FIC: Evening (4/7 | The 13th Warrior AU)

[mlyn.livejournal.com]

Evening
Chapter 4/7
Chapter rated NC-17
Notes: For your amusement, our cast of characters (with more to come):


Ronild


Magnus


Edgar


Heath


Wendel

*****

Herger reserved the hytte for the three nights starting Friday; they could make an early drive back to Oslo on Monday morning. On Friday morning he sent off an email to Ahmed, letting him know the plan, and grinned when Ahmed responded with a request for swim trunks.

His day passed slowly, despite having hundreds of emails to sift through and all sorts of end-of-week issues to deal with. He was still on his phone as he left for the weekend, waving distractedly to Ronild as he stepped into the elevator.

Ahmed was already in the apartment and packing clothes. As he put his phone away, Herger laid a hand on Ahmed's shoulder in greeting and looked over the stack of things Ahmed had laid out.

"Oye, nei. One pair of pants, one pair of shorts, two shirts. That's it. I'll get you the swimming trunks and put together the bathroom kit."

"Shoes? Socks? Underwear?" Ahmed called after him, holding a rejected sports jacket.

"You plan on wearing underwear?" Herger laughed to himself as he fished in his own drawers.

After their clothes were packed into one of Herger's large suitcases, Herger put together a crate of food, snacks, and wine to take with them. They could stock up at a local store, but he wanted to have something to make dinner with when they got there. He sent Ahmed off to gather some music and reading material while he worked.

They finished packing in short order and took the elevator to the garage, where Harild was waiting to hand over a car.

The drive took just under three hours. Ahmed finished the sex book along the way, while Herger pointed out beautiful portions of scenery and talked about the old small towns along the route, and how much some of them had changed when Lillehammer had hosted the Winter Olympics. As Ahmed looked out the window, Herger reflected on how different it all looked during winter. He hoped Ahmed would want to see it then, too.

Ahmed turned his attention from the scenery. "Edgar and Heath," he said.

"Yes?"

"Are they a…couple?"

Herger chuckled. "Sorry. It's not funny, I know, but they would find it amusing. You're not the first person to wonder."

"And?"

"No, they're not. Once you get to know them, you'll see how poorly suited they are for each other, romantically. Very different personalities. Good for business, not for love."

"We aren't the same, either."

Herger raised an eyebrow. Was Ahmed insinuating that they were in love? He decided not to say anything to that. "Anyway, Heath is something of a womanizer. Edgar is more of a loner. I do have some gay friends, and I will introduce you. But of the friends I went to college with, I'm the only fag."

"A shame," Ahmed commented mildly.

"No, it's good. Means I never had to worry about becoming attracted to any of them or have any ill-advised flings."

"None of them cared about you being gay? When did you tell people?"

"Ah…" Herger sighed, trying to push his mind back that far. "I came out when I was seventeen. My parents were…okay about it. They were older when they had me, and kind of weird—I'm named from the Middle Ages. Thank god they just gave me the family name and not Raven-Feeder or some nonsense."

Ahmed chuckled.

"But while they didn't really want to know about what I did in my private life, they loved me, and accepted the boyfriends I brought home."

"What happened to them?"

"Cancer." Herger chewed on his lip. The ache of longing for them had not faded completely. "My mother got sick when I was in my late twenties, and passed quickly. My father went a few years ago. I promised him, before he went, that I would try to change the way I lived my life, to be happier and more well-rounded. It was part of what made me want to break up with Wendel."

"I am sorry for your loss." Ahmed reached over and put his hand on Herger's wrist. Herger gave him a smile and turned back to the road.

"Thank you."



They pulled off the main highway half before nine p.m. and started following back roads. Finally Herger slowed to a stop on a two-lane road and frowned at an open driveway.

"What is it?"

"The gate. It should be closed." He guided the car into the drive and got out, closing the gate behind him.

In another 200 meters, the hytte appeared, a modestly sized structure with a clean yet "rustic" style, modern wood construction with an old-fashioned slate tile roof. There was a car parked in front, a new Volvo coupe that Herger didn't recognize. He set his jaw. "Stay here," he told Ahmed, and got out.

