14. Oz
OZ
I gently shoved Arch backwards, and he plopped down onto the center cushion of the couch, his head thunking against my grandma’s crazy quilt. “I think you’ll be pleased.”
Manny and I sat on either side of him, facing him as best we could. This would be so much easier in the bed, but that would come. Arch glanced between us. “Hi.” His breathing got a little faster, and he had a bulge in his pants that hadn’t been there a moment ago.
I brushed my hand over the top of his head. It was just as soft as I’d thought it would be. “You okay with kissing?”
“Yeah.” He was almost whispering.
Across from me, Manny switched from his seated position to being on his knees on the couch cushion. “Go for it, big guy.”
Smiling, I leaned over and took Arch’s lips with mine.
My eyes fell closed, and my world narrowed to the heat of his mouth, the scent of his body wash, and the taste of the wine he’d been drinking.
I wanted to be naked, rubbing myself all over him.
His hands slid up my back to my shoulders, and one of Manny’s hands ran through my hair. “So hot. Look at y’all.”
I broke the kiss, feeling dazed. “Damn, Arch.” I smiled at him, then I turned to Manny. “Wanna taste?” I leaned across Arch, and Manny rose up on his knees to meet me halfway, moaning into my mouth as his tongue licked along mine. Arch had one arm around each of us.
Manny pulled back, panting. “Delicious.” He grinned at Arch. “You ready for me, mi cazador?”
“I think I’ve been ready since I met you.” Leaving one arm around my back, Arch pulled Manny to him with his other. Their kiss was decadent, both of them seeming to want to climb into each other’s mouths.
One arm braced against the back of the couch so I could get a good view, I adjusted myself with the other hand. Fuck, I wanted to jerk off, but we weren’t there yet.
Arch ran his hand up Manny’s back to his head, and I couldn’t stop the warning squeak that came out of my mouth. But it was too late. Arch jerked away from the kiss, his face full of concern, and his fingers still exploring Manny’s scalp. “Since when do you wear a wig? Are you sick?”
With a frustrated huff, Manny sat back on his heels, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Sorry, I forgot to warn you.”
Arch stayed quiet, waiting for Manny to continue. I kept my eye on them, but so far neither was letting his temper get the better of him.
Manny tugged at the edge of his wig. “Yeah, so my healing ability. Did anyone ever tell you what Jackson did to heal my injury last year?”
He frowned. “They gouged out a piece of themself and stuck it in your wound.”
“Right. Yeah. So, I can’t do that, of course. But I can put some of myself into the people I heal. And the easiest way to do it is my hair.”
“Your... hair?” Arch blinked rapidly.
Manny shrugged. “Yeah. Blood is too messy, so I save that for emergencies. And spit’s just gross.
Fingernails work well, but there aren’t many of them and they take a long time to grow back.
Hair’s been the best option. But it has to be freshly plucked, you know?
I can’t shave my leg hair and save it. The magic fades really fast. I was using my eyebrows for a while, for the less intense healings, but the hair on my head seems to work better. ”
“Oh.” Arch’s voice was faint. “Um, can I see?”
Manny eyed him warily. “Are you going to go all caveman about me making myself suffer for others or some shit?”
Arch’s spine snapped upright, his mouth opening, but I put my hand on his shoulder before he could speak.
He slumped again. “I’ll probably worry,” he whined, and Manny relaxed.
I smiled and ran my hand over Arch’s scalp.
Once the three of us were secure in our relationship, I’d step back and let them find their own way together, but for now they needed some help. It’d be worth it in the end.
Manny closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath in Spanish. I should start learning it, though I’d have to decide whether to prioritize ASL or Spanish.
He stuck two fingers under the edge of the wig and peeled it back and off. Underneath he was wearing a skull cap, though I’d seen him wear the wig without it before. He took that off as well, running his hand through what was left of his natural hair.
Arch made a pained noise and reached up, looking at Manny for permission to touch. Manny nodded, and Arch gently ran his fingertips over the bald patches. “Does it hurt?”
Manny shrugged. “A little when I pluck the hair, but not afterward.” He reached over to lay the wig and skull cap carefully on the coffee table, well away from the wine glasses. “So this is the real me these days.”
Arch chuckled. “I’m the last person to criticize anyone’s hairline, but thank you for showing me.” He caressed Manny’s head, more firmly this time, and Manny pressed forward to kiss him. I couldn’t stop my smile at how sweet it was.
