they don't burn up in the sky but they can dazzle or delight (OPEN)

[doublethepain]

It takes a couple hours before he realizes that he probably shouldn't have volunteered for inventory duty at the library the same morning he'd gotten the splints off his fingers. It still feels strange, having his left hand finally free and clear, and he's been carefully flexing his hand since he'd left the hospital with regular exercises he's supposed to strengthen it again. There's still an ache in the three fingers that had been broken, or at least he thinks there is; but every time his boss notices the faraway look on his face when he should really be notating any books in poor condition.

"I'm fine, John," he says, arching an eyebrow though there's a smile that plays at the corners of his lips. "For the eighteenth time."

"It's a holiday, you should be with your boyfriend," John grumbles, and Spencer rolls his eyes because that's rich coming from a man with a wife and daughter.

He feels his phone vibrate in his back pocket and knows who it is before looking, though his smile only widens when he sees that it is, indeed, Joel. "I'm going to take a break," he announces, clapping John on the back--a gesture reserved for the only man who's ever come close to being a father figure to him--as he starts backwards toward the break room while furiously tapping at his phone to write his reply. He's distracted once he reaches the kitchen, reaching into the cabinet and grabbing a bowl of ramen as he wanders over to the microwave. He sets his phone down, smiling to himself as he just stands there for a moment, thinking about how good things are in his love life right now. It's unlike anything he's ever experienced and he puts the ramen bowl into he microwave without thinking, setting the time for three minutes from now and looking back down at his phone as the screen brightens with a new text. John calls for him then from the shelves and he shouts that he's on his way, snatching his phone from the counter and leaving the microwave running as he heads back out to meet his boss.

Half a minute later, he's got an armful of books but when they hear it, a pop from the break room followed by a quick booming noise, it makes the pair exchange a startled glance before they both drop the books in their arms and run to see what had happened. There's smoke billowing from the microwave and a fire is lit up inside, and Spencer's jaw drops as it clicks immediately. He hadn't even broken the seal on the ramen bowl, hadn't filled it with water or anything, he'd just let it... "Ohhhh, no," he groans, rubbing at his temple and to put salt in the wound, the world deems it necessary for the smoke to trigger the fire alarm.

It's not even a surprise when the sprinklers go off but at least it's centralized to the break room. He and John stand there for a moment, already soaked by the sprinklers, but when the sirens sound from outside, John drops his head and sighs. "Well, kid," he starts, and Spencer is relieved to see that when John looks back up, there's an amused smile on his face, "I guess we weren't going to be able to get through the Fourth of July without a few fireworks."

The paramedics and firefighters seem almost disappointed when Spencer explains what had happened, but they've attracted a crowd. It's a slow emergency day for the town, Spencer suspects, as awful as that may sound. He wanders away from the ambulance, hands shoved in his pockets as he observes the chatter of the gawking spectators around them and shakes his head.

"Surely there's something better that everyone could be doing."



[OOC: tl;dr Spencer accidentally blew up the library's break room and now there's a crowd, an ambulance, and a fire truck outside the building. Feel free to stop by and tell him he's an idiot. A very cute idiot.]

Comments

[just_another]

Joel flushes faintly and squirms with pleasure, looking down at his plate before he takes a bite and yes, it's definitely good, he's always been a fairly good cook, but the fact that Spencer seems to be enjoying it so much makes him happier than he thought possible. It's just that doing anything for Spencer makes him happy. Any reason to make Spencer smile is a good one and any time he accomplishes the task, he feels especially pleased with himself in ways he'd never known he would ever feel. It's a strange thought for him, doing something specifically for someone else. He's never been a particularly generous person, he's never cared much for worrying about what other people think or going out of his way to make them happy, but this is so different. Everything with Spencer is different.

"It does feel right," he agrees and even when he'd been so nervous he thought he might throw up, even when the very thought of touching Spencer was enough to send a thrill through him, even when he considered rubbing the tip of his finger along the outer edge of Spencer's hand to be the most daring thing he was capable of, it had felt right. He's never been one to stray from his comfort zone, but even with sweating palms and a racing heart and a throat so dry he would swear it was made of sandpaper, even terrified and uncomfortable, it had felt right.

"And if all I have to do is cook to keep you this happy, that's easy," he teases a second later, pointing at Spencer with his fork. "I'm good at cooking. And if there's anything else you want kept on the table when it comes to pleasing you, just... let me know." He's secretly a little thrilled that he's managed to say something like that when he's usually so poor at coming up with anything flirtatious or suggestive. He wants to be able to flirt openly with Spencer, to tease him when they're in public together, especially when Spencer is so much better at it than he would have thought, but it's just not his strong point. When he gets it right, like he thinks he did just now, he can't help but be pleased and just a little proud of himself, which he's sure is evident in his expression that he's doing a poor job of hiding.

"On the table," he repeats, then laughs to himself, far too pleased by his own innuendo. "It's a good, sturdy table."

[doublethepain]

Spencer's got a forkful of shepherd's pie halfway to his mouth when Joel says it, and it takes all of his self-control not to let the fork fall straight to the table. He blinks before lifting his eyes to meet his boyfriend's gaze, one eyebrow arched and a slow smirk creeping across his face. "I hope that's true," he answers, leaning back in his chair as he carefully sets the fork down, "because I don't intend to let you say things like that without demanding follow-through."

He wets his lips, looking down at the table with some consideration as he imagines what it would be like to sweep all the dishes and glasses to the floor to make room for himself. He nearly lets out a strangled moan and really, if Joel had wanted to feed him, letting Spencer take just a couple bites before putting the image of having sex right where they're eating is no way to go about it. He shifts in his seat because the thoughts are awfully difficult to get push aside. He can see the muscles working in Joel's back and shoulders, can practically feel Joel pushing inside him, pounding him against the table while Spencer grips the edges tight enough to hurt just to keep from coming too soon.

He looks down and realizes that's exactly what he's doing with one hand right now, his knuckles white, and he rubs his other hand over his face before shaking his head and nudging Joel's foot with his own. "The perfect man but also a menace," he says, though his tone is teasing and affection, and the smile shows that he doesn't actually mind one bit. "How am I supposed to do anything if I'm just picturing you naked every time I look at a table?"

