Chapter 4
After watching some fireworks, Gene and Ray retire to their motel room.
Gene is glad they wrote a new song—a great one at that.
He can already tell that ‘Golden Sunset’ is going to be a hit.
Likely the A-side on a new single. With their close proximity, jamming to the groove, Gene could feel his connection to Ray through the music.
Every time they write, somehow, it’s there—getting stronger with each new song.
He can tell Ray must feel the same, with how they got so close…
But he’s worried about Ray holding himself back.
Sure, they’re here alone, but what if Ray is still too afraid to do anything romantic?
They haven’t actually discussed being romantic for this trip.
The only thing they made sure of was the plan of writing music.
But then again, Gene was nervous to talk about it in general, worried that if he said something, Ray would back out of the whole trip.
He knows he shouldn’t be so worried—and honestly, maybe he shouldn’t be thinking these thoughts about Ray in the first place.
Ray is still tied to Carol. But if he were allowed to, he’d want to give in.
Being alone here together, this should be a safe space, right?
Ray must want it, too. We almost kissed…
Even if it’s only temporary, even if it’s only for the duration of this trip, Gene hopes Ray will open up.
But Gene’s hopes are a little dimmed when he announces he’s going to take a shower, and Ray doesn’t suggest joining him.
They’ve only ever taken a shower together once, and Gene thought maybe they could again.
Though if Ray doesn’t bring it up, he doesn’t want to push it.
Or maybe, Ray is thinking something else.
Maybe if he wants to do something with me, he’d rather do it on the bed, and not be cramped up in the shower…
And Gene thinks he might be right on that, how after he grabs some pajamas from the suitcase, and he unbuttons his shirt and throws it on the floor, Ray stares at him with such longing eyes, his face turning red.
“What is it?” Gene says with a smirk, resting his hand on the waistband of his shorts.
“Oh, uh…” Ray shakes his head a little. “You’re just, uh, nice to look at.”
“I am, am I?” Gene chuckles.
“Yeah. That’s—that’s simply a fact.”
“Alright. Well, if I’m gonna shower, I’ll need to take these off.
” He tugs on his shorts, unbuttoning the top button, and Ray’s face flushes even redder.
It’s silly, teasing Ray like this. It makes Gene’s heart race.
Even if they aren’t showering together, he figures there’s no harm in being a little flirtatious.
“By all means, uh, go ahead.” Ray smiles, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
It’s sort of funny, how during that night in Vegas, Ray was the flirty one—and now the tables have turned.
But Gene supposes Ray had allowed himself to let loose then because of how drunk he was. Now, they’re completely sober.
But even when they’re sober, Ray’s cute, tender expression is as honest as can be.
The towels are in the bathroom, and Gene will grab one once he goes in.
But he needs to get naked first, so he unzips his fly, pulling his shorts completely off and kicking them and his underwear off his legs.
He’s quick to notice Ray’s reaction—if he thought he was red before, he’s surely bright crimson now. Gene giggles at that.
“I’ll be right out, and then it’s your turn,” Gene says.
“Alright.” He can hear Ray audibly gulp.
Gene heads into the bathroom, shutting the door and turning the water on.
He wants to make it rather quick, as to not make Ray wait.
Hell, he knows he doesn’t really want to wait either.
Ray said I’m nice to look at, but talk about himself.
Ray is gorgeous. His sandy blond hair, his sparkling blue eyes, plump lips, and that’s not even mentioning his lithe body—slim and toned, with a little muscle definition from all that dancing on stage.
Ray is right outside the door, waiting for me.
No one else but me.
He finishes up, turning off the water and drying himself with the towel. He’d left his pajamas out in the main room, so he ties the towel around his waist. After brushing his teeth at the sink, he heads out of the bathroom.
Ray is lying down on the bed, watching the television that’s on top of the dresser.
It looks like he grabbed some pajamas to change into too, as they’re situated on the bed next to the ones Gene picked out.
Either pair could be theirs, as they have often gotten in the habit of sharing clothes. Ray perks up once he notices Gene.
“Oh, hey,” Ray says, still blushing.
“Your turn now, baby.” Gene smiles, watching Ray bite down on his bottom lip.
“Alright. I won’t be long.”
