![\"Chapter](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-qqCnwTmyTrI\/UyByHlf9MKI\/AAAAAAAADQQ\/OAEGDsTreuw\/s800\/vacation2.jpg\" "\\"Queer")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
At the post-run party of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Glass Menagerie\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Zach told the reporters heckling him that after a few weeks in Berlin, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be going to New Zealand for a short vacation \u00e2\u20ac\u201c hiking and hanging out with Karl. And yeah, at some point he might meet up with Chris. But of course Chris was there for work, not for fun, so … You know how that goes.<\/i> He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d already mentioned his plans in interviews before. Suddenly refusing to talk about that topic would only draw attention to it. And that was the last thing Zach wanted. Thankfully, most of the journalists were much more interested in interrogating him about \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Agent 47\u00e2\u20ac\u009d than about his personal affairs.<\/p>\n
Zach didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bother to let Karl know about the lies he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d told the media. He did<\/i> tell Chris, who pretended that he was fine with whatever Zach wanted. That was probably a lie, but Zach wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t about to argue. They weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ready for any kind of big reveal \u00e2\u20ac\u201c if only because he still had no fucking clue what exactly there would be to reveal in the end. But he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t so na\u00c3\u00afve as to believe he could get away with Chris Pine as his \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rumored boyfriend\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for months. So, yeah, he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t above some strategic scheming to protect their privacy for a while longer. Anyway, Zach doubted that Karl would be hounded over an off-hand remark like that. He also didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think that Karl or his publicist were keeping tabs on Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s interviews the way Chris was, the sneaky little stalker. If things did get back to Karl somehow, Zach was pretty sure that he wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind. Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s comment had been innocuous enough, after all. Besides, if he and Chris decided to come clean about this thing between them to friends and family, Karl just might end up one of their first friends to be told.<\/p>\n
If they got that chance; if they managed to keep their affair private for a few more weeks at least; if their luck held. Just a little bit longer. Like, around one hour and twenty minutes on the plane from Auckland to Christchurch and a cab ride to Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Hobbit hole near Port Levy on the Banks Peninsula longer …<\/p>\n
Zach stared out of the window of the plane. Blue surrounded him, no clouds in sight. Not cerulean, though. Ultramarine? He felt surreal. Supernal. Singularly strange. Eerie, kooky, odd. Weird.<\/i> Peculiar, perplexed, puzzled. In his mind, he worked through lists of synonyms and eventually ended up with \u00e2\u20ac\u201c queer.<\/i><\/p>\n
Even more so than usual<\/i>, he thought wryly.<\/p>\n
Because the last few weeks had been … absurd and bizarre and curious … all of that and more. First the end-of-run euphoria of the final days of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Glass Menagerie\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Then the adrenaline rush of Berlin, of learning his way around the city and the set. Soaking in the sights, immersing himself in the sounds of a foreign language, meeting new people, playing tourist whenever he had the chance.<\/p>\n
And Chris.<\/i> To think of Chris (to want Chris, to dream of Chris) was not exactly new. In the course of seven years Zach had gotten used to that affliction. The expected side-effects if you shared amazing chemistry with an attractive co-star. The unfortunate fallout if you suffered from an insane attraction to a good friend. Chris simply was on Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind. Never mind that he was strictly off-limits for oh so many reasons. (Like the promise Zach had given himself never to revert to his old self-destructive pattern of falling for obviously unavailable men ever again.) Now, after five nights and three days together, all bets were off and all limits broken. But five nights and three days together were not enough to create something new out of everything they had shared so far. Thus they had remained in limbo for weeks. Suspended between friendship and relationship.<\/p>\n
A frustrating and infuriating experience, to be sure, but also a time rife with dreams and desires. They could fly right to the moon. Everything was possible. Nothing out of reach. But now Zach had to return to Earth. Entering orbit, he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help wondering how the next three weeks would play out. If this thing they shared would turn into an adventurous affair, a best\/worst mistake ever kind of thing, a friendship with benefits, or into something more.<\/p>\n
Into something real<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
Their luck held. Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s taxi driver was sufficiently rotund and cheerful to serve as an understudy for the proprietor of the Prancing Pony, Barley Butterbean or whatever the character\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name had been. Better yet, Barley either didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t recognize Zach or didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t give a damn.<\/p>\n
