Chapter Text
The eggs sizzling in the frying pan probably don’t deserve his wrath, but their inability to stay whole is really getting on his nerves. So Rhett is anything but gentle as he scrambles the failing eggs inside the pan, scowling deeply at them in the process. The spatula scrapes across his non-stick, giving him even more reason to curse the eggs and the whole morning in general. Even the bacon seems to have it in it for him, splashing hot grease on him before he can step away, making him grumble almost curse words under his breath
Rhett hates how affected he is, ticked off so severely by seemingly nothing.
Because nothing happened.
Now that he has time to reflect some, back to the moment he fled from just minutes ago, he can only come to the conclusion that his mind is making things up. The moment he just shared with Link, his best friend of over 30 years, was just friendly, nothing more than that, or at least anything more about it was all in his head, his overthinking and over-imaginative head.
He doesn’t know the reason for his mind to get into overdrive just then, making more of a situation than it actually is, even though he has more than enough practise in rationalising their shared moments and seeing them in a more realistic light. But every now and then it seems more difficult to do, to discount the intense eye contact and the long lingering touches.
Right then, Rhett makes the decision to not let his mind mess with him any further and ruin their perfectly fine weekend. He will keep his distance, for both their sake and to keep his own sanity intact.
Still scowling at their breakfast, he doesn’t even look up when Link walks into the kitchen with a cheery ‘Smells good!”, but Rhett does relax some in the presence of his friend.
Link’s leaning on the kitchen counter next to him, settling close by as he looks Rhett up and down, his sleepy eyes leaving a trail of warmth over Rhett’s body.
He doesn’t want to look over, unsure of himself and his composure, with a soft and sleepy Link so close by, so he just scowls a tad harder at their breakfast sizzling away in the scraped frying pan.
“What have those eggs ever done to you? You're in such a bad mood, my plans for today will be no fun if you keep frowning like that!”
Rhett's eyes are inexplicably drawn to Link’s slim figure, his gaze lingering on the little sliver of bare skin where his pyjama pants fail to meet the hemline of the soft worn shirt, the dark trail of hair drawing him in so enticingly. Rhett has to swallow nervously a couple of times before he feels like he can respond, meeting Link's half lidded eyes and questioning the smirk he finds on his face.
“Your plans?”
He feels a bit slow, speaking like this and not catching up with Link's ideas but Rhett's wondering what the plans for their day together are. Usually he's the one with the new adventures, always taking Link along with him and walking through them side by side.
“Yeah, I have some nice plans for us today.. but first we gotta eat! I'm hungry, brother! Let me get the cereal out too.”
-
He never thought he’d be losing his mind today. Sure, Rhett was aware he’d been slipping a bit lately, the long lingering glances and the appreciating looks at Link maybe a bit too obvious to be classified as just friendly, but still.. He thought he was doing fine, good enough at least. But since last night he knows he’s been slipping hard, his thoughts about Link going out of control.
Waking up and being confronted with Link’s intense stare this morning had been hard enough for him to make sense of. But the sight before him now finally proves to be too much for his poor mind.
When did eating cereal became so sexy to him? Or really specifically, when did Link eating cereal became the sexiest thing he’d ever seen?
Rhett’s breakfast is long gone already, his eggs and bacon eaten with much enthusiasm and filling him with a content feeling as his eyes finally look up to where Link is seated across from him. In that moment Rhett can feel his resolve to keep some some distance, his sanity, fall away. His eyes are huge as he takes in the sinful way Link enjoying his breakfast.
Does Link always eat like this? Moaning his appreciation as he licks his spoon clean? His eyes hooded, almost closing as if he’s having a near orgasmic experience?
Rhett can’t recall another time when watching Link eat his breakfast made him half hard in his pants, almost drooling, but then again, his mind is clearly long gone by now so maybe this has happened before. The excitement from watching the nearly pornographic scene thrums through his body, his tongue coming out to nervously lick his lips as his eyes are glued to Link’s actions.
