Caesar song for this chapter:

Testify

/10
November 1, 2013

"You're not seriously going to wear that, are you?" Julia asked, looking Pete up and down.

"What's wrong with it?" Pete asked her.
"It's a classic."

They were getting ready to leave for Caesar's Halloween show, which had been scheduled for November first, since Halloween had been on a Thursday.
Julia had chosen to dress as some kind of vampire spider-queen. She wore all black; leggings, a ruffled skirt, boots, and a low-cut shirt. She accented all of this with a lace cape with a spiderweb pattern, and dark makeup around her eyes. Pete thought she looked pretty, certainly not like any vampire he'd ever seen.
As for himself, Pete had chosen a Star Trek uniform as his costume. A red-shirt, to be specific. He had considered the Captain Kirk costume, but he felt like more of a red-shirt.

"Yeah, classic dork." Julia replied playfully, checking her makeup in a mirror.

Pete stuck his tongue out and made a mocking face at her.
"Alright Morticia, are we ready to go?"

"I guess." Julia sighed out, slinging a small black purse over her shoulder.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this."

"Right, I'm sorry if I'm putting a damper on your 'get drunk' plans, for tonight." Pete said, sarcastically.
"I'm pretty sure you can get just as drunk at this place, as you could anywhere else."

"That's for sure." Julia said, as she stuffed a small bottle of vodka into her purse.

Pete laughed and gave Julia a sideways look, as they both headed out the door.

It was a quick trip for Pete and Julia, as the concert was being held outdoors, at the large park Pete ran laps around every morning. It was more like a festival, if anything. There were various attractions, games, and more than one stage for music or other entertainment.
This seemed like a pretty big deal for Gary and the band, especially since it was their first year playing the festival. Pete had come the year before, and was sure he couldn't have missed Gary or his band.

Pete and Julia made their way through the park, and to the stage where Caesar would be playing. As they got closer, they could hear Halloween-themed rock music playing over the speakers. There was a small crowd of costumed people already gathered toward the front of the stage, and Pete lead Julia toward them, since he wanted to get a good place to stand, before the crowd grew.

"Pete, if they start playing some dumbass John Mayer shit, I will kill you." Julia said. Pete could tell she was half-joking.
Only half.

"Relax. I really think you'll like them." Pete reassured her.

"I'm not kidding, Pete. I will literally murder you, in front of all these people." She answered back flatly.

"Okay fine, how about this," Pete said, hoping to keep Julia from souring her own mood, "If they suck, we'll go out to dinner tonight, and I'll pay."

Julia gave Pete a thoughtful look.
"Change 'dinner' to 'drinks', and I'm in."

"Alright, fine." Pete agreed, laughing. He would've agreed to anything, since he knew there was no way Julia could possibly dislike Gary's band. Then again, her taste in music was pretty strange, to Pete.

The music faded, and a skinny guy in a Spider-Man costume walked out onto the stage. It was pretty dark by now, and the stage was glowing with purple and green lights. It was made up to look like a mad scientist's laboratory, which Pete thought was clever.

"Yes, this is what I'm talking about!" The skinny guy said to the audience, which was now growing by the second, as people filtered in from different corners of the park.
"You guys look great, our first band's gonna love it!"
He took a few pictures of the audience with his cell phone, then disappeared into the darkened backstage area. When he came back out, a few of the stage lights dimmed, and the crowd started making noise.
"Alright, I know you love these guys," He said into the microphone, "God knows I do."
"They've been playing show after show, all over Manchester," he continued, "Those of you who don't know them... get a life!" He joked.
"Just kidding." He added, as the audience laughed.
"Alright, c'mon, give it up for the sexiest indie band in New Hampshire,"

"Oh my God, this guy needs some Adderall." Julia groaned.

Pete smirked at Julia, and gave her a playful nudge.

"Caesar!" The skinny guy yelled, before trotting off the stage.