The downside was that just like Tolkien\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s innkeeper, the man turned out to be rather garrulous. First the driver had to ascertain that Zach did indeed come from New York: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I knew it. Your accent is a dead giveaway.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (Zach rather doubted that, but he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bother with questioning Barley\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s linguistic insights.) Then the man wanted to know if he was in New Zealand for a vacation like a sensible person or if he was here for business in the film industry: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I have to ask; they just did a movie here again, and my wife goes gaga over those actor types.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Once the driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s curiosity was satisfied, Zach could lean back and watch fluffy sheep float by on emerald meadows while Barley rambled on: Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even Middle-earth country, so he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite see the point in having Hobbit houses here. But if the tourists liked it, far be it from him to judge them for it. After all, those movies weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t half bad. What they had filmed over on the peninsula just now, though, that was mighty strange stuff. Science fiction, the unhappy kind, not his sort of thing at all. At any rate they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d picked a beautiful location with Port Levy. By the way, did Zach know that Peter Jackson Himself had filmed there already? \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Heavenly Creatures\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, a peculiar movie to be sure, but at least local history.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, here we are.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Abruptly, Barley stopped the car and turned to Zach with a broad smile.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d As far as Zach could see, they were in the middle of nowhere. The only man-made structure he could make out in the vicinity was something that seemed unable to decide if it wanted to be a heap of rotting timber or a rather derelict sheep pen. The rest was blue sky, green hills, and white sheep, with no sign of civilization whatsoever.<\/p>\n
The man pointed to a narrow path on the other side of the road. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the footpath to those Hobbit holes. The parking place for guests is a bit further down the road that direction.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He pointed ahead. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is the closest I can take you. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have to walk the rest of the way to Middle-earth.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Barley burbled with laughter at his own joke.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh.<\/i> Okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d And that answered the question whether or not Zach should have called ahead. Yes, he should have. Of course he should have. But for some reason they hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t spoken on the phone since Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s last visit. They had texted, the way they always did. Maybe more often than before. But they hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t called each other. Or Skyped. Or done anything else out of the ordinary. Zach got out of the white taxi.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you expected?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the driver asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Should I wait here until you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve made sure everything\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all right? Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to leave you stranded. And if you end up needing other lodgings, my cousin Tara runs a bed and breakfast over near the harbor, and a neat place it is, too, if I do say so myself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
For a moment, Zach was tempted. A Hobbit hole still sounded more like a practical joke than a holiday destination. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine … If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re sure this is the right place?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure! That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my job,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Barley replied, somewhat offended. He dumped Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s suitcase on the ground with a resounding thump. Then he pointed at a wooden sign on the other side of the road. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Underhill & Overhill Holiday Homes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i> The man grinned. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And it looks like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re expected, all right.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Zach frowned at the signpost. There were two signs. The one at the top was a wooden board, the writing burned into the surface. It looked rustic and weathered and pointed indeed an inviting arrow toward the green hills that apparently made up the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Underhill & Overhill Holiday Homes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. The other sign was made of cardboard and tied to the post with hot pink ribbon. The swirly, artsy font was an obvious play on the movies. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No admittance except on Zach-sy business\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i> the careful calligraphy announced to the world.<\/p>\n
Only Chris.<\/i> Zach suppressed a groan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He pulled out his wallet to pay the fare.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Seems like she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really eager to welcome you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The taxi driver beamed at Zach.<\/p>\n
Zach shook his head. That hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t happened to him in a while, but it was hardly the first time. It was no big deal. But somehow it was different today. Because this was Chris? \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, I guess he is.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The taxi driver just laughed, pocketed the money, and handed over his card. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good for you, man. And if you need anything, like reservations, or a guide for sightseeing, give me a call.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Will do,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach promised. The taxi roared away, and Zach was left standing by the roadside with his suitcase and his backpack. From a few feet away, a sheep regarded him with serious suspicion.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Zach-sy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i> he muttered and started dragging his suitcase across the road. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just you wait, Pine. Just you wait.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The small wheels of his suitcase couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t deal with the pebbles of the footpath, so Zach ended up having to actually carry<\/i> his baggage. The path also turned out to be much longer than the sign with its cheerful arrow implied, leading him past not just one, but three picturesque crossings. First a second path led off to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Overhill Homes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Then another track branched off to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Underhill 1\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and a third to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Underhill 2\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. At least Chris had provided more of his silly cardboard signs to keep Zach from getting lost. Finally, the way veered to the right and dipped into a dell.<\/p>\n