[just_another]

Given the amazing hold Spencer has over him, just how easy it is for him to say the right word or give the right look and reduce Joel to a complete mess, he's awfully pleased with himself right now and he shifts back and forth in his chair, looking down at his food as he takes another bite. Although he's attempting to look like he still has himself together, like he's the one in control now, the truth is that Joel rarely feels like he has any sort of control around Spencer. He knows he'd do anything for him, not only to keep him safe, but anything he asked for even in passing. Any favour, big or small, Joel would do it in a second, and he's pretending to be the one in charge right now, but having just mentioned the table is more than enough to distract him from everything else. The idea of taking Spencer on the table is extremely appealing, bending him over the edge, his arm wrapped around his waist, fingers digging into his hips, maybe one hand sliding up the centre of his back.

When Spencer nudges his foot, he grins and nudges back, rubbing his toes against the curve of Spencer's ankle. "You're going to picture me naked when you look at any table?" he asks before he pauses to take a sip of his drink, then nods thoughtfully. "I can see how that might become a problem." He's still flushed as he speaks, still not used to saying such things, but the more he says, the bolder he becomes. Spencer is responding favourably anyway, it's not as if he looks embarrassed or ashamed or clearly wants Joel to stop talking and the knowledge that he can maybe do to Spencer what Spencer does to him with just a look pleases him.

"I was thinking specifically this table," he says thoughtfully, smoothing one palm over it as his foot rubs against Spencer's again. "I had to build it up here. It would have been too heavy to get up the stairs otherwise." And it may not be the most ornate table in the world, but it's heavy and sturdy and is exactly what Joel wanted when he set out to build it, and although he had never expected to be thinking about having sex with his amazing boyfriend on top of it, it's certainly the right kind of table for it. "But if you're thinking about any table... well, there's the one downstairs in the store. There are a lot of tables in the library." His gaze flicks up and he grins. "Even a few in the quiet corners."

[doublethepain]

"I'll picture you naked more often than that," Spencer corrects, and he can see the blush on Joel's cheeks even when shielded by the beard, and it's somehow all the more appealing. The fact that Joel is trying--and very well succeeding, Spencer might add--is undeniably sexy, as is the thought that won't leave his mind now of having sex in all the places Joel is listing and he almost growls at the images that keep flashing by far too quickly. Down in the store, at the library, in the kitchen, in Spencer's living room, all of them are possibilities that he thinks should very much become realities sooner than later because Joel is being terribly wicked right now and Spencer isn't surprised to find that he loves it.

His voice cracks a bit when he attempts to speak but he doesn't care, he can't be bothered to be embarrassed about it when his boyfriend is saying things like this to him and Joel's foot is rubbing so gently against his own, and he stuffs another bite of shepherd's pie in his mouth before he tries again.

"Is this revenge for the popsicles?" he asks, the slightest hint of teasing in his tone. He can't talk, really. He's growing steadily aroused the more he hears Joel discussing sex and tables in the same sentence, and he really is getting closer to shoving everything off the table and letting Joel practice what he's preaching. He bites down on his lip and lets his eyes travel to where Joel has his palm laid out on the table and shakes his head with a heavy, dramatic sigh. "If it is revenge, I'd like to remind you that I followed through on my teasing."

He's being facetious, though he really wouldn't mind having Joel bend him over this particular table right now, and he reaches out to cover Joel's hand with his own. Whether or not they have sex tonight, whether or not it's on this table, it doesn't matter to Spencer because he knows they're always going to be another day. Joel isn't going anywhere, he's proven that time and time again, and Spencer's smile softens as he thinks about how angry Joel had been about Eli earlier. It seems like so long ago now, so far removed because of how playful they're being, but it means more than Spencer knows how to say that Joel is so willing to defend him. Nobody's done that for him since his own brother.

He wants to keep the mood light, especially when Joel looks so beautifully smug about the way Spencer's pants are obviously tighter than they had been just a minute ago, and he scoots his chair bit by bit until he's closer to Joel. "I have to admit, having your hands all over me while I'm laid out on something that was built by your hands sounds awfully appealing."

[just_another]

At the mention of the popsicles, Joel makes a soft, strangled noise in his throat, and he looks down at his food again, shaking his head abruptly, because there's no way he'd ever want to take any kind of revenge -- even teasing -- for that, because while he'd felt like he'd been drawn as tight as a bow that day, while he'd nearly crashed his car and been certain he was going to get a speeding ticket, he'd also had more fun that day than he'd even realized he was capable of. Spencer brings that out of him, an ability to laugh and to be light, to be playful and teasing. "I don't want revenge for the popsicles," he says slowly, still looking down at his plate, still struggling to keep his smile from growing too wide. "I want a demonstration."

His gaze flicks up finally and he turns his hand over under Spencer's, curling his fingers, rubbing them against Spencer's palm. "And I have every intention of following through. I always... I always keep my word." But Spencer's words cause a shiver to ripple down his spine and he's completely distracted from his food now, distracted by Spencer's voice, the things he's saying, the very idea of pressing him down on this table, one he built by himself. He feels like his eyes are glazed over, like he's moving through something profoundly heavier than air as he pushes his plate aside and pushes up from his chair, lifting his hand to cup Spencer's face.

He's already hard, already desperate, but he wants to take this slowly. He wants to make Spencer remember every single moment of this, like he always does, and he smiles before he ducks down to press a kiss to Spencer's mouth. The food is still on the table, their glasses of iced tea and there's a part of him that just wants to sweep them aside, let them shatter on the floor, but he's still aware enough to recognize that he'll regret that at the end of the day. Instead, when he breaks the kiss, he takes their plates, turning quickly to the counter behind him to set them aside before doing the same with the glasses. Then he rounds the table, tugging Spencer out of his chair and to his feet, setting his hands on his hips as he turns them, backing Spencer up against the table.

He kisses him gently at first, tugging Spencer's lower lip between his teeth with a soft noise in his throat, urging him to sit on the edge of the table with his hands and his hips. This hadn't been his intention when bringing Spencer back here, he'd assumed they'd eat lunch and spend the afternoon together, watch the fireworks and then maybe fall into bed together, but this is more than an acceptable alternative to that plan and Joel's breath hitches with need as his hands slide up from Spencer's hips, fingertips finding the warm skin of his back.

[doublethepain]

His knee jerks up at the words and he lets out a quick hiss of pain when it makes contact with the underside of the table but he only absently rubs at the spot that smarts as he lets himself process the words again. A demonstration, that's what Joel has said he wants, and Spencer will be more than happy to give it to him. He's about to say as much when he realizes he's not quite caught up on what's happening in the present, far too stuck on the idea of showing Joel what he can do, what he does when Joel's away at work and Spencer's alone at home, to notice that Joel has already cleared the table off and is pulling him to his feet.

