Color Me
Blaine D. Arden
Free Short Fiction
Genres/Tags: Gay M/M / Contemporary / Deaf / Tattoo / 'Retired' Bad Boy / Paranormal Elements / Being out in Love
Word Count: 16,000
This is a work of fiction. Characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.
Color Me © 2011 Blaine D. Arden
Smashwords Edition
Thank you for downloading this eBook. This eBook may be distributed freely in its entirety courtesy of the author, Blaine D. Arden. This work may not be sold, manipulated, or reproduced in any format without express written permission from the author. Thank you for your support.
This work contains graphic language and sexual content between two men and is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.
Cover Design © 2011 Blaine D. Arden
Images are the copyrighted property of Dreamstime and 123RF Limited.
For Courtney
Written as part of the Hot Summer Days anthology
for the M/M Romance Group on Goodreads.
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/20149
RED
His strokes were strong and even as he glided through the water of the apartment swimming pool. Scott watched him swim lap after lap, stretching his arms, pushing his way through the water, his head coming up every fourth stroke so he could catch his breath. Graceful and gorgeous was what he was, and without any colored dots circling around him, apart from the bright red spot of pain near his right ankle.
He made another turn, just as Scott's phone vibrated. Scott grabbed it off the table and read Kerry's text.
dont 4gt, early meeting dis AM.
Scott sighed. He loved his personal assistant, but hated her reminding him of meetings he really didn't want to attend. Unfortunately, they were mandatory. He texted her back to reassure her he would be on time -- she would only text him again if he didn't -- and went back to watching him swim.
Him. Gorgeous. Scott had no idea what his name was. There was no name on his door or his mailbox yet and he didn't want to ask Rosa about him. She would only go blabbing to Dad, and Scott didn't want him prying.
Scott had lost count of the laps when Kerry texted him, but Gorgeous should be almost done by now.
Gorgeous turned, but instead of doing another lap, he made his way to the stairs and Scott grabbed the armrest to keep from getting up and leaning over the balcony. He could see Gorgeous well enough where he was, and he didn't want to ruin the moment by drawing attention to himself. This was the best part of his mornings, lately.
Scott loved how the wet body was revealed step by step. His wet hair glistening in the early sunlight. His eyes squeezed shut as he shook his head to get rid of the excess water. Droplets landed on his broad shoulders, and Scott was drawn to a tattoo inked over well built muscles that covered the left shoulder and upper arm. Scott would never come near a needle himself, but he couldn't help admiring it. It looked like Medusa, the way the swirls or tentacles crossed each other, reaching away from the middle. No clear face in the middle, though, so he suspected it was a tribal design. Or a bunch of octopi fighting for space.
He didn't know what it was about that tattoo, but it called out to him, sent shivers up his spine and begged him to be touched.
As Gorgeous stepped out of the pool, Scott tore his eyes away from the tattoo and let them slide down to his swimming trunks -- tight, small black swimming trunks that hid nothing. Not to mention the abs to die for, chest hair that would no doubt scratch his palms if he ran his hands across it and an attractive goatee surrounded by an almost permanent five o'clock shadow. He was hot.
Maybe one day Scott would have the courage to get into the pool with him. He doubted it would be any time soon.
Gorgeous grabbed his towel from the railing and swung it around his shoulders as he walked out of the pool area towards his first floor apartment with a slight limp. The bright red spot had dampened a bit, but his limp often seemed less pronounced after his swim. It didn't make his movements less graceful.
Scott watched until he couldn't see Gorgeous anymore and only then cleared his table. He checked the clock. Still fifteen minutes until he needed to go, plenty of time to wash his breakfast things. Scott smiled. One less thing for Rosa to clean. If she insisted on helping him, the least he could do was leave as little as possible for her to do. Not that she wouldn't find something to keep her busy. She was just born that way, she always said.
As Scott looked out of the window he noticed many of his neighbors leave, on foot, by car, by bike. He hadn't seen his new neighbor leave for work in these past weeks, and he wondered what he did for a living. Then again, he wondered many things about Gorgeous. Where he came from. If he had a girlfriend, a boyfriend. Why he seemed so spotless.
Scott sighed as he dried his hands. It had been a while since he'd had it this bad. He just hoped this one would end better, with less humiliation.
His phone vibrated again just as he grabbed his bag and helmet. Time to go. He left a note for Rosa and walked out the door.
The stairs were empty. Nothing strange about that, most of his neighbors were gone already. Scott was lucky to live close to work. It was a ten minute bike ride, provided the traffic light was green. Most mornings it was.
Scott didn't like his bike much. No, that wasn't true. He liked his bike just fine, it was the plates front and back saying deaf cyclist that his dad made years ago that he didn't like. Though, as much as he didn't like drawing attention to himself, he knew he wouldn't take them off.
He could walk, of course, but this way he could cycle down to his favorite shop after work and be back before either Dad or Rosa came by with his dinner.
Rosa's turn tonight. Scott hoped she would be making her chili again.
"Do you have a reservation, sir?" a tiny woman behind the desk asked him.
Her lips were easy to read and Jonah nodded. "I'm meeting Isaac Fisher."
From the look of surprise in her eyes, Jonah knew the way he spoke clued her in that he was deaf. She schooled her features so quickly that others probably wouldn't have noticed her reaction. He only did because he was so focused on her lips and facial expressions. She smiled at him, browsed the book in front of her and nodded.
"If you'll follow me, sir?"
She led him through the posh dining room to where his brother was waiting for him.
Isaac rose and hugged him.
«You couldn't have found something less posh?» Jonah signed.
«The boss wanted me to see whether he could use this place for his business lunches.» Isaac signed back. «Lunch is on him today.»
«Lucky bastard, you.» As if Isaac's taste wasn't expensive enough already.
Isaac grinned. «Anything to see you dress up.»
