I
Jamie climbed the stairs contemplating whether to change his boots before going back out. He liked his New Rocks and they were certainly better for walking in than anything with pointed toes but if he was going to pick up a better class of punter that meant a hotel room and the straps would take forever to unbuckle. His train of thought was interrupted when he realised that someone was sitting in the doorway to his room. Drawing closer he realised that it was Ed wearing an approximation of morning suit with his knees drawn up to his chest and his head in his arms.
"Hey" Jamie slid down the door until he was crouched next to his friend. Ed uncurled very slightly without looking up. "Uh, hey yourself."
Jamie put an arm around Ed’s shoulders and drew the older man’s head towards him. Ed’s eyes were red with slight traces of eyeliner remaining where he hadn’t smudged it off.
"No point asking if you’re ok then. Are you going to come in and talk about it?" Ed nodded. "Wanna smoke?" Ed nodded again. "Need a hand up?" Ed proved that he didn’t, even if he was a little unsteady. Jamie unlocked the door and they moved inside and over to the bed.
It took two joints before Ed was able to talk but then he found himself unable to stop. He poured his hear out to Jamie, dragging up memories he hadn’t thought of in years about Lou and the rest of his family and more recent stuff like Elspeth and Trish. Jamie proved to be an excellent listener and when Ed had finished his first comment was "Coffee"
Ed nodded.
Jamie went to the kitchen and returned with the tray. Ed was looking significantly more human now and had actually made a joint for Jamie.
"So what now?"
Ed smiled shyly at him: "That night at Rog and Emily’s… you didn’t just put me to bed, did you?"
"You wanted it…"
"And I’d quite like it now: I want to remember things properly this time."
"Finish your coffee first: we’ve got all night."
Jamie used the extra time to remove his boots- no point in struggling with them later if Ed turned out to want more than just a blowjob.
He set the coffee cups down on the table and had started to remove Ed’s frockcoat when he noticed the sheathed hunting knife on his friend’s belt.
"Not a standard accessory for a wedding?"
"Security: I’m less likely to punch any of my family if I know I can wait until later and stab them through the heart."
"Remind me not to cross you…"
"Don’t worry," Ed ruffled Jamie’s hair, "you could never get to me the way they do."
Reassured, Jamie continued to remove Ed’s clothes, taking care to fold them neatly and place them on an empty chair.
At least this time he need have no doubts as to what Ed wanted…he was playing with Jamie’s hair, seemingly trying to resist an urge to push the boy’s head down so it seemed wise to forgo the preliminaries and move straight to the target…
This was so much better than Ed remembered- maybe because he knew Jamie better now, actually felt affection for him, and maybe Jamie was putting that extra 10% into everything as well. He was certainly doing his best to prolong things: Ed couldn’t remember ever staying this close to the edge for so long before. Jamie altered the pressure a little and that was it… and he was still coming and Jamie was swallowing again and…
"Saw stars didn’t you?"
"Uh?" the room was swimming back into focus and Jamie was sitting by his head.
"You did! So have you refreshed your memory sufficiently?"
"I don’t remember you being so perky before…"
Jamie calmed down slightly.
"Be honest, was it how you remembered?"
"Far superior" Ed pulled Jamie over so they were lying side by side, "and now I’d better return the favour."
Sheer bliss… Jamie didn’t care that it took longer for Ed to remove his clothes than to bring him to climax, didn’t care that his new shirt ended up under a pillow, didn’t even realise that he was drawing blood where his fingernails dug into Ed’s shoulders.
They lay in a tangled heap on top of the covers exchanging kisses that seemed to last for hours.
"So?"
"So what?"
"You’ve finally taken Lou’s advice and tried the alternative: are you convinced?"
"Might need to try it a bit more just in case." Ed grew more serious, "maybe we shouldn’t tell people too much about us just yet."
"So there is an ‘us’?"
"I’d like to think so… if you want me, of course."
"Of course I want you." There was something he was supposed to do… it was late which meant he had to… Jamie’s mobile shrilled.
He leaned over, knocking a coffee cup flying as he realised what he’d forgotten.
"Danny!… Yes, I’m ok, I never went out… Look I’m really sorry I didn’t call: just with staying in, I lost track of time… No, don’t come over, I’m fine: I’ll see you tomorrow… No I’m not upset with you, just stoned and tired. We can talk tomorrow… Bye, Danny."
He put the phone back on the table and kissed Ed again.