He only just catches his own hand before it slips down from the table to his lap, drawn to his excitement there making itself known with a demanding urgency.
His heart is thumping in his chest, a quick blush covering his cheeks as his outright stare is met by Link's half lidded eyes, shocking him with the electricity that sparks between them. Rhett feels like he should look away, break the intense connection between him and his best friend. He doesn’t mean it like that, he doesn’t.. He can barely finish the thought as Link winks at him from across the table, a bit exaggerated but still.. What the heck does that mean?
Never more at odds with himself than right now, not sure of what he should do or how he should act, Rhett keeps on staring as Link slowly gets up from the table, watching his every move as Link walks over to his side of the dining table, his eyes once again traveling the entire length of Link’s frame as he stops to lean against the table only inches away from Rhett.
Rhett wants to angle his body to Link, turn in his chair so he can properly face him. However, he knows he probably shouldn’t do this, should actually turn his lower half away, his erection too obvious in the soft worn pajama pants, mainly due to lack of any kind of restraining underwear underneath it. He sits awkwardly, half turned away while trying not to look at Link and failing miserably at that.
Link looks good. Well, in Rhett’s opinion Link always looks good, but this morning there’s something special, something extra that is making Link look even better than he normally does.
There’s something fierce in Link’s eyes, burning through Rhett as he looks away once again, at odds with his body wanting to get closer and his mind telling him to move away.
-
He can’t help the grin forming on his lips, highly amused by the pained faces Rhett is making without realizing, rubbing his hands on the tabletop, the gesture telling in its familiarity to Link. Rhett’s body language always gives him so much to work with, so honest when the man himself won’t even look him in the eye.
Link is done with waiting, so done with dropping subtle hints and hoping Rhett will pick up on them, done with being together but not really together at the same time. In all the years of their friendship they were never more than friends, and even if that isn’t totally the truth either, Link knows they could finally make that step to something more, their long awaited More. The time now here, the moment finally right for the both of them. He knows what he wants and taking a good look at Rhett it is exactly what he wants too.
After all this time of just wanting but never acting, Link finally does and walks over to Rhett to get started on the beginning of their More.
-
Not looking was a mistake, a significant mistake on Rhett's part as he's now struck with surprise. He’s startled by the big familiar hands framing his cheeks and holding on his jaw before he can move away. With huge eyes and a thumping heart Rhett looks over at Link, a question in his eyes. What the heck is going on? What does this mean? Link?
Rhett has always appreciated their lifelong friendship and the easy way of communicating it has brought them, but never before has he been as grateful for it as right now. There's no need to voice these difficult questions going through his head; they’re probably written clearly on his panicking face. And Link knows how to read them, knows how to read him.
As always, actions speak louder than words and Link is answering his unspoken query with the single simple action of leaning down over Rhett's tense figure, pressing a soft kiss to his mouth.
Link’s soft lips linger for a long moment, barely moving, just there, pressed against Rhett’s slack mouth. For a couple of seconds all that Rhett can think, see, feel and smell is Link, overflowing his senses with his presence. Never before have they been this close or have they shared a moment like this; the newness of it takes Rhett by surprise and would sweep him off his feet if he wasn’t sitting down. Never one to shy away from taking the unknown path, Rhett takes the surprise and strides with it, reacting to the soft kiss almost on instinct.
He could almost forget how much he’s wanted this, how long he wished something like this would happen between the two of them. The long days of watching his best friend work beside him, the even longer nights lying awake and wanting him there beside him as well.
At this moment it’s all forgotten and he’s just appreciating the way Link’s slightly plump lips fit over his own, enjoying the pleased noise Link makes in the back of his throat as Rhett brings up his own hand to the back of Link’s head to prolong the kiss. For several seconds more they stay in this position, connected by their lips and hands, both reluctant to bring an end to their first kiss.