Jonah raised an eyebrow. He wasn't wearing anything special. A button down black shirt and black slacks, his only pair of slacks, granted, but he didn't need to tell Isaac that. Jonah always wore the slacks when he had lunch with Isaac.
«So, how are the girls?»
«Driving Kim nuts with their latest obsession. They've fallen for the same singer this time. Kim is close to banning his music from the house.»
Jonah laughed. «Sibling rivalry. Guess we never had that problem, did we?»
«Not on that front, no. I remember a football poster that ended up getting ripped, though.»
So did Jonah. Although their music and taste in lovers may have differed day and night, they were both very into football. Neither missed a Bengals game, watching them all with the boys at the Break Room -- his and Cooper's club, though mostly Cooper's -- that was always reserved for them during football season.
A waiter approached their table. Jonah nodded at Isaac to let him know he could order for him. He learned years ago to indulge Isaac in his role as big brother. Besides, Isaac knew exactly what he liked. He still read Isaac's lips as he ordered, so he would at least know what was coming.
As soon as the waiter turned his back, Jonah signed, «How are the 'rents?»
«Doing fine. Mother asked how you were, last week. Father just grunted, you know him.»
All too well. Sometimes Jonah was jealous of their elder sister Ruth for moving all the way to the other coast, and she was the one who got on with them the best. Jonah didn't get on with them at all, hadn't for a long time. Ever since he'd decided to make his money in boxing rather than go to college.
They couldn't accept his decision, couldn't see that he had no interest in studying, at all.
A hand closed over his. Jonah looked up.
«You made the right choice, even if it was for the wrong reasons,» Isaac signed.
The seafood noodle soup was steaming hot and looked delicious as the waiter set it in front of him. Isaac, of course, had gone for the chicken noodle soup; he wasn't much for seafood.
They ate in silence. Jonah enjoyed every bite. Yes, Isaac may invite him to posh places, but the food was good, the company even better.
He couldn't remember when exactly they started having lunch together once a week. Probably soon after Isaac started his first job as a lawyer, before he even met Kim, and they hadn't stopped since. Of course, once football season began, they'd see even more of each other.
«So, how's that new place of yours working out? I'm sorry I couldn't be there to help you move, but do you think you're you up to Kim and the girls passing their judgment sometime this month?»
«They're not going to like it, Isaac. Still all blacks and whites.» Why did everyone insist he needed more color in his life? He liked his colors just fine, as basic as they were.
Isaac snorted. «I'll tell them not to bother.»
He could try, but Kim and the girls had their own agenda where uncle Jonah was concerned.
«By the way, I ran into Cooper a couple of days ago. What's this I hear about your angel?»
Jonah groaned. He was so going to kill Cooper tonight. «It's nothing. There's this guy in my apartment complex who's seen me swim a couple of times. I made the mistake of telling Cooper he looked angelic from a distance.»
A couple of times. As if. He watched him every morning. He did look rather angelic, with those unruly golden curls framing a strong face. Not to mention that he was young, slim, tall and had a bit of a stubble. A combination that really shouldn't have looked that good. But on him it worked.
Good thing the water was cold in the morning. Jonah doubted the man from the fourth floor knew he'd been caught, the way he still tried to be inconspicuous about it, leaning casually on the railing of his balcony as he had breakfast. Like Jonah couldn't see through that.
Isaac raised his eyebrow. «So, nothing going on then?»
«I never even met the man.» Maybe that should change. Maybe Jonah should invite his angel to swim with him. He groaned. Great. Now he was calling him his angel. Thank you so much, Cooper.
«Don't forget to take the lid off before putting it in the microwave.»
Scott watched his Dad's hands as he signed and smiled, remembering watching those hands telling him stories when he was little.
They stood in the parking lot in front of his apartment complex. Dad had been talking about his new girlfriend, Hannah, the one he was painting his house for, the one he wanted to ask to move in with him. He was such a sap.
«I will, promise,» Scott signed back and hugged him, planting a big kiss on his cheek.
Dad wrapped his arms around him and Scott rested his chin on his shoulder.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone walking up to them. Not just someone. Him. Gorgeous, nameless guy from 6A, whose lips twisted into a cold sneer as he saw them. Taken aback, it took a while for Scott to realize there were no spots circling around, if he didn't count the one permanently attached to his ankle.
His heart sank and he held on to Dad as Gorgeous looked at them, his expression boring into him.
This was not how he imagined their first meeting would go. Scott imagined Gorgeous smiling at him and saying, "Hello," like all the neighbors did. Except for Mrs. Blumenthal in 9D, of course, but Scott blamed too much Botox for that. He would pluck up the courage to answer Gorgeous and hope he wouldn't pay too much attention to how he pronounced his words or how his voice sounded.
Dad said he had a lovely deep voice, but sounded like a smoker who had too much to drink. He never lied to him, but he meant it as a compliment, knowing Scott hated not having any control over how he sounded. It wasn't his fault.
Dad let him go, just as Gorgeous disappeared around the corner. Scott turned to Dad, only to find him frowning.
«Are you going to tell me about it?» He signed.
«About what?»
Dad sighed. «He's not harassing you, is he?»
Now it was Scott's time to frown. «Who?»
«That guy that passed. He doesn't seem to like you much, if that sneer is anything to go by.»
Scott shrugged. «He moved in a couple of weeks ago. I've seen him around, but we haven't actually met.» No need to tell Dad about watching him swimming and him lacking the courage to just walk up to him. Though Dad would probably come to that conclusion without any prompting from him.
Dad's narrowed eyes made Scott feel like a guilty teenager all over again. He studiously tried to ignore the sparks of muddy orange amongst the dots circling around his Dad. Scott really didn't need to see them to know he was worried. He was almost relieved when Dad finally got into his car.
«Remember, Scott. Take the lid off,» he signed, before starting the car and reversing it out of the parking lot.
