Chapter: 9: As Long As You're Mine
Author's Note: I'm gonna go ahead and apologize for just in case the chapter after next gets delayed a little bit. I'm mildly stuck on the very end. This is why I hate posting chapter stories before I've finished writing them. Haha. Anyway. Enjoy. =)
"This was...such a bad idea." Alex mutters, just loud enough for Justin to hear it.
"Excuse me?" the high flyer demands, sitting up abruptly. Alex follows suit.
"Ugh, no, wait, I didn't mean it like that! The-the sex was...fucking incredible, and it's not like I didn't want it or anything, just..." the younger breaks off, letting out a sigh and tearing at his hair, drawing a knee up to his chest. He stares at it instead of his companion. "I'm not over Mike. I'm not even CLOSE to being over Mike. The last thing I need is to alienate the one person who gives a shit about me by stringing him along as some, some rebound revenge fuck."
Justin is silent for a few long, empty minutes before he finally coughs out a laugh.
"Wow. That was a, uhm...surprisingly sober observation, Alex."
The aforementioned's head snaps up, his eyes locking with his friend's. His brow furrows in confusion at the sight of amusement in the brown orbs. Justin's slight smile falls away the longer Alex seems to ponder him.
"Wait, you were really worried about that? Alex, I'm hardly an idiot. There was no way you were going to be over Mike this soon. If you think I thought this was anything but stress relief, I sincerely apologize." Justin explains, eyes wide in slight amazement.
"What?" the younger basically breathes, astonished at the way Justin seems to be brushing the whole thing off.
"I just kind of figured, you seemed to need something, and you were asking for that, and certainly seemed to want it enough. And it's not as if either of us can deny it's kind of been a long time coming. But, Alex...you're definitely not stringing me along. I promise." the high flyer attempts to soothe his friend. Alex still looks kind of stricken, however.
"But I'm still in love with Mike! A-and, I..." he tries.
Justin takes a deep breath. He figures now's as good a time as any to let Alex in on the big secret.
"And I'm in love with Heath. It's fine. Really." he says softly, his eyes beginning to darken a bit. "If anything, I've been the one leading you on."
It's Alex's turn to fall silent, and he takes full advantage, letting the thoughts have a chance to sink in. Then, he's looking at Justin again, confusion setting in once more.
"But Heath's crazy about you." he objects quietly.
"Oh, I know that. You know that. Everyone knows that." Justin replies, a bittersweet smile flashing across his face. "Heath doesn't know that."
"Really? Is he blind? What the hell does he think it is?" Alex asks, almost to himself.
"Who knows? It's Heath Slater." Justin says, the smile turning fond.
The younger watches him carefully for a second. How had he missed it? Justin always stared a second too long, smiled a little too wide, hugged Heath a little too tight. He should have known. But then,
"Why haven't you told him, then?" Alex ponders the question, scooting closer to his friend.
"He's still convinced he's straight. I won't be the one to break that delusion for him. I can't even begin to imagine how he'd react." Justin returns. "I might lose him."
And Alex can't really argue with that. He remembers when he realized he might swing both ways, and might be attracted to one of his male friends. It hadn't been pretty. He looks to Justin with sad eyes.
"I'm sorry, man." he mumbles.
"Don't be. There's nothing I can really do. And you were fantastic, by the way. So really, I have no complaints." the high flyer shifts gears so fast Alex thinks he gets whiplash, throwing the younger a wink as he stretches out on the bed.
Alex blushes, ducking his head down a bit with a light grin.
"So, we're okay, right?" he asks, nervousness trying to sneak into his tone.
"Absolutely!" Justin reaffirms, reaching out and pulling Alex closer. "Seriously, it's fine. Nothing is awkward at all. If you want to do it again, that's alright. If you don't, that's cool, too. The ball is completely in your court, Alex. No strings attached, whatsoever."
Alex breathes a sigh of relief, dropping his head to rest on Justin's shoulder, snuggling close. Justin turns his head to press a kiss to Alex's head, laughing just slightly. He slides down further in the bed, makes himself comfortable. Alex follows suit, dragging Justin over and into his arms. He nuzzles into the high flyer's hair, taking a deep breath.
"I'm so glad." he lets out, almost all in one word. "I really couldn't afford to lose you, too."
"You couldn't lose me. You should know that by now." Justin replies with a yawn, blinking a few times slowly before closing his eyes all together.
And really, if Alex thinks about it, he does know. He and Justin may never be anything more than friends, but at least he does have that. He knows Justin has his back, no matter what. He mumbles his agreement into the high flyer's soft hair. They're both just about to drift off when the older's gravelly voice lights up again.
"What did you mean by revenge fuck?"
Alex laughs a bit. "I'll tell you in the morning."
"Alright. Goodnight, Alex. Sweet dreams." Justin mumbles.
The younger returns the sentiment, leaning down to kiss the back of Justin's neck, lacing their fingers together. Then, he falls into the best sleep he's had in weeks.