He's completely at Joel's disposable, he's ready to do anything Joel tells him to do, and he never feels as free as he does when he's with his boyfriend, whether it's in bed or out of bed or on this table. He widens his legs, inviting Joel to come closer as he lets his eyes slip shut at the sensation of Joel's fingertips sliding up his back. This is ecstasy, as it always is, knowing that Joel wants to touch him like this; knowing that Joel wants him at all, really, because he's never felt like he's the sort of person who could be desirable. That Joel finds him worth the effort, worth the time and care that he's put into every moment they've spent together, is something that Spencer will never take for granted.

A part of him can't believe that this is actually happening, that Joel really is going to take him on this table, and it only serves to make his cock harden even more. His moan is muffled by Joel's lips on his and lets his hands roam over Joel's back and shoulders, kneading into his muscles as he tries to find a way to make Joel feel as good as he's making Spencer feels right now. The kiss is slow, gentle, and Spencer is aching with desperation but there's always something so wonderful about taking their time because it's a reminder that this isn't the last time. They're not limited to having sex once a night, Spencer has gleefully discovered that already, and even though he's fairly certain that not getting out of these pants sooner than later will only result in disaster, he takes a breath and relaxes into Joel's arms as he imagines Joel sinking slowly into him.

"God, you're incredible," he breathes, eyes still shut as he leans his head back, exposing his neck and letting his lips part. "I'm always wanting you, the way you make me feel, I-- You just know. You're perfect."

[just_another]

He never knows what to say to that and his cheeks flush with pleasure, because there's never been another person who would have thought of Joel has anything near perfect. He knows he isn't, he knows he's still prone to sour moods, that his temper leaves something to be desired, that he's secretive and moody with other people, but these are all things he's put on over the years, things he's worn as armor and he doesn't need to wear those shields with Spencer. As long as Spencer thinks he's doing alright, as long as he doesn't have any complaints, Joel is more than happy to continue on as he has, making sure he's always making Spencer happy. He has no intention of going out of his way to be awful to anyone, but he also knows it's being with Spencer that has made it easier for him to be better to the other people in his life.

When Spencer's head falls back, Joel lets out a soft, strangled moan, leaning back enough to just look at him, to watch the way the light hits him, the long line of his neck, and he only lasts a moment before he's crowding closer, between Spencer's legs, his lips traveling the length of his neck. Joel has never given much thought to the type of person he's been attracted to over the years, but he only knows he can't possibly seem to get enough of Spencer in any way. He can't stop touching him or staring at him or tracing the long, lean lines of his body with his hands. But beyond the physical, he knows their connection is something special. He knows, at the end of the day, were they not yet having sex he'd be just as content to be sitting in the chairs on his fire escape, listening to Spencer talk about anything. He's never been so interested in a person before, he's never felt like he's learned even a fraction of what he learns with Spencer. And while he's easily the most incredibly beautiful person he's seen, he's also the smartest, too, the most interesting by far and it sends a shiver up Joel's spine to just know everything they have goes so much deeper than just their ability to turn each other on.

Though he certainly has no complaints about that either. His hand slides up under Spencer's shirt, pushing the material out of the way as he nudges him gently back on the table and ducks his head, pressing kisses to his exposed skin. "You're amazing," he murmurs against the centre of Spencer's chest before he pushes his shirt higher, his teeth grazing against his nipple as one hand slips lower, searching for his belt. "You're so... you're just..." But as always, the words escape him, and he knows the only hope he has of explaining to Spencer just how special he is lies in making him feel as good as he makes Joel feel just by looking at him the right way.

He's gotten fairly good at undoing Spencer's belt in a relatively short period of him, he thinks, and he manages it now with very limited fumbling. Then he's undoing his pants, slipping his hand into his briefs without any preamble because he needs to feel the weight of Spencer's cock in his hand right now. A low moan rumbles in his throat when his fingers wrap around Spencer's length and his eyes close briefly as his lips still and all he can seem to manage is a soft breath against Spencer's skin.

[doublethepain]

He shakes his head when Joel says he's amazing, when Joel struggles to find more to say, and it's not because he wants to deny that his boyfriend thinks these things but Spencer understands. There's very little either of them could say to properly describe what this is, how powerful it is or how utterly satisfying it is to know that they're able to make each other feel like this. The connection they have surpasses anything Spencer has ever known, it's not something he could ever have hoped to learn just by reading a book, and he continues to be in awe of the fact that he's found someone who treats him so incredibly well every second of every day, someone who never causes him to doubt how much he cares, someone who actually wants to make him happy rather than take advantage of Spencer's desire to do the same.

At the feel of Joel's hand around him, Spencer lets out a trembling whimper as his entire body shudders from the contact. He's not in much of a position to do anything other than let Joel take over, which he's more than okay with because Joel knows all the right ways to make him squirm and moan and feel so good. He wants more, always wants more, and his hips arch up in desperation so that his cock is sliding up and down Joel's fist.

This isn't how he'd imagined the evening would go--though that's not exactly true, he had imagined that they'd end up naked in bed together at some point or another but he'd expected making it through a full meal and holding hands out on the fire escape while they watched the fireworks first. He's not disappointed that the original plan is being altered, he couldn't possibly be thanks to the way Joel's touching him, because they're going to have other Fourths, they're going to share other holidays that call for fireworks together, and he loves that he can think that way. He loves that he can see so vividly see Joel involved in every aspect of his future, though he's just a tad distracted by how incredible that alone is when Joel is twisting his hand in a way that makes Spencer yelp with surprised pleasure.

His hips buck again when Joel flicks his tongue against Spencer's other nipple and Spencer reaches his arms up so he can tug at his own hair, wondering not for the first time what it would be like to be completely restrained with Joel taking over. "Do you even know what you do to me?" he groans, his hands falling against the table and grasping for something but finding nothing. "God, I'd do anything to make you feel as good as this."

[just_another]

Given how completely helpless in Spencer's hands Joel usually feels, having some semblance of the upper hand right now makes him grin against Spencer's skin and he nips softly at his ribs as he kisses lower down his torso. For a moment his free hand seems to be torn, as if he's not in charge, and then he pushes Spencer's shirt up the rest of the way, murmuring, "Off," against his skin, because even though he's still fully dressed, all he wants right now is to see Spencer spread naked on this table and then he'll decide what he wants to do with him. He's painfully hard already inside his jeans, but there's something incredibly arousing about still being dressed while he withdraws his hand from Spencer's briefs and then drags them down along with his pants, leaving him completely undressed. As he tugs off the rest of Spencer's clothes, he has to crouch, tossing his pants aside before he rises again.

