“Gonna suck you off,” the stranger breathed into Meik’s mouth.

“Mm.”

Meik supposed that would be fine. Lately, all he’d had to get off with was his hand and memories. He needed this. Needed to fuck this man and get over his block. Get over Sebastian.

The man slid from his lap, dropping to his knees with the same sort of noise the couch made. Meik laced his fingers through dark hair, tugging sharply and gazing down into his eyes. A flash of green made his breath catch in his throat, his hand yanking the man’s head back.

“Hey!” The stranger protested. “Not so hard, yeah?”

Meik ground his teeth when he dropped his head back. He could still see those eyes, glinting emerald jewels ringed by thick black lashes. Was he hallucinating? Shaking his head, he pushed the stranger away from him. “I can’t do this,” he mumbled.

“Dude, really? Why? Because I told you to be a little more gentle?” He scoffed.

“No,” Meik said, voice laced with ice. “Because I don’t want you.”

He didn’t wait for the stranger’s reply before brushing past him and out towards the main room of the club. Flashing lights blinded him. He stumbled through the pulsing mass on the dance floor, past the bar that called to him. Out into the crisp wind of late winter that stung his eyes and made tears well up. He’d forgotten his jacket and gloves in the club but didn’t want to go back.

Cheeks raw from the cold, bright red fingers clutched at his sides, he swayed on the curb and waited for a cab. Alone in the dark. Alone with his thoughts.

It was cold. So cold Meik was sure his nose would fall off. The dead, icy grass crunched under his shoes as he paced back and forth beneath Gabe’s window. Meik’s cell phone shook in his trembling, gloved hand, pressed tight to his ear. It rang and rang and rang before Gabe’s sweet voice announced the beginning of his voicemail. Meik growled between his teeth, hanging up and dialing again. This was the third time he’d called. It was only midnight. Why wasn’t he answering?

Fourth time’s the charm.

The phone clicked, and he heard soft breathing and shuffling. “The fuck are you calling so late for?” Gabe’s sleepy voice did not sound happy. Almost like he didn’t appreciate what was going to be an amazingly romantic gesture.

“Don’t get snippy,” Meik huffed, voice hoarse from the biting chill. “Hurry up, get dressed, and get out here.”

“Meik...why the hell would I do that?” His tone was dry. “It’s colder than a witch’s tit, and I was fucking sleeping. Like a normal person.”

“Because! Please. Come on.” Meik didn’t pout often, but he would if he needed to.

“Christ, Meik.” Gabe sighed, and Meik grinned in victory. He’d won; he heard Gabe scurrying around, the faint sound of his mattress squeaking.

“Thanks, babe.” Meik hung up. He continued to sulk around the window, hopping with his hands in his pockets to stay warm.

He was about to call Gabe again and rush him when he heard footsteps approaching. “Why are you under my window?”

Meik spun around, beaming at Gabe. Seeing him never got old. “I thought you’d sneak out the window,” he said and gave him a slow once-over. He’d gotten dressed quickly, a pair of jeans topped off with his typical, unlaced tennis shoes. He was bundled into his jacket and scarf, but he hadn’t brushed his hair; the curls tangled and twisted together. Meik wanted to pull them. “Y’know, like they do in the movies.”

Gabe scoffed, eyeing his window and the admittedly large distance between it and the tree. “How? I’m not an acrobat.”

Meik shrugged, drawing close to wrap his arm around Gabe’s waist. “I don’t know. That’s what people are supposed to do when sneaking out.”

They walked towards Meik’s car, parked and running on the street. Gabe was already shivering, nuzzling his cheek against Meik’s shoulder. “How did you get out of the house?” he questioned.

“Front door,” Meik answered.

“But you wanted me to Cirque du Soleil my ass out of the window?”

“I didn’t really think about that.”

“Of course.” Gabe shook his head, waiting for Meik to open the car door before slipping in.

“Shush. You’re killing my buzz.” Meik sulked and shut the door.

The car was warm when Meik got in, glancing at Gabe who was already wiggling his fingers in front of the vent to warm them up. “Why?” he asked. “Where are we going?”

