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Blau's old Jeep stood out like a sore thumb next to all the suburban-dad cars in the lot, loud and strange and larger than life, just like Blau himself.
Ray smiled to himself, half in relief he'd managed to find the place despite Apple Maps turning him around twice downtown, and half because the Jeep reminded him of the last time he'd been in LA with Blau. It had been just the two of them, rattling around with the wind in their hair and the sun in their eyes, Blau singing along to the broken stereo – totally off-pitch but confident anyway. Ray could almost see him in the driver's seat, his nose shiny with sunscreen and his hair curling up around the back of his cap.
Ray took off his sunglasses and checked his reflection in the mirror. He was supposed to be meeting Blau at the cafeteria inside the sports arena at six-fifteen, right after Blau's hockey practice, but for once in his life, Ray was early. Almost half an hour early, actually, which was close to a miracle for him. Although, to be fair, the LA traffic had been strangely decent for once, so he couldn't entirely take credit.
He picked up the box containing his brand-new ice skates that he'd gotten just yesterday at Dick's and went inside, thinking maybe he'd just walk around or find somewhere to sit and scroll on his phone. Maybe he could do some warm-ups or something. Should he? Surely ice skating couldn't be as physically demanding as skiing, right?
Ray didn't know. Actually, he'd never put on a pair of ice skates in his life. But that was about to change because Blau had offered to teach him, and Ray had jumped at the chance...not so much because he was interested in ice skating, but because he really liked hanging out with Blau in general.
“If it goes well, maybe you can be my newest hockey student,” Blau had mused. “I already had Lily and Michael on stream learning the basics. I could turn it into a whole series. Blau's Hockey School. Imagine we got enough people for two little teams...”
“I don't know anything about hockey,” Ray had said. “I think I'd like it, though.” He'd been looking at a video on Blau's Instagram when he said that, watching Blau half-dressed in his goalie gear, the muscles in his chest and stomach more defined than Ray had ever seen them. Come to think of it, maybe skating was really physical. Since when did Blau have abs like that? “I'd be on your team, right?”
“Hmm, we'll have to see how good you are.”
The sports arena was big and busy. Somehow, with a bit of wandering, Ray managed to find the ice rink and the doors that led out into the stands.
It was loud inside. And cold, at least to Ray. Luckily Blau had told him to dress warm. Shouts and laughter rang out amid the sharp skrrtch of skates on ice, bouncing back and forth in the huge cavernous space. A puck banged off the boards and made Ray jump. This was followed by an even louder boom as a played collided with another into the boards, making the clear safety wall rattle. Three guys charged down the ice after the loose puck like it owed them money, sticks banging together as they fought to grab it from each other.
Jesus! Was hockey always this intense? Ray wondered how dangerous it was for Blau. Sure, he was wearing all that gear, but that puck sounded like a bullet when it ricocheted off the sides of the rink.
He went up the stairs and took a seat near the middle. From this vantage point it was easy to see Blau down there on the ice. He was the only goalie, after all. He looked about three times as big as he normally did with all the gear he was wearing. Ray waved but Blau was concentrating on the action in front of him and didn't see him.
A couple minutes in he got his chance. The game paused as the non-goalie players skated up to talk to each other, and Blau's head turned toward the stands. Even though Ray couldn't see his eyes very well beneath the protective face mask, he could tell that Blau wasn't really looking, just letting his gaze wander while there was no action near the net. Ray grinned and waved until he could see Blau's attention catch on him. Ray saw him stand up a little taller, saw the flash of his grin behind the white cage on his helmet. He lifted his stick and Ray waved back again like an idiot, like he wasn't the only one there.
Blau shook his head, still grinning.
But just then the practice resumed, and Blau was back in game mode, sliding effortlessly to the top of the blue half-moon in front of the net. Voices rang out in incomprehensible echoed yells, and Blau waved his arm at the other guys on the ice in what seemed to be a bring it on gesture.
A tall teammate snagged the puck with the tip of his stick and began a high speed charge from the other end of the ice.
Ray watched Blau crouch down, focused, his knee pads pointing inward and his weird-shaped hockey stick on the ice in front of him. Ray didn't even see when the other guy took his shot, but suddenly Blau moved like lighting and reached out with his non-stick hand, and the puck bounced harmlessly away from the net. The other players all whooped and the tall one glided back up to center ice shaking his head.
Ray cheered and clapped until his hands hurt, bouncing in his seat.
The puck was passed to another teammate, and the routine began again. This time the guy tried to juke Blau, banking to one side and then doing some maneuver to flip the puck to the other side and then turning himself to catch up and flip it toward the top of Blau's net while making it look like it was just a flat shot. That puck somehow ended up in Blau's glove, and he dropped it on the ice and passed it back down to the next guy. Shouts were exchanged and this time two players worked together, passing the puck between them as they both skated at Blau from different directions. There were a lot of fake-outs, a lot of fancy stick work and zigging and zagging, and it was pretty clear that they were trying every trick in the book to throw Blau off of their plan.
But they were no match for Blau.
When the shot finally came, Blau dropped with his knee pads together and deflected it. The other guy laughed and caught the rebound, tried again with a flick that sent the puck up in the air. Blau bounced it right off his stick at the corner of the net. This earned him a cheer from his teammates, but none of them cheered more loudly than Ray.
Maybe he didn't know much about hockey, but damn, that was a hell of a save.
After the other guys had left the ice, Blau skated over to the barrier as Ray went down the stairs to meet him, practically bouncing on his heels with excitement.
“Holy shit,” Blau said in lieu of a greeting. “What happened, Ray, did you fall out of bed or something?”
Ray tilted his head. “Huh?”
“You're early.”
“Oh! Right!” Ray was too hyped up to care about Blau teasing him. “I'm kinda glad I was or else I wouldn't have gotten to see you play. You were so good out there! That was so cool the way you blocked that last shot right up at the corner with your stick. I thought it was gonna get in for sure. How'd you even see that coming?”
Blau grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. “Ah, well. Been putting in crazy training hours.”
“Is that how you always end a practice? Just having them all try to score on you?”
“Maybe I was showing off a little.” Blau took off his helmet and brushed his sweaty hair off his forehead. His skin was flushed with exertion and he was breathing hard. He grabbed for his water bottle and drank deep.
“Showing off for your teammates?”
“Nah, they already know how good I am.”
“Oh,” Ray said, absorbing that. Then he grinned. “You were showing off for me?”
“What can I say?” Blau stepped through the gate and bumped his shoulder against Ray's. “I'm not used to having my very own cheerleader in the stands.”
“It was fun to watch. You're incredible!”
“I'm alright,” Blau said airily, but Ray could tell he was pleased. “You ever see a real game? Like on TV?”
Ray shook his head. “Maybe when the season starts, I can come watch your team? That's soon, right?”
“One month until our league plays. It's not a real season or anything. Just a sort of friendly competition with a couple other teams from around here.”
“I'll still come. I don't know much about the rules or anything though.”
“Ohh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader,” Blau sang. “Should I get you some pom-poms?”