When the two of them finally move apart, Link leaning back against the table just a couple of inches away, it feels like the distance is too much. After so much time spent apart, or at least with a barely friendly distance between them, now that the distance is crossed it seems impossible to be apart like before. Rhett’s reaching out for Link without much thought, his fingers tracing the line of visible skin above the drooping pajama pants. At Link’s full body shiver, Rhett looks up again and shivers himself at what he finds on Link’s face.
Rhett knows Link’s face, knows it better than his own. He has certainly watched Link’s face more than his own, hours of his life only spent looking at every emotion and expression on that dear face.
The look on Link’s face is familiar, even if Rhett finally sees it in a new light. Link’s touching his mouth, his long finger caressing the sensitive skin still tingling after their kiss while his lips form a gentle smile.
Rhett knows that crooked little smile dancing on his mouth that Link gets when he’s feeling particularly fond of Rhett, just a little hint of teeth and lifting up one of his cheeks, making his cutest features stand out that much more. Rhett loves that smile, one of Link’s most genuine expressions, familiar but thrilling in this new context.
But even more than his smile, Rhett is amazed by the familiarity of the look in Link’s eyes. Now that the puzzle pieces are starting to fall together, the realization that he knows that look in Link’s sparkling blue eyes, has seen it many times in their friendship and partnered life together. There’s affection and happiness in Link’s eyes, long cherished feelings of comfort and trust, but most of all there’s love.
He’s seen the look of love, Rhett’s sure he’s displayed it himself too many times to count, but he’d thought it would never mean more than a brotherly kind of love. But watching Link right now, taking in the look in his eyes and the fond smile, their kiss still fresh on their minds, Rhett lets himself believe that maybe it could’ve always been something else too, something more.
-
Time seems to move so slowly, the soft morning light highlighting the dancing dust particles around them but neither man has eyes for insignificant things like that. Rhett feels spellbound by the eye contact they’re having, lost in Link’s familiar eyes, thrilled with the new and unfamiliar feeling of Link’s skin underneath his fingertips.
Their second kiss is short and chaste, even more so than the first, just a quick press of lips on lips as Link breaks the spell and moves away from the table.
“Come with me? Sit with me on the couch for a bit? We should talk?”
Link is looking at him questioningly, his eyebrows expressive on his otherwise still sleepy face. He probably meant to say it as a resolute statement, but it comes out more like a request. It’s a request Rhett certainly can’t deny: they really should talk. As much as he’d rather dive into this new thing headfirst, get naked together and find their way, he’s aware that after being ‘just friends’ for over 30 years it’s wiser to talk things through in a clear way, make sure they’re on the same page on this monumental change.
Taking Link’s offered hand is not only for show, Rhett needs the extra help as he gets out of his chair to follow Link over to the living room. Their mostly eaten breakfast is forgotten for now, left behind as more important things are on their minds as they move in silence.
Rhett’s heart is beating a bit too hard, their held hands making his palms sweat more than he’d like them to at the moment. He’s thinking about taking back his hand for a second to wipe the clamminess away on his shirt, before dismissing it as a silly and too self-conscious thing to do. Link knows him, has known him and his sweaty hands forever now, he wouldn’t find it a turn off now if he never did before.
As if he knows what Rhett’s thinking, Link’s hand grips him a little tighter, their seemingly high level of telepathy a bit unnerving. Rhett lets himself himself be led over to his comfortable couch where they halt, side by side, some small distance between them as they sit to face each other, their knees and still interlocked hands warm points of contact.
Now that they’re finally here, Rhett wants to wait for Link, hear what he has to say since he’s the one who started this thing. It’s a bit silly, to sit here with Link and watch each other grinning like a couple of dorks, so happy and at the same time full of excitement for what’s to come.
It’s his time to work his telepathic magic, as he feels the anxiety coming through from his friend, the grin slowly disappearing from his face as Link gnaws on his bottom lip with sharp teeth. Taking Link’s trembling hand a bit firmer in his own and bringing it up to his lips for a soft kiss seems to do the trick, the smile shyly returning to Link’s face.