His hands slide back up Spencer's thighs, smoothing over his skin as he takes a moment just to look at him, to really look at him and he knows just how lucky he is, but he never wants to forget that or take it for granted either. Then, grinning, still fully dressed, he ducks his head to press a soft kiss against Spencer's hip, his eyes closed as he hums out a groan against his skin. It's a strange sensation, taking Spencer's cock in his hand, turning his head to lick a path from base to tip when he can still feel the sleeve of his cardigan caught against his palm, the fabric rubbing against the smooth, warm skin of Spencer's cock. "You do," he says softly, because he never wants Spencer to think he doesn't make Joel feel incredible all the time, every single day, even just by looking at him. Everything he does makes Joel feel amazing.

He pushes his sleeve back, but he can't be bothered to get undressed yet, not when all he wants is to taste Spencer, to take him into his mouth and with a soft groan he does exactly that, his lips parting, his tongue swiping against the underside of Spencer's cock. This isn't something he's experience with at all, the only man he's ever gone down on is Spencer and he sometimes wonders if he's doing it properly or if he's not as good at it as Spencer is, but it's hard to worry in the moment. His fist twists around the base of Spencer's erection as he takes him deeper, his cheeks hollowing, tongue lapping at the underside, his eyes closed because it's so overwhelming and if he opens his eyes and looks at Spencer right now, he won't be able to last much longer himself.

[doublethepain]

He shivers at the way Joel says it, off, his tone somehow simultaneously firm and gentle, and as he's tossing his shirt to the side and lower himself back down on the table, his boyfriend manages to tug his pants and briefs off. He feels incredibly vulnerable like this, completely naked with his legs spread open while Joel is still completely dressed, but he's not nervous. There's nothing to be nervous about when Joel always takes such amazing care with him, always making sure that Spencer feels comfortable and safe and at ease with everything that they're doing. Joel could do anything to him, though, and Spencer knows he'd let him because he trusts his boyfriend more than he's ever trusted anyone and for that to be true both in and out of the bedroom--rather, on or off the tabletop--matters such a great deal to him.

He watches with his neck raised off the table, his eyes shining with affection and delight at the way Joel's eyes rake over his body, but he forgets that the table isn't the same as a mattress when he feels Joel's tongue against his length and drops his head back down with a loud clunk. He yelps from the pain, reaching to rub at his head just as Joel is taking him into his mouth and his hips buck in confused but pleasured surprise as he's suddenly distracted entirely by the goose egg that's forming on the back of his head.

Joel looks so beautiful like this, with his fingers wrapped around Spencer's cock and his tongue and mouth working like this is the only thing that matters. Every sensation is somehow magnified--Joel's tongue lapping at him, Joel's sweater grazing his shift, everything--by the knowledge that Joel is entirely in control here, that Joel is the one who is going to decide how quickly they move and in what direction and how long it will take before he lets Spencer see him naked. He's dizzy with want and need and he can feel the familiar haze taking over as he blinks lazily and glassy-eyed at the ceiling as Joel takes him deeper into his mouth and makes him moan.

"Feels so good," he murmurs, trying not to arch his hips too much because he doesn't want to take this over, he wants to let Joel stay in charge because he's loved every second of it so far and doesn't want to lose that feeling of being even gently dominated by his boyfriend. "God, baby, you always know how to make me feel so good."

[just_another]

Joel almost laughs when Spencer yelps, because he's heard the thunk of his head against the wood and he knows he shouldn't laugh, he should check to make sure he's okay, but he already has Spencer's cock between his lips. He's already taking him deeper, his tongue pressed flat against the underside of him for a moment before he pulls back enough to experimentally flick his tongue against Spencer's length, knowing Spencer has done something similar to him, knowing it's felt absolutely amazing and that's really the only thing he wants. There's no pretending he's not equally as aroused, that being with Spencer doesn't make him feel incredible, that the connection between them isn't the best he's ever felt and the release he's experienced with Spencer has been far more satisfying than any he's ever had before. But his primary focus, especially right now, is making Spencer feel good.

He still has one hand wrapped around Spencer's cock to help him, because he's never done this, he's not sure how deep he can actually take Spencer into his mouth and although he tries, having his hand there helps. The other is gripping Spencer's hip hard and it takes Joel a second to be able to loosen his hold, to slide his fingers teasingly down the crease of Spencer's thigh, between his legs, and he's careful now, the lube still across the room, but as he laps at the head of Spencer's cock, he presses one finger against him, rubbing teasingly, not wanting to push inside him, but just remind him of what's yet to come.

Except Joel isn't sure that's such a good idea, not when he can feel his own erection straining against his jeans and he's so hard it hurts. He's nearing a point of desperation, nearing the point where he'll need to get undressed because as much fun as he's finding it to be at least a little bit in charge, Spencer still has all the power. All he has to do is twist on the table or murmur Joel's name or say something like that, tell him how good it feels, call him baby, and Joel knows he'd do anything Spencer asked of him in a second.

"Tell me what you want," he gasps, pulling back enough to say it, his breathing puffing over the head of Spencer's cock as he speaks. "Tell me exactly what you want, I'll do anything." All semblance of his dominance is gone the second he says it, but he doesn't care. Having Spencer know he's the one in control doesn't bother Joel at all, not when he's blinded by affection and desire and the need to please Spencer, knowing the pleasure he'll derive from it in return.

[doublethepain]

He nearly sobs at the question because it means his cock isn't in his boyfriend's mouth anymore. He's been writhing on the table at every touch, already having let out a strangled moan when Joel had teased a finger over his ass before so very cruelly pulling it back. Joel asks him what he wants, but Spencer can't even form coherent sentences right now much less find it in himself to be able to prop himself up on his elbows like he wants to and run down the extensive list of everything he would love for Joel to do to him.

"Y-you, everything, you." It's all he can muster and he running a hand through over his sweat-sheened forehead before dragging it through his hair, tugging it so it sticks up at odd angles before he finally looks down the length of his body to find Joel's eyes on him. His boyfriend's lips are pink and puffed and his cheeks are flushed, and Spencer can only imagine what he looks like himself. He does know, though, that the only way he's getting up from this table is if Joel picks him up himself to flip and bend Spencer over the edge.

He wets his lips with his tongue, his breaths shallow as he reaches down with one hand to stroke himself, eyes rolling to the back of his head just briefly before he's able to bring himself back and watches Joel's face as he continues to pump his length through his own fist. He tightens his hold on himself, if only in an effort to keep himself from coming, and spreads his legs wider, making sure he doesn't break Joel's gaze. Joel's lips are still close enough to brush against his cock and Spencer rolls his hips just to feel the contact, even though it's not enough friction and he needs more, always needs more when it comes to this man.

