Eli couldn’t pull away.
There was absolutely nothing in this world that would’ve pulled them apart in that moment, under the hot, steaming water. His cock was pulsing as Ryan rubbed his back and held him close as they kissed.
All of the sudden, Ryan quickly but smoothly turned Eli around, pulling him in towards his chest while propping his dick up between Eli’s ass cheeks. He gasped as he was taken by surprise, but Ryan still pushed him against a wall, pinning Eli’s hands above his head with one hand and reaching around to grasp his cock with the other. Breathing heavily on his neck, Ryan kissed Eli deeply while grinding up and down, his cock rubbing up and down between his ass.
Ryan’s slow, controlled strokes immediately caused Eli to softly moan, though it was obvious Eli was trying to suppress them.
“Don’t worry, no one’s here,” Ryan assured him, whispering it into his neck then continuing kissing.
He stroked Eli faster and faster, and his body began to squirm against Ryan’s, but he kept Eli tightly trapped between his body and the wall. Eli’s moans transformed from soft whimpers into longer sighs of pleasure. He had never felt anything better. The way Ryan’s large rough hands handled his dick was unlike anything he’s ever experienced.
With Eli beginning to curse under his breath, Ryan knew he was getting close. He completely stopped everything. He stopped kissing, stroking, and breathing down his neck.
Eli was confused to say the least. Why the hell did he stop? He thought. He turned his head back at Ryan and looked into his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, but Ryan wasn’t going to hear it, and silenced him with a deep kiss while Eli moaned into his mouth.
Ryan turned Eli back around, so they were once again face to face. He finally let go of Eli’s hands, causing them to fall down and wrap around the back of Ryan’s neck. There were red marks on his wrists from how tight he was being held in that position, but Eli didn’t care. The only thing he wanted was for Ryan to continue. He placed his forearm above Eli’s head and nestled his temple into his other bicep, going in for yet another kiss.
With Ryan’s big, muscular body smashing Eli into the wall, there was absolutely no way to escape, so Ryan used that to his advantage. He reached back down and continued stroking Eli while kissing him, speeding up before slowing down. Eli’s cock had never been harder, and the tip felt like it was about to explode, but his hands were restrained and he had absolutely no control over his own orgasm.
The only thing he could attempt was to squirm. He squirmed and whimpered while Ryan stroked, trying to reciprocate a kiss, but he couldn’t focus on that. The only thing he could focus on was the fact that he was about to cum.
But, like magic, Ryan stopped again.
“Still wishing you asked me in the shower?” Ryan teased softly, running his fingers through Eli’s wet hair.
Eli couldn’t speak, but understandably so. Ryan reached down again, wrapping his big hand around the smaller cock, and Eli whimpered at the touch of it. It felt so sensitive. The slightest stroke could’ve made him explode any second now.
Ryan put his mouth up to Eli’s ear. “You like that, huh?” He said in a whisper.
“Mmmffffmmmm, yeahhmmmmm.” Eli tried responding, burying his face in Ryan’s neck.
“Do you want it?” Ryan asked in a deep, seductive voice.
“Ye- yes-“ Eli winced.
“Yes what? Huh?”
“Yes- please-, sir,” he whimpered. “I- I-, oh god, I’m—“
Eli couldn’t take it anymore. His hands were restrained. He was about to cum completely hands free, and the only thing he could do was helplessly squirm while his whole body tensed and he lifted on his toes. Finally, he came.
“Gooood fucking boy,” Ryan whispered as Eli came. “Cum for me. Be my good boy, and cum.”
Ryan let him land back on his toes and relax after that, and Eli could barely stand. The feeling he felt finally being able to cum after such a long time of getting so close was indescribable. He fell into Ryan’s embrace, just letting Ryan hold him and kiss his forehead while he trying to process how he was feeling.
“You okay?” Ryan asked in a chuckle.
It took him a second to respond, but eventually, Eli said “Mmhmm.”
“Good. You did such a good job today,” Ryan said in a low, horny voice, kissing him deeply one final time.
After going back to Ryan’s bed, they laid quietly with Ryan gently stroking his thumb across Eli’s bare, bony shoulder with the sound of his soft breathing. Eli curled up closer, resting his head against Ryan’s chest.
“You sure you’re okay?” Ryan finally whispered, brushing some hair out of Eli’s sleepy eyes.
Eli had a soft smile, tilting his chin up to look into Ryan’s eyes. “Better than okay, I kind of feel actually safe. It’s nice.”
Somehow, Eli had managed to make Ryan’s heart flip in his chest again. Eli had no idea how much Ryan needed him.
“Kinda goes both ways. You’re the first guy- or person- I’ve ever actually been this comfortable around,” Ryan admitted.
Eli looked surprised, still baffled how much he realized someone cared for him. “Really?”
“Yeah. I didn’t expect this being forced into orientation- never expected… you.” Ryan said, laughing at himself. “My advisor isn’t going to ever let me live this one down.”
Eli giggled, with that sound melting Ryan even more. Ryan smiled at Eli as he traced gentle shapes into his chest. There was some type of peaceful silence that surrounded them. Something neither of them have ever experienced.
Ryan held Eli closer, gently running his fingers through Eli’s hair as Eli fell asleep against him. As for Ryan, he stayed awake for a little longer, staring quietly at the ceiling. A gentle smile formed on his lips because he never thought he’d be genuinely this happy ever again. Yet, here Eli was, wrapped safely in his arms, breathing gently against his chest and showing him how wrong he’d been.