Applause erupted from the audience, as the band began playing. They had started off with a song that Pete had never heard before. It was a good song, but it made him wonder how many songs they had written, and if they might be thinking of releasing an album.
Pete couldn't help but laugh, as he looked across the stage at all of the guys in their costumes. Gary was wearing a furry grey jumpsuit, that buttoned down the front, and looked like a pair of pajamas. At the back, a wolf tail was attached to the costume, and its hood had pointy ears on either side of Gary's head. Over those ears, Gary had placed a plastic crown. It looked so familiar to Pete, he knew he'd seen it somewhere before. Then he remembered the story book, and the movie. Gary was on stage, playing guitar dressed as a young boy who ran away from home, to live with his imaginary friends. Pete thought that it suited him, in an odd way.
Jaime was also wearing a jumpsuit, patterned like a dinosaur, or some kind of lizard. It had a hood, but he wasn't wearing it.
Nick was wearing some kind of Star Wars costume, and Pete decided he'd have fun arguing with him in his Star Trek costume, later.
Shannon easily had the most interesting costume of the group. He was wearing a pink and black-striped Cheshire Cat costume, complete with some pink cat ears on his head. The costume was pretty snug, and Pete wondered if Shannon knew how... visible everything was.
Not to be outdone, Connor's costume was also eye-catching, but for entirely different reasons. Dressed only in a Superman t-shirt, cape, red trunks and shoes, Pete figured he had to be freezing. He thought Connor was weird, but remembered hearing somewhere that when it came to bands, the drummers were always the weird ones.

The band continued, with a few more songs that Pete recognised, until their set was up. Far too soon, in Pete's opinion. They gave some waves, and left the stage, and Skinny Spider-Man came back to talk to the audience some more.
Pete turned to Julia, an expectant look on his face. She rolled her eyes, before telling Pete what he already knew she'd say,
"Okay, fine, they don't totally suck balls." She said through a smile.

"Oh, come on," Pete declared jokingly.

"Alright, they're pretty good." Julia conceded.
"And you were right, Gary is pretty hot."

"Thank you." Pete said, a wry look on his face.

"So what, now I guess I'm buying the drinks, or I owe you some money or something?" Julia asked.

"Almost." Was Pete's reply.
"You remember that tablet you 'borrowed' a couple months ago?"

"Oh my God," Julia moaned, "I forgot all about that thing!"

"Yeah..." Pete said, smirking at her.

"Well, look, you remember how I said I left my keys somewhere, that night?" Julia said, furrowing her brow.

"Yes..." Pete answered, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Well, the place I left my keys is kind of the same place I left your tablet. Only... I don't think that guy lives there, anymore." She said, looking upset.

"Julia!"

"I'm sorry!" Julia pleaded.
"Look, my mom is sending me some money next week for food, or something, she thinks we're poor. I'll use it to buy you a new one, I promise."

Pete wanted to be angry with her, for taking something of his without asking, and for then leaving it a stranger's house. But she looked so pitiful, and he knew she really felt bad about it, and that she meant what she was saying to him.

"It's a deal." He said to her, smiling.

"Good." Julia said, returning his smile.
"Now, celebratory drink?" She continued, lifting the bottle of vodka from her purse.

"No thanks." Pete replied, with a short laugh.
"I have to go find Gary."

"Alright, but hey, I can't stick around," Julia said, sliding the bottle back into her bag, "I've got this party to get to."

Pete was a little disappointed that Julia wasn't even going to stay long enough to say hi to Gary, but he figured he was lucky enough that she had come with him at all.
"Oh, okay." He said.
"Have a good time, Jules."

They hugged, and Julia started off toward the park exit. Even though he was upset that Julia had left so early, he also knew that she wouldn't be back until morning. That meant that Pete would have the apartment to himself.
Suddenly, he wanted to find Gary very quickly.

He headed around to the back of the stage, where he saw Gary and the other guys packing up their instruments.

"Pete!" Gary said when he saw him, a wide grin spread across his face.
He grabbed Pete by the waist and gave him a deep kiss, that honestly left Pete breathless for a few seconds.

"You guys were great." Pete said, loud enough for the whole band to hear.

