Page 59 of Embers Glow After the Fire

Brendon throws his head back, drowning his moans.

Matthew’s hands explore his drenched belly and pulls his ass cheeks forward, inviting deeper thrusts.

Brendon braces himself with one hand on the curtain rod and lifting a knee to grip a foot on the edge of the bath. He gently grinds his pelvis forward, fucking Matthew’s face.

Matthew brackets his hips and opens his throat to take it all.

The surging eruption spills over Matthew’s tongue. He looks up and waits for Brendon’s heavy breaths to steady before rising to his feet. Kissing the sopping mate and gazing into his eyes.

“I wish I didn’t have to leave.”

“Me too.” Brendon’s face drops. He nuzzles Matthew’s bruised neck while they embrace under the foggy spray.

***

The Portland International Jetport is bustling with post holiday travelers coming and going. Rumbling suitcase wheels, flapping flip flops, chaotic chatter and intercom announcements echo the cavernous glass and steel framed structure. Natural light bounces off shiny surfaces flooding every crick and corner throughout.

Brendon keeps pace with Matthew slugging toward his designated terminal. A mobile phone kiosk gives him pause.

“Hang on.” He squeezes Matthew’s bicep. “I should grab a new phone while I’m right here.” So they can text during the flight after the dreaded goodbyes.

The handsome honey blonde salesman flirts with the pair. A brilliant sales tactic had either of them bought into his feigned interest. He reeks of heteronormativity. Brendon chooses a phone far outside his budget just so they can move along. A few seconds to verify his account and he’s connected to the digital world once again.

They reach the security check-in and sadness falls around them like a glass dome, shielding out the rest of the airport patrons. A fork in their path forward.

Brendon’s guts twist and he chews his lip. Matthew’s furrowed brow mirrors the mutual anxiety. He releases his suitcases and wraps both arms around Brendon’s shoulders.

Brendon melts and squeezes back.

“You’ll call me later?” he chokes.

“Of course,” Matthew kisses the side of his face and steps back. “I fully intend to annoy the fuck out of you until you’re sick of me.”

“Won’t happen.” Brendon smirks.

”We’ll see about that.” Matthew teases.

A scratchy voice echoes for flight 87 passengers to check-in.

“Fuck—that’s me.” Matthew winces.

Brendon notices Perry and Phoenix waving from the line at the airline counter.

“I’m really happy I met you.” The words feel too final after he speaks them. “Maybe I can come to Atlanta and you can show me around sometime?”

“You better.” Matthew leans in for a last kiss on the lips.

Brendon feels a slice of himself pull away when Matthew steps back and crouches to gather his luggage. There’s a puzzle piece gone missing that feels different in comparison to the holes Christian burrowed into him for years. It’s a curious void he hasn’t really felt before.

“I should go.” He considers the fifteen minute parking spot where he left the Subaru and the mounting emotion he’d rather not broadcast in the middle of a busy airport.

“Let me know how the move goes? I’ll call you when I land.” Matthew pries his feet from the floor and steps toward the line.

Brendon slowly spins on his heel and trudges the long airport. He taps a message onto his new phone, “see you soon.” It whooshes off to the handsome traveler as he peers back.

The incoming chime lights the screen. “Yes you will.” Matthew is watching him walk away.

He reaches the old wagon and squishes into the driver’s seat, taking a deep breath to shove down his feelings and gather a slip of paper from his pocket. He adds Sebastian and Molly’s numbers into the new device and starts a group message. “I’m headed to the storage unit if you guys are still up for helping?”

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