The door was unlocked. Herger opened it just as the man inside was reaching for the knob, and they both came up short. Fear surged through Herger's veins, and every muscle tensed. Then he realized he knew the man.

"Hallo, Herger," Wendel smiled, recovering first.

"What are you doing here?" Herger stepped inside and closed the door, thinking of Ahmed in the car not thirty meters behind him.

Wendel looked fantastic. He was tanned and smooth-skinned, like he had just come from the spa. His arms and chest looked firm and sinewy from working out, and he was wearing fashionable weekend clothes, a crisp shirt with a popped collar under a v-neck sweater, and snug corduroys. His dark hair brushed his shoulders.

Wendel shrugged breezily. "Thought I would come up for the weekend."

"This is a company hytte. How did you get in?"

"You never got the extra key back from me." Wendel held it up. God, it had been over two years since their skiing holiday in Lillehammer.

"Well, give it to me now, and get out."

Wendel looked at the key in his hand, then closed his fingers around it and put his hand back in a pocket. He was as effortlessly unsophisticated, yet charming and sexy, as he had ever been. Herger felt his face redden.

"Why don't we stay here together?" Wendel asked, smiling toothily.

"I have someone with me. Don't be like this."

"Like what?" Wendel retorted, an edge under his lazy voice. This was an old, old argument. "Oh, there he is now."

Herger turned just in time to see Ahmed through the glass panels flanking the door. He was coming up onto the porch and reached for the doorknob before Herger could react. Herger swallowed and made room in the entryway for him.

"Hallo," Ahmed said, carefully trying the Norsk pronunciation.

Herger didn't want to make introductions. It would just keep Wendel there longer, make it seem to Wendel that it was all right for him to be there. Herger knew he was letting his emotions get the best of him, that he was showing everything, but Wendel had always been able to get under his skin.

Wendel ignored him, speaking only to Herger. "I don't think I need to leave. I don't want to." He folded his arms, undoubtedly to show off how well-developed they were.

"Don't be childish. If I have to call the police, I will."

"Ah, always calling on the lackeys to do your dirty work. In a way, it's reassuring to see how little you've changed, Herger. Other than getting old, I mean."

Herger ground his teeth. "Out."

Wendel finally directed his gaze to Ahmed, a smile playing on his lips, but he still didn't say anything to him. "Quite a change from the last time you and I talked." Herger saw him flick his tongue across his lower lip, like he was getting ready to taste something. "Or is talking the right word for what we were doing?"

"The nice thing about getting old is that you don't make the same mistakes." Herger leveled his gaze at him, repressing a smirk as Wendel's expression darkened. "I've moved on, Wendel."

"With him?" Wendel looked at Ahmed again, who was glancing back and forth between them with an apprehensive gaze. "What did you do, adopt him from Africa?"

"All right." Herger rolled his eyes away, but at the same time he moved closer, grabbing Wendel's arm and pulling him off-balance. Wendel was bigger than him, but the advantage of surprise worked for Herger for a moment. Just a moment. Wendel caught his balance before Herger could get him to the door, and he planted his feet and turned on Herger.

Herger saw a flash of fist and heard Ahmed shout something. He leaned away, but not enough, and Wendel's fist clipped his jaw. His head snapped back and he stumbled, hitting the edge of a wall. Between the flash of pain in his back and jaw, he couldn't see for a moment, but he could hear Wendel and Ahmed. He blinked furiously, pushing himself upright, and saw Ahmed's arms wrapped around Wendel's neck and shoulders. Ahmed was manhandling him toward the door, and shoved Wendel against it.

"Leave," Ahmed said, teeth gritted.

Wendel huffed a breath through his teeth. He nodded, his chin bumping against Ahmed's forearm. But Ahmed wasn't about to release him to open the door. He tightened his grip fractionally and said, "Open it." Wendel turned the knob himself.

Finally Ahmed released him, and Wendel straightened stiffly as he crossed the threshold. "See you next year," he called back as he walked out to his car, his voice strained with anger.