But Joel is waiting for a real answer, it seems, and he can't possibly know just how much Spencer wants him all the time, how much he turns Spencer on with just a look or the slighest of touches or with the words that comes out of his mouth. Spencer is putty in Joel's hands, pliable in any and every way, and to be asked now what he wants is practically impossible to answer but he takes a deep breath so that he can try.

"I-- I want you to turn me over," he says slowly, carefully, deliberately. He's already stuttered over his words but he tries not to waver again. "I want you to bend me over this table and take me like that. I want to feel every inch of you inside of me, I want you to be as gentle or as rough as you want, I just want you." He swallows hard, his heart racing in anticipation of what Joel will say even though there's no doubt in his mind that his boyfriend will agree without hesitation. Still, he narrows his eyes for a moment before speaking again. "Is that-- Would that be okay?"

[just_another]

It's so hard for him to retain any semblance of self control when Spencer touches himself, when he spreads his legs, and Joel groans softly at the sight, knowing he's never seen anything this incredible. He could just watch this, he realizes, he could be completely satisfied just watching Spencer touch himself, but not today. Another time, another day when he'd had time to prepare himself for not getting to touch him -- not at first, anyway -- but not now, not when Spencer looks so completely ruined already and not when he's asking Joel to turn him over on the table.

He stands again, running his hands over Spencer's thighs, and even though it's uncomfortable to do so, he stays dressed as he steps back, nodding his agreement absently. Spencer asks if it's okay and he knows he should answer, but he's so caught up in the idea of turning him over and taking him from behind that he's not sure he could speak if he tried, so he only nods, his lower lip caught between his teeth. Then he takes a few steps away from the table, walking backwards toward his bed and the bedside table, and he doesn't want to take his eyes off Spencer, but he has to eventually after pawing blindly for the drawer. Wrenching it open, he grabs the bottle of lube, then crosses his apartment again, grateful for the fact that it's really not all that big a space, because he's not sure he could stand to be away from Spencer for longer than a few seconds.

He sets the bottle down on the table, then leans down, wrapping his arms around Spencer, dragging him upright. Pressing close, Joel kisses him deeply, his teeth grazing Spencer's lower lip, the kiss possessive and slightly more aggressive than he usually lets himself be, using teeth and tongue, breathing hard into Spencer's mouth. "I'll do anything you want," he groans, kissing Spencer again, biting his lower lip, tugging it gently between his teeth before he abruptly lets go. His hands fall to Spencer's hips and he turns him, surprised all over again by how good this feels even with his clothes on.

Spencer's a little bit taller than he is, but not by a lot and it works, it works just fine as Joel's hands roam over his body. He presses up tight against his back, rubbing his hips against Spencer from behind, the outline of his cock hard through his jeans. It makes him think of the first time he'd brought Spencer into the room downstairs, the way he'd wrapped his arms around him from behind as he'd worked on the potion and even at the time he'd loved how that had felt.

With a soft moan, his tongue sweeps against the skin just behind Spencer's ear and Joel lets go of him with one hand, pulling back a little, reaching down and tugging the hem of his cardigan and t-shirt up at the same time. Then he presses back against him and as much as he'd liked the feeling of still being dressed while Spencer was completely naked, he loves the press of warm skin against his even more. A shuddering groan escapes as he grinds his hips forward, rubbing himself against Spencer's ass, enjoying the feeling of driving himself crazy more than he ever thought he would.

[doublethepain]

Finally feeling the warmth of Joel's bare chest against his back is nearly enough to tip him over the edge. He shifts so his body bends just slightly, not even to have to grip the table yet, grinding his ass harder against Joel erection, moaning at the feel of the jeans on his skin. His boyfriend is being a tease, even if he doesn't realize it and even if he's not doing it on purpose, but Spencer can't deny that he's finding it to be effective. To be turned over like this, denied a full view of his boyfriend half-naked, is torturous as it is and it will be the first time he won't be able to watch Joel enter his full length into his ass. It's all in the ancitipation right now and it sends a shiver down his spine as goosebumps rise on the back of his neck, on his side and thighs and anywhere else Joel is touching him.

He arches his back, looking over his shoulder because he needs to see Joel's face if nothing else, and eyes the bottle of lube that had been set on the table before moaning needily. They can take their time, whatever Joel wants to do is more than fine with him, but he supposes that doesn't mean he can't at least nudge them closer to the direction they're already headed.

There's something incredibly vulernable about being the only one naked between the two of them, about surrendering himself to act only as Joel cues him to, and he lets out a long exhale as he tilts his head back so that it's resting on Joel's shoulder. He reaches one arm back to extend around Joel's waist, letting his hand come to a rest on his boyfriend's ass and using other to guide one of Joel's hands down his chest, laying it flat against his skin just below his navel.

The silence between them is charged, the words aren't necessary right now because they both know what the other is feeling and it's not just arousal, it's not just the heat between their bodies or the ache of their cocks, it's more than that. It's trust, it's understanding, it's a deep-rooted sense of affection that connects them in ways Spencer had never known to be possible. He tilts his head to the side to press his lips against Joel's cheek, soft and sweet as he smiles.

They could stay like this, he thinks, as fully exposed as he is and Joel isn't, they could stay like this. He's content in Joel's arms, content and happy and safe; there's nowhere else he'd rather be.

[just_another]

There's something about the way Spencer's body arches, the way he tilts his head back and uses his hand to slide Joel's down his chest that nearly drives Joel out of his mind and he lets out a long, shuddering breath against Spencer's shoulder. It's not as though he has a wealth of experience behind him, but even so, there are times when he's shocked by the way Spencer makes him feel. He can turn Joel on with the right look, the right shift of his body, the right word, and Joel has never understood that being with another person could ever be like this. It's not the sort of thing that happens with just anyone, he knows that, it's rare and it's special and that they can go from this to curled up in bed with books in their hands just drives home how badly he wants to keep this. The idea of having this with Spencer, the idea of meeting him and developing this relationship and then losing it makes him feel like his chest is empty, and he promises himself, as he does daily, that he won't let himself ruin this.