Rhett thinks about starting this conversation, showing his support to Link and giving voice to all the emotions inside of him. They’re waiting to burst free, have been for a long time now. But Link beats him to it, speaking fast as if the words burst free from him on their own volition.
“I love you, Rhett.”
There’s a tense moment after that, Rhett’s holding his breath as he waits for the usual ‘as a brother’. It has always followed a statement of love between the two of them, defusing any kind of tension with lifelong affection and seemingly brotherly love.
When it doesn’t come, the words hanging between them on their own, Rhett takes a deep shuddering breath as an overwhelming happiness fills him.
-
He’s had this whole speech prepared, words of friendship and love, speaking about how much Rhett means to him and how good it would be to take this last step in their relationship together. Now that the moment is there and he’s looking in Rhett’s eyes, he can’t remember any of it, his mind completely blank as Rhett kisses his hand so gently. How lucky is he to have fallen in love with a man so loving, so soft?
Telling Rhett he loves him feels so simple, he’s done it a hundred times already. The words have always been true, no matter what they were followed up with. Link may have tried to weaken the sentiment before, but he doesn’t need to anymore.
They’re simple words. Heartfelt words. Perfect words.
-
He couldn’t feel more ecstatic, the simple words swimming inside his head and blooming inside his chest. Rhett feels like he can take over the world at that moment, Link by his side and ready for anything.
He’s not ready for the next words coming from Link’s mouth though, somehow more shocking than his declaration of love.
“I’m in love with you.”
How can he not kiss Link after that? Rhett knows it’s impossible for him to not scoop up Link and plant the man in his lap, holds onto his chin as he kisses him with everything that he’s got.
Link moves easily with him , long legs folding next to Rhett’s thighs on the couch as he settles on top of him while their mouths are firmly attached. It’s a marvel how well they fit together like this, bodies moving in unison as they pour everything into their kiss.
A kiss that’s bruisingly hard at first, turning sloppy and wet, laughter and stray tears making it even messier. It’s so good, so messy and so imperfect. Their tears taste salty on their lips, where their big smiles ruin the idea of a perfect kiss.
“Link..” - “Rhett.”
“I’ve loved you for so long, oh!” - “I was waiting for you to make a move and I wanted to..”
“I didn’t know.. I thought you didn’t..” - “Oh baby.”
The tears have stopped, replaced by more gentle kisses and soft smiles. Rhett lets his hands wander over the planes of Link’s back, fascinated with the muscles moving beneath the shirt Link’s wearing. His shirt .
Link wearing his clothes is making the fire inside of him ignite once more, and instead of trying to dampen it Rhett lets it roar into this big fiery thing. He takes a fistful of the soft grey fabric in one hand, bringing the other up to the back of Link’s head. Cradling the mussed up hair, he presses up closer to Link.
Rhett wants more, needs more.
As Link settles more firmly in his lap, so tantalizingly close to his groin, Rhett lets out a soft moan against Link’s lips. Using the hand twisted in the shirt’s fabric he pushes against Link’s lower back, trying to steer him closer to where he wants him to be.
Within second the kiss has transformed into something hot and wet. Rhett lets his tongue sweep inside Link’s mouth, relishing the answering moan from Link as he lets Rhett invade him. Slick warm muscle, tasting of milk and and coffee, makes his mind go a bit fuzzy. He doesn’t really have a plan, the only thing on Rhett’s mind right now is that he wants more of Link. Needs more of Link.
Link, however, is moving away from him. Falling back against the cushions Rhett watches as he sits up straight, looking magnificent in the morning light. Link’s hair is disheveled in the best way, his eyes almost shining from behind his glasses, the early morning light making him look like some kind of sexy angel sitting in his lap.
Before Rhett can protest, Link is clambering off of him and moving over to the open windows. With a rough yank he closes the curtains, darkening the living room significantly but also lending them some more privacy. It’s with a definite sway to his hips that Link walks back to the couch where Rhett is sitting, half lying down and staring at him. He takes off his glasses, folds them before laying them down on the table. Regarding Rhett and his obviously aroused state, Link stands before him.