"Sorry about that. I gave Danny the impression that I would be- somewhere- and he always calls me if he hasn’t heard from me by midnight when I’ve been- there." He waited for realisation to dawn, not knowing what to expect. Would Ed be shocked? Angry? Hurt?
But Ed just held him tighter, "I did wonder if that’s where your money came from. You are…careful, aren’t you?"
"Always and I get myself checked over regularly."
"Understood. Look I’m happy if you want to keep the phone arrangement with Danny: if I don’t know when you’re- there- I can’t worry. But if you ever have any trouble from anyone, call me and I’ll be straight there."
"Ok." That had gone better than expected. Now he just had to hope that the twins would be as unshockable when he told them about Ed. Not that he would tell them unless Ed wanted him to but he hoped that wouldn’t be too long…
"He turned his attention back to the man in his bed, "Tired?"
"A little. But I think I still owe you. Do you want payment now?"
II
Ed got home the next afternoon to find Lou dismantling an engine in the kitchen.
"Didn’t you promise to do that sort of thing in the garage?"
"Don’t we have people we pay to clean up? I’ve been worried about you- didn’t want to miss you coming home. Where’ve you been?"
"Look, I’m sorry for running out on everyone yesterday but I had things on my mind. Was Trish angry with me?"
He hadn’t answered he question…
"At first. Izzy looked after her though then they went home together. I went to see the twins, thought they might know where you were. But no luck and Danny said Jamie was working so I didn’t try looking for you at his."
Ed bit his lip "I was… about. The twins ok?"
"Fine. I almost persuaded Elspeth to be a bit less antagonistic towards you. Maybe you should go and see her later…"
"I’ll think about it"
"Ok. But I’d find a polo neck before calling round if I were you."
Ed blushed. Lou tried not to laugh- there was nothing obvious on his neck but the fact that he thought there was proved her theory as to why he’d been missing…
III
Elspeth was working on an essay when the doorbell rang. She opened the door and saw Ed… but there was something different about him…
"Hi, I hope I’m not disturbing you." There was no predatory glint in his eye, no edge of desperation to his voice. Elspeth relaxed,
"No problem- I was going to take a break anyway. Come in."
Ed followed her through to the kitchen and balanced on the edge of the table while she made coffee.
"Danny’s gone to see Jamie. I’ll need to get back to my essay fairly soon but you can stick around for a while."
"I’d like that. Lou said you wanted to talk to me."
"This is a small town: it’s difficult to have enemies. Especially when the two people I’m closest to are friends with you."
"I never wanted to be enemies. I used to think I was in love with you. I did some irrational things. I’m not particularly proud of that."
Used to think… this was news to Elspeth and made her feel a little uncomfortable, almost guilty. "So what made you see the error of your ways?"
"I met someone, someone who means a lot to me. Now I know what I’ve been missing all these years. I’m sorry about the way I acted towards you and I’d like it if we could be friends again."
"Ok," she handed him a coffee, "now I need to ask you for a favour…"
"Go on…"
"Danny and I are going home for the Easter break. Jamie’s going to be staying here so the Uni. can rent his room out to conference guests."
"He told me about that."
"I’d appreciate it if you could keep an eye on him: he means a lot to us."
"He… I… we- we’ve been spending a lot of time together recently so it won’t be a hardship."
"That’s what I thought. Now tell me about your new love interest and I might let you have a biscuit."
"You’ll find out soon enough…"
"No biscuit then."
"I’ll cope. How’s the ‘zine going?"
"Very well. Behave yourself and I might let you write an article one of these days."
Ed smiled: he had a couple of ideas about what he was going to write about.
"You’re daydreaming. Sure you don’t want that biscuit?"
"How about you tell me about your love life and I’ll tell you about mine?"
"I think it’s time I got back to my essay…"
"Pity. I suppose I’ll see you on Thursday then?"
"Essay crises and moving Jamie’s stuff not withstanding, I expect so." Elspeth kissed him on the cheek and showed him out.
IV
"So who is she?" asked Lou for about the hundredth time. "Come now, Brother, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were in love."
"Who says it’s a woman?"
"You haven’t stopped smiling in four days. What else could it be?"
"That’s for you to find out." He retrieved the bottle of black nail varnish from Lou’s dressing table and headed back to his room to finish getting ready.
Jamie was getting nearly as severe an interrogation from the twins as Ed was from Lou. To make things worse they were having difficulties keeping their hands off each other, which could make tonight very interesting indeed…
V
The club was packed within an hour of opening.