Ahmed slammed the door and crossed his arms over his chest. "So that was Wendel." He turned to Herger. "I don't want to know what he said, do I?"

Herger shook his head, rubbing his back with one hand. "Not a word." He turned away, still shaking his head. "Son of a bitch. And I still didn't get the key from him…we'll have to have the locks changed."

"Hey." Ahmed was behind him, close, but before Herger could turn he felt arms slip around his waist. "You're shaking."

"I know. Just angry." He tried to slow his breathing, reminding himself that five minutes of Wendel was not enough to ruin the weekend. He forced himself to relax, leaning back against Ahmed. Ahmed put his chin on Herger's shoulder, his short curly hair brushing Herger's ear. They were quiet for a moment, until all Herger could hear was his heart beating.

"Let's get the things out of the car," Ahmed said finally, his voice low and close. Herger felt a brush of something against his ear, and realized it was Ahmed's lips.

Ahmed carried in the suitcase while Herger grabbed the crate of food, which he took straight to the kitchen and began unpacking. Ahmed came in from unpacking in the bedroom and watched him.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Herger said as he stocked the fridge with groceries. "He could behave pretty badly."

"Was he like this all the time?"

"No," Herger said with a snort. "He's wonderful, mostly. He's sexy, smart and talented. But he's used to getting what he wants."

"I can tell," Ahmed muttered. Herger smiled despite himself and looked over at him, where Ahmed was leaning against the counter with arms crossed. Herger stood and shut the fridge.

"I hope you don't think less of me for having been with him."

Ahmed shook his head. "I'm just…confused. He treats you like that, but you kept his photos around your apartment." Herger had put them away after Ahmed had moved in, but it was true, he'd been broken up from Wendel for almost two years before that.

No wonder Ahmed was confused. Herger pushed his hands through his hair, trying to formulate what he wanted to say. "Relationships are complicated."

"Really?" Ahmed said dryly. Herger shot him a stern look.

"I mean that when it was good, it was really good. You remember the best parts far better than the bad. Were you in love with your boyfriend?"

Something in Ahmed's face seemed to soften. He uncrossed his arms, dropping his hands to the counter behind him. "Rafid," he said quietly. "I thought I was in love with him. But I remember leaving him more keenly than being with him."

Herger nodded, but didn't say anything. He remembered that feeling from leaving Wendel, before the loneliness had set in.

Ahmed looked askance for a moment, then pushed off the counter and wandered out of the kitchen. "Are you going to give me the tour?"

"If you like. You've seen most of it." Herger followed him into the great room, where the late evening sun was streaming into the yellow-painted room with the full force of a midsummer sunset. The entire room was built with honey-colored wood planking, and the furniture was all dark leather. "Living room here, going out to the patio," he said, opening the french doors. "Fire pit, chairs and tables, sporting green, and through those bushes there is the path down to the lake." He stepped off the wide deck and strolled across the grass, where in years past he had played football and badminton and croquet, gotten drunk with cohorts and laid under the stars with Wendel.

At the edge of the green there was a flagstone path with neat, low steps, and they followed it for about thirty meters through low shrubs and sparse trees until they reached the shore.

The low evening sun on Lake Mjøsa was dazzling, sending white sparkles up from the breeze-tossed surface. There were a few rowboats in sight, one on the far side of the lake and one further north before the shoreline curved and cut off the view. Down here on the shore was a dock and another modest patio, with lounge chairs spread around invitingly.

"Beautiful," Ahmed murmured.

Herger looked at him. Ahmed was almost in silhouette by the sparkling lake, giving him an angelic glow. He looked totally relaxed, his shoulders low, hips thrust forward with his weight on his heels, his hands in his pockets. The last time Herger had seen him look so comfortable was in the elevator when Ahmed had first kissed him. Thinking of it, Herger suddenly had an urge to kiss him.

He moved over behind Ahmed and put his arms around his waist, as Ahmed had done to him back in the cabin. Ahmed immediately leaned back and dropped his head far enough for it to rest on Herger's shoulder. He laid his hands over Herger's arms, holding him in return.

"So you like it, then."

