“If you’ll excuse me,” he said to the woman, grabbing two cups of apple cider to juggle with his plate before heading over to where Pike stood.
“Hey,” he said to Pike, standing a bit closer than he had the rest of the evening. That felt right. “Got you a drink, but you’ll need to get your own food unless you want to share mine.”
Pike’s eyebrows went up. Yeah, Zack knew he wasn’t exactly standing in the friend zone and sharing a plate was distinctly boyfriend-esque, but damn it, how else was he supposed to stamp a claim? Pike introduced him to the other professor and only his full hands stopped Zack from putting a proprietary arm around Pike’s shoulders.
“Thanks.” Pike swiped a piece of cheese bread off Zack’s plate. The smile Pike gave him was worth every ounce of discomfort. God, there wasn’t much Zack wouldn’t do for this guy.
After Michelson went to get his own food, Zack and Pike drifted to one of the couches. There was barely room for both of them, but Zack really didn’t mind the squish at all. Bless the blonde woman sitting next to them, really. Because it meant that Pike’s leg was pressed against his, warm and solid. The food was mainly substantial finger foods and appetizers, and he and Pike shared his plate. It felt...natural. So natural that when the first plate emptied and Pike brought back another loaded-down plate, it made sense to keep sharing.
Who the fuck cared if it was cutesy or if the guys on his team would call it “gay” or laugh at them? They could all go fuck themselves, because right then, being there with Pike made his insides all warm, his muscles unkink and his soul sing. If this was what being a part of a same-sex couple was like, Zack could get used to this—cozy dinner parties and good food and soft music and laughter.
So much laughter. And yeah, most of it was academic humor that Zack didn’t entirely follow, but it was nice to be around such a happy bunch. Several people mentioned some job opening to Pike, who deflected the questions, but it was clear that they’d all love Pike around permanently.
Now, wouldn’t that be perfect? Him and Pike keeping their little oasis going? Zack nudged him on the way to the car.
“You should apply for that job.”
“Yeah?” Pike’s eyebrows went up.
“Yeah. Stick around here.” Zack unlocked the truck for Pike.
“You’d like that?” Pike asked as he got buckled up. “If I stayed in San Diego?”
“Well, yeah. I’m likely to be stationed here a good while. I mean, sometime next year we’ll get deployed, but this will be my home base.”
“And you’d want me around?” Pike spoke carefully, like each word was a live round.
“Of course.” Zack reached over and squeezed Pike’s leg. God, touching him felt so good. How had he gone most of the evening without that contact? How will you go the rest of your life without it?
He wouldn’t. It was just that simple. Pike would get this job, stick around, and Zack could have all the private touching he needed, could have Pike to come home to after deployment.
“And you mean continue the jerking it together and stuff? Just clarifying.”
“Well, yeah.” Duh. Wait. Maybe Pike meant something by the question. “Aren’t you having fun in bed?”
“Dude. I’m not sure I’ve ever had more fun.” Pike gave a funny-sounding laugh.
“Good. Cause...” Damn. Zack had been trying all week to figure out how to broach this subject, and it wasn’t coming out as easily as he wanted. “If you need something...different, we could do that. Too. Instead. Whatever.”
“Different like sheep masks or different like fucking?” Pike joked. Ah there was Zack’s sarcastic guy. The tightness in his chest loosened.
“Um... I’m up for whatever, but... I’ve been thinking a lot about fucking. Just wondering stuff.”
“Well, ask away. I may not be an expert in much, but trust me, I can answer your sex questions.” Pike’s laugh this time was easy and free as Zack turned onto the main road that led back to their small neighborhood near the base.
“Um. I keep thinking that it has to hurt. But you like it, huh?”
“I like both giving and getting, yeah. But if you’re asking specifically about getting fucked, I love it. And if you know what you’re doing, it doesn’t hurt.”
“Um.” This was the problem. “And what if you don’t know what you’re doing?”
Pike’s laugh filled the whole truck cab. “Oh, babe, if that’s your worry, stop it. You’re good at everything you try. You can disarm bombs. Trust me, you can operate a lube bottle. And if you’re asking, I’m totally game for talking you through topping.”
“Really?” Zack’s voice was higher than usual as he turned onto their street.
“Zack. You’re hung like a porn star and rubbing off with you sends me to the moon. Yes, I’m dying to have you fuck me...” Pike gave him a Chesire-cat grin as Zack parked. “Actually... I’ve got an even better idea than talking.”