As nervous as James was about the ball tonight, it was clear Theo was even more so. He almost looked panicked when James showed up at his door an hour beforehand.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Theo had stammered, looking stricken.

However, James refused to feel like that anymore. He was done feeling guilty when he and Theo didn’t have that long to enjoy each other’s company in the freedom of the castle. In fact, this would probably be their last night together. James couldn’t bear to think about it.

Instead, he leaned in and cupped Theo’s face to kiss him softly. “Hello, gorgeous,” he said. “Can I come in?”

James was already dressed and ready for the night. Theo looked like he had just got out of the shower and was only wearing his grey joggers with damp hair and no shirt. James had to say he approved of the look.

Theo blinked after the kiss and nibbled his lip. Last night he had been a little distant, most likely worrying about everything going smoothly today. But as far as James could tell, it was all proceeding according to plan.

He held up the box in his other hand. “I have a present,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. He wasn’t above using bribery to get him through the door. Not that Theo cared so much for material things. But James thought he knew how to sweeten the deal. “And I’m not just talking about the box.”

Theo licked his lips and looked up behind him to the landing. But it was deserted. He offered James an apologetic smile. “Sorry,” he said. “Of course, I’d love you to come in.”

Once James was inside and the door was closed, he placed the box down on the dresser and wrapped his arms around Theo, resting his chin on top of his head. “Take a breath,” he said, using Theo’s own words against him.

Theo chuckled and did as he was told. “Sorry,” he said again. “I’m just on edge. I…” He looked up at James, nibbling on his lip. “Do you think it’s safe for you to be here when there are so many people arriving for the ball?”

James scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Bugger them all sideways,” he said scornfully. “This is our night – your night. I’m not letting anyone spoil it.”

“But-” Theo protested. Or tried to. James placed a finger on his lips.

“You’ve worked so hard for this, gorgeous,” he said. “You need to relax and enjoy it. All the hard work is done.” Theo still looked apprehensive, though. James rubbed his shoulders. “Do you require assistance unwinding?” he said with a perfectly straight face.

Theo’s eyes fluttered shut at the massage. “That feels so good,” he groaned. “Maybe a shot of something strong could help, or-oh!”

James dropped one of his hands and massaged another part of Theo’s body. Oh lovely. It seemed he had neglected to put briefs on under his tracksuit bottoms. “I had something else in mind,” he murmured into Theo’s ear. Then he lowered himself to his knees.

“Your suit!” Theo squeaked.

James chuckled. “It’s fine on this carpet,” he said. He nuzzled his nose up against Theo’s thickening length through his trousers. “Let me look after you.”

The past few nights, James had been more than content to allow Theo to take charge of their lovemaking. He was confident and attentive. James knew if he needed to ask again, Theo would also dominate him with care. But that didn’t mean James was incapable of returning the favour. He wanted to make Theo bliss out and forget all his woes. There was nothing to trouble him now, surely? He’d done a magnificent job of putting this fundraiser together.

He looked up into Theo’s hazel eyes as he pulled his trousers down to his thighs, freeing his stiffening cock. It was such a delicious, pretty thing. James was quite obsessed with it. Theo trembled as he licked up the length and kissed the tip.

“Grab a condom,” Theo said breathlessly, pointing towards the drawer where they’d kept their stash. James had managed to procure more during the week thanks to Manjeet’s never-ending discretion.

As much as James was thrilled Theo was down for a quick blowjob, he felt he had to address something. “It’s okay,” he said gently. “We don’t need one for this.” He was able to tolerate the latex to a point, but he wanted to taste his lover properly.

Theo frowned down at him. “But-” he began.

“But,” James interrupted firmly. He stood so they were face-to-face and gave Theo a quick kiss. “But you always use protection, right?”

“I haven’t been to the clinic in a while,” Theo said anxiously.

James hugged him and looked into his eyes. “You don’t think there’s any risk of anything, though, do you?”

“Um,” Theo said.

James kissed him again. “I trust you,” he said. “I know you want to protect yourself-”

“I want to protect you,” Theo corrected. “What if I hurt you without knowing?”

James cradled his head against his neck. “There’s really not much risk. I had my last physical not long ago and I haven’t had sex apart from with you. I’m old enough to make my own decisions. I want this, Theo. Please. I want to taste you, to swallow you down.”

Theo shivered in his arms. “Are you sure?”

James nodded and kissed his temple. “Yes,” he said.

