~*~ Gale bent Randy backward, kissing him while he slid the card-shaped room key into his back pocket. “314. I’ll stay and mingle for a while and then I’ll join you.” “You don’t think they’ll be suspicious if we both leave?” Randy asked, nervously glancing around. By now, everyone had become bored with them and had already shuffled off to have their own fun. “Maybe I should say I’m not feeling well or something.” “Doesn’t matter. Everyone thinks we’ve been fucking for years anyway.” Randy’s shocked expression made Gale laugh. “Oh, don’t tell me you never heard those rumors?” He chuckled again. “I always assumed that was the reason Simon didn’t like me.” Randy shook his head. “Simon doesn’t like you because he knows I do.” “Hmm. Then I guess it’s a good thing he doesn’t actually think we’re fucking.” The silence that hung in the air was almost deafening. If the term ‘Open mouth, insert foot’ could be used to describe the moment, Gale knew he’d be choking on an entire fucking leg. Finally, Randy’s eyes softened, easing the sudden tension. There was no way Simon would find out. Period. “I’ll be waiting for you.” Gale nodded, forcing himself to let go and left the dance floor, returning to the booth they’d been sitting in earlier. He kept his eyes focused on Randy, watching as he said goodbye to several people and skipped others he’d be sure to see at the farewell breakfast planned for the next morning. Gale was almost crawling out of his skin in anticipation, but regardless of what people did or didn’t already think they were doing together, he knew Randy would freak if he followed him up too soon. Instead, he plied himself with one more drink, watching the clock, trying to decide how much was enough time. ~*~ Fifteen long minutes later, Gale took a quick trip to the small convenience store located on the ground floor of the hotel, walking out with the supplies every gay man should have on hand at all times. He was amazed by the fact that he was in a grand hotel, with a city full of hot guys at his disposal, and not a single condom in his possession. Then again, he wasn’t interested in any other men right now, and never imagined he and Randy would ever be in the position to need them. As much as he’d fantasized, the truth was, they’d always been nothing more than friends. Friends that always found a need to touch one another, who made simple excuses for longer embraces than necessary… but just friends nonetheless. ~*~ “What the fuck happened to you?” Gale asked, trying to hold back a snicker as he looked at the wet man in front of him. Scott frowned, trying to pull his soaked shirt away from his chest, and pushed the elevator button for the third floor. “Peter and a bucket of water, that’s what.” Gale laughed, plucking at Scott’s sleeve. “His sense of fun knows no limits.” Scott smiled and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but I’m always on the receiving end when he decides to have a little fun.” Gale laughed again as the elevator came to a stop, and then followed Scott as he stepped out. “So, why’d you take off so early?” Scott asked, “I thought you’d be up all night with the rest of them.” “Oh, just a bit tired,” Gale answered. He held up the small, paper bag in his hand and faked a yawn, stopping when he reached the door to his room. “Bought a book. Plan to read for awhile and then turn in.” Scott smiled and then gave Gale a look that said ‘I know exactly what you’re up to’. “Well, have fun… with your book.” Gale nodded and pulled out his spare key as Scott continued past him. He unlocked the door and was about to push it open when he heard Scott’s voice again from further down the hall. “Tell Randy we hope he’s feeling better and don’t the two of you be late for breakfast.” Gale could almost make out the smirk before Scott disappeared around the corner. ~*~ “Everything was good. No, there were a lot of people… Yeah, mostly…” Gale slid silently into the room, watching Randy pace back and forth as he spoke on his cell phone, motioning for Gale to be silent. He sat down on the bed, trying to be as quiet as he could, feeling as if he was eavesdropping on a conversation he shouldn’t have been. He tried to give Randy a little privacy and slipped into the bathroom, knowing he was still going to listen intently to every word being said. It didn’t take him long to figure out who was on the other end and he felt a twinge of jealousy that he quickly tried to push away. He had no right to feel what he was feeling. Simon was Randy’s boyfriend and he was just a one-time thing. As much as his brain understood that, his heart and body were betraying him, feeling every bit the scorned lover. “Ron and Dan weren’t there… yeah just the cast…” Gale heard a brief pause and then heard Randy sigh. “He was fine…” another pause, “Of course I talked to him…” Silence again, only longer this time until Randy said, “You’re being