“I am not dressing up like a cheerleader for you, Blau.”
“Hey, a guy can dream.” Blau winked.
“Sounds more like something you'd wear. I've seen your thirst trap streams.”
“You were watching? Should'a known.”
Ray flushed. “You're the one that sends me the links. Showoff.”
“Pot, kettle. What was that maid outfit for again?”
“That was for Halloween!”
“Right. You should wear it again for my birthday slash Halloween party. Hey, did I invite you yet?”
“Tony mentioned it. I figured you'd ask me eventually.”
“Consider this your formal invitation, then. Slutty costume optional. Still got that red lipstick around somewhere?”
“Blau!” Ray giggled. “You're crazy.”
“I know. So, you ready to try skating?”
“Huh? Oh, right. Yeah!”
“Let me get my gear off and we'll get your skates on. Come on, this way.”
Blau led Ray down a corridor between the seats and into a changing area. The room smelled like sweat and Gatorade and the air was thick and humid. Most of Blau's teammates were still there in varying states of dress, some of them wet from the showers. They weren't as big as they looked out on the ice but they were all bigger than Ray, athletic and tough-looking.
“New recruit?” one of them asked Blau, looking at Ray. Ray laughed and shook his head and Blau explained, “This is a good friend of mine, he's here to learn how to skate. I rented out the rink for another two hours. Name's Ray.”
“Hi!” Ray offered a hand and shook several. Being in a locker room like this was reminding him of high school and he felt out of place. Also a little jealous. These guys all looked like they could eat him for breakfast. He could look as built as some of these guys if he worked a little harder but he didn't go to the gym nearly as much as he should. Definitely not as often as Blau.
Ray got a couple compliments on his tattoo and a few encouraging comments on how it was never too late to learn something new. Ray chatted for a bit as he laced up his brand-new skates, while Blau toweled off and stuffed two energy bars into his mouth.
Soon the last few stragglers were gone, and it was just Ray and Blau alone in the locker room. Ray was instantly more at ease. He never felt out of place with Blau.
“God, it smells like testosterone and ass in here,” Blau said, swigging water.
Ray laughed. “I feel like I'm back in gym class.”
Blau lifted his arms and sniffed. “Maybe I should shower quick.”
“But I've already got my skates on!”
“Alright, alright, as long as you don't mind me being a little gross.”
“I don't think you smell bad. No worse than usual, at least.”
“Hey!” Blau swatted him with a towel and Ray giggled. “I guess it's fine. We can shower after.”
“Are there like, stalls, or are the showers just...”
Blau tipped him a wink. “I don't mind the open area if you don't.”
“Blau?!”
“I've seen more dicks in the last few months of practice than I did at Pride.”
“Oh my god, Blau.” Ray laughed. “You sound like you've been looking.”
“I mean, can you blame me? A room full of hot, sweaty, naked muscular guys, all hyped up from a game and dripping wet...of course I'm gonna sneak a peek.”
“I thought the locker room general rule was, 'Don't look and get out fast.'”
“Nah, that was for high school. The real locker room rule now is 'don't talk about what happens in the shower.'”
Was Blau just joking around? Ray was never sure. He said some pretty outrageous things and was fairly open about his past exploration. But he was also fond of teasing Ray for being gullible.
Ray was still pondering his response when Blau said, “Ready to go?”
“Huh? Oh, right. Um, how do I...you know...stand up?” Ray looked down at his feet, which were now encased in weird shoes with very thin metal blades on the bottom.
Blau laughed. “Just do it. It's not hard, I promise.”
Ray slowly lifted himself onto his feet, frowning a little. To his surprise, standing on the skates was kind of easy. “Huh.”
“Walking on skates is no big deal. Your weight is pretty balanced and you're not far off the ground. It's not like wearing heels or something.”
“I've never worn heels.”
“I can teach you that too, if you want.” Blau winked. “Imagine the reactions you'd get if you showed up at my Halloween party in your little maid costume, but with heels.”
Ray felt his face turning pink. “I, um, I don't know about that.” He took a few cautious steps. The blades on his feet didn't slip at all on the floor and he didn't wobble. “Hey, you're right, this isn't so bad.”
“You're a natural,” Blau said. “Let's hit the ice.”
“Um.”
“It's easy. You can hold onto the boards. Nothin' to be scared of, Ray. I got you.”
Blau went first, opening the gate thing and stepping effortlessly onto the ice. Ray followed very hesitantly. His first foot slid a little bit, scaring him, but once his second foot was down and his hands were braced on the gate, he felt okay.
Blau slid up next to him. “See, it's not that bad.”
“Should I be wearing like, knee pads or something? A helmet?”
“You'll be fine. I've never seen anyone hurt themselves on a casual skate. Worst case, you fall on your butt.”
“On rock-hard ice.”
“Your butt has a lot of cushion, it'll be alright.”
“Hey!”
“That was a compliment, Ray.”
“Oh.” Ray brightened.
“So, some basics,” Blau said, adopting his teacher voice. “Mostly, you want to stand up tall and straight, kinda keep your hips and shoulders in line. You can use one arm and hold onto the boards for balance. Angle your toes out just a little...right, just like that, that's great. No need to go crazy, just make a little step forward and follow it with the other foot.”
“Oh god.” Ray inched his left foot forward and was surprised – and a little nervous– at just how easily the blade slid on the ice.
“Easy does it, Ray, you're alright. Right foot now, same thing.”
Ray pushed with his right foot, and he went forward maybe two inches, with his hand still firmly gripping onto the side barrier. He held his breath until he came to a complete stop again.
“You're doing great!” Blau said, clapping his hands together. “Try pushing off just a little harder. Lean your weight into each foot and keep your toes angled.”
“How do I stop?”
“You don't have to worry about learning to stop if you're not going too fast. We'll work on that in a bit. For now you'll just kinda glide to a stop if you point your skates together.”
Blau was a natural teacher. As much as he liked to tease Ray, he was also incredibly encouraging. Just like when he taught Ray how to ski. He led Ray around the edge of the rink, slowly and patiently, gently correcting Ray's technique and heaping praise on him for everything he was doing right. Ray still had to keep one hand trailing along the side of the rink, but he didn't wobble and he didn't fall. That was a good sign. Maybe he hadn't made much progress but at least he hadn't embarrassed himself. Yet.
“Wanna try something fun?” Blau asked him suddenly.
“Like what?” Ray was down for anything.
Blau effortlessly swiveled in front of Ray and held out his hands. “Let go of the boards and hold onto me.”
“What?”
“I'm going to pull you.”
“What, you can skate backwards?”
“Uh huh, easily. Now gimme your hands.”
Ray put his hands into Blau's. Blau gripped them firmly, keeping his arms flexed, letting Ray feel that he could place more of his body weight forward without falling on his face. The sudden stability felt good. “Now what? How does this help me learn?”
“I wanna get you confident on the open ice and make sure you have some fun. You're gonna do just what you've been doing, but with my help you're gonna go faster. Ready?”
“I think so.” Ray took a deep breath and tightened his hold on Blau's hands.