And so, Ray stands up, and pulls off his T-shirt.
As each piece of clothing comes off his body, it becomes harder and harder for Gene to compose himself.
Gene sits down on the bed, hoping his stiffening cock isn’t making too obvious of a bulge underneath the towel.
But he needs to let Ray wash up. He can stay calm until then.
Ray turns around, facing the wall and his back to Gene.
It’s rather adorable how shy he can get around Gene sometimes, when to others, he’s usually so loud and outgoing.
That’s not to say he’s never like that too with Gene, but it must depend on the situation and mood.
Such as right now, when uncertainty is hanging in the air—an unbearable tension floating between them.
And then, with no warning—Ray pulls his shorts and underwear off, revealing his sexy, bare ass.
An explosive heat flushes through Gene’s body. It moves further down, thickening his cock even more.
His heavy breathing must catch Ray’s attention, as Ray looks behind his shoulder, giving Gene a smirk. “Like the view?”
“Yes,” Gene admits. “Very much so.”
Ray’s little question raises Gene’s spirits. He really does seem to be opening up.
“I’ll be right out,” Ray says with a smile, rushing into the bathroom before Gene can get a good look at his front. Well, maybe I’ll get a chance when he comes out.
The TV is still on, playing some late night talk show that Ray must’ve been watching.
Gene debates whether he should change into his pajamas at all.
On one hand, if he and Ray do end up doing anything, there’d be less effort taking clothes off if he wasn’t wearing them in the first place.
But on the other hand, would Ray be wigged out if Gene stays in his towel?
Maybe the best course of action would be to dress anyway, playing it safe.
And so, Gene grabs his pajama shirt, sliding his arms through the sleeves but leaving the buttons in front undone.
He then stands up, throws his towel on the floor, and slips into his underwear and pajama pants.
All this thinking is messing with him. Why can’t this just be easy?
He can tell he’s nervous—seeing his hands shake a little as he rests them in his lap, sitting back down on the bed.
His heart races, banging against his chest.
If only he had some weed. Or even alcohol. That would definitely help him calm down, but he didn’t ask Ray about packing it before they’d left home. I shouldn’t need it, right? I can do this while sober.
His thoughts are halted as he hears the shower water turn off. Ray is about to come out. Gene needs to pull himself together.
I got this. I got this.
A few more agonizing minutes pass as he hears the sink faucet, realizing Ray is brushing his teeth. But it’s not long until—
The door to the bathroom opens, and out steps Ray, with nothing but a towel around his waist.
Gene’s cock twitches at the sight. Here Ray is, water soaking his hair, making it look a little darker and straighter than it normally is.
Droplets fall in slow lines over his smooth skin, over the defining lines of his chest, his abdomen, and even further down, over the small trail of hair that disappears underneath the towel.
Oh, what Gene wouldn’t give to be able to lick those droplets all off his body…
“Earth to Gene?” Ray says with a giggle.
Gene shakes his head slightly. “Just admiring you. It’s like what you said of me—you’re nice to look at.”
Ray’s cheeks flush darker, and Gene can see it’s not just that—but also the tips of his shoulders become redder, too. He’s just so damn cute. Ray puts a hand on his hip. “Why, thank you, handsome.”
Gene can’t help himself. A swirl of pleasant emotions fills his chest. He stands up from the bed, a magnetic force pulling him closer toward his best friend.
There’s not much distance he has to travel before he’s right in front of Ray, faces only a foot apart.
The eye contact is electrifying. With both of them being the same height, it’s so easy to just stare, and Ray does the same; he must be searching for the same something that Gene is searching for. He must.
Gene takes a deep breath.
His heart pounds relentlessly in his ears.
He puts both hands on Ray’s shoulders and turns him around, manhandling him and pushing him flat onto the bed. Gene hovers over him, now straddling his hips, never losing eye contact.
“Woah, Gene!” Ray chuckles. “What are you doing?”
“What do you think I’m doing?” Gene chuckles as well, hands still holding down Ray’s shoulders.
“Wrestling with me? I don’t know.”
“I think you do know, Ray. Something I’ve been wanting to do all this time…”
Gene leans down, and, finally, captures Ray’s lips in a kiss.