by Lydia Nyx
Davey smiled back. Zane saw a faint hint of pink in his cheeks. “Does this mean I have a boyfriend?”
“If you want one, I suppose.” Zane glanced away, afraid to look Davey in the eye, afraid of the way his heart raced. A moment later he flinched as something soft and warm touched his cheek. Davey’s hand.
“I want one,” Davey said.
“Then I guess today, all your dreams are coming true. Or possibly, your nightmares.”
Davey leaned toward him, still smiling. His scent preceded him. “If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”
“What did you tell me about not getting sappy?”
“I meant you’re not allowed to get sappy, because you’re not very good at it.”
Zane shook his head. “I might have found the right idiot, but something tells me I’m the dumb one for getting myself into this.”
***
Zane wanted to stretch their last two weeks out as long as possible, but as if to spite him, everything kicked into high gear. The final days of shooting were intense, as Saul tried to cram everything in he still needed. There would be pickups eventually, but Saul wanted as few as possible. Elliot had a lot to do, and Zane had to be at his side constantly.
However, Zane spent as much time as he possibly could with Davey when they weren’t working. They went sightseeing, ate together, and slept in the same bed every night. Sometimes they had sex, sometimes Zane found contentment in just holding him in the darkness, absorbing the bittersweet touch of his skin, so wonderful and yet slipping through his fingers so fast. Zane lamented he had wasted so much time, and yet their final days were more poignant because of the loss.
Elliot remained sullen and withdrawn most of the time, but regular reports from Ian on Cristiano’s progress gradually brought a smile back to his face and made him more sociable.
“I’m going to come out, after the premiere,” he told Zane one evening after shooting, while they were gathering Elliot’s things in his dressing room. “I don’t want it to overshadow the movie. Or — keep people from seeing it.”
Zane paused in shoving Elliot’s script in his bag and stared at him. “I’m proud of you. I hope…it goes well for you.”
Elliot eyed him. “I hope things go well for you, too. Are you sad it’s almost over?”
Zane was silent for a moment. “Yes,” he finally said, his voice almost a whisper. “I am. There was a time I couldn’t wait for it to be over. And now…” he trailed off.
“We’ve both changed, haven’t we?”
“Yes, we have.”
“You think for the better?”
“It couldn’t possibly be for the worse.”
Elliot’s grim expression lifted and he smiled. “I’m glad I hired you, Zane. I know this isn’t what you’d like to be doing, but I’m glad you’re here with me.”
Zane zipped the bag. “I’m glad I’m here with you too. Even though you’re a pain in the ass to work for.”
“One pain in the ass deserves another.”
“Yeah. That’s probably why me and Davey are together, too.”
The final day of shooting came without mercy. Elliot only had a small part in the final scene, but Zane would have been there regardless.
To Zane’s surprise, Saul asked him if he’d like to act as an assistant director during the shot. Zane jumped at the opportunity, even though such a sudden, huge responsibility made him nervous as hell. After Zane put on the little headset so he could hear Saul’s direction, Davey walked over to him and grinned.
“Look, we’re twins!” Davey wiggled the mouthpiece extending from his own headset, which he wore to hear direction from the key costumer.
“I feel like I’m working the drive-thru at my old high school job,” Zane said.
“It makes you feel important, doesn’t it? To be so connected to everyone.” Davey then rolled his eyes, touching his left headphone. “Speaking of, back to work.” Davey couldn’t stand his substitute boss, who had apparently just summoned him.
“All right, people!” Saul called out. “This is the last Martini Shot! Let’s make sure it goes smoothly!”
Zane took a deep breath. His stomach was in a million knots, as if Boy Scouts had used it for practice. He tried to remember everything he’d learned in school and everything he’d seen Saul do.
The shot went smoothly for the most part, and once Zane started concentrating he wasn’t so nervous. Saul only utilized him a few times, but he performed perfectly, as eager to impress the director as he wanted to accomplish something for himself. Zane liked the actor playing Napoleon, and the man kept making everyone laugh, so Zane couldn’t stay tense.
