Of course, the closest place Joey could find was a seedy-looking motel that probably charged by the hour and had seen a dead body or two in its time. But there wasn’t anything else for miles, and Gabe didn’t want to risk pushing the car any further when steam was now creeping out from under the hood. It was a relief to pull into the dark parking lot, at least with regards to the car’s wellbeing.

It was times like these, as they walked over to the lit reception, that Gabe became aware of his sexuality. He could more than likely pass for straight in most instances, but coupled with Joey it would make most people guess about them. That might lead them into trouble, if they were unlucky.

But Gabe held his head high as he pushed the glass door and led the way inside. He’d deal with that if it became an issue.

However, fortune was on their side. As they stepped into the light, they were greeted by a young woman who immediately perked up as they approached.

“Hi,” she said, putting her phone down. “How can I – oh!” She blushed and looked between Joey and Gabe. “Oh my god, you’re that guy aren’t you? From the band? With the ‘Oh oh oohh’ song?” She blushed even more. “Sorry, apparently words aren’t happening for me this evening.”

Joey laughed and held out his hand to her. “I’m Joey,” he said warmly, despite how tired he looked from traveling all day. “So nice to meet you.”

The young woman giggled as she took his hand. “Joey, that’s right. Me and my sister saw you guys a couple of years ago. We had a blast.”

“I’m so glad to hear that,” Joey told her. It was amazing how Gabe could see him come alive at times like this. He was made to be a star.

“So can I get you guys a room?” she asked, looking between them again, apparently unfazed that they were together. Gabe liked the idea that they might seem like a couple and that she wasn’t bothered by it.

They weren’t a couple though, he reminded himself before he could get too carried away. “Yes,” he replied with a smile. “A double if possible?”

She bit her tongue between her teeth as she scrolled through the computer system. “We’ve only got kings available for tonight,” she said. “I could book you two side by side if you like?”

Joey looked up at him with wide eyes. That would be double the cost, and while Gabe was keen to remain a gentleman, he was also on a budget, and Joey even more so. Silently, Gabe raised an eyebrow, asking if sharing would be okay with Joey.

When he nodded, Gabe was ashamed by the thrill of excitement that flew through him. Nothing was going to happen. Just because they’d had one night together didn’t mean they wouldn’t be able to keep their hands off each other now. Gabe was here to support Joey, to be his friend. If he pushed for anything sexual that would be horribly taking advantage.

But with Joey’s nod of consent, that committed them to sharing a bed for the night. Gabe felt strange as he paid the girl with his card and gave her the few details she needed. Like he wasn’t quite in his own body.

Silently, the two of them walked back outside to find their room on the second-floor balcony. The air was cold and Gabe hastily unlocked the door with the key and ushered them and their luggage inside.

“Well, it’s not bad,” said Joey as he flicked on the lights. Gabe had to agree. There weren’t any obvious stains anywhere and the room itself didn’t smell musky. It was simple, but it did the job.

“You want to watch some TV or something?” Gabe asked, locking the door behind him and resting his carryon case on the floor.

“I’m pretty beat,” Joey admitted.

Gabe sighed with relief. “Me too,” he said. “That’s the longest I’ve driven in ages.”

Awkwardly, they navigated taking turns in the bathroom. Gabe had specifically brought t-shirts with him to sleep in with his boxers, so he didn’t feel quite so exposed as he lay in bed waiting for Joey to emerge.

He’d just left a lamp on so he could reach over and turn it off when they were ready to sleep. It meant Joey was illuminated as he stepped back into the room, clutching his toiletries to his chest as he switched off the bathroom light behind him. He was also wearing a t-shirt with his underwear, reassuring Gabe they were on the same page.

Joey scuttled over to his side of the bed and slipped between the covers. Gabe turned off the lamp and plunged them into darkness. “Night,” he said, settling on his side, looking away from Joey.

“Night,” came the reply. Then, after a few moments: “Thank you for today. I’m glad you’re here.”

Gabe grinned to himself in the darkness. It was probably a good thing Joey couldn’t see how pleased that compliment made him. For Joey to admit he was happy to have his company seemed like a real achievement to Gabe.

“It’s my pleasure,” he murmured.

Gabe had been so tired during the last hour or so of the drive, he would have sworn he’d have fallen asleep as soon as his head had hit the pillow. But lying there now, he couldn’t have felt more awake. His whole body was on alert, hyperaware of the warmth coming from Joey beside him. He could hear Joey’s breathing and felt the covers move when he shifted.

Had he rolled away from Gabe? Was he lying on his back…or maybe even facing him now? Gabe wanted to turn and find out. But he knew if he found himself face to face with Joey he wouldn’t be able to resist leaning in for a kiss.

He squeezed his eyes shut and took a long, quiet breath in. He would absolutely not put Joey in that position. He needed a friend in Gabe, someone he could rely on. Not some horny, selfish dickhead on a rebound.

Except, in that moment, Joey moved again, and Gabe felt him press up against his back, his hand slipping over his chest.

“I’m sorry,” Joey whispered against his neck. “Tell me to stop, and I’ll stop.”

