The Face With Two Skeletons

by Tropicwhale

disclaimer: Not mine...

Warning: Smut. Glorious lemony smut because they earned it!

Author Talk: I got nothing. I am going to let the story speak for itself, for once. Second to last chapter, plus epilogue. I am finished my preliminary outline of "Squint in the Affair". So that's coming down the chute at you. Eventually I plan on going back and editing some bad grammar but that'll be when I got nothing new to write. Also, continuing to write my Spander story, they are currently in Rome and being stupid, well Spike is...I am also considering to write a novella of my own creation...murder mystery...jewel theft...maybe...I don't know. I plan on releasing that for free somewhere….maybe. I don't know. Finishing this story is bringing up all sorts of creative weird feelings...I don't have the words for what it is. I just don't want to let go! But all things end...even heady romances such as this….god that was lame. I hope to not regret that later.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Seeley opened the door to the apartment then reached back to grab Zack's hand. Zack pulled back, briefly. Seeley narrowed his eyes and tugged harder. Zack planted himself and grinned. Seeley tugged a little harder and Zack did not budge. He raised his eyebrows at the federal agent in challenge. Seeley tugged a little harder and then, without warning, rushed Zack and picked him up off his feet. Zack squealed Seeley's name as he was carried over the threshold and the door kicked shut behind them. Seeley dumped Zack on the couch like a load of laundry. Zack was laughing. "Really? That was your move? I would have thought I would be naked by now." Seeley narrowed his eyes

"Are you mocking me?" he asked. Zack shrugged then sat up to remove his shoes and socks.

"So, what's the analysis and conclusion?"

"Huh?"

"Usually, by this point in the romantic evening, people have already decided if they want to go out with me again. What's the analysis and conclusion?" Zack looked up at Seeley quietly observing. Booth suddenly felt like a set of remains. "I'll understand if this was just a fluke in the data." Booth's heart rate increased. "If you think that…" Zack trailed off. "I'm not…" He started and then stopped again. He sighed. "You're not gay, Seeley."

"We've been sleeping together for awhile."

"You wouldn't be the first person I slept with who was just curious." Zack looked up at him then looked away "Or the first to decide I wasn't what they were looking for at that point in time. Probably not the last person to make that decision either."

"Zack…"

"I'm not trying to guilt you into it or anything. I just want you to consider things logically. I really like you, Seeley. If you decide to make a go of this and then decide later that….I've had that happen before and really didn't like it. I get that you think you think with your gut, as illogical and impossible as that is. You go with your emotions and I really like that about you but...at some point, you will have to come out of the closet and people will say all sorts of things about you, to your face and behind your back. People will say things about Parker, about why you didn't marry his mom, about why you tried so hard to marry her in the first place. Everything you've built your sexual identity on will be torn down. Facts won't matter, the truth won't matter. I know because I went through it when Bradley-Let me ask you something, do you find Hodgins sexually attractive?"

"No. He's gross and hairy." Zack's smile was knowing. "Look, it's just you, okay? I like you. I have fun sleeping with you and having sex with you and it's just you, I still like women."

"I like women too but Hodgins still acts like I'm just gay. He's not the only one. People hear that you like the same sex and all of the sudden...they make assumptions. About everything you are. I just don't want to see you get hurt. There are gay people who think that bisexuals are just lying to themselves...I don't want you to be hurt but everyone turning against you."

"No, you don't want to get hurt. Why bring this up now, huh?"

"While the investigation was ongoing...what we were doing was illegal, technically. It was fun to keep it a secret but...after what happened...with Bradley and with Zerbrowski….I don't want…" Zack trailed off again. "I am smart enough to recognize a pattern when I see it. And Bradley, Zerbrowski and you are a pattern. Smart, sexy, successful alpha men who….just want to 'keep it quiet for now' for whatever reason. Family won't accept it, a marriage-" Zack looked up at Booth. "a career and a young, impressionable son. I want to break that cycle. It's not healthy for me and-and it's gotten people killed. It's not just Bradley or Zerbrowski. It's...Naomi from Paleontology not wanting to tell her friends about me because I work with fresh remains, and its Harry from undergrad because I was underage and he was twenty. It was Alice and Dotty and Channah because of the whole conservative Jewish-Non-Jewish thing. It keeps happening and I keep being okay with it. I don't think that I should be okay with it anymore."

