Arsen entered the apartment just as Ever’s malicious cackle cut through the space. He smiled. His besenok was wreaking havoc online, no doubt. He glanced at the clock on the wall, a fancy piece with little mirrors in the shape of a star that Ever insisted they buy the last time they were at Walmart. That and an ugly daisy mat that kept you from slipping in the shower. Arsen had argued that the small space was what kept him from slipping, but Ever had looked him dead in the eye and placed it in the cart.
Arsen lost every fight and he couldn’t be happier about it. Between the money they made streaming and his paycheck from the shop, he could afford to keep Ever in books and ugly daisy mats for life. And he intended to do just that.
He had a good thirty minutes before Ever’s stream ended, so he headed to the bathroom to wash off the dust and grime of the day. Once he stripped down, he stepped under the scalding hot water, letting himself enjoy the way it beat against his muscles before grabbing the heavy soap he used to scrub the oil from his skin.
He took extra care this time. Once Ever’s stream ended, they could go have dinner. It was their only free night this week. Ever had remedial math classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and he worked at the bookstore on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Arsen had hoped to have Sunday together, but Jericho had sweet-talked Ever into watching the boys for them so he and Atticus could have a date night.
Arsen grabbed the coconut-scented shampoo then scrubbed his hair. He still couldn’t believe Jericho and Atticus had taken the boys from the container. Jericho had been heartbroken when they’d made the handoff to the social worker and the little boy had screamed and sobbed for him until he’d thrown up. After two days, the social worker had called and said the boy was barely eating and wouldn’t speak at all.
Atticus hated seeing Jericho so upset and had agreed to take the boys on a temporary basis until they could find a permanent home for them. But that idea only lasted roughly three days before Atticus was eating his words.
Maybe psychopaths really were narcissists because the boy from the cargo container—the older one—once he was cleaned up, they found he had red hair and freckles just like Atticus. And, almost by magic, Atticus seemed to forget he hated kids.
The adoption was quick and quiet, and they waited a few months before announcing to the world that they had adopted not one but two toddlers: Jett and Jagger. That was what they’d named them. Well, renamed them. At four and three years old, they were already a handful, and Jericho couldn’t get enough of their chaos.
Neither could Ever. He was obsessed with them. It made sense. They liked all the same things. Bubbles. Coloring. Games. Candy. Books. So many books. Whenever they were together, it was hard to say who was having a better time—Ever or the kids. Jericho was grateful to Ever for always making time for them, but Ever didn’t think of it as work. To him, they were family.
It made Arsen think about the future, about someday having kids of their own. Eventually. Ever had plans. He wanted to get his GED so he could go to college and become a social worker. Arsen worried it would just break his heart, but he was determined, and when Ever was determined, there was no stopping him. Arsen had learned that the hard way.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he never heard the bathroom door open and close—just felt the shower curtain shift a split second before Ever slid in behind him. Arsen smiled as hands came around his waist, Ever’s lips pressing between his shoulder blades in an open-mouthed kiss.
“Hi,” Arsen said, rubbing his hands over Ever’s.
Ever’s teeth sank into his shoulder blade, then he licked over the marks. “Hi.”
Arsen frowned. “Are you done streaming already?”
“Mm,” Ever said, sliding his hands down to trace Arsen’s hip bones, then his belly.
“Did you win?” he asked with a smile.
Ever scoffed. “I never win. I’m terrible. That’s why people tune in. They like watching me die.”
Arsen shuffled his feet until he was facing Ever in the tight space. “Now, that’s not true. They just like how cute you are when you’re running and screaming.”
“How is that any better?” Ever asked, sounding only half interested in the conversation.
“Well—” Arsen started, but then Ever’s tongue teased over one hard nipple, his fingers toying with the other. “What are you doing, besenok?”
“What does it look like?” he asked, dropping a hand to stroke Arsen’s semi-hard cock, making a happy noise as he hardened under his attention.
Arsen worked himself into Ever’s loose fist. “It looks like you’re trying to seduce me. I thought you wanted to go out to dinner.”
“We live in the city. There’s always someplace open,” he assured him.
Ever wasn’t wrong, but there was only one place expecting them at a specific time. But Ever didn’t know that. He opened his mouth to find a gentle way to say they could do this later, but then Ever went for his other nipple. It was his weakness and Ever knew it, especially with the tight squeeze of his hand stroking him.
“I know, but you never let me take you anywhere nice,” Arsen reminded him.
Ever’s steely gaze found his. “Are you saying you don’t want me to jerk you off in the shower?” he asked, disgruntled.
Shit. Ever had ended the live thirty minutes early. They had time. “If you ever hear me say no to you giving me any kind of sexual favor, take me to a hospital because I’m clearly unwell,” he teased.
