Page 17 of Tumbling Hearts

What’s the harm?

Ray reaches over and sets his hand atop Gene’s on the armrests.

Gene gasps, yet smiles sweetly. It would definitely be too risky stealing a kiss, but they can get away with just this.

Ray’s emotions feel overwhelming, his heart so full, so happy he feels like he could burst. Yet he’s afraid that saying too much more aloud really would make him explode—a vulnerability he’s not sure he’s ready for. He’s already bared his heart enough, right? The last thing he wants to do is worry about if he’s doing something wrong. So he relaxes, sitting back in his chair, Gene’s hand in his, and they wait for the show to start.

It’s not long before colorful sparkles erupt in the night sky. Even being shot off so far away on the island, there’s so many of them all around—so loud, so big, a beautiful phenomenon that you could only see right from this spot. That’s not to mention the fireworks being shot from boats in the lake that are closer to them, adding to it all. It’s nothing like Ray’s ever experienced before. He’s glad he’s seeing it here with none other than Gene.

The crackle and booms are like a song of their own. The rhythm is unpredictable, and so are the colors, flashing red, white, green, and blue, some in stars, others in circles, and many in falling lines. The way they reflect on Gene’s face reminds him of being at a show—how the stage lights would change, highlighting his features. It might be still a while before they perform on stage again, still being on a break, yet Ray is more than ready for it to happen.

But for now, Ray will cherish this time alone with Gene, savoring the warmth of his hand.

Ray is a little tired after such a fun day, but he’s more than excited to get back inside the motel room, and not because of sleep. Gene takes a shower first, as he did yesterday, and as soon as he’s done and out, Ray goes into the bathroom to take one as well.

As he stands under the showerhead, washing off his body, Ray’s imagination goes wild. All he can think of is Gene and what they might do together in bed. Maybe this time, they can try something new? He’s still a little tender from their romp yesterday to fuck like that again, but it is their last night before they have to go home. What if they won’t have another chance to do something like this for a while?

What if we never have another chance at all?

The thought frightens Ray, giving him goosebumps despite the warmth of the shower water.

Realistically, he and Gene shouldn’t be doing anything sexual, period. Ray has a girlfriend, and having sex with anyone else is cheating. Does he have no moral conscience? It’s one thing to be doing it in secret away from her, here at the motel, but having thoughts about continuing this thing with Gene despite her presence back home?

Though there’s something about Gene that he just can’t help but give in to. Every time they’re together, it makes him so happy, and it doesn’t matter what they’re doing—it could be writing songs, playing covers, singing along to the radio, performing on stage for thousands and thousands of people, or simply being alone together, intimate in the bedroom. And it’s not just Ray who enjoys it, of course, it’s obvious it’s what Gene wants, too.

To think, not even that long ago, I didn’t know if Gene would ever want me like that.

So while he can, Ray will give in. As long as no one else finds out.

He turns off the water, getting out and drying himself off with a towel. He opts to brush his teeth later, as he’s not sure if he might still eat his dinner leftovers. After wrapping the towel around his waist, he opens the door to the main room⁠—

The sight makes his jaw drop.

His heart skips a beat.

Gene is completely naked, lying down on the bed—one hand resting behind his head, and the other one stroking his cock.

“Well, well, now,” Ray says, unable to look away.

“I figured I didn’t need to put my pajamas on this time,” Gene says with a smirk.

“No, definitely not.”

“Care to join me?”

He doesn’t have to ask twice. “Of course.”

Ray rids himself of his towel, throwing it on the floor and nearly jumping onto the bed. He slides up right next to Gene and throws an arm over Gene’s hairy chest, lying down, lips colliding in a passionate kiss. His own dick grows hard too, rubbing up against Gene’s hip. While he knew that Gene was likely up for more tonight, just seeing him naked and ready, exposed like that, makes Ray’s heart go out of control.

As their lips part, Gene reaches up to caress Ray’s face. “Are… are you sore at all from last night?”

“Honestly, a little, yeah,” Ray says. “Well, maybe it’s more like sensitive rather than sore, I guess.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t ask earlier.” Gene bites his lip. “We don’t have to go all the way tonight, if you don’t want.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I had something else on my mind I wanted to do with you, anyways.”

“Oh, really?” Gene raises his brows. “And what was that?”