"Mmm-hmm." The breeze picked up and Herger could smell Ahmed, deodorant and sweat and his own earthy scent. Herger tightened his arms, pulling Ahmed's solid weight against his body, and turned his face into Ahmed's throat. He could feel his pulse against his lips, and pressed an open-mouthed kiss to the skin.

"Should we go inside?" Ahmed said, a laugh hiding in his voice. The sound vibrated against Herger's mouth.

Herger licked the skin. "I think we should stay right here. I could lay you down on the dock and take you with night coming over us."

Ahmed shuddered, his hands tightening on Herger's forearms.

Herger smiled and shook his head. "But no, I wouldn't do that. I'd want the first time to be perfect." He rocked his hips against Ahmed's ass, just enough so he could feel a brief hint of Herger's heat and firmness. He wasn't hard, not yet, but Ahmed's scent was making his dick twitch.

"Herger," Ahmed breathed.

"So maybe we should go inside," Herger echoed back to him. He closed his teeth gently over Ahmed's earlobe, exhaling a gentle gust of warm breath against his ear and cheek, and Ahmed jerked and groaned quietly. Herger grinned. "But I like it out here in the fresh air. It makes me feel…lively."

"I can tell." Ahmed was breathing a little faster now, and pressing back against Herger's body. He was eager. Herger thought of what might happen if he exploited it, and grinned at the thought of the neighbors getting an eyeful.

Herger loosened his grip and moved one hand down the center of Ahmed's body, sliding over his hip and down to one thigh. He rubbed with an open palm, like soothing a hurt. "It's up to you. Dinner first, down here on the water, or…we go back and I give you the tour of the bedroom." He winced after saying it, appalled at how cheesy that offer was. Ahmed had already seen the bedroom, too.

Ahmed didn't seem to notice; he was trying to maneuver so that Herger's palm would go from his thigh to his crotch. "I guess the wise thing would be to have dinner first. Fuel for later."

Herger laughed. "Always so sensible." He kissed Ahmed's cheek briskly and released him, stepping back. "You can stay down here and enjoy the scenery. I'll bring the food out."

He made a relatively quick and easy meal: American-style sandwiches on round rolls. He took a tray down to the dock, with a couple of bottles of beer.

Ahmed was lying out on one of the lounges, but what surprised Herger was that he'd taken his shirt off. His deep brown skin seemed to glow in the last pink rays of sunlight. Herger paused on the dock to take in the full effect. Ahmed must have heard him coming, but didn't stir.

"Warm down here," Herger said after a minute.

"Mmm. It's perfect." Ahmed cracked open one eye and peered at him. "What have you got?"

Herger set down the tray directly on the dock and stretched out next to it. Ahmed moved from the lounge to join him. While they were eating, an old man came by in a rowboat and paused to chat with Herger, commenting on the pleasant night and how nice it was to see people out. As he rowed off, he glanced at Ahmed and didn't say anything, but didn't seem to be disconcerted at the shirtless Arab having an intimate dinner with the Norwegian.

Herger finished his food and picked up his beer, wiping his mouth with a napkin. As he leaned back on his elbow, he noticed Ahmed's serious gaze was directed at him. At his mouth.

He grinned and put the bottle to his lips, extending his tongue to meet the flow of beer. Ahmed's lips parted slightly.

Herger swallowed and sighed. "Mmm. Tastes so good."

Ahmed looked down, shaking his head while a smile overtook him. "You're teasing me."

"And enjoying it."

Dusk overtook the dock and the night air cooled. They finished and packed up the tray, then went back up to the house together. They were both in a state of low arousal, and Herger found that it made everything more sensuous, even the brush of a plant against his bare forearm. He let Ahmed take the lead up the narrow walking path, but it was more to let him look his fill of Ahmed's trim body than anything. He'd put his shirt back on when they had packed up the dinner tray, but even the memory of all that skin was enthralling. Herger wanted to touch him, but held himself back until they were inside.



"I can wash the dishes," Ahmed offered as Herger set the tray down in the kitchen.