Shaking his head, Scott went through the archway onto the patio and sat down on one of the benches, staring at the pool. Old Morris Selby from 12B came walking down the stairs. He ignored Scott and Scott did his best to ignore the large muddy red spots preceding him. Another person who didn't smile at him. Or say, "Hello."
Old Morris didn't like pansies, as he kept reminding Scott. Of course, with his lip reading skills being as atrocious as they were, he always thought Old Morris said, "I don't like panties."
It wasn't until Rosa got angry at him for saying it that Scot realized he'd read him wrong.
Still, as long as they stayed out of each others way, they were good ...
Or so Scott thought.
Maybe he told Gorgeous that Scott was gay. Not that that was a secret. Everyone in the building knew he was gay, and all but old Morris Selby had no problems with that.
Yes, that had to be it. Old Morris told Gorgeous he was gay and Gorgeous disliked pansies as much as he did. What else could it be? They had never even met. Unless he had caught him watching. Scott stood with a sigh.
Pity. He would have liked to think he at least had a chance with him.
Jonah pushed the door to The Break Room open and let himself in. He greeted Goran, who was manning the door, with a high five and walked through the near-empty club to the bar. His parents could complain about his career choice as much as they liked. He loved working here. He loved being part owner as well, even if it was only a small part. Cooper had needed a partner and Jonah had saved up quite a bit during his boxing career. Most of that had disappeared into his hospital bills, but what was left had been enough to help Cooper out.
Cooper smiled as he saw him. «Hey, you really aced that pool game last night. Simon is still mad he didn't win,» Cooper signed.
Jonah shrugged and signed back. «Three less vodka and Simon would have beaten me easily.» Somehow, having a swimming pool at his disposal every morning kept his shoulders more flexible. His aim was better too. He hadn't felt this good in ages. Probably not since the accident.
«The move has done you well, my friend.»
«Have I thanked you for pointing me in the right direction?»
«You have, ever since you started swimming again. I had to do something, man, those stairs were killing you.»
Jonah sighed. He loved his old apartment, but the elevator there was cursed. It only worked every other day, and even then climbing the stairs seemed the most sensible thing. Unfortunately, even though he only lived on the third floor, it took him ages to get up them with that rotten ankle of his.
«What are you doing here so early, anyway? Your shift doesn't start for at least an hour.»
«I had to get out of there, « Jonah signed.
Cooper put a beer in front of him and leaned over the bar.
«Your angel get on your nerves again?»
«Stop calling him my angel.»
His name was Scott. Jonah was not above admitting he looked the name up on the mailbox. Scott was nothing like an angel.
«So, what is it this time?»
«He had his man over again.»
Cooper shook his head. «Are you still stuck on that? Not everyone is like Evan, Jonah. You have to let it go some time.»
Jonah knew that, but every time he saw Scott hugging his older lover, he couldn't help but picture their best friend Nathan destroying himself to make his 'Daddy' Evan happy. Evan who was so much older, seemed so distinguished, who kept bringing Nathan gifts, kept pushing his limits, trampled right over them, until there was nothing left of the Nathan they knew. Jonah remembered finding Nathan in the bathroom with a needle sticking out of his arm after Evan had thrown him out. It made him angry all over again.
Scott's man came over every couple of nights. Like clockwork. Always bringing some sort of present with him. Jonah shuddered.
«If it bothers you that much, why don't you go talk to the guy?»
Jonah shook his head. He itched to go over to Scott every time he saw him. Itched to warn him, to find out if Scott knew what he was doing, but he doubted Scott would listen to him. Just like Nathan never wanted to hear what he or Cooper had to say. At least Scott's man's smile seemed more genuine than Evan's had ever been.
«Finish your beer then. I think I have time for a quick game of darts before it gets busy. Michelle can manage on her own for a while.»
GREEN
You'd think he'd stop watching Gorgeous swim after that. Of course, it didn't work that way, no matter how much Scott wanted it to. Scott was up and having breakfast on the balcony the next morning, before he remembered he wasn't going to do that. Didn't mean he had to watch. He wasn't going to watch. He wasn't. Then his eyes strayed down to the pool and caught the sight of the tattoo, and that was the end of his resolve.
Scott pushed the memory down and went back to admiring the high vaulted ceiling of their new project, Gallivant Books, a large bookstore that included conference rooms, reading rooms and a coffee corner. The bitch, as Kerry and he called Natasha, their interior designer, had left at least half an hour earlier, to work on her ideas while they were still fresh in her mind.
Unfortunately, Kerry and he only had half an hour of solace, before they were expected at the cafe next door for a lunch meeting.
The owners of Gallivant Books wanted modern and light, but didn't want the features that revealed the origin of the building hidden away, like the well conserved stone walls with some old plaster work and the beautiful wrought iron staircase. Scott just had to find the right colors that would bring old and new together. He loved a challenge.
Scott snorted. In business maybe, as for his personal life, he was checking the mailboxes every day, but still no name on the mailbox for apartment 6A. He ran into Gorgeous a couple of times this past week and had yet to gather the courage to speak to him. Not that Gorgeous spoke to him, but he didn't seem to be avoiding him either. Sometimes he even inclined his head as he passed. Scott liked that.
Scott caught Kerry waving at him from the other side of the room, pointing at her watch. Scott sighed and followed her out of the building reluctantly. Time to meet Natasha.
Kerry's hands were quick and fluent as she signed, lavender spots circling between her fingers. Scott wished he knew more people who were so at peace.
«It's so old, so sturdy. They don't make buildings like that anymore.»
Scott nodded. «It's unlike any project we ever had. This could be our best work yet.»
«It'll be beautiful. Come, let's go see what the bitch has for us.» Kerry signed, before hooking her arm into his.
Natasha gestured wildly as she talked on her phone, the round table she had chosen strewn with papers.
She looked up at Scott. He saw her lips move and faced Kerry.
«Oh, Scott. You're here already,» Kerry interpreted as she rolled her eyes and moved towards the other side of the table, so he could see her at all times.