Gary was about say thank you, when Connor cut him off, "Thanks, Pete. Do we all get a kiss?" he said. Pete really thought he was being serious, until he started chuckling and walking away, just the way he had done at the party, that night. Pete laughed it off with him, even though he still didn't get it.
Gary shot Connor a look, before turning back to Pete.
"We'll be done here in a few minutes." He said, "Once we get everything packed up, we just have to load it into Shannon's car."

"Okay." Pete said.

"The thing is," Gary continued, "There's kinda already not enough room for everybody, as it is." He said, looking apologetic.

"Gary, I only live a few blocks from here." Pete said, reassuringly.
"I'll just head home, and you can meet me there, when you're finished."

"At your place?" Gary asked.

"Yeah," Pete started, wearing a crooked smirk of his own.
"You know," He went on, hoping that Gary picked up on what he was trying to say, "Julia said she'll be out all night."

"Oh yeah?" Gary asked over his shoulder, as he continued packing his things.

"Yep." Pete answered, playfully cocking his head to one side.
"So, we'd have the whole place to ourselves."
It took a few seconds, but the real meaning of Pete's words finally sunk into Gary's head, and he turned from what he was doing to look at Pete.
Letting out a playful laugh, when he realised Pete was serious, Gary bit his bottom lip.
"Well I guess I'll see you there." He said, looking right into Pete's eyes.

"Yeah." Pete replied, and gave Gary one more lingering kiss, before turning and heading for the exit.

Pete had hurried home, and was now tidying up the apartment before Gary showed up. Not that it really needed it, he and Julia always kept the place pretty clean. He just didn't want anything to ruin what was about to happen.
The doorbell rang, and Pete headed to the intercom, to buzz Gary in. After a few seconds, there was a knock at the door, and Pete opened it to find Gary, still in his costume.
"You walked across town wearing that?" He laughed.

"Sure did." Gary replied, as he stepped into the apartment.

"You could've changed." Pete told him, shutting the door.

"I may have forgotten to mention," Gary started, moving in close to Pete, "That I'm only wearing underwear, underneath this."

Pete let out a laugh, "Liar." he said playfully.

"Maybe you should check." Gary said, now only inches away from Pete.
"You know, call my bluff."

Pete moved his head toward Gary's neck, the top button of his costume already undone. He stopped just millimeters away from his skin, pausing to take in Gary's scent.
He smelled warm and safe, to Pete
He smelled like comfort.
He finally brought his lips to Gary's neck, kissed him, tasted him. His fingers snaked up Gary's body, and began slowly unfastening the remaining buttons of his costume. Gary hadn't been lying, each button revealed more of his bare flesh, quickly warming to Pete's touches. Pete reached the last button, and slid the costume over Gary's shoulders, and down to the ground. He took a moment to soak in the sight in front of him; Gary Smith, completely naked, save for a snugly fitting pair of boxer-briefs. Obviously too snug, Pete thought, as he could see Gary's hardness straining against the fabric.
Pete looked up into Gary's eyes as he slid down to his knees, kissing his way down Gary's stomach, as he did so. Taking the waistband of Gary's boxer-briefs in both hands, he carefully pulled them down, freeing his erection. He licked slowly at first, from tip to base, savouring Gary's taste. Between this and Gary's light moaning, he was driving himself crazy, and finally took as much of Gary's length into his mouth as he could. This brought a louder moan out of Gary.

It wasn't easy. Pete's estimation in the movie theater had been right; Gary was much thicker than he was. It took a while for him to find the right rhythm, but he knew he had as Gary's moans became louder, and his hand was gently threading through Pete's short hair.

"Fuck, Pete..." He heard Gary say. He also noticed that Gary had started to gently thrust into his mouth, moving with Pete's own rhythm. His own erection was straining uncomfortably against his jeans, but Pete didn't mind.