ridiculous. If you were that worried about it, you should have come with me… I did too ask you, you just weren’t interested.” His voice rose a bit, and Gale could tell he was trying to remain quiet, probably for his benefit. “He’s my friend, Simon, you know that. Look, we’ve had this discussion too many times and it never ends well. I’m gonna go before…” Simon had obviously given up, because Randy’s tone became softer again, the heat of an impending argument suddenly gone. “I know, I know you do. Yeah, 3:00. Okay… Dinner sounds good. See you tomorrow… “ And then he hesitated. “I love you, too.” Gale gave Randy a moment and then opened the door and stepped out. Randy threw the phone down onto the nightstand beside him and ran his hand nervously through his hair. “Hey.” “Hey.” “I didn’t mean for you to hear…” “You don’t have to apologize for talking to him. If anything, I should be the one saying I’m sorry.” “Don’t,” he answered firmly. “No apologies, okay?” Gale found Randy’s eyes and nodded. “No regrets?” A hint of a smile curled on Randy’s lips. “Brian was always smarter than any of us.” “When he wasn’t too busy being an ass.” They both smiled, trying to pretend that Randy hadn’t just been defending their platonic friendship to Simon. Finally, not able to avoid the tension, Randy sat down on the end of the bed and rubbed his face in his hands, before pushing them through his hair. “What the fuck are we doing, Gale?” Gale pushed the paper bag aside and sat down beside him. He didn’t say anything, knowing Randy was trying to work it all out and that the question was actually rhetorical. He knew by now that in sticky situations like this one, it was better to wait it out until Randy came up with his own answer. This time, he didn’t have to wait too long. It was only seconds before Randy said, “He’s gonna know. I can’t lie for shit. The next time you and I talk, or someone mentions your name…” Gale’s arm slid up his back, gently playing with the hair hanging below the nape of his neck. Randy leaned into him slightly, using the soothing touch to calm himself down. “Randy…” Gale spoke softly. When the blue eyes turned to meet his, he saw so much worried confusion staring back at him. Gale leaned in, wrapped his hand around the back of Randy’s neck and kissed him. He kissed him with all the pent up desire he’d hidden for so long, all the years of wanting something he knew he couldn’t have. He tried to make it clear with this single kiss, that whatever Randy was feeling, there was something a lot deeper between them than just a physical need for each other. That this was about so much more than simple fucking. When they finally let go, Gale pulled back and lowered his eyes. “I won’t lie and say I wouldn’t be disappointed, but I’d also understand if you don’t want to do something you might regret later." Randy stopped him, placing his hands on either side of Gale’s face and pulled his head up. Looking directly into the hazel eyes, in a hushed voice he answered, “I would never regret anything that happens between us.” Gale stared back just as intently. Randy shook his head. “It’s just… I don’t want to ruin anything.” “I know you’re worried about Simon…” Randy frowned. “I wasn’t talking about Simon. I mean, I can’t say I’m not feeling guilty. I’ve never even considered… he’s been the only one since I met him.” He glanced down and then let his eyes travel slowly back up again. “Hiding this from him… God, I can’t imagine what I’m gonna feel when I see him.” He paused and then inhaled slowly. “But I do want this. The only regret I would have is if I deny these feelings for you, what I’m feeling right now. I’ll have to deal with what it means for me and Simon later.” He paused again, long enough to kiss Gale softly. “What I meant was that I don’t want to ruin things between us. I don’t want things to get weird. I couldn’t handle that.” Gale smiled. “You mean weirder than the fake fucking we did for five years? Or better yet, weirder than pretending we didn’t feel anything for each other the entire time?” He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and then smiled again. “Or thinking we could hide the fact that we were always so fucking hard every time we touched each other… is that the kind of weird you’re talking about?” Randy snorted and stood up, clasping his hands together. “Not exactly the weird I was thinking about, but now that you mention it…” He shook his head and let a smile curl on his lips. “I guess I am being kind of dramatic. I have a habit of doing that.” Gale followed, standing in front of him, pushing the blond strands of hair away from Randy’s eyes. “On the contrary…” He let his hand drop, sliding the back of his fingers down Randy’s chest, until he reached the waistband of his jeans. “It’s one of your best qualities. You never take things lightly. That’s usually a good thing.” “Mmm,” Randy moaned, as