Mi Casa Es Tu Casa

[ELI WESLEY]

Nick seemed almost stumped for an answer and it immediately raised a red flag for Eli. He was trying to come up with a good answer—but why? Childhood activities were usually the easiest part of childhood that people could open up about. “I told ya’ll b’fore. I gardened.” The stare Nick gave him told Eli to back off asking about more details. Of course gardening wasn’t the only thing he did as a kid, but Eli knew when a person was at their limits for questioning. Nick had given him an open invitation to fulfill his curiosity, but it seemed it was a superficial gesture. “I sometimes played with th’ horses.” So he grew up with horses? With his dad being an oil man, they would have the money for it. Eli tried to picture Nick caring for a horse, but that was a difficult image to drum up. His brow furrowed momentarily as he saw Nick grab his wine and gulp it down. Was it the horses or just the talk of his childhood that was making him nervous? Eli was torn between finding Nick’s uncharacteristic anxiety worrisome or endearing. Perhaps it was simply both. “I don’ care much for horses these days. Or any animal f’ that mattuh. Ya’ll don’ have any, now do yuh?” Eli shook his head with a small half smile. He had a dog and cared for the horses, but he didn’t enjoy animals anymore. That’s probably why it was so hard to picture Nick caring for them now. But he had to wonder what happened to his opinion of animals. “I didn’ explore th’ bayou all tha’ much. My time was always accounted for, doin’ chores or basic schoolin’. Learning my daddy’s trade…” That could very well be what brought Nick his money now. Perhaps he was involved in illegal oil deals and that’s why he was so secretive about it. Eli could see Nick working a business like that. And it was probably better that Eli didn’t know anything about it.

"But I'm sure I'm borin' ya'll…you musta had a fine childhood, what with three brothuh's an' uh baby sistuh?" Nick was anything but boring. He was a puzzle that Eli was eager to piece together. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear Nick was ready to be pieced together yet. Thus, Eli patiently moved on with a lopsided smile and a nonchalant shrug. “It was crowded, but it was good. My parents were always loving and on the lenient side. Of course we had our chores and they had expectations for our school performance, but they weren’t big on punishment. It took a lot for us to get grounded.” He sipped his wine, reflecting on the things his brothers did to get themselves grounded. Calling their sister a bitch…getting into fights at school… “My parents are Quakers, so we really only got in trouble if we did something that was violent or against love for others. Not that I was ever grounded. I was the bookworm that kept to myself. I got teased by some of the kids in school in my early years, but when they realized I didn’t care what they thought of me, they stopped teasing me. I rarely felt the urge to fight back.” Nick looked almost skeptical, but it was hard to read his expression otherwise. Was it…maybe envy? It was hard to imagine anyone envying his normal, uneventful upbringing.

“I tended to enjoy being on my own. My brothers Kyle and Adam were birds of a feather, active and outgoing. Luke was somewhere between them and myself, finding the balance between his love for sports and his quiet, somewhat geeky nature. And then Mary was my shadow. I didn’t mind playing pretend with her and she liked to read with me. We could spend whole afternoons just reading to each other or playing and planting in the garden. I didn’t have a whole lot of friends as a kid, so she was really my best friend.” Even now his little sister was the most important person in his life. He’d do anything for her. Again Eli shrugged his shoulders, giving a small, crooked smile. “It was a pretty ordinary childhood—very peaceful. My parents wouldn’t have it any other way.” He popped a piece of chicken in his mouth, his green eyes focusing on Nick’s handsome face. “Were you close to your mom?” His dad seemed like a sore subject and Eli didn’t want to pry too much. He was curious about the woman behind Nicholas, though. What was she like?

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

“It was crowded, but it was good. My parents were always loving and on the lenient side. Of course we had our chores and they had expectations for our school performance, but they weren’t big on punishment. It took a lot for us to get grounded.” Nick didn't need to hear it to know that Eli's life had been picturesque. He'd met plenty of people who had good lives, though he didn't often become attracted to them. It was hard not to envy them on some level though he'd hardened himself to some degree about his own past. Nick didn't enjoy thinking about his first eighteen years, first with his parents in the cult and then in the custody of The Lone Star State. How could Eli effectively help others when he didn't know true torment? Then again Nick knew there was more to Eli than his simple upbringing. There was more.. why else would he try to help troubled people? It was the first time he'd come to that conclusion, oddly while Eli talked about his perfect childhood.

