by Chris Owen
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Torquere Press
www.torquerepress.com
Copyright ©2008 by Chris Owen
First published in www.torquerepress.com, 2008
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Dave Allen hadn't given a lot of thought to what it would feel like when four men sat down to discuss sharing romantic partners, but if he had it was unlikely he would've come up with the current scenario.
It was a Sunday afternoon, the air warm and the breeze light. The sound of laughing children floated across the park to where Dave and Wyatt Cole were sitting on a blanket under a big oak tree. Dave's lover, Archie McBain, was about thirty feet away, standing with his back to them as he talked quietly to Desmond Chase, Wyatt's partner and Dominant.
"What are they doing?” Dave finally asked, giving up on trying to hear the words. “Some lifestyle thing I won't understand?"
"No.” Wyatt shook his head and leaned back against the tree trunk, his long legs stretched out in front of him. Wyatt and Dave were built the same way—broad and long, big all over—and his feet overshot the edge of the blanket by several inches. “I think they're probably talking about you."
Dave whipped his head around just in time to see Wyatt's teasing grin. “Oh, you bastard,” he said, laughing. “Shut up."
"No, I'm serious.” Wyatt reached into the nearby cooler and rummaged around. “Wine or beer?"
"God, not wine.” Dave wasn't sure, but he might have actually paled at the word. “Des and I finished two bottles last night. I don't think my stomach can take it right now."
"Beer it is.” Which probably wasn't any better, really, but Wyatt was already opening the can and pouring it into a big plastic cup. At that stage, it would be rude not to accept it. “Here. Also, I'm pretty sure that they are, in fact, talking about you. I mean, what else would they talk about? Maybe they're comparing notes.” Wyatt's grin became more knowing than teasing, a sly look that declared he was well aware of the state of the sheets in the guest room at his place.
Dave flushed, completely unable to stop himself. “This is the most bizarre thing I've ever experienced.” Even the taste of the beer, the comfortable and familiar flavor washing through his mouth, couldn't add more than a hint of normalcy to the conversation.
"You're unused to talking about your sex life?"
"I'm unused to talking about my sex life with the partner of the guy who fucked me last night.” He winced and shook his head. “You know, that's really the wrong word."
Wyatt laughed and dove back into the cooler. “Sometimes it's the right one. He's very commanding. Did he get too domineering for you?"
"No, not at all.” Dave found that if he looked away from Wyatt and over toward the parking lot he could talk about it without it feeling so surreal. “He wasn't too controlling, either. I mean, he topped, but that doesn't mean anything about a power dynamic; I switch enough that I know that. I just meant it wasn't fucking. It was sex, and it was hot, but it was more connected than fucking. You know?"
"I know.” Wyatt drank from his own plastic cup, and from the color of the liquid Dave could tell he was drinking beer over wine, too. “Which is probably why they're talking so long. Desmond likes to make sure he answers all questions completely. If Archie asked ‘how did your date go?’ then he'll be getting a complete answer.” Wyatt smiled as he watched the two men, apparently content and easy with anything that had happened between Dave and Des the night before.
Dave's look was slightly more curious as he watched his lover—his two lovers, he supposed—talking. They weren't exactly standing with their heads close together, whispering, but they were definitely having a serious discussion. “You don't think they might just be discussing the state of Archie's face and what to do about it?"
"Absolutely not."
He said it so vehemently that Dave blinked. “No?"
"No.” Wyatt shook his head and sat up a bit straighter. “What happened last night at the party—all of it—is entirely Archie's business. There isn't anything to do about it. Desmond won't ask about the fight and he won't intervene at all. It would be rude of him to even suggest it."
Dave narrowed his gaze and looked back and forth between Des and Archie and then at Wyatt. “Let me see if I've got this right. Archie went to a scene party. He played by the rules and was dancing with a sub, having a good time. Then the sub's Dom came by with some friends, ganged up on Archie and beat him up. Not within any accepted rules at all."