Ever gave him his puppy eyes and pooched lip. “That’s better.”
Arsen groaned, pushing Ever back against the tile, tilting his head up so he could kiss him like he wanted, tongue thrusting between his lips, hoping it was enough of an apology.
For a few moments, they contented themselves with kissing, hands sliding over wet, soapy skin. But soon, Ever was whining into his mouth, rubbing himself against Arsen, trying to get some much-needed friction.
Arsen’s hands slid around Ever’s ass without breaking the kiss, lifting him up. Ever’s arms and legs went around him, and he moaned as their cocks aligned and Arsen thrust against him. “This seems dangerous,” Ever whispered into his mouth.
Arsen grinned, then licked the water from Ever’s chin and jaw. “I thought you liked danger. You said it made you all tingly.”
Ever snorted. “I like zip-lining and when they let me hold that baby tiger at the zoo,” Ever said, breath catching as Arsen picked up the pace. “Breaking my neck because we were rubbing off on each other in the shower is just embarrassing.”
Arsen wheezed out a laugh, even though his muscles were burning. Despite the casual conversation, Arsen was already hurtling towards his orgasm every time their hips met. “Don’t worry, we have your ugly grippy mat.”
Ever looked down at the shower floor, smirking at the daisy mat beneath their feet. “And you said ten dollars was too much for it.”
“Mm,” he said. “I did. I told you you’re smarter than me. I lack your vision.”
After that, they fell silent, just enjoying the feel of each other, the taste of each other, the slick slide of their bodies moving together. But soon, Ever was restless, making frantic little noises against Arsen’s lips.
“Faster. Fuck. I’m already so close. I’ve been wanting you all day,” Ever said, burying his face against Arsen’s neck.
That was news to Arsen. If he’d known that he would have taken an extended lunch break. He braced Ever’s back against the wall, sliding a hand down to slip between his cheeks, rubbing a finger over his hole. Ever moaned long and low. “Yeah, that’s perfect. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”
Even now, he only swore during sex. And it was still so hot.
Ever reached between them, taking both their cocks in his hand and stroking them with purpose. Fuck. He knew just how to touch him. He always knew just what Arsen needed. “I’m gonna come.”
“Do it,” Ever said breathlessly, eyes locked on his hand as it worked them both.
Arsen groaned, his release spilling over Ever’s fist. He continued to work them both until Arsen was wincing. Just when it got to be too much, Ever cried out, his cum mixing with Arsen’s as he shuddered.
After a moment, Arsen gently set Ever on his feet, then moved him to the front of the shower, quickly washing his hair and body. The water was barely lukewarm, which meant they had maybe three minutes before it was an ice bath. They finished just in time.
Arsen wrapped Ever in a towel and then himself. He sat Ever on the counter while he blow dried his hair, then let Ever dry his. This was their sacred routine. Every night, they showered then brushed their teeth and did their skin care. It was silly, but it was something they’d done every night since Ever had held his hair back for him to wash his face.
Dr. Jones said having a routine was important, and it seemed to keep Ever’s nightmares and panic attacks to a minimum. He only had therapy once a month now unless something triggered him, but he seemed past the worst of it.
Arsen still had the occasional nightmare about his father. He was almost positive they would never go away entirely, though some small part of him hoped perhaps his father’s inevitable death might take his bad dreams with him.
But probably not.
“Where do you want to go, besenok?” Arsen asked, already knowing the answer.
Ever fixed him with a look that told him they both knew the answer. “You know where I want to go,” Ever replied, pulling a sweater over his head.
Arsen laughed. “Again?”
Ever flounced onto the bed to put his socks on. “I love it there.”
“Oh, I know,” Arsen teased. “It has your two favorite things. Food and books.”
“Please? Please?” Ever said, clasping his hands together.
Arsen rolled his eyes. “Do I ever say no to you?”
Ever grinned. “Nope.”
Arsen checked the time once more before they headed out the door, keys in hand. They were right on time and Ever seemed none the wiser. Arsen fought the urge to gloat. Noah had said he’d figure it out immediately. But Arsen knew Ever never cared about his own needs.
Out on the street, they walked a short distance to where Arsen’s car was parked. Two girls leaned against the wall outside of a dive bar blaring hard rock loud enough to hear it behind the closed door.
“Hey, Arsen,” one girl cooed.
“No,” Ever said to the girl, leveling a hard stare at her until she looked away, rolling her eyes like she wasn’t terrified of him.
Arsen laughed. Ever was relentless. Even knowing Arsen had no interest in women didn’t stop him from terrorizing any girl who so much as looked his way.
“You’re such a monster,” Arsen teased as they reached the car.
His car. Arsen’s baby. His ‘69 dusk blue Chevy Impala. The car he’d dreamed about since the moment he laid eyes on it.