For a breathless moment, Zach wondered if he had ended up in Middle-earth for real by mistake. Because Chris had not exaggerated: Zach was looking at an honest-to-goodness Hobbit hole. The facade was half-timbered with cream-colored wattle-and-daub and dark wooden beams. Apart from that, the structure looked like a grass-covered hill. The only thing missing from the meadow on the roof were sheep, and Zach wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t willing to bet on their absence just because none of those creatures was in sight. The round, wooden door was painted red and sported a brass knocker at the center. From an equally round, red-framed window next to the door a flood of crimson nasturtiums spilled to the ground.<\/p>\n
Zach walked up to the door. Above the knocker a small, hand-written scrap of paper was taped to the door with colorful Band-Aids. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Chris Pine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i> the sign announced to the world, ballpoint bold. Apparently Chris had decided to devote his calligraphy skills only to Zach. He took a deep breath and knocked. Middle-earth<\/i>, he thought. Because of course an ordinary vacation in New Zealand is not enough to satisfy one Christopher Whitelaw Pine.<\/i><\/p>\n
For a long moment, nothing happened. The sky was blue, the grass was green, the sun was warm (sort of; at least it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t cold \u00e2\u20ac\u201c sixty-ish to seventy-ish, typical for South Island late summer\/early fall). And it was silent. Very, very silent. The only sound the buzzing of the bees in the flowers.<\/p>\n
Suddenly the door opened, and Chris stood there and stared at him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What the fuck, Zachary,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chris said with a fragile smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have called? Or texted? Or something?<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d His words were an exact echo of Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s welcome for Chris at the Booth Theatre a few weeks ago. Only much softer, a whisper instead of self-assured, friendly sarcasm.<\/p>\n
As if to emphasize this unexpected insecurity, Chris licked his lips. For a moment everything between them \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the time that had passed since their last meeting, the distance Zach had to cover to come here, the difference in their experiences in life, the profound change in their relationship \u00e2\u20ac\u201c solidified. Strands of separation spun out to weave a tangled web around them, or maybe a magic cloak that didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t turn Chris invisible but into a stranger. Zach thought of what it must have cost Chris to come to him in New York the way he had done. Not just once, but twice. Now it was his turn.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m here, Chris,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He took a step toward Chris and crossed the chasm between them. He pulled Chris close, closer, until a deep breath was enough to plunge them into a kiss.<\/p>\n
When they stopped kissing, Chris sighed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like this is more difficult for you than for me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Zach didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let go of Chris. To feel him in his arms like that, warm and solid, that was vital, right now. Definitely not common, and absolutely essential. He considered Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s comment, and three things occurred to him. One, that Chris wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ready to admit how difficult all of this was for him yet. Two, Chris was … well, not right<\/i>. But three, also not completely wrong. Zach had reached a stage in life, had created a sphere of life for himself, where he could be true to himself without much compromise. The partners he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d chosen had slid in and out of this life easily. Perhaps too easily.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not more<\/i> difficult, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach said at last, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but yeah, definitely difficult.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Chris ducked his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Idiot.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach wrapped Chris into a tight embrace and claimed another kiss. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re trouble, Princess. No doubt about that. But I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m here. That should tell you something. Now, how about getting my stuff into your damn Hobbit hole before the sheep eat it or a dragon carries it away?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
Chris dragged his suitcase into the master bedroom, while Zach followed with his backpack. Apparently that was enough normalcy in close proximity for Zach to get over the initial awkwardness. Because if he hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been totally disgusting after way too many hours on planes and in taxis, he would have jumped Chris then and there. As it was, he crowded Chris against the Narnia-sized wardrobe, kissed him with abandon, and only drew back to say: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m gross. Shower with me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Chris snorted with mock disgust. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How could I ever decline such a tantalizing proposition?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach replied with conviction.<\/p>\n
He was right, too, because a short time later he found himself in the shower with Chris in his arms, naked, wet, and wonderfully hot.<\/p>\n