Gabe’s voice caught in his throat. He took Joey’s hand in his own, intertwining their fingers. “What do you want?” he asked, his words barely a rasp.

Joey hesitated for just a second. “For you to hold me,” he said.

Before he could question it, Gabe turned, pulling Joey against his chest and wrapping his arms around his slim body. Even through the t-shirt he could feel the heat from his skin. Gabe nuzzled his face against Joey’s soft curls, inhaling his scent. God, he was beautiful.

Joey clung to him like a life raft. His top leg looped over Gabe’s, connecting them further, and Gabe felt the shaky breath that escaped Joey’s lungs as he snuggled closer. Their hardening cocks found each other, touching through the cotton barrier of their underwear. Gabe tried not to rub against him, but when Joey rolled his hips, Gabe moaned and responded in kind.

Joey looked up at him in the dark, seeking his mouth for a kiss. Gabe was in no position to refuse. He accepted Joey’s lips hungrily, running his fingers through Joey’s thick hair.

He wanted to pull their clothes off, to feel skin on skin again. But there was something deliciously comforting about feeling too hot under the comforter, wrapped in each other’s arms. Joey was a little more impatient though, and while the t-shirts might have been too much effort to remove, he was obviously not happy with the boxers.

He reached down and tugged at Gabe’s waistband. The demanding little action made Gabe smile, so he hurriedly yanked them off. Seeing as he’d had to briefly separate from Joey’s body anyway, he took the opportunity to haul his shirt over his head as well, leaving him entirely naked.

Joey had done the same just as quickly. So when they moved back together, only seconds had passed, but Gabe’s heartbeat had rocketed. He pulled Joey’s gorgeous, naked body back against his own. This time there was nothing between their two cocks, and now they were hard as steel.

Joey moaned as they rubbed together. Gabe swallowed the noise with a kiss, their lips urgently coming together. Gabe licked into Joey’s mouth with his tongue, lapping up the taste of him, not wanting this moment to end.

There was no room for thought, only touch. Gabe hadn’t brought any supplies with him as he’d refused to entertain the notion that something might happen. But that was okay, sometimes full fucking wasn’t always the best. Right then, he wanted nothing more than to hold his and Joey’s hot cocks together in his hand and thrust until he came. He needed release now, desperately, and he wouldn’t have wanted to hang around taking the time to prep for anal.

Joey seemed just as happy to frot as he clung to Gabe and pushed into his hand. “Yes, yes,” he whispered.

Gabe placed his hand on the mattress and rolled on top of him. Fuck, Joey’s lithe body felt so perfect pinned under his own. He straddled Joey’s legs, surrounding him. Keeping him safe. Making him Gabe’s.

Joey kissed him with desperation, cupping his hand against Gabe’s jaw and rutting his dick wantonly against Gabe’s. He was uttering small, throaty squeaks with every thrust, and they were driving Gabe wild.

“Gonna,” Gabe groaned, unable to give much more of a warning. Joey nodded against Gabe’s cheek, his breathing fast and ragged.

“Yes, Gabe,” he cried.

Gabe seized his mouth for a kiss as his orgasm tore through him. Joey went ridged, chasing his own climax as they both shot hot and wet between their bellies.

Several moments later, Gabe gave a last shudder before collapsing as carefully as he could over Joey. He didn’t want to crush him, but he didn’t want to let go of him yet either, despite the cooling mess between them. Joey held him just as tightly, which Gabe took to be a good sign.

This felt so right. Gabe knew he shouldn’t be thinking anything along those lines, but the truth was their chemistry was so natural and explosive. Joey felt like he slotted in with Gabe like he was simply meant to be there.

That was probably just the endorphins from the orgasm talking. He needed to get a grip on himself, starting with cleaning up so they could be comfy. Sleepily, he managed to put his hand on one of their pairs of boxers and mop up the worst of the cum. Joey immediately came back for a cuddle once Gabe had sorted the practicalities out.

“Sorry,” he said again with a nervous laugh.

Gabe kissed his temple and stroked his back with light touches from his fingertips. “Nothing to be sorry for,” he said, meaning it. “That was amazing. Again.”

He felt Joey smile where his cheek was resting against Gabe’s chest. “It was,” Joey agreed.

It was pretty remarkable how something simple could feel so incredible. It probably depended on the people involved. Gabe was pretty sure anything with Joey would feel wonderful, because it was him.

Joey shifted though, looking at Gabe in the limited amount of street light filtering through the edge of the curtains.

“I don’t…” he began. “I’m not sure...”

Gabe stroked his check. His skin was so soft. “Like I said before, this doesn’t have to be anything and I won’t ask you for more than you can give. But, I do like you Joey. If you want to try this again while we’re away, it can just be a bit of fun. Or it can be a trial to see what might be.”

Joey seemed to think that over. Gabe could feel his eyelids drooping, but he didn’t pressure Joey for a response. “Okay,” he said eventually, tucking his head into Gabe’s chest. Gabe wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but he guessed he’d find out in the morning.

For now, he let himself fall asleep, content with the gentle soul he had cradled in his arms.