“Nothin' to worry about, Ray. I got you.”
Blau bent his knees and took a gliding step backward. Ray watched as he pointed his toes inward, which curved his legs out in two wide C shapes, then converged again. With his next step he repeated the movement, turning one foot to curve like a wave, out and in again, and then the other. Ray began to slide along. He leaned his weight onto his right skate and pushed off. Blau checked himself, moved with Ray's rhythm.
“See, it's easy to balance yourself,” Blau said. “You're already bracing yourself on me less than you were at first, I can feel it.”
“I'm literally not doing anything.”
“Come on, Ray. You're ice skating!”
“Not really. I'm being towed.”
“No you're not. You're doing half the work. So much easier than skiing, right?”
“For now. Until you let go.”
“I'm not gonna let go until you're ready.” Blau gave his hands a squeeze. “Don't worry.”
They kept going around the rink together. Ray found himself naturally learning how to stay balanced and be confident in himself, just like Blau had said. And then, when they were near the barrier and the gate again, Blau said, “Okay, next step. Open ice. No hanging onto the boards.”
“Already?” Ray was nervous. “So, um, before I do that...am I supposed to fall forward or backward?”
“You're not gonna fall.” Blau moved into place next to Ray and took his hand. Just one hand this time. “We're gonna skate together.”
“And if I still fall down and pull you with me?”
“We'll be okay. We're tough.”
“We are? Since when?”
Blau laughed. “Oh, shut up. You ready?”
“Wha – okay, okay, yeah. I can do this. I've got this.” Ray steeled himself.
“Okay, on three, we'll push with our right foot, follow through with the left. Nice gentle push. One, two – ”
They moved at the same time, Ray gripping Blau's warm hand tighter as they moved. Blau said, “Alright, now again, but a little faster. Yeah, yeah, that's great! Okay, and now we're gonna try to turn, go around the curve of the rink. Angle your shoulders and head just a little and let your feet follow, aaand...yeah! And the next turn, same thing, just a bit of an angle...that's perfect, Ray!”
“Ah!” Ray yelped as they picked up speed, but he was grinning, because it didn't feel scary. Not with Blau holding his hand. Blau was laughing at the way Ray squeezed his hand as they approached the next turn, but he squeezed back reassuringly so Ray knew he wasn't being made fun of.
It was a lot of fun. More fun than skiing, even. It was a lot less effort and there were fewer ways to mess up. And practicing how to stop was much easier on skates than Ray would have thought. Blau taught him how to use one of his skates to drag behind the other at an angle, creating friction on the ice. Or, as Ray learned, he could just let himself glide it out, seeing as the rink was flat and there was no unexpected momentum.
Eventually he let go of Blau's hand and went around the rink twice by himself, grinning as Blau circled around him and cheered him on.
It was also fun to watch how good Blau was. He could skate forwards and backwards, and he could practically run down the ice and turn on a dime. How could he go so fast?
Ray had to try it. He wanted to match Blau's speed instead of having Blau slow down for him.
“Ray, Ray!” Blau skated after him, laughing. “Don't try to show off! You know what happens every time you show off! Look out, you gotta turn, you're gonna – whoops!”
Ray had tried to stop – not the way Blau showed him, but the way he'd seen the hockey players do it, where they turned both skates sharply to come to a very dramatic and cool stop in a spray of snow and a cool ssshhhk sound. Unfortunately, it did not end up looking cool. Ray overbalanced and fell backward, landing directly on his butt and sliding a little.
“Um,” he said sheepishly as Blau came up beside him and stuck out a hand for him to grab.
“Just like on the ski slope,” Blau said, shaking his head. “Oh Ray. You're alright?”
“I think so!” Ray brushed the ice dust off his legs. “I wanted to go fast.”
“You wanted to show me up, more like.”
“Well yeah, that too.”
“C'mere, you've got snow on your butt,” Blau said. Ray giggled as he felt Blau brush it off. “If you come out a few more times to practice, you might get there. I got a couple other people interested in learning, maybe we could all come together. You can be my helper since you've got the basics down. Maybe we can both stream it.”
“Sure,” Ray said, without much enthusiasm. He wondered why that didn't sound more fun. More people would just make it better, wouldn't it?
“Getting tired yet?” Blau asked. “Your feet hurt?”
“A little, yeah.”
“Time for a hot shower and then food?”
Ray's stomach growled hopefully. “Food sounds good. But...”
“But what?”
“Maybe...just one more time around?”
“Promise not to go running off on me again?”
“Well, um, maybe just in case, we can...?” Ray held out his hand again.
Blau took it, gripped it firmly. His hand was nice and warm. “Alright, if you insist,” he sighed, but he was smiling. “One more time.”
And together they did one more lap of the rink, hand-in-hand. Ray's heart was beating hard and his face felt warm in spite of the chilly air. When they stepped off the ice, Blau leaned against Ray for a moment and Ray impulsively hugged him.
“Thank you,” he said against Blau's shoulder.
“For what?”
“For taking the time to teach me how to skate?”
“Oh, like it's such a chore to hang out with you.” Blau hugged him back firmly. “Anytime, Ray.”
His hand lingered for a moment on Ray's shoulder when they parted, and Ray felt something weird in his chest, but then Blau gave him a pat and a grin and said, “Alright, let's hit the showers, yeah?”
“In the, uh, individual stalls, right?”
“Yup. Unless...”
Ray flushed red. “Unless?”
“I'm just teasin' you, Ray. Now let's go, I'm starving. How do you feel about pizza?”
The thought of food took over the other confusing thoughts floating around in Ray's head, and he eagerly followed Blau back to the locker room to shower and change.
**
Ray followed Blau's Jeep from the arena to the fancy pizza place Blau told him about, and then back to the house he shared with Myth, Tony and Buddha. Blau had briefly moved out into an apartment with Abe, but now he was back. Ray wasn't sure what had happened, but he liked this house. It was familiar. Blau's cats, Zuko and Roku, came to greet them at the door. One of them (Ray couldn't tell them apart) rubbed against Ray's leg, looking up at him with bright orange eyes, and Ray dropped down on his knees to give him some pets.
Blau dropped the pizza boxes onto the dining room table and said, “Feel free to start in on that. I'm just gonna go change into something more comfy.”
Ray was pretty hungry, but he didn't get up yet. The cats were too cute. “No problem.”
He heard Blau run up the stairs to his room and wondered if Blau was gonna grab the guys and let them know there was pizza. Was there enough pizza for everyone? Blau had just ordered one pepperoni and one half Hawaiian/half bacon, sausage, double cheese for Ray. Come to think of it, where were the guys? He'd seen Myth's Toyota parked in the garage, and Buddha's Range Rover, but not Tony's little Miata convertible.
“Hey, Blau?” Ray called at the stairs. “Is Tony up there?”
“Nope, he's gone for the weekend,” Blau called back. “With his new girlfriend, what's her name, the one we met in Vegas. Buddha's in Canada and Myth is somewhere with his family.” He came down the stairs dressed in soft grey sweatpants and a pink hoodie. He paused when he saw Ray with a lapful of cat, and something in his eyes softened.