"Don't bother." Immediately Herger turned to him, taking his head in both hands and kissing him deeply. Now he could have his fill of Ahmed. The hoppy taste of the beer was fresh in his mouth, and Herger chased it with his tongue.

He slipped his hands under Ahmed's shirt and discovered that Ahmed's skin was hot, the hair on his stomach soft where it trailed under the waistband of his trousers. Herger followed it up Ahmed's chest, his fingers bristling the hair in the opposite direction, and over to one nipple, rubbing his thumb around it in circles as they kissed. Ahmed gasped, jerking under Herger's touch.

So responsive. God, he was intoxicating. Herger pulled his hand out and spread his palm flat over Ahmed's chest and felt his heart pounding through his shirt. He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against Ahmed's. "I'm sorry. That was too fast."

"No, it wasn't." Ahmed took his wrist and pulled on it to draw Herger closer, settling into an embrace. "Just unexpected. It's been a long time."

"All right. But I also want to savor this." Herger tilted his head back into another kiss, this one slow, his tongue making the lightest flicks into Ahmed's mouth. But it had the same effect, making Herger's pulse race and his breath quicken. Ahmed felt so good, soft lips and the hint of beard, with a wet tongue hidden like a treasure. And Ahmed's hands were on his hips, pulling him closer until their bodies were flush together, heat and growing hardness between them.

Herger groaned into his mouth and spoke against his lips. "Bed?"

"Okay."

With the soft agreement, the hair stood up on the back of Herger's neck. He gently pulled away, taking one of Ahmed's hands and leading the way into the half of the cabin that they hadn't explored.

There was one master bedroom and two small guest rooms. The master bedroom was cool; the heat had been off for some time, and the sun and humidity didn't reach back here. Herger began pulling decorative pillows off the big queen-size bed. Ahmed took the pillows and stacked them on the floor, then helped Herger take off a heavy blanket and fold it up. Finally the bed was ready, the duvet and top sheet folded down. Herger looked at Ahmed, standing on the other side of the bed. He walked around to Ahmed's side and sat down.

Ahmed toed off his shoes and began unbuttoning his shirt, starting at the top and going slowly down his sternum. Very slowly. Herger was immediately absorbed in the reveal of that dark olive skin sprinkled with black hair. The hair thickened the lower Ahmed's hands went, until he undid the final button and the shirt swung open. Half-dressed was a great look on him. Herger stared at the trail of hair disappearing into his waistband and tried to will the pants open by sheer brainpower.

Ahmed unbuckled his belt and slipped his fingers underneath the band of fabric. Herger licked his lips.

"You keep doing that," Ahmed murmured.

Herger forced his gaze upward. Ahmed's eyes were intensely brown and amused. "What?"

"You keep licking your lips. Like you're hungry."

"I am hungry." He reached out and snagged Ahmed by a trouser pocket, pulling him closer. Ahmed came without resisting. Herger let go of the pocket and trailed a finger up underneath the loose shirt, hearing and seeing Ahmed's breath shudder as Herger tickled him. Herger found his nipple and brushed it gently again, watching his face now. Ahmed was still watching him, and the amusement had been replaced by desire. He was breathing slowly and deeply, and his pupils were dilated. He was finally serious about doing this. In that moment Herger lost his breath too, and he dropped his hand.

Ahmed leaned over and Herger tilted his head up, and their mouths met in an easy kiss that quickly turned serious. Ahmed licked into his mouth and tangled with Herger's tongue, his lips pressing hard, breath gusting as he grew more excited. Herger's entire body was aching, the feeling concentrated in his groin. He reached out, finding Ahmed's body and running his hands down his back, curving his hands over Ahmed's ass and pulling gently. Ahmed gave in, putting one knee on the bed next to Herger's hip as they kissed. They broke just enough for Herger to scoot back and Ahmed to move forward, climbing onto the bed, both of them still trying to kiss. Finally they could both stretch out, and Herger lay back with Ahmed braced over him.