"Correct.” Wyatt nodded. He'd been at the same party, had seen it happen, but hadn't been able to cross the floor fast enough to help out before Archie had gotten more than a few bruises and abrasions. “The fight was broken up, the assholes were tossed out, and I got Archie back to his apartment about ten minutes before you came by."
Dave watched as Des and Archie turned and started walking toward the blanket. Des looked the same as ever—lean, angular, impeccably tidy—but Archie's sweet boyish face was marred by a black eye and a cut lip, his smile lopsided from swelling in various places. Dave knew Archie had more bruises, too, along his chest and ribs, around his wrists where he'd been held. “Des can't do anything about it?"
"No.” Wyatt shook his head. “In the first place, we're not exactly big players. We play a lot and we play hard, but we play together, at home. We're not active out there, and he doesn't have a lot of weight to swing around. But more importantly—if you were Archie, would you want someone else fighting your fight for you? Taking it upon themselves to settle your score?"
Oh, hell no. Dave might not have understood a lot of the rules the other three followed, but he understood that. “Okay,” he said simply, and let it go. He looked up as the two men drew near, and raised one hand to shade his eyes from the sun that peeked through the leaves of their tree. “Wyatt says you were talking about me."
Wyatt made a choked kind of noise and jerked his arm so much he splashed beer on his jeans. “Thanks, Dave.” His tone was dry as dust, and Dave grinned at him.
Archie laughed and rolled his eyes. “Careful what you say to him, Wyatt. He likes you, and that means he's going to tease and get you in trouble whenever he can. You're supposed to do it back to him, I think."
"I'll remember that.” Wyatt reached into the cooler once more. “Wine, sir?"
Des sat down, neatly folding his legs as he made himself comfortable. “Please. Is there cheese?"
"Yes, sir.” Wyatt busied himself getting out grapes and cheese, wine for Des and another beer for Archie, all the while not looking at his master, his color a little high.
For his part, Des had placed himself so that he was able to be close to both Dave and Wyatt, one hand on Dave's leg and one ankle draped over Wyatt's calve. “We were, actually, in that I was bending Archer's ear about more shelves, and how I could steal more of Dave's time to keep him at our house."
"Don't have to steal it.” Archie winked at Dave and sprawled next to him, beer cup in danger of slopping. “Just need to pay for it. Granted, probably at a reduced rate, since I'm going to make him deal with funky hours while we get to work on the inn restoration project.” The last was directed at Dave, who nodded. He'd work where Archie sent him; Archie paid him, after all.
"Not until after I finish the current job, though.” The bookcases
Dave had been working on at Des’ house were almost done, close enough to finished that there would probably only be half a day there on Monday before Wyatt could start putting the books back on the shelves.
"Of course not.” Archie accepted cheese from the plate that Wyatt was offering around and lay back again, looking up at the tree. “So. It's a very nice park and there's a very large elephant in it, right here on the blanket with us."
"No, there isn't,” Dave told him with a smirk. He adored it when he was more comfortable with something—anything—than Archie. It wasn't easy being the vanilla one in the group. “Wyatt and I are doing just fine, talking about it all. You and Des might be having trouble, but we're good.” He laughed as Archie tried to swat him and Wyatt stifled a chuckle, turning it into a cough.
Des raised an eyebrow. “He will get you in trouble, Wyatt,” Des said firmly.
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Wyatt gave Dave a reproachful look, but couldn't keep the sparkle of amusement out of his eyes.
"Fine, then,” Archie said with a sigh too deep to be real. “You and Wyatt have it all worked out. Lay it out for me, babe."
"Well.” Dave squinted at the sun and shrugged. “Basically what we have here is your average polyamorous, mostly kinky, partner swap. You and me, Des and Wyatt. Me and Des, you and Wyatt. Everyone knows, everyone agrees. I'm the unkinked part, though I'm thinking I've gotta get a point or three for the swapping bit. There doesn't seem to be anything terribly complicated about it at this stage."
