Over the week Peter spent way too much time, thinking about the man he'd met at the club. It had just been a random encounter, he didn't even know his name, but the sex had been more than good and there was something about him. Peter couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe it was just the lack of information about him that piqued his interest or maybe it was how easily they had understood each other without saying much.
Peter wasn't sure if anybody had been able to satisfy him like this ever before. For sure not on the first try. Usually, it took more time. Getting to know each other, learning about the other one's preferences and dislikes, but with this man, it all had come easy. Pun intended.
Peter was back at the club the next Saturday. A part of him was convinced that he would not see the other man again so he tried to keep his expectations low. Like the other day, he went straight to the bar and ordered a whiskey. While he waited for his drink, he had a look around but he didn't spot a familiar face.
Peter sipped his drink slowly, drawing it out, but eventually, he reached the bottom of his glass. While he was wondering if he should go for a second one or just return to his hotel, he would not sit here like a sad teenager, waiting for a guy who might never show up, the bartender put a fresh glass in front of him.
"At least you're not trying to spill it this time." Again with that broad grin, the man took the stool next to him. "Wasn't sure if you would show up."
"Was thinking the same about you." Peter took a sip.
"I'm here most Saturdays." The man shrugged and nipped at his drink as well. Not a fancy cocktail this time, this looked more like a simple coke with rum. So maybe the fruity cocktail with the straw was more for showing off his skills with his lips and tongue than anything else. Today he didn't have to tease Peter, he'd already proven what he was capable of.
"What's your name?" Peter asked.
"I don't do names." The man fiddled with his glass. "I don't do rematches either."
"I consider myself lucky, then." Peter raised his glass to that.
"I had fun." He shrugged but he was not fooling Peter. He got the feeling that the other man had been thinking about their night together just as much as Peter had. Maybe it was wishful thinking but something had clicked between them.
They didn't rush to the restroom like horny teenagers this time, though. They stayed at the bar and talked like adults. Peter was fishing for information, he didn't even try to hide it, he wanted to know more about him while the other man actively steered their conversation to neutral topics. An hour later Peter still didn't know his name or anything personal about him but he knew which restaurant he had to try while he was in New York, which tourist traps he should avoid, and he'd gotten some insider's tips on what was worth visiting around here.
"You can show me around," Peter offered. He was not big on dating but things were different with this man. He was a mystery he wanted to uncover. He wanted to get to know him.
"No," the man said firmly. He put his glass down and turned on his stool to fully face Peter. "The sex with you was awesome I want more of that but that's it. I don't want to get to know you, I don't want to date you. As far as I'm concerned we're strangers with benefits. I want to take this to your room where we fuck each other's lights out but I won't stay for breakfast. If that's okay with you awesome, let's have some fun but if not tell me now and we'll cut this off right here and now."
Peter studied him for a long moment but he couldn't help the smile playing on his lips.
"I like a man who knows what he wants." Peter nodded.
"Is that a yes?"
"That's a yes." Peter raised his glass. "To strangers with benefits."
They clunked their glasses together and not much later they were in a cab and on their way to Peter's hotel. They even managed to keep their hands mostly to themselves until they were in the privacy of Peter's room. Then they couldn't get out of their clothes fast enough.
His partner was a bit of a power bottom, something Peter had noticed before but the way he was riding him now left no room for doubt about who was in charge here. Not that Peter minded, he liked a partner who stood their ground not only verbally but in bed as well.
Later they were lying in bed, fucked out and deeply satisfied, and Peter had to admit that he could get used to this.
When he said it aloud, Peter expected to get shut down again. As the man had said before, he didn't do rematches but to his surprise, he told him again that he was at the Jungle most Saturdays.
"We could exchange numbers," Peter said carefully. They were still enjoying the afterglow, Peter on his back and the other man snuggled up to him with his head resting on his shoulder. Peter was absently caressing his bare flank with his fingertips so he felt him tensing up at that idea.
"I just want a way to reach you," Peter hurried to explain himself. "I don't want to sit at the bar, wondering if you'll show up or not. I'm not going to randomly call you."
"You're not the type for extended phone calls," the man said but so far he hadn't said no to exchanging numbers. "Not sure if you're the type for booty calls, though."
He craned his neck to look at Peter. That grin was back on his face.
"Only one way to find out." Peter gave him an unimpressed look. He was not the type for booty calls, especially not if he was the one on call, but to his surprise, he was more than willing to give this a try.