When Saul called the final cut, everyone broke into cheers. The mood quickly became joyous and emotional as people hugged each other, shook hands, and slapped each other on the back. Zane got hugs from both Rory and Saul, and Saul praised his performance. Zane beamed so much he thought he must look like a spotlight.
Stepping away from the celebration, Zane looked across the set for Davey. He stood in the midst of the costuming crew, lips pursed, eyes bright, just watching everyone else embrace and congratulate each other. Zane’s heart lurched, but he knew why Davey looked so unhappy, why he wasn’t jumping into the joyous fray: Cristiano should have been there.
Zane looked around for Rory. “Hey, Rory. What channel are the costumers on?” He adjusted the headset on his ears; in all the excitement, he hadn’t taken it off yet.
“Uh, three, I think.”
Zane pulled the transmitter off his belt. He realized his hands were shaking as he changed the channel. He didn’t know if anyone else in the costuming crew still had their headsets on and he didn’t particularly care.
“Hey, Davey?” he said into the microphone. “It’s Zane. Can you hear me?”
Davey looked up, scanned the crowd around Zane, and then rested his gaze on him. He smiled, though he still looked sad.
“Hey there,” Davey said. “Congratulations. You looked good out there.” His voice sounded tinny through the headphones.
“Thank you.” Zane still held the transmitter, staring across the set at him. “Cristiano is here with us in spirit, you know. He’d be proud of you.”
“I know.” Davey smiled again, tightly. “You can walk over here and talk to me, you know.”
Zane swallowed. “Davey?”
“Yes, Zane?”
“I love you.”
Davey just stared at him, his expression almost comically shocked. Then he put his hand over his mouth, his eyes wide and vivid.
Zane took off the headset and put it, along with the transmitter, aside on a table. He worked his way through the crowd toward Davey, dodging hugs and handshakes. Davey met him halfway. His eyes were bright. He stared at Zane as if he’d never seen him before, as if he’d fallen from the sky. The light in his eyes said more than words could have. Zane put his arms around him.
“Say it again,” Davey whispered, his voice choked. He gripped Zane’s shirt, hands shaking.
Zane took Davey’s face in his hands. He placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, then drew back and whispered, looking into his eyes, “I love you, Davey Alexander. You’ve made me a better person.”
Davey smiled, lips trembling, tears spilling over and slipping down his cheeks. Zane couldn’t believe how raw he felt, how torn down to the bone, and yet fearless at the same time. He didn’t care what anyone thought, what they might say. The emotions simply were, and he simply let them be, for the first time.
Davey flung his arms around him. He clung to Zane and pressed his face against his shoulder. Zane held him.
“It’s all been worth it, just for this moment,” Davey said in a soft, wavering voice.
“Yes,” Zane whispered, stroking his hair. “It has.”
Chapter 26
The wrap party Saul threw for the end of filming made the one in Cairo look like a slumber party. Saul actually rented a castle for the occasion — Chateau de Bonaguil in the French com
mune of Saint-Front-sur-Lémance, a majestic, hulking, white stone structure on a high rocky hill between two rivers. Saul spared no expense on the banquet hall where he held the party, filling the room with decorations, entertainment, and food fit for a king.
“I wonder if this place is haunted?” Elliot asked as he led Zane through the crowd toward the tables full of food. They made a plan of attack before they arrived — avoid hobnobbing, acquire nourishment.
“Of course it is.” Zane looked around for Davey. “Aren’t all castles?”
“We better get some food before Saul starts making speeches,” Elliot said. “Or else we’ll be haunting this place after we die of starvation.”
Zane had a plate full of food when he caught sight of Davey, wending his way through the crowd. He wore black dress pants and a clingy, dark blue shirt. The outfit made his body look incredible, slender and muscular in perfect proportion. He also wore clunky, half-unlaced boots. His hair had an impressive — and gorgeous — amount of wave. Only a small sense of remaining dignity kept Zane from jumping up and down and waving his arms to get his attention.
Davey spotted Zane and smiled, then made his way over.
“I saw Saul headed for the stage up front,” Davey said as he reached him. “He’s going to start talking already, isn’t he?”