“My parents are Quakers, so we really only got in trouble if we did something that was violent or against love for others. Not that I was ever grounded. I was the bookworm that kept to myself. I got teased by some of the kids in school in my early years, but when they realized I didn’t care what they thought of me, they stopped teasing me. I rarely felt the urge to fight back.” He knew Eli wasn't one to fight back. He'd taken his abuse from Nick willingly but somehow this knowledge chipped at him. Perhaps he should be pushing Eli more. He wouldn't fight back, he'd said so just now. “I tended to enjoy being on my own. My brothers Kyle and Adam were birds of a feather, active and outgoing. Luke was somewhere between them and myself, finding the balance between his love for sports and his quiet, somewhat geeky nature. And then Mary was my shadow. I didn’t mind playing pretend with her and she liked to read with me. We could spend whole afternoons just reading to each other or playing and planting in the garden. I didn’t have a whole lot of friends as a kid, so she was really my best friend.” He was suddenly more interested in Mary. She was what he loved more than anything else, which made her competition on some level. The gears in the corrupt part of his mind began to turn as he absorbed the information Eli so willingly gave up on how to bring him to his knees.

Eli shrugged his shoulders, trying to play it all off as though it were no big deal, and Nick supposed to someone like Eli it probably wasn't a very big deal. His life had been good and his family had treated him the way families were supposed to treat one another. Nick was the exception, not the other way around, even if it didn't feel that way. He knew nothing of love and acceptance, and he didn't really care to. “It was a pretty ordinary childhood—very peaceful. My parents wouldn’t have it any other way.” The more Eli spoke, the more Nick wanted to hurt him. Physically, mentally, emotionally.. he wanted to kick Eli down a notch and shove him so hard off his high horse that he wouldn't be able to climb back on, even if he wanted to. His jaw tensed slightly at the thoughts that ran through his mind, dangerous ones that he worked hard to keep at bay, something he was good at but not an expert by any means. “Were you close to your mom?”

The question threw Nick off and he was quiet a moment, taking a sip of wine to make his silence seem deliberate. "When I was young." Nicholas wasn't used to discussing his childhood and didn't like doing so. He'd been forced to as a boy but once he'd turned eighteen and had proven he could be a functioning part of society, he'd rarely talked about it. Most people didn't bother asking. "Didn' see'r much aftuh I turned eight. She left." He gave a smile that bordered between cold and warm, almost warning Eli not to prod him further for details. "It was for th'best." It was mostly true, anyway. He'd been the one to leave, but only because the state made him. He'd seen his mother a handful of times over the years, but he stayed away, too reminded by his past. He felt nothing when he'd learned she'd taken her own life when he was seventeen. If anything part of him was happy with the news. He hated her for bringing him into that life and the memories of things she'd done to him, and the things he'd been forced to do to her haunted him still. She was too weak, and it disgusted him. She never fought for him, not once, but as he grew older he forgave her on some level. Still, he was glad she was dead. "Momma had uh delicate mind, if yuh unduhstand. Very vacuous. Daddy was uh strong willed man. It was prob'ly in her best int'rest tuh be away from him. But b'fore that I reckon ya'll could say we was close." He really had no understanding of what it was like to be close to anyone, but she was the person he was likely closest to. She had taken care of him, after all, at least in the ways a parent should. He was sometimes bathed and usually fed, and though his clothes were worn and ragged they were usually semi-clean. She had no control over him, though. No one but his father did. "I like your home, Eli." He complimented suddenly, again changing the topic before Eli got the idea of probing more. "Wish ya'll had invited me, I feel awful rude for intrudin'.. eatin' the suppuh yuh made for just ya'llself.. Aftuh we finish I'd like very much tuh make up my invasion. Have anything in mind I could do? Dishes? treat yuh to dessert? Bend ya'll ovuh this lovely table, maybe?"

