Chapter 17: Nightcap Confessions
The apartment smelled like corn dog grease and sweat, and Kyle loved every second of it. He kicked off his sneakers by the door, let them thud against the wall, and flopped onto the couch with a groan that was half exhaustion, half pure bliss.
"Best night," he announced to no one in particular. "Best. Night."
Nell laughed, dropping into the armchair and kicking her heels off. "You say that every night."
"Because every night with you people is the best night." Kyle grinned at her, then at Joaquin, who was already in the kitchen, rooting through the cabinet above the stove.
"Who's in for a night cap?" Joaquin held up a bottle of amber whiskey, eyebrows raised.
"Me," Nell said immediately.
"Always," Kyle added, sitting up straighter.
Roha stood near the door, uncertain, his hands at his sides. He watched the easy rhythm of the apartment, the way Joaquin moved without being asked, the way Nell settled into the chair like she'd sat in it a hundred times. There was a warmth here that made his chest ache in a way he wasn't used to.
Joaquin caught his eye and tilted his head toward the couch. "Roha, get in here. You're part of the crew now."
Roha moved to the couch slowly, sitting on the far end with the careful posture of someone who wasn't used to taking up space. Joaquin poured four glasses, passed one to Nell, one to Kyle, and one to Roha.
"To a great night," Joaquin said, lifting his glass. "And to new friends."
They all clinked, and Kyle watched Roha take a tentative sip. His face scrunched slightly at the burn, and Kyle giggled. "You get used to it."
"I doubt that," Roha said, but there was a small curl at the corner of his mouth.
Kyle pulled his knees up on the couch and studied him. In the soft lamplight, with that orange and blue tank top and his ponytail slightly loose from dancing, Roha looked different from the stiff, formal guy who'd followed him into Vex that first night. He looked like he belonged.
Roha set his glass down and looked at the three of them. Kyle saw him swallow, saw his throat work like he was gathering words.
"I want to thank you," Roha said quietly. His voice was rougher than usual, like it was carrying something heavy. "All of you. For being so kind to me, for making me feel welcome."
Kyle felt his chest squeeze. He opened his mouth, but Roha kept going.
"I haven't felt welcome anywhere in a long time. And I will treasure tonight. I will treasure all of it." He paused, then added, "I have not had friends before. Not like this."
The room went quiet. Even Nell, who was never short on words, just stared at him with something soft in her eyes.
Kyle couldn't help himself. He set his glass down and launched himself across the couch, wrapping his arms around Roha's neck. "Group hug," he announced, and Nell laughed, rolling her eyes but getting up anyway. Joaquin joined in, his arms going around both of them, and for a moment they were a mess of tangled limbs and warmth.
Roha's arms came up slowly, uncertain, and then they tightened, pulling Kyle closer. Kyle felt Roha's breath against his shoulder, warm and shaky.
"Okay," Nell said after a long moment, pulling back. "Okay, I need to stop being sappy, I have a job tomorrow."
"Boo," Kyle said. "Jobs are for Monday."
"It's Sunday, genius. I still work."
Kyle made a face at her, but he was grinning. He watched Nell grab her shoes, trade a quick hug with Joaquin, and then pause by Roha. She pointed a finger at him, but her smile was warm. "You're good people, Roha. Don't let this one corrupt you too much." She jerked her thumb at Kyle.
"I will do my best," Roha said, and Nell laughed all the way out the door.
Joaquin finished his drink and stretched. "I'm heading to bed. You two do whatever it is you do." He winked at Kyle, who flushed, and disappeared down the hall. The door to his room clicked shut.
Now it was just the two of them, and the apartment suddenly felt smaller. Kyle looked at Roha, who was still holding his glass, staring at the amber liquid like it held answers.
"Hey," Kyle said softly. He reached out and put his hand on Roha's knee. "You okay?"
Roha looked up, and his grey eyes held Kyle's. "I am okay," he said. "I am more than okay."
Kyle felt his heart do a stupid little flip. "Good. That's good."
Roha set the glass down, then turned to face Kyle fully, one hand coming up to cup Kyle's jaw. His thumb traced over Kyle's cheek, feather-light. "You are a beautiful person, Kyle."
Kyle's throat went tight. He wanted to make a joke, deflect, say something stupid about his hair, but the words wouldn't come. Instead he leaned into the touch, let his eyes flutter closed.
"Can you stay?" he whispered. "Tonight. Like last time."
"I will stay," Roha said, and then he leaned in and kissed him.
The kiss was soft at first, sweet, but Kyle felt heat building underneath it. His hands found Roha's waist, pulling him closer. The couch creaked as they shifted, and Kyle pressed against him, wanting more, wanting everything.
Kyle kissed him back with everything he had, mouth open, hungry. He climbed into Roha's lap, knees on either side of his thighs, and Roha's hands found his hips, gripping through the thin fabric of his tank top.
"You're so warm," Kyle breathed against his mouth.
"So are you." Roha's voice had gone low, rough in a way that made Kyle's stomach flip.
Kyle pulled back just enough to look at him. Roha's grey eyes were dark, pupils blown wide, and there was a flush on his cheeks that hadn't been there a minute ago. Kyle wanted to memorize every inch of that face.
"Bedroom?" Kyle asked, breathless.
"Yes."
They untangled themselves from the couch, and Kyle grabbed Roha's hand, pulling him down the hall. He pushed open his bedroom door, and the pink string lights he'd left on were still glowing soft over his bed. Roha's eyes swept the room, the posters, the pile of clothes on the chair, and Kyle felt a flash of self-consciousness that burned away when Roha looked back at him.