"You do have a way with getting to the center of things,” Des said, and Dave tried not to dwell too hard on the pleased note in Des voice, nor on how it made him want to preen.
Of course, Archie making faces like he'd just tasted something far too sweet for his taste wasn't helping.
"Stop that!” Dave rolled his eyes and whacked Archie on the shoulder before bending down to kiss him. “Be serious."
Archie kissed him back. “I am being serious. I'll try to be less happy for you, okay?” He pressed his lips against Dave's once more. “This is me being happy you're happy."
Wyatt made a sound that was very close to something one would coo at a puppy or a baby. “That's so sweet."
"God.” Dave blushed and sat up. “Okay, so. What kind of stuff do we have to talk about?” he looked around at the three of them. “Still not kinky."
"Still not shocked.” Archie raised a hand. “I assume your date went well?” He looked at Wyatt and Des. “After Wyatt left me to Dave's care last night, we just kind of tended to the bruises and went to sleep. Then this morning he took off to get clean clothes before we came here, so I haven't had time to beg for information."
"The date was wonderful,” Des said, his hand squeezing Dave's leg a little. “We talked about my uncle, the shop, Dave's love of books. We drank far too much, ate some truly wonderful food, and enjoyed ourselves."
Dave nodded and smiled at Des. “I'd like to have dinner again. Maybe go to a movie."
"I'm sure we can plan something.” Des nodded, still smiling, and looked at Archie. “Dave said things were uncomplicated, but I'm afraid he's being optimistic. Not about what the four of us want, but about mundane things like scheduling, if nothing else."
Archie shrugged. “I know enough to ask you before I ask Wyatt to spend time with me, and to clear any games through you. What I want from Wyatt is a gift from you, really, and not at all like the way you and Dave are going to have to relate."
"Which isn't to say that I don't like you as a person,” Wyatt put in mildly. “Because I do. I wouldn't have offered my ... Um. My presence? Services? I really don't like the way that sounds.” He laughed and looked at Des, his eyes almost beseeching. “How do I phrase that, sir?"
Des transferred his smile from Dave to Wyatt and sipped his wine. “You volunteered to submit to Archer because you enjoy him and are curious about what the two of you can explore together. Also, because you dislike seeing people needlessly put themselves in situations of risk merely to fill a physical desire."
"Also because I think it would be fun.” Wyatt glanced at Archie, or maybe Dave, and smiled. “He's kinda cute, sir."
Des laughed softly. “I suppose he is."
Archie preened, his eyes dancing. “But not your type, Des. We all know you like men a little bigger. What with the twins here being football greats and all."
"I do like to have a vast amount of shoulder to bite, yes.” Des spoke serenely and sipped his wine again, apparently more than happy to discuss his sexual tastes. Not that it was a surprise, of course. Des and Wyatt—even Archie—seemed happy enough to talk about what they liked and did, no matter where they were or who they were with.
Dave figured he'd get used to it some day.
"I suppose that's actually it, then, isn't it?” Archie looked around at them, looking pleased. “Just your average poly-kinky-partner swap."
Dave nodded and snagged a piece of cheese. “Cool. Odd, but cool. I'm liking the non-existence of drama. We just date, right? I mean, Wyatt and Des are living together all happy. Archie will let you know if he'd like to spend time with Wyatt."
"And you, babe. I'll let you know, too."
"And me.” Dave nodded to acknowledge that. “Thank you. And if Des and I want to go out—or stay in—we'll discuss it with you two.” He shrugged and smiled broadly. “Seriously, it's that easy? We all just talk and be polite about messing around with each other?"
"Babe, if it gets more complicated than that, we all have to talk. But, yeah, that's it.” Archie looked pleased, and Wyatt was smiling, and Des's hand was petting nicely.
"Awesome.” Satisfied, Dave settled back to enjoy the afternoon at the park.