He could feel the heat of Ahmed's body, and the open panels of his shirt brushing Herger's arms and sides as they kissed. It was fantastic, both of them taking it slowly enough to explore and learn each other, but still ramping up the tension. Herger wanted to tear Ahmed's clothes off him, but he knew it shouldn't go like that. Ahmed wouldn't like it. And this was good, great actually. They were savoring each other.

And then Ahmed sat up abruptly, putting his weight back on his heels. It brought his pelvis down snug against Herger, and Herger moaned as Ahmed's weight gently pressed against his cock and balls. Ahmed stripped off his shirt, his chest flushed a deeper color. Then he unbuttoned Herger's short-sleeved shirt, revealing the pale skin and sparse blond hair sprinkled across his chest. When Ahmed's fingers slowed to stroke over his skin, Herger pulled him back down, pressing his fingers into the firm, soft skin of Ahmed's back.

Ahmed avoided the kiss this time and turned his face to Herger's neck, leaving a row of gentle bites from his jaw to his collarbone. Herger writhed and drove his hands down Ahmed's back and under the waistband of his trousers, into his underwear, finding the pillowy, relaxed muscles of his ass. Just then Ahmed flexed and the muscles hardened, reacting like a live thing to Herger's touch. Herger laughed, but it quickly turned to a groan as Ahmed dug his teeth into one side of Herger's chest.

Ahmed pulled up. Herger tried to meet him for a kiss and there was a hand in his hair, holding it just tight enough to get his attention. Herger narrowed his eyes.

"I want you to let me do whatever I want," Ahmed enunciated slowly.

Herger's face felt hot. He nodded incrementally, feeling his hair pull against Ahmed's grip. "Okay."

Ahmed's grip immediately eased, and his fingers combed through Herger's hair. Herger remembered the feeling from before he'd fallen asleep after his migraine, the way it had taken his mind off the pain.

Ahmed kissed him once more and slid down his body, rubbing his cheek against Herger's chest. The rasp of stubble felt fantastic, especially when Ahmed changed direction and his beard scratched over Herger's nipple. He jerked and sucked in a breath at the stab of sensation, and heard Ahmed chuckle quietly. The feeling continued as Ahmed worked his way down, kissing Herger's stomach with an open mouth, breath making his skin even hotter.

Then he reached the waistband of Herger's trousers, and licked a line from hip to hip just above the fabric. Herger hissed and dug his hands into the pillow.

"Mmm," Ahmed said into his hip. He started working the fastenings of Herger's pants, and Herger lifted up to help him, his breath coming faster. Herger stripped off his shirt while Ahmed pulled the trousers down and took Herger's sandals off with them, leaving Herger in his boxers. Then Ahmed's hands returned to his waistband, and Herger lifted his hips again to help him, and kicked off the boxers at last.

Ahmed leaned on an elbow and cupped Herger's erection. Herger took a careful breath.

"You're not circumcised." Ahmed rubbed a thumb up the shaft and over the foreskin.

"Nnngh. No." Herger thrust up and his cock slid smoothly through Ahmed's fist. It felt fantastic, the gentle slide of skin against skin, Ahmed's hand firm around him. But then Ahmed put an arm over his hip to hold him down and rubbed the foreskin again. Herger opened his eyes and looked down his body. Ahmed looked completely absorbed in him.

"Ahmed." The brown gaze looked up. "I want you to fuck me."

Ahmed released him, as if caught doing something bad. "Are you certain?"

"Absolutely." Herger reached down to his hand, lying still on Herger's hip, and stroked the back of it.

"If you trust me…"

"You know I do."

Ahmed's smile widened, and then he buried it in another kiss to Herger's stomach, this time closer to Herger's cock. He continued trailing kisses that way, then finally licked the tip and lowered his mouth, taking him inside.

Fuck, that felt amazing. Herger heard a whimper sneak out of him as he pumped his hips carefully. And he could tell Ahmed loved it. He worked one shoulder under Herger's leg so he could get closer, and breathed a moan as he bobbed his head. He moved his hand from to Herger's balls, stroking a finger over them, then further, teasing his cleft.

"Lube?" Herger gasped shakily. He'd packed it in the bathroom kit, but didn't know if Ahmed had seen it.