Scott inclined his head as he sat down, clenching his teeth and saying nothing when she didn't even acknowledge Kerry. Instead he focused on the coffee a cute Hispanic waiter brought him. It smelled strong and dark, just the way he liked it.
This was the part Scott hated. Not only did Natasha ignore Kerry, she treated him as if he was retarded, even after three years of working together. Scott mostly just let her ignorant behavior wash right off him, keeping Matthew, his boss and godfather, from being caught in the crossfire.
As usual, Natasha started speaking slow, and loud, according to Kerry. She was always complaining about her eardrums after a meeting with Natasha. Apparently it wasn't just Kerry, since he could see people at the other tables turning their heads.
Suppressing the urge to sigh, he focused on Natasha, ignoring the rusty spots of frustration dancing in front of her eyes, as she gave a short background of both company and building. He had read the information, of course, but it was what they did.
Scott barely needed Kerry for this part. Speaking to him as if he was an idiot had its advantages. It meant that Scott, with his sorely lacking lipreading skills, could actually understand what she was saying.
Halfway through, her attitude changed, and so did the rusty spots, which turned a soft purple. Scott always took them to mean creativity. He had seen them surrounding himself in the mirror when he had felt particularly inspired.
When Natasha finally forgot who sat opposite her and started outlining her ideas, she got animated and started talking faster than Scott could ever try to read. Luckily Kerry had been signing even though he hadn't been paying attention to her.
As much as Scott complained about the bitch, they worked well together. They knew each others strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes and, despite personal differences, they always managed to find the right balance between their strong opinions and what the client wanted.
This was going to be a great project.
One instant. Scott looked away from Natasha for one instant, but he couldn't have missed it if he tried. Gorgeous stood across the street, dressed in tight jeans and a black t-shirt, looking straight at him. The strangest thing was how spotless Jonah was, not counting the bright red one always circling near his ankle. No one had been this spotless before.
Gorgeous sneered again before abruptly waking away.
What was his problem?
Scott shook his head and tried to focus on Natasha's ideas again. He needed to get Gorgeous out of his system, fast. Preferably before his mood boards ended up being more about him than Gallivant Books.
«Talk to him,» Cooper had said. «If it bothers you that much, talk to him.»
Jonah paced along the length of the pool, watching the entrance as he waited for Scott to get home from work.
He never planned to. He knew the problem he had with Scott's older lover was his and once he stopped seeing Nathan every time he saw Scott and his lover, he would be all right. He knew the man seemed nothing like Evan, no matter how many presents he brought Scott. Evan had no respect for anyone but himself. If only Nathan could have seen him the way he and Cooper had, maybe then ...
Jonah shook his head. It was pointless to think about that after all these years.
But that wasn't what had him riled up, this time.
How could Scott let people treat him that way?
He had been on his way back from lunch with Isaac earlier, when he spotted Scott at a table outside a cafe across the street, talking to two women sitting opposite him. The sun made Scott's golden curls glow and he couldn't help imagining running his hands through them. Before his body completely lost sense, he noticed how Scott barely did any talking at all. There had been something off about him. The Scott he had caught watching him and the Scott he ran into a couple of times looked at ease, if a little self conscious. Even though he could only see Scott's back, this Scott seemed demure and uncomfortable, holding himself so stiffly, Jonah was surprised he didn't break.
Jonah's attention fell on the immaculately dressed woman whose lips he could read even from this side of the street. She spoke slow, articulating her words in a very exaggerated way as she spoke to Scott.
The other woman seemed to be interpreting, signing what was said word for word, sometimes rolling her eyes, sometimes grimacing at Scott.
Jonah couldn't understand why Scott didn't tell her to stop the childish behavior. He just sat there and let the interpreter talk for him.
Suddenly Scott turned his face and Jonah had stumbled back at the tight lipped, almost arrogant expression. Even as he turned away, he could feel Scott's eyes on him, but he kept walking. Who was this person? He seemed to be two completely different men.
Jonah walked across the patio just as Scott came through the entrance. Jonah stopped him, hand splayed on his chest.
Scott froze, his eyes dropping to the hand on his chest, before looking at him with a startled expression in his eyes.
Light green. His eyes were light green.
No, that's not what he should be thinking about right now. He pulled both his hands back, hoping Scott wouldn't just turn and leave. «You shouldn't let people treat you like that.»
Scott's eyes widened as he opened and closed his mouth, looking like a fish, before finally raising his hands to sign back. «You're deaf?»
Jonah raised an eyebrow. «What gave it away?»
Scott spluttered, an indignant expression in his eyes, and Jonah imagined grabbing hold of Scott's curls and kissing that gorgeous mouth. He recoiled. No, he wasn't. Someone like Scott would be way too much to handle and he really didn't need the drama. No, he just needed to get through to him. «You have to stand up to them, not let them get away with it.»
«What?» Scott signed back. «What are you on about?»
«You're hiding behind your interpreter and your false arrogance. That pretty face of yours won't always get you what you want, you know?»
Once again Scott was back to imitating a fish, hands balled and eyes hard. If looks could kill ...
Jonah was glad he was wearing loose fitting shorts with the way his body reacted. He couldn't believe he still wanted to kiss him.
A myriad of emotions shone in those beautiful green eyes, too fast to read. Scott's hands moved fast as he signed, yet his movements were shaky, wild. Scott was angry. Jonah must have hit a nerve.
«You don't know me,» was all he signed before he turned away.
Grabbing his wrist, Jonah turned Scott back to face him. «Doesn't mean I don't see what you're doing. You're selling yourself short. And what about that precious Sugar Daddy of yours? You can do so much better.»
Had Gorgeous just called Dad a Sugar Daddy?
For a moment Scott was dumbstruck. Caught between the strange expression on the gorgeous face and wondering if he had missed something. Scott shook his head and tore his eyes away. Calling Dad a Sugar Daddy was just too ridiculous for words, and so not funny.