"That’s the end of term for you" commented Elspeth as she returned from the bar with a tray of drinks. The five were packed around a tiny table, although Ed and Jamie had been careful to sit as far away from each other as possible.
"Are you two off on Saturday?
"If we’re recovered from Friday night in time/"
"Anything in particular planned?"
"Videos at Rog and Emily’s and you know what that means… You planning on turning up, Jamie?"
Jamie looked at Ed, pretty sure they were thinking the same thing, "I might. So long as no one decides to make champagne cocktails this time."
"Not celebrating the end of term Jamie?"
He suddenly decided that the overcrowded dancefloor was probably safer than the present company…
He really did move well, and it was good that Ed had persuaded him not to braid his hair tonight… he was just-
"-spotted someone, Ed?"
"Uh?"
"Elspeth asked you a question and you totally ignored her: not a good start to your newfound friendship."
Elspeth grinned, a look of realisation spreading across her face. "It doesn’t matter right now. Anyway I really think that Ed should go and dance with Jamie."
Ed shot her an icy look. Oh well, whatever he did now she was still bound to tell the others what she had worked out. "Maybe I should." He got up and moved to the edge of the dancefloor. He pulled Jamie into his arms and kissed him passionately. Jamie looked up at him in surprise. "You sure about this?"
"As sure as I’ve ever been about anything. Now are we staying here or do you want to come home with me right now?"
"Your place?" Ed nodded, "let’s find a taxi"
Lou watched them heading for the door; "I knew that brother of mine would figure it out one day. I’m just shocked it’s taken him so long."
Elspeth smirked, "Me too. How about you stay over at ours tonight and give them a bit of extra space?"
VI
Ed almost dragged Jamie out of the taxi before it had stopped moving. He handed the driver a twenty-pound note and pulled Jamie over to the front door with him.
"Steady on: we’ve got all night."
"I know but I want you right now."
Ed got the door open, pushing him inside and up against the wall.
"I want you to fuck me."
Jamie gasped and not just at the size of the hallway he found himself in. This was a pleasant surprise, considering how long it had taken Ed to get his head round every stage of their relationship so far.
Ed stared hungrily into his eyes and there was a pleading edging into his voice, "Dammit, Jamie, you’ve possessed me every other way."
"Ok let me get my breath back. Of course I want to, I want every part of you, I love you." Ed pushed him harder into the wall and kissed him again. Somehow they found their way upstairs and into the bedroom. Ed lit candles in three wall sconces while Jamie quickly checked what was lurking by the bed: condoms, lube, a few toys he might use later… then Ed was wrapping his arms around him again and pulling his t-shirt over his head.
"Steady, we’ve still got all night"
"Let me look at you then… you really are the most amazing…" Ed was definitely losing his cool. Jamie pulled him onto the bed and unlaced his shirt. He was trying his bet to stay calm, not to rush anything, to savour every moment.
Clothes ended up in a heap on the floor; jewellery was piled up on a cabinet. Jamie carried on kissing Ed then slid a hand between his lover’s legs. Ed tensed slightly then relaxed as Jamie gently stroked his perineum. "You ok still?" Ed nodded. Jamie slid his other hand, the one holding the lube, down to join the first. Ed tensed again, almost imperceptibly as he felt a finger inside him then shivered with pleasure as Jamie found what he was searching for.
They continued to kiss, more hungrily, more desperately until…
"You ready?" Jamie muttered, a condom wrapper in his teeth.
Ed nodded, not sure if he was capable of speech and then Jamie was repositioning him, pulling his legs apart and he bit his lip expecting it to hurt but it didn’t. And Jamie was inside him and above him and there was nothing else in his perception except him and Jamie. And they were moving as one and he was coming and Jamie was coming and oh god he knew what Jamie meant about seeing stars.
When they had recovered somewhat:
"Do that too often and I may just fall in love with you."
"Want me to test that theory?"
Epilogue
Another Freshers Week but little had changed: Danny and Elspeth had graduated and found jobs in town; Jamie had quit hustling out of respect for Ed and found somewhere cheaper to live; the club went on as before.
They had bagged the usual table and were looking out for new blood: Jamie sat on Ed’s knee, Elspeth leaned her head on Lou’s shoulder and Danny… Danny was dancing with a cute blond boy, oblivious to four pairs of eyes turning to focus on him.
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