Blake
BLAKE
After his first week back at work in Port Dale, was more than ready for the weekend. Powering down his computer, he pushed away from his desk and stretched, groaning as his back muscles strained. As much as he loved working from home, he missed having people he could chat with. At least a coworker was a companion when it came to quitting time.
Though he wasn’t going to give up working in his pajamas, he looked down at the loose shorts and muscle shirt he’d thrown on for his morning workout and decided he might need to change. He was waiting to hear whether Sean wanted to come over, watch some garbage on TV, and eat takeout. didn’t want to be sitting around in his old workout clothes if he was going to make a stopover.
The thought had him shaking his head. Over a week before, he wouldn’t have given a second thought to bumming around even if Sean was showing up. Now, he didn’t want the man to see him dirty and ruffled, not unless he was the one who made like that.
“A strange time we live in,” told his reflection in his office window.
His eyes fell to his phone sitting on the desk, and he mentally calculated the time difference between where he was and where Blaine probably was. Problem was, he couldn’t remember exactly where Blaine and Eric were going after the lodge to continue their two-week honeymoon.
He teetered back and forth, unsure if he should bother his brother. On the one hand, he felt he could use the help, and on the other, he wasn’t sure if he wanted anyone else to know what was going on.
“Oh fuck it,” he grumbled, snatching the phone up and calling Blaine’s number.
It rang a few times before Blaine answered. “? Is everything okay?”
snorted, flopping back in his computer chair. “Why do you assume something’s wrong?”
“Because I’m on my honeymoon and you’re calling me,” Blaine pointed out.
“Nothing is wrong,” assured him. “Or not like in a ‘you need to be worried’ sort of way.”
“Great, so something is wrong. I just don’t need to be worried. That really makes me feel better, . Thanks.”
“I just have something...going on. And if I can go to anyone for advice, it would be you. Okay?”
Blaine let out a breath. “Okay. So what’s the problem?”
“Well, I kind of need you to agree to a few things before I get into this.”
“Of course, there’s a contractual obligation to your storytelling. I knew sending you to business school would be a problem.”
“Oh, har har, aren’t you funny? I’m being serious.”
“Alright, what are your terms?”
tapped his desktop restlessly. “First of all, is Eric around? I don’t want to have this conversation with him overhearing.”
“He’s currently napping on the beach,” Blaine informed him. “So you’re safe there.”
“I’ll never understand how you guys live in a port town but honeymoon by the ocean,” said, remembering they’d gone to Hawaii.
“Because it’s a different beach,” Blaine said, as though that explained everything. “What else you got?”
“Look, you can tell Eric what we talk about, but later . And only if he agrees to the same thing you have, which is not to freak out about it and not to pester Sean,” added hastily.
There was a pause. “This is about Sean?”
“And you have to promise not to freak out.”
“You already said that. I agree to all of it, and I’ll handle telling Eric if he needs to be told. Now, what’s going on?”
Which was exactly what was trying to figure out and why he’d called Blaine. The thing was, that required him to explain the events that led to his confusion. There were several ways he could explain the situation to Blaine, though most of them were longwinded and would probably risk sidestepping the core of the whole thing. While was good at doubletalk, evasion, and making one thing sound like another, that didn’t mean he liked doing it in his personal life, and Blaine had always been a straight talker.
“Sean and I have been fucking around,” said, deciding at that exact moment to go with blunt.
There was a longer pause. listened to the soft thumps of something being moved in the background and the faint sound of Blaine’s breathing.
“When you say fucking around,” Blaine said slowly.
snorted. “Do you want the details?”
“So, sexually?”
“Yes.”
“Then no, I don’t want the details.”
“Didn’t think you would.”
There was the sound of glass clinking as Blaine spoke again. “How long has this been going on?”
frowned. “Are you drinking?”
“First of all, I’m on vacation. I can drink whenever I want. Secondly, my straight brother just told me he’s been screwing a guy, and not any guy, but Sean.”
“First of all,” said, not caring that they were once again echoing one another. “We haven’t been screwing. I haven’t...we haven’t?—”
“Someone’s dick hasn’t gone in someone’s ass,” Blaine supplied.
“Blunt, much?”
“You weren’t going to say it, so I said it for you.”
“Fine, yes, we haven’t had full sex.”
“I feel like there’s an inferred ‘yet’ somewhere in there.”
said nothing, thinking of the condoms and the new bottle of lube in his bedside table. He always kept lube on hand, as it could be pretty handy. But he’d specifically made sure to buy a fresh bottle in case Sean came over and something else happened.
Not that they’d talked about fucking. They’d seen each other just about every night since the sunset on the cliff. While sex wasn’t their aim, they always seemed to find themselves getting around to it eventually. It was all blowjobs and handjobs so far, but ’s mind never let him forget there was one more thing they could be doing. It was something he’d hoped to bring up if Sean came over, even if he wasn’t sure how to bring it up.