III
The first thing Alex notices when his eyes open the next morning is the sound of an alarm that's growing increasingly familiar. He reaches over Justin, grabbing the phone and silencing the ringing before setting the it carefully back on the nightstand. He props himself back up on his own side of the bed, staring at his slumbering companion for a moment. Justin looks so peaceful, so...happy. He runs a hand through the dark locks, grinning further at how soft they still are despite the previous night's events. The older stirs the slightest bit, almost nuzzling Alex's hand. Alex reaches out, shaking Justin's shoulder lightly. The high flyer groans, swatting the larger hand away as he rolls over onto his back, stretching even as he sleeps. The younger feels his mouth go dry as the blankets are dragged down tanned abs, Justin's morning wood evident even under the sheet. He'd be lying if he said he didn't still feel Justin from the night before. He swallows thickly. The other had said if he wanted to do it again...
Before Alex even really has a chance to process what he's doing, his hand is edging under the blanket and inching its way over, gripping Justin's dick firmly. He uses the precum that's already managed to begin to bead at the head as lube stroking his friend slowly. Justin lets out a sigh that trails off into the smallest of moans, his hips lifting off the bed the slightest bit. The combination of that motion and the movement of Alex's hand cause the blankets to slide further down, leaving Justin's erection firmly on display. When Alex's mouth drops open, he doesn't even notice. He'd been so intoxicated the night before, so lust-drunk and completely focused on just getting Justin inside him, that he hadn't gotten a chance to fully appreciate his friend. Now, he takes the opportunity, his hand slowing even further as he gazes upon the South African's body, drinks it up. His eyes darken the longer he stares at the older's dick, the way it's just the smallest bit thicker than Mike's, just barely noticably shorter, but still larger than average. He feels his tongue swipe subconsciously across his lower lip and takes it as almost a sign, leaning in and replacing his hand with his mouth.
Justin really moans now, rolling his hips up into Alex's mouth, hand automatically finding the younger's soft hair. Alex is suddenly incredibly thankful for how strong his gag reflex has managed to get over the last ten months. Nevertheless, he rests an arm across the older's hips, pressing him carefully into the bed as he sets to work, his lips sliding down Justin's cock once more. The high flyer groans again, his fingers gripping the hair below them.
"Alex, fuck, that's incredible. Don't stop." he mutters, marveling even as he drifts awake at the way Alex is working his tongue and lips carefully around his cock.
Alex's uses his hand to almost lazily stroke what won't fit down his slim throat, his head bobbing up and down quicker and then slower, almost teasing the older. It's a few mere moments before Justin's nearly whimpering. Once Alex removes his arm, as if to allow Justin to thrust up into his mouth, the high flyer can only bring himself to take advantage for a brief minute (but he does take advantage, shivering at the way Alex fucking moans around his dick when he rolls his hips up, holding the younger's head in place by the hair) before he's taking Alex's face in his hands, drawing the larger up to press a messy kiss to his lips. They make out almost tenderly for a few long, comfortable minutes. Then, Justin's nudging Alex over, rolling the younger onto his back. He leans off the bed and grabs the lube that had been casually tossed aside in the chaos the night before, looking to Alex for a nod of affirmation before uncapping the bottle and slicking up his fingers. He warms the lube between them, looking at the younger with a soft smile before sliding in two at once.
A low moan works its way out of Alex's swollen lips, his head rolling back as he grinds down onto the fingers the slightest bit. Justin smirks, pumping them in and out only a few times before working the third in, scissoring them apart inside the younger. Alex nearly whines, his friend's name slipping out as well. He rocks down onto the slighter hand, urging Justin to just find his spot. The older takes it as his signal, retracting his hand and reaching for a condom from the night stand. Alex's legs are around his waist, drawing him closer before he even has a chance to roll it all the way on. He smiles down at the younger.
"Someone's eager." he whispers right against his friend's lips as he lines up.
Alex just nods, capturing Justin's lips in a soft kiss when the high flyer pushes in. The sex is much slower this time, each one fully content to draw it out and really have a chance to enjoy it, sober. They trade tender kisses as they fuck, soft phrases loaded with emotion painting their lips like a gloss. They come undone almost simultaneously, Justin's hand on Alex's rock hard dick, coaxing the orgasm out of the younger much more delicately than he had the night before. Alex is almost weeping with pleasure by the time Justin collapses on him, overstimulated by the way the older had continued to thrust for a few long moments even after they were both spent, trying to make the feeling last as long as possible. Alex runs his hands softly up and down the sculpted back above him, not even allowing the high flyer to pull out at first. Even if he won't admit it aloud, there's something about the feeling of being filled that comforts him in a way nothing else has seemed to since that fateful day a few weeks before. He's missed it so much, he doesn't even have the words to describe it. Not that Justin is complaining. He's too busy licking carefully at the inside of the younger's mouth, listening to all the sounds Alex can make.
Finally, though, they're forced to separate, the need for air too overpowering for them. Justin pulls out in the same instant, and Alex makes a noise he's not used to, a noise he hasn't made since the last time he and Mike truly made love. The thought of the older makes him ache and feel guilty, all at the same time. He shoots a transparent gaze in the high flyer's direction. Justin just laughs lightly.
