Loving the Rain, Strength

At eight in the morning on a week day the Second Cup was as full as any other coffee shop in the city. Tony joined the line at the counter, weighing his options and glancing out the big front window now and again, hoping the rain wasn't going to start before he got to work. He wasn't in the mood to arrive at his temp job all soggy, but as the lady in front of him ordered her vanilla mocha and moved to the side, he heard a crack of thunder and then the whoosh of a sudden,

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hard rain. "Damn," he said under his breath, looking at the window as it became streaked with water. "Can I help you, sir?" Tony sighed and nodded. "Morning, Jenny." He found a smile for the girl at the counter and she focused on his face, smiling back. "The usual, I guess." It was always the same, even if he did spend his time in line debating other flavors. "You got it," she said, punching a few keys on the register. She took his money and passed him the change, then made sure that his order was getting extra whipped cream. "You might want to grab a table and wait this out," she added as he stepped aside. "You know it," he agreed, getting three sugars to add to his hot chocolate. Sadly, it didn't look like there were many to be had. He kept watch, picked up his drink when it was put in front of him, and finally went to a table with an empty chair and a familiar face. "Do you mind if I sit with you a bit?" he asked, knowing that the man was a morning regular like himself. Thick lashes rose, revealing warm brown eyes, and the guy closed the book he was reading and nodded. "Go ahead. It's really coming down, isn't it?" "It's a mess," Tony agreed, sitting down. "I hope it lets up soon; I don't want to be late any more than I want to be soaked, you know?" "Yeah, I hear you." The guy smiled, face lighting right up, and held out his hand. "Brendan." "Tony." He smiled back and shook Brendan's hand. "I see you almost every morning. Coffee and a muffin. Work nearby?" He liked the way Brendan's smile made him look, happy and sincere. It took a lot to be so cheerful in the rain, although being in and dry probably helped. Brendan nodded. "Nice to meet you, Tony. And yeah, I work at Friends of the Earth, over on Albert Street. You?" "Right now I'm doing reception work and accounts payable for a little company around the corner on Lisgar." Tony shrugged one shoulder and added the sugar to his already sweet hot chocolate. "It pays the rent. Friends of the Earth sounds cool; what do you do there?" "My official title is Junior Program Officer, but I kind of do a little bit of everything. I run a few of the programs, brainstorm up new ones with the rest of the staff, help out with fundraising, answer the phones. We all sort of pitch in." Brendan nodded at his hot chocolate. "You like things sweet, eh?" Tony grinned and stirred in the whipped cream a bit. "Just seem to need a hit of sugar in the morning. Once this is in me, I'm pretty good for the rest of day. But yeah, I'm a fan of sweet. Salty is good, too." He winked at Brandon and admired his eyes, noting the flecks of gold. "You? Salty or sweet?" Was it too early in the morning to flirt?

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Brendan's smile was slow, but sure, lighting his face up. "I like a little salt. Sweet has its place, though." Laughing softly, Tony sipped his hot chocolate and then licked whipped cream from his upper lip. "It does," he agreed. "I like a bit of spice, too." Brendan's eyes followed his tongue. "Are we still talking about food?" "I'm not," Tony said. "Are you?" "Not anymore." Brendan laughed. "I'm a little slow -- I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet." "You seemed pretty quick to me," Tony teased. "Hey, the rain is slowing down a bit. I might make it to work in decent shape after all." Brendan ducked his head, but was still smiling. "You should finish your hot chocolate before you go, though -- the rain'll dilute it and that would be a shame." "I'm not ready to run away just yet." Tony leaned forward a bit and wrapped his hands around his paper cup. "We were just getting friendly, after all. What time do you need to be at the office?" "I don't have to be there until nine, but I usually go in for eight or so." Tony tilted his head and thought about that for a moment, absently sipping at his sugar hit. "Why?" he asked curiously. "Is it that busy?" "No. Well, yeah it is, but I don't need to go in early." Brendan sat up a little, hands starting to get in on the conversation. "But I want to do it, you know? I mean it's important work and I want to do it, I want to make a difference before we've used up all our natural resources and changed the earth's climate forever, before there's no more fresh water anywhere." Well, that was cool. Tony nodded, impressed by the fervor and Brendan's sincerity. "It must be neat, having a job you care about so much," he said. "And you're right, it's important. Have you worked there long?" "Yeah, coming up on four years now, and yeah, I love my job a lot." Brendan tilted his head. "What about you -- you enjoy your work?" Tony snorted, still smiling. "I temp to pay the bills. I like the people, like doing new things. But it's hardly a calling. I'm an artist, so that's where my passion is." "Oh, neat. What medium do you work in?" Brendan picked at his muffin. "Several, at the moment." He swirled his cup around and tried to remember all the stuff in his studio. "Mostly sculpture from found objects at the moment, but my degree is in fine art.

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Photography, a little painting, all the associated sketching. I never really got into clay or making textiles." "Cool. Are you in any of the galleries in town?" Brendan seemed genuinely interested. "No, not at the moment," Tony said. "I was in a group show last year, mostly photos and one installation, but that was a while ago. I share a studio with a couple of other people and we're looking into space for another show. Selling in galleries is hard to swing sometimes. Thus, the temping to pay for supplies and rent, you know?" "Yeah, I'll bet. I'd love to see your stuff -- especially the found object sculptures. I'm a big fan of recycling, as you might imagine." "That's what it's all about," Tony said. "Dumpster diving, dragging shit home and turning it into something neat, if not useful." He finished his hot chocolate and put the cup in the middle of the table. "You should come by the studio sometime." "I'd like that. What are you doing this evening? We could meet after work, have some supper first..." Brendan flashed him a hopeful smile. Tony grinned, feeling pretty hopeful himself. "I'm done at four-thirty," he said. "And I happen to know that the studio will be empty, 'cause Gillian and Dave have night classes." "Cool. We could meet for supper at the Green Room at five?" "Perfect." Tony stood up and grabbed his cup to toss on his way out the door. "I look forward to it, Brendan. It was nice talking to you." Brendan stood, too, gathering his stuff. "You, too, Tony. Don't get too wet." "You know, it doesn't seem to matter as much as it did." Tony headed out, smiling broadly. He wouldn't melt, and really, his day already had perks. Cute guys and sugar were the way to go, as much as possible. *** The rain fell off and on for the whole day, but Tony couldn't really find it in him to care. One of the guys at work had an extra umbrella in his office and let Tony take it at the end of the day, so he was mostly dry by the time he'd walked from the office to the Green Room. He got there a bit late, but only by five minutes or so. He hoped that Brendan had waited and wasn't thinking that Tony had fucked off somewhere. Really, he should have made sure to get Brendan's phone number. Tony jogged the last half block or so, umbrella closed, and tried not to stab anyone with it, looking around for Brendan's face. There were more people around than he'd expected on a weeknight.

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The door to the vegetarian restaurant opened, Brendan coming out with a grin. "I waited inside to avoid the wet." "Smart," Tony said. "Sorry I'm late; I got held up at the office for a bit. I should get your number, okay? Hungry?" Tony had a passing thought that he shouldn’t have skipped the afternoon soda; his sugar was running a little low. "I think I need carbs." Brendan laughed. "Well they've got some great pastas here. I hope vegetarian's all right. I'm not strict, but I try to avoid meat as much as possible. It's better for the body and the environment." Brendan led him to a table for two near the window, seeming quite familiar with the place. "Veggie is fine," Tony assured him. "I don't know about the environment part, but I'm cool with keeping to less meat. Well, less commercial meat, anyway. I like organic, but it's kind of expensive." "Shit, yeah. I try to eat organic veggie, too, but man, it's hard on the wallet." Brendan smiled at the waitress. "Hi, Bev, how's it going?" "Hey, Brendan, it's going good. Who's your friend?" "This is Tony, he's an artist. And before you start I only met him this morning." "Fast work." She winked and left them with menus. Brendan rolled his eyes. "She's a nice girl, but nosy as hell. And I guess I'm kind of a regular." "Kind of." Tony laughed. "Okay, then. What's good? Pasta, for sure, maybe with some spice. I underdid the sugar today." He liked the restaurant, liked that Brendan was a regular. He liked that Brendan had invited him to meet somewhere where the guy was known. "Their eggplant stuff is always good -- the moussaka, the eggplant parmesan and the lasagna. Oh, and the eggplant salad for starters is really good. But then I'm kind of partial to eggplant..." Brendan ducked his head, looking at his menu. "We could share the baba ganoush dip as starters. More eggplant, but my even friends who hate the stuff enjoy it here." "I love baba ganoush," Tony said immediately, mostly because it was true. "And I'll probably have the lasagna and a salad. I think there's some snack things at the studio if we get hungry later. Popcorn and stuff." As long as Gillian hadn't eaten it all again, anyway. "It's not far, either, just a few blocks. We've got part of a floor, and I have another room above it for living in. Well, it's a big room. It's not like I live in a bedroom and don't have a real home. You'll see." Tony ground to a halt and laughed. "Sorry, I'm in work mode still, talking too much. How was your day?" Brendan laughed. "Hey, don't apologize -- I think it's cute. And my day was good -- we got a big grant application in today that should fund our climate project, which means I'll actually get paid next year."