"Annnd you have no reassurance from me that it won't happen again."

"Your word." Zack said. "If you tell me that you genuinely think a relationship between us could work out, I will believe you. You are a man of your word, Seeley Booth. I trust you to tell me the truth."

"If I told you I don't know?"

"I'll believe you. Sleeping with someone you didn't expect to be attracted to is kinda of terrifying. It's exhilarating but terrifying. I felt it when I started sleeping with Bradley...and with you."

"We can't just take this one step at a time?"

"No. We both know it won't work like that."

"So, if I decide we're going to start dating, I have to come out, is that it?"

"No. Not...not right away but I don't want to hide either. I want to…"

"Not hide. No, I get it. That's a reasonable thing to want." Now Seeley was staring at the floor.

"Is it?" Something in Zack's tone made Seeley look up. He nodded. "Ok, good. This is...not what I am used to. It's terrifying." Seeley sat next to Zack and kicked off his own shoes. They sat there, in a weird parody of their first evening together without pizza, ESPN or explosion-induced injuries.

"I think it says something that you're not used to being treated with respect in your romantic relationships."

"They weren't really that important to me...not compared to science. At least, it didn't feel like it at the time. Looking back, I probably should have realized how important it- I was on autopilot. I will try not to do that to you if you tell me that I won't end up regretting it."

"I can't promise that, Zack."

"Why not?"

"Because, there are a lot of ways to end up regretting a relationship. I regret not staying with a lot of ex-girlfriends. We broke up for good reasons but-"

"What reasons?"

"I want to get married at some point. I want to have more kids."

"D.C doesn't allow gay marriage, yet. We could go up to Vermont to get married...if it came to that. There is a lot of options for a gay couple to adopt. I actually would prefer to adopt. There are a lot of kids out there that need homes. If I could help with that I would."

"I'd still want to have my own kid."

"We could do both. Surrogate one and adopt one. Dr. Brennan wants to have children and I don't think she'd mind to be a surrogate mother and egg donor. Also, the pair of you would make a very attractive person. We'd end up with three children though..."

"We really would be that, huh?"

"What?"

"A gay couple with 2.5 kids and a house with a yard and a dog…."

"And a cat...probably a couple of spiders and a snake. I want a pet snake and spiders make excellent pets." Seeley shuddered. "Definitely a cat. This is a whole new level of terrifying."

"How so?"

"We haven't answered the first question and we're planning a life?"

"I...I don't know. It helps to think about it like that. Like can we see ourselves in that situation with each other?"

"I can. But I have an excellent imagination and a dizzying intellect." Zack smiled at Seeley as Seeley laughed.

"Funny."

"I figured." Zack squealed when Seeley poked him in the side. Then Seeley tormented Zack with his fingers in all of the ticklish spots. "Stop! Gah!" Zack got one arm free and got Booth in the neck causing the federal agent to collapse on top of him. "Gah, heavy" Seeley kissed Zack then, stopping the giggling and the speaking. The kiss was full of tongues and teeth and push and pull. Seeley reached up and pulled at Zack's hair. Zack bend his knee to position their groins together. "Seeley, Seeley." He said after a minute. He put his hand on the other man's chest. "Did you decide?"

