by Max Hudson
Harvey nodded with excitement. He released Evan, stepping toward the bins behind the desk to gather his things. Evan stood in front of the mirror as he stripped away his costume and carefully hung it in the closet. As Harvey assisted him, he burned with anticipation, wondering if his ex-husband still felt the same after all these years.
How much can one person change? he reflected as he kicked off his black boots. How much have I changed?
After he had changed into a pair of dark blue jeans and a flannel shirt, he smiled at Harvey. He pulled on his winter coat and nodded toward the door.
“Ready?”
Harvey grinned. “Yes, sir.”
“Oh, I like the sound of that.”
“I'm sure you'll like it a lot more when we get to your place.”
Evan smirked while taking Harvey's hand. “I'm sure I will.”
He released Harvey's hand before leaving the office, guiding Harvey through the front doors and toward the parking lot. He hopped into his car and watched Harvey do the same, only turning the key in the ignition when he saw that Harvey was ready.
And as the winter wind whistled around his car, he led the way back to his house with Harvey following behind.
Chapter Six
Harvey
Evan's house loomed over Harvey as he stepped up on the porch, following Evan to the front door. He held his breath as he glanced at the living room window to the right, noticing the electric candles flickering gently on the other side of the pane. As he exhaled, he stepped inside the house, glancing around through the darkness until light struck his eyes.
He blinked rapidly while observing the foyer. “Not much has changed.”
“I didn't feel like redecorating.”
“I figured you would.”
Evan smiled. “Does that matter right now?”
“No, I don't think it does. Come here.”
“Brat.”
Harvey blushed as he wrapped his arms around Evan's shoulders, feeling the strands of Evan's beard tickle his chin. He smelled the floral powder and immediately withdrew, sneezing violently and nearly falling backward.
Evan cackled as he grabbed Harvey's hands to keep Harvey from tipping over.
“I'm so sorry,” he said with a chuckle. “I almost forgot. Let me wash my face.”
“Take your time.”
“Won't you come with me?”
Harvey grinned, desire written all over his features. He trotted up the stairs after Evan, his lips quivering as his body began to tingle with anticipation. A wave of memories washed over him as he rounded the banister at the top of the stairs and padded his way down the hall into the main bedroom.
Nearly every piece of furniture was in the same exact place he had left it. The bed was positioned against the far wall, nestled between a pair of windows and two bedside tables. Lamps rested on each table as well as picture frames filled with smiling faces and landscapes. The silk sheets on the bed were undisturbed, having likely been made earlier in the day. On the left side of the room sat a cherry wood dresser, directly positioned across from the bathroom door.
Light flooded the carpet. Harvey followed the light with his eyes to the bathroom, listening to the familiar notes of Evan humming. He swallowed hard as he relaxed into the mattress.
Now that I'm here, I'm actually thinking about it, he reflected as he waited patiently for Evan to return. If I think too much, I might bail.
As if hearing his thoughts, Evan appeared in the doorway. His coat had disappeared, and a few buttons had been undone on his flannel shirt. Harvey rose instantly, crossing the room to aid in the removal of Evan's clothing. His fingers drifted down Evan's chest, Evan's stomach, and beneath Evan's navel. He tangled his fingers into the trail of hair leading to the waistband of Evan's jeans, tugging at the fabric hiding Evan's budding erection.
Evan sighed. He slipped his fingers into Harvey's hair, gripping a chunk as he often did in the past whenever Harvey initiated. He nudged Harvey back toward the bed with his hips and teased Harvey's lips with his bottom lip. As he continued to sigh against Harvey's mouth, his hands expertly removed the barriers preventing him from exploring Harvey's body.
When Harvey collapsed against the bed, he took Evan with him. He whimpered as Evan searched between their writhing bodies for his twitching cock, gripping his shaft with cool fingers. He hissed as Evan's palm drifted up his shaft and down to the base of his cock to rest. His heart thumped rapidly as he parted his thighs, welcoming every possible move that Evan might make.