“What?” Ray asked, tilting his head.
“Nothing,” Blau said. He mussed his hair with one hand. “Hey, you want a drink?”
“What do you have?”
“Hmmm...beer, iced tea, couple'a vodka coolers, La Croix...if you're feeling naughty, we can get into Tony's room where he keeps the good stuff, but you have to promise not to tell.”
“That's alright. Can I just have one of those vodka things?”
“One vodka cooler, comin' right up.”
Ray got up to sit at the table and accepted the bottle Blau handed him. Blau put two plates on the table and plopped down in the chair across from him. Ray eagerly opened up the pizza box and pulled out two slices onto his own plate.
“So yeah, everyone's gone,” Blau resumed, after his first big bite. “Been a little lonely around here, to be honest. Just me 'n the cats. I'm so used to roommates. But it's been alright. It's nice to just walk around naked sometimes, y'know?”
“I don't think roommates ever stopped you from doing that.”
“Pfft, I keep my boxers on when the guys are around.”
“That's not what Tony said.”
“Oh, so you and Tony talk about seeing me naked?” Blau winked. “When were you talking to him anyway? I live with the guy and barely see him. He's always with that girl. Shit, I should really remember her name.”
Ray shrugged. His mouth was full of pizza.
“Speaking of...” Blau nudged Ray's foot under the table. “Anyone new in your life lately, Raycee?”
Ray finally swallowed. “Huh? No, why?”
“No reason,” Blau said, casually. He reached for another slice of pizza. “Damn, this is good shit.”
“Oh yeah.” Ray was on his fourth slice. “I can't believe how hungry I am.”
“Skating is more physical than a lot of people realize.” Blau nodded. “After a game I pretty much stuff my face and veg out for the night. Just fuckin' saps my energy being on the ice for three hours.” He yawned. “I know you said you might want us to go out and meet up with the roomies later. I should probably make coffee or something before we go.”
“You're still into that?” Ray had forgotten all about those tentative plans. They weren't plans at all, really. He'd casually mentioned in a group chat about coming down to LA with Blau just to see what else might be going on.
“What, meeting up with Syk and the gang? Might as well, if you're going.”
“Well...I don't have to go.”
“You're tired too, huh?”
“A little?” Actually, Ray wasn't particularly tired. Maybe because he'd slept for twelve hours the night before. But he suddenly didn't really want to be anywhere but here. “Maybe we can go see them tomorrow if they're free?”
“You just wanna hang out for the night? Watch a movie or something?”
“Sure,” Ray said, looking curiously at Blau. He sounded almost more excited about that than hanging out with their other friends. That seemed unlike him. Blau was usually such a social butterfly.
Before he could tell whether or not Blau was smiling, one of the cats hopped up on the table, sniffing at the food. Blau turned away from Ray and covered his plate. “Zuko, no, no pizza for you. Where's your brother? I'll get you guys your own food.”
After they ate, Blau let Ray pick out a show on Netflix and made them another drink. Not just another can from the fridge; he'd gone up to steal some of Tony's stash and made Ray something with bourbon. It was warm and spicy and absolutely delicious. Not too strong, just enough to get Ray feeling soft around the edges.
Blau sat next to him on the couch, close enough so that their legs were touching, close enough that Ray could see the tiny freckles on Blau's nose and the faint laugh lines at the corner of his blue eyes. The cats were curled up next to them, and the room smelled familiar, like he was back in the CB manor again, and Ray was wonderfully, deliciously content.
The time melted away. Ray might have nodded off a few times, because whenever he opened his eyes the show seemed to be skipping ahead. Once or twice he thought he felt Blau looking at him, but whenever he turned to look Blau seemed engrossed in whatever was happening on screen.
Ray tried to focus. What episode were they on? What show did he pick again?
Not that it mattered. Ray's eyes kept drifting away. Blau was petting a cat with one hand and messing with his hair with the other, shuffling it around until it was somehow completely mussed up yet perfect at the same time, and Ray was struck with the inexplicable urge to reach out and do the same thing. Blau's hair moved through his fingers like fine silk, unlike Ray's own unruly mop that always felt coarse and frizzed up if he touched it too much.
He didn't realize that he was staring stupidly up above Blau's eye line until Blau said, “Ray? What are you staring at?”
“Huh? Oh, um, nothing.” Ray reached for his drink, still half full. The ice had melted but the bourbon still had a nice smoky bite.
“Real convincing.” Blau worried at his hair again. “Is my hairline showing?”
“Is that why you always play with your hair?” Ray blurted out.
Blau gave a grin and a shrug, like he was trying to be humorously self-deprecating, but then he seemed to drop the act. “Yeah, well. You know. Habit, I guess. When you're on camera all the time, and you have a sixhead...”
“Don't say it like that,” Ray protested. “I like your hair.”
Blau made a pfff sound. “C'mon.”
“I do!” Ray insisted. He sat up straighter. “I was just thinking about how soft it looks. Like you can actually run your fingers through it and it doesn't wreck it.”
“What do you mean, it doesn't wreck it?”
“You know, like with curly hair it just – ” Ray reached up and chose a lock of hair by his ear to demonstrate, combing it apart with his finger. The former ringlet instantly poofed out became a shapeless piece of fluff.
“Yo, what the hell? That's so cool.”
“It's definitely not cool. This is why I used to always just slick it back. I didn't know what else to do. I can't comb it or anything unless it's wet.”
“The slicked-back look wasn't that bad,” Blau said. “I liked the silver too. But it looks best when you just let it air dry, though. Like right now. It looks really good.”
Ray's face warmed. He loved when Blau complimented him. And it seemed to be happening more often lately. For most of their friendship, Ray had mostly endured the kind of friendly ribbing Blau was known for. That didn't particularly bother Ray or anything, since Blau teased everyone. But it definitely made the compliments that much better.
“Anyway,” Blau resumed, “your hair looks soft too.”
“It's not. It's always a bit dry.”
“Can I touch it?”
“You'll ruin it,” Ray said, but without any real conviction.
“C'mon, you're gonna shower in the morning anyway, right?”
“I guess so, but...no no, not in the front!” Ray leaned back from Blau's grabby hands. “Do it from the back!”
“Ooh, not the first time I've ever heard that request.” Blau waggled his eyebrows.
“Blau!” Ray couldn't help but burst into giggles. “Don't make this weird!”
“Who cares about being weird?” Blau countered. “Now c'mere and let me feel it.”
“Not the first time I've ever heard that request,” Ray said, but he could barely finish the sentence before he was laughing again, and clapping his hands together.
“Oh, and I'm the one making it weird. You're so ridiculous.” Blau grabbed Ray by the shoulders and tugged him forward. “You're really proud of yourself for that one, huh?”
“Uh huh,” Ray said happily. He tipped his head forward, resting it against Blau's chest.
He was expecting a light touch, but instead Blau put a hand on the back of his neck and pushed his fingers up firmly into Ray's hair. Ray couldn't help but gasp a little. That felt...interesting. He hoped Blau hadn't heard him.
