Journey 2 H - part 2

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MID-EP: THE HOTEL ROOM

"You sure you don't want some? It's incredible." Peter offered, raising his fork and popping a bite of steak into his mouth. "Mmmm. Amazing... totally amazing." He moaned around the morsel of Kobe. Neal watched for a few moments then swallowed harshly. Peter, thinking he knew what the issue was, sliced off another chunk, speared it and held it up close to Neal's lips. "Go on, take it. I know you fibbed about having eaten. You're probably starving and El would shred my ass if I didn't at least *try* to feed you."

Fighting off both the need to close his eyes and the desperate urge to reveal the truth about his distress, Neal realized it was simpler and far less nerve-racking to just give in, so he accepted the treat. "Huh? Didn't I tell you?"

"Exquisite. Perfectly cooked... and so much flavor."

"Good. We'll share it."

Paling at the suggestion, Neal rose from the couch and strode to the windows. He couldn't see much except the glow from buildings and traffic, but at a distance his blood began to cool, as did his hunger for a delicacy far more enticing than anything on Peter's dinner plate. True, his stomach was empty and on the verge of audibly complaining, but he needed the respite and the distraction of the light show beneath him more than he needed food. "Neal?"

"I'm fine."

Peter's response came from just over Neal's shoulder.

"No you aren't. What's up?"

"Eating together... just the two of us... it's a dangerous proposition, Peter."

"Dangerous? I don't understand."

Neal spun and faced his handler, but backed off a step or two at the same time.

"I'm saying our first kiss almost happened in your dining room, not in that alley. If I hadn't found some reserve of... self-discipline..."

"Whoa, whoa. Hang on a second...you wanted to... that night? Guess I haven't been as clear about my feelings as I should have, huh? Look... as long as we're alone or it's us and El, you can kiss me anytime you want."

"Excuse me? You're being as careful about this as I am..."

"I was trying not to spook you or myself. This is 'Here There Be Dragons' country for me too, Neal. If you want more or you wanna shift gears... just say so and I'll do my damndest to keep up. If you need to back off to where we were before..."

"No. No, no, no..."

"It's okay if you do. Believe me, I'd understand. You're still overwhelmed with Kate and what happened and I won't exactly be shocked if..."

This time it was Neal who reached out to touch Peter's face.

"Peter... stop, okay? It's not Kate. You brought me through the worst of that weeks ago."

"I did?"

"Yeah... you did."

"You haven't said anything."

"It's not that easy with you, anymore. I keep going back and forth between wanting this, wanting us... and minor freak outs when I remember I don't know anything about it. The baseball analogies pretty much go right out the window..."

It took Peter a moment to catch on to Neal's reference.

"First base, second base... Okay, it doesn't necessarily have to be scrapped."

"It doesn't?"

"No. God, how do I put this delicately..."

"Why do you have to?"

Peter grinned slightly.

"I don't know. Bowing to your sophistication and genteel sensibilities?"

Neal arched his eyebrows and smiled, cueing Peter that his question was absurd. "Fine, so it's mostly a defense mechanism, I guess I knew that."

"Just be frank. Trust me, I can handle it."

"Alright. With a few little alterations, I think the basics of the system can be kept just like they are. First base is kissing..."

"Rounded that one already."

"Not completely, but I think we can finish it off before we head for second."

"Which would be petting above the waist." Neal furnished, looking mildly confused. "Not that either of us are equipped... I mean..."

"You'd be *really* surprised."

"El?"

"I thought there were no possibilities there, but... boy she showed me different."

"Speaking of the lovely Mrs. Burke, if we're doing this I have a condition. We have to call her beforehand and let her in on what's happening."

Peter's grin now shifted toward wicked and playful.

"I have a better idea." He offered, moving swiftly back to the sofa and powering up his laptop. After a few minutes, Neal strolled over and joined him. He was faintly shocked to see that Peter had initiated a video chat with El.

"Hon? Is something wrong?"

"It's fine. Neal is here. He... we..."

"A little bit of heat building, is there?"

Neal flushed and fought to keep meeting her eyes on the screen.

"There is. I wouldn't do anything about it without making sure you knew. I suggested a phone call, but your better half apparently has kinks I never suspected..."

Peter grimaced and whacked Neal in the stomach lightly with the back of one hand.

"Ooof." The younger man shot back wryly.

"Quit with the jokes or I'll put some power behind the next one."

"Joke?' El interjected merrily. "Have you forgotten who you sleep with most nights? I could tell him some stories..."

"Don't you dare."

