These Days

A/N: I didn't get as far in this as I wanted but i also didn't want to make the chapter too long. enjoy!

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The sun was still hot and Tye wished he could still stand beneath it in nothing but his jeans, letting the heat slowly penetrate down to his bones, drawing out the sweat and ache and soreness. But even beneath his hoodie he could feel the bite of the wind. He would be in Baltimore this time tomorrow.

The very thought had his body shaking with the tension.

Worries hummed like cold champagne through his veins, but the sound of a heavy truck pulling up the drive sent a warm blossom through his stomach.

Tye found himself smiling almost hysterically as he turned to watch Smith step quickly down from his truck. The man had tried to leave last night, telling Tye he would be waiting when he got back.

For that Tye had shoved him back onto the bed and pinned him against the mattress until he was incoherent once more. The feel of Smith deep inside of him, halting his breath, their hearts pounding out a frantic rhythm, had become almost natural to him now.

Tye shifted, feeling the pleasant twinge of his back and hips only a little self consciously as his blood swept down to swell his dick just enough to be uncomfortable.

When they had both recovered and were taking the pleasure of slowly showering clean Tye had let Smiths know that he had already purchased him a plane ticket, “If, you great lug, you really wanted to spend that much time with me.” Smiths had responded enthusiastically and when Tye woke in the morning a note near his hand let him know Smiths had gone to see Heloise settled and his own bags packed.

Smiths dropped his bag in the back of Tye’s truck before striding over to the man waiting patiently in the middle of the yard. Tye smiled as he leaned up to a kiss that rippled through his chest and made his skin prickle.

“How’s your ankle today?”

Tye shrugged slightly and shifted his weight. Nothing more than a twinge indicated he had ever injured it.

“You’re mother’s abundant cooking has put the healing power back into my bones.”

Smiths smiled in the corner of his mouth before responding, “Oh? And I though it was my … bone … that was healing you.”

Ty swung, catching Smiths sharply in the chest saying, “Don’t be such a perv.” But Tye was smiling too and didn’t object when Smiths lifted him into the crook of his arms and lofted him inside to the warm couch.

--

The plane ride was fairly short and Tye spent most of it engrossed in solving a book of logic puzzles. Smiths sat next to him, shifting constantly and clearly uncomfortable in the confined seating and the deafening hum of the airplane.

As they descended onto the runway the body of the plane shook violently, the plastic walls seeming to try and rip themselves off. Tye felt a pleasant rush up through his stomach and into the back of his head before the familiar thump of wheels touching ground secured their landing.

Tye was immensely glad they had only carry-on luggage as they hurried from the confusing and crowded Baltimore airport. It was by no means the busiest airport he had been in, but arriving at just past 6 in the evening it was probably the busiest this airport got. Smiths went first, his formidable figure clearing a path easily as Tye followed closely behind.

Since they were only here for three nights, Tye had reserved a hotel close to Charlie’s place. A shuttle met them just outside the terminal and they were at the hotel and checked-in in less than twenty minutes.

Tye couldn’t keep the smile off his face as the rush of cars and alarms and faint booming music filled his senses. He was a city boy. Through and through. And no amount of time in the distant mountains could fully bleed it from him.

They were barely ensconced in their room before Tye was stripping, stepping into the hot shower, and planning out which outfit he would wear. It was good to go out like this again. He felt the rush of the night, the thrill of the game once again.

*
Smiths didn’t unpack his luggage, just hid it in the closet. Their hotel was 30 stories high, The lobby alone could have held his family hold and probably the back yard too. But Tye moved with the confidence of familiarity and soon they were away from the finely dressed guests peeking surreptitiously at the men in flannel and jeans. Tye hadn’t seemed to notice the looks, some appreciative some not so. He didn’t seem to register the grandeur of the building or the glitter of the people. So Smiths had stuck close to him. Followed him quietly and patiently. And now he was alone in their room while Tye disappeared into the bathroom.

Their suite was nearly as bad as the lobby. The furniture, and there was a living room in the suite, was upholstered in silver and dark blue fabric that Smiths was afraid to touch. The black marble bar at one end provided foreign wines and expensive liquors. On one wall, across from a richly dressed couch, was mounted a large flat screen, presumably a TV. The ceiling were high, maybe ten feet, and the walls were covered with intricate paisley and flower designs with molding at the top emphasizing the patterns.