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"Always a good thing," Tony said. "Congratulations. Did you help write the request? I hate those things, everything has to be just so." "Oh, I did most of the writing. I write a mean grant paper. I do most of them for FoE. Part of my job." Brendan closed his menu and waved Bev over. "We're ready to order. We're going to have the baba ganoush for starters. With the baked pita chips, not the nacho chips, okay? And I'll have the pasta primavera and eggplant salad." "To drink, Bren?" "Just the water's good." "And you -- Tony, right?" Tony knew his eyebrow shot up. "Yeah," he said. "Right. Um, eggplant lasagna, garden salad with just lemon slices for dressing and I'll take some pomegranate juice, if you have it. If not, water's fine." "We've got the juice. You want this all on one bill, Bren?" Her eyebrow went up, the grin on her face making it clear she wanted to know more for curiosity's sake than for any need to get the bill sorted out. "That's fine, Bev. I wouldn't want to tax you too much by making you separate it all out. Tony and I can figure out who owes what." Brendan gave her a grin of his own, laughing when she rolled her eyes and flounced off. "I'm good at math," Tony said, grinning. "But I'm sure we can work something out, anyway." So far, he was thinking they were getting along okay, and if they wound up taking turns picking up the tab that would be all right with him. Of course, it was kind of early to be thinking about the next time, what with them not even having the food for the first time in front of them, but he liked Brendan. He liked the guy’s enthusiasm, the way he wasn't apologetic about what he believed in. "Oh, I don't mind paying. I just wanted to keep Bev guessing." Brendan grabbed his cell phone out of his bag. "Hey, give me your phone number so I can call you. Well. If you want me to call you." Brendan chuckled, cheeks coloring just a touch. "No pressure, just I was thinking about it and I might forget later and...We're getting along well..." Tony smiled and rattled off his phone number, doing it again, slower, when Brendan fumbled with the keys. Then he gave Brendan the studio number as well. "I was thinking the same thing," he added, leaning over the table a little. "I was actually looking ahead to the next time, which is really rushing. But you're right, we are getting along. We'll just have to see if you like my art." "Uh-oh, is that a deal breaker?" Brendan asked. "Yes," Tony said, laughing. "That's my heart, man. If you look at my art and make a face, I'll have

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sudden second thoughts. You don't have to love it, but if you hate it, that's another matter. Some of it even I don't love, to tell the truth. But I think you'll like the sculptures, if not the photos and paintings." Brendan made a face, the one Tony didn't want to see when the man looked at his work. Then Brendan winked. "Well hopefully I will. I'm not going to lie about it, though. 'Cause much as I like you, that would be a pretty shitty thing to do just to get into your pants." "That's a distracting thought," Tony said. "But you're right, it would be shitty. And not only do I appreciate an honest opinion, I appreciate that you said that. Pretty much gets you a lot closer to getting in my pants." Close enough that he hoped Brendan ate quickly. Brendan was still grinning at him when Bev came back with their appetizer and their salads. "Oh, you two are so not just friends." She gave Brendan a smug look and bounced away to another table. "Is she always like that?" Tony asked, dipping into the baba ganouch. "It's like she's your big sister, only less protective and more funny." "She's just likes to gossip and is nosy. She's got a good heart though, so she's all right." Brendan put his napkin on his lap first, and then dug in as well, scooping up generous portions of the dip with his baked pita triangles. "It's cool, you know?" Tony squeezed lemon onto his salad and started eating, going back and forth between the dip and the greens. "That you have a regular place, where you're known. Actually, between this and the Second Cup in the mornings, I'm guessing you like a fair amount of order in your life. I hope the clutter at my place doesn't shock you into a heart attack." "It can't be that bad." Brendan ate much slower than him, making happy faces as he ate, eyes half closing, and Tony swore he heard a little hum when Brendan took a bite of his own salad. "I'm an artist," Tony pointed out, watching Brendan eat. It was kind of distracting, how thoroughly he enjoyed everything. "It's not dirty, but it's definitely... uh, casual." "You should see the office. I think I can manage casual." Brendan licked the corner of his mouth, catching a drop of dressing. It took Tony a moment to remember to eat his food. It hadn't been that long since he'd had a date, but he honestly wasn't used to someone who was so open about everything. His views, his beliefs, his sensuality. Someone who ate like that had to be a sensualist. "Can I draw you?" Tony asked suddenly. Brendan blinked over at him. "What?" Tony shrugged and stabbed at some lettuce and a tomato slice. "Just a thought. I see you kind of backlit, maybe at a window. Or strong light from the side against a wall, but that might be better for the camera. Think about it."

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"Um... okay. Nobody's ever wanted to draw me before." Brendan tilted his head and smiled. "I kind of like that you want to." "I bet they wanted to," Tony said, looking at Brendan's mouth. "They just didn't ask, is all. You've got great bones, and there's so much expression in your body. I'd like to, if you're willing." "Yeah, okay. I don't see why not." Bev interrupted their conversation with their main course, bringing his juice and some more water for Brendan, too. "You want me to wrap you up a couple of our light and fluffy cheesecake slices to go, Bren?" Brendan chuckled and shook his head. "You're incorrigible, Bev." "They're on the house..." "Yes, please." Laughing, she patted Brendan on the head and headed off again. "More sweet," Tony noted, shifting his salad to the side. "Have some spicy. We're going to have to work on that salt thing, I guess." He winked at Brendan and started the lasagna. "Oh, this is good." Brendan nearly choked on his mouthful, but he was grinning once he'd swallowed. "I know just the thing for the salt." "Oh?" Tony asked innocently. "And what's that?" "If you're lucky I'll show you back at your place." It was Tony's turn to almost choke. He hadn't actually thought Brendan would just put it out there like that, although he supposed he’d asked for it. Brendan had been up front about everything else, so far. "I was born under a lucky star," he said with a grin. "Eat up. I have a sudden urge to show you my etchings, so to speak." Laughing, Brendan nodded. "And I want to see them. How's your lasagna?" "Good enough that I'm going to eat it all," Tony said, lifting another forkful. "I never get eggplant to taste like this. Mine's always too firm or too bland or something." "Oh, I've got some great recipes," Brendan told him around a mouthful of pasta. "Maybe you'll have to come back to my place at some point and see my etching recipes." Tony laughed, delighted. "It's a plan," he agreed. He savored a mouthful and added, "I'll even try to bribe you to cook."

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"I can definitely be bribed." Brendan watched him for a moment, and then began to eat his pasta. "Good to know. Anything in particular rank as high currency?" Tony asked, still grinning. "There's no such thing as too much knowledge." "Oh, I think a little mystery is good. You'll have to find that out for yourself." Tony laughed softly and took another bite. "I like a challenge," he said softly. "And exploration. I see a lot of discovery ahead of us." Brendan smiled at him, but didn't say anything, just kept eating, doing that savoring every bite thing. Tony ate faster. He ate every bite, because it was good, but he wasn't made of stone. The little noises were even worse than the lip licking, and the way Brendan's eyes went to half-mast every now and then had Tony at half-mast. Finally Brendan put down his cutlery and sat back with a sigh. "Oh, man, I do love the food here." "Uh-huh." Tony finished his juice and put the glass down carefully. "It's good, that's for sure." He stopped just short of suggesting they leave as soon as possible. He had more manners than that, and there wasn't really any reason to rush, other than the way Brendan eating had him primed. Brendan, it seemed, was in a hurry, though. He took some money out of his wallet and waved it in Bev's direction. Tony grinned and made sure he had the umbrella with him. "I'll pay you back," he said quietly. "Hey, my treat. You can pay next time." Bev came over before he could answer, paper bag in hand with their desserts. "You boys ready to go get busy?" she asked. Brendan rolled his eyes. "Nice, Bev." He passed the money over to her. "Keep the change." "Thanks, hon." She blew them both kisses. "I think I might possibly like her," Tony said as they left. "Hey, it stopped raining. Cool. It'll make the walk less of a chore, at least." "Oh, I love walking. As long as I dress for the weather it's never a chore." Brendan lifted his face. "I do love the way the air feels after it's been raining." "Even the city feels fresh and clean," Tony said. "Not that Ottawa really ever feels dirty. Well, maybe at the end of July, but right now it's kind of lovely." The light was neat, too, reflecting on

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the wet surfaces and making stonework stand out. "One of my favorite times for taking pictures is just after a rain." "Oh, I can see why. I like the city during and after snow, too. It's all so pristine before the cars make a mess of it." Brendan's shoulders bumped with his. "Snow is like magic, sometimes," Tony said, smiling at Brendan. "Hides things and makes things look mysterious and innocent all at once." "Yeah, that's what I'm talking about." Brendan grinned at him. "I like the way you think, Tony." "Oh, good." Tony reached a few inches and took Brendan's hand, tangling their fingers together. "I think that's the best compliment I've had in years." Brendan squeezed his fingers. "Really? A good-looking guy like you?" Tony chuckled. "I get those ones, sometimes," he admitted. He was a little too lean to get a lot of compliments, but he did get a few, usually about his hair which was dark and had enough natural curl to be permanently in casual disarray. "But people talking about my eyes or my smile isn't the same as being complimented about how I think." "Well, that's kind of as important or more than looks, man. I mean sure, looks are good, but everyone is wrinkled when they get old." "Exactly!" Tony grinned. "That's why I like what you said. Actually, I've liked a lot of what you've said; you know what you think and you just... live it. That's admirable. And kinda hot." "Thanks, man. It's important to me and it colors everything, you know? Not just nine to five or for as long as it takes me to open my checkbook and make a donation." "Yeah. It's good. Makes living your life easier when it's something you believe in." Tony squeezed his hand again and they walked, trading smiles, for another block. "See that light?" he said, pointing to a building halfway down. "Second floor?" It was hard to miss, the window taking up most of that side of the building. "Yeah. Is that yours? I love the huge window. I bet you get amazing light." Brendan moved a little faster, obviously eager. "That's the studio," Tony told him, fishing the keys out of his pocket. "I have a place on the third floor that's a bit of a joke for a home, but not a dump. Most of the rent money gets spent on my share of the studio space, but that window makes it all worth it." He unlocked the outer door to the stairs, relieved that the light was on, and showed Brendan in. "Come on up." "Windows like that would make up for a lot," Brendan agreed, following him up the stairs. "Yep." Tony skipped the last couple of stairs to the landing and sorted out the studio keys from the