“Jesus, it's so thick,” Blau said. Ray started to giggle. “Yeah, yeah, you've heard that one before. Walked right into that, didn't I? I meant your hair, dumbass. Damn, some guys would kill for this much hair.”
“Mmm,” was all Ray could say. It was hard to think. Blau's fingers were scritching lightly at his scalp and it was making him want to melt into a puddle, it felt so good.
“It's soft, too,” Blau said after a moment. “You lied about that.”
Ray felt him shift, relaxing further into the couch. The movement tilted Ray more firmly into Blau's body. He was practically lying on Blau now. That didn't seem to bother Blau at all. He kept his hand in Ray's hair, petting him like he was petting Roku or Zuko.
It should have been weird but it wasn't. Ray closed his eyes and hummed again, enjoying the physical contact. The bourbon in his stomach burned warm and cozy.
“You like your hair being played with, huh?” Blau asked from somewhere above him.
“I guess so. I haven't really...I can't say it happens a lot?”
“It's like a thing for some people,” Blau said. “Not like a, you know, a thing. I mean like something relaxing, like when someone draws on your back or something.”
“Oh, I like that too.”
“Yeah?” Blau's fingers trailed down Ray's scalp, down the nape of his neck and just beneath the collar of his T-shirt. Ray's skin prickled pleasantly and he shivered, pressing his face against Blau's shirt. He felt the rise and fall of Blau's chest as he breathed, could hear Blau's heart beating faint and steady. Blau was drawing a little pattern up and down his neck, tracing the edge of his hairline around Ray's ear and back, and it felt so good. Not really relaxing like Blau had said, but good nonetheless. And then Blau's hand swept back up into Ray's hair, and Ray hummed a happy noise into Blau's shirt.
The whiskey feeling in Ray's belly was spreading, making his whole body feel warm and tingly. He felt...he felt...why couldn't he put a name to it? It was familiar, it was...it was something that was making his belly squirm, and Ray didn't know why.
Blau's arm rested against Ray's back, warm and heavy. His other hand pushed Ray's hair back from his forehead. Ray turned his head, looking up at Blau, who was looking down at him, and when their eyes met Ray suddenly felt weak.
“You want me to stop?” Blau murmured.
“No. You can...you can do whatever you want,” Ray found himself saying, without really thinking about it.
“Whatever I want, huh?” Blau touched a curl at Ray's temple, his palm resting lightly against Ray's cheek. “You mean that?”
Oh. Oh, jesus. Was he...did he...but he wasn't, he'd never been, but...Blau's eyes were on his, and he was looking at Ray in a way that definitely felt new. Blau's arms were around him, and maybe, maybe Ray was crazy, but it really felt like this was...going somewhere.
“Blau?” Ray whispered back. “I, um...oh.” Blau's fingers had curled into his hair again, maybe pulling it just a little, and Ray actually moaned, soft and breathy. He heard Blau murmur, “Yeah, that's good, huh?” and the warmth was spreading, concentrating downward, just like Blau's hand on his back, and Ray was...oh god, Ray didn't want him to stop. Wherever this was going, Ray was one hundred percent on board.
But Ray had to know that he wasn't crazy. He sat up suddenly, dislodging Blau's arm. “Wait, Blau – ”
“Shit, sorry.” Blau's face flamed red. “I'm sorry, I thought – fuck.”
“What? No, it's not that, you didn't do anything wrong – I just felt – ” Ray was stammering and his head was spinning and it definitely wasn't the alcohol, because he'd been nursing one drink for like two hours. “Were you...um...”
“Maybe misinterpreting something. I, I just thought...”
“What?” Ray blurted.
“Nothing. It's not important, fuck. I – ” Blau swallowed. “Maybe I was, uh...enjoying that more than I should have been.”
“Enjoying what?”
“Jesus, Ray.” Blau closed his eyes. “You're gonna make me say it?”
And okay, Ray wasn't that oblivious. “Maybe I want to hear it?”
Blau opened his eyes again. “Ray?”
Ray decided right then that Blau looked cute when he was flustered.
“I mean, maybe I want to make sure I'm not the one misinterpreting things here,” Ray said. “Because I did kinda say that you could do whatever you want, and that could mean a lot of things.”
A smile spread across Blau's face. “You did say that.”
“And, the way you looking at me, I thought you wanted...I thought you were going to...”
“Gonna what, Ray?” Blau's hand settled on Ray's shoulder.
Damn, now he was the flustered one. “You know. Like you wanted to...”
“Like I wanted to what?” The hand moved from Ray's shoulder to his face, lightly cupping his chin.
“Kiss me,” Ray blurted.
“Oh, alright, if you insist.” Blau grinned slyly and tugged Ray forward.
That was kind of cheeky of him, but Ray didn't resist. He didn't want to resist. He let Blau pull him closer. The tip of Blau's nose brushed against his, and Ray tilted his head to the side to let their mouths press together.
And his head stopped spinning, because this felt – this felt right. This felt good. Like Ray had been waiting for this to happen without even knowing it. Which was a crazy idea, wasn't it? Ray had never kissed a guy. He didn't think he was into guys at all. But Blau was different. Blau was...oh, Blau was a lot of things that Ray couldn't stop thinking about. Bold and confident, and funny, and kind, and talented of course, and maybe Ray had always thought that his mouth was kind of sultry and entirely kissable.
And he'd been right on that. Ray kissed him harder, feeling those full pink lips part beneath his own, and there wasn't really any doubt in his mind.
Maybe he wasn't into guys but he was definitely, definitely into Blau.
Blau's hand slipped up into Ray's hair again, less gentle than before. He gave a light tug and Ray gasped into their kiss.
“Oh, it's definitely a thing thing for you,” Blau murmured. He tugged again, tipping Ray's head back. He took advantage of this by diving in and kissing Ray's neck. Ray moaned softly, and Blau said, “Mm, yeah, you like that, Ray?”
“Uh...uh huh...” Ray breathed. “Blau, god, that feels so good.”
Blau kissed his way up Ray's neck slowly, teasingly, leaving Ray squirming and on the verge of begging for more. He paused to nip at Ray's earlobe, then brushed his lips against Ray's jaw. Ray turned his head to meet him in another kiss. Blau's tongue slipped into his mouth and Ray responded in kind. God, he was a good kisser. Had Blau kissed a guy before? Ray knew he had, casually or jokingly, but he wondered if it ever went further than that. Was this just something Blau did with other friends?
That thought was like a bucket of cold water dumped over his head. Ray tensed up.
Blau pulled away immediately. “You okay? You wanna stop?”
Ray shook his head. “No. I just...before this goes any further, I kinda wanna know if this is just...you know, fooling around? Or...?”
“It could be,” Blau said after a beat. “If that's all you want.”
That was a good answer, a diplomatic answer, but it was also avoiding the question in a way. “I mean...do you do this with other people?”
“I've had one night stands, if that's what you're asking,” Blau said slowly. “With girls, mostly, but...”