[ELI WESLEY]

Eli was patient as Nick sipped his wine, watching his lover with calm green eyes. “When I was young.” Again, Eli was picturing the young Nick gardening alongside his mother. He wondered what she looked like and how the pair looked together. “Didn’ see’r much aftuh I turned eight. She left.” Eli’s eyes now turned sad, his brow furrowing gently as a frown dragged down his mouth slightly. The smile that Nick gave emitted mixed signals. On the one hand he looked almost warm with a bittersweet look in his eyes, like when you think of one who hurt you but whom you loved. On the other hand, there was a chill to his piercing blue eyes that warned Eli not to prod further. He was a private man and Eli found his job might have been a little too ingrained in him. “It was for th’ best.” Really? Eli found that statement odd and intriguing, but he didn’t voice his question as he studied the far off look in Nick’s eyes. What would make it better for Nick’s mom to leave? Maybe he had witnessed her abuse? Remembering the look Nick had given him, Eli bit his tongue and waited for his lover to continue. “Momma had uh delicate mind, if yuh unduhstand. Very vacuous. Daddy was uh strong willed man. It was prob’ly in her best int’rest tuh be away from him. But b’fore that I reckon ya’ll could say we was close.” It was a sad story and Eli couldn’t help but feel sorry for Nick. Maybe that’s why he didn’t like others to get close to him these days? Perhaps the pain of losing his mom had been too much for the young Nick and he didn’t want to experience that pain again. It certainly made sense. Shaking his head gently, Eli tried to dislodge the thoughts too closely related to work. He wasn’t supposed to psychoanalyze his lover!

“I like your home, Eli.” The sudden compliment and subject change made Eli blink and sit up a little more, a small lopsided smile growing from one corner of his lips. “Thanks.” It was a quiet utterance, unsure how to react to this 180 degree turn in conversation. "Wish ya'll had invited me, I feel awful rude for intrudin'…eatin' the suppuh yuh made for just ya'llself…Aftuh we finish I'd like very much tuh make up my invasion. Have anything in mind I could do? Dishes? Treat yuh to dessert? Bend ya'll ovuh this lovely table, maybe?" Eli let out a soft, breathy laugh, his cheeks flushing with the final suggestion as he looked down at the table. Well, he was already halfway undressed—at least it would be easy to let his lover go at it. Looking up at Nick, his smile was warm. “First of all, any of those options sound great, so I’ll leave it up to you to decide.” His smile was flirtatious as it widened and he popped a piece of chicken in his mouth. He liked when the other person took the reins for their time together. Eli was a laid back guy and preferred to follow another person’s lead. Swallowing the chicken in his mouth, he moved onto his second point.

“Secondly, you’re not invading. I should have invited you over a lot sooner. I just wasn’t sure how you’d feel about my asking you over.” It was the truth, but he was also catching onto Nick’s way of subtly letting Eli know when he’d done something wrong by turning it around on Eli. By calling his visit an invasion and pointing out that he hadn’t been invited was a backhanded way of scolding Eli, but the man was receptive to it. He’d done exactly what he hadn’t wanted to do—he’d offended Nick. Now it was time to beg forgiveness. “But I’m glad you’re here. And I’m happy you approve of it.” He smiled a little wider briefly before it faded slightly once more. “Actually, I do feel awful about not inviting you. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?” He knew the question was suggestive, but he would let Nick take it any way he wanted. Whatever would help him forgive Eli’s perceived rudeness, even if Eli had done it unintentionally.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

The color crept back into his lovers cheeks and he wondered how long he would have this effect on him. The moment Eli grew too comfortable Nick knew he would become bored, or at least that's how it happened in other relationships. Even he had to admit that he was more drawn to Eli than he had been to any of his other lovers in a long time. He knew the excitement would wear off eventually, sooner rather than later most likely, but for now he truly enjoyed making Eli squirm. “First of all, any of those options sound great, so I’ll leave it up to you to decide.” It was a good enough answer for Nick and he bowed his head gently in a sort of nod in agreement. Eli offered a flirty sort of smile that Nicholas accepted but didn't return, knowing he didn't need to put out the same kind of effort Eli did. “Secondly, you’re not invading. I should have invited you over a lot sooner. I just wasn’t sure how you’d feel about my asking you over.” Nick let a brow raise in surprise as though he were surprised by the statement. He wasn't, of course, knowing how intimidated Eli was with him, but for now he played coy. “But I’m glad you’re here. And I’m happy you approve of it. Actually, I do feel awful about not inviting you. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?” Nick remained quiet for a moment, not allowing Eli to believe for a second he was off the hook. Nick doled out his punishments when he felt they were necessary, but if Eli had a guilty conscience then he would certainly have to take advantage of it. The boy was all but begging for Nick to put him in his place.