“And you still haven’t told me how long this has been going on,” Blaine reminded him.
Sean groaned. “About a week.”
“About a...you were screwing around with him at the lodge? During my wedding?” Blaine asked incredulously.
“It wasn’t like he was giving me a blowjob while you guys were saying your vows,” hissed. “Jesus, Blaine. I think I have a little more class than that.”
“Fine, it still started at the lodge, even if you did pick classier moments.”
“Okay, well, here’s the thing,” began and launched into the story of that awkward first night sleeping together.
“Wow,” Blaine said when he was done. “I never knew Sean could be so...forward. Or that he was into guys. But then again, I didn’t know you were either.”
“Okay, but I’m not...or wasn’t.”
“Uh, this little bit of news you dropped on me tells me otherwise, bud.”
“It’s a very recent, very surprising development.”
“For you and me both.”
huffed. “And Sean’s apparently always been into guys. He’s just never ended up in a serious relationship with them.”
“God, Eric is gonna love hearing that little tidbit about Sean,” Blaine grumbled.
winced. “In his defense, he didn’t see any point in bringing it up. Since he wasn’t bringing anyone home for the family to meet, why would he bring it up? Otherwise, he might as well be telling Eric, ‘Yeah, I know you think I’m sexless, but I’m actually banging guys when the mood strikes me,’ and we both know that’s exactly how Eric would take it.”
Blaine let out a soft laugh. “And he would have been horrified. I don’t think he likes to think of Sean as being...well, anything but big brother and Dad in one.”
“Exactly. He wasn’t keeping it a secret,” insisted.
His brother snorted. “Maybe not, but Eric still won’t be happy.”
“He lives to complain,” shot back.
Blaine, of course, ignored him. “So, Sean doesn’t do relationships with guys, apparently, and that’s why he’s kept it under his hat. And apparently, he made a move on you last weekend, and you liked it.”
“He was asleep,” corrected hastily. “It wasn’t like he copped a feel while awake.”
“Fine, you liked it and apparently told him you liked it.”
“Well, after being awkward about it, I didn’t go too much into it. But he was being flirty and playful, and I kind of dug it, and I guess he figured that out on his own.”
“Figured it out on his own,” Blaine repeated in an unbelieving tone. “, bud, I love you, but you’re not exactly subtle. Anyone could figure out you liked it if they saw it happening.”
thought of what Ash had told him and scowled. “Your support is both noted and appreciated.”
Blaine laughed. “I’m sorry, but it’s true.”
“Anyway, back to what I was saying,” hissed. “I’ll spare the details, but we ended up, uh, doing something the last night we were there.”
“I’ll thank you for leaving out the details, but,” Blaine stopped, and when he spoke again, his voice was filled with a soft horror. “Oh, God.”
“What?” asked, bewildered.
Blaine groaned. “He made a comment that next morning about keeping you ‘well in hand.’ Oh, God, Sean is awful .”
“Now you know why you got a coffee shower.”
“I would have preferred not to know at all, thanks.”
There was a thump and a rustling. “Okay, beer isn’t cutting it, there’s some liquor here.”
“Jesus, Blaine, way to be dramatic,” grumbled.
“Shut up,” his brother shot back. “Skipping past that, you two have...continued this relationship? Wait, is it a relationship?”
’s shoulders slumped, and he sighed heavily. “I don’t know what it is, Blaine, I really don’t.”
There was another long pause, followed by the clink of glass. When Blaine spoke again, his voice was soft with understanding.
“And that’s why you called to tell me all this.”
shrugged, gazing out his office window. “Kind of stupid, isn’t it? Over a week ago, I wouldn’t have even glanced at a guy. And now I’m sitting here wondering if the guy I’ve been having fun with wants to be more than just fuck buddies.”
“That is quite the leap,” Blaine agreed. “But then again, you’ve never been one to think through things too much. You always did like jumping into things, going by your gut.”
raised a brow. “Really? This, coming from you, Mr. Joined the Marines to Improve my Life Maybe? And, Mr. Gonna Tell Our Parents I’m Gay Without Warning? Or can we talk about you practically bending over backward to get Eric to forgive the past?”
“Hey, I never said I was any better. Honestly, I’m less surprised about you wondering about things getting serious than I am about you suddenly being into dudes.”
“It’s just the one dude, thanks.”
“Selective bisexuality is still bisexuality, especially when I never saw it coming. And don’t you dare make a joke about coming, or so help me, .”
closed his mouth, having been fully prepared to make a dirty joke. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”
“I’m rolling my eyes right now. I want you to know that,” Blaine informed him.
“I could have guessed.”
“Good. Now, have you, like, spoken to Sean about this?”
“About coming? We pretty much agree on that subject.”
Blaine groaned. “Why do you call me for help and still act like this? Why are you like this?”