"I don't know. That's my decision. I don't know, Zack. I have to think about it. Can't we just enjoy this moment. Worry about the rest tomorrow?" Seeley stared at Zack and watched as something passed behind his eyes, something like disappointment and acceptance. "Hey," he said, kissing Zack quickly; which turned into a longer kiss then a longer kiss after that. "hey," he said again to focus himself, trying to look at the cushion next to Zack's head to calm himself. "I am not going to hide you away." Seeley nuzzled Zack's cheek, something intoxicating about how the younger man wore the scent of Seeley's shampoo and conditioner. "But everything else is too big for one night. Can't we just start this at the beginning? We just went out on our first date and now we are making out on the couch...everything else-"

"No." Zack kissed his cheek. "I need you to say 'Yes, Zack, lets try dating each other' or 'No, Zack, I don't think this will work out.' or-"

"I need more time to decide. You can't just put an ultimatum like that out and expect an immediate answer...especially when you live with me. It'll be awkward any way I answer."

"Alright, when I move back to my apartment you will give me an answer."

"Yes. That will work. Thank you, Zack"

"Shut up and kiss me, Seeley." Seeley crashed his lips to Zack's mouth. When he pulled back Zack murmured "That's better." Which caused Seeley to kiss him harder. Zack's shirt was the first to come off then Seeley's. Zack's hands raked up under Seeley's undershirt then down to his belt. Unbuckling it and unzipping Seeley's pants was quick work complicated by Seeley's mouth on Zack's Adam's apple. Somehow, Seeley won the Battle of Lost Clothes and Zack was completely naked before he managed to get Seeley's slacks off. Seeley pushed off his own slacks while attacking Zack's left nipple with his tongue and teeth. The belt buckle clattered when it hit the floor. Seeley mouth his way down Zack's stomach, biting his hip bone then biting a line down Zack's thigh, tongued the back of his knee then worked his way back to Zack's hip. He licked a line across his waist. He licked up Zack's treasure trail and gave Zack's navel a messy kiss. Zack moaned and hooked his right leg over Seeley's left shoulder. There was a pause where their eyes met. Zack couldn't think of anything to say. Seeley considered his options. He could suck Zack off, something neither one was very fond of or kiss Zack which both of them enjoyed immensely. Seeley propelled forward and there was a messy kiss that was more tongues than lips and Zack's leg slid to the crook of Seeley's arm. Seeley's left hand moved to Zack's lower back while his right gripped the couch arm above Zack's head. The kiss deepened and then Seeley moved his mouth to just below his ear. "Seeley." Zack murmured and Seeley's mouth returned to his. Seeley was nervous, suddenly and inexplicably. He poured all that emotion into the kiss, hiding it in the physical connection. He pressed his body down on Zack's and Zack responded by throwing an arm around Seeley's neck, his fingers running over the other man's scapula. Zack's other hand ran up into Seeley's hair, grabbing it and thus taking control of the kiss. Seeley fought for a few minutes then gave up because Zack cheated and grabbed his ass over his boxers. Seeley ran his left hand up Zack's side to cup Zack's face briefly, his thumb brushing over a cheekbone. Zack arched up and made their groins rub together. From there it became a competition to Seeley; who could unravel the other faster. Zack was unaware of the competition, however, and matched Seeley move for move.

When Seeley bite Zack's lower lip, Zack raked his nails down Seeley's back. Seeley came back with a knee rubbing at Zack's balls and Zack arched up into the touch only to rub a palm over the other man's cloth covered nipple. Seeley growled and bite at Zack's neck. Zack pulled off Seeley's undershirt. Seeley kissed Zack, thrusting his tongue deep into the younger man's mouth. Zack sucked on it. Seeley started to milk Zack's erection. Zack licked a line up Seeley's neck. Seeley held Zack's erection and started to rock his own against it. Zack's hand slipped between them and worked Seeley's penis out of the boxer's slit helping Seeley in masturbating them together. Seeley's foot hit the floor to give him better leverage and Zack's thumb ran over both their heads mixing precum. Seeley moaned into Zack's neck and thrust harder. Zack's free hand ran down Seeley's back into his boxers. Zack pushed his ring finger into Seeley, rubbing the muscle. Seeley came back to give Zack a harsh, brutal kiss. He ran his free hand over Zack's jaw and pushed his thumb into Zack's mouth. Zack sucked hard and ran the tip of his tongue over the edge of the nail at the same time his thumb swiped over the slit of Seeley's erection. "Seeley?" Zack's voice was rough and low. "Seeley?" His finger pushed deeper into the federal agent. "Seeley? Protection? Lubrication?" Seeley pulled back. Zack was staring at him while still thrusting up into their hands. "Unless this is enough for you?" Zack's middle finger joined his ring finger.