The bathroom was ridiculous, way too huge for Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s idea of a Hobbit hole, and carved into the hillside like a cave. The promised Jacuzzi was built into a cozy corner with sufficient space to surround it with candles and champagne buckets. Even the sauna appeared to be spacious. With flagstones and warm woods, the whole room was very organic. Hobbity.<\/i> French doors led outside. The backyard looked like a natural dell and not like an artificial creation. Beyond the terrace, Zach glimpsed a pool designed like a lake. To match that design approach, the shower in the bathroom was styled like a real waterfall<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There must be a word for that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach mused, kissing Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s neck through the hot spray of the shower. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The distance that time and space create between people when they meet again. That moment of awkwardness. And for how you get over it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a word for it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chris said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153More than one, even. And more than one cure, too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Raising his head, he captured Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth in a wet, watery kiss. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is definitely one of my favorite remedies.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He wrapped his arms around Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s back, until his hands rested just above his ass. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sex is another.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chris pushed his erection against Zach. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But it is weird,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chris admitted, and Zach could feel his heartbeat against his chest.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach nodded. He nuzzled at Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s neck. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s better now, though, isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He yawned. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not supposed to nap with jet lag.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He leaned against Chris. Their dicks pressed against each other with slippery friction, and he enjoyed the soft, sizzling sensation that sparked in his stomach. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m afraid this time, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m gonna fall asleep after …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How about this?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chris sank to his knees in front of him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I suck you off, and then we take a nap together. You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to be on<\/i> tomorrow or anything, after all. We can just hang out here and do nothing. Enjoy your jet lag while you can.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Chris didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wait for Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s obvious comeback (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Chris, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re crazy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d) and sucked him in deep. Then he just held Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cock in his mouth, lips curled inwards as protection from his teeth. He drew back with a sigh, only to surge upward again with breathtaking abandon. And Zach was too tired to do much more than lean back against the warm, wet wall and cant his hips forward. He hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t forgotten Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s delighted complaints about how Zach had \u00e2\u20ac\u0153tortured\u00e2\u20ac\u009d him with his tongue last time. Now Zach was provided with ample proof that Chris gave as good as he got. The surreal, floating feeling of jet lag didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help. Zach dissolved into the sensations of Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth. His lips, his kisses. The careful pressure of his teeth. One hand digging into Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ass, the other stroking his hip.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153God, Chris.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t keep himself from thrusting. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fuck. Sorry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Chris just grinned up at him and placed his right forearm across his lower belly. And damn it, Chris was strong<\/i>. Those action hero muscles he sported weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just for show. Zach bucked against him and got exactly nowhere<\/i>. Smiling, smirking even, Chris pulled away. His wet hair was plastered against his skull. Drops of water spilled down his cheeks like tears, even clinging to his lashes. He tilted his head back and looked up at Zach. His pupils dilated with desire and darkened his eyes. But nothing could overshadow the blue of his irises. Like the summer sky. Soft, though. More like a misty morning. And the expression in his eyes … so unshuttered. As if his very soul was within reach, just a kiss away.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Chris …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i> Zach sighed.<\/p>\n
Again Chris didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t reply. Instead, he gripped Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hips with both hands and rubbed his face against Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stomach like a cat. With a pleased sound, perhaps a growl, perhaps a purr, he proceeded to kiss and lick his way down Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s groin to his cock. Chris twirled his tongue in circles around Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dick, teasing the juncture between penis and stomach.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So hot, Zach,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he breathed, mouthing at the base, just succulent lips and clever tongue. Zach shivered, because Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tongue was cooler than the hot water splashing down on them, an unexpected and strangely arousing contrast of temperatures.<\/p>\n
And because Chris was a fucking tease<\/i>, he drew back yet again, only to concentrate on the head of Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cock next, delicately trailing the glans, then playing with the slit, then sliding lower again, tracing the vein on the underside. Zach could tell that Chris hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t done this very often by how much devastating attention he paid to all those details and how he skipped from one spot to the next in the thrill of discovery. That realization rushed through Zach so hot and so hard that his balls tingled and tightened. From one second to the next he was close, so close, too damn close<\/i>, and too exhausted to control himself for very much longer. He wanted to warn Chris, wanted to beg for more, but he only managed to groan, his head thrown back against the wall.<\/p>\n
