“Beautiful.” I kiss his nose.
“Beautiful.” I brush my lips across his chin.
“Beautiful.” I kiss the painted stars by his eyes.
Sliding one hand under the back of his head to cup it, I tilt my hips enough to get my other hand between us, stroking him as I look deeply into his eyes. Angling my hips, I watch Levy shatter below me, pumping cum onto his belly and chest as the features of his face spell out the depth of his ecstasy. The tightening of his body sends me crashing down with him.
“Fuck, I—”
I bite my lip, shocked by the words that want to escape. It’s way too fucking soon, both for the words and the feelings. This makes no sense, and yet, the words nearly tumbled out of my lips like they were the easiest thing on earth.
I fill the condom, wishing it was the hot clench of his body, promising myself I’ll get tested as quickly as possible if he’s willing to go bare with me. God, I hope so.
Our bodies finally still, and the look we share is a combination of fear and passion, something undeniable and universal. I bring my hand to his face.
“We’re in trouble, aren’t we?” I say, panting hard, unsure if it’s from the sex or the emotion.
He nods, tears hovering at the corners of his eyes.
“Don’t be afraid, Lev. I’ve got you.”
He blinks, and the tears fall. Taking several deep breaths as if trying to gather courage, he nods along with me.
“Okay. I trust you.”
There are few words in the universe more powerful thantrust. He’s already said it once, and now he’s said it again, and I know he believes it. No matter who I was or where I was going in life, I have a new mission. Earn his trust in every possible way.
* * *
I didn’t anticipate spendingthe night, but I couldn’t leave Levy after everything we said to each other. When I texted Ant to tell him I would be away for the night, he sent me back an eggplant and a water splash emoji. I was a little worried he would not accept this thing between Levy and me, but I think he likes us together.
I find myself awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering. Just…wondering.
Watching Levy sleep is magical. The way everything about him relaxes and gives in…you don’t see that often in my line of work. Being able to wake up quickly and be ready for devastating violence at the drop of a hat is a pretty important skill, one that’s saved my life many times over the last decade or so.
None of that urgency is here in this little trailer in the woods. No, this is a place for peace. Recovery, maybe. I’m suddenly seized by the desire to do something for him, to show him that his trust in me is well-placed. I don’t know what this is. I don’t know what this could be, but I’d be a fool to not chase it down.
I get up to take a piss, passing his comically tiny shower closet, and suddenly the answer for what I can do for him is crystal clear. Digging in his jeans from yesterday, I find the key to his surprise.
Leaving a note on the pillow, I head out with one objective: show him I mean business.
* * *
A couple of hours later,he joins me on the deck.
“What’s going on out here?” he asks, sleep-rumpled and shirtless, absent-mindedly rubbing his belly.
I grin, holding up the plans for the outdoor shower he’s been dreaming about.
Pointing to the stack of wood and the bags from the local supply store, I explain, “I found where you bought the wood and made some choices with the showerhead and the knobs, but I can take those back if you hate them.”
The store I bought everything from has the same family name that’s on Ant’s work clothes, which feels like symmetry. More of the divine geometry of this place.
Levy grins as he looks through the bags. “I can’t believe you’re doing this. I love the choices you made.”
I shrug, a little shy for having started this without talking to him first.
“I…I couldn’t let you live without a good shower.”