“Oh,” Ray said. His voice wobbled. “But...what if I don't want this to just be a one time thing?”
“Ray,” Blau said. He touched Ray's cheek with the back of his knuckles, stroking gently. “I know that's not your thing. If I just wanted to mess around with you, I would've made that clear. I wouldn't fuck with your feelings. I'm not that guy.”
Relief flooded him. “I know you're not,” Ray said. “I just needed to hear that, I think.”
“I like you, Ray.” Blau brushed Ray's curls back. “I really like you. You're fun to be around, you're sweet, you make me laugh...and you don't need me to tell you how hot you are.”
“I mean, maybe I don't need it, but I like hearing that too.”
“Yeah?” Blau's lips trailed to Ray's jaw. “Well, you're fucking gorgeous, alright? I thought you were cute when I met you and you keep getting hotter every year. Meanwhile, here I am, decreasingly straight...”
“I was like, nineteen when we met,” Ray teased. “You really thought I was cute?”
“Ew, don't say it like that, and you were twenty-one, I swear. And yeah, you were cute. With your little glasses and fluffy hair. Oh, my name is Ray, I'm a biology student and I'm on the honor roll and I have three hundred subscribers on Twitch! All wide-eyed and innocent.”
“Oh my god, Blau. I did not sound like that.”
“You're still kinda wide-eyed and innocent,” Blau mused. “Kinda makes me wanna find out if it's just an act.”
Ray blushed, which didn't help. “H-how do you wanna find out?”
“Well, for a start, we could move this to my bedroom.”
“Really?” Ray's heart beat faster. “Oh my god, okay, yes.”
He grabbed Blau's hand and practically pulled him right off the couch. He was first up the stairs, Blau following right behind him, and all Ray was thinking was how insane it was that this was happening. It was a little fast, maybe, but he was eager for it. So was Blau, it seemed. As soon as Ray climbed into his bed, Blau was on top of him, kissing him again like his life depended on it.
Ray slid his hands up Blau's back. His hoodie was soft but kind of frustratingly thick. Ray couldn't feel much through it. He tugged at the hem until Blau stopped kissing him and sat upright to take it off. Yep, that was a lot better. Ray ran his hands down Blau's chest, awed at just how much Blau had bulked up over the past few years.
Blau flexed his abs for him. “Like what you see, Ray?”
“You look fucking amazing,” Ray said honestly. He didn't have the wherewithal to be coy or suave or anything. “You should bring me to the gym with you.”
“Now there's an idea. Me and you in the sauna after, all hot and sweaty, wearing nothing but little towels.” Blau grinned down at him. “Speaking of being naked, are you gonna get that shirt off for me?”
Ray was only too happy to comply. He let Blau pull his T-shirt up and over his head. It fell somewhere behind Blau's headboard. Ray would struggle to find it in the morning, but he wasn't thinking about that right now. He wasn't thinking about anything at all besides the feeling of Blau on top of him, Blau's bare skin against his own, the way his strong shoulders felt as Ray's hands explored his back. Blau stroked Ray's chest and Ray gasped as his thumb brushed a nipple.
“Sensitive, huh?” Blau purred. “Oh, you're gonna be so much fun, aren't you?”
He was looking at Ray like he wanted to eat him up, and Ray loved it. Bolder now, he let his hands slip down the sides of Blau's spine, over his pert butt. His hands fit around it nicely. And, oh god, he could feel Blau's cock pressing up against his hip. What if he...
“Ray?!” Blau gasped as Ray used his grip as leverage to pull Blau harder against him, finding the angle where their cocks rubbed together.
“God...Blau...that feels so good...”
“Yeah, holy shit.” Blau rolled his hips, grinding against him. “Fuckin'...ow, why do your pants have so many buttons?”
“You could take them off?” Ray suggested helpfully.
“You don't have to tell me twice.” Blau went up on one elbow and got a hand between them, fumbling at Ray's fly, and as soon as the zipper was down Ray was wriggling his way out of them. And somehow, just as suddenly, Blau's sweatpants were off, and Blau was back on top of him, his thigh slotting between Ray's legs and his mouth sucking at Ray's pulse point.
Ray clutched Blau's waist, rutting up against him, half-wild at the feeling of Blau's hard cock against his, separated by nothing but the thin fabric of their underwear. The friction was driving him insane.
“I want you so bad, Ray,” Blau groaned. His hand snaked down between their bodies and palmed at Ray's cock.
Jesus, the way he just said that. “I want you too.”
“Gonna let me see all of you?” Blau gave Ray's cock a squeeze. “I wanna find out if you're as big as you feel.”
“You first?” Ray asked boldly.
“Mm, yeah, help me get these off.”
Ray was glad to obey. He hooked his fingers into the waistband of Blau's boxers and pushed them down his hips. Blau's cock sprung free, rock-hard and flushed pink. Ray's breath caught in his chest at the dizzying rush of want that the sight sent through him. He sat up suddenly and pushed Blau over onto his back so he could yank Blau's underwear all the way down.
“Damn, Ray, trying to get a little dom with there, huh?” Blau grinned. “Hm, that's cute.” He took himself in hand and stroked it languidly. Ray's eyes followed the movement, hypnotized at the sight. “What are you gonna do with me?”
That was a good question. “Um,” Ray said shyly. “I...I want to touch you, but I've never...”
“Well...” Blau's lips turned up in a devious little smirk. “Since you're such a good little student, maybe you can watch and learn.”
“Watch what?” Ray asked, and then, “Ah!”
Blau had sat up and easily flipped Ray over onto his back as if he weighed nothing. Ray wriggled in protest. Since when did they decide that Blau got to be in charge? But then Blau braced himself on top of him and bent to kiss the underside of his jaw, and Ray went weak.
“So easy,” Blau murmured, sucking lightly at the tendon in Ray's neck.
“Who are you calling easy?” Ray asked, but then Blau's other hand moved slowly down Ray's body until it wrapped around Ray's bare cock, and Ray immediately moaned and let his head fall back on the pillow.
“My point exactly.” Blau was smug. He stroked Ray's cock and slid a thumb over the wet tip. “I bet you're going to taste so fucking good.”
“Oh my god,” Ray said faintly when that sank in. “Do you mean...are you really going to...”
“Mmmhm, well..” Blau kissed him on the mouth. “I think...” and here he kissed Ray's chest, “that if what you're asking is...” Another kiss to Ray's stomach, “...am I going to...” Blau's tongue touched just below Ray's navel. And there he paused, just to torment Ray, and finished, “...suck your gorgeous cock, then the answer is, definitely.”
Ray almost whimpered as Blau settled between his thighs. The tip of his cock brushed Blau's cheek, leaving a sticky wet spot that caught the light and twinkled as bright as Blau's mirthful eyes.
“You want that, Ray?” he asked, his full lips turned slightly upwards in a teasing smirk. “You want my mouth on you?”
“Please, Blau...yes, god, show me, I'll do it for you too, I promise. I'll do anything.”