"I'll have to think it over." His tone was devoid of any playfulness, allowing Eli to know that he would make sure that Eli made good on his attempt at pleasing Nick for not offering the same courtesies he himself had bestowed upon him. "For now let's just finish eating. There's plenty of time for you to make things up to me after I've thanked you properly for supper." He took a sip of his wine and spooned more pasta onto his fork. "What sorts of things did you and your family do together?"

Eli spoke while they ate, occasionally prodding him with questions that he gave vague answers to, never getting too detailed and he always brought the questions back to Eli. When they finished Eli collected the plates and Nick followed, insisting on doing the dishes. It would likely be the only time he would offer during their short relationship, not being one to enjoy doing the dirty work, but it was his way of showing some amount of appreciation. Nick was no stranger to chores. Eli tried insisting that he didn't need to but Nick put his foot down and said he would do them and that was that. Eli was appreciative and put the leftover food away while Nick washed the handful of dishes quietly, focusing on the task at hand. It was odd pretending to be domestic with someone else, and for a moment he wondered what his life would be like if he could learn to genuinely want something like this, but even as he thought it he knew the feeling wouldn't last. He couldn't be with someone. He didn't want to, not long term anyway. Still, it was nice to play house like this.

When he finished he dried his hands off and turned to Eli, watching him with serious eyes as he contemplated his next move. Fucking him sounded nice, but it was something Eli wanted and he felt lazy from the wine and food. It wasn't a good time to exert himself. Instead he moved to the other man and grabbed his hips, pulling him close as his mouth found his. "Jus' so ya'll know, my feelin's are still hurt." He purred against his lips, his aim to remind Eli of his place. "I bought ya'll uh present, an' host ya'll all th'time.. If I didn' know no bettuh I'd think yuh didn' want me here." His hand moved to Eli's face and he brushed his hair gently. "I know ya'll said you was gonna make it up tuh me, but I can' think uh nothin' that might make me feel bettuh.." His fingers stroked down Eli's face gently, gliding down his cheek and to his chin, pinching it firmly, but not enough to hurt. "Now why would ya'll evuh think I might not like an invitation to come ovuh, hm?" He liked putting him on the spot, confronting him with his downfalls. He stayed close, his lips hovering nearby, though he had every intention of putting off any sexual advance. Some lessons shouldn't be learned with pleasure.

[ELI WESLEY]

“I’ll have to think it over.” The tone that Nick used made Eli wonder if he had irritated the man with his offer to make up for his inattentiveness. He forced a small smile, but couldn’t help the feeling of rejection from Nick’s cold response. “For now let’s just finish eating. There’s plenty of time for you to make things up to me after I’ve thanked you properly for supper.” Eli nodded and felt his neck flush slightly. Hadn’t he already thanked him for supper before it was even done cooking? Or was that simply foreplay? “What sorts of things do you and your family do together?” Nick wanted to change the subject and Eli gladly went along with it. He told how they were all big on gardening and how they occasionally went to sports games together. When they were all under the same roof they would often play board and card games, which usually involved lots of laughter and teasing. They were an apple pie kind of family with a strong bond, despite their differences. He tried to coax more out of Nick about his family and what they did together, but the man responded with vague answers that told Eli to leave it be. It wasn’t that he minded dropping the subject; he just wanted to know why Nick was so evasive when it came to his past. For the time being, he settled with telling Nick about his family and hoped for more information from him in the future.