Gale began peppering kisses along his jaw line. “Gale?” he asked softly, “Are we really going to do this?” Speaking in a low whisper just below Randy’s ear, he said, “If not, one of us has to go. Another few minutes with you and I won’t want to stop.” He kissed him gently, sliding the tip of his tongue down the side of his neck. “I don’t think I’d be able to.” Randy closed his eyes and pulled Gale’s body closer to his, wrapping his arms around him. Up on the tips of his toes, he met Gale’s lips and let the kiss serve as his answer. They’d seen and felt every inch of each other over the course of their years together. They’d been intimate in ways that no one else who wasn’t in the same situation would ever understand. But now, without the cameras controlling the movements, or the script telling him what to say, Gale was as nervous as he was the first time they touched, and by the look in Randy’s eyes, he was feeling the same. Gale decided right then, that being direct was the only way either of them would get through the first-time bullshit. For once in his life, he wanted nothing more than to channel the self-confidence his character had exhumed with no obvious effort. Brian Kinney, he was not, but like Brian, he knew exactly what he wanted. He let his hand slide down, rubbing against the material of Randy’s jeans, cupping his cock. “Do you even know what you do to me?” “Probably the same thing you do to me.” Randy smiled and gazed up through his eyelashes. “God, Gale. I can’t tell you how many times I almost embarrassed both of us...” Gale smirked as he interrupted. “You don’t have to. I was there, remember? I was always so close… so close I could almost imagine it was for real.” Randy moaned and closed his eyes as Gale began walking them slowly backward until they were pressed against the wall. “I used to wonder what they’d say if I didn’t use the sock. If I just came in one day without it. I knew the rules, knew we had to, but sometimes… I just wanted you to feel me… I wanted you to know exactly how hard you made me.” Gale slowly began opening Randy’s shirt, carefully unfastening it one button at a time. “You’d be on your knees, your ass right in front of me, and I’d be up against you, the perfect position… I just wanted everyone else to disappear.” He pulled the material of the shirt aside, eased it off the other man’s shoulders and let it drop to the floor. When Randy’s breathing quickened at his touch, Gale smiled and let his fingers trail a line from the top of Randy’s collarbone, down to his nipples, teasing them into tiny peaks. “I’ve wanted you for so long.” Gale dropped his head, fastening on one sensitive nipple, first licking then biting and then moved to the other, pulling lightly with his teeth as he heard loud moans of approval from above him. He slid his mouth off and eased down to his knees, continuing to lick down Randy’s stomach and abdomen until he was positioned directly in front of his groin. “How could anyone not want you?” He reached out and wrapped his fingers around Randy’s hips, looking up into the eyes staring down at him. The sight jarred him, enough to cause him to stop for a moment. There were times on the set, when they’d be in the middle of a scene, and Randy would turn around and look at him. It wasn’t at any particular moment that he could remember, or any significant kind of scene, it was only a casual glance every so often that would say so much more than words ever could. It was a look that said ‘We’re in this together and I know exactly how you’re feeling because I feel it too’. That was the only way he knew how to describe it. It was the same look he was seeing right now as Randy stared down at him. When he returned his attention to what he was doing, Randy already had his jeans unfastened and was anxiously trying to push them down. Gale batted him away and took over, letting the pants fall, and then curled his fingers into the waistband of his briefs. Slowly, he scooted them down to join the jeans already around Randy’s ankles. “Fuck, you’re killing me,” Randy begged, threading his fingers through Gale’s hair, trying to pull his head forward. “Please, Gale, just… oh God.” Licking his lips, Gale wrapped his hand around the base of Randy’s cock and took the head into his mouth. When Randy closed his eyes and opened his lips slightly, letting out a soft sigh, Gale’s free hand slid around, and gave Randy’s ass a squeeze before firmly kneading the flesh, caressing him as he continued to explore his cock. His tongue dipped inside the slit, and he couldn’t help the moan that escaped his lips as he was finally able to taste Randy for the first time. Randy’s hands tightened and his breath hitched as he unsuccessfully managed to form any coherent words. He settled with a steady moan as Gale licked down the underside, his cock already threatening to explode just from the little bit