“Stop asking questions. Just go with it,” Meik huffed. He almost regretted waking Gabe up. Next time he’d bring the romance to him. He’d be less cranky.

Gabe stuck his tongue out and lay back in his seat. “Wake me when it’s time.”

“Fine.”

As they drove, Meik kept an eye on Gabe. He fell asleep almost instantly, breathing soft and lips slightly parted. With cheeks pink from the cold and long lashes resting against them, he looked so beautiful. Meik wanted to kiss him all over, but Gabe would probably think it was creepy. This wasn’t a fairytale. Meik couldn’t go around kissing unconscious people.

While Meik mulled over the insinuations of date rape in old stories, they made their way to his destination. It wasn’t too far out, and soon they pulled up to a deserted overlook. Meik parked the car, the city sprawling in front of them. It was almost completely silent. Turning the car off, he slipped out and grabbed a bundled blanket from the backseat. His breath puffed in front of him, footsteps loud in the quiet while he moved around the car. He set the bundle down on the still warm hood and went over to Gabe’s door. “Wake up,” Meik whispered, sliding a finger down his cheek which was probably way creepier than just pecking his lips. “We’re here.”

Those long, dark lashes parted, and Gabe stirred with a puff. “Mm. Meik, it’s cold,” he murmured, rubbing his eyes.

“I know, baby. But I’ll keep you warm,” Meik purred.

A smile twitched at the corners of Gabe’s lips. “Silly.” He slipped from the car, stretching his arms out and yawning. “Why’re we up here?”

“Romance! I’m romancing you.” Plus, he’d really needed to get out of his house. It was all fighting between his mother and father lately, and the last thing he wanted was to be in the middle of it. Seeing Gabe was the perfect excuse to do that.

“In the cold?” Gabe crossed his arms and cocked a brow.

“I brought a blanket and…” Meik moved to the bundle and unfolded it carefully. A large plaid thermos rested in the middle of it. “Hot chocolate!”

“Oh!” Gabe perked up. “Gimme!”

Meik chuckled, passing it to him. He knew that would work. Hell, he probably should have led with that. Hopping on the hood of the car, he leaned back against the windshield. Meik didn’t even need to say anything for Gabe to scurry up and nestle close to him. Once he settled down, twisting the top off of the thermos, Meik caught up the edges of the blanket and wrapped it around them. “See? Isn’t this nice? Look at all the stars, and it’s so quiet. Peaceful.”

Gabe hummed, cuddling close as he sipped. “Yeah, yeah. You’re still crazy.”

Meik shrugged. “But you like it.”

“Yeah,” he admitted.

The grin flitting across Meik’s lips was dangerously close to being goofy; he tried to cover it up by pressing kisses to Gabe’s hair. His arm tightened, tugging Gabe closer. His curls smelled like apple shampoo, body warm against him. Reaching across Gabe, Meik awkwardly pulled his gloves off, letting them get lost in the folds of the blanket. Unzipping Gabe’s jacket, bare fingers brushed across the neckline of his shirt, tracing shapes on his warm skin. Eyes locked momentarily before Meik continued to explore. He felt goosebumps prickle on Gabe’s skin, a soft hum leaving him. “You’re surprisingly romantic,” Gabe mused. “Like, I never thought you’d be the kind of boyfriend to do shit like this.”

“Well, I like exceeding expectations,” Meik said. Gabe wasn’t wrong, not really. Meik didn’t usually go in for all this romance bullshit. He’d gone on dates before, the typical kissing in a dark movie theater and sharing popcorn. Never grand gestures of cheesy things like midnight stargazing. But Gabe was his best friend first and foremost, and he wanted to spend as much time as possible with him. Do as many nice things as he could. He wanted to see him smile, always.

“How set on exceeding expectations are you?” Gabe asked. “‘Cause I expect you to kiss me and I’ll be pretty disappointed if you don’t.”

Meik laughed, tightening his grip on Gabe. Three months ago Gabe had never been kissed; now he couldn’t seem to get enough. Meik thought he’d be the one constantly begging for Gabe’s affection, but he’d been continuously proven wrong. He loved it. “Don’t know.” He pretended to think. “I feel like I’m fighting with that hot chocolate for your attention.”