But it was. Hell, Dad would think it was hilarious. Scott pressed his lips together, trying to keep from laughing, but a snort slipped out anyway. He should be angry. Gorgeous insulted his father. No, not funny at all. He snorted again and pressed his lips even tighter together.
Gorgeous looked at him with narrowed eyes. He must think he'd gone mad.
It was his own fault, really, for implying Dad was his Sugar Daddy. He pictured Dad's face after telling him and he finally couldn't hold his laughter any more. For once Scott couldn't care less how he sounded, he just burst out laughing and didn't stop until it hurt.
He had to hold on to Gorgeous to keep from sinking to the ground, leaning half against him as he held his stomach. Every time Scott thought he was done, he only had to picture Dad's face to start again. He hadn't laughed this hard in a long time.
When he finally did manage to stop laughing, he was still leaning on Gorgeous, coughing and heaving and panting as he tried to catch his breath.
Gorgeous signed something one handed, but Scott couldn't see it clearly enough, so he had no idea what he was trying to say. He wasn't pushing him away though, so that was something. Gorgeous seemed resigned in waiting until Scott could stand on his own two feet before trying again.
«Mind telling me what's so funny?»
Scott sighed. How could he concentrate with Gorgeous looking at him like that? So serious, so stunning.
The eyes narrowed.
«He's my father.» Scott finally signed and he wished his camera wasn't buried so deeply in his bag.
Gorgeous' expression was priceless. Part shame, part shock, part apologetic, and still so bloody gorgeous. It made Scott feel a lot better.
«I'm sorry,» Gorgeous signed.
What else could he do? «Apology accepted.»
Neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved.
Scott knew he should go, but something stopped him. The awkwardness stretched as he looked at Gorgeous.
He wore a black tank top over grey shorts with a black tribal pattern all over it and black flip flops. Scott didn't think he'd seen him in anything but black or grey. Didn't he like color? The bright red spot circling his ankle were still there, though not as bright as they had been that morning.
Gorgeous shifted position and Scott could see the muscles in his chest moving underneath the tank top. Scott gulped and quickly moved his gaze back up.
There was a thoughtful expression in the other man's eyes. Light brown, Scott's brain supplied, like specks of gold. At least he had stopped sneering.
«You seem to know all about me,» Scott signed, «But I don't even know your name.»
Gorgeous blinked before signing back, «Jonah Fisher.»
Jonah. Gorgeous Jonah. And are you gay, Jonah Fisher? Inquiring minds wanted to know, but were never going to ask. «Welcome to the neighborhood, Jonah Fisher. Scott Eeley, 2D.»
«I know,» Jonah replied. «So, are you going to stop letting them walk all over you?»
Scott sighed. He had to bring that up again, didn't he? «Why don't you let me handle my colleague and I won't tell you your butterfly's uneven.»
Jonah shook his head. «Arrogance really doesn't suit you.»
Scott knew it didn't, but he didn't need a virtual stranger, even one as gorgeous and spotless as Jonah, to point that out to him. It didn't matter whether he was right or not. He had no right to butt into Scott's affairs.
He signed a quick, «Have a nice day,» and turned around.
He could see Rosa standing on her balcony and gave her a wave before going into the hall leading to her apartment. He was getting really hungry.
Gorgeous and deaf and judgmental and so right. It was kismet in a really messed up way.
Jonah saw the white ball barely scratching the green one, sending it the wrong way; it bounced just off the edge and rolled back into the white. He cursed and stepped away from the table.
Scott's father. Jonah could hit himself. Cooper laughed him squarely in his face when he told him, though he kept from saying, «I told you so.» Small favors.
They visited Nathan's grave earlier. It had been too long since he'd been there. He came away from the visit feeling a load had been lifted from his shoulders. Putting it behind him would take time, but at least he made a start.
Simon hit the ball perfectly, and the next three, before missing one that not even Jonah could have potted. Jonah still couldn't hit a ball right to save his life. All he could think about was calling Scott's father a Sugar Daddy.
When Simon potted the black and won his second game. Jonah put his pool cue away and finished his beer.
"I don't know what your problem is tonight, man, but you suck," Simon said, facing Jonah, so he could read his lips.
Jonah flipped him off. "Don't worry, I'll beat you next week, easy."
"Don't count on it. Come on, let's go pester Cooper at the bar."
Jonah shook his head and said, "My shift starts in twenty minutes and I need some air."
"Next week then, yeah?"
"Next week, promise. Tell Cooper I'll be back in fifteen."
Jonah walked out into the sun through the back door and put his sunglasses on. It was far too hot for a stroll, but he needed to clear his head. He walked through the small alley toward the playground on the next block and dropped down onto one of the stone benches to watch the children play basketball.
Scott's father. Jonah couldn't believe he misjudged the situation so badly because he'd been stuck in the past. He could normally read people better than that.
His father. Scott seemed pretty close to his father for him to visit so often. They didn't much look like each other, if they did, he might not have made that awful mistake.
Jonah shook his head. Now that Jonah knew what color Scott's eyes were, he could barely close his without painting his world green. Fake arrogance or not, he wanted Scott. It was just a question of time before they would end up in bed. It wasn't as if he hadn't seen the looks Scott had been throwing him lately. Every time they passed each other he could see the question in Scott's eyes.
A ball rolled between his feet underneath the bench. Jonah grabbed it and threw it back at the boys. If he'd had time, he might even be tempted to join them, but he needed to go back, before Cooper sent out a search party.
With a sigh, Jonah got up and walked back toward the club.
Cooper stood just outside, waiting for him. «You all right?»
«Nothing I can't handle.»
Cooper narrowed his eyes. «That angel of yours has done a real number on you.»
No use even trying to think about lying to Cooper. He knew him too well. So, Jonah just shrugged and went inside to relieve Goran.