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rest, then unlocked both the deadbolts and the door. "We're a little paranoid," he explained, pushing the door open. The light was on, of course, but he hit the dimmer and brought the lights down just a little. "My space is over on the end, last third. Watch out for Gillian's easel on the way by." "'K." Brendan headed toward his end of the studio, head swiveling as he took everything in. He stopped at the first of Tony's found objects sculpture. "Oh, check this out. This is cool." "It's not done yet," Tony said, pointing. "This was part of a washing machine, I think. The frame is from two bikes, and the gear came from a clockwork. But it's not done and I don't know what it's missing, so it'll just sit here for a bit." He pointed to the back corner. "This guy's done. It's supposed to be an elf, made out of found wire. I like the hat, myself." "Look at his ears!" Brendan laughed and reached out. "Can I touch?" "Sure, go right ahead." Tony grinned and went to one of his tables, looking for a pencil and a sketchbook. "Pretty much anything is touchable." "Cool." Brendan wandered from piece to piece, touching each one, looking at them all from varying angles. "This is all really neat, Tony. And environmentally friendly -- I like that a lot. I bet you could hook a show on that theme. I wonder if FoE'd be interested in promoting something like that. If we could find some more artists working with recycled mediums like this..." "I know a few," Tony said. He sat on the table, pad in his lap, and started drawing Brendan's face as he looked at one of Tony's cardboard butterflies. "And a few photographers, too. There's some black and white prints behind you, a series I did along the canal. Some of them are too pretty, but there's a bit of grit, too." He sketched out Brendan's cheekbones and jaw, and went back to his eyes, where his expression lived. Brendan turned and checked out the photos. "Oh yeah, these are great. We live in a beautiful city, that's for sure." Making a slow turn of the studio, Brendan slowly made his way back over to where Tony was sketching. "What're you working on? Oh! That's me." "It is," Tony said, shading around Brendan's mouth. "Sort of. Rough, but passable, I suppose. It'll be better when I know you better. When the lines of your face are familiar and I know how your face moves." He blinked and looked up. "That wasn't a come on. I'm much better with pick up lines than that." "Well, if it had been it would have worked." Brendan smiled down at him. "Oh. Maybe I'll save it up, then; try it on you some other time. For right now, I think I'll go with good old honesty." He grinned and looked at Brendan's mouth. "I'd like to kiss you now."

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"That sounds good to me." Brendan reached for his hand and tugged him up off the table. The sketchbook hit the table with a soft thud and Tony reached out, cupping Brendan's jaw and drawing him close. The first touch of their lips was tentative, a teasing brush, but Tony did it again, slower and with a bit more pressure, inviting Brendan to linger. Brendan's mouth parted, lips sliding over his, then over his chin and back up to his mouth. Tony let his hands stray from Brendan's jaw to the back of his head, the other hand curling around one of Brendan's hips just to keep him close. "Nice," Tony murmured before kissing him again and tasting his mouth. It was better than nice, it was hot and decadent and Brendan really knew how to kiss. It slowly went deeper, Brendan's lips closing over his bottom one and tugging. Then Brendan's tongue came out to play, swiping across his upper lip, dancing into his mouth for a moment before retreating again. Definitely a sensualist, Tony confirmed. He let Brendan control the kiss, liking its speed and wanting to know more. But if Brendan liked sensation, there was more to kissing than just mouths. Slowly, softly, Tony began to touch, fingers on Brendan's back, along his spine and shoulder blades, tracing his neck and then his arms. Taste and touch, and with a soft moan Tony added sound, enjoying the whole experience. Brendan's groan met his moan, and the man's fingers slid over his back, touching him through his shirt, tracing his spine and his shoulder blades. The kisses got a little deeper still, Brendan pressing their lips harder together, and sliding his tongue in, tasting thoroughly. Tony tightened his hand, just a bit of a hold and a tug, his palm flat on the small of Brendan's back while he sucked on Brendan's tongue. "Stay here?" he pulled back to whisper. "Or go upstairs?" He rubbed softly, happy enough to do either but thinking it was proper to offer a couch at that stage, if not a bed. "Somewhere to sit would be nice." Brendan smiled and gave him another soft, lingering kiss. "Okay." Tony kissed him back, still touching him and keeping him close. "Okay." Tony laughed when he made himself let go. "Just upstairs. I even have wine, I think. Or at the very least, bottles of water." He grabbed his keys with one hand and Brendan's hand with the other. Things were going really well so far, he thought. "I don't need anything else to sweeten the deal -- you're enough." Tony stopped in his tracks and kissed Brendan again, harder and with a lot more tongue. He pulled Brendan closer, too, tight up against his hips, and had to stop himself from whimpering. Upstairs was really just upstairs, and there was a couch to sit on and it didn't look like Brendan was trying to get away or anything.

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Brendan smiled warmly at him, and tugged his hand, heading them back out to the stairwell. "Don't forget to lock up." Brendan looked rather amused. "I won't," Tony protested, holding up the keys. "But I might rush, if you don't mind." He grinned and locked the door behind them, making sure the deadbolts went all the way, and then took Brendan up another flight of stairs. "The light in here isn't as good, but the space is nice," he said as he unlocked the two locks of his own door. Tony went in, flipping the switch that lit four or five lamps at once, using no overhead light at all. The room was huge, really, but it was just one room plus a bathroom. The kitchen was to the side, the bed opposite, and there was a couch in the corner with a TV. "I don't need light to find the important bits," murmured Brendan. "Couch or bed?" Tony leaned in and kissed Brendan again before saying, "That's completely up to you. The couch has a better view, but there's a wonky spring." "It depends what we're gonna end up doing..." "Again," Tony said, licking his way down Brendan's neck, hands on his waist. "That's up to you." Brendan's head went back, a low moan coming from his lips. "Well, I don't want to be pushy and assume I'm staying over, but I'd like to." "Bed." Decision made, Tony sucked a little, his hands going to the front of Brendan's pants and mapping the territory, sliding along his cock and down to cup his balls. "Now." Tony's hand bumped his own erection and he moaned, dragging his teeth over the tiny mark he'd made. "Yeah, now." Brendan stumbled back toward the bed, pulling him along. Tony steered, saving Brendan from tripping over a box of paints that was supposed to be under the chair, and finally tumbled him onto the bed, pushing him down with a full body press. "Kiss me again," he said, craving it. Gasping, Brendan bucked up against him, body pushing against his. One of Brendan's hands tilted his head, bringing their mouths back together. Brendan's tongue slid deep. With a moan Tony dove into the kiss, his hips rocking and dragging as he moved on Brendan, kissing and tasting. In his head he chanted and swore, but his mouth was busy swallowing the sounds Brendan fed him, and Tony was right there, already on the edge and harder than he'd been in ages. There was a shiny bright glitter behind his eyes, and he knew damn well he was going to come in his pants. One of Brendan's legs wrapped around his, and Brendan's free hand landed on his ass, squeezing as they kissed and slid, moving together.

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The chanting in Tony's head made it out, his mouth sliding to Brendan's ear so he could whisper it. "Yes, yes, yes, God, there, gonna--" He ground down, his hips circling and jerking and then, with a long groan, he let go, coming in long, shuddering pulses. "Oh, wow. Cool. That was..." Brendan's words faded and he grinned up at Tony. "That was fast," Tony panted, embarrassed. He ducked his head and kissed Brendan again, shifting to the side so he could get Brendan's pants open. "I think it's pretty sexy. Makes me feel like a stud and all -- and don't ruin it by telling me you haven't in forever -- I'm happy with the big stud illusion." "You're a stud," Tony said, smiling at him. It wasn't a lie. He got Brendan's pants open and slipped a hand in, fingers looking for hard, hot flesh. "Can I suck you off?" he asked, already heading down. "Like I'm going to say no to that." Brendan stretched, arms going over his head, making his body long and lean. "Oh, good." Tony grinned and tugged at Brendan's pants, pausing to lick at his belly when he got them past Brendan's hips. His skin was warm and kind of smelled like sex, which wasn't a shock, given what Tony had just done on him. "Pretty," Tony whispered, looking at the strong length of Brendan's cock. He licked there, too, wiggling down the bed for a better angle. Brendan groaned, hips pushing up a little, body sort of undulating as one hand came down to touch Tony’s cheek before settling in his hair. Tony liked that, the little touch and the way Brendan was really living up to the whole 'sensualist' thing. Tony licked him again, tasted the head of his erection before opening up to take him in, and hoped to get more sounds. "Tony!" Brendan whimpered and moaned, whole body rippling. "Mmmhmm." Tony smiled around Brendan's cock and took a bit more, his tongue working and pressing. He loved giving head, liked the taste of clean skin and intimacy of it. He sucked his way back up and went down again, all the way. Both hands touching and petting, he looked up the length of Brendan's body and tried to see his face. Brendan was watching him, eyes glittering and hot as they looked down to where he was working the long cock. Lips opening and closing, Brendan made the occasional gasp and moan, fingers opening and closing in his hair. Tony lifted his head, coming off with a soft pop. "Pretty," he said again as he curled a hand around Brendan's prick and jacked him slowly. He wished he'd been able to hold off coming, but that was okay. The night was young. With a soft moan of his own he went back to sucking Brendan's cock, a little faster, a little harder.

