The last time Joey had woken up next to Gabe had been with a hard-on too. But this time, Joey didn’t feel so terrified of it. In fact, he was warm and content as he stirred into consciousness.

Gabe had been open with him last night. He’d said again that he was keen for something, that he liked Joey a lot. But the details of where they might take their relationship seemed to be in Joey’s hands.

It was stupid to think about a ‘relationship.’ But maybe they could just enjoy their time together on this little trip. That would be safe enough, surely?

Speaking of which, Joey was feeling something he hadn’t for a very long time: devilish. They were both still naked and Gabe’s lovely big cock was half-hard against Joey’s stomach. Gabe looked like he was still asleep, but Joey could fix that soon enough.

He began by kissing along Gabe’s throat and the dip next to his collarbones. Gabe hummed and stirred, so he couldn’t be too far from surfacing. “Morning,” Joey whispered as he continued to kiss down his chest, finding a nipple to suck on.

He’d initially planned on just diving down to his dick and waking him up in style. But Gabe seemed like the kind of guy who would appreciate clear consent. Joey had to admit there was something very lovely in that. He’d always told himself he liked it when bigger guys just did what they pleased with him. But if he was honest, maybe Gabe’s tender approach was better?

Gabe hummed again and ran his fingers through Joey’s hair. He seemed to have a thing for it, which amused Joey. He’d always hated how cherub-like it made him look, but maybe there was an advantage to curls after all?

“Morning,” Gabe mumbled as he gave a little gasp. Joey was teasing the hard nub of his nipple and running his hands over Gabe’s glorious abs. “Oh yes, baby,” he said.

That was a good enough go-signal for Joey. He kissed down Gabe’s belly, licking at his happy trail and nuzzling the coarse hair between his legs. Gabe was trimmed but not overly groomed. Joey preferred it when guys didn’t look like perfectly smooth Ken dolls.

Gabe was fully hard by the time Joey slipped his lips over his prick. He was too big to swallow whole, but Joey liked using his hands as well when he gave head anyway. He reveled in mouthing Gabe’s succulent tip, stroking the shaft as he worked his tongue and lips.

Gabe was whimpering and gasping. Joey had pushed the comforter down when he’d moved, so Gabe was watching him fuck him with his mouth, his arm thrown over his head. He looked decedent, like he wasn’t used to having his cock sucked and wasn’t sure he was worthy of it.

Joey wondered what his nameless ex had been like in bed. Joey would bet money on Gabe being a generous lover, and some people might take advantage of that and not give their fair share back. Well, Joey wasn’t like that, especially not after all Gabe had done for him.

He may be struggling to say how grateful he was with his words, but he could try and explain the way he felt with his body.

“Joey, I-” Gabe spluttered. Giving him a warning. “Oh my god, so good, gonna come…”

Joey sucked harder, working his tongue to pleasure him as best he could. Gabe convulsed, then Joey was swallowing down his warm, salty cum. He waited until Gabe relaxed and his cock began to soften before easing his mouth off and wiping his face. His jaw ached a little, but he didn’t mind. It felt worth it for the goofy grin on Gabe’s face.

“Come here,” Gabe said, his voice hoarse. He pulled both Joey and the comforter up, snuggling them together. Joey was honestly okay to leave his own erection to wilt, as he was buzzing from giving Gabe his own orgasm. But of course, Gabe was too considerate for that.

He cuddled Joey to his chest and kissed him, tasting his own intimate flavor on Joey’s lips. He reached down and wrapped his hand around Joey’s cock and began to tug.

“Gentler,” Joey blurted out before he could stop himself. But if he could trust anyone to ask for how he really liked to be jerked off, Gabe would be the one.

“Like this?” Gabe asked, immediately changing his technique. Joey had his eyes almost closed and his face pressed up to Gabe’s neck, too afraid to look at Gabe while he asked for what he wanted. But he nodded, and Gabe tried again with the altered style.

“Oh,” Joey groaned. It felt so good it was almost painful, and he tried not to writhe. He wasn’t going to last long.

Gabe kissed down his face, along his jaw, encouraging Joey’s lips to meet his own again. Joey obeyed. He felt safe, cradled up to Gabe’s side, his kisses lavishing affection on him and his fingers gently teasing his throbbing, weeping cock.