"You're so... god, Spencer, you're beautiful," he murmurs, pressing kisses to his shoulder as he drops his other hand between their bodies, pulling his hips back long enough to undo his jeans. It had been fun for awhile, but now he's so hard it hurts to be confined in his briefs, and all he wants is to be able to feel Spencer's skin with every bit of him. And it's more than that, it's more than just being beautiful, because this town is full of beautiful people and he's even had one or two of them express interest in him over the years. It's so much more than that, but Spencer is incredible, too, and although Joel's pressed too tightly against him to really see, he knows. Kicking his jeans off, he presses against Spencer's back again, both his hands roaming over him now and he knows the flex and shift of muscles in Spencer's back against his chest, he knows the familiar edges of his narrow hips, he knows his long, slim hands, and Joel has to choke back another moan as he realizes just how well-known Spencer's body has become to him over the past few weeks.

Grinding his hips forward, he can't help the way his entire body shudders as his cock slides along Spencer's ass. He's never done this before, never in this position, never somewhere other than a bed or couch, and he's a little nervous, but he's excited, too. Spencer makes him want to try all sorts of things he's never done before. Spencer makes him want to try.

One hand slides down the front of Spencer's body, the blunt tips of his fingers dragging against his skin before he takes Spencer's cock in his hand again. Still pressing kisses to his shoulder and his neck and anywhere he can reach, Joel's other hand stretches out, taking hold of the bottle of lube and he knows he's going to end up spilling some, but he doesn't want to draw away and he doesn't want to take his hand off Spencer. He nearly drops the bottle twice, but ends up coating his fingers before finally setting it right again and then he pulls his hips back, replacing the head of his cock with his fingers, dragging them down Spencer's ass in a teasing way. He's grinning against his shoulder, he realizes, his teeth pressed lightly to his skin as he rubs at him gently and then twists his finger, pressing one inside Spencer with a muffled groan. It's gotten easier over the past few weeks, but he still takes care to go slowly, to not hurt him. He only ever wants this to be good.

[doublethepain]

There's something to be said about not knowing exactly what's going to happen next, not being able to gauge what Joel's next move is going to be by the expression on his face. He gasps with pleasured surprise when he feels the finger slip into him, already past the knuckle, and Spencer loves that Joel is still so careful with him. It's a good way to drive Spencer madder with want, to be sure, but knowing that his boyfriend is always thinking about his comfort, making sure that they don't rush just because they're both so desperate for more, only serves to deepen his trust. This has never been just about sex, every time they're intimate is another experience for them to share, another moment that brings them closer together.

They've never been intimate like this before, though, and though Joel's hands are so familiar to him by now, it's a whole new way of feeling those hands on him. As Joel starts to push his finger in and out of Spencer's ass, he tugs gently on his cock, and Spence lets out a ragged moan. His knees are already threatening to buckle beneath him, and he leans forward to grip the table, changing the angle of the way Joel presses his finger into him, and it makes him arch his back as he gasps for breath.

He can feel his body flushing all over again when a second finger enters him, and he looks back over his shoulder so he can see what his boyfriend looks like right now, see the expression on Joel's face because he's so used to seeing it above him or below him but behind him is something different entirely. His hips jerk and Joel's grip is firm enough around his cock to make the thrust count. "God, you--" He lets out a breathless laugh, void of humor but full of arousal, and makes sure he meets Joel's eyes. "I can't wait to feel you inside of me."

[just_another]

Every single time Spencer moves or gasps or shifts the angle he's at, Joel's convinced that will be the most incredible thing he ever sees, but then Spencer does it again, then he leans down to grip the table and Joel is watching the expanse of his back spread out in front of him, he's watching his fingers disappearing inside of him, he's watching the way Spencer's body presses back toward him with need, the way his back arches and everything else fades away. He's perfect, he's incredible, and Joel's breath and words are both caught somewhere in his chest as he thrusts his fingers deeper into Spencer before adding a third, filling him, preparing him, because as soon as Spencer tells him he can't wait to feel him inside, Joel knows he isn't going to be able to wait much longer at all.

He looks up and catches Spencer's gaze and for a moment all he can do is hold it, all he can do is watch and he wonders what it looks like for Spencer, what it feels like. His fingers don't still, he twists them, pumping them deeper as his teeth press into his lower lip, as his other hand still strokes Spencer's cock. He's crowding closer already, desperate and needy, and he's relieved that Spencer's body is adjusting to him, that it's easier to thrust his fingers into him, because he's impatient.

Drawing back, even though everything in him is shouting at him to press closer, to get deeper inside Spencer, to drag their bodies together until they're pressed together everywhere he can reach. He fumbles for the bottle on the table one-handed, then ducks his head to press a kiss to the centre of Spencer's back before he reluctantly unwraps his fingers from around his cock and spills enough lube in his hand to coat himself. Although he loves looking at Spencer, loves seeing his face, as Joel presses back up against him, the head of his cock nudging against Spencer's ass, he can see the appeal of this as well. He can guide himself carefully into Spencer with one hand and the other, still slippery with lube, can reach around, slicking Spencer's cock, gliding over the warm weight of him. He can pull Spencer upright if he wants to and let him lean against his chest or he can leave him as he is, bent over the table, Joel standing beside him. His hips roll, his cock sliding deeper into Spencer's body and a low groan rumbles deep in his chest. "Spencer," he breathes and he knows he's terrible with words at the best of times, but like this, it's like he can't find a single thing to say that isn't Spencer's name.

[doublethepain]

The rest of the world seems to melt away in the moment Joel enters him and reaches around to take hold of his cock all at once. The quick prep helped well enough but Spencer is still tight around Joel's cock, and he loves it, loves the pressure he feels as his boyfriend fills him, pushes deeper and deeper inside of him. His entire body is tingling with pleasure and it won't stop, he hopes it never stops, and wishes he could kiss Joel right now but he can just barely keep himself standing. His grip on the edge of the table is tight enough to turn his knuckles white.

The sound of his name on Joel's lips makes him moan, and he'll never get enough of the way Joel says it when they're being intimate. Because this is intimate, it's not impersonal just because they're not facing each other; Spencer thinks, in fact, that it takes a great deal of trust to leave nearly everything in Joel's hands, to hand over control to the other man because Spencer doesn't know what to expect or when to expect it. All he knows is that Joel would never do anything to hurt him and that's enough. It's always going to be enough.

He whimpers when he feels Joel slide nearly all the way out before thrusting back into him, gasping at the sound of skin against skin, and that's when he hears the first crack of the fireworks outside. Something about it makes him laugh, not because anything's particularly funny but because they'd gone from spending their first holiday together prepared to watch the fireworks to having sex over Joel's dining table. The laugh quickly fades into another moan as he starts to move his hips in time with Joel's and every time Joel's cock enters him again, it means Spencer's cock pumps into his boyfriend's fist. There's no shortage of sensory overload here, and Spencer wishes it could last all night--not that they can't do this again later in the evening anyway--but between Joel's cock buried in his ass and Spencer's cock being stroked by Joel's firm grip, he's already nearing the edge.