Evan pressed his shaft against Harvey's shaft, prompting a shuddering moan. He smirked crookedly as he nudged his nose into Harvey's neck and sampled the warm skin waiting for him to taste. Goosebumps greeted his lips and encouraged him to continue, his fingers dancing up and down Harvey's shaft.
Harvey twisted with every graze. He shivered as he wiggled his hips, his brows furrowing together in near concern as he struggled with whether to provide or receive pleasure. Although he knew what to do—considering he had slept with Evan for multiple years in the past—he was struck for the moment, almost frozen by the possibilities unfolding with each passing second.
As he arched his back, he allowed his eyelids to flutter. He gave his body permission to react to every touch, kiss, and whisper. He opened up to Evan and bucked against Evan's hard cock, practically panting as Evan swept lovingly over his shaft. He stole a glance to Evan's hand grazing over his cock and smiled wide, struggling to keep his eyes open and his brain focused.
He couldn't think. He could hardly get a word out in between moans. Everything that Evan was doing to him was making him weak and powerless. But he adored that very fact, savoring the tingle growing in his stomach that threatened to consume him. Evan sat up and flipped him over with a hungry growl, cupping his bottom lovingly. He arched his back and offered himself to Evan while parting his legs.
Evan drove his arm beneath Harvey's torso, gripping Harvey's right shoulder as he pressed his fingers against Harvey's entrance. His fingers outlined Harvey's entrance and coated it with saliva. Harvey bucked back, unable to control his hips. He leaned against Evan's cock with every intention of taking it, his breathing rolling in ragged waves as he felt Evan apply pressure.
When Evan slid inside, Harvey gasped. He threw his head back against Evan's shoulder and exhaled shakily, gripping Evan's hand that clasped his shoulder. Evan scooted his legs together and reared back, returning with eager pumps that deepened with each dive.
Each thrust conjured shivers from Harvey, currents of unruly bliss shooting through every limb of his body. He huffed as Evan hoisted him up and slid an arm beneath his waist. He was pinned close to Evan's torso—and he loved every second of it. As each piercing thrust became greedier, his stomach grew taut with anticipation. He wanted to burst.
And he wanted Evan to do the same.
He strained to turn his head, to find Evan's lips. He strove to express his pleasure through every moan-coated kiss, his lips quivering as his groans shifted to labored huffs. He felt Evan shift a hand to his exposed throat and whimpered louder as he felt Evan's fingers dance around his neck.
Though Evan never applied pressure, the presence of his fingers was enough for Harvey to tip over the edge of bliss into pure ecstasy. Harvey panted harder as Evan's fingers traveled up to his mouth, curious fingers slipping between his quivering lips. His eyes rolled back as he fought to contain his eruption.
But Evan's right hand had sank down to grip Harvey's cock, turning Harvey's effort of containment into a disaster. Just a few short pumps caused him to burst all over the sheets as Evan's invasion doubled in strength. Within seconds, Evan followed after Harvey and growled in Harvey's ear as he came.
Harvey collapsed against the bed, taking Evan with him. He crawled up the sheets and rolled to his side, shaking his head as he numbly reached out to grab Evan. His fingers and toes tingled as he shivered while tugging Evan into a lazy hug.
Evan huffed and whispered, “That...is something I
definitely missed.”
“You're telling me.”
“I see it's been a minute for you.”
Harvey chuckled lightly between gasps for air. “And for you.”
“I couldn't help it. Moving on after you was...”
“Almost unfair.”
Evan sniffled as he focused his gaze on Harvey. “Something like that.”
“I felt the same.”
“I'm sorry I avoided you.”
Harvey shook his head. “Don't be. Let's just...enjoy the moment, okay? I want to enjoy this.”
“I can do that...”
* * *
Harvey plucked a few pages from the printer and whistled as he walked back to his cubicle. He paused at Leo's cubicle, smiling as he set the printed pages to the right of Leo's mouse. Leo glanced up with a confused grin, speaking in a professional tone into the microphone of his headset.
