By the time Friday evening came around, he was gearing up to go home for the weekend. He’d told his roommate about his own schedule and said that the apartment would be empty most weekends if he did want to use it. He’d finally met the guy on Thursday. Clayton was attending classes, but he had a girlfriend that lived off campus and they were living together. His parents didn’t approve of her because she didn’t come from money, but they had plans to get married in another year when he graduated. He explained that he usually tried to pair with Freshman because they were cooler about the whole ‘having a place to myself’ thing. Victor was relieved that it wasn’t something illegal going on. Victor promised to keep up the charade.
“I’ll see you on Monday,” Joe said as they parted way. They were walking from the science building. They both had a class there, but different levels. Joe was working toward a computer science degree. He was great with math and technology. He wanted to land a job with software technology. “Don’t have too much fun without me.”
“I’m going to be scooping horse shit for forty-eight hours,” Victor said. “Have fun doing literally anything else.”
Joe laughed and clapped his hand against Victor’s shouldera couple times. “You make a great point. Call, text, whatever. I’ll miss you.”
“For a straight guy, sometimes I’m concerned.”
“You love me. That’s all that matters.” Joe waved to him and they split on the path. Victor had to grab his clothes and a few things before heading home. He’d miss supper, but knew his mom would save him a plate.
There was a guy sitting on the steps to the apartment building when he walked up. At first Victor didn’t pay him any mind, the hat, sunglasses, and ‘normal’ clothes hiding who it was until they stood up. Tawson. He was wearing a hat and normal clothes. He definitely didn’t look recognizable.
“How long have you been waiting here?” Victor asked. He wanted to ask why, but he was sure they were about to have that talk Tawson mentioned nearly a week ago.
“Just a few minutes,” Tawson said. They took the stairs to his apartment and Victor stepped inside to let him through the door. He made sure to lock it behind them. “Listen, Victor.”
“If you’re going to tell me it was a mistake and we shouldn’t do it again, I’m aware.” Victor hated it, but in the days since, he came to the realization himself. It couldn’t work out between them.
“Good,” Tawson said. Victor continued through the apartment, assuming that Tawson would follow. He dropped his bag to the floor and started looking around his room. It was already a bit of a mess. The bed was rumpled. The extra pillow Joe had used was still next to his. Papers and notebooks littered his desk. “I’m glad we agree then.”
“I didn’t say I agreed,” Victor said. He glanced over his shoulder at Tawson. He was just inside his bedroom, leaning against the doorframe with his arms cross and his head tiltedback. He’d taken his hat and jacket off. “I just said I was aware.”
“Victor, come on. Please.”
He turned around and faced Tawson. Victor kept his voice calm. The last thing he wanted was Tawson thinking he was too emotional after one kiss. One amazing kiss, but still. “Have you thought about me this week? Because I’ve sure as hell thought about you.”
“That’s beside the point,” Tawson said shortly. “Not only am I older, a teacher, but I’m living on your ranch. We’re going to be seeing each other every weekend. This- It can’t happen. It’s not a good idea.”
“I get it,” Victor said. “It sucks, though.”
“I’m sorry.”
They stood like that, just looking at each other. Victor wanted nothing more than to cross the room and kiss him again. It’d been incredible. Every moment of it was ingrained in his mind. He wanted more, but Tawson was laying clear boundaries. As he said, it sucked, but he’d respect it. He got the feeling like there was something more to Tawson, but he wouldn’t push. Victor had his own secrets.
“Are you heading to the ranch?” Victor asked after a long minute.
“I was,” he said. “But I felt like we needed to clear the air first. I wasn’t sure how much we would actually see each other but your mom seems to think I can’t feed myself so she’s invited me to come to dinner both nights.”
“That’s just who she is.” Victor went back to his desk and started making sure he had everything for the weekend. He already had some assignments to start on. “I know my sister is still staying there right now, but I’m sure she’s out in thebunk with Zaya most of the time. And Wright and Xander have their own thing usually during the week. It’s probably driving her crazy that she doesn’t have anyone to cook for but her and dad.”
Victor startled and then relaxed when he felt hands on his hips. He didn’t dare look behind him. Just the simple touch was enough to make his legs weak. The hands moved up his back, over his shoulders, and then snaked around to his front. Tawson pulled him closer so their bodies were flush. “I thought-”
“I know,” Tawson said. His voice was low and right at Victor’s ear. “But fuck, Vic. I don’t know what you’re doing to me. I feel like I have to touch you when I see you.”
The nickname came as a shock. Vic. No one had called him that before. He repeated it in his head, closing his eyes as lips pressed against the back of his neck. He was melting and fast. Vic. He liked it.
“Say it again,” Victor said. “What you called me.”
“Vic? Do you like being called that?” Victor’s mind supplied his own reflection. Bare skin, pleather skirt barely hiding his cock underneath. Vic. He’d never considered the shortening of his name before. But he loved it. He could feel himself getting hard and he dropped his head back to Tawson’s shoulder.
“No one’s called me that before,” he said. “I do like it.”
He turned around in Tawson’s arms and sealed their lips. This time, Victor took what he wanted. If Tawson was giving in to this once more, he was going to take advantage of it. His tongue fought with Tawson’s, wanting the chance to explore. Tawson’s lips tasted sweet and Victor moaned into the kiss. His hands were exploring on their own as well, fingertips dipping just below the hem of his shirt. Tawson’s skin was warm tothe touch.
“Slow down,” Tawson whispered. He stilled his hands and Victor pulled back. Tawson’s lips were glistening with spit and his cheeks were rosy.
“If you’re going to stop this every time we start, please tell me now. Because this isn’t going to go away on it’s own.” He looked down and indicated at the way his shorts were tented. He looked back up at Tawson. He could feel his cheeks were on fire. It was natural, he knew that. But Tawson looked as unaffected as if they’d just been talking about finances or something.