They finished eating and Eli collected their plates, carrying them to the kitchen sink with Nick hot on his heels. His lover insisted on doing the dishes and though Eli protested, he eventually relinquished to Nick’s kind offer and busied himself with putting leftovers away. He was used to this domestic interaction with others. Abby and Lafayette were no strangers to his kitchen and whenever he went to his parents’ or his sister’s house, he inevitably ended up helping in the kitchen. Still, it was nice to have this with Nick. They hadn’t actually done anything domestic together yet and it made Eli hopeful that this could last for a little while. He’d certainly be lucky to land anything semi-permanent with Nick, even if it didn’t last forever. The man was quiet and calculating, even cruel at times, but he had a way of making Eli feel like the most wanted man in the world. Besides, he was a very interesting man that kept Eli on his toes. Eli heard the water stop as he placed the last of the leftovers in the refrigerator and he glanced over to see his lover drying his hands and staring at Eli contemplatively. What was it about plain old Eli that had captured such a gorgeous man’s attention? He looked away, closing the refrigerator door as he contemplated this. When he turned back, strong hands were on his hips and tugging him forward, catching the tall man by surprise. Stumbling forward, he found his body pressed to Nick’s, his parted lips just inches from the sultry Cajun’s.

Jus' so ya'll know, my feelin's are still hurt." Eli swallowed hard, his big green eyes darting between Nick’s deep blue eyes, his heart pounding with the way his lover’s mouth brushed over his. "I bought ya'll uh present, an' host ya'll all th' time…If I didn' know no bettuh I'd think yuh didn' want me here." That wasn’t it! He could feel the words stuttering to his lips, eager to assure Nick that wasn’t what he wanted him to think at all, but the hand on his cheek and in his hair hushed him for the moment. "I know ya'll said you was gonna make it up tuh me, but I can' think uh nothin' that might make me feel bettuh…” His brow furrowed worriedly, genuinely afraid he’d hurt Nick’s feelings by being cautious. He felt guilty for thinking that Nick wouldn’t want to come over. The hand on his cheek slipped down to pinch his large chin firmly, concerning Eli further. "Now why would ya'll evuh think I might not like an invitation to come ovuh, hm?" Eli swallowed and cleared his throat, holding Nick’s gaze with his own worried eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you or anything. I just…I wasn’t sure if you wanted that kind of relationship. Meaning the kind of relationship where we regularly see each other. You seem like the kind of man that likes things a certain way and I thought that you’d prefer your own space to mine. I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you.” His hands moved to Nick’s hips, tentatively keeping him close while he worked to mend this situation. “But I was wrong not to invite you. I should have just asked you over instead of being a chicken about it.” Leaning in just slightly more, he attempted to plant an apologetic kiss on his lover’s lips, but Nick backed away before Eli could complete the action. It worried him further and he felt his stomach beginning to knot. “Please don’t be mad. I really didn’t do it to hurt your feelings or keep you away. I don’t have anything to hide. I really was just afraid you wouldn’t like me anymore if you thought I was being too clingy.” Nick didn’t seem to be budging and Eli swallowed hard. Maybe he was toying with Eli, trying to gauge how sincere he was. It didn’t seem unlike Nick. Carefully he reached out and took Nick’s hand in his own, stepping back a little and coaxing Nick to follow him. He forced a small lopsided smile, wanting to prove to Nick that he did want him there. “Come on. I’ll show you around the rest of the apartment.”