“Watch and learn,” Blau said. That was a crazy thing to say, because Ray couldn't look away if he tried. Blau nuzzled Ray's cock and kissed his way up the shaft, lingering for just a moment to flick his tongue against the underside of the head to make Ray twitch. Then he wrapped one hand around the base and just – took him into his warm, wet, velvety mouth.
“Blau!” Ray grabbed two handfuls of the sheets and tried not to buck up into Blau's mouth. “Oh, oh holy shit.”
“Mmm,” Blau hummed, drawing up slowly and flicking his eyes up at Ray. He moved slowly at first, like he was enjoying the taste, his lips gliding up and down just the last few inches while his hand worked in time with his mouth. His other hand snaked down to stroke himself, and oh fuck, that was hot. Blau liked this. He was getting off on sucking Ray's cock, holy shit.
“You're...you're so...jesus, Blau...god, that's good...” Ray put a hand on the back of Blau's head, lightly, not pushing him down. Ray couldn't help but wonder what it would be like when it was his turn, and Blau's cock was fucking in and out of his mouth. That thought caught and kindled in his head, blossoming into a fire that began to move down his body, the heat gathering in his groin. A long wordless sound spilled out of his mouth.
Blau gave him a responding moan that Ray felt as a warm vibration around his cock. He picked up the pace and hollowed his cheeks, making obscene wet sounds, and Ray's eyes practically rolled back in his head. He was no longer thinking about returning the favor. He'd lost the ability to think about anything at all.
“B-Blau, wait...slow down...” Ray managed when he felt the tell-tale signs of his climax creeping in.
Blau drew off, looking absurdly smug. “Already?”
Ray huffed. “It's been a while, alright?”
“Or I'm just that good.”
“I think it's a bit of both, but...oh god, oh fuck - !”
Blau had dragged his tongue slowly down Ray's shaft, and suddenly his soft lips were on Ray's balls, mouthing gently and making Ray's thighs shake. And then his mouth was behind Ray's balls, his hot tongue pushing against a spot that was so sensitive that Ray almost shouted Blau's name. Blau moaned again, pressing just a little harder, and god, that was doing something to Ray that Ray had never felt before. He was almost humping the air.
“Oh, my fucking god, Blau, Blau...”
“Mm, I like when you shout my name like that,” Blau said, his hot breath ghosting lightly over Ray's hole, and that short circuited Ray's brain. He whimpered as Blau kissed his way back up, slow and showy and teasing until his mouth was wrapped around the head of Ray's cock again. And then there was nothing slow about him. His blond head bobbed up and down in Ray's lap, taking his cock in so far that Ray could feel the back of his throat, and he didn't gag or choke or do anything but keep the rhythm and the tight suction.
Ray was so done for.
“Ah...nnh, fuck.” Ray gripped the sheets as he watched himself sliding in and out of Blau's eager mouth. He tried to hold out, he really did, but Blau was right, he was just too good. “Blau, I'm gonna, I'm gonna cum...”
“Mmhmm,” Blau moaned in answer to that, and sucked harder. Like he was encouraging Ray to do it. Like he wanted it, like sucking Ray's cock wasn't a service but an indulgence.
That was what did it for him, more than the physical sensations. Ray gasped out Blau's name one last time and then he tipped over the edge and into the bliss of climax, feeling his cock pulse between Blau's lips as he came over the back of his tongue. Blau kept his mouth moving, milking every last drop and swallowing it down until Ray was a groaning, twitching mess.
“How...” Ray said hoarsely as Blau scrambled up the bed and kissed him. He tasted himself on Blau's tongue and his softening cock twitched. “Blau, oh my God, you're so good at that.”
“Yeah?” Blau's voice was wrecked and his eyes were bright and wild, maybe a little desperate. “You sounded hot as fuck.” He rolled them over, this time putting himself beneath Ray. “Gonna return the favor for me, Raycee? I've been thinking about that pretty mouth of yours for so goddamn long.”
“You have?”
“Among other things.” Blau's hands smoothed down Ray's back and over his ass, giving it a firm squeeze. Ray's mouth fell open and Blau giggled at him. “What, can you blame me?”
“Well, um...” Did Blau really want that? Did Ray want that? He waited for his mind to put up resistance to the idea, but it never did. Ray arched his back and pushed into Blau's touch. “Well, i-if you wanted...”
“Fuck, Ray,” Blau groaned. “Really? Fuck, you eager little thing. You'd let me do anything to you, huh?”
“Uh huh, anything, Blau.” Ray nodded mindlessly. “Want you so much.”
“C'mere, kiss me again.”
Ray didn't have to be told twice. How could he resist? Blau looked so delicious, sinful, his hair mussed and his lips were all reddened from sucking cock. Ray licked the taste of himself from Blau's tongue until he had to stop for breath. He noticed that Blau's chest was flushing pink, so Ray had to kiss him there. And then of course he had to kiss all the freckles that he saw, the ones sprinkled along the bottom of his ribs, and trace his mouth along the lines of the new tattoo on his side. Every inch of Blau's skin was so perfectly kissable. Ray could have spent an hour just mouthing at his gorgeous body, mapping it with his tongue.
“As good as that feels, Ray, I'd rather have those lips somewhere else.” Blau slid a hand into Ray's hair, pushing him down where he wanted him.
“And you call me eager,” Ray teased, but he didn't resist. He kind of liked Blau being pushy. Suddenly he was face to face with Blau's cock, and, okay, this was happening. Ray felt a surge of nerves and excitement. He definitely wasn't going to be as good at this as Blau. He wasn't sure how to begin, so he closed his eyes and nuzzled at the hard shaft. It was hot and velvety against his cheek.
“Didn't take you for a tease.” Blau's voice was strained. His hand was still in Ray's hair, but he wasn't trying to force him anywhere. “Gonna make me beg for it, Ray?”
“I wouldn't mind.”
Neither did Blau, apparently. “Please, Ray,” he groaned. “Fuck, please?”
Well. Blau could probably convince him to try just about anything with that tone.
Ray steeled himself and tried to recall what Blau had tried to teach him. He opened his mouth against the head of Blau's cock, gauging the size of it and taking in the taste. It was instantly intoxicating. Blau gave a loud moan of approval as Ray took him deeper, awed at the somehow satisfying feeling of the heavy weight on his tongue.
“Oh, yeah,” Blau exhaled. “That's it, babe, good boy. You look so damn hot with your mouth wrapped around my dick.”
Ray moaned. Okay, so maybe he had a bit of a praise kink. And if Blau didn't know it already, he would figure it out fast, because just like that Ray was moving his head up and down with his hand around the base to stroke what he couldn't fit.
“Holy shit.” Blau rolled his hips, slowly so as not to choke him. Ray moaned again, drooling down his chin as he tried to accommodate Blau's sizable length. He got as far as letting Blau nudge against the back of his throat before he had to pull back, breathing hard.
“Easy, Ray,” Blau stroked his head. “You're doing so good, no need to push yourself.”
“You're so big,” Ray said before his mouth could catch up with his brain. When he realized what he said he blushed. It sounded so cheesy and porn-like. He glanced up shyly at Blau.