Their bedroom was no better. Smiths was happy to find only one king sized bed, but the sheets were like water in his hands, fluid and too soft. The walls were painted in here, the same blue as the bedroom, but now with gold accents in the form of faint arching branches and small pink buds. The bed was installed in the wall, a cubby running along behind it sporting books and pieces of dainty porcelain. On either side hung an ornate lamp near the wall.

Smiths moved to the large white curtain on one side of the room and pulled it aside to reveal a grand set of sliding French doors. He might had shut the curtains again expect that from his window you could see the full spread of Baltimore. Night had fully fallen and the lights of the city spread out before him like the milky way on a clear night. Or the shifting lights of the Aurora Borealis.

Warm hands slid around his waist and a small nose buried in his shoulder, “Its beautiful, isn’t it?”

Smiths nodded, tangling his fingers with those splayed across his stomach.

“I never tire of this sight. It feels good, to be back, it’s nice. I didn’t think I missed it, but…it feels good.”

Smiths turned and looked into the slightly damp, peaceful face of Tye, “I’m glad you’re happy.”

Tye smiled and rocked up on his toes to plant a decisive kiss on Smiths’ mouth, “Now, go shower. We’re going out.”


When Smiths came back out Tye’s favorite pair of his jeans were sitting out along with a t-shirt form his bags. The shoes, however, were black leather, and probably cost more than he could possibly hope to afford. Dressing, except for the shoes, he padded out into the main room of their suite carrying the foreign objects in front of him, still examining their cut and style.

Tye’s voice took him off guard as he said, “Sorry about the shoes. I had the hotel bring them up. Clubs around here don’t usually let you in wearing runners. Its stupid, but better just to be on the safe side.”

Smiths was barely listening. All his attention was for Tye who wore tight, low riding black jeans and a light blue top that laced at the top, exposing his warm skin beneath the pale fabric. His hair was almost the same messy fall that it usually was, but now it was loose and slightly styled to stay mostly out of his face. His fingers and wrists bore silver and black jewelry Smiths had never seen. He appeared every inch the slick city boy he was.

Those pale lips were abruptly close, pecking softly at his cheek before gentle hands shoved him into a chair.

Smiths was still entranced by the transformation of Tye as those same gentle hands raked through his hair, tugging at a few places, pressing firmly in others. Finally Tye stepped back, Smiths’ hands sliding away from where they rested on his waist. There was hot approval and a wicked gleam in Tye’s eye as he critiqued his work.

Before he had a chance to look himself over, or attack Tye and perhaps keep them inside for the night, Smiths and Tye were in the elevator and then out on the dark city streets. Cars were still rushing past, music and shouting echoing off the hard sides of the buildings.

It was so unlike the quiet calm of country nights where the setting sun seemed to put all living critters to bed. But the chaotic noise, the indistinguishable voices, the swirl of scents and lights were almost just as comforting.

Smiths expected to be led to a club where music blared too loud and drinks were too weak and bodies not close enough. He had been to those clubs plenty of times before. In France, Spain, Japan, Australia, even India. But Tye led him down a small but clean alley, down a set of stairs and through a dark mahogany door. The strains of a good singer reached him first. Her voice was full and throaty and seemed to take all the sweat and heat from the air. The tables were evenly scattered, a small space left in the front for dancers or minglers.

At the shout drew his attention as the bartender, a tall lean man, stepped around the bar to lift Tye in a spinning bear hug. Tye responded just as enthusiastically, wrapping his arms around the guy’s neck and pressing his lips against the guy’s stubbly cheek.

Finally Tye turned and motioned him forward, saying, “Lance, this is Smiths. My boyfriend.” That last word had a smile against Tye’s lips that Smiths couldn’t help but echo.

Lance gripped Smiths’ hand in a self-assured shake, “How do ya? Always glad to meet a friend of Tye’s.”

Smiths nodded and tried to return the shake as firmly as he could. The guy smiled, apparently pleased, and moved around the bar.

“What’ll you have? Its on the house.”

“Oh, we couldn’t,” Tye was already leaning against the bar and smiling widely, like Lance had just told a joke.

“Don’t play that, with me, wench. Now what can I make ya?”

Tye laughed and ordered an amaretto sour. Smiths took a simple beer. With their drinks, and Lance on break, the three sat around a small table.

“You should’ve seen Tye the first time he came in here, green from Uni, and still ordering PBR,” Lance was saying. Tye laughed but didn’t offer up any more conversation. “So, Smiths was it? What do ya do for a living?”

Smitsh took a fortifying sip of his beer before answering. “I was a sailor for the past four years. Before that I had some experience lumberjacking. And now I’m not really sure what I’ll do.”
“Ah! A sea man. That’s what I like to hear. Traveling is a passion of mine. Whereabouts have you been? Ever seen Italy?”