Chris, however, had been watching Zach carefully. Without warning, he took Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dick deep, deeper than Zach would have believed possible, considering Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s level of experience. And oh God, Zach was grateful for how firmly Chris held him pressed against the wall, because he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help himself \u00e2\u20ac\u201c he had to push into Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth, had to thrust, and he so didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to make Chris gag, didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to spoil the moment. Chris sucked, hard, and Zach felt himself slide. But suddenly he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want it to end like that. No matter how much the thought turned him on to come like that, his dick deep in Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth, or maybe even spilling all over Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face (after all, cleaning up was no big deal in the shower). No, that was not how he wanted Chris now. Not the first time after weeks of separation. Because it was not about sex, whatever there was between them. It was so much more, and that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what Zach wanted now.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Up,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach gasped, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153get up. Please\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Chris made a displeased sound at the back of his throat that vibrated against Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dick, pushing him even closer to orgasm. But Chris obeyed all the same. Reluctantly he pulled back and hauled himself up on unsteady legs. They leaned against each other, weak-kneed and wet. No vestige of distance or awkwardness remained now. Only naked skin on naked skin. Their cocks, trapped between their bodies, hot and slick, rubbed against each other, and Zach gasped a kiss against Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, like this. Need to hold you. Kiss you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
They reached between their bodies at the same time, and their hands collided. Chris laughed, breathless. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Luckily, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m somewhat ambidextrous.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
With his left, Chris gripped Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dick, even as he moved his other hand from Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hip to his ass. The brief respite before orgasm evaporated. Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arousal sky-rocketed again, to that surreal level where pain and pleasure become indistinguishable. He curled his left around Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cock, and drew him closer with his right, even though that made friction more difficult. But he needed Chris in his arms more than an easy orgasm \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and he was already so close, so very very close. Then Chris dipped a fingertip into his hole. Just a light touch that barely crossed the line between caress and intrusion. But that sensation was enough to overcome the jet-lagged numbness that had helped him control his climax so far. Involuntarily, Zach tightened his grip around Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cock. At the same time, Chris pressed his thumb to the most sensitive spot on his dick and slid his fingers up and down Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shaft. Chris was not quite as adroit with his left hand, his touch a little uncertain, less firm. The effect was maddening. Within seconds the pressure inside Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body built to bursting point. Gasping, he let himself go and spilled over their hands and their cocks and into the hot water of the shower. Chris followed a heartbeat later. He cried out, a high-pitched sound of helpless desire, and shuddered in Zach\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arms, his whole body tensing and relaxing in the overwhelming rhythm of his orgasm.<\/p>\n
By now Zach had spent more than twenty-four hours on the road, on planes, at airports, and in taxis, crossing he-didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t-even-know-how-many time zones between Berlin and Christchurch. His climax combined with the jet lag had the effect of an off-switch. If Chris hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t pulled Zach out of the shower and toweled him off like a child, he would have fallen asleep on the spot, never mind the hot water and the hard floor. But Chris even managed to get him into some kind of sleepwear, something blue with a pattern that didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite register with him. At least Zach was pretty sure that it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a Star Trek uniform, so he figured it couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be too awful. He was also much too tired to protest. Also, being manhandled by Chris like that was strangely appealing. Zach discovered that he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind much, if at all.<\/p>\n
Sleeping positions proved a problem once more. He wanted to be spooning-close to Chris, but he needed to be able to see him, too, never mind that his eyes were falling shut while they jostled each other for a comfortable position. In the end they settled for the awkward entanglement of their first night together, and Zach managed the feat to drift off to sleep while Chris was kissing him.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
Bright light woke Zach. He blinked, disoriented. For a moment he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know where he was, or why the light was on in his bedroom. And he was cold. At some point during his nap he must have kicked off the covers. Oh, right.<\/i> Nap. New Zealand. <\/i>He rubbed at his eyes and groaned. He felt hung over and achy. More Zicam, <\/i>he thought. Definitely more Zicam.<\/i> Also, that nap had been a really<\/i> bad idea in terms of jet lag management. His internal clock was completely off. He had no idea what time it was or what time his body thought it should be. But Chris was right \u00e2\u20ac\u201c he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to be anywhere tomorrow or do anything. Although he was sure they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d end up doing stuff and seeing things at some point, this vacation had a different purpose. Said purpose currently regarded him with thoughtful blue eyes behind thick hipster reading glasses. Instead of leaving him to his nap, Chris had stayed with him. Now he was sitting cross-legged on the bed, a book in his lap. Outside it was getting dark, and the lamp on the nightstand behind Chris was switched on.