Having had sex with both men and women, it bothered James that there was an emphasis on men being clean. Yes, he understood the reasoning behind it completely. But it made him feel like there was something inherently dirty about men being intimate. Within reason, he didn’t see why he wouldn’t take the same precautions as he would with a woman to stop her getting pregnant. If he and Theo both thought they were free from anything nefarious, why couldn’t they enjoy a blowjob au naturel?

It was in Theo’s nature to control everything. But just like James had done when he’d been tied to the bed, he wanted Theo to trust him now. To let go.

In an ideal world, James would happily take any tests alongside Theo. Then they could fuck like rabbits as much as they wanted. But this might be their last night together.

Theo smiled and kissed James’s lips. “You’re right,” he said. “I’m overthinking things. I just…James, I’d never forgive myself if I ruined your life.”

James felt the lump rise in his throat. He didn’t try and swallow it down. He just spoke around it. “Never,” he said. “Theo…meeting you is one of the best things that’s ever happened in my life.”

James saw the regret he felt mirrored in Theo’s eyes. Before either of them could get too melancholy, James kissed Theo with fire and passion. He cradled Theo’s face and pinned him against the door. Just as he had promised during their first time together, he had fucked him against it the night before last. Theo had bounced superbly on James’s prick, coming all over them both.

Just thinking about it got James aroused again. “Would you mind terribly if I got back down on my knees now?” he teased Theo. “Only, there’s a lovely little cock down there with my name on it.”

“Little?” Theo squeaked in outrage, slapping James’s arm. They both laughed, the previous tension gone.

James looked downwards and stroked Theo’s length. It had flagged a bit, but James knew he could fix that soon enough. “Oh, no, you’re right,” he said as if amazed. “It’s not so bad when it’s woken up. Look! It’s rather charming.”

“You cheeky bloody sod,” Theo growled. But James had already dropped back down to the carpet. He slid his lips around Theo’s end, encouraging the foreskin back and tonguing the sensitive head. “Oh, fuck,” gasped Theo, banging his head back against the door.

James hummed, taking his lover deeper down his throat and caressing his heavy balls. Bringing Theo pleasure had fast become his most fulfilling activity. Theo ran his fingers through James’s hair, tugging gently as James bobbed his head up and down his cock.

“You look fucking spectacular like that,” Theo rasped, a hint of desperation to his voice. “I love watching you, James. I can’t take my eyes off you, you stunner.” He thrust his hips forwards, tenderly fucking into James’s mouth. “Oh my god, I want to see you touch yourself, but you’ll mess up your suit.”

James laughed, almost gagging on Theo’s cock, which made Theo laugh too. “Behave,” James admonished before returning to his task.

“I can’t help it,” Theo whined. “You make me bad. Holy shit, yes, James, like that.”

James wasn’t messing around now. Theo tasted and smelt so delicious. A delicate musk that was uniquely him. James lamented that he’d just had a shower, but it was better than working around the condom. He sucked and swallowed and used his hands to massage Theo’s balls and finger his hole.

Theo bucked into his mouth and pulled at his hair. The slight jolts of pain went straight to James’s cock, electrifying him.

“Fuuuck,” Theo hissed, jerking his hips, back and head against the bedroom door in turn. “Oh, James. I’m gonna come. Are you ready? You don’t have to swallow. Fuck, James, fuck!”

Of course he wanted to swallow. That was the whole point of this. He wanted to be as close to Theo as he possibly could. So he sucked harder and moaned happily as his lover finally spilled down his throat. James drank down every last drop.

Theo was panting like he’d run a marathon. James popped off his cock with a grin and kissed the tip. “I take it that was satisfactory-”

He got most of the word out before Theo tackled him to the floor. James couldn’t do anything but lie on his back and laugh as Theo made short work of his zipper and freed James’s erection to hungrily swallow him down.

“Oh, darling,” James cried. He stroked Theo’s soft, blond hair and tried not to thrust too vigorously into his mouth. But Theo was practically attacking his cock, devouring him like a parched man given water. It took an embarrassingly short time for James to come, shooting into his mouth.

James gasped and grunted as his orgasm rippled through him. By the time he was able to catch his breath, Theo had already flopped down by his side, cuddling up close. James wrapped his arm around him.

“Well,” he said. He blinked up at the ceiling and chuckled.

“Jolly hockey sticks,” Theo said in his best RP accent, which really made James laugh.

“What on earth?” he questioned.