While continuing to whistle, Harvey returned to his desk and plopped into his chair, maneuvering the mouse across the computer screen. He clicked on his emails and began working through them diligently. When his phone rang, he lifted his headset and shifted it over his ears, answering the call in a cheerful tone.
After handling the customer over the phone, he returned to work, typing rapidly on the keyboard. The keys clicked with every tap and filled his cubicle with the sound of productivity.
Leo popped up over the cubicle divider.
“Harvey,” he said suspiciously. “Are you running a fever?”
“Nope. I feel great today.”
“Oh?”
Harvey chuckled lightly, breaking his gaze with his computer monitor to gaze at Leo without breaking his typing stride.
“Yeah,” he said. “You know I don't get sick.”
“I know that, but you're usually not this chipper.”
“It's really nice outside.”
Leo squinted. “Are you on medication?”
“No, why do you ask?”
“Well, you're just...”
Harvey shrugged. “What? Happy? A guy can't be happy?”
“You got laid, didn't you?”
Harvey turned his eyes back to the computer monitor while trying to stifle a bashful grin. When he finished typing up his email, he sent it, then exited the email screen and turned slowly to Leo.
“Maybe,” he replied. “But I'm not giving you any details.”
“You met someone!”
“Leo, hush! Not so loud. Geesh, I don't want the whole office to know about my love life.”
Leo clapped his hands as quietly as possible. “I can't believe it. You're seeing someone. Who is he? Tell me about him!”
“Maybe later. I have some work to do.”
“Wow, you never pass up a chance to skip out on work.”
Harvey shrugged with a slight grin. “Well, I'm feeling productive today. I want to make sure everything is done so my weekend is free.”
“I can't imagine that's because you want to spend all your time volunteering.”
“If it means I get to see this guy, then yes, technically.”
Leo gasped dramatically. “Harvey, you have to tell me about him. Seriously, I can hold my calls.”
“Patience, young Leo.”
“Don't you sass me. I have a right as your best friend to know. We've been volunteering at the same place and I've only seen a handful of guys. Who is it?”
Harvey laughed while shaking his head. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you who I was seeing.”
“Come on, Harv. It's not like you're seeing your ex-husband or something.”
The silence that fell between Harvey and his best friend was palpable. Beyond the curtain of silence were the usual sounds of the office—soft voices speaking professionally, phones chiming, and keys clacking rhythmically. After a moment, Leo's eyes widened and he craned his neck over the divider.
“Harv, no.”
Harvey took a deep breath and gestured widely. “Well...”
“You can't be serious.”
“I mean...”
Leo laughed suddenly, jogging around the divider to kneel in front of Harvey. He took Harvey's hands and squeezed them. “Spill. Now.”
“I don't know what's happening,” Harvey admitted in a low voice. “But we kissed over the weekend.”
“Yeah? And?”
“And it led to other things.”
Leo shook his head. His expression was unreadable, but the glimmer in his eyes told Harvey that he was intensely curious to hear more.
“I wouldn't read too much into it,” Harvey explained. “It's probably because neither of us have been laid in a while.”
“Sure, if that helps you sleep at night.”
“Don't be like that. You know how I feel about my ex-husband.”
Leo gave Harvey an appraising stare. “I'm not so sure I know anymore.”
“Yeah, well, I guess that makes two of us.”
“Harvey, how did that happen? I thought you wanted to avoid him at all costs.”
Harvey shrugged. “I ended up becoming his elf.”
“Oh, so it's a kink thing.”
He laughed and playfully pushed Leo's arm, shaking his head as he leaned back in his desk chair. “You're ridiculous. It's nothing of the sort. It's just...I don't know. I guess we missed each other.”
“Just be careful, okay? Rekindling an old romance can be nice and everything, but the problems of the past are waiting just around the corner. And as I recall, you two had huge problems.”