“Do you want to know what my plans were for today, Rhett?”
He didn’t really think he’d be needing his brain capacity to answer questions right now, shaking the dirty thoughts from his mind before answering affirmative to Link’s question. What in the world could Link’s plans be that it would be more important than what they’re doing now? For a second he fears that Link will want to stop, leave him with the adrenaline and lust coursing through his body.
Link takes his place in Rhett’s lap once again, settling much closer now with his groin finally coming into contact with the straining erection waiting there for him. Rhett’s not proud of the way his mind blanks for a moment or of the soft whine that escapes from his lips as he bucks up a bit, pressing himself fully against Link. Hotly whispered words next to his ear drive him crazy.
“I want to spend this whole day, this whole weekend, naked with you. I want to watch you come undone underneath me, Rhett. My plans for today are just as much sex as we can manage. If you’re amenable to that..”
-
He knows how Link looks, has seen him naked a thousand times before and every one of those moments is seared into his brain, but still: seeing Link naked and aroused, sitting on top of his legs is something else entirely.
It would be easy to thank God, some all-knowing deity for bringing them together, but at this moment Rhett wants to thank everything that ever happened between them, getting them closer and better suited for this moment. It was always meant to be them, fate more than faith what brought them together.
Admiring Link, taking a moment to acknowledge the fact that this is truly happening, Rhett can’t help his excited hands rubbing on Link’s legs. The soft hairs there feel good, getting more sparse as his hands travel higher up to the crease of his thighs, drawn to the hard cock so close to his own.
If they weren’t doing this together, if this wasn’t Link, this would be nerve wracking. Another man’s erection in front of him not something he would even think to look at or touch, but Link’s always been an entirely different story.
As long as Rhett can remember Link’s body has had this strong pull on him, the attraction to his best friend spiking whenever he’d bared more of his skin. Numerous camping trips or visits to the beach had left him hard and aching, wanting more than just his hand to relieve the pressure.
But as much as he’d looked at Link’s back, couldn’t get enough of touching Link’s chest or drooled over long and slim legs, Rhett had never had the pleasure of witnessing Link’s penis standing at full attention.
His mouth is dry as he traces a single finger over the vein crinkling over the underside of it, surprised by the twitch and Link’s soft groan. Rhett watches in wonder as the heavy sack underneath it contracts, drawing the testicles closer to Link’s body.
Having another man’s cock in his hand is a weird sensation, hard and soft at the same time, the skin velvety where it moves over rock hard flesh. But it’s Link, Link’s cock in his hand. It’s Link who’s moaning his name over and over again as he moves his hand, his circled fingers lingering over the head before sliding back down.
There’s so much moisture already, slicking his hand as he moves over hot flesh, faster now. He’s coaxing the most gorgeous sounds out of Link, his open mouth inviting and nearly pornographic. Rhett thinks about all the things that mouth can do, the reminder of how Link was eating breakfast earlier at the front of his mind. Clashing their mouths together again, Rhett swallows some of the loud moans that come from Link as he speeds up his hand on Link’s dripping cock.
There’s no time to think about his own need for now, Link’s pleasure taking up all the space between them, his moans and high whines loud in their ears. It comes to its peak in the best imaginable way, Link tensing up against him, wet lips against his mouth as he groans deeply.
The feeling of Link’s come splashing over his stomach is strange, but at the same time more arousing for Rhett than it has any right to be. He doesn’t know what to do with the knowledge, though, the image of the dripping white fluid wiped away by Link with one of their shirts. Offering an explanation with a smirk on his face, Link speaks up with a husky voice,
“M’not gonna suck your dick with my own come all over it.”
“Oh gosh, Link!”
Link is on his knees, between his legs in a matter of seconds. Rhett barely has the time to take a deep breath before Link is licking a big stripe across the underside of his cock, curling his tongue around the head.