“As much as he talks, he has to start this early.” Zane handed Davey his drink, which he’d only taken a small sip from. “Here, I’ll get another.”
“You’re so thoughtful, darling.”
“You are my little idiot.”
Saul indeed gave a speech, thanking everyone profusely and waxing poetic for a good ten minutes. Then, practically everyone in the cast had to get up and make a speech after him. The press had been invited, and they hovered around the stage, taking pictures of every moment. Eventually Saul pushed Elliot up on stage. Zane stood back, smirking.
Elliot gave a nice speech about how much he had enjoyed doing the movie, working with Saul, and gave kudos to all his castmates. He made a few jokes, got slightly sentimental, and finally raised a rousing toast to Saul. Saul looked gleefully tipsy and nearly spilled his drink when he lifted his glass in acceptance. Then Elliot continued.
“I made a lot of wonderful friends on this movie, a lot of people I’ll never forget, people who changed my life. One of those people I grew particularly close to was my personal assistant, Zane Reed.” He pointed Zane out and everyone looked at him. Zane froze. “He kept me sane through all those days in that bitch of a desert. Not to mention hydrated.” The crowd laughed. “And he kept my perspective in front of me when it wanted to wander off course, when I didn’t want to study my lines or get in costume again. He taught me some things about myself, too. And I just wanted to thank him for going above and beyond his job duties. I hope his future is a bright one, and I hope all his dreams come true.”
The crowd “Awwed” and clapped, and Zane smiled, even though he wanted to dive under the nearest table. He felt Davey’s fingers tangle with his and he squeezed Zane’s hand.
“Now, let’s have a party!” Elliot said. “No more fucking speeches, Saul!”
The crowd laughed and cheered, and Saul lifted his glass with a grin.
Zane met Elliot coming off the stage and hugged him. “Thanks for putting me on the spot,” Zane said. “Jerk.”
Elliot drew back, smiling. He patted Zane’s shoulders. “You’re officially unemployed at midnight, I thought it was the least I could do.”
As they walked away, Davey smiled at Zane, eyes sparkling. “You know, you keep going down this road and you might turn out to be a decent human being. Are you sure you want that kind of reputation?”
“You’re right, it’s time to drink and make an ass out of myself. Maybe I can break something if I try.”
“Why don’t you meet me back at the hotel in a little bit? I can’t handle another all-night party.”
Zane made sure not to get entangled in any lengthy conversations. The hotel they were staying in, a fifteen-minute cab ride away, looked quaint on the outside but was quite contemporary inside. Their room — white, spacious, and modern — had a huge bed with a red quilted bedspread. Zane couldn’t wait to get back to it and into Davey’s arms.
Davey arrived at the hotel shortly after Zane. Zane met him at the door and pressed him up against the wall. They made out like teenagers, sucking hungrily at each other’s mouths, hands everywhere, over and under each other’s clothes, in each other’s hair. Davey felt warm and pliant, his scent made of desire and everything good in the world.
“Just tell me I can have you forever,” Zane whispered, tracing his thumb over Davey’s wet lips. “Even if it’s not true.”
“You can have me forever.” Davey’s voice sounded tight. “And it’s the truth.”
Zane stepped back. Davey bent over and tugged one of his boots off, then the other. Zane waited, and when Davey stood upright again, Zane grabbed the bottom of Davey’s shirt and tugged it up and off. Davey hadn’t even lowered his arms before Zane started kissing him again. Davey grabbed the bottom of Zane’s shirt as well and yanked; Zane only broke the kiss to take it off.
They finally stopped kissing, and Zane stared into his eyes. The overhead light glowed in those blue depths, making them shimmer.
Davey said softly, “Zane. I need to tell you — “
Zane stopped him with another kiss. “Don’t say anything,” he murmured against his mouth. “Don’t talk.” He stroked his fingers through Davey’s hair. “Just touch me,” Zane whispered, desperate, on the verge of a frightening emotional outburst. “Please.”
Davey touched him, running his fingertips gently over Zane’s skin, over his arms and shoulders and chest, and then down to his stomach.