"I want more. I want your mouth on me." The said mouth opened a little to retort. "I'm talking about oral sex, Zack." Zack smiled and glanced down at their pelvises.

"Ok." Seeley pulled up and Zack's hands left him as he moved up and straddled Zack's face. Zack squirmed to get more comfortable and waited. Seeley took himself in hand and pushed into Zack's mouth. Warm and tight and Zack's face hollowed out around his erection had Seeley panting. But, it wasn't enough. He wanted more. He pulled back.

"Stay here. I'll be right back." He got up and went to leave.

"Leave on your boxers." Seeley all but raced to the bathroom to get ready and was back standing over Zack in a couple of minutes. He stared down at the littlest squint making up his mind. He felt lewd, standing with his wrapped penis out of his boxers and slick on his fingers. Zack just looked up at him, stretched out naked on the couch like a cat, hard and staring up at him. "Are you going to-"

"Sh, Zack. I'm trying to think."

"About?"

"How I want you." Zack licked his lips. "This might take a minute. Touch yourself."

"Where?" Zack hand hovered over his stomach while his other went behind his head.

"Your thigh. Rub your thigh for me." Zack obeyed. Seeley wanted to bend him in half and do him just like that, but then he also wanted to take Zack bent over the back of the couch, had wanted that since the first time they fooled around. But then there was pulling Zack to the floor and doing him on all fours. But he also wanted to take Zack up against the wall, thrusting hard and dirty. With his dry hand he pulled Zack to sitting and positioned him on his knees and bending over the back of the couch. He kissed and licked his spine as he pushed slick fingers into Zack slowly. Zack moaned and cried out, gasping for breath. Seeley didn't like that. He wanted to be able to see Zack's face. He liked watching Zack's face during sex. It made him harder.

He pulled Zack back to the couch and onto his side facing the back. He pushed Zack's upper leg to his chest and straddled his lower leg with one foot on the ground and a knee pressed against the cushions on the back of the seat. He could see Zack's face from this position and he was going to be tight. Seeley used the back of his hand to wipe sweat from his forehead then pushed into Zack slowly. Zack's chin dropped to his chest and he heaved in large breaths of air. Time slowed down and by the time Seeley climaxed he was sweaty and out of breath. Zack was still hard. Zack turned his head and looked up at Seeley. "Your turn. You should prepare yourself." he said in a soft, robotic tone. They broke apart and Zack got up and left the room. That dirty feeling in the pit of Seeley's stomach was back as he put his hand down his boxers and pushed his fingers into himself. Zack came back wearing a condom and a curious expression. "How do you what it?" Seeley didn't pause when he said

"Bent over the back of the couch." He straightened and moved into position. Zack was right behind him, pulling the waist band of Seeley's boxers to just below his ass, spreading his cheeks, and thrusting into him without another word. Seeley found he had to spread his legs more and grab the couch cushions to keep from getting slammed forward too much. Zack had grabbed his hips with both hands and was like a machine in how controlled he kept his thrusts. Seeley saw stars when he closed his eyes. Then, gasping out Seeley's name, Zack came and was still moments later, draped over Seeley's back.

They retired to bed after they had recovered enough to do so. Seeley was braced against the headboard and Zack was laying horizontally with his head on Seeley's lap and his feet just off the bed. Seeley's hand carded through Zack's hair and Zack's hand was cupping Seeley's calf. Seeley's boxers had been banished to the dirty laundry. The blankets and sheets were wrapped and twisted around their bodies to suit them. The rest of the night was spent in silence and contemplation of the future.

Author After Notes: This was a really intense chapter. I did not intend for that much….whoa. These boys, man. They like to make their own decisions.

Tropic