His hands are clutching the cushions around him and he’s making these noises he hasn’t heard himself make in ages, deep in his throat and if he had any time to think, Rhett would be embarrassed by how desperate he sounds. His mind has no room for such nonsense right now, as he so thoroughly enjoys the way Link’s lips close around the tip of his cock before sinking down. About halfway down Link stops to look up at Rhett, his eyes sparkling from beneath dark lashes. His lips are stretched wide over the thickness of Rhett’s cock, the sight more gorgeous than anything than Rhett has ever seen.
But the eye contact is almost too much, intensifying as Link makes an exaggerated moan around him, eyes blazing as the vibrations coursing through him. Rhett can’t look away as Link slides down lower every time, taking more of him inside of his mouth and driving him closer to orgasm.
It’s over too soon, his groin feeling tight as his balls draw up high to his body, Rhett’s trying to control his breathing to stave off the inevitable. He’s just in time with his warning, almost growling when Link moves his mouth away and replaces it swiftly with the tight grip of his hand.
Never before has an orgasm brought Rhett more satisfaction than this one, the intensity of it cleansing his mind of insecurities and even the sorrow for wasted time. It’s so immensely pleasurable to finally share this with Link, to fulfill that last part of their deep connection in this physical kind of way.
He feels like he’s floating on a cloud, could burst into a love song specifically written for the two of them, endorphins and dopamine still flooding his system.
Bursting this rosy bubble of perfection, Link sweeps his middle finger through the mess Rhett made on his stomach. Making a disgusted face but with some kind of morbid fascination, they both watch Link draw a heart in the puddle of come on Rhett’s belly.
“What the heck, Link?”
The little shrug of Link’s shoulders is enough to make him laugh, wrestling Link up to smush their bodies together, laughing even harder as Link protests to the come smearing between them.
Almost glued together, they lay down side by side on the couch, staring at each other in wonder, lovestruck.
-
He can’t stop looking at Link, his breath returning to normal as he takes in the glorious nakedness beside him. He could spend hours, days of his life only looking at Link. Rhett has filled many moments of his life already doing so and he cherishes the fact he can watch openly now, no longer any need for sneaky glances at the camera screen or lingering looks when he thinks Link isn’t aware.
Link’s chest is still heaving, much more out of breath seeing how he’s done most of the hard work. Rhett smiles, elaborate plans on how the two of them could work on their new thing , together, in very pleasurable ways.
“Gosh… that was.. good. Very good!” A deep breath of air calms him a bit before Link moves onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow to watch Rhett as he speaks again.
“It was, wasn’t it?” At Rhett’s nod and indulgent smile Link continues. “I really love ya.. Have for such a long time.” The blush creeping over Link’s face is adorable, makes Rhett want to kiss him again, soft and sweet, before Link moves away. He’s determined to talk this through, apparently, as Rhett watches Link struggle with the words needing to come out.
“I had this whole speech prepared. This whole sentimental speech filled with reasons why we should be together. But I guess we no longer need that now, do we?”
His cheeky wink makes Rhett laugh, agreeing with the statement as he trails his fingers over Link’s naked hip.
“I mean.. We both know how good we are together. This …” Link gestures with a big sweeping hand, “this is only the cherry on top, right? I guess.. What I really want to say, Rhett, is that even though this happened and it’s a freakin’ big thing that’s finally changed, nothing’s gonna change over here on my end. I’ve always loved ya and I always will, with or without the sex, with or without the kisses, with or without the cuddling.”
Deciding he’s heard enough of Link’s speech to understand what he’s saying, Rhett folds his arms around Link’s back and presses their bodies even closer together. Link’s voice is muffled as he speaks against Rhett’s chest.
“But I’d much rather have the cuddling too.. And the kisses… and the sex…”
His laughter is coursing through his whole body, Rhett holding onto the smaller man in his arms as he throws his head back into his neck, laughing loudly. Rhett’s boisterous laugh is soon being joined in by Link’s high giggles, harmonising in their happiness.
It’s finally time for something More.