Arch pulled back then looked over at me. “Have I passed the test yet? Because I’m interested in moving this to the bedroom if y’all are.” He held up a hand. “No pressure. We all need to be comfortable.”
“Hell, yes!” Manny raised both hands in the air and dropped them quickly. “Ah, maybe no penetration. I really just want to get my hands all over both of you tonight.”
“Works for me. Oz?” Arch raised an eyebrow in my direction. Why was that so sexy?
I palmed my mostly hard dick. “Yeah, that sounds good. I’ve, uh, never had a three-way before.” I was a little worried I’d nut as soon as I saw Arch and Manny naked together.
“Me neither.” Manny shot me a reassuring smile.
“I, uh...” Arch ran his hand over his head. “I should probably tell you, I’ve never been with a man before.”
We both stared at him. Fuck, Manny had thought Arch was straight, but I’d assumed he’d at least experimented with men. He had to be in his mid-thirties. I stroked his shoulder. He was incredibly tense. “Thanks for letting us know. Do you want us to go slow?”
He grabbed my hand. “Thanks, but no. What we decided on is good. I’m good.”
Manny gasped, dramatically clutching his chest. “You know what this means, don’t you?
” Arch narrowed his eyes at him, but Manny ignored the warning and turned to me.
“You and I get to lie naked on the bed, and Arch gets to touch us.” He met Arch’s gaze and popped his eyebrows.
“Preferably both at the same time.” He stood up from the couch and grabbed our hands. “Up! Let’s go! Arch has cocks to feel!”
Arch seemed like he didn’t know whether or not to laugh, but I couldn’t hold back my chuckle. Manny really could use his powers for good, couldn’t he?
We let Manny tug us down the hall to his bedroom, where he stopped at the foot of the bed but didn’t let go of our hands.
“Okay, Arch, you said we didn’t need to go slow, but there’s a lot of wiggle room in that.
For instance, we could all stand in front of each other, strip down, and hop into bed.
Orrr, we could make getting naked a group project. Thoughts?”
I squeezed Manny’s hand. Something about Arch being vulnerable with us had let Manny find his footing with him. I was even more optimistic for a relationship between the three of us than I’d been before.
“Uh.” Arch glanced between me and Manny, and I smiled encouragingly at him. “I like the sound of the group project.”
Manny’s face lit up. “Excellent choice! Before we begin, though, I should warn you that my scar from last year’s injury is pretty ugly.”
Arch nodded solemnly. “I can handle it. Does it hurt if we touch it?”
“Nah, but it looks like it does.” He rolled his eyes. “Enough buildup drama. Just look.” He let go of us and put his hands to his shirt.
“Uh uh.” I put out a hand to stop him. “Group project, remember?”
Obediently he lifted his hands. Arch and I each took a side of his shirt and tugged it over his head. Arch examined the top of Manny’s scar, which started at his ribcage before it angled under the waistband of his jeans. He brushed it with the back of his fingers. “Can I open your pants?”
“Please. Take them off.” Manny’s voice was higher pitched than usual.
Arch undid the button, slowly and carefully lowering the zipper over Manny’s erection, which strained the confines of his boxer briefs.
I ran my hands down both of their spines, the heat of Manny’s skin contrasting with the cool cotton of Arch’s polo.
I wanted badly to get Arch naked, but Manny was first. He kicked his shoes into a corner of the room then let Arch help him step out of his pants.
Today’s underwear were a soft blue, and he’d already soaked a wet spot.
I licked my lips. Manny peeled down one side of his boxer briefs to show the entire arc of his scar. “Pretty gross looking, right?”
I was about to correct him, but Arch beat me to it. “Fuck no. That scar says you’re a survivor. And if you didn’t have the scar, you wouldn’t have your healing ability. How many people have you saved, Manny?” He ran a forefinger along the full length of the scar. “Don’t ever say this is ugly.”
Manny goggled at Arch, for once seeming at a loss for words. I smiled and kissed his temple. “He’s right. He’s exactly right.” Arch gave him a kiss, then he helped me lower Manny’s underwear. I knelt, taking them to the floor, and Arch steadied Manny as he stepped out of them.
“Y’all are going to spoil me.” Manny’s voice wavered a little, and I swiftly stood, checking his expression.
Arch was on it though, pulling Manny into a big hug.
“You deserve it, brat.” I snorted at the nickname, and Arch opened one of his arms, inviting me in.
I wasn’t about to turn that down, so I moved close, wrapping both of them in my arms. I hadn’t anticipated the sensation of a naked Manny next to me and Arch, still in our clothes.