"Stop overthinking everything. I can smell the smoke from here." he jokes, reaching out to ruffle Alex's hair before pulling the younger down into a light kiss.
Alex is smiling a bit when he pulls back, and he returns it. Then, he's sliding off the bed and meandering to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. When he gets back, Alex is already sitting up in bed, regarding him with an almost bittersweet expression. Justin crawls back up onto the bed, coming to sit beside his friend and slinging an arm around his shoulders.
"What's on your mind?" the high flyer inquires, grinning at his compainion.
Alex takes a moment, seems to prepare his words carefully before responding.
"Y'know, if we had done this in FCW, I bet we could be really happy together right now."
Justin's smile doesn't even falter.
"Or we could have dealt with a messy breakup over the distance and the stress of starting a new full-time career. You never know." he returns. "Plus, then you wouldn't have ever gotten together with Mike."
"I'm starting to think that might not be such a bad thing." the younger mutters, turning his gaze to his lap.
"Alex...Don't think like that. Seriously. You had so many good times with him! You were so happy!" Justin tries to talk some sense into his friend.
"Notice that you're speaking in past tense." Alex reminds him.
Justin lets out a light sigh.
"He still loves you. You know he does." he says, a last ditch effort to reassure the other.
Alex falls silent, nodding just a bit. He's not sure what use it would do to argue anymore at this point. Justin feels awful, a pout drawing its way onto his face as well.
"Either way, I'm not saying that, on the off-chance Mike doesn't come to his senses and come crying and begging you back, and on the on-chance Heath never realizes he's got feelings for me, or worse, figures it out and reacts badly, that there's not a chance for us. But right now, we're both entirely too wrapped up in other people to even try and make anything work." Justin explains as simply as he can, pulling Alex close and pressing a kiss to his temple.
The younger turns to Justin slowly with a soft smile once more. Justin almost sighs in relief.
"Thank you, Justin. And you're absolutely right. Maybe Mike will change his mind." Alex says quietly.
"There ya go. Keep your chin up. Things will get better. You'll see." Justin replies, rubbing a hand over the younger's back gently.
"I think you should really re-think telling Heath, too, Justin." Alex admits, offering it over like advice.
The older's mouth draws into a light frown. He tosses the idea around in his head a moment. On the one hand, things could go terribly. Heath could stay in denial, spazz out, and blow things way out of proportion, destroying any hope of a relationship, ever. But maybe...maybe it could work out alright. Justin shakes the thought from his head.
"I'm pretty sure it's hopeless, Alex." he says softly.
And Alex can't even help it, has to lean over and kiss Justin just as softly, pulling back with a light smile on his face.
"You never know," the younger whispers, a breath away from Justin's lips. "You snagged me."
Justin's frown fades the slightest bit. It's enough to make Alex relax. Suddenly, he catches the time on the alarm clock out of the corner of his eye.
"Hey, don't you need to get to Smackdown?" he reminds the older.
Justin's eyes snap open wide, his head whipping around to check the clock himself. He curses, leaping off the bed in a flash and rushing around the room, trying to pack his things and dress himself at the same time. Alex laughs before sliding out of bed himself, pulling his clothes on before helping Justin finish packing. It doesn't take any time between the two of them, and before they know it, Justin's ready to go, his bags slung over his shoulder. He turns to Alex with a wide smile, leaning back against the door. Alex leans over him, propping himself up with an arm draped above Justin's head.
"Well...it was certainly fun." Justin says with a light laugh.
"That it was. I'm, uh...glad you enjoyed yourself." Alex continues with the almost-joke.
"So you're not coming with me to the Smackdown taping?" the older asks.
"Nah. I think I'm gonna go back to the house and clear my head a little bit while I have the chance." Alex replies, still smiling.
Justin nods. "Sounds good. You'll call me if you need anything, though, right?"
"Absolutely."
The high flyer nods again, biting the insides of his lips. There's a moment where it almost seems as if neither of them knows what to do. Then, Alex is cupping Justin's face softly, capturing his lips tenderly one final time. They're both grinning when he pulls back.
"I'll call you later on, okay?" Alex questions, as if it would be a problem.
"You had better." Justin replies. He ducks his head down, a light tinge of pink decorating his cheeks. "I'll see you when I get home, Alex."
Alex gives his own affirmation. Then, Justin's slipping out the door and down to his car, driving away with the music blaring. He couldn't be happier everything managed to work out, couldn't be more relieved that he finally told someone about his problems with Heath, even if added stress is the last thing Alex needs right now. At least he seemed to understand. And who knows, maybe he'll be able to help. Either way, Justin's thankful nothing's awkward between he and his young friend. He certainly hadn't wanted to scare Alex away, even if the younger had been the one to initiate the whole thing. Suddenly, halfway to Smackdown, he remembers. What in the hell had Alex meant by "revenge fuck"?