Ace
Nothing had changed in Phoenix’s bedroom since Ace had been gone, but for some reason, it felt different. More than likely, it was the knowledge that he wasn’t leaving this time. He was staying for good with the man he loved. Phoenix turned, and Ace realized there were tears in his eyes. He crossed the room and pulled Phoenix against his chest, stroking a hand through his hair.
“I’m really here,” he whispered. “I’m not leaving. I’m never leaving you again.”
Phoenix let out a shuddering breath against his shoulder, and Ace cursed himself for ever thinking he could be happy in New York. He didn’t belong there. This was where he belonged. Not just in Phoenix’s arms, but in Wilmingson. The town that had accepted him far better than the city ever had.
“I know you’re here. I can see it. But I can’t believe it. I feel like my eyes are lying to me.”
Ace knew it wouldn’t have been the first time something like that had happened to Phoenix, but he wanted to assure him this was real.
“Let me show you, then,” he said lowly.
Phoenix nodded and tilted his head up. Cupping his cheek with one hand, Ace kissed him gently, lazily. They weren’t going to rush this. He would spend all night reassuring Phoenix if he needed to. Phoenix melted under his touch, his lips parting, allowing Ace inside.
Slowly, Ace backed them toward the bed, never breaking the kiss. He wanted to stay as close to Phoenix as possible. Words would never be enough to convey the depth of his love. But he could show Phoenix.
When they reached the bed, Ace broke the kiss and tugged his shirt off, allowing Phoenix to do the same.
“How do you want me?” he asked.
Phoenix bit his lip, staring hard at the floor.
“Anything you want, you can ask for it. I want you to enjoy this,” Ace assured him.
“Inside me,” he answered with a nod.
Ace frowned slightly. Phoenix had been thinking far too hard about it. “Are you sure? I like bottoming just as much as I like topping.”
“I know, but I know I like you inside me. Maybe one day we can try the other way.”
He nodded. If Phoenix knew what he wanted, then he would give it to him. “On the bed, then.”
Phoenix moved to lie back against the pillows, kicking off his pants and underwear as he went. Ace gazed appreciatively down his body. He would never get tired of seeing Phoenix like this. Everyone else saw the reclusive artist, but he alone got to see this side of him. Phoenix trusted him. Allowed himself to be vulnerable with Ace, and Ace would never take that lightly.
He stripped of his own clothing and climbed on the bed. Phoenix spread his legs, and Ace settled into the space between them. They fit so well together.
“I love you,” he whispered, trailing kisses down Phoenix’s neck.
Phoenix squirmed, and Ace cursed himself for forgetting that he didn’t like people to whisper near his ear. But Phoenix just ran a hand through his hair and tugged, until Ace stared up at him.
“Show me,” he said.
Ace pressed a kiss against the hollow of his throat, then moved back up to capture his lips. He kissed slowly, languidly, enjoying the feeling of Phoenix beneath him. And then he rolled his hips, their cocks brushing together. Phoenix gasped, the sound muffled by the kiss, and arched up against Ace. He wrapped his legs around Ace’s waist, keeping him close.
They moved in tandem, Ace savoring the delicious friction created by their bodies. Phoenix stared up at him, hardly blinking. As though Ace would disappear if he took his eyes off of him.
“I’m here,” he said again. He pressed a kiss to Phoenix’s forehead as he thrust.
“I know.” His voice trembled. “You’re here. You chose…”
“You,” Ace finished. “I chose you. And Wilmingson. And the people who love me.”
Phoenix’s eyes shone overly bright, and Ace knew he was holding back tears. His chest ached as he remembered the last time they’d been in bed together, trying to forget that he was leaving the next morning. Never again.
Leaning down, he kissed Phoenix again, deeper this time. More insistent. Phoenix hummed, pressing up against him. He wrapped his arms around Ace’s shoulders, clinging to him. This was his home. This was where he belonged.
After a few moments, he pulled back to stare down at Phoenix. They were both panting and hard, and Ace didn’t want to stop. But Phoenix wanted Ace inside of him, and he was going to give him what he wanted.
“Put that pillow under your hips,” he said, scrabbling around in the nightstand.
He returned with lube and a condom, settling once more between Phoenix’s thighs. Phoenix stared up at him, his expression unguarded and vulnerable. He let Ace see every part of him, and it moved Ace far more than he could say.
Uncapping the lube, he poured some into his palm and rubbed his hands together. But he made no move to finger Phoenix. Instead, he rubbed his hands along Phoenix’s thighs, feeling him tense and relax underneath him.
“Close your eyes,” he ordered.
Phoenix hesitated. “I want to see you.”
“And you will. But right now, I want you to let every bit of tension go. So close your eyes.”
He did as Ace said, and Ace continued to massage Phoenix’s muscles. Phoenix whined when Ace got too close to his cock, and arched up for some kind of relief, but Ace didn’t give in. He kept going until Phoenix lay boneless against the bed, his muscles lax and his cock hard against his belly.
Cupping Phoenix’s calf, he settled it on his shoulder, then coated his fingers once more in lube. He pushed one finger inside Phoenix, smirking at the groan that escaped him. There was no resistance, no pain, only pleasure. After a moment, he added a second finger. He curled them, seeking that sensitive spot inside Phoenix, and was rewarded with another, louder, groan. Phoenix moved against him, riding his hand, and Ace knew he was ready.
He pulled his fingers free, taking a moment to look down at Phoenix. He looked utterly wanton. His curls were wild, a dark contrast against the white pillow, and his pupils were blown. Only a thin ring of brown showed. It was the most beautiful sight Ace had ever seen.
Ripping open the foil wrapper, he rolled the condom over himself. He ran his hands along Phoenix’s ass, then spread his cheeks. Lining up, he slowly pushed inside, giving Phoenix plenty of time to adjust. Phoenix scrunched his nose, but the discomfort soon passed, and he let out a slow breath.
“I’m okay,” he said. “You can move.”
Ace did, slowly at first. He rolled his hips, pushing inside inch by inch until he was flush against Phoenix. Phoenix reached up and cupped the back of his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. He went eagerly, his lips parting as Phoenix explored the inside of his mouth.
Phoenix slid his hands down Ace’s back, scoring the skin with his fingernails, and Ace’s resolve broke. He thrust harder, gripping Phoenix’s hips. Phoenix tightened around him, and he knew he wouldn’t last long. That was okay, though. They had all the time in the world to do this as often as they wanted.
He cupped the back of Phoenix’s thigh, and Phoenix rested his leg on Ace’s shoulder again, allowing him to thrust even deeper. That drew a needy whine from Phoenix, and he arched up against Ace. A sheen of sweat had formed along his skin, and Ace leaned down, licking a stripe up his neck. That was all it took. Phoenix cried out, his body tensing underneath Ace’s as he spilled between the two of them.
Ace wasn’t far behind. Phoenix’s body was tight around his cock, and he didn’t even try to hold back. He cried out as his orgasm tore through him, the aftershocks rippling as he slowed his movements, then finally stilled.
After a moment, he pulled out and nestled against Phoenix’s side. He dropped the condom in the trash, then wrapped an arm around Phoenix’s waist. They were sweaty and sticky with drying cum on their stomachs, but that didn’t matter. All that mattered was that he was with Phoenix. This was where he belonged, and he would never choose to be anywhere else.