* * * *
The half day it took Dave to finish the shelves and get them secured to Des’ walls was punctuated by many small interruptions. Some were mere pauses, where he'd look up, smile, and then accept a kiss as Des headed downstairs or to the kitchen. Others were a little longer, such as a coffee break with Wyatt that got a little involved when they started talking about an upcoming NCAA game they were both interested in. Mostly, though, the morning sped by until all that was left was the sweeping up and dusting. He didn't usually dust when he was done with a job, but he thought maybe it would be nice for Des and Wyatt to see the room all nice and clean and ready for them.
He didn't go so far as to offer to help bring the books back in and shelve them, however. He wouldn't have minded going through the books, but Des would time the operation and there wouldn't be allowances made for browsing.
Dave more or less planned to invite himself over to see the books some other time.
When Archie arrived at noon, Dave was ready. All of his tools had been packed up and put in his truck, the room was swept and he'd used a tack cloth to wipe down the oak shelves. Proud of his work, Dave wanted to show it off to Archie as much as to Des and Wyatt.
"Damn. It's almost a shame to put you to work on ripping apart that inn, babe.” Archie slid his hand along one shelf, caressing the wood while he examined the joins. “This is nice. We really should get you into a lot more finishing and cabinet work."
Dave appreciated that, he really did. But while his professional head was glowing from Archie's praise, his more unprofessional body and nerves were waiting for Des’ reaction.
Des had seen them, of course, every day and every step of the way. It didn't matter to Dave, not a bit. A word of approval, even a nod, would help the tension at the base of his spine unravel.
Wyatt stood in the doorway, smiling a little bit and watching as Des walked around the room, his hands clasped behind his back. “This is a lot nicer than the pressboard we were using."
"Understatement,” Des murmured. He stopped and faced the floor unit, which had shelves on three sides and was a desk on the fourth. “This is marvelous, Dave. Thank you.” He looked at Archie. “I shall be talking to you about the glass case we discussed. I want Dave to build it for me."
Archie grinned and Dave blushed. He ha
ted blushing, but honest flattery seemed to trigger the heat and there he was. Red.
Archie pulled out an envelope and handed it to Des without comment, and Dave knew the job was done. Once the bill for labor was submitted, he was finished. Not surprisingly, this time he kind of felt like sticking around.
It turned out he wasn't the only one, and the four of them made their way into the kitchen. Des closed the shop for an hour so they could all take a break together, Wyatt made a quick pasta salad and Archie ordered in four huge sandwiches, making jokes about maybe not being able to eat them because of his cut lip.
Dave kissed it better. Again. He didn't mind, really.
The talk around the table moved easily through a cycle of familiar topics: books; Wyatt moving and re-shelving the books; how both Des and Wyatt were looking forward to Wyatt getting his office back; and how they were going to miss having Dave around, but not his mess. From there, they talked a bit about the next job Archie had lined up, and finally, as the wrappers were tossed away, and Wyatt put the plates in the dishwasher, Archie said it was time for him and Dave to get back to work.
As he kissed Des goodbye and promised to be in touch soon, Dave saw Wyatt's shy look at Archie. He waited, but the two of them didn't do anything more than smile at each other, and then Archie was shaking Des’ hand and they were leaving.
"What was that?” Dave asked as they stopped by his truck.
"What was what?"
"That non-kissing goodbye thing.” Dave grinned and unlocked his door. “He was almost fluttering his eyelashes at you, you know."
Archie snorted, but he couldn't hide his pleased smile. “Don't be a pain. Besides, I'm not going to kiss him for the first time with the two you standing there inspecting my every move and his reaction. Jeeze."
It was a good point. Dave nodded and climbed into his truck, but left the door open and grabbed Archie by a belt loop. “I like inspecting your moves.” He kissed Archie's mouth fast and hard, and then let him go. “Lead on, boss man. The work day is only half done."