“That’s it, come for me,” Gabe whispered.

Joey didn’t need much more encouragement. It only took a few more strokes for his climax to build before he was shooting his load over Gabe’s hand and their bellies.

He slumped against Gabe’s side, panting. “Fuck,” he said with a tentative laugh. Gabe chuckled too.

“Less clean up with a blow job,” he commented as he fished up the same pair of boxers they’d also used as a rag last night. Joey snorted.

“Sorry.”

Gabe dropped the underwear and pulled his face in for a kiss. “You apologizing after sex worries me slightly,” he said, raising an eyebrow.

Joey gave him a sheepish smile. “Um…sorry?” he said. But his smile broadened, showing Gabe he was messing with him. Sort of. “I guess it’s been a long time since I slept with anybody more than once.”

“How long?” Gabe asked, brushing his hair back. Joey’s initial reaction was not to respond, that it wasn’t any of Gabe’s business. But he realized he didn’t mind discussing his past with Gabe. He trusted he wouldn’t judge.

“Um, there was a dancer on tour a couple of years ago,” Joey admitted. He was another twinky sort of guy. They’d had fun, but it had always only been drunken fucking, something to entertain them both rather than anything emotional. The guy had been pretty, but dull as hell.

Then there was Derrick.

“There was this producer we worked with, on the first record.” Joey didn’t want to look at Gabe, so he focused on his fingers running over the chest hair that ran over his pecs and down his sternum.

“A producer?” Gabe repeated. Joey could hear the warning note in his voice already, so he continued before he chickened out.

“Yeah, you know the type. Or maybe you don’t. Married, to a woman, kids. But I was young and star struck and he did kind of look after me. I mean, he didn’t treat me badly. I just think, well, there was quite an age gap, and I was pretty clueless.”

Gabe didn’t say anything. He didn’t berate Joey for being a fucking idiot. He wasn’t disgusted that he’d engaged in an affair with a married man. He didn’t even pity him. He just hugged him tighter and kissed his temple slowly.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

Joey shook his head and mustered the courage to look at him. “It’s fine. It’s not something I’m proud of, and yeah, maybe there are issues there I should probably deal with at some point. But it actually feels good to tell someone.”

“Did no one else know?” Gabe asked. He was very gently running his fingers over Joey’s cheek and neck. It was ticklish but not provocative. No one had touched Joey like that before.

He shook his head. “No, he told me it had to be a secret.” He’d not even confided in Blake, which still made him feel terrible. He and Blake told each other everything.

Gabe mumbled something like ‘mother fucker’ and pulled Joey in for a hug so tight he risked leaving bruises on his skin. Joey loved it though. It felt like a huge relief to simply have someone agree that that had been a crappy thing to experience as a teenager, all alone.

“My ex’s name is Lewis,” said Gabe, without prompting. “We just drifted apart, but we were together for five years. He moved to New York City about six weeks ago with our dog and he’s a lawyer.”

He let Joey go enough so they could look at each other. “Okay,” said Joey. He’d be lying if he hadn’t secretly hoped that this Lewis was a cheating asshole, but that would have meant Gabe’s heart would have been properly broken. So it was good if it was an okay breakup. “And it’s definitely over?”

Gabe’s face dropped in concern. “Oh, babe, yes. One hundred percent over.”

“Um, good,” said Joey. He played with the edge of the comforter. “Because, um, I like you. And I thought, maybe, we could try and see what happens if, uh, we keep seeing each other.”

He could feel his cheeks burning, but when he peeked up, Gabe’s expression was pure joy. “Like dating?” he asked.

Joey shrugged. “I mean, I’m broke, and my schedule is wildly unpredictable. You spend all your time rescuing kittens or whatever, but-”

Gabe interrupted him with a kiss. “Shut up,” he said with a grin. “We can just try, take it one day at a time. And not try with anyone else. Sound doable?”

It sounded kind of terrifying. But at the same time, sort of wonderful. “Yeah,” he agreed. “I mean, let’s get through Chicago, then see where that takes us.”

Gabe’s eyes flitted over his face as he carded his fingers through Joey’s hair. “Yeah,” he said, leaning down for another kiss. “Let’s do that.”