To reveal all of his secrets, Eli took Nick around his home. He pointed out one of Abby’s paintings in his living room and noted she had given it to him as a gift for Christmas the year before last. They headed down a small hallway that led to a second bedroom made cozy with bookshelves, a computer desk with a neat stack of bills on it, and a loveseat. The shelves were stacked to bursting with books of all sorts, spotted here and there with knick-knacks and photos. Among the photos were a picture of him, Lafayette and Abby at Dylan’s Coffee Shop, one of him and Mary, and also one of his high school sweetheart and best friend Daniel. It was one Eli had taken at the beach just a couple weeks before his death in the horrific car accident that left Eli permanently scarred. He wouldn’t explain it unless Nick asked, which he thankfully didn’t. The bathroom was across the hall and quite basic. Finally they made their way into Eli’s bedroom, a room in Nick’s house that he hadn’t yet seen. It was tidy with white, brown and green serving as the main colors in the room. The furniture was a dark mahogany, which complimented the earth tones. A small TV rested on the TV stand near the foot of his bed and a tall dresser stood between the two windows, lined with heavy brown curtains. The bed was queen sized with matching nightstands and lamps on either side, a throw that his mother had quilted for him draped across the foot of the bed. A small bonsai tree lived on the stand with his TV and another of Abby’s paintings adorned the wall above it. It was a painting of the forest leading to Megsy Isle and one of the most beautiful paintings he thought she’d ever done. This one he’d gladly put down money for. The room was relatively small for a bedroom, but comfortable. He smiled at Nick, hoping a tour of the whole home had eased him up some. “It’s not much, but it’s home. And just so you know, I do like you in it. Very much.” His ears grew a little hot, but it needed to be said. He didn’t want Nick to ever feel unwanted around him.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you or anything. I just…I wasn’t sure if you wanted that kind of relationship." He said after swallowing hard. Nick saw the worry in Eli's eyes, and though he remained stoic that part of him that got off on that look swelled within. He was so easy to play! "Meaning the kind of relationship where we regularly see each other. You seem like the kind of man that likes things a certain way and I thought that you’d prefer your own space to mine. I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you.” Eli was talking fast to make things up to him, and Nick wondered how far he would go to try and make amends for the wrongs he'd committed. Nick didn't really care, and he wasn't offended. Really, he could give a fuck about whether Eli invited him over or not, but it was nice to see him scurry like a frightened ant when he brought up the accusations.

Eli slipped a hand on Nick's hip, attempting to give affection to mend the situation, but Nick remained stiff. “But I was wrong not to invite you. I should have just asked you over instead of being a chicken about it.” Eli leaned in, but the shorter man pulled back, with a nod. "Indeed, ya'll should have." He purred. That flicker of worry flashed in Eli's eyes once more, exciting Nick further. He wondered if Eli knew how sexy he became when fear grew in his gaze. “Please don’t be mad. I really didn’t do it to hurt your feelings or keep you away. I don’t have anything to hide. I really was just afraid you wouldn’t like me anymore if you thought I was being too clingy.” It seemed so juvenile, but he understood completely why Eli would think that. Nick gave no reason for him to believe otherwise, and only encouraged this mentality, and Eli was the type of man to be afraid of going further than the cues offered to him said to. Nick had made a line in the sand and was now pretending to be upset that Eli hadn't dared cross it, though he would deny ever drawing said line. Eli was scrounging to try and fix things, though, and he might consider budging if his lover could be persuasive enough.

Eli reached out and took his hand suddenly, encouraging a cocked brow from Nick. He gave a lopsided sort of smile, one that was more forced than genuine, and tugged him forward a little. Nick almost planted his feet firmly to the ground, but last second opted to allow Eli the opportunity to make amends instead. “Come on. I’ll show you around the rest of the apartment.” Eli was thorough in his tour, giving details about paintings and showing him every single room. They were all neat and cozy, comfortable in a way that Nick's home simply was not. Even he felt out of touch with his surroundings at home, unable to feel attachments towards inanimate objects. Nick paid close attention, though, retaining the clues he picked up from the apartment. Most of the stuff was obvious; he valued friends and family, reading and learning, he was organized and clean. Eli would be more likely to notice if something was out of place, which left snooping more difficult. The bedroom was as inviting as the rest of the home, the earth tones fitting Eli more than they fit Nick. Not that he was the type to live with a lover, but he couldn't see himself living in a house like this. It felt strange for things to feel so comfortable. He liked his surroundings as cold and callous as himself, but just inviting enough for others to not suspect his true nature. The earth tones threw him off, too. Nick had never been a fan of those colors. Maybe because they reminded him too much of home.