Suddenly, Gary pulled away from Pete's mouth.
"I'm not gonna last long, if you keep doing that." He said to Pete, his voice deep. He pulled Pete to his feet and kissed him, deep, his tongue gently coaxing Pete's lips apart. He continued kissing Pete, his mouth, his neck, chest, as he stripped layer after layer of clothing from his body.
Pete felt like he was being devoured. Like the other times, Gary was firm, but gentle. He was passionate. Pete could feel how much Gary wanted him, and he felt the same way. So he let Gary take over.
He hadn't realised it, but Gary had been pulling them both toward Pete's room. By the time they reached his bed, they were both completely naked. Gary pushed Pete back onto the bed, and was quickly on his knees in front of him. He swallowed Pete's entire length, causing him to gasp out of both surprise and pleasure. Pete couldn't control his moaning as well as Gary could, and every time he though he had it under control, Gary would flick his tongue or squeeze his thigh, and he couldn't help himself. Gary seemed to take this as incentive, and only intensified his efforts.
Soon though, Pete was gently tugging Gary's head up, as Gary had done to him.
"You have to stop," he said, "I'm- " He was cut off, as Gary seized his mouth with his own lips, again drawing them into more kissing. Gary knelt onto the bed, and Pete wrapped his legs around his waist as they kissed. He could feel Gary's hardness pushing against him, and decided that he couldn't take any more foreplay.
He wanted Gary inside of him.

"Gary, please..." He said, looking into his eyes.

Gary stopped in his tracks. "You sure?" He asked, his voice gentle and concerned.

Pete only nodded, and reached over to the small table beside his bed, pulling a condom and a small bottle of lube from a drawer.
He reached down and rolled the condom over Gary's length, giving him a light squeeze. Gary let out a soft moan, and took the bottle from Pete's hand. A familiar look returned to his face, one that Pete had seen more than a few times. He was starting to think he knew what it was. The look, the things he'd almost say. He was pretty sure he knew, but he wasn't going to say anything to Gary. He wasn't going to risk messing any of this up.
Gary had slicked both of them up, and was looking right into Pete's eyes. Pete moved his hands down and grabbed onto Gary's thighs, before nodding for him to continue. He could feel Gary slowly push into him, gently. He was thicker than what Pete was used to, and he just hoped this wouldn't hurt too much.
He felt Gary's tip slip inside of him, and gasped a bit. This made Gary pause, until Pete smiled and gently tugged him forward. He felt more and more of Gary filling him up, until his abdomen pushed up against him. They stayed like that for a few seconds, Gary buried to hilt inside of Pete, until Pete started to move.
Gary took that as his cue, and began slowly thrusting into Pete. Both of their moaning was immutable, now, they were lost within each other.
Gary began to pick up speed, thrusting deeper into Pete.

"Ah... Gary..." Pete moaned out, gripping onto Gary's waist, to pull him in closer.

Gary placed his hand behind Pete's head, and pulled them both closer, their heads resting against each other's. He thrust faster and deeper into Pete, their moans and heavy breathing filling the room.

"Oh... Fuck, Pete... I'm gonna..." Gary stammered out. Pete could feel Gary's muscles tighten up, as he thrust himself deep inside of him. He could feel Gary throbbing as he came, and a wave of heat washed over him, as he came with him.

Their heads still pressed together, Gary leaned in for a last gentle kiss, before carefully sliding himself out of Pete. He laid down next to Pete, holding him in his arms.
"You're beautiful, Pete." He said, quietly.
"Has anyone ever told you that?"

Pete could only shake his head. He'd never heard that, from anyone. He couldn't recall ever hearing anything that even came close. Guys had told him before that he was cute, but it somehow didn't have the same effect. Something in the tone of Gary's voice as he said it was also different from anything Pete had heard.
He was almost certain, now, that he knew what it was.

"That's terrible." Gary said.
"Guess I'll have to make up for it, then." He kissed Pete's head, and ran his fingers through his hair.

"You know," Pete started, "Even Julia thought you guys were great, tonight."

Gary laughed a bit, "Well, I'm glad she enjoyed my... performance."

"Oh no," Pete said, laughing lightly and gripping Gary tighter, "She enjoyed your show. I'll be the only one enjoying your performance."

Pete could feel Gary smile against his head, and couldn't hold back his own smile, even if he'd wanted to.
They fell asleep that way, in Pete's bed, holding each other, and Pete thought that he couldn't possibly feel closer to someone.