Ahmed lifted his head. His lips were shiny and red. Herger bit the inside of his cheek, resisting the urge to push his dick back into Ahmed's mouth.

Ahmed patted the side of his thigh. "Get it, then."

Oh, god. Herger turned onto his side, careful not to knee Ahmed, and went into the bathroom, where the kit was sitting on the counter. He took out the tube of lubricant and a couple of condoms.

Ahmed had finished undressing while Herger was in the bathroom. Herger was sorry he'd missed it, but there were better things to concentrate on. Ahmed was lying in the middle of the bed, one hand under his head, watching him. His cock, fat and unsheathed, pointed up against his belly from a nest of black hair. Herger's mouth watered.

He put the supplies on a bedside table and climbed onto the bed, kneeling next to Ahmed, who rolled to face him.

Herger hadn't had his fill, though. "Please," he whispered, leaning down. "Let me." He kissed Ahmed's belly, hearing and feeling him inhale in anticipation. The skin inside his hipbones was unimaginably soft. Herger rubbed his cheek against it, knowing his beard would be ticklish. Ahmed repressed a laugh, and while he was off-guard, Herger turned his head and licked the length of Ahmed's dick.

Ahmed sucked in another breath and whimpered. Herger took him into his mouth, tongue swirling. The smell and taste of him were rich and musky, of maleness and sex and temptation. Herger licked around the crown, feeling out the flared head. Ahmed hissed and squeezed his shoulder hard, his hand shaking slightly.

Herger backed off. Ahmed lifted his head. "Put it on me." He gave a half smile. "I don't know how."

Herger swallowed, his eyes fixed on Ahmed's groin. He sat up and put his hands on Ahmed's hips, bringing him closer, and tore a condom packet open. He rolled it on efficiently, then ran his palm along the length of Ahmed's erection a couple extra strokes. "Just that easy." He stroked a few more times for good measure.

"Can I continue now?"

When Herger looked up, he saw Ahmed grinning.

"Oh, be my guest." Herger laughed and stretched out, and Ahmed took up his kneeling position, reaching for the lube on the bedside table.

Herger was ready to give some tips to Ahmed, but Ahmed didn't need them. He was careful, gentle, used enough lube but not too much. In a couple of minutes Herger was splayed out on the bed, two of Ahmed's fingers inside him, gasping at the feeling of being stretched. One time Ahmed had brushed his prostate, and it'd been so long since that had happened Herger had almost come right away.

Ahmed pulled his fingers out and scooted up closer, then leaned over Herger on one arm, his other hand between them. Herger closed his eyes and savored the sensations: Ahmed's cock touching his hole, then the pressure, then the sensation of being penetrated. There was the old moment of panic that Ahmed wouldn't fit, that this was wrong and it would hurt, and then…it didn't. Ahmed pushed up inside him with a ragged groan, and stopped. There was a mild burn of being stretched, but it began to ease immediately.

Herger opened his eyes. Ahmed was looking down at him, sweat running down his temples, his eyes slightly unfocused. Herger grinned and lifted his head for a gentle kiss, murmuring against his mouth, "Whenever you're ready."

Ahmed nipped his lip, and while Herger moaned at the gentle sting, he pulled out and thrust in again.

"Ohhh…fuck." Ahmed was pretty big, and Herger felt the burn of his ass adjusting. He reached overhead, under his pillow, and held on to the edge of the mattress. "More."

"That wasn't too…"

Herger grinned and stretched, arching his back. It shifted Ahmed inside him and both of them took a shaky breath. "It felt fantastic. I'll let you know if it hurts," Herger said, more serious. "You do whatever you want."

"Whatever you want," Ahmed said with a little laugh.

"I'll enjoy whatever you do." Herger bent his legs, curling them behind Ahmed's thighs, and lifted his hips. "Now do it."

Another thrust made his eyes cross. When he could see again, Ahmed was showing him his teeth. "Domineering bastard."

"Then teach me a lesson."

Ahmed kissed him hard, his teeth pressing against Herger's lips. Then he pulled completely out, nipped Herger's lips again, then pressed back in. Slowly. Taking his sweet time.