"God, Joel." It's not exactly eloquent but it's all he can come up with between the breaths that have shortened into quick panting now as he tries to encourage Joel to quicken his pace, to not hold back because Spencer wants all of him, wants Joel to know that Spencer is his and only his, and he lays his chest flat on the table so he's practically at a ninety-degree angle, nearly letting out a sob when Joel's cock pumps into him and lands just in the right place. "Joel, please... Please..." He has no idea what he's pleading for, just knows that he needs Joel to keep going, keep thrusting, and a pleasured grin curves at his lips as he reaches his arms out to graps the opposite edge of the table and push his ass back onto Joel's cock in earnest.

[just_another]

He's incredible.

It's the only thought Joel is capable of having as Spencer lays himself out on the table, as he grips the other side and pushes back. The long lines of his body against the dark wood of the table, the grin that's curving his mouth, the way his profile looks in this light; he's absolutely incredible and Joel has to bite back a sob at the sound of skin against skin. His free hand smooths up the centre of Spencer's back before it roams back down again, grasping his hip tightly, helping him as best he can, but Joel's legs feel shaky already and it's all he can do to keep himself standing as he thrusts into Spencer, stroking his cock at the same time. There's no rhythm, not now, and he wishes he was more coherent, that he could take his time with this and with Spencer, but they have the entire night spread out ahead of them, too.

He can hear the fireworks as well, though he only dimly registers them, his entire focus brought down to this single sensation, the feeling of being inside Spencer, the warmth and tightness of his body around Joel's cock. It's so good, it's better than anything he's ever known and his hand twists around Spencer, grateful for the lube that makes it easier for his grip to slide, for him to move his hand in at least some of the ways he's come to learn that Spencer enjoys and it's that thought that sends him careening toward the edge.

It's only been a week since their fist time, but he's already learning Spencer's body, the same way Spencer is learning his. There's no disappointment that comes with discovering certain parts of Spencer have become familiar to him, only a deep, low burn of pleasure in his belly when he realizes how well they're going to get to know each other. It's already more than he's ever imagined, more than he's ever possibly hoped for, and to know it's going to continue, that it will get better, that one day, he'll know exactly the right touch or the right word to lead them to this very position within moments is exciting. He wants that. He wants something so deep they'll know each other better than they really knows themselves.

The next groaning sob escapes him as he thrusts forward harder, burying himself inside Spencer, spilling into his body as he whispers his name over and over again. His head drops for a moment, but he forces it back up again because he wants to watch. He wants to see Spencer pressing back against him, he wants to see the way his muscles quiver when he comes, and Joel's hips are rolling lazily now, half-time to the speed they'd picked up earlier, but he's still stroking his hand over Spencer's cock, his grip firm, his thumb flicking against the head as his hand smooths up and over the curve of his ass.

[doublethepain]

He wishes he could do more than moan to make Joel understand just how amazing this feels. As much as he loves to be facing his boyfriend when they're having sex, this is a whole new experience of practically losing that ability, of having just a partial view of what Joel looks likes behind him. When Joel pounds into him that much deeper, that much harder, Spencer gives up entirely and drops his head to give in to sensations of his boyfriend's strong hand traveling up and down his body, raking over his back and gripping his hip, while the other is relentless in pumping Spencer's length. He's close, he's tightening around Joel's cock with very thrust, and he shuts his eyes tight so that the rest the world is shut out--the apartment, the fireworks, everything, they all disappear and it's just him and Joel.

He hears every hitch of breath between them, every slap of skin and creak of the wood beneath him, and he nearly cries out when he finally feels it. Joel's release fills him, he feels the sudden warmth spreading inside of him, and his hands weakly scrape at the table as his jaw slackens. He's not too far behind, jerking his hips forward so that he gets a few more good pumps over his cock before he's pulsing into Joel's hand.

He loves this, loves it when Joel comes inside of him because it just feel so incredibly intimate. It's something he wouldn't let anybody else do, and he remembers the silent agreement they'd come to during their first time that neither of them wanted to use condoms. Neither of them had said anything, they hadn't discussed it in advance, but they'd both just known. Spencer is willing to give all of himself to Joel, open himself up completely, and he doesn't want a single layer of anything between them.

Joel's grip loosens over his cock, but Spencer is still laid out over the table with his knees nearly buckling but riding out his orgasm as he takes quiet and satisfied pleasure in the way Joel's palm feels over his ass. "God, you're good at this," he says, though it comes out in one long sigh, and he follows it with a sheepish laugh as he turns his head to rest his cheek on the table so he can try to get a better view of his boyfriend as he slowly pulls out--much to Spencer's dismay, as always. "I'm afraid you've rendered me absolutely useless. You're going to have to carry me to the bed."

[just_another]

"Okay," Joel murmurs and although he's only partly hearing Spencer's words, he still registers them and he will, if he has to, he'll carry Spencer to bed where he'll wrap himself around his boyfriend, where he'll tug Spencer down on top of him and fall asleep. Or, if he's lucky and if his body decides to cooperate, where he'll be able to kiss and touch Spencer until they're both hard again, until he can take Spencer into his mouth, until he can do any number of the wonderful things he wants to be able to do to Spencer, but at the moment they're all just a little too far beyond him. Even moving is difficult and he shifts on shaking legs, testing them out before he reluctantly releases Spencer's hip, before he takes a cautious step away, then smiles and holds his hands out toward Spencer.

They've just had sex on his table, the one Joel built nearly eight years ago, cursing and sweating in this very spot. It's just a table, but it's something he built on his own, with his hands, and having pressed Spencer down against the aged wood as he thrust into him is a strangely amazing feeling. Then again, that might have little to do with the table itself and everything to do with the man. Spencer makes him feel things he never would have thought he was even capable of and even though it's several moments since Spencer has said he's good at this, Joel only really registers it now and as he takes his boyfriend's hands and tugs him close, he smiles.

"I think you make me good at this," he murmurs, wrapping his arms around Spencer, and he doesn't know if Spencer genuinely requires help getting to the bed, but Joel is more than happy to supply it either way. He begins to walk backwards slowly, taking Spencer with him, and they're really only a few feet from the bed anyway. Once they're there, he turns them so Spencer's back is to the bed, then nudges him down onto the mattress gently before crawling up beside him, stretched out on his side with his arm pillowing his head. There's a window just on the other side of the bed and he glances over to it, just barely able to see the fireworks from between buildings.

