Page 13 of Nate

Nate just laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I know it’s uncomfortable. I picked it because I figured I wouldn’t lounge around all day on it like I would a big squishy couch.”

“I’ve never heard of buying uncomfortable furniture to help stay in shape.”

Nate shrugged. “I’m weird like that.” He picked up the remote to turn the volume up. The show was starting. “I haven’t seen the entire series, only the first few episodes. So no spoilers.”

Kevin sat there stiffly while Nate reached forward to open the pizza box. He was still feeling awkward at being the only one there, when he’d expected it to be a group of friends hanging out.

“Mmm, good. Still hot. The delivery guy had just left when you got here.” He gestured at the table with an elbow. “Go ahead. Have some. I put bacon and pineapple on half of it like you said the other day.”

“Thanks.” Kevin leaned forward to get a plate and his own slice of the pizza. At first, he didn’t say much as he ate, other than to say thank you. But halfway through the first episode he’d loosened up. The pizza was gone and he was more relaxed on the couch. They talked about the show, Kevin filling Nate in on the things they’d left off from the original comic. He seemed genuinely interested, even though he admitted he didn’t read comics.

By the time the marathon had reached the sixth episode, they were arguing good naturedly about the choices Detective Kaos made. Kevin thought it made sense for him to use tough and sometimes underhanded tactics to fight crime, especially since he didn’t get much help from his police department. Nate thought he should always stick to the law, regardless of the situation.

“We’ll just have to agree to disagree on that one.”

Kevin laughed. “That’s fair.”

“Good.”

Nate smiled and tugged at one of his dreads before resting his arm across the back of the couch. Kevin froze. He could feel the heat of Nate’s arm across his shoulders, the soft hair on his forearm tickling the back of his neck. Kevin tried not to react. He was sure it was nothing. Just Nate being comfortable on his own couch. He probably sat like this all the time. But Nate was warm, and like an idiot, he wanted to scoot closer to him. That was out of the question, so he sat there stiffly, afraid to move. He didn’t want their easy relationship to be ruined by Nate thinking he was trying to make a move on him. Kevin considered switching to a different seat, but he figured that would just look awkward since Nate was obviously comfortable. Apparently, he didn’t feel the need to sayNo Homojust because they were so close.

A commercial break came up. Without the distraction of the show, Kevin desperately tried to think of something to say to take his mind off the heat of Nate’s arm against the back of his neck. But Nate spoke first.

“You’re really cute.”

That surprised the hell out of him. He was definitely distracted from Nate’s arm now. “What?” He turned to look at Nate who was watching him with a smile.

“I said you’re really cute.”

“I’m not sure... okay...thank you.” Kevin stuttered.

Nate smiled again. “Do I make you nervous?” His arm moved off the back of the couch to curl around him, a hand cupping his shoulder.

Going by the way his heart was pounding, his palms growing damp, the answer to that was a giant fucking yes. But then his nervousness turned to anger. He shot up off the couch and glared down at Nate. “Is this some sort of game?”

The smile dropped from Nate’s face, replaced with a confused frown. “What?”

His fists clenched into tight balls of pissed off, Kevin repeated his question. “Is this a game? I’m not so hard up for attention that I’ll blow some straight guy for his amusement. So if that’s why you invited me over, I’m out of here.” Kevin turned to go, embarrassed and hurt that Nate would do this after he’d been so cool at the gym.

Nate stood and grabbed his hand, stopping him before he could leave. Kevin turned back to look at him, taking in what looked like genuine surprise on his face.

“First, I’m not playing any sort of game. That’d be a really shitty thing to do and I’m not like that. Second, I’m not straight. I’m gay and I’ve been out since I was a kid. Third, I think you’re fucking adorable.” A hint of his smile returned. “I wouldn’t have wheedled my way into being your personal trainer and invited you over here tonight if I didn’t.”

Kevin stood there, shocked at those last two comments. He didn’t resist as Nate tugged him closer. When he was standing right in front of him, Nate brought a hand up to cup his face. Kevin stared up into his gray eyes, still in disbelief that the man thought he wasfucking adorable. Nate bent towards him, slowly, until their lips were almost touching. He stopped, not going any further, while Kevin stood there unmoving. Nate laughed, sending warm breath blowing over his cheeks.

“I’m kind of waiting for some sort of permission here, Kevin. Can I kiss you?”

Kevin felt like an idiot for not saying anything or at least meeting him half way. “Of course you can.” A smile lit Nate’s eyes, as though he’d said something amusing. He leaned the rest of the way in, his lips settling on his in a firm yet gentle kiss. At that touch, Kevin’s surprise finally wore off. When Nate’s tongue traced against his lips, he opened up for him, letting his tongue slide inside. Their bodies were close, but not aggressively so. Just the warmth of their chests pressed together, Nate softly rubbing his back. Kevin liked it.

He relaxed, leaning into Nate more, and curling his tongue against the warm one teasing his. Nate’s hand went to his hip, pulling him up against him. Kevin was enjoying the kiss, but he felt awkward. He didn’t know what to do with his hands. A bit of laughter bubbled in his throat, but he pushed it away. This wasn’t exactly the time to quote lines from movies.

Nate pulled back. “You can touch me too you know.”

Kevin groaned. “I’m hopeless.”

Nate’s lips twitched but he didn’t fully smile. “Not hopeless. Just adorable.”

Kevin wrapped his arms around Nate, sliding his hands up his back. He felt just how hard his muscles were through the soft cotton of his shirt. Those muscles that he’d watched flexing and shifting as Nate boxed felt pretty damn good under his hands. Nate’s lids lowered, his expression turning heated, just like the glimpse Kevin had caught that day at the gym. He knew now it hadn’t been his imagination.

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