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Breath catching with a hitch in his throat, Brendan began to roll his hips, small movements that slid the long prick in and out of Tony's mouth. Moaning again, Tony nodded. When that got Brendan's cock deeper into him, he did it again and shoved his hands under Brendan's hips to lift him, pulling him in. "This is okay?" Brendan asked, rocking a little harder now, taking cues from his sucking and pulling. God, yes. Tony looked up at Brendan and nodded, hoping he wouldn't have to stop sucking to use words. He wanted, and he hoped Brendan would get that. With a growl Tony sucked Brendan in deep and swallowed, his hands squeezing Brendan's ass. "Oh, damn!" Brendan started rocking hard, cock hitting the back of his throat again and again. Tony let him do what he needed to do, loving it. It wasn't easy to keep watching Brendan's face, but he tried; it was hot, watching and being watched. He tongued the head of Brendan's cock when he could and did his best to get Brendan off, to make him come hard. He knew it was coming when Brendan's eyes closed and he made a strangled sound. Hips jerking a little, Brendan shouted out, come spurting out of his cock. Tony swallowed and licked and made himself let go of Brendan's ass so the man could relax back onto the bed. Dropping kisses on Brendan's hips and belly, he shifted and squirmed his way back up to nuzzle into the crook of Brendan's neck, delighted. "Hey," he whispered, grinning. "Nice one." "Mmm... yeah." Brendan's arm wrapped around him, holding him against the warm body. "You're good at that." "I like it." He kind of figured Brendan had figured that out. "Hungry? Thirsty? Sleepy?" Tony made himself stop talking long enough to let Brendan answer; sex tended to jazz him up rather than knock him out but he knew that it could drive people nuts if he didn't shut up once in a while. "Lazy. The good kind, you know?" Brendan smiled, and it did look lazy, and happy. Tony nodded, still grinning. "Lazy is good. Lazy means content. Content is good. It's all good." The shutting up didn't seem to be working, so Tony kissed Brendan and made himself take a deep breath. Maybe he could reach lazy, too. "Mmm..." Brendan's tongue swept slowly through his mouth, fingers rubbing gently in the small of his back. That was nice. Tony enjoyed the kiss and let himself sink into it. It was comfortable and easy, and he snuggled up, glad that Brendan was the type to enjoy the afterglow. There wasn't much worse than a guy who'd get off and then roll over looking for his pants. "So you don't mind if I stay?" Brendan asked when their lips parted.

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"Hoping you will," Tony whispered, taking another tiny kiss. "It's early. We can watch TV, talk... whatever you want." "Actually... Discovery's got a show on tonight about whales I was planning on checking out before we met. Would you mind if we took a look? It's supposed to be amazing." "We can do that," Tony said, looking across the room to the TV. "Have to move, though. But the couch is comfortable." "And if that wonky spring you mentioned bites my ass, you can kiss it better." Brendan winked and stretched again, before slowly rolling up. "I'm going to go to Newfoundland and watch the whales one year -- it's on my list." "What else is on your list?" Tony asked, eyeing Brendan's ass. He'd kiss that, no question. He followed, taking a couple of moments to strip off his sticky clothes and clean up before reaching for clean sweatpants. Brendan sprawled in one corner of his couch. "Lots of stuff. I want to hike in the Himalayas. I've done the Rockies and the Andes, and I've seen the polar bears up north. But it's a big, beautiful world and I want to get a chance to see it all. I'm saving up for a trip to Africa in a couple years." "Cool!" Tony grabbed the remote and sprawled next to Brendan on the couch. "I've been out west, and a few of the north western states, but that's about it. Europe would be nice; all those galleries." He flipped through channels until he found the Discovery network. "Maybe after I sell a metric ton of art." Brendan's arm looped around his shoulders, kind of tugging him in against Brendan's body. "Europe would be cool. There's so much history there -- I mean here if a building's a hundred years old, that's a big deal. In Europe a hundred's still new. And I want to see the Middle East -- where it all started, you know?" "Uh-huh." Tony leaned into Brendan and made himself comfortable, avoiding the sprung couch spring. "Really, I'd love to travel. I don't mind flying, and it's kind of nice to think about going everywhere with just a backpack and a passport. Do you get enough vacation time to kind of take off once in a while?" "No, but there's not exactly a huge line-up of people wanting my job -- too much work, not enough pay, you know? So I can request leaves of several months at a time and my job's waiting for me when I get back." Brendan's hand began a lazy circling rub over his back. "Wow, that's cool." Tony turned a tiny bit into the touch and rested his hand on Brendan's thigh. "I kind of have to fight for temp jobs, and the better paying ones seem to last for a few months. But it pays the bills and keeps me in art supplies. It's what I chose, you know? I don't really want to locked into an actual career at this point."

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"I hear you -- you're good, too. You need to get your name out there and then you can give up the outside stuff and just concentrate on the artwork." "That would be nice." Tony brushed his hand along Brendan's thigh. "Really nice. A few of us are talking about starting a cooperative, doing group shows until we can get some notice. And I really do have to work on the marketing end, get a few pieces out in public. Even just at restaurants and such, so my name is out there. Sadly, I kind of suck at that part." "I should hook you up with the fundraisers at FoE, let you pick their brains -- that kind of thing is their jobs. Plus I still think you could partner up with FoE or some other environmental NGO with your found object art." Tony nodded slowly. "That would be cool. Do you really think it could fly?" "I don't see why not -- it would be a neat way to get the recycling message out there, something new and inventive that would get the papers on board. Which is good for everyone." "Leave me some names to call," Tony told him. "I can make some calls, anyway. It wouldn't hurt to talk to some people." He snuggled in a bit more, thinking it over and soaking up the body heat. "Yeah, that would be good." "Cool, I will." The show started and their conversation faded as they watched the documentary, Brendan warm and solid next to him. It was pretty interesting, really, a decent way to spend an hour. The program was good and it was fun to watch how intent Brendan got about it, leaning forward sometimes and nodding at others. He kept hold of Tony, and Tony liked that, too. It was better than most evenings, usually spent reading alone or working on his latest sculpture or out looking for material. Tony was pretty sure the company made all the difference. "Man, they're amazing creatures, aren't they? I need to move that up on my list, make it the next expensive thing I do." Tony laughed and nodded. "Your list is flexible," he said. "You can change it a lot, right up until the time you actually book a trip." He pushed the mute button on the TV and looked at Brendan, admiring the shine in his eyes. "Want to watch anything else?" "Sure, I'm easy." Brendan waggled his eyebrows. "Gotta take a leak first though." "Bathroom's over there," Tony said, pointing. He made himself get up to let Brendan off the couch, and then wandered over to the counter, looking for chips. "Hungry?" he called over his shoulder. "I could eat some fruit or something." Brendan disappeared into the bathroom.

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Tony looked at his counter and raised an eyebrow. He knew he had bananas, and some nice apples, but that didn't seem very fancy. He figured Brendan would forgive it, though, so he grabbed them, a big bowl to put them in, a couple of water bottles and the bag of chips for himself. He'd been good since he'd backed off the sugar for the day; chips were a treat. Brendan wandered back out and sat down. "Oh, bananas, cool." He grabbed one and peeled it, mouth wrapping around the tip. Tony had one hand in the chip bag, but he stopped to watch. Of course. He wasn't made of stone, and bad jokes aside, it was fun to watch guys eat bananas. Especially a sensual guy like Brendan. Red lips wrapped around the tip, sliding down it until Brendan bit down, eyes closing half a moment as he started to chew. The chips were almost forgotten while Tony watched. He grinned, waiting for the second bite. "Are they still fresh?" he asked innocently. "Hmm? Oh, the banana. Yeah, it's good. I've got a mean banana bread recipe if you're ever stuck with mushy ones." Brendan took another bite, lips wrapping around it and going down on it again. God, that was sexy. "I'll keep that in mind," Tony said, his gaze fixed on Brendan's mouth. He gave up on the chips and set them aside in favor of a water bottle, his cock waking up in his sweats. Brendan finished the banana, and Tony was pretty sure the guy didn't even know what a show he was putting on, which made it that much sexier. "You recycle?" Brendan asked, holding up the peel. "Uh, yeah." Tony blinked and took the peel from him, walking the few steps to his bins. "The sealed one is organic matter," he said unnecessarily, tossing it in. He wasn't sure if he hoped Brendan would notice the bulge in his sweats or not; getting hard from watching a guy eat was bordering on weird, even if the guy in question had been eating a banana. Maybe especially because of the banana. "You recycle. Very cool. So many people don't. Especially in an apartment." Brendan grinned as he came back, eyes on his middle. "The building makes it easy," Tony told Brendan, feeling himself start to blush. "Paper, waste and organics. It's not ideal, but they do the pick up and have bins for metal and glass. I think it helps that there's so many artists in the building." "Yeah? That's good." Brendan didn't sound like he was talking about recycling anymore. Didn't look like it either, eyes growing heavy-lidded, getting a bump of his own in his jeans. Tony tried not to smirk as he went back to the couch, practically crawling right onto Brendan. "It's good," he agreed. "Wanna watch TV?" He put on hand on Brendan's cock and squeezed lightly.

