yes, you are, I was just too afraid of what I felt to let you know. I didn't want to be hurt," Theo admitted.
Seth held his hand tighter. "I would never hurt you."
"Or leave me?" Theo asked.
"I won't leave. I'll stick with you no matter what," Seth promised.
"If we have anything to overcome, we'll do it together," Theo said, needing more reassurance.
"Together. Yes. That sounds good," Seth said and leaned in to kiss him.
But Theo had more to say so he only let himself enjoy the kiss for a little while then drew back. "All this time I refused to listen to my heart, now I feel like it's going to burst if I don't speak up and tell you how I feel. You have to know, I don't just want you here because you're wonderful and I need you. Seth, I love you."
Seth stared at him, blinking then he crushed Theo to him, his hot breath in his hair. "Theo. Theo." It sounded like Seth was sobbing his name. Theo pulled back a little and he saw that Seth had tears in his eyes. "Theo, I love you too. I love you so much." He clutched Theo to him again like he was never going to let him go.
Theo needed to make a little space so he could kiss him though. Their mouths melded, tongues explored unhurriedly. When the long kiss ended, Theo knew exactly what he wanted to do and he couldn't wait another second.
He pulled Seth up to his feet and led him to the bedroom. Once he had him in there with the door closed, Theo told him, "I want you to fuck me, but we'll have to be quiet."
"I've never..."
"You're afraid to fuck me?" Theo could see that he was.
"I didn't have good self control when you were fucking me," Seth said looking embarrassed.
"You afraid you'll hurt me," Theo said and he cupped his face and brushed his thumb over his lips. "I'm not."
"I wouldn't on purpose. But I couldn't get enough of you. If I was inside you, I might go right out of my mind," Seth said and he grabbed him around the waist. Raw desire was written in his eyes, but Theo wasn't scared of that at all.
"I'm willing to risk it." He pressed himself against Seth to show him. Then he asked, "You liked getting fucked, didn't you?"
Seth smiled and nodded. "You were incredible."
"It's going to be like that for me too," Theo told him.
"Because we're good together?" Seth asked, still smiling.
"Yes," Theo told him and he kissed him.
Locking the door, they undressed each other slowly. Theo wanted to enjoy every moment, every inch of Seth. His cock was straining against his jeans until Seth freed it and caressed it, making Theo thrust into his hand.
Theo reached for his cock too, released it from his jeans and boxers and moaned as he felt it so thick and rock hard. Wanting to taste him, Theo sat on the edge of the bed, kissed his way down his abs and took him in his mouth. He didn't suck Seth for long though, just long enough to turn himself on even more.
Getting up, he got the lube and looked forward to being skin to skin with Seth. Back in his arms, he let Seth pull off the rest of his clothes then watched him get his jeans and boxers off. God he was beautiful and his eyes were burning into Theo like he would eat him alive.
Back on the bed, Theo got on his hands and knees offering Seth his ass so he could lube him. Seth started out tentatively, like he was teasing him, but soon he was stretching him properly, almost making him come.
While Seth fingered him, he leaned over and started to kiss from the base of his spine up to his shoulders then the back of his neck. Seth's warm breath tickled the nape of his neck, and he shivered in anticipation.
Theo was so ready and he wanted him so much, but Seth only kissed his back and moaned against his spine.
"Seth," Theo demanded or maybe begged.
Instead of giving him what he wanted, Seth turned him over so he was lying on his back. He loomed over Theo, giving him quick kisses while he breathed hard.
"I need to look at you," Seth said, moving lower. He pushed Theo's legs apart then up.
Theo groaned as Seth hooked his legs over his shoulders and got closer, ready to fuck him. Theo had tried both topping and bottoming before now, but that was all he did – try it. He didn't give himse
lf over to it the way he was giving himself to Seth.
Breathing hard, Seth brushed the head of his cock over his hole. Theo was ready to beg again then he felt Seth start to press against his opening.
He told himself to relax, not to moan too loud, but it wasn't easy as the head of Seth's cock opened him up. Every inch of him was alive with the need for this so Theo didn't care about the pain. It was there though no matter how careful Seth was being.
Seth went slow while Theo panted and held his gaze, silently telling him to keep going. And he did until he was filling him up.
Deep inside him, Seth stopped. He grunted with the effort of not thrusting and Theo clutched at his ass and breathed, waiting for his body to adjust to how big Seth was, to welcome the fullness.
To let Seth know he could start to move, Theo started rocking under him. Seth matched the motion before he pulled back. He rubbed his hands up and down the backs of Theo's thighs then cupped his ass before pushing back in.
His thrusts were steady but picking up power, until Seth was slamming into him and Theo was going out of his mind. His whole being was charged with so much arousal while the air was filled with the sounds their bodies made.
Speeding up his rhythm while still fucking him hard, Seth was gleaming with sweat, every muscle defined with the effort. Theo couldn't take much more. He was coming apart then he was just coming.
It wasn't easy not to scream out as his whole body clenched and his back arched off the bed. But Seth had a firm hold of him as he kept fucking him and came inside him hard. Filling him with come, Seth called his name in a harsh whisper, and Theo reached up to pull him down for a kiss.
He didn't know how he had the strength because in the next instant his arms and legs were made of lead. Seth took care of clean up then he even went to check on Ace and reported he was sleeping soundly.
Climbing back into bed with him, Seth lay on his side, propped up on his elbow. Theo had trouble keeping his eyes open, but he could tell Seth was staring at him pretty hard.
"I think I could look at your eyes forever," Seth told him.