“How am I the monster? They’re the ones who try to hit on you when I’m standing right there. I just remind them you’re taken. I only use force when necessary.”
He opened Ever’s door, letting him slip inside before jogging around to the driver’s side. It had taken months to restore. Jericho had gifted it to him for his birthday. Well, what was left of it. It had been in terrible shape, barely more than the frame. But Jericho had also agreed to buy whatever parts Arsen had needed and had spent weekends helping him restore it.
He turned over the engine, smiling as it roared to life and purred. He patted the steering wheel.
“I swear you love this car more than me,” Ever said.
Arsen caught Ever’s gaze, his face lit by the street light above shining through the windshield. “I don’t love anything more than you,” Arsen said without hesitation, taking Ever’s hand and kissing it.
Ever melted, giving him a sappy look. “You can’t just say that stuff.”
“Sure, I can.”
They drove hand in hand in comfortable silence for the short drive to the restaurant, Ever’s leg bouncing faster the closer they got. He really did love the place. Noah had discovered it after he and Adam had been invited to the opening, and Ever had practically swooned the first time he’d taken him.
They rolled up to a brick building with black awning and wooden double doors.
The valet jogged up to them, opening Arsen’s door. “Hey, Arsen.”
They were there a lot.
Arsen tossed him the keys. “Hey, Jared.”
Jared winked at him and something unknotted in Arsen. Everything was still going to plan. He took Ever’s hand, opening the door to a warm room with soft amber lighting. Book Bar wasn’t just a bar but a restaurant and bookstore of sorts. The walls were dotted with nooks filled to the brim with books of all kinds. First editions, trade paperbacks, trashy dime store books from seventy years ago. Each booth or table sat in an alcove surrounded by books.
“Ever. Arsen.”
They turned to find the owner, Joe, rushing towards them. It was a family-owned business and they doted on Ever like he was actually a member of their family. Ever likely expected him to lead them to his favorite booth in the back, but, instead, he kept going through the restaurant to the atrium, a glass-encased room filled with books and greenery and dozens of tables.
For the first time, Ever looked confused. “Why are we out here?”
“Just for a change of pace?” Arsen hedged, toying with a menu they didn’t need.
Ever’s legs slotted with his under the table. “You’re being weird. Why are you being weird? You’re not gonna propose are you? If you propose to me and I’m wearing this ugly sweater in pictures, I will never forgive you.”
Arsen smiled. “I’m not proposing.” Yet. Arsen would propose there one day. Not now, because Ever had a plan. And they were still so young. But someday, after Ever graduated, he would bring him here and get down on one knee and finally make good on his promise to give him his last name.
Ever seemed temporarily appeased. “What are you thinking about?” Ever asked, taking his hand.
“You.”
“What about me?”
“Just wondering if you’re ever going to remember your own birthday?”
Ever stopped short. “What?”
Arsen laughed. “Today’s your birthday, remember? You picked it.”
Ever stopped short, then grabbed his cell phone, looking at the date. “Oh. Yeah, I guess it is.”
Before Arsen could say anything else, the doors burst open, their friends and family pouring in, shouting, “Happy birthday!”
Ever’s mouth fell open. “What’s this?”
Felix and Zane both kissed a cheek, Felix saying, “It’s your birthday party, gumdrop.”
“Oh…”
“Yeah, oh.” Zane laughed.
Ever watched, mouth slack, as the staff brought out tray after tray of food, setting it all up on banquet tables. Gifts were piled on a separate table.
“Hungry, besenok?” Arsen asked.
Ever nodded, still looking at their friends, who were laughing and chatting, waiting their turn to wish him a happy birthday. Everyone was there. All his friends—their friends—had come to show Ever he was loved.
Arsen felt a little guilty when he saw Ever’s overwhelmed expression. Still, he got up to make him a plate, watching as Ever finally stood and walked to where Levi and Nico stood off to the side. Arsen smiled. Of course, he went straight to them. They were his emotional support humans. Arsen didn’t know when they’d stopped being his friends and started being Ever’s friends, but he wasn’t mad about it.
They spent the next few hours eating and laughing. Joe had not only made Ever a huge cake but had also set up a candy buffet with all of his favorite treats. Ever opened gift after gift, his face a mixture of happiness and maybe a little confusion. It wasn’t that he wasn’t used to this kind of attention, but it was his very first birthday.
As the night wore down, Ever found him, slipping his arms around him and putting his head on his chest. “Whatcha thinking?” he asked.
Arsen smiled, tightening his arms around him. “Just wondering how you’re enjoying your happily ever after, I guess.”
“You give me a million happily ever afters every day, including this one.”
Arsen’s chest tightened. “Yeah?”
“Yep,” Ever said. “But you’re my favorite one.”
the end
* * *
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