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"Uh. No." Brendan's hands slid over his shoulders, one going into his hair and tilting his head. "Oh, good. Me neither." Tony leaned in and kissed Brendan, his hand massaging and squeezing a little more. Brendan's mouth opened for him, letting him lead the kiss this time as Brendan's free hand roamed over his back. It slid beneath his shirt, pulling it up. "Bed?" Tony managed to ask, just before he shoved his tongue into Brendan's mouth and started working on the button and zipper to Brendan's jeans. He didn't care, really; couch sex was pretty wonderful, too, but he was a good host and thought he should offer the bed. "If you're gonna let me do you, let's go back to the bed." Brendan's hand wandered south again as he spoke, grabbing Tony's ass. "Bed," Tony said with a gasp, his cock thudding even harder and distending his pants. "For that, bed. Yes." He tried to back off but it wasn't easy to kiss and grope and move away at the same time. Finally, he made himself stand up and reach for Brendan's hand. Brendan laughed and grabbed his hand, hauling himself up and standing close, sort of half-rubbing. "You've got stuff, right?" Tony nodded and rubbed back, hands tight on Brendan's ass and keeping him close. "Uh-huh. By the bed." He walked them backward to the bed, determined to get them both naked before they got too involved, this time. "On the right hand side." "Good. So they'll be handy when we need them." Brendan smiled. "We won't need them for a while." Tony's eyebrows shot up. "No?" he asked as the back of his knees hit the bed. "No." Brendan's hands pulled his T-shirt up and off. "I haven't had a chance to really see you yet." "There is that." Tony fell back on the bed and started stripping off, watching Brendan eagerly. Brendan stripped as well, eyes watching him, watching each bit of skin as it was revealed and Tony threw his sweatpants to the floor and stretched out, preening a little. "Come here," he invited, one hand out to Brendan, eager to do some exploring. Brendan climbed into bed, leaning over him, fingers sliding over his face, eyes following each touch. "I like the way you touch me," Tony whispered. He touched back, his hands going to Brendan's sides and down to his hips, petting him slowly.

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"Oh, good, because I'm going to keep doing it." Brendan smiled. "I've been accused of being rather tactile and oral." "And that's a bad thing?" Tony laughed softly. "Both are huge plusses." "If you're not into fast and dirty, yeah." Brendan leaned in to lick at his neck, fingers tracing his left nipple. "Fast and dirty has its place, sometimes." Tony gasped and shivered, his nipple tightening right up. "But not always." "Yeah, that's what I say." Brendan stopped talking, mouth and hands moving on him, carefully exploring every single inch. "Oh, God." Tony writhed, thinking about how Brendan had moved for him, earlier. He tried to recapture that, using his hands to pet and feel every bit of Brendan he could reach, but he kept getting distracted by the way Brendan licked, kissed and teased. "Sensualist," he said, stroking one strong thigh. "That's another good thing, right?" He could feel Brendan's smile against his skin. "Very." Tony moaned when Brendan licked a sensitive spot. "A huge plus. The biggest." "Cool. Turn over." Tony did as he was told, a little regretful that he had to let go in order to do it, but pretty sure he'd get Brendan's skin back for more touching in a little while. The sheets were cool under his body, soft and smooth, and the pillow near his head smelled like Brendan. It was all good. And he got Brendan's body lying over his, pressing him into the mattress as Brendan started licking and touching his neck and shoulders. "Oh, yeah." Tony arched, moving up and against all that warm skin, his legs parting a bit to cradle Brendan and to give himself a bit of leverage. He liked the weight on him, the warmth of it. Brendan hummed and moaned, lips and tongue so hot, fingers tickling and stroking, enervating every bit of his skin. "Teeth?" Tony asked in a whisper, lifting his ass and rubbing himself on the sheets. "You like a little sharp?" Brendan asked, teeth scraping across the top of his shoulder blade. Tony nodded and groaned at the pull. "A little," he agreed. "Just like that." God, just like that. It made his cock throb and his balls feel heavy.

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Brendan licked over the spot and then bit again, not hard, just enough that he could feel it. That biting stayed in the mix, too, as Brendan slowly moved down his body. Tony panted into the pillow, his skin tingling and his hands splayed. "Yes," he whimpered. "God, yes." Jesus, he hadn't been so turned on in ages. Brendan spent a long time playing with the nerves in the small of his back, fingers sliding around to cup his balls, roll them in their sacs. His legs spread wider, and Tony rolled his hips, the tip of his cock catching on the sheet. It was actually a damn good thing he'd gotten off earlier or he'd be in danger of shooting right then and there. "Brendan," he said in a tight, rough voice. "Yeah?" Brendan asked, mouth leaving his skin, hands stilling. "Jesus, don't stop!" Tony clutched at the sheets and moaned. "Want you. Please." "Gonna open you up with my tongue -- is that okay?" Brendan's fingers wandered up toward his crack. Tony laughed hoarsely. Like he'd say no to that. "Yeah," he said, pulling up one knee and baring himself. "Oh, man. Yeah." His breath quickened as he waited, every nerve in his body wide awake and ready. Brendan's hands slid over his ass, spread his cheeks. And then Brendan blew on his hole, making it clench and release. Brendan did it again. "Please," Tony whispered, lifting his ass, begging for it. "You ask so nicely," murmured Brendan, tongue sliding from the top of his crack downward until it brushed across his hole. Tony cried out, his body jerking in response, opening right up. He forced himself to be still and wait, wanting to take as much as he could before he wound up begging for Brendan's cock in him; he knew he would beg, too. Just knew it. Brendan tasted him slowly, tongue exploring the skin around his hole for what felt like forever before it finally pushed into him. "Yes, yes, yes," Tony murmured. He could feel his hole flexing, taking it. Brendan's mouth was wet and warm, the tongue fucking intense. Tony's cock started to leak and he rubbed it on the sheet, rocking back and forth. "Good," he said, meaning it. "Oh, God. Please. More." Brendan pushed his tongue deeper, fucking him with short, sharp punches.

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Tony yelled again, words leaving him as he tried to get a hand under himself. His eyes were closed tight and every bit of his awareness was centered on his ass. "Fuck," he groaned, his leg sliding before he could grab at his cock. Fingers returned to his balls, making them ache as the tongue fucking continued. "Gonna come," Tony warned, a long shudder rolling down his back. He could feel it in his spine, churning and sharp. He could feel the tiny press of Brendan's teeth when he shoved his tongue deep, and the damp, hot breath on his hole was sending waves of sparks right to his balls. "Hey, wait for me." Brendan pulled away and lay over him again as he fumbled for the condoms and lube on the right side of the bed. Tony could feel Brendan's cock, hard and hot, leaking on his skin. "Waiting," he promised, though the waiting meant he had to put his head in the pillow and try really hard not to move as the urge to shoot backed off a little and his hole stopped twitching. "God, you're good at that," he said, listening as Brendan got the rubber on. Two slick fingers pushed into his hole, stretching quickly. "I'm oral, remember?" Brendan laughed, fingers coming out. "Uh-huh, and I thank you for it." Tony lifted his ass again. "And I'm ready." Also, impatient. Brendan laughed again, but it was throaty and friendly sounding and a moment later the hot head of Brendan's cock pushed against his hole, breaching him. Tony's breath whooshed out of him and he made a rough noise, his ass grasping as Brendan slid in. "God, yeah," he said, trying to lift himself up. "That's it." "How do you like it?" Brendan asked as he slid all the way in and stilled. "Just about any way I can get it," Tony said without thinking. He squeezed a little and moaned again. "Um. Long and slow, then fast and hard. But you do what works best for you and I'm into it." He really, really was. Brendan laughed wildly and started to move. Nice and slow, Brendan's prick slid against his gland every time the guy pushed in. Tony's eyes flew open and then shut tight as he dropped his head down. "There," he said, just in case Brendan couldn't tell he'd hit the spot. "Damn." In moments Tony was able to rock back to meet the thrusts, his nerves singing. "You feel good. Fuck, if more people did this there'd be fewer wars." Brendan groaned and moved faster.

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"Sex as a peace keeping method," Tony said between gasps. "Someone should tell the U.N." Brendan started laughing, fucking him harder, breathless gasps mingled in with the laughter. Tony grinned, lifting his ass high and throwing himself back on Brendan's cock. Sex should be fun, and hot and happy. Brendan was amazing, totally into it and doing him right, giving and sliding and having fun. When Tony's laughs faded into gasps and grunts that was okay, too; it was hot, sharing this with someone like Brendan. Best sex he'd had in years, the best date in possibly ever. Brendan's hand suddenly slid around him, grabbing his cock and squeezing around it. "Gonna be soon." He could tell that from the way Brendan was suddenly pounding into him, hips working hard for that finish. Nodding, Tony arched his back and just took it. He was ahead of the game, just holding on by a bare thread. The way Brendan was taking him meant he wasn't going to last more than a handful of thrusts, anyway. "Do it," he said, shuddering as Brendan's hand jacked him. "Doing it. Come on." With a low, keening cry Tony let go and let himself feel it twist through him, his orgasm shooting right down his spine and out his cock. He clamped down hard around Brendan, barely able to keep himself from collapsing onto the bed as his body spasmed and shook with pleasure. "Oh, my God!" Brendan cried out, cock throbbing and pulsing inside him. Tony would have echoed him but he was too busy trying to breathe, lost in the way it felt to have Brendan coming in him. "Oh, God," he finally groaned, his chest heaving as he let himself sprawl on the bed. Brendan pulled out and ditched the condom, tossing it into the garbage pail next to the bed, and collapsing down half on, half next to him. Moaning, damn near humming, Tony twisted and gathered Brendan to him, holding him close. "That was amazing," he said, kissing Brendan's temple. "Yeah. Yeah, it was." Brendan laughed and snuggled, eyes closing. "Sleepy?" Tony asked, petting him and holding him close. Tingles and zings were still flitting through Tony's nerves, but he'd hold onto Brendan and let him sleep, even keep himself still, if he could. It was just as rude to get up and draw after sex as it was to reach for jeans and call a cab. "Uh-huh. S'okay if I nap?" "Of course," Tony told him, kissing him again. "I'll be right here."