Gabe rolled his eyes. “Jesus. Ridiculous.” Very slowly, he grabbed the cap and twisted it back on. “There. Lips. Now.”

Cupping Gabe’s chin, Meik turned his head to face him. Their eyes met, air between them sizzling. Gazes held. His heart banged in wild anticipation. Meik brushed his thumb along Gabe’s plump lower lip. God, Meik had never—in his admittedly short life—been so infatuated with someone. Not even when he was twelve and convinced he was going to marry his science fair project partner. Gabe was special. Had always been special, even if it had taken him a while to realize it.

Gabe’s mouth tasted of chocolate, soft and sweet on Meik’s tongue. He slid his hand up, from his chin to his cheek. Their noses brushed together, Gabe angling his head to deepen the kiss. The thermos rested in the blanket between them—forgotten—as Gabe claimed his mouth. His fingers, warm from the hot chocolate, slid under Meik’s shirt. Over the past few weeks, they’d both gotten more confident with touching each other. Meik hardly ever got pushed away when he grabbed Gabe’s ass now, and he really liked the feel of his boyfriend’s soft fingers roaming over his chest and sides. His touches were delicate and gentle compared to Meik’s more pressing and commanding ones, but he definitely didn’t mind.

Meik dropped his hand to Gabe’s bottom, squeezing as he hauled him as close as he could possibly get. “Oh,” Gabe breathed out softly, pulling back with half-shut eyes. He tossed his leg over Meik’s outstretched ones. Lips brushed over Meik’s jaw and then to his neck where Gabe nuzzled close. The tip of his nose was still cold, but the rest of his body seemed to burn. “Mm. So warm now.”

“Warm?” Meik teased, tilting his head to give him more room. Fingers slid from Gabe’s ass to the back of his thigh. “I’m trying to make you hot, baby.”

“You’re getting there,” Gabe murmured, shifting and brushing their noses together. His hips rolled, rubbing himself against the side of Meik’s hip. “Keep touching me like that, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be on fire.”

“And to think, you’re supposed to be the innocent one,” Meik quipped. “But you certainly don’t seem like that right now.”

“You’re a bad influence on me.” Gabe bit on Meik’s lower lip, tugging. He reached out and pulled the blanket up around them a bit more, so only their heads were uncovered, the rest of them encased in their own little world. “But, we’ve known that for years now, haven’t we?”

Meik connected them in another kiss. “How bad of an influence do you want me to be?” He spoke into his mouth, voice dropped lower, fingers digging into Gabe.

Meik lay close enough to feel the shudder run through him. He knew the suggestion in his tone was clear, hanging between them where they couldn’t ignore it. “I…” Gabe averted his eyes, then shifted in the tight embrace of the blanket. Gabe’s hard-on had been evident ever since he’d scooted towards him. Meik wanted to take care of it, but they’d not crossed that line yet. Their friendship would not be able to go back to normal if they did. “As bad as you want.”

It was the permission Meik hoped he would get but hadn’t counted on. Something about Gabe always seemed innocent to him. He knew he watched porn—same as Meik did—and he knew he masturbated—not as much as Meik though—but something about him screamed angelic. Maybe it was those big dark eyes or maybe the plump pink lips that wouldn’t look out of place on a Roman fresco. “If you’re sure…” Meik’s fingers danced around towards the front of Gabe’s pants, finding the bulge beneath the rough denim.

“Yes.”

There was no hesitation.

Meik had never been as hard as he was at that moment. Straining, aching in jeans that were way too tight. Next time he decided to do something romantic, he was going to consider sweatpants over skinny jeans.

The sound of Gabe’s zipper slicking open seemed loud in the quiet evening. He heard Gabe’s breath hitch, body taut. Meik trailed his fingers along his length, tracing the outline. His mouth dry, heart beating frantically. Meik couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t see straight. He closed his eyes against the world going out of focus, guiding his hand up. He touched the edge of Gabe’s underwear, hesitating. There was no going back from this.

A soothing kiss came from Gabe, as light and sweet as spun sugar. “Please.”

It was all the encouragement Meik needed.