“It’s not much, but it’s home. And just so you know, I do like you in it. Very much.” Nick pulled his eyes from the bonsai tree to look into Eli's, seeing the gentle pink color creeping into his ears. There were so many things he could do or say, so many directions he could go with Eli acting so vulnerable. He could fuck him if he really wanted. Eli would happily consent. Or he could make an excuse to leave, scare Eli into submitting more to him, make him terrified all night.. Nick liked that idea. He had work to do anyway, and Eli would be easier to manage after that, but he looked so pitiful standing there with such hopeful eyes. They didn't affect Nick they way they would other people. He wasn't a sucker for that sort of thing, but at the same time he didn't really want to go, though he knew he probably should. "Well, contrary tuh what ya'll might'uh thought, I wouldn' uh liked yuh any less if ya'll'd invited me on your own terms. But.. I suppose we could jus' put that on behind us an' move on. I'm think'n maybe ya'll learned your lesson.." Of course Eli wouldn't get off that easy, but Nick didn't need to make that obvious. Hr tugged Eli's hand gently to pull him closer to him, his head cocking slightly to the side. "But don' think I intend tuh mess up them pretty sheets right now." The message was clear; I forgive you but I'm not fucking you. He turned his head towards the door, though his eyes stayed on Eli. "We could watch somethin', less ya'll got somethin' tuh do?" Of course he didn't and agreed, leading the way back towards the living room. When they got back towards the main area Nick picked up the box with the gift he'd brought for Eli earlier. "Now how's about ya'll try this on while we watch, hm?" He suggested, feeling excitement twisting in his gut at the prospect of toying with Eli. Just the thought of the tight cockring sending vibrations through Eli's groin while Nick refused to touch him and forbade him from touching himself aroused him to no end. "Make sure it's workin' right."

[ELI WESLEY]

For a long moment Nick simply looked at Eli with those critical, deep blue eyes. That stare always made Eli feel like he was beneath a microscope. Was this how his patients felt beneath his stare? That couldn’t be possible…there was no way Eli’s gaze was half as intense as Nick’s. But Eli forced himself to hold that stare with his own, his green eyes uncertain but hopeful that Nick would put Eli’s unintentional slight in the past. "Well, contrary tuh what ya'll might'uh thought, I wouldn' uh liked yuh any less if ya'll'd invited me on your own terms. But…I suppose we could jus' put that on behind us an' move on. I'm think'n maybe ya'll learned your lesson..." Eli gave a sweet, lopsided smile, relieved that his lover wasn’t angry with him. His smile grew as Nick tugged on his hand, pulling the taller man closer. Looking down into Nick’s incredibly handsome face, Eli was tempted to lean in and plant a kiss on those sinful lips. "But don' think I intend tuh mess up them pretty sheets right now." A twinge of disappoint shivered through Eli, making him wonder if Nick actually was still bitter about the lack of invitation he received to visit. Eli knew better than to question it, however. The last thing he wanted was for Nick to leave in a huff. "We could watch somethin', less ya'll got somethin' tuh do?" Shaking his head enthusiastically, Eli was happy Nick wanted to stay long enough to watch something. Maybe he would change his mind about messing up the sheets if he stayed a little longer. “Sure! That sounds great.” Grinning, Eli led the way back into his living room.

There were shelves for movies connected to Eli’s entertainment section and he walked toward it to find something they could both enjoy watching. He had a decent collection, but he wondered what sort of movies Nick liked. Just as he was going to ask when Nick piped up from nearby. "Now how's about ya'll try this on while we watch, hm?" Eli looked over and flushed a deep crimson when he saw what it was Nick wanted him to try on—the cockring. His eyes flickered disbelievingly between the box and Nick’s face. Did he really think Eli would be able to focus on what they were watching with a vibrating ring around his dick? Of course he didn’t! The man knew what he was asking for. Eli suddenly realized his lover was still bitter about Eli not inviting him over, and this was his punishment. And being the gentleman he was, knowing he was wrong, Eli would accept his punishment, even if it was mortifying. "Make sure it's workin' right." Eli gulped, red to the tips of his ears and all down his neck. He hesitated, hoping it would be a joke, but of course it wasn’t. Nick didn’t do much joking. Finally Eli nodded meekly, accepting his lover’s suggestion. Nick appeared to be mischievously delighted. The box was placed into Eli’s hands and he stared at it with mild uncertainty before looking back up at Nick. He didn’t want to seem ungrateful, so he smiled. “I’ve never…used one of these before.” Apparently it was as simply as rolling on a condom. Eli nodded hesitantly, picking up the strange device and inspecting it. “Um…you can pick the movie. I’m not particular about what we watch. And uh…I’ll just…put this on I suppose.” Forcing a shy smile, he walked over toward the couch while playing with the toy in his hand. The small button sent intense vibrations through the entire ring and he swallowed hard to think what it would do to him. Already his dick was half hard from curious excitement, no matter how apprehensive he felt.

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