Zane undid Davey’s pants, feeling not so much horny as needy. The intimacy seemed more important than sex. Zane held him, just held him, for a few minutes, clutching Davey so tightly he heard his labored breath against his ear. Davey didn’t try to pull away though, just clung to him.
“I want you to touch me too,” Davey whispered. “Touch me everywhere.”
Zane gladly slid his hands over him, kissing Davey’s bare shoulder, and the first real spark of arousal was ignited, a slow-spreading warmth low in his belly. Zane gripped the top of Davey’s pants and pushed them down. Davey wore plain white briefs underneath, and Zane pushed those down as well.
“So nice,” Zane whispered. He slipped his hands onto Davey’s hips, slender and narrow, but just enough flesh there to soften any sharp angles.
Davey hooked a finger in the top of Zane’s pants and tugged. “You’re telling me,” he breathed.
Zane slid his hand around Davey’s cock, so very silky and firm. Davey undid Zane’s pants and pushed them down as well. Zane wanted to pause and take them off, but he also wanted to keep stroking.
“I’m gonna miss your hands,” Davey murmured, skimming his fingers over Zane’s belly. He then slid them down to Zane’s groin, where his cock rose stiff and wanting as well. “I’m gonna miss everything,” Davey said. Zane’s cock twitched as Davey gripped him.
After a few heated minutes of mutual stroking, Davey grabbed Zane’s wrist and gently stilled him. He then bent over and started removing his own pants and underwear the rest of the way, along with his socks. Zane waited, touching Davey’s hair, not wanting to lose contact. Davey tossed his clothes to the side.
Zane wanted to draw him over to the bed, but Davey fell to his knees. He clutched Zane’s hips and looked up at him, and Zane gasped as Davey pulled him forward.
“Davey, fuck,” Zane said.
Davey cupped the head of Zane’s cock, enclosing it in the damp warmth of his palm. Then he replaced his hand with his mouth, infinitely hotter and better. Zane curled his fingers in Davey’s hair, his balance betraying him.
“Let me sit down,” Zane implored breathily. “I like what you’re doing, but I don’t want to fall over on you.”
Davey slipped his mouth off and sat back
on his heels. Zane struggled out of his shoes, pants, and underwear, and walked to the bed. He sat down heavily, gazing at Davey, still kneeling by the door. Davey didn’t get up, just crawled across the carpet, slinking toward him. The sight made Zane’s cock throb.
“Christ, I’m gonna miss you,” Zane said.
“I know.”
Davey went back to work with his mouth, swallowing him, bobbing his head slowly. He flexed his fingers on Zane’s thighs, soft sounds issuing from his throat and vibrating along the shaft. Zane threaded his fingers in Davey’s hair and leaned back, resting on his other hand. He curled his toes against the rough weave of the carpet. He told himself not to come, not yet.
Zane slid his hand out of Davey’s hair and stroked his fingers down his face, tracing his jaw, feeling the prickly stubble there, then across his cheek, flexing with his movements. Zane wanted to pull him up and cradle his face and kiss him over and over.
“Don’t do that all night,” Zane said. “I want more.”
Davey bobbed his head a few more times, and then slid his mouth off and wrapped his fingers around the base. He looked up at Zane and dragged his tongue slowly up the length of the shaft, all the way to the head. He gave the crown a slow, swirling lick and then a parting suck. All this he did without breaking eye contact. Zane thought he would either scream or burst into an unmanly display of tears.
“Davey.” Zane trembled, touching his hair again, his shoulders, his face.
Davey nuzzled his palm.”I’m here,” he whispered. He moved up Zane’s body.
On the bed, entangled, Zane wanted to touch every part of him at once, legs wrapped around Davey’s waist, hands everywhere, mouth on his face and neck. Davey squirmed against him, demanding and possessive, as if he were trying to rub his very essence on him. Zane adjusted his hips and ground their cocks together, seeking sensation, wanting the heat, the contact. Davey made a soft sound and pushed against Zane harder.
The intensity of the encounter stilled the world around them, filling the room, filling them. Everything else fell away as Zane’s focus narrowed and sharpened. Davey crawled on top of him, their hips still grinding, kissing heatedly. Zane sucked at his tongue and Davey moaned against his lips.