Eventually, Ryan drifted into the most peaceful sleep he’d had in years, holding Eli tightly, determined to never let go.
Ryan woke up first the next morning, with the early light filtering through the blinds. He blinked slowly and yawned as he took in the unfamiliar sight of Eli sleeping soundly against him. It was amazing seeing someone as pure as Eli lay right next to him, his soft hair all messed up, eyes fluttering slightly in his dreams.
Ryan smiled warmly, softly running his fingertips through Eli’s hair again, slowly waking him up.
Eli stirred gently with his eyelids fluttering open as he slowly woke up. He blinked sleepily and rubbed his eyes, looking up at Ryan. “Hi,”
Ryan chuckled. “Good morning,”
Eli tiredly yawned softly again, immediately burying his face in Ryan’s armpit. “I probably look like a mess right now.”
“Actually,” Ryan whispered, softly kissing him. “You look really cute.”
“Mmm yeah, okay”, Eli said, embarrassed as he looked at how perfect Ryan seemed to look after just waking up.
When Eli thought that Ryan was perfect, he meant it. There was something about his messy, black hair and perfect smile that just flipped some switch inside of him. Maybe it was the tattoo that cuffed his bicep, or the perfectly maintained body with a light dust of hair running down his chest. Whatever it was, Eli couldn’t get enough.
Ryan playfully nudged him. “Seriously, I’ve never seen anything more adorable in my life.”
Eli rolled his eyes, smiling in response. “Okay, okay, whatever you say.”
Ryan rolled out of bed, stretching his arms up above his head. It was like a scene right out of a movie, with the morning glow perfectly hitting every part of his body just right.
Soon after, Eli got out of bed, reluctantly picking up his dirty shirt off the floor from whenever the fuck it came off the last night.
“Here, take this,” Ryan said, gently tossing Eli one of his hoodies from across the room.
Eli happily pulled it over his head, ruffing up a part of his hair to be sticking up, sleeves hanging past his finger tips. Ryan laughed quietly, shaking his head.
“How the fuck do you manage to become even cuter every time I look at you?” He teased. “I can’t handle it.”
Eli covered his face behind the oversized sleeves, trying to cover up his blushing face. “Ahhhh stopppp,”
If this was how he would wake up every day from now on, Ryan didn’t want to graduate. It was crazy how just one person made him switch like that. But eventually, Eli had to leave. They couldn’t walk into the morning orientation meeting together- everyone would know something is up. So Ryan watched as Eli walked out the door and back out into campus, where his quiet side immediately started showing again.
But neither Ryan’s admiration, nor his boner, lasted for long.
Buzz.
I wonder who that could be.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Ryan let it sit for a second, but once there were well over 20 new messages, he finally opened his phone to look at them.
ware the hell are u???
i know ur cheeting on me
dont even think about ignor ring me
God, she was so fucking stupid. Couldn’t spell ‘cheating’ right. Thought ‘ignoring’ was 2 words. Ryan scoffed, rubbing his temple.
This was going to be one hell of a day.
Ryan showed up to breakfast at the dining hall later than Eli, hoping to play it casual. But before he could even sit down, Brittney stormed across the crowd with a new kind of rage in her eyes. A new kind of rage Ryan had never seen.
“So who was it?” She demanded loudly, violently shoving Ryan’s shoulder back. “Who’d you sleep with, Ryan?”
He didn’t even move at the push. He stopped in his tracks though, instantly feeling dozens of eyes burning into him. “Brittney, seriously, you can’t do this in here.”
“No, we’re doing this right here, right now. I think everyone deserves to know who you really are. What’s her name?” She shot back filling the hall.
Eli felt his stomach twist painfully as people began to look around, making sure everyone is looking at the same thing. At least she said “her”. At least she had the decency to not expose his biggest secret.
“Look, Brittney—,” Ryan started, trying to lower his voice.
“No!” Brittney said interrupting. “Tell everyone, Ryan. Tell everyone how you sneak around behind my back!”
Ryan’s fist clenched and his jaw tensed. “You don’t know anything.”
Brittney scoffed, stepping closer. Her voice was coated in rage. “I know more than you fucking think. What else are you hiding, Ryan? How many guys have you been hooking up with? Is that why you don’t touch me anymore?”
There it was. Guys.
Gasps filled the room and everyone’s eyes widened. Ryan couldn’t believe this. It was humiliating.
“Just stop!” Ryan snapped. “This isn’t true, and you know it.”
“Brittney smirked. “Well now everyone sees you for what you are. Good luck fixing it.”
She stormed out, leaving Ryan standing completely frozen. He knew today wasn’t going to go well. He knew that for certain. But that? That was a whole different kind of monster.
Eli sat and watched the whole thing, helplessly. That was who he was having ‘relationship problems’ with? This was way worse than he thought. Way more serious. What was he intruding in on?
Hours later, Eli found himself trapped in another orientation activity without Ryan, so many thoughts heavy on his mind and anxiety filling his body. He felt sick when he saw the two girls from before, Amber and Jenna, approaching now with an entire clique.
“Great, we got the little gay boy,” Amber announced. “Don’t get to close, he might try something.”
There weren’t even any guys around, it didn’t make any sense.
Jenna laughed. “Maybe that’s why he stares at