"You need to keep an eye on that group in the back. They're quiet now, but I've had to warn them twice already," Goran said, signing at the same time, slowly.
Jonah barely looked at his hands, Goran's sign language was a bit too basic still, reading his lips was a lot easier. He looked in the direction Goran indicated and noticed the group he was talking about; four boys, barely old enough to drink, playing cards.
"I've got them," he promised.
Goran nodded. "Have a good shift."
Good shift. Those words were still on his mind ten minutes later, when he was suddenly faced with the one person he could really do without right now.
When Scott finally moved past him, Jonah couldn't help admiring his ass.
This was going to be a long night.
PINK
Allan, Ginny and Richard laughed as Scott finished his latest impression of Natasha, their hands signing applause. Richard had a stain on his shirt where he spilled his beer. Scott shook his head and blinked away the lingering spots of colors dancing in front of his friends as he smoothed his imaginary skirt and looked down his nose at them the way Natasha would, and sat down. In a place as busy as this it was both hard and easy to forget the colors. Hard because there were so many. Easy because Scott couldn't always tell where the spots came from. At least, that was what he told himself. It's not like he could ignore the pale silver spot right in front of Ginny's stomach. He wondered if she knew she was pregnant.
«Brilliant,» Ginny signed, «Your impressions of her never stop being funny.»
«I aim to please.»
Scott drank his beer and looked around the club. Despite the myriad of spots, the inside was light, much lighter than the outside made it seem, with its dark brown doors and windows badly set in smoke dirty bricks. He sighed as he caught sight of Jonah leaning against the doorpost, exchanging a look with the bartender before turning back to the door to let in more patrons.
When Allan had texted him about getting together tonight, the last thing he expected was for Jonah to be manning the door. Yet, the moment he had stepped inside, there Jonah was, just when he finally managed to stop thinking about his fake arrogance comment.
Scott caught Allan's attention and signed, «Why this place again?»
«The Laramie is closed due to personal circumstances,» Allen signed, «And this place isn't just deaf friendly, it's gay friendly as well.»
Scott raised an eyebrow. Trust Allen to sniff out the good bars. He hesitated to ask him how he found out. He had stopped counting the notches on his bed years ago. Scott saw the spots betraying Allan's egocentric and vampish nature. Then again, he was the only one Allan was still friends with.
Hands fluttered, but Scott only caught half of Richard's tales of his latest trip abroad. He couldn't help but sneak a glance at Jonah, again. He stood facing away from him, tight black jeans hugging his butt as he nonchalantly signed to someone Scott couldn't see. Scott couldn't read what he was talking about either, but Jonah's hands moved in a far more relaxed way than he had when he talked to him. It was a mesmerizing sight.
So was the man walking up to him and kissing him. Full on the lips. Jonah smiled at him, running a thumb across the man's cheek. Scott's brain immediately put a check mark next to gay, crossing out straight. Now if only he was single.
Scott tore his eyes away from him and joined the conversation, laughing along as Ginny told them a joke. His attention kept wandering, and as great as this place seemed to be, Scott wished they had gone somewhere else. He got up and offered to get the next round, trying to keep himself from looking at Jonah as he passed him. Still, Scott couldn't help but notice that the man who kissed him had disappeared.
Though Scott had seen the bartender sign, he automatically spoke his order. The bartender shook his head, indicating the noise around him and signed for him to repeat it. He wasn't as fluent as Kerry was, but he knew his way around sign language, that was certain.
As Scott waited for their drinks, he leaned on the bar, watching the bartender juggle bottles around as he mixed Allan's screwdriver.
Someone tapped him on his shoulder. Scott turned his head and found Jonah watching him.
«You're different tonight. More relaxed, outgoing.»
Scott groaned, knowing Jonah must have seen his impression of Natasha earlier.
«So why hide?»
«Are you going to bring that up every time we meet?»
Jonah rested his hand on his wrist for a moment, before shaking his head. «I like who you are tonight. I'm not sure I like the business you.»
«Look, just a couple of nights ago you thought my Dad was my Sugar Daddy.»
«So I was wrong, about that at least,» Jonah signed, his movements sharp.
The bartender put his order in front of him and Scott opened his wallet, noticing the bartender asking Jonah if everything was okay, as he put down the money. Scott didn't miss Jonah's nod either. But as he turned to Jonah, he was already walking back to his spot next to the door, smiling and signing to a group just entering.
Scott sighed and walked back to the table, set on ignoring Jonah for the rest of the evening. It had been too long since he'd seen his friends and he really shouldn't let something unimportant like a stubborn crush ruin their gathering.
As soon as he sat down, Richard started signing. «Allan told me you had a new project. He said you were really happy about it. So, what is it?»
«Gallivant Books is opening a new store. Right here in the city.»
«Seriously? I had a seminar at a Gallivant store once. They are brilliant. Not to mention great coffee.»
«You and your caffeine addiction.»
«There are worse addictions,» Richard signed as he stuck his tongue out, «Aren't there, Allan?»
«Actually, I'd rather OD on boys than coffee.»
Despite not quite having the mileage that Allan had, Scott couldn't help but agree with him.
The conversation soon turned to raunchier topics that were far past too much information for straight Richard. Ginny, on the other hand, seemed content to just listen. So they continued until Richard started to look green and then they shifted to more innocent topics.
But Jonah was like a beacon of tranquility in a world filled with moving spots of color, and every now and then Scott found himself gazing in Jonah's direction. Jonah looked back at him every single time.
Jonah leaned against the wall at the bottom of the stairs when Scott got home. «Don't tell me you're not interested,» he signed as he approached him.
Scott nearly stumbled at Jonah's directness and he wanted to curse him for putting the ball in his court. He swallowed. His hands felt like lead as he raised them and his fingers didn't quite move the way he wanted them to. It took a couple of tries, but Scott finally managed to get the words out, if a little angular and shaky. «I'm interested.» How could he not be?