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"Cool." Brendan's hand landed on his belly, heavy and warm, and Brendan's breath got slower, deeper. Tony smiled and shifted a bit, settling in to watch Brendan sleep. The light still flickered from the TV, and the lamps were on, but it was early. He'd get up and turn everything off later; right then, he just wanted to look and admire and enjoy the wonderful thing that had walked into his life, thanks to the morning rain. *** In some ways, it felt like everything happened overnight. In others, Tony knew it was much longer. But even the parts that felt like they took a while seemed really fast, and his head was almost spinning as he worked at installing the last few pieces in the show. An actual show. An actual sponsored show. It wasn't solo, of course, but it was thematic, sponsored, and was already getting some press, even before it was officially open. Friends of the Earth, spurred on by Brendan's enthusiasm, had stepped up and provided space for Tony and a few people he knew to show their work. It was topical, eco-friendly and relevant, if the posters and press kits didn't lie. There weren't any lies that Tony could see, surrounded by sculptures of found and recycled objects, photos that showed the stark differences between the current environment and what the ideal looked like, and paintings of the Ottawa River Valley going through various changes. Still, it was stunning how fast things had come together. It amazed Tony, still, how much drive Brendan had to make things happen. He was doer, not a talker, and Tony had learned very quickly that Brendan was a man to follow his passions and his cause. Tony was pretty sure that was one of the best things about the man; that and the way his attention could be so completely focused on whatever it was he was doing. Watching a documentary. Working and planning. Raising funds, talking up his cause. Making love and giving himself over to the immediacy of pleasure. Brendan was pretty spectacular, Tony thought, smiling as he fixed a slipped wire on one of the butterfly pieces. Speaking of the devil, there Brendan was, coming in the front with the gallery owner, a bundle of Friends of the Earth posters and flyers in his arms. His face lit up when he saw Tony. "Hey." "Hey, you," Tony said, smiling back. "I was just thinking about you. What do you think, is this one

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fixed up right?" He stepped back and looked at the butterfly, awaiting the word of the real expert. Tony figured Brendan had each sculpture memorized. "I think it's supposed to be tilted up a tiny bit more, like it's taking off into the sky." Brendan bumped their hips together, fingers sliding briefly on his arm. "What, like five degrees?" Tony asked with a laugh. He tugged Brendan close enough to kiss. "I'll fix it in a moment." "Oh, I see how it is, pleasure before business." Brendan's laughing lips pressed against his mouth. "Well, yes." Tony gave Brendan a short series of soft kisses and then licked at his mouth. "Hi," he said softly. Brendan groaned and pulled him close, the flyers and posters hitting the floor and spreading out around them. Tony didn't really care; they could pick them up later. He deepened the kiss, his arms sliding around Brendan and holding him in tight. Brendan tasted like oranges and peppermint, and he felt just perfect. Fit and strong and right where Tony wanted him. One hand came up to trace the features of his face, the touches soft and familiar now. Burying his hands in Brendan's hair, Tony began to wish they were somewhere more private. Somewhere without big windows and a door that they probably shouldn't lock. Or maybe they could; they weren't open to the public, wouldn't be until the next day. A throat cleared behind them, and Brendan broke off the kiss, shooting a grin over his shoulder. "Sorry, Sue. What can I say? He's irresistible." "And you try so hard to resist," Sue said, rolling her eyes. "Besides, you're as bad as he is. Or he's as bad as you. I get confused. You dropped your stuff." She pointed down, obviously fighting off a laugh. Tony didn't even start to blush; getting caught making out was becoming routine. "I'll pick it up. When I'm done. Just turn your back for a moment." Tony didn't wait for another invitation, just grabbed Brendan and kissed him again, the kiss a little awkward when he grinned at Sue's laugh. But then, Tony would take any kiss he could get, so he just carried on like he had been, paying her no mind. This time Brendan ended the kiss by sucking on his lower lip. "Hey. So are you excited about tomorrow?" "I'm more excited about you, at the moment," Tony whispered. Then he nodded and grinned. "God,

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yes. This is going to be so cool. It would be nice to actually sell something, too, but I don't have my hopes up too high about that." "Oh, I'd be surprised if you didn't." He knew Brendan wasn't just blowing sunshine up his ass, too - and it was something, having that belief and conviction be about him. Tony kissed Brendan one more time and then looked back at his butterflies. "I hope you're right," he said. Another glance around the room took in all of the art, his and the other's. "It looks good, doesn't it? It'll be nice to get some pictures of all this in the paper." "It looks awesome. And the whole pairing up with FoE thing has been a real success for the media. We might have to make this an annual thing. The director's thrilled with the whole event so far. We won't know for sure until it opens, of course, but the buzz has been really good." Brendan started collecting his posters and flyers off the floor, giving him a nice view of that ass as Brendan bent over. "I need to get this up to the office, but then I'm done for the day -- how about you?" "Um..." Tony stopped staring long enough to give Sue a wink. "Yeah, about done. I think the butterfly was the last thing that needed any real work, unless you see something I missed." Brendan laughed. "You'd better ask Sue that -- they all look fine to me, but then I thought that yesterday, too, and the two of you laughed at me." Tony snorted. "Baby, you know my work better than I do. At least, the sculptures." He picked up the pliers and grinned at Sue. "What do you think? Am I all done for the night?" "Whether you are or not, I can't see getting any more work out of the two of you." She laughed. "Go on. Everything looks great." "Cool, let me just put these upstairs. Be back in a minute." Brendan gave him a grin and trotted off. Tony watched him go, still smiling, and gathered up his own things. He had no real idea what they were going to do for the evening, but they'd do it together and at some point there would be food. It didn't matter much, though; as long as they were hanging out together it counted as a good night. Brendan was as good as his word and was back just as Tony finished getting all his stuff together. "I was gonna ask your place or mine, but let's do yours so you're not dragging all your gear around." "Works for me." Tony stuffed what he could into his backpack and gathered the rest into extra bags. "I think I have food, too; we can make supper pretty easily." He nodded to Sue and headed for the door, almost dragging Brendan with him. "Supper can wait, though, you know? We need to celebrate." It wouldn't be the first time they'd

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celebrated the show. Hell, they'd celebrated the show all over both their apartments and Brendan's office. Tony's grin grew. "We could celebrate in the studio this time," he suggested. "And then I could draw you, instead of just talking about it and being too lazy to find a pencil. They're all right there." Brendan laughed. "Sure. I'm beginning to think you don't really want to draw me, you know. You keep talking about..." He was given a wink, Brendan obviously amused. Leaning close, Tony whispered, "I want to draw your face just after you come. Relaxed and decadent and sensual." Brendan groaned, eyes going heavy-lidded. "Hurry, Tony. Let's get there soon." "Or maybe just like that," Tony said, speeding up a bit. "When you start to get turned on. Or maybe even just at the brink of orgasm, though that one could be harder. I suppose I could work from memory, but we should practice a lot so I see it clearly later on." "I think we should practice lots, too. Lots and lots and lots." There wasn't any argument about that, so Tony merely rushed them back to his place, chattering a little about the show and a lot about random things that came to mind, most of them having to do with Brendan being naked. By the time they got to his building Tony had worked them both up, and they rushed up the stairs eagerly, keys clattering as Tony unlocked the studio. "I think we've got it to ourselves for the night," Tony said, looking around. It looked odd with most of his work out of the room. "That's good. Because I want you." Brendan tugged him close, rubbing up against him. "Except you don't have a bed here. That was maybe bad planning." "We didn't need a bed in your office or even in my kitchen," Tony pointed out, his hands firmly on Brendan's ass. His backpack and other things had hit the floor fast and his only thought was not to trip on them as he moved them both away from the door. "Got handy tables, though, and a huge floor." He did some rubbing of his own, his breath catching a bit in his chest. "Or there's always the wall," murmured Brendan, pressing him up against one that used to hold photographs. "So there is." Tony moaned softly, his hips rocking and his shoulders pressing back. "Wanna?" "Yes." No playing, no teasing, just the single word, Brendan's hips meeting his. "Okay." Tony tipped his head back and let Brendan get to his neck. It wasn't easy to let go of Brendan's ass, but he made himself, his hands going between them to fight with zippers and buttons. "How? Like this?" he asked, trying to get a hand around Brendan's cock.

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Brendan groaned and nipped at his skin, teeth sharp. "Whatever. Just want." Tony could understand that. He wanted, too, and there was nothing to say they just had to do it once. He curled his hand around Brendan's erection and tugged a bit, gripping him tightly. One of Brendan's hands rested against the wall near his head, the other tugged at his button and zipper, trying to get at him one-handed. Tony helped, yanking his jeans open with his free hand. "Yeah," he whispered, jacking Brendan a little faster. "Touch me." "Always." Brendan's hand wrapped around his prick, jacking in time with his own tugs on Brendan's cock. Groaning, Brendan met his mouth, the kiss hard. Tony's hips jerked, pushing his prick through Brendan's fingers. He kissed Brendan just as hard, his tongue plunging and tasting, his free hand pulling Brendan even closer. They were going to make a mess of their pants, but that was hardly new. God, he loved this. Brendan always threw himself into everything, no holds barred. "Gonna be fast," Brendan warned. As if he didn't know, as if he couldn't feel it building, steamrollering through his body, really. "Uh-huh," Tony panted. "Give it to me." He pushed his palm over the slick head of Brendan's cock, his own balls feeling hot. "Tony!" Brendan bucked, his hand stilling and squeezing Tony hard as he came, spunk pulsing up over Tony's hand. Moaning, Tony kept stroking, easing Brendan through it. "That's it," he said, scattering frantic kisses over Brendan's face. He leaned on the wall, the smell of Brendan's come rising up thick and strong. He was panting, reaching for his own orgasm, but he wanted to see Brendan's face. Brendan's face was slack and happy in that half blissed out, half melted thing he had going. And after a moment or two his hand started working again, too, expression slightly sheepish. Tony would have laughed, but his body was taking over, tight and tingling and hot. "Oh, God," he groaned, eyes closing tight. "Yes. Yes, yes, yes!" He jerked hard, his stomach seizing up tight as he started to come, going up on his toes. Brendan kept working him, eyes intent on his face as he gave it up. Slumping against the wall, Tony panted and tried to grin. "That's it," he said, "just like that. Damn, you get under my skin." "Yeah, well it works both ways." Brendan leaned against him, mouth sliding on his in a lazy kiss.