"Your room," Roha said, like it meant something.
Kyle stepped close and slid his hands up Roha's chest, over the bright cotton of the tank top. "My room. My bed. You."
Roha's breath hitched, and Kyle kissed him again, softer this time, slower. He tugged at the hem of Roha's shirt, and Roha pulled it over his head in one smooth motion, revealing that broad chest Kyle had only glimpsed before. Kyle let his hands wander, trailing over the hard planes of his pectorals, down the ridged lines of his abs.
"Jesus," Kyle whispered. "You're unreal."
Roha caught his wrists, gently, and held them. "I have been alone for a very long time," he said. "I do not know how to do this right."
"You're doing it right." Kyle smiled, leaning in to press his lips to Roha's collarbone. "Just follow me, okay?"
Roha's hands came up to cup Kyle's face, and he kissed him again, deep and searching. Kyle moaned into it, pressing his body flush against Roha's, feeling the heat of him through his own thin shirt. He wanted less fabric between them, wanted skin on skin.
"Take mine off," Kyle whispered against his lips.
Roha's hands found the hem of Kyle's tank top, and he pulled it up slowly, his knuckles brushing over Kyle's stomach. The fabric slid over Kyle's head, and then Roha was staring at him, at his bare chest, at the gold rings in his nipples catching the pink light.
"Beautiful," Roha breathed.
Kyle laughed, a little shaky. "You already said that."
"I will say it again."
Roha's mouth found his nipple, tongue flicking over the ring, and Kyle's whole body jolted. "Fuck," he gasped, fingers tangling in Roha's long hair. "Yeah, that's, that's good."
Roha took the hint, mouth working over the sensitive skin, teeth grazing just enough to make Kyle arch into him. Kyle's hands fumbled at Roha's jeans, popping the button, dragging the zipper down. He pushed them down Roha's hips, and Roha stepped out of them, left in nothing but black briefs that did nothing to hide how hard he was.
Kyle dropped to his knees without thinking. He hooked his fingers in the waistband of those briefs and pulled them down, and Roha sprang free, thick and heavy, already flushed dark. Kyle wrapped his hand around the base and stroked up slowly.
"This okay?" he asked, looking up.
Roha's head fell back. "Yes. Yes, it is okay."
Kyle leaned in and took the head into his mouth, tongue swirling, and Roha made a sound that was almost a cry. His hand found Kyle's hair, gripping, not pushing, just holding on.
Kyle worked him slow, taking him deeper inch by inch, until his nose brushed the dark hair at the base. He pulled off with a wet sound, stroking as he caught his breath. "You taste amazing."
"I have never," Roha said, voice wrecked. "I have never felt anything like this."
Kyle stood and pushed his own shorts down, kicking them off. He was hard, leaking, and he took Roha's hand and pulled him toward the bed. "Lie down."
Roha went, stretching out on the sheets like he was offering himself up. Kyle climbed over him, straddling his hips, and there was a long moment where they just looked at each other. Pink light, warm skin, the smell of sweat and salt and something electric.
"I want you inside me," Kyle said plainly.
Roha's jaw tightened. "I do not know how."
"I'll guide you." Kyle leaned down and kissed him, soft and reassuring. "You'll be fine. It's gonna feel good for both of us."
He reached over to the nightstand, fumbled in the drawer, and came up with a bottle of lube and a condom. Roha watched him open the lube, watched Kyle slick his own fingers and reach behind himself, his eyes tracking the movement with pure intensity.
Kyle worked his fingers in, slow, breathing through it, until he was open enough. He tore the condom wrapper with his teeth and rolled it down Roha's length, slicking him up. Then he lined himself up and sank down.
"Oh, fuck," Kyle gasped, nails digging into Roha's chest as he took him inch by inch. "God, you're so thick."
Roha's hands gripped Kyle's hips, hard enough to bruise. "You feel," he started, and stopped, voice cracking. "You feel incredible."
Kyle rode him slow at first, finding the rhythm, and Roha's eyes stayed locked on his face like he was memorizing every expression. Kyle leaned forward, changing the angle, and hit the spot that made his vision go white.
"Right there, fuck, right there, don't stop."
Roha didn't stop. He thrust up to meet Kyle's movements, learning his body fast, and Kyle was sweating, gasping, taking him deeper with every roll of his hips. The room filled with wet sounds and Kyle's filthy praise, between moans and Roha's rough breathing.
"Look at me," Roha said, and Kyle did. "You are beautiful. I want this forever."
Kyle couldn't answer, his mouth open, his body trembling on the edge. He choked out, "Close, I'm close," and Roha's hand found his cock, stroking him fast and tight, and Kyle came with a cry, painting Roha's stomach. Roha thrust up twice more and went rigid beneath him, a guttural sound tearing from his throat.
They lay tangled afterward, Kyle draped across Roha's chest, both of them breathing hard. Kyle pressed a lazy kiss to Roha's shoulder. "That was..."
"Yes," Roha agreed, softer than Kyle had ever heard him.
Kyle laughed, drowsy, and settled against him. Roha's arm came around him, and Kyle felt the steady thump of Roha's heart under his ear. He was asleep almost instantly, face slack and peaceful under the pink light.
Roha stayed awake. He watched Kyle breathe, the rise and fall of his chest, the flutter of his lashes. He ran a hand through Kyle's pink hair, then touched his own wrist, the heavy gold band there.
In the morning, he would tell him. He had to. Kyle deserved to know the truth before he made his last wish. But for now, he held Kyle close and let himself have this one night, pretending it could last.