Since he still didn't have a name, Peter saved the number as Stranger. He didn't want to know what name he got in the other man's contact list. He hoped it was something like Handsome but deep down he knew that he was Booty Call from now on.
"I'm free most Saturdays but I might be able to squeeze in something over the week here and there," Stranger said and got comfortable with his head on Peter's shoulder again. "Have to make the most out of it while you're here."
"What makes you think that I'll leave?" Peter raised an eyebrow at him.
"Dude, you're staying at a hotel," Stranger pointed out. "You've been to New York before but you don't live here. Whatever the reason is you're here, you won't stay forever."
Since the other man hadn't been forthcoming with information Peter had held back as well but it looked like Stranger was just as observant as him.
"You live here," Peter said. "I can give you a call when I'm in town. I might have a reason to visit more often now."
"I would like that."
"Besides, I don't intend to leave just yet. I still have some things to take care of." Which brought him back to Derek. He really should call him. Just to find out where they stood. "I might stay for a little while longer."
"I would like that too."
They stayed in bed for a few minutes longer and Peter was more than ready to drift off to sleep but his partner got restless rather quickly.
"You can shower before you leave," Peter offered when the man rolled out of bed.
Stranger gave him a considering look, maybe searching for ulterior motives, but then he accepted the offer.
He took his time with the shower but then he got dressed and left.
Peter had stayed in bed but now he got up to clean up properly as well but then he crawled back under the covers and turned off the lights.
Sleep didn't come easy. His mind was swirling around the man he'd firmly dubbed Stranger by now. Peter didn't know what he was doing here but he hadn't felt this alive in quite a while and he wanted more of this.
In the morning he did call Derek. It was Sunday morning, this was probably the best time to catch him. Peter didn't know how busy life as a professor was.
Turned out it was relaxed enough for spontaneous coffee dates.
Peter hadn't been sure if Derek even wanted to see him so when his nephew offered to see him over a coffee, Peter hurried to agree.
It was telling that Derek didn't invite him into his home, though. Peter got it. He'd been kind of a dick to him and when Derek had reached out to him with the invitation to his wedding, Peter had ditched him with no explanation whatsoever.
Peter was at the coffee shop a bit early and he was nervous like a teenager on a first date. He wanted to do this right. Derek was the only family he had left and he wanted him to be part of his life again. Maybe he was getting old.
They hadn't seen each other in years and Peter almost didn't recognize the man heading his way. Derek was a few years younger than him but there were the first gray hairs in his neat scruff. Talia had found the first gray hairs in her early thirties so it was clear where Derek had it from. But opposite to his mother, Derek wore them with natural confidence and it suited him. Along with the black-rimmed glasses and the sweater he was wearing it did give him the distinguished look of a professor. The black leather jacket gave the look an interesting twist.
"Peter," Derek greeted him with a warm smile and after an awkward second his nephew had him in a bear hug. "You're looking good."
"Same to you." Peter wound himself out of his arms to have a proper look at him. Up close he saw the happy lines around his eyes and he could tell that the smile was genuine. Derek was happy to see him.
They took their seats and Peter waited until the waitress had supplied them with coffee before he spoke.
"I got the invitation to your wedding," he started just to make clear that it hadn't been lost in the mail. "And I wanted to come but …" He spread his hands in a helpless gesture. He'd stayed away to keep Derek safe, the last thing he wanted was for Derek to get involved in his shady business but there was no way to explain that.
"I know," Derek said with a pained face. "After what Kate did, what I did … I get that you didn't want to come."
The last time they had seen each other had been at Laura's funeral and back then Peter still had been reserved when it had come to Derek. Rationally he'd known that it hadn't been Derek's fault, that he'd been used in the worst possible way but emotions weren't rational.
It made sense that Derek thought that Peter was still holding a grudge against him.
"That's not the reason." Peter let out a sigh. "I'm sorry. I should have been there for you. And Laura. I shouldn't have left as I did. I don't even know why I'm here now." He shook his head, trying to sort his thoughts. "It's just … you're the only family I've left and I haven't seen you in years. We used to be close. I miss that." The last words came out barely a whisper and Peter had to blink against the tears. Damn, he hadn't meant to get emotional.
"I miss that too," Derek said in a thick voice.
Suddenly Peter breathed easier. Derek was here, he was willing to give him a second chance, that was all he was asking for.
"So, what have you been up to?" Peter asked more light-heartedly. "Heard you found the love of your life."
Derek gave him a grateful look for changing the topic and then he told him how he'd met that awesome man who went by the ridiculous name of Stiles.