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"Good thing," Tony murmured, taking the kiss and giving it back. He was happy to stay leaning against the wall, but it kind of felt like a waste of really good space. And acoustics, really. The studio had really great sound. "Come on," he said, easing them off the wall. "Let's sprawl. There's got to be a blanket or something in here somewhere." They found an old quilt in one corner under a bunch of canvasses and they spread it out on the floor, Brendan looking debauched as he sprawled there with his cock hanging out of his pants, his face all soft and easy. Without a word Tony grabbed a pad of paper and a few pencils. "Stay lying down," he said softly. "You're beautiful." He started working, lines flowing and easy, not skipping over anything. Brendan's body, his face, even the creases in his jeans called to him and he barely looked at the paper as he sketched. Brendan smiled at him. "So you're finally sketching me. You aren't going to dump me once you're done, are you?" Tony laughed softly and flipped to a fresh page, starting over and working a little more slowly, smudging lines here and there to get the effect he wanted. "No. No, I'm not. You're a constant source of inspiration, beautiful and smart. I think I'll keep you for a long, long time," he said with a smile. Under his hand, Brendan's face took shape again and he concentrated on the eyes for a moment before roughing out the lines of Brendan’s body. "Yeah? I could live with that." "Yeah?" Tony looked at his pad and kept drawing, not bothering to sketch in clothes this time. "That's good." He glanced at Brendan and quirked an eyebrow. "Wanna get naked for me?" Brendan laughed. "You perv." He started stripping though, didn't he? "You said that wrong," Tony corrected. "It's pronounced 'artist.'" He chuckled and eyed Brendan hungrily as he undressed. "With a side of 'yum.'" Brendan stripped, at ease in his body, not being shy about it at all. "How do you want me?" "Any way I can get you," Tony said honestly. "But for this, maybe lying down. In that bit of light from the window? However you want, just let me see, okay?" "This good?" Brendan asked, lying on his side, legs splayed, facing Tony. Tony's mouth went dry. "Yeah," he breathed. "Good." He sketched Brendan's cock and balls, the shadows of his groin. "Hard to concentrate on drawing, though," he admitted. Brendan's cock jerked at his words and started slowly filling. "You're just easily distracted."

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"No, I'm just very, very focused," Tony countered, flipping another page. "And you're..." He started drawing the start of Brendan's erection, filling the page with fast sketches as it grew. Absently, he shifted his own swelling prick and went back to drawing, his gaze flicking from paper to Brendan and back. "I'm what?" Brendan asked, leaning back a little and stretching, his cock reaching for his belly. "Sexy," Tony murmured. "Hot as hell. Beautiful." The sketches were coming faster, growing bigger in scope as Tony included more of Brendan's legs, the cleft of his ass, his belly. "You going to be at that much longer?" Brendan asked, stretching for him. "Somehow I doubt it." Tony flicked a grin at him. "Unless you keep stretching like that and inspiring me." A clean sheet and a fast drawing, all stark lines, just the merest hint of the subject. "Maybe I should photograph you instead." "Maybe you should take off all your clothes and come join me." Tony tossed the pad aside without another word and stripped off his shirts. He wasn't even sure which direction he threw them in, just that it wasn't anywhere near where his pants went when he kicked them off, too. "Hey," he said, sprawling down next to Brendan. "You're pretty." "I'm horny," Brendan told him, leaning over him, hand sliding along his chest. "Me, too." God, that was true. He tugged Brendan to him, his skin tingling wherever they touched. "You kind of bring it out in me." "That works out well." Brendan kissed him, shifting to straddle him and starting to rock. "God, so does this," Tony gasped. He held onto Brendan's hips and pushed up, sliding their cocks together. "Perfectly." "Yeah, we're a good match." Brendan's eyes rolled in his head as the tip of their cocks bumped into each other. "The best," Tony said, following the words with a low moan. He pushed his hips into Brendan's and planted his feet for leverage. It didn't matter what they did, it was hot and good. Brendan kissed him as their hips pushed and slid, mouth exploring his like he was delicious. Tony let go of Brendan's hips and explored down strong thighs and up his spine to his shoulders, kneading muscles and touching smooth skin. Brendan was warm under his palms, solid and vibrant. They moved together, fast and then slow, each grind and shift better than the last.

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"Love this," murmured Brendan. "Love that I'm doing it with you." "Uh-huh." Tony thrust against him again, his cock sliding along Brendan's hip, nestled up along Brendan's length. The friction was phenomenal, but he agreed; it was better because it was Brendan. So much better. "Love it," Tony whispered. "Love you." "Yeah, Tony. Love you." Brendan smiled down at him, warming him right through with that look. "Yeah?" Tony looked at him, momentarily stilling. "Awesome." He grinned and his hips wiggled a tiny bit. "Kiss me," he added, lifting his head and pulling Brendan back down to him. Brendan did, breathing into his mouth, filling him with the scent and taste of his lover. He was surrounded on all sides by Brendan. "Love you," Tony whispered again, then again. The words flowed with his breath, with Brendan's, and tasted sweet. "Want you. Here. Deep inside where I work, where I feel. Need you, Brendan." "Fuck. Tony." Brendan jerked and rolled his hips. "You got stuff down here?" "In my bag." He hoped. No, he was sure. He pretty much always had stuff with him these days. "Yeah, in my backpack." "Cool." Brendan gave him a hard kiss and popped up, going over to his bag. Which gave him an awesome view of Brendan's ass as he walked, and the long, beautiful line of him as he came back, cock bobbing, hitting Brendan's belly and leaving wet marks with every step. Tony watched and enjoyed and welcomed Brendan back with open arms. "Come here," he said, pulling Brendan down and tugging him over so Tony could get to his belly to lick at the wet marks. "God, you taste good," he said. "That's all for you." Brendan's hands slid over him, working slowly toward his ass, Brendan taking his time and really exploring, feeling him up good. "Lucky me," Tony said, meaning it. He licked again, shifting when he had to, to get a new bit of skin to lick or to give Brendan better access. He wanted. Need was working through him and his breathing was harsh and rough again. He kissed where he could, making soft sounds, and did what he could to let Brendan touch him in as many ways as the man wanted. Eventually the click of the lube opening signaled they were done exploring and ready to get down to it. Brendan's slick fingers found his ass, one pushing right in as the other two slid and teased. Tony breathed and nodded, his legs splaying wide, hips lifting when he had his feet braced. "Yes," he whispered, touching Brendan's face. "Love this."

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Brendan leaned over him, eyes on his face, fingers slowly working him. Brendan was taking his time, not teasing, but slowly opening him up, fingers pushing and twisting inside him. "More," Tony said, curling one leg over Brendan's thigh and hip. "Want to feel you everywhere." "You want a fourth finger?" Brendan asked, his little finger sliding along where his skin was stretched by Brendan's other fingers. "Want it all," Tony whispered, his eyes drifting shut for a moment. "Want everything." Brendan stilled, waited for his eyes to open again. "Are you asking what I think you're asking?" Tony nodded slowly, his body relaxing and opening as his leg slid away from Brendan to splay once more. "If you want. If not, that's cool, too." "I... yeah." Brendan nodded. "Yeah, I want." Brendan leaned in and kissed him, their tongues tangling. It was intimate. More so, because of what they both knew was coming. Then Brendan's fingers disappeared. "I need more lube." Tony nodded again, knowing that was true. "A lot," he said, feeling calm and safe. And eager. He was definitely eager. "I've never done this before, so you tell me if it's hurting or anything, okay?" Brendan looked down at him, also calm, and serious; he could see the want there though, could tell the idea of it turned Brendan on. "Of course," Tony said softly. "We'll go slow." He took a breath, pleased that his breathing had evened right out. "Yeah, slow, but big." Brendan gave him a wink and two fingers slipped back into his ass, working him nice and easy. "Big I'm used to," Tony teased. He adjusted his hips a tiny bit and relaxed as much as he could, his body thrumming quietly. "Oh, you flatter me." Grinning, laughing softly, Brendan pushed in that third finger again. "It's the truth," Tony said with a grin. "Oh, nice. That feels nice, honey." It felt better than nice. "I know." Brendan nodded, smiling into his eyes and there it was, the closeness and intimacy they'd sunk into before Brendan'd stopped to get more lube. Tony smiled back, watching Brendan's face. He loved watching Brendan when they were making love, loved how expressive he was, how open. "You're beautiful," Tony whispered.