“It'll be fine. It's nothing serious.”
Leo stood up and planted his hands on his hips. “I'm going to worry regardless.”
“You do that.”
Leo chuckled and retreated to his desk. When he was gone, Harvey sighed and slid his cell phone from his pocket. He noticed a few texts from Evan. As he read them, his smile grew and he bit his lower lip.
“Do you want to come by the house on Wednesday and help me organize some of the winter events?” Evan asked. “I'll make dinner and hot cocoa.”
“I would love that,” Harvey replied. “What time?”
“You can come over whenever you're done with work.”
Harvey nodded even though Evan couldn't see him. “I can't wait.”
He set down his phone as his heart skipped a beat. Though he was convinced it wasn't serious, he couldn't help the giddiness that crept into his chest as he thought about seeing Evan again.
He simply couldn't wait.
Chapter Seven
Evan
The doorbell rang, shaking Evan right down to his core. He raced to the foyer and paused in front of the mirror near the door, running his fingers repeatedly through his hair. When he felt his appearance was sufficient, he opened the door with a wide smile.
“Harvey,” he sighed. “You look great.”
“I look like a penguin.”
Evan laughed. “Well, that coat is big on you.”
“I can't help that I'm always cold.”
Evan nodded for Harvey to come inside. As Harvey unzipped his coat, he glanced around, intently studying the foyer. His eyes were round and bright as he observed the mirror hanging on the wall to his right and then the table sitting against the wall to his left. He walked to the table and rested his hand upon the wood.
After a moment, he turned to whisper, “It's weird being here.”
“I know. I figured it would...Well, I figured we could talk about it.”
“Right now?”
Evan shrugged. “Whenever you want.”
“Maybe. I'm not sure yet. I wouldn't know where to start.”
“How about we start by taking your coat off?”
Harvey smiled faintly. “I can do that.”
Evan helped Harvey out of the oversized coat and hung it up on the coat hanger to the right of the door. He shut the front door, cutting off the cold breeze that threatened to chill him down to his bones. A shiver trickled up his spine and he huffed slightly as he led Harvey down the hall beneat
h the stairs to the living room.
A set of carpeted steps led down into the sunken living room with a couch positioned directly across from a fireplace. The left corner of the living room boasted a mounted television, and the right corner hosted a set of bookshelves overwhelmed with video games, gaming consoles, and various game paraphernalia.
Evan observed Harvey's slow tour of the living room.
“I see you painted the mantel,” Harvey commented. “And you spruced up the fireplace.”
“I fixed the broken bricks.”
“It looks nice.”
Evan smiled warmly. “Thank you. Should we get a fire going?”
“Sure, I'd like that.”
“And what would you like for dinner?”
Harvey shrugged. “I'm not picky.”
“That's a joke, right?”
“I'm not picky anymore. What do you want?”
Evan chuckled lightly. “Actually, I was hoping you could decide.”
“I suppose we could order something.”
“That's probably for the best. I didn't prepare anything.”
Harvey rolled his eyes and smirked playfully. “What else is new?”
“I've been busy working on a new game,” Evan explained as he whipped out his phone. “The company wants us to have testing finished by next weekend. And the game is...phew.”
“What's the game?”
“It's a survival horror game.”
Harvey arched his left eyebrow. “And you're working on this for Christmas?”
“We were supposed to release it for Halloween, but the development fell behind. We'll be lucky to have it done before the new year.”
“Well, I wish you all the luck in the world.”
Evan erupted with a throaty chuckle while scrolling through food options on his phone.
“I know you find video games boring,” he stated. “But it's my passion. It's what I love doing.”
“I know.”
“So, we have Chinese takeout, Korean barbecue, American diner, and lots of other places available. We have tons of choices.”
Harvey laughed as he drew up to Evan's side, leaning close to look over the choices listed on the phone screen.
“Choices are what killed us,” he recounted. “But I'm feeling like having pizza. What about pizza?”