"We'll see. I really appreciate the consideration, Neal. Whatever you two were thinking, go ahead. Just forget I'm even here."

"Like that'll happen. You know, I really just wanted to get your approval before we... moved to second base. You don't *have* to stick around..." Neal replied.

"Are you kidding? I missed the big moment in the alley, I'm not giving up this chance."

"Damn..."

Peter turned his body partially to the left so that when Neal emulated him they would be facing each other.

"Neal... c'mon, kid, look at me. We'll never make it to the Home Run Derby if we balk at her watching us kiss and... whatever else."

"True."

"Okay, then. We set the laptop on the coffee table... Can you see okay, honey?"

"Perfectly." El confirmed.

"Great. Nah. Look at me, Neal. Turn a little this way... there. Put the computer out of your mind for now. Let's just focus on us, hmmm?"

Neal nodded and leaned in, bracing one hand on the sofa. Peter followed suit and soon their lips touched again. This time, knowing they had privacy and all the time they might want, Peter opened up and offered Neal access. The younger man hesitated for a moment, but soon he accepted the invitation and began seeking out the warm depths of Peter's mouth while weaving his arms around his handler's neck and reveling in the strength of the arms that gradually moved around his lower back. When they finally eased apart several minutes later, both men were breathing with effort.

"Okay... so is first behind us now?" Neal joked faintly.

"Ten miles back and fading fast. That was incredible. You... are an amazing kisser." Peter responded, reaching out to disengage Neal's tie and slowly open the buttons on his shirt one by one.

"What..."

"How could you think I'd ask you to do this for me and not give back? Besides... I know how it feels and what I like. What I can't wait for... is to see your face when you find out how good it is."

Neal extended a hand, almost touching the sash on Peter's robe. "Don't worry. T-shirt and boxers underneath."

"Good." Neal breathed, obvious relief coloring his tone as he loosened the white garment. "That's good, because third base is a *really* long way off..."

"I know. I know and it's just fine with me." Peter agreed as he slid the final button free. "My God... you're a damn classical statue, Neal. The definition... I have to admit I'm seriously jealous."

"After we finish with this case, I'll teach you my workout routine, I swear. Right now..."

"Yeah... sorry. Another kiss?"

"Oh, absolutely."

This time, Peter's hands settled flat against the skin just under Neal's collarbone. The younger man leaned into the tingling warmth and went back in search of Peter's tongue.

"You ready?" The older man asked a little while later, taking a moment to catch his breath.

"I am. Go on... do it..." Neal murmured. The first contact of warm thumbs on his nipples caused a shudder to visibly run through Neal from the crown of his head to his knees. He then dropped his chin to his chest. Blindly, he sought out the hem of Peter's thin cotton shirt and worked his fingers underneath. The skin contact drew a surprised noise from Peter, followed by a low chuckle.

"Nice, kiddo. Can you... yeah, like that. I'm sensitive, so... that's it. Lightly... lightly. Hell. So good, Neal... so good."

"Peter... I'm... I'm getting..."

"I know. Just being near you like this is enough to..."

"I can't. We said... not yet." Neal panted. Peter nuzzled his neck and murmured against the skin.

"No... we said full exposure and touching weren't in the cards tonight. If we're wound up enough to orgasm... without crossing that line..."

"God... I have to stop soon. Another minute... and I won't have a choice." Neal protested, his fingers slowly ceasing their motion. Peter lifted his head and gazed at the beautiful young man trembling under his touch. Though it came perilously close to breaking him into a thousand pieces, he brought his hands up and raised Neal's face as well.

"Whatever you want, sweetheart. Whatever you want."

Peter watched intense confusion flash across Neal's expression.

"I... Peter. You mean that. I can see you actually mean that."

"Sure I do."

Neal paused another few heartbeats then slid one hand around the back of Peter's head, tugging down gently until his lover's mouth met his right nipple. Peter sighed and began licking and suckling. A minute or two later, Neal began to quake and jolt. Feeling the young man's release hit, Peter was only a few seconds behind. Once they were both still again, Peter kissed Neal softly on the lips. "Are you okay?"

"Mmm. I'm perfect. You would've stopped. If I'd asked for it... you would have."

"Hey, us means more than one person. You're an equal in this and you have rights."

"And responsibilities?"

"Eventually. That'll be a conversation all three of us have to actually be in the same room for."

Neal startled faintly and looked at the computer screen. Head tipped back, El was fanning herself vigorously with a manila folder.

"I think we broke her." He commented wryly.

"Not even close. She's just temporarily off-line." Peter countered. "You go clean up. I'll order another dinner."

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TBC...