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Brendan bent and kissed him, tongue sliding over his lips. "And you glow." "It's the street light," Tony said, his eyes rolling a bit as Brendan moved the fingers inside him. "Oh, God." Brendan chuckled, little finger sliding around again. "No, I'm pretty sure it's you." "Yeah, maybe." Tony shuddered a little, his hips rocking. "Oh, man. Brendan. Please." "You really want it, Tony?" Brendan's fourth finger pushed, slipping just into him and then back out. "Uh-huh." God, he wanted it. He could feel his ass grasping, begging for it. His hole was stretched, but it didn't hurt, not yet, just a huge pressure that demanded more. Tony could feel his cock leaking on his belly, making a tiny pool. "Want it. Want you," he said, his eyes once more closing as his attention was drawn almost entirely to his ass. Brendan didn't say anything, but he could feel that little finger pushing in with the other three again, going more than just a little bit in this time. Brendan curled his fingers together and moved them slowly in and out, and it was huge. "Okay. Wow." "Uh-huh," Tony agreed. Wow was right. Completely the exactly right word. He stared up at the ceiling and then at Brendan's face, his breath coming faster and harder. "Big." "You sure you want the whole thing?" Brendan asked. "I mean really sure?" Tony panted and then made himself breathe evenly, forced his body to relax. His stomach loosened, the muscles that had instinctively drawn up tight getting slacker. "Yeah," he said, voice soft because to speak loudly seemed wrong. "I want it." With another breath Tony let himself go, let Brendan drive. He just had to lie there and keep his body loose. He just had to feel. "Okay." Bending, Brendan kissed the tip of his cock, and then licked away the pre-come dripping from it. "Okay." Brendan took a deep breath and looked down, watching as his whole hand started to push in, moving slowly. "Oh, God," Tony murmured. He closed his eyes, felt himself open wide and stretch. The pressure was huge, completely indescribable. He'd never felt anything so big in his life. He couldn't think, let alone speak in full sentences, and he knew that it was only going to get more intense. A slight resistance took shape, his ass tightening down, and he held up a hand. "Second. Gimme--" He drew in a shuddering breath and it passed, the pain never really taking shape. Brendan held still inside him, other hand sliding along his thigh. Brendan didn't push or fuss, just waited, already a part of him it seemed.

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Tony took another moment to steady himself, then nodded, once more looking at Brendan's face. "Okay," he whispered. "It's good." He lay there, with Brendan inside him, and blinked lazily. Endorphins were doing their job, but he felt calm, at peace. As turned on as never before, but calm. He could feel his heart beating and wondered if Brendan could feel it, too. Brendan made a tight sound, and then took a deep breath and started pushing in again. It was so big, he'd never felt anything stretch him so wide before and, just as he thought he was going to have to change his mind because there was no fucking way, the widest part of Brendan's hand was through and he swore he could feel his muscles snap closed around the base of Brendan's hand. "Oh, God. Tony." Tony sucked in air, his eyes wide. "Jesus." The pressure was still there, but it was different, his body making way and the burning stretch easing off. He felt light, like he was floating. "Brendan." Anchored in place, Tony felt his cock lift and his heart pound. It was like nothing else, ever. Brendan's eyes met his, shining and hot, and full of wonder. "God. Tony. I'm... in you." Blinking, Brendan stretched his fingers out, moving them inside Tony’s body. "Oh, God. Yes, you are," Tony babbled, his body shuddering. "Can feel you. God, can feel you everywhere." Tony's hands twitched as he held himself still. "God, God, God," he chanted. Once he'd started talking it was impossible to stop, the tension rising in him and making its way out verbally so he wouldn't move, wouldn't fuck himself on Brendan's hand. Brendan's hand trembled a little, fingers curling into a fist. "I can feel your heartbeat in my hand." "Good." Tony nodded, his chest rising and falling in rapid bursts. "Want that. Need you to feel it, feel me -- Oh, God! Brendan!" He shuddered, the trembling rolling through him like a wave. "Hold me," he whispered. "Just like that. Gonna come." "Yeah? Okay." Brendan bent and took his cock into the hot mouth, not even sucking or anything, just holding him in the wet heat. Brendan's hand shifted inside him, slid a little deeper and then back again. "Shit!" Tony had barely even finished the yell before he gave it up. His body clamped down and tension rose and fell in waves, one after another in what felt like an endless bliss. He couldn't see, couldn't breathe, but it didn't matter as ecstasy swept him away until he was limp and slack, come still flowing in tiny bursts. "Oh, fuck. That was... Tony." Brendan shook his head, looking more than a little stunned. "Intense," Tony slurred. "Oh, fuck." His eyes rolled a little before he could focus on Brendan again. "Damn." "Should I come out?" Brendan asked, hand shifting a little inside him.

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"Up to you," Tony said, blinking slowly. He really didn't care, too far gone in the post orgasm haze to form a strong opinion. But he wanted Brendan against him, wanted kisses and touches and to feel Brendan come for him. "Maybe?" Brendan nodded. "Yes. Because I want to fuck you so badly." "Oh, God, yes please," Tony said in a rush, nodding. "That. Want that." He took a breath and waited for Brendan to tell him how to help with the next part, pretty sure it wasn't going to hurt with how relaxed he was, but knowing full well that it couldn't happen in a rush. "Want you, Brendan," he whispered. "Yeah, let me just..." Brendan started tugging his hand out, the first bit going easy until they got to that wide place in Brendan's hand where everything got bigger than big. "Oh," Tony gasped. "Is it supposed to actually turn me on again?" he asked, trying to relax and bear down at the same time. "Jesus Christ." "It's not hurting, is it?" Brendan asked, hand stilling inside him again, eyes meeting his. "No." Tony shook his head. "Just pressure. Go slow, though." He inhaled through his nose and let it out slowly through his mouth. "Okay. Ready." "I love you," murmured Brendan, hand beginning again to slowly pull out. "Like a whole lot." Tony smiled, his whole body feeling like it was glowing. "Love you back," he said softly. The pressure eased off and he felt Brendan slipping slowly out of him, leaving him feeling empty but not alone. "A whole lot." "Good. Good." Brendan nodded and settled in between his legs, taking time to line his cock up. "I guess you're stretched enough for me," he said with a sudden, wild grin. "One would think," Tony laughed, grinning back. "Ready and willing." Once more he hooked his leg around Brendan's thigh. "And wanting." Brendan laughed, the sound kind of breathless, and then he could feel Brendan’s cock head pressing against his hole. It was so much hotter than Brendan's hand -- like it was made out of fire. Brendan slipped in, cock sinking to the root. "Yeah," Tony sighed, welcoming him in. He reached up and tugged Brendan down for a kiss, his legs shaking a bit as he tried to rock up to meet Brendan's hips. "Shh. Let me take care of you," murmured Brendan before pressing into the kiss, hips working, pushing Brendan's cock into him hard. Moaning, Tony could only nod and kiss back. Brendan was incredible in him, moving and loving

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and feeling so perfect. His cock nudged at Tony's gland, pulling gasps out of him, and Tony kissed harder, tasting Brendan's mouth. Moans passed from Brendan to him, their hips slapping together harder and harder. Tony ran his hands up and down Brendan's back, touching him and holding him close. The muscles were tense, Brendan starting to strain, and with a groan of his own Tony squeezed around him, wanting to feel every bit of Brendan that he could. "My hand was inside you," whispered Brendan. "Oh fuck." His thrusts became jerky and arrhythmic. "You could feel my heartbeat and you had me in your hand," Tony murmured. "Held me and loved me, your hand inside me." He shuddered and squeezed harder, wanting Brendan to remember it all and get off on it like he had. Brendan gasped and thrust hard, stilling as he came in long pulses. "That's it," Tony said against Brendan's neck. "Just like that." He rolled his hips gently and brought Brendan through his orgasm, loving the way he could feel every twitch of Brendan's cock. Brendan sank down onto him, panting and gasping, smiling against his neck. Tony held him close, grinning and feeling wonderful. Relaxed and happy and completely satiated, he petted his lover and dropped kisses on him like rain. "Love you," he said again, tasting the words. "Yeah. I love you, too." Brendan rolled to the side, staying inside him and bringing him along so they were face to face. "That was... I've never done anything like that and it was pretty intense, man." Nodding, Tony kissed him again. "Yeah," he agreed. "Very intense. And wonderful. Thank you," he added softly. "You were amazing." Laughing softly, Brendan rubbed their noses together. "Almost as incredible as you, maybe." Tony figured he might have blushed if his blood wasn't busy returning to its normal flow. "No, really," he said seriously. "You always amaze me, Brendan. Your work, your passion, your drive. You inspire me, every day." God, he really was in love. Brendan grinned and nipped the tip of his nose. "I just live my life, you know? I don't have talent like you do, but I do know how to take as much out of any day as I can." "You have talent!" Tony protested. "You make a difference and you're true to you. You can talk money out of people for your causes and you have talent with people, and I'm just so grateful you're in my life. And in my arms and here with me, and that you'll be with me tomorrow when we

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open the show. And in my bed tonight." He smiled and kissed Brendan again, just because he could. "I'll be with you as long as you'll have me, Tony." "That's going to be a long, long time, I think," Tony whispered. "Good." Brendan kissed him softly. "Good." It was good. Better than any good Tony had had in his life before. It was strong and right, built on admiration and respect. Tony held Brendan to him and watched the light play over his face, the highlights of his bone structure calling out for pencils and paint and fingers. That he'd have all the time in the world to see it made Tony's throat close up. There was a sudden crash of thunder and Brendan's eyes lit up. "A storm! Cool!" It was just like Brendan and Tony watched as his lover went to the big picture window, watching the rain come down. It was funny; Tony used to hate wet weather, but ever since that morning he'd been late to work thanks to a sudden downpour, he had to say he loved the rain. His gaze on Brendan, Tony got up and slowly went to join him, admiring the long line of Brendan's body before looking out at the storm. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Tony nodded, taking in Brendan and the rain, the city, the sky... it was all beautiful. Life was beautiful.

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Loving the Rain Copyright © 2008 by Drew Zachary All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680 Printed in the United States of America. ISBN: 978-1-60370-405-2, 1-60370-405-1 Torquere Press, Inc.: Single Shot electronic edition / June 2008 Torquere Press eBooks are published by Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680

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