“Yeah, a bit. Took a vacation with some mates couple of years back through the Mediterranean.”

“Beautiful wine country. And what museums!”

Smiths shifted. They hadn’t been interested in wine or art on their trip. Mostly it had been pubs and sports and old wives tales around worn family tables.

“So if you travel you must’ve been to France. Did you see the Louvre? I’ve been twice. Couldn’t hardly tear myself away from the Mona Lisa.”

Smiths shrugged, “I’ve been to France a couple of times.”

Out of the blue Tye’s hand swept up and smacked Lances ear with enough force to make him flinch away. Smiths was sure it was ringing.

“Don’t be so full of it whore,” Tye said to him, “If you couldn't tear yourself away from Lisa its only because she was sucking your dick. I didn’t come here to be harassed.”

Underneath the table cool fingers twined with his hand and Tye gave him a comforting squeeze.

Lance rubbed his head as he downed the rest of his beer, “Shit, Tye. Hit me a bit harder next time. I don’t think I’m quite bleeding from the ear yet.”

“I can give it a second go.”


“Calm down. Calm down. Anyway. Your last BF fell for that one right off. Sorry, man,” It took Smiths a second to realize Lance was addressing him, “We were all torn when Tye split the city. And after the last drama we’re all a bit protective of him.”

Smiths smiled a bit, recognizing his own protective streak in another. In a second he had Tye dragged across and in his lap, “I understand. Its cool.”

Tye was sitting stiffly, no doubt with a frown on his lips, but he didn’t attempt to escape. “Isn’t your break almost over, slacker?” He asked Lance.

A small laugh and a nod and Lance excused himself from the table.

When he was back behind the bar Tye turn to Smiths, “And what do you mean by hauling me about?”

Smiths kept his face neutral and buried his nose in Tye’s shoulder, “I just couldn’t resist. You’re so cute I wanted to closer.”

Smiths breathed in and noted the sweet tang of coconut and vanilla on Tye’s skin. Soft lips caressed his forehead and temple. He leaned up to catch their sweet breath in his own.

The night moved slow and lazily. Lance came back once on a short break when the club was still nearly empty and asked Smiths earnest questions about his travels. Smiths found they both enjoyed beer over wine and that Lance was a big footie fan. They discussed rugby for a bit and even less basketball. Tye contributed small notes about his past year in absence when Lance addressed him but otherwise seemed contended to sit in his chair, where he had returned short after being dragged from it.

When they left the club wasn’t far from closing and both Tye and Smiths were pleasantly drunk. They made it back to their room with much fumbling of hands and clothes. The elevator ride seemed to take forever and no time at all as Smiths pressed Tye into a corner and slipped his hands down the back of Tye’s tight pants.

With the city lights brightening the room and their clothes dashed about the room Smiths stared down at Tye’s played body. His skin played in tones of red and blue and green as neon lights twinkled on and off at uneven intervals. Smiths lapped the soft skin between his thighs. The dip of his belly button. The perk of his nipples. The hollow of his neck. Tye’s own hands worked pale red lines down Smith’s back with short blunted fingernails. From shoulder to hip Smiths could feel the light burn of lines as he tortured ever inch of Tye’s sweet smelling skin.

When he entered they were both dripping and painfully hard. Tye arched up with the thrusts, his muscled contracting almost perfectly in time so that Smiths was slick and bright with sweat. he fought for control over his own body, the heat and smoothness of Tye playing against the distant burn of nails raking his back speeding his pleasure. They came, within thrusts of each other, Tye with Smtihs’ large hand wrapped around him, and collapsed on the satin coverlet.

A brief shower soothed away the sticky mess and sweat and turned Smiths narcoletpic. No sooner had Tye maneuvered them between the cool sheets then Smiths had wrapped Tye close and passed out.

*

Tye woke up as the first bright orange rays of the morning lit up the room. Outside the buildings of last night were grey and bleak with the misty morning dew. He rolled carefully away from Smiths’ warm chest and took a pair of good corduroys and a shirt with him into the bathroom to shower and change. Luckily when he cam out again Smiths had turned over but was still asleep.

Snitching his wallet, rings, and key from where they had collapsed in a pile on the counter, Tye quietly left the hotel room, descended in an empty elevator to the lobby, and made the long laborious way to the coffee shop ten blocks away. The black tunnel of the subway seemed an ominous portent as it raced back to the man he never wanted to see again.