“Because it brings me great delight to torment you and Eric. But since it’s just you, you’re the lucky recipient.”
“Fine, I’ll just wake Eric up, and you can explain to him how you’ve been screwing around with his brother and are catching feels.”
’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t.”
“Try me,” Blaine said smugly.
“That’s evil,” complained.
“So is taunting me with more knowledge about you and Sean than I would have ever chosen to hear. Now, answer the question, or you can deal with Eric,” Blaine informed him.
grunted, the best he could muster to show his disgust. “No, we haven’t talked about it. I mean, the whole thing is a little new to me, and he...well, I mean, he’s the one who said he doesn’t get serious with guys.”
Christ, he sounded like a high school kid with their first crush.
“Did he say he doesn’t? As in, he won’t?”
“Well, no. He only said that he never did. He never had a connection with someone enough to want to date them when they were guys.”
“Those are two different things then.”
“Well...yeah, when you put it like that, I guess they are.”
Blaine snorted. “Look, just because he hasn’t, doesn’t mean he won’t. And the only way you’re going to find out which is to talk to him.”
“I probably shouldn’t even be thinking about this,” admitted begrudgingly. “Hell, I only realized I could be into another dude like a week ago.”
“Look, I can’t speak for you and Sean, and I’m not going to try. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that when you know, you know. It doesn’t matter if you’ve known someone for years, days, or a few hours. You know when you have feelings for someone and want more. So, even if you think it’s too soon to ask Sean if something more serious could come of it, and just because you’re new to this, then no, it’s not. It’s time when you think it’s time.”
raised a brow, a little impressed. “Wow. That was...really deep, Blaine. Never knew you had it in you.”
“You’re the one who wants something in you,” Blaine grumbled.
“Well, actually,” began, laughing when Blaine gave a disgusted cry.
“Don’t! I don’t want to know what you’ve done or what you want to do in the future!” Blaine yelled in his ear.
“Fine. I won’t tell you that quiet, well-behaved Sean is incredibly dirty and really good at?—”
“That’s it, I’m getting Eric.”
couldn’t help but continue to laugh. “Okay, okay! I’ll stop, I promise. I’m sorry.”
“You aren’t fucking sorry at all.”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Asshole.”
It was said affectionately, though, and it made smile. He should have known better than to worry about whether he’d upset Blaine. Sure, maybe the idea of and Sean being a thing weirded Blaine out, but it had been weird for at first too. The only weird thing left, and it was dying quickly and quietly, was that it was becoming less and less weird with incredible speed.
Maybe that should be a sign that he was doing something right.
smiled. “Imagine if I talk to him, and something does come about.”
“God, if you and Sean start dating, Eric is going to be fun,” Blaine complained, though could hear the amusement in his voice.
hummed thoughtfully. “And maybe Mom and Dad were right. Maybe hanging out with you and Eric for so long and going to your big gay wedding infected me.”
“You are the worst brother in the history of brothers. I hope you know that,” Blaine huffed.
“Yeah,” said, not sounding sorry. “But you love me.”
“Against my will, yes.”
“Liar.”
Blaine sighed heavily, and then the phone buzzed against ’s head. He pulled it away, smiling when he saw it was a text from Sean. And it wasn’t just any smile either, even he had to admit the thing felt big and goofy on his face.
I’m already here, how’s that for a response?
hopped up from the chair and darted out of his office. “Hey, look, I’m really thankful for you taking the news so well and making me realize the obvious.”
“Let me guess. You have to go because Sean’s there?”
“At my front door, Mr. Psychic.”
“Yeah, and I wonder what he’s there for.”
“Apparently, sex and a conversation he doesn’t know we should be having.”
Blaine groaned. “On that note, I’m going to go molest my husband and pretend you didn’t just give me that image.”
“And you left me with my own,” said as he jogged down the stairs. “But I’m afraid we’ll just have to leave one another with our respective mental scars.”
“It’s a little cute hearing you sound so eager about someone,” Blaine noted.
“Right,” grunted as he reached the bottom. “Bye, Blaine, love you, enjoy the rest of your honeymoon.”
“Love you too. Have fun,” Blaine said before clicking off the line.
He opened the door to his apartment just as Sean mounted the steps. The dark-haired man looked up in surprise at the sudden movement, but then he saw . And despite all ’s worries and hesitations, he didn’t miss how Sean smiled . All warmth and happiness, bright and shining, before it disappeared beneath a companionable smile.
“Well, hello to you too,” Sean said, his voice deep and rumbling.
“Coming up?” asked, leaning against the doorway.
And the almost shy way Sean looked at him as he nodded was enough to confirm absolutely had to talk to him as soon as possible. He might be a novice to the male-on-male scene, but he knew he would give Sean whatever he asked for at that moment.
“Then come on up,” offered, stepping back from the door and letting Sean into his life.