of contact with Gale’s mouth. Gale pulled off to shift his weight and whispered, “Tell me what you want. What makes you feel good.” Randy whimpered. “Anything…just knowing it’s you touching me… please.” Frustrated by the lack of contact, he pushed his hips forward, attempting to rub himself against Gale’s lips. When Gale smiled and returned to his task, opening his mouth around him, Randy’s eyes drifted shut and the back of his head found the wall behind him. Gale’s hands moved forward, gripping Randy’s hips, until Randy’s joined them, habitually linking their fingers together. It was one of those small gestures, never written into the script, but something they always did. It was that link between them that never belonged to Brian and Justin. Gale could hear the babbling, the senseless words of encouragement escaping Randy’s lips, but he was too focused on pleasuring him to give a fuck about what he was actually saying. He could make out ‘fuck’ and ‘Gale’ and those were the only two words he needed to hear. Randy’s grip on his hands tightened and he began rocking his hips, encouraging his cock to slide deeper inside Gale’s mouth. Gale tried to ignore the straining of his own erection, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as it pushed against his jeans, jumping in excitement each time he did something to pull another moan or whimper from Randy. He took one last long lick up Randy’s shaft and then pulled him inside, swallowing as deep as he could. “Almost,” Randy whimpered, “I’m so close…” His eyes shifted, concentrating on Randy’s face, taking note of every expression… every twist of pleasure on his lips as he began to hum, sending small vibrations down the length of Randy’s cock, forcing the orgasm from his body. He swallowed and swallowed, taking every drop until Randy’s body began to relax, and his heavy pants turned to more controlled gasps of breath. Slowly, Gale slid up Randy’s body and pushed his hips against him, gripping the blond hair between his fingers. “Now I know.” Randy took a final deep breath and asked, “Now you know what?” Gale smiled and kissed him softly. “I never realized how much of Justin was just an act. Watching you… the expression on your face… it doesn’t even come close to what I just saw.” And there was that smile again. That bright, ear-to-ear smile that drove Gale crazy. Randy leaned into him, stealing his lips again, tugging at the bottom of his shirt. “Take this off. Things are feeling a little awkward here,” he complained, glancing down at his nakedness between them. Gale chuckled and stepped back, giving Randy space to slide out of his pants, which were still balled up around his ankles, and then kissed him again before leading him to the bed. Randy sat back, watching Gale toss his jacket onto the floor. He waited in anticipation; his eyes glued as Gale fumbled with his belt and then shimmied out of his jeans, followed by his shirt before throwing it onto the floor beside them. Gale was standing in front of him and the sight was better than he could have imagined. He’d seen him without clothes, although usually in a robe, but not like this… not for him. No cock sock in the way, he was fully exposed and vulnerable, leaving only naked, hardened flesh. He reached up, pulling him closer and wrapped his hand around Gale’s cock, stroking it in long, slow movements. “I’ve had dreams about us,” Randy admitted, his eyelids at half-mast, a far off look in his eyes. Gale’s tongue curled and he bit his bottom lip. “You’ll have to tell me about them sometime.” Randy smiled and watched a tiny bubble of pre-come escape the tip and then slide slowly downward. He eased his finger up the side to gather the fluid and then sucked it into his mouth. “This is better than any fantasy. And I knew,” he moaned, “I knew it'd be good.” Randy pulled at him, forcing him down on the bed, urging him onto his back. Gale scooted upward, resting his head on the pillow, watching as Randy settled himself between his legs. “So, what do you want me to do?” Gale’s eyes narrowed and he saw the mischievous smile appear on Randy’s lips. “Should I use my hand?” Randy gripped Gale’s cock and began running his fingers gently down the underside of his shaft. Gale moaned at the contact and squeezed his eyes shut. “My mouth?” Two more strokes with his fist and Randy leaned down, running his tongue down the same spot his fingers had just abandoned. He repositioned his body and moved down to lie on his stomach, parting Gale’s legs further. “Or both?” His hand joined again, wrapping around the entire shaft as his tongue moved lower, gliding slowly over his balls, stopping when he reached the puckered entrance. Gale dipped his head back and cursed in pleasure, tightly gripping the comforter beside him. Randy’s tongue worked the small hole, probing gently at first and then finally pushing in more firmly. Gale found himself