Jonah smiled. Scott didn't think he'd seen him smile before now.
«Follow me,» he signed.
Scott looked at the stairs, wondering if he should invite Jonah to his apartment instead, but Jonah shook his head and pointed at his right ankle, red spot bright even in the dim light.
«I can't get up those stairs. Busted ankle.»
So Scott followed Jonah to his apartment. As Jonah opened the door, a strange sort of paralysis washed over Scott. Should he follow him in? Was this what he wanted? He barely knew him.
Did it matter how long he'd known him? He wanted Jonah since the first time he'd seen him dive into the pool. Scott couldn't believe he was trying to talk himself out of this.
He forced himself to move, forced himself to walk across the patio and follow Jonah inside. It was bigger than Scott's, all the apartments in this wing were. Rosa's was even bigger. The joys of having a corner unit. They even had a second balcony. But they weren't in Rosa's apartment, and Scott really didn't want to be thinking of her when he was about to have sex.
Another bout of insecurity passed through him. What if he didn't share his preferences? What if he thought Scott was too skinny. What if ...
Scott forced himself to take some deep breaths and calm down. He'd been wanting this for weeks. There was no way he was going to walk away now. No way.
Jonah grabbed him and pushed him into what had to be his bedroom. The walls were a satiny white, the furniture was black. Scott was starting to see a theme. No color, just black, white and grey. It was strangely soothing.
Jonah bumped into Scott from behind, wrapped his arms around him and kissed the nape of his neck. Scott shuddered. He felt lips move against his skin as if Jonah was talking to him, but Scott had no idea what he might be saying, if he was, at all.
Scott turned around in his arms and Jonah's lips captured his. Jonah's lips were softer than Scott had imagined and he tasted of beer with a hint of onions and chili. Though he had initiated the kiss, he wasn't driving it and seemed content to let Scott take over. Scott ran his hands up the sides of Jonah's body as he deepened the kiss and pushed his tongue inside Jonah's mouth.
Scott loved the feel of Jonah's muscles flexing underneath the palms of his hands, loved how Jonah tightened his grip as Scott ravaged him, almost masking the tiny shudder running through him. Scott smiled against Jonah's mouth. He was more responsive than Scott could have hoped for.
Ending the kiss, Scott stepped back and signed, «Undress«.
Jonah toed his shoes off and Scott did the same. Jonah was barefoot.
Jonah licked his lips as he untucked his t-shirt from his jeans. His eyes twinkled and he swayed his hips as he undid the buttons of his jeans one by one. Scott was about to tell him to take off the t-shirt first, when Jonah pulled the t-shirt over his head, still swaying his hips. Scott's eyes were immediately drawn to the tattoo on Jonah's left arm. Those tentacles, reaching, swirling. Scott wished he knew why he found them so fascinating.
Jonah noticed him looking at it and smiled. «Like?»
Scott nodded and walked up to him. Jonah stood still as Scott ran his fingers across the tattoo, following the shape of the tentacles. «It's beautiful.» Scott couldn't stop staring at it. «What does it mean?»
Jonah shrugged. «I had it done after I won my first boxing match. I liked the size.»
That was it? He liked the size. Scott couldn't help but feel disappointed. He had expected something deep and meaningful.
«My brother likes to think it symbolizes my fight to be who I am.» Jonah flexed the muscles in his arm and smiled. «He's a hopeless romantic.»
Scott gulped, mesmerized by how the tentacles seemed to move. He trailed one of them with his thumb. He liked Jonah's brother's explanation a lot better. Scott followed the tentacle to the top of Jonah's shoulder, before dragging his thumb down Jonah's chest and across his nipple. Jonah shuddered.
Taking a step back, Scott motioned for Jonah to continue undressing.
Jonah turned his back to him and pushed his jeans down inch by inch, grinning back at Scott as he slowly revealed his black briefs. He bent over as he took his jeans off. If Scott thought the jeans hugged his butt perfectly, then the briefs were an even better fit.
Looking over his shoulder, Jonah straightened and turned around, running his hands up his stomach and chest, dragging them across his nipples, before grabbing the large double chain around his neck and taking it off. Scott stared at Jonah's crotch with open mouth. His cock was hard, but somehow managed to stay hidden beneath those briefs, and only a small wet patch told him how turned on Jonah was.
Scott's pulse raced and he swallowed, itching to run his hand down Jonah's stomach and into his briefs. Scott crooked his finger at him and Jonah walked, prowled, towards him. Scott's hands were on Jonah's stomach, trailing down before he could stop myself. He felt Jonah tremble as he ran his hands over the fabric, next to his cock, but never quite touching it, before cupping his butt and pulling him against him. Even through all the layers of fabric, Scott could still feel the heat of Jonah's cock against his. A shiver of anticipation crawled up Scott's spine and he kissed Jonah, hard.
Without any warning, Jonah ripped Scott's shirt open and pushed it off his shoulders. Jonah tore his mouth away from Scott's and sank down on his knees, dragging Scott's trousers with him. Jonah's hands trailed up the inside of Scott's legs as he mouthed his cock through his boxers.
Scott's breath stocked and he put his hands on Jonah's head to keep himself steady.
Scott's hands in his hair only turned Jonah on more. He grabbed the edge of Scott's boxers with his teeth, dragging them over his cock and down, taking in Scott's scent, all musky and lemony. He trailed his fingers over Scott's smooth shaven balls. Scott shuddered, gripping his hair even tighter.
Jonah helped Scott out of his boxers, keeping him upright when he stumbled. As soft as the rug was, Jonah preferred the bed. Besides, the last thing he wanted was Scott falling and hitting his head. So, he rose and picked Scott up, who started thumping him on his back, and laid him down on the bed.
Scott glared at him. «I can walk, you know.»
«But this is so much more fun.»