Herger swallowed. "Come on…"

"No, I don't think so."

He continued to move at his own pace, sometimes withdrawing all the way so Herger felt the stretch of him reentering, again and again. Before long he'd let go of the mattress and hung on to Ahmed, fingers digging into his arms and back, legs wrapped around his hips and thighs.

"Come on…please…" He was whispering now.

Ahmed pushed in again. "Please?" he panted. "I like hearing you say that."

Instead of answering, Herger just drew him into a kiss. Ahmed breathed raggedly against his mouth, unable to focus on the kiss, driving in to Herger again and again, faster and faster. He started hitting Herger's prostate and Herger cried out, giving up on the kiss entirely, reaching overhead again for the mattress edge as pleasure knifed through his groin and up his spine. He held on to Ahmed's flank with his free hand, fingers digging in. "God, yes—there, just—oh god, Ahmed—"

"Herger—" Ahmed leaned back, kneeling up, and pulled Herger to him with a deep thrust. His expression was fiercely intent; eyes dark and totally focused on Herger. Herger felt his gaze as keenly as the cock inside him. He reached down and started jerking himself off with Ahmed's pace, moving ever faster. Ahmed moaned, watching him. "Herger—oh, oh—"

And then Ahmed thrust once more, unevenly, and stopped, a low moan escaping him.

"Yes," Herger whispered. He'd been so close, within seconds of coming, but Ahmed stopping had broken his own rhythm. But he didn't say anything, instead running both hands up and down Ahmed's sweaty back, his strokes more comforting than meant for arousal.

Ahmed leaned down and dropped a kiss to Herger's shoulder. He was still breathing hard as he carefully withdrew and sat back on his heels. Herger watched him remove the condom, and his hands were shaking.

"I'll just—" Ahmed started, and hesitated awkwardly.

Herger smiled and sat up. He took the condom from Ahmed's unresisting fingers and went into the bathroom to throw it away.

When he came back, Ahmed had gotten under the sheet and seemed to be a little more aware. He had fluffed some pillows and looked extremely comfortable as he watched Herger walk from the bathroom, eyes fixated on Herger's dick. Herger's erection had subsided somewhat, but his cock was still heavy and full.

Herger got back into bed and lay on his side next to Ahmed. Ahmed leaned over Herger on one elbow, touching Herger's chest with his free hand, sliding his fingers down to circle his fingers around Herger's cock. He kissed Herger and put his mouth close to his ear. "I'm sorry I've made you wait so long," he murmured. His breath stirred Herger's hair, tickling him. At the same time he continued languidly stroking Herger's cock, aided by sweat and pre-come and lube. His erection quickly renewed. "What shall I do with you now?"

Herger wondered briefly if Ahmed simply wasn't sure, or was returning the choice to him. Either way, he wasn't going to dawdle over it. He turned his head to put his mouth by Ahmed's ear and whispered, "I want your mouth on me."

Ahmed turned and kissed Herger roughly, then slid down the bed, getting back between Herger's legs. He used the sheet to wipe away excess lube, then delicately took his cock and slid his mouth over the head.

"I won't last," Herger whispered. His balls were still drawn up tight, and he could feel the sense of tingling anticipation growing fast. Ahmed hummed his understanding and the sound vibrated down through Herger's cock to his balls. He choked back a cry and thrust up once before he could get himself back under control. But Ahmed didn't seem to mind it. Herger's cock had pushed to the back of his mouth, but he hadn't pulled away. The way Ahmed took it so easily was what did Herger in. Herger thrust again and again, feeling Ahmed's hands encouraging him, and in seconds his orgasm seized him.

Ahmed sat up, rubbing his mouth against the back of his hand. Still panting, Herger reached for him, and Ahmed lay down in the spot next to Herger. Herger immediately rolled over and spooned up behind Ahmed's warm body, wrapping an arm around him and letting the sex endorphins work their magic. But before he could let himself fall asleep, he had to make sure.

"Was this okay?" he mumbled.

Ahmed laid his hand on Herger's arm. "It was perfect."