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chris said with a smile. He carefully straightened the green ribbon between the pages, closed the book and put it away on the nightstand. Zach squinted and suppressed a groan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Hobbit\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Of course. <\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sleep well? I hope I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wake you with the light.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Zach stretched, long, lazy, and languorous. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah. But it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine, Pine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Then he blinked again, reflexive tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Though the light really is a bit bright …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, sorry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chris twisted around to turn off the light.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Urgh.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i> Zach groaned, blind in the sudden darkness.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i> Chris repeated, contrite.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nah, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s okay. Also, this is better. And I did sleep well …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach sat up to rotate the kinks out of his shoulders. To feel somewhat dazed was normal after such a long journey. And this \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Chris, the Hobbit hole, all of this \u00e2\u20ac\u201c was still weird, but a different kind of weird than before. He rubbed his eyes again and thoughtfully scratched his stomach. Slowly, he was waking up for real, and his mind turned to whatever was left of the evening. They could get up, of course. Chris could show him the rest of his Hobbit hole. Maybe they could even venture out of their burrow for a short walk before it got too dark? Or they could stay where they were and … His eyes were getting used to the dim light now. He could make out Chris, who seemed to be utterly engrossed in his appearance. Instinctively, Zach followed Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gaze. And blinked. Once. Twice. He spread his arms and stared at himself. For a moment he wondered if his jet lag was way worse than he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d assumed. Then he remembered just who he was in bed with. And worse, whose pajamas he was currently wearing.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Chris,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach said, his voice low and very<\/i> soft. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Christopher.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n
Chris jumped, the look of alarm on his face visible even in the dusk. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153… yes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why. Am. I. Glowing?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
For breathless seconds, Chris stared at him with quivering lips, hands raised in a helpless struggle for composure. He lost the good fight. With a strangled gargle, Chris slumped back against the pillows. He lifted his head and tried to speak, only to flop back again, wheezing and flailing with laughter.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because you are …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chris attempted to point a finger at Zach. He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t manage; he was laughing too hard to keep his hand up in the air. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153… you are wearing … my … my<\/i> glow-in-the-dark Milky Way PJs!<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Chris succumbed to another fit of giggles, before he managed to calm down. When he was no longer gulping for air, he suddenly scrambled for his nightstand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He giggled again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I need a picture. For posterity.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Now he was cackling. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153God, I should set up an Instagram account just for this\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Zach lunged for him before Chris could get anywhere near his phone.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But the public needs to know\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Zach shut him up with a kiss.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But this is impor\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Another kiss. And another. <\/i>Until Zach lay stretched out all over Chris, with Chris clinging to him like a love-struck octopus, still chuckling softly, his glasses askew. Carefully, Zach removed his glasses and put them on the nightstand. Then he buried his hands in Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s newly spiky, very tousled hair, holding his head in place so he could kiss him again (and again). The corners of Chris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes were still crinkled from laughing so hard and wet with tears. And his eyes … <\/i>Zach inhaled a shaky breath. He was looking into the heart of a sapphire. He traced those ridiculous crinkles with a fingertip. Suddenly he wanted to taste those silly, happy tears. He was hard, and so was Chris. But Zach felt more than arousal now. His stomach fluttered with a million feelings, all of them tender and fragile and still so very new.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zach agreed, because that was the safest thing to do. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is important.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n
He kissed Chris again.<\/p>\n
![\"fake](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-dJssI6qaS78\/UyCRQSnyeVI\/AAAAAAAADQg\/1cEVpDbsugQ\/s800\/zach3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(An Instagram Zach never posted in public.) Author’s Notes<\/b><\/p>\n The glow-in-the-dark pajamas were inspired by the “Solar System” line of “Make It Good”, makeitgoodpdx at Etsy.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00ab<\/a> \u00e2\u2122\u00a5 \u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Queer Lodgings (And Gay Pajamas) At the post-run party of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Glass Menagerie\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Zach told the reporters heckling him that after a few weeks in Berlin, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be going to New Zealand for a short vacation \u00e2\u20ac\u201c hiking and hanging … Continue reading
\n(Unnecessary disclaimer: the Instagram is fake, nothing but fantasy, and just an illustration for this story.)<\/strong><\/p>\n
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