Jonah rid himself of his briefs and joined Scott on the bed, crawling in between his legs to continue what he started.
Scott tapped him on his shoulder. Jonah looked up at him.
«Come up here.»
Demanding man, Jonah thought. He grinned at Scott and shook his head. «I'm not done yet.»
Another glare. «But ...»
«I'll be all yours later. I promise.» And he was looking forward to that, but there was no way he was going to let Scott distract him from his goal. When he was waiting for Scott to come home, he had no idea how this would turn out, but right now he really wanted to suck him off.
Scott was still glaring at him, until he started running his nails across the inside of Scott's thighs. Jonah saw his head fall back and he lowered his cheek to Scott's stomach so he could feel his reaction. He kept running his nails up and down, slowly, reveling in the hollow rumble he could feel. He hoped Scott wouldn't wake up his neighbor. Not that he cared, but he bet that Scott was a screamer.
Jonah raised his head and found Scott watching him, lips parted, eyes half closed. He would love to crawl up and kiss him, but first things first. Jonah wet his lips and ran his tongue across the tip of Scott's cock. Scott arched his back. Jonah couldn't resist looking up to see Scott's reaction. He half expected Scott to grab his hair again, instead Scott had tangled his hands into the duvet, looking absolutely gorgeous, all tension and taut curves. Beautiful.
Resting one hand on Scott's lower stomach, Jonah bent down and licked the tip again, tasting Scott. He licked his way down to the base and up again, feeling Scott's stomach quiver under his left hand.
He spread his knees, finding a better balance, before running the nails of his right hand up Scott's thigh to play with his balls. Scott arched again as he applied a bit of pressure. He licked around the head, smiling at the rumble he felt beneath his hand. Scott definitely liked this.
The moment he closed his lips over the head of Scott's cock, Scott grabbed his hair. Finally. Still, Jonah wanted to drag this out as long as he could, so he didn't take him deep, he just kept circling the head with his tongue, kept playing with his balls, applying pressure and then letting up again. The rumble beneath his hand became more pronounced, as did the quivering. Scott was getting close.
Jonah wanted to jerk himself off as well, but he didn't want to take his hand away from Scott's stomach or his balls. He liked knowing he got Scott here, quivering, unable to stop the sounds he was no doubt making.
The hand in Jonah's hair tightened when he finally took Scott in deeper, teasing with his tongue as he hollowed his cheeks and began bobbing up and down. He tried to set some sort of rhythm, but Scott's movements became more and more erratic, so he gave up and just held still as Scott thrust into his mouth.
Suddenly Scott lost all sense of rhythm and Jonah had trouble keeping his balance against the quick thrusts and pulling of his hair. Scott's body stilled as he came, and Jonah felt it all, the tensing of his muscles, the sounds he made, Scott's come against the back of his throat.
As Scott slowly sank down into the bed, Jonah let Scott's cock slip from his mouth and lay his head on Scott's stomach, intent on resting for just a minute before taking care of himself.
Just one minute.
ORANGE
Jonah woke up painfully hard, with Scott in his arms and his cock nestled against Scott's ass, wondering if he should just go for it. It would be so easy to start rutting against Scott until he came. Maybe when they knew each other better. He nuzzled Scott's curls, smelling sex and something earthy.
Scott sighed and wriggled even closer. Jonah bit his lip to keep from groaning as his cock got trapped between them. He started to move back, when Scott wormed a hand between them, going straight for Jonah's cock, which was, of course, more than interested.
Scott teased him mercilessly, trailing his fingers, his nails up and down his cock. Jonah wanted to scream, clamping his arms tighter around Scott, trying to rut against him. Anything to hurry Scott along. But Scott didn't cooperate. Instead he seemed intent on driving Jonah crazy with his lazy movements. Movements that were still bringing him higher and higher, just freaking slowly.
Panting against Scott's neck, he closed his eyes and lay still, letting Scott have his way and just enjoy the ride. What a ride it was. As slow as Scott kept his teasing, Jonah felt himself lose control fast. Not even his arms were under his control any more and he felt them slide away from around Scott, hitting the bed like dead weights.
Scott turned about the same time Jonah sagged onto his back, letting go of his cock. Jonah protested, but he needn't have worried. Scott's hand was back quickly enough.
Lips descended on his and he exposed himself to a world of green when his gaze met Scott's. He groaned into Scott's mouth as Scott grabbed his balls and, finally, stopped teasing him and started jerking him off in earnest
Jonah could feel his muscles tense all through his body, could feel something close to the surface uncoil. He panted into Scott's mouth -- so close, so damned close -- until Scott moved to his neck and sucked. Jonah shuddered and came with a shout.
He was barely aware of Scott kissing a path up and along his jaw, before reaching his lips again. The kiss was slow and lazy -- as lazy as the hand job had been, Jonah's brain supplied -- and went on for a long, long time. Jonah didn't know why Scott's gentleness surprised him, but it did.
From the moment Scott told him to undress, Jonah expected Scott to be all about hard and fast, which was fine with him, but it seemed Scott had more up his sleeve. Jonah was sure he would have a lot of fun finding out just what Scott was capable of.
Jonah opened his eyes and found Scott looking at him, smiling.
«So, is it my turn yet?»
And what would you call this, he was tempted to ask. But he remembered his promise to Scott before sucking him off and groaned. His arms still felt like lead as he signed, «Mind if I take a bit of time to recover?»
He got a raised eyebrow in return. «You're not that old, are you?»
«Thirty-five.» he answered automatically.
«So, practically ancient then,» Scott signed before sticking his tongue out at him.
Lead or not, Jonah wasn't going to let Scott get away with that. He bucked Scott off and dove after him, running his hands along Scott's sides and stomach until Scott couldn't contain his giggling and raised his hands in surrender. Jonah's cock took an instant interest in the proceedings.
«Ticklish?» Jonah asked as he sat cross legged next to a panting Scott.
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