Blau cursed under his breath. “You keep sayin' stuff like that while looking so cute, this will be over way too fast.”
“Weren't you just making fun of me for not lasting?”
“Mm, was I? It's hard to remember. Can't think of anything besides how you need to get your mouth back on my cock right now.”
Ray was happy to obey. He sucked the head of Blau's cock back into his mouth, remembering the way Blau had used his tongue to stroke the underside, the way his lips tightened on the upstroke. He tried to look up at Blau again to see his reaction. Blau's mouth was open with his tongue touching the corner of his upper lip like Ray was the hottest thing he'd ever seen.
“Jesus, Ray, yeah,” Blau panted. “Fuck yeah, you're a good student, aren't you?”
Ray let Blau's cock pop out of his mouth and stroked it lightly with one hand. “I think you're just a good teacher,” he said.
“What else did you learn?”
“Well, I think I remember you doing something like...this.” He moved down to mouth tentatively at Blau's balls. Blau cursed and carded his fingers through Ray's hair encouragingly, and Ray nuzzled his way down further to press his tongue behind his balls like Blau had done.
“Ray, fuck...” Blau moaned.
Ray felt so daring, and Blau sounded so hot. He pointed his tongue and licked firmly, listening to the noises that pulled from Blau's mouth. He was so close, what if he just...?
“Ray?!” Blau gasped as Ray licked across his hole. He bent his knees and widened his thighs. “Ray, what the fuck, oh my god.”
Ray hummed smugly. He flexed his tongue and lapped over the soft tight hole until Blau was almost bucking off the sheets. He could hear Blau gasping out sounds, going ah, Ray, nnh, fuck and it was driving him absolutely wild. The taste of him, the daringness of it, the way Blau kept saying his name like that...god, it was winding him up so tight, his cock was already twitching with interest like he could go again. His tongue was already getting sore but Ray didn't care. Nothing was more important than the service he was giving and how much Blau was loving it.
Ray pushed at Blau's thighs to hike them up higher and give him more room to work. The whimper that came out of Blau's mouth made Ray even more feral. He paused, panting for air, and got his hands on Blau's cheeks to spread him open. He swirled his tongue in a circle, pushed it hard against the tight entrance until it yielded just a bit, determined to make Blau even louder. And Blau did not disappoint. His hole clenched against Ray's tongue and his noises got louder and louder, until –
“Fuck, Ray!” Blau grabbed Ray's hair and yanked. Ray resisted for a moment, so determined to keep at it, but Blau had other ideas. Suddenly he was on his side, Blau behind him, Blau's arm locked under his armpit and across his chest. Before he could even process that, Blau's cock pressed between his thighs, still wet from Ray's mouth. “God, you drive me so fucking crazy, I just want to – ”
“Blau?” Ray managed. He didn't get what Blau was going for. Not until Blau started thrusting, fucking Ray's thighs hard and fast. His hips smacked noisily against Ray's ass.
“Oh fuck yeah,” Blau groaned right in Ray's ear. “Fuckin'...take it, that's it.”
Ray couldn't do much else. Blau was holding him tight and Ray was helpless in his arms. Not that he wanted to get away. He wanted to be good for Blau.
“Mmm, fuck, Blau...” Ray flexed his thighs and arched his back. “Come on, come on, I wanna make you cum.”
Blau hissed air through his teeth. “Goddamn, Ray...” He buried his face in Ray's hair and thrust harder. Ray's head started to spin again, unable to stop himself from thinking of what this position hinted at.
They both moaned as Blau slipped out from between Ray's thighs and rubbed up the cleft of his ass instead.
“Oh fuck,” Blau said, muffled in Ray's hair, and then he was tensing, gripping Ray so hard it almost hurt, and Ray felt a hot spurt of cum hit right at the top of his crack. Blau groaned, another spurt spilling wetly down Ray's cleft, and another over one cheek.
“Now that's fucking hot,” Blau gasped out, and Ray's face burned hotly as he pictured what Blau could see. “Should'a warned you, I'm sorry. You just drive me so fucking wild.”
“I do?” Ray practically glowed.
“Come on, you can't act all innocent after all that.”
“Why not?”
“Because you just ate my ass like a pro out of nowhere, that's why.”
Ray smiled. “A pro, huh? You weren't too bad yourself.”
“Not too bad?” Blau huffed. “Like I didn't make you cum down my throat in like ten seconds flat.”
“That wasn't ten seconds!”
“Sure, thirty, whatever.” Blau leaned over the edge of the bed and grabbed a towel. Ray squeaked a little as Blau cleaned him up and chucked the towel somewhere in the direction of the closet. He rolled over and Blau snuggled up against his chest.
“So I can get a rain check on that blowjob, right?” he asked.
“Maybe I forgot how already. You'll have to show me again first.”
Blau didn't miss a beat. “Good thing you're here all weekend then. Lots of time for you to practice.”
Ray looked down at Blau's tousled head and smiled, carding his fingers through Blau's hair. That deep contented feeling was back, flooding him with warmth. He wanted nothing more than to fall asleep like this with Blau in his arms.
But then his stomach rumbled. Ray said, “Hey, how much of that pizza is left?”
“Seriously?” Blau yawned. “Where the hell do you fit all that food?”
“You should see dinnertime at my parents' house,” Ray said. “When my mom and dad cook, they make enough to feed half the town. You should come over sometime. Have you ever had Jordanian food?”
“Never. I could make some time for that, I think.”
“Really?” Ray lit up. “Like, soon? I'll have to tell my dad. He likes you, he'll make all of his favorite stuff.”
“Not sure yet. Gotta lot goin' on. Have to plan my birthday-slash-Halloween party. You're coming down again for that, I hope.”
“Of course I am!”
“Good.” Blau grinned. “Then you should know, a sexy costume is now mandatory.”
“What, for everyone?”
“Nope, just you.”
“Hmm...” Ray pretended to think. “Maybe if you put on that Psylocke cosplay again?”
“Ray, I couldn't even keep my junk in that thing long enough to take a pic for Instagram.”
“You can put it on just for me, then. As for the party...what about that catmaid outfit? I liked that one.”
“Yeah, yeah, everyone knows you liked me as a catmaid.” Blau kissed the tip of Ray's nose. “I guess I could make that happen. Just for you.”
Ray chased his mouth, pulled him back in for a real kiss, long and slow and sweet.
He could hardly believe how normal it all felt. Nothing had really changed. And that was comforting, to know that Blau was still Blau and would always be Blau, no matter what. They could still just hang out and banter like they always did, go out to clubs and hit the casino or go out looking for the best Korean barbecue in LA. And yet there was this new layer of closeness that Ray welcomed wholeheartedly. They could go out and then come home to this - cuddling in bed, skin-to-skin, feeling each other's racing heartbeats, Blau cupping Ray's face in his hands like he never wanted to let go.
And tomorrow morning he was going to wake up in Blau's bed with the whole day ahead of them to do whatever they liked, and Ray couldn't think of anything better than that.