gasping for air, pushing down to meet Randy’s thrusts, causing the wandering tongue to go deeper inside. Blue eyes looked up, watching the intense reaction and he stopped long enough to wrap his arms around Gale’s legs, pushing his knees toward his chest, allowing better access. “Fuck, Gale. I never imagined you’d let me do this.” Gale opened his mouth to answer, but he could only manage a gasp when Randy’s tongue returned to his ass. The truth was, he’d never trusted anyone else enough to want this. It was open, and intimate… something he ‘d always had a hard time feeling with anyone he’d been with. When Randy shifted his hands, pushing his legs even further forward, Gale began to stroke himself, feeling the familiar tingle as he began to climb toward his orgasm. Their eyes met, and it was the most intense feeling he could ever remember sharing with another person. Gale’s breathing quickened even more as he pumped his cock, the rim job quickly bringing him to the edge. He felt it building, felt Randy’s tongue fucking him faster… harder until finally, Randy’s name passed his lips and he exploded, sending spurts of come shooting over his stomach and onto his chest. After a moment, when the last of his shudders finally dissipated, Randy let his legs go and slid up beside him. He rolled halfway onto Gale’s body and nudged his head under his chin, using the corner of the rumpled sheet to wipe Gale’s stomach. “You surprised me.” Gale looked down at him curiously. “Why?” “I didn’t think you’d let me near your ass.” His curiosity turned into a sly smile and he answered, “I’m surprised you think I’d resist anything you wanted to do.” Randy chuckled. “Well next time, you don’t get to cheat. No hands and I bet I can still make you come.” Gale didn’t miss the phrase and raised an eyebrow. “Next time?” Randy lifted his head, finding Gale’s eyes and blinked. He’d not even noticed the easiness in assuming there’d be a next time. He smiled and dropped his head back down. Gale smiled back and closed his eyes. “Fuck.” He wrapped his fingers in Randy’s hair and began playing with the soft strands. “Do you ever think about us?” “Hmm?” Gale took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Do you ever think that maybe we were supposed to be together? They say everything is caused by timing… the planets… all that fucking bullshit.” Randy moved his head to rest his chin on Gale’s chest, staring up at him. “Are you getting philosophical on me?” Gale shook his head. “No. It’s just that if I’d been honest, maybe… I don’t know. It just feels so comfortable being with you. And not just because we spent five years pretending to be together. It just feels… right.” He paused and then added, “Imagine what might have happened if you’d never met…” “Don’t say it.” Gale stopped, barely biting his tongue, wanting to tell Randy everything that he was feeling, knowing they’d probably never have another chance like this again. “You can’t do that, Gale. You can’t make me start second-guessing my life. All the ‘what ifs’ and ‘what could have beens’. I’m happy with Simon… he’s good for me.” “So you’re afraid to even consider what it might have been like?” Randy sighed and laid his head back down, positioning himself right above Gale’s heart. He listened silently for a moment, letting the sound of the beats become almost hypnotizing. Finally, he said, “I can’t afford to think about it. Too many regrets...too much I should have said and didn’t.” “Were you really in love with me?” Randy rolled off Gale and stood up, running his fingers through his hair. “I was high when I said that.” Gale pulled himself up to sit, leaning back against the headboard. “So?” Randy sighed and sat back down on the edge of the bed, his body facing away from Gale’s. “You’re not supposed to make confessions when you’re high.” Gale smiled and scooted down, positioning himself behind Randy, wrapping his arms around the slim waist. He softly kissed the back of his neck and said, “Actually, I find it’s the best time.” Randy bent his head forward, giving Gale better access, which he took full advantage of. As his tongue darted out to lick the smooth skin along the top of Randy’s spine, feeling the goose bumps rising at his touch, he managed to say, “If you want a confession, I’ve got a better one.” Randy glanced back over his shoulder, waiting… and Gale whispered, “You’ve always been my friend and we both know there's always been certain feelings between us. But, how do you tell someone who's supposed to be just a friend that you’ve been in love with him for six years? How do you tell him you think about him constantly and that you can’t imagine ever loving anyone more?” Randy turned his body around, one leg on the bed, the other still planted on the floor. He leaned his head, resting his ear against Gale’s shoulder and pushed his hand through Gale’s hair. “I think you just did.”