"It's not as good at it would be on the fire escape, but..." He trails off and then points, ducking his head so Spencer can see what remains of the fireworks going off on the boardwalk. A little part of him wishes they'd still gone out on the, that they were sitting in the chairs now, but there will be other holidays, other celebrations, and he thinks what's most important, what really counts is that they're here together. There's genuinely no place he wouldn't go if it meant to two of them were together.

[doublethepain]

Joel could lead him anywhere right now and Spencer would mindlessly follow. As it turns out, it's just to the bed that he finds himself being lowered onto, and he's relieved that his boyfriend and taken him by the hand because Spencer's fairly certain he really would have needed Joel to carry him under any other circumstances. It's not just the sex that has him so weak at the knees, though it's not exactly unhelpful; it's knowing how perfectly content he could never bee with anyone else.

"'Not as good'?" he repeats, and he hasn't got enough energy to actually sounds as incredulous as he feels but Spencer shakes his head before pressing a kiss to the crown of Joel's as he lifts his eyes to view the fireworks. It's a lovely show, it really is, but it wouldn't be of any interest to him if he'd spent the holiday alone like he has the past couple years. "It's perfect from right here."

How could he want to be anywhere else? He knows they would still be having an amazing time if they'd managed to make it to the fire escape, if they'd simply finished dinner and moved on to having dessert outside, but they've shared something so incredible in here. To let Joel do this to him, to let his boyfriend take control as he'd basically prostrated himself over a table that means more than just a table, is an intimate act that he could only ever share with Joel--and Spencer hadn't realized just how far he's willing to go or how much he's willing to experiment with his sex life until now because up until about a week one, he hadn't had a sex life at all.

"It's perfect and nobody else makes me feel like you do," he says, his tone softer now, and they lie in bed in a short, comfortable silence as the fireworks show comes to an end. He can imagine the burst of applause from the people watching on the beach, the boardwalk, wherever they'd ended up that evening, and Spencer shifts his attention back to his boyfriend. "I think it's been a successful first official holiday together."

[just_another]

Joel has shifted onto his side, watching Spencer watch the fireworks and he drags his fingertips up and down Spencer's chest as he does. More often than not, he's still stunned that he gets to be the one lying here with him. That Spencer hadn't decided to let someone else in first, that he wasn't already in a relationship or married, that someone in this town hadn't seen everything in him that's so good, so amazing, and pursued him the way Joel knows he never could have. Whatever awkward way he'd managed to make Spencer understand how much he liked him had worked, though, and while he still thinks it's amazing no one else has won him over already, he wonders if they would have been able to. If maybe this is just meant to be, if they'd been waiting for each other, both too secluded to really find their way until they'd met by accident. Until the Hydra.

He smiles faintly, still watching Spencer, as he wonders how many people in the world can say the met their significant other because of a Hydra. He's willing to bet the number isn't very high.

When Spencer looks back at him, his smile grows and he nods his agreement, thinking they've had more than just a successful holiday together. "What's the next one?" he asks, thinking ahead to the fall. "Halloween? Thanksgiving?" There's Christmas, too, and he's already begun to think of what kind of gift he'd like to get Spencer. He wants it to be something important, something meaningful, something he thinks no one else would have already given him. Because that's what Spencer has done for him. He's given Joel something so important, something so individual to the two of them, something he's never had before.

Then he really hears what else Spencer has said and he can't help it, his smile gets even wider before he ducks his head to kiss Spencer. He's never been so comfortable, so happy kissing anyone, he's never felt like this, he never wants to have anyone but this man in his life for the rest of his life. "No one makes me feel like you do either," he murmurs against Spencer's mouth. "You make me so happy."

[doublethepain]

"Halloween, Thanksgiving," he echoes with a hand, lifting a hand so he can start ticking off his fingers as he lists more. "Labor Day, Be Late for Something Day--that's the fifth of September, by the way, I can think of a few ways we can accomplish that--then there's always Saturday. No shortage, really."

He grins into the kiss, parting his lips so their tongues can meet and work in unison like they always do, in sync just like they always are. It's amazing how well Joel understands him in so many ways, from the right way to touch him to the right way to comfort him, and it makes Spencer's chest swell with affection for his boyfriend. Nobody else has access to him like this, though he's slowly become less closed-off than he'd used to be before meeting Joel.

"So happy," he says with an affirming nod, though that doesn't even begin to cover what Joel makes him feel. It's indescribable because Spencer is still trying to piece it all together. He has no reference for this, not even anything he's read in books because for once, he thinks what's written in the books he's read can't do this justice. He wonders if it's an inability to truly take to pen and paper a relationship so strong or if there's simply no way to properly describe it at all. Either way, he's beyond grateful to know it himself, to not have to rely on the words of others to tell him what he should hope to one day feel for someone.

He has it now. He has Joel.

He trails his fingertips up and down Joel's spine, tilting his head to get a better look at his boyfriend. "Wait, have we just decided that the rest of our holidays will be spent with me bent over tables or various other kinds of furniture?" He arches a suggestive eyebrow. "Because I'm very much not opposed to that."

[just_another]

"Couches, chairs, all sorts of tables," Joel agrees, casting his gaze around the apartment to see if he can come up with any other kind of furniture for them to make use of. He's smiling a little and a shiver races down his spine at the touch of Spencer's fingers, but he isn't entirely joking either. This is the first time his apartment hasn't felt lonely. He loves it here, he always has, but it's always been quiet and secluded and though he never would have admitted to it before now, it's always felt a little lonely, but now Spencer is here to fill it with his smile and his energy. "Every surface imaginable that we can figure out a way to use, we'll use it."

They have all the time in the world to figure it out, too. There's no rush, there's no reason for them to do everything at once because Joel truly has no intention of ever ending this. If Spencer one day decides he's had enough, that he doesn't want this anymore, Joel knows he'll try, he'll fight for them, because he believes this is exceptional. But he won't ever be the one to step away and he doesn't think Spencer will either. That sort of confidence has to be rare, he thinks, but maybe everyone in love knows that.

"The bookstore," he murmurs, his voice low as he ducks his head to press a kiss to Spencer's shoulder. He still tastes faintly of the sweat dried on his skin and Joel's tongue flicks out, gently tracing a line toward his throat. "The library. Every single room in your house. There are a lot of rooms in your house, you know." Maybe they'll avoid the one where Raleigh sleeps, but everything else, he figures, is fair game.

"We don't have to wait for holidays either," he says, although Spencer has more or less said as much when he'd suggested Saturday. "Any day. Every day if you want."