Theo giggled and shrugged. “I realised I hadn’t said that to you yet,” he explained, back in his usual Essex lilt. “I thought now would be a good time.”

“Rah-ther,” James said, hamming up his own already ridiculous accent. That was another thing he loved about Theo. He didn’t make James feel self-conscious about the way he talked.

He stilled as he realised what he’d admitted to himself.

Was that true? Was he really falling in love with Theo?

Was it already too late?

“What?” Theo asked softly, touching his cheek.

James shook his head and pushed away his many thoughts. He was starting to suspect he wouldn’t be capable of letting Theo go so easily after tonight. But how could they possibly keep this going? It would never stay secret.

James didn’t want it to be secret.

He couldn’t fall down that rabbit hole again. It was too upsetting. Instead, he smiled and nodded over to the box he had left on the dresser. “Why don’t you open your present?”

Theo grinned and hopped up, tugging his jogging bottoms back over his hips. James used the opportunity to tuck his own satisfied, softened cock back into his briefs and trousers. He didn’t think their tryst had left him too dishevelled.

Theo picked up the box, which he must have noticed by now was another Converse shoebox. He gave it a curious look, then glanced back up at James. “You already got me replacement shoes?” he said.

James sat up and patted the carpet beside him. “I know,” he said. “But I couldn’t help myself.”

He had let Theo believe that he could wear his own dress shoes to the ball tonight because they were already broken in and comfortable. But the truth was, James had been working on this surprise for him all week and the delivery had come just in time.

Theo crossed his legs and dropped beside James on the carpet. James slipped his arm around Theo’s waist and kissed his temple. “Open it,” he urged gently.

Theo eased the lid up and over, then moved the top layer of tissue paper.

Then he gasped.

“Shut up,” he whispered. James was a little alarmed to see the tears that sprang into his eyes. But Theo reached out with a trembling hand to touch the first shoe to be revealed. Gingerly, he removed it from the box, holding it up so it glinted in the afternoon sunlight.

Aside from the rubber soles and laces, the pair of white Converse had been entirely bedazzled with Swarovski crystals. The effect was surprisingly subtle until you looked closely. But when the light caught the gems, there was no mistaking their worth.

“James,” Theo said softly. He had tears running down his face now. “These are actually proper beautiful,” he said, half-sniffing, half-laughing. “I love them. Oh my days. How did you…why?”

James leaned over and kissed his cheek before wiping the tears away. He could feel his own eyes prickling at Theo’s joy, but he did his best to blink the moisture away. “Because I thought you would like them,” he said. “And if you do like them, it would make me extraordinarily happy for you to wear them tonight.”

“I couldn’t,” Theo said, looking at James with a scandalised expression. “All those people. It’s proper fancy.”

“Fuck them,” James said quietly but with utmost sincerity. “This is you, your style, your authentic self. Besides, I have it on good authority that Converse with a suit is the height of fashion.”

Theo looked back at his new shoes and bit his lip. The pure delight was clear in his eyes, though. “Well,” he said. “If it’s good enough for Doctor Who, it’s good enough for me.”

James laughed. He had to say he was quite fond of Doctor Who. He’d have to ask Theo someday who his favourite Doctor was…

If he was able.

It wasn’t like they could never talk to one another after tonight, for heaven’s sake. They could find a way, if that was what Theo wanted. James could call, even if he couldn’t text or email.

For tonight, they just needed to enjoy the fruits of their labour and have fun. They might not be able to hold hands, but they could be like a normal couple in other ways. They could stick close to each other and experience the night together.

Then they could come back here and be as close as they liked.

“Come on, princess,” James said, kissing Theo’s hair. “You’re the belle of the ball and you need to go get pretty.”

“I’m always pretty,” said Theo, still not taking his eyes off the crystal Converse.

James chuckled. “Of course,” he conceded. “Then, might I suggest you get prettier? I would very much like to take you downstairs and show you off.”

Theo turned and looked at James with an expression he couldn’t quite read. “I know you can’t,” he said, taking James’s hand and squeezing it. “But I’ll do you proud, I promise.”

That lump was back in James’s throat. How, in this day and age, was it so impossible for two men to be together? Damn tradition, damn it all to hell.

He cradled Theo’s face and kissed his lips sweetly. “You’ve already made me proud,” he said. “Let’s go have some fun.”

Theo smiled. James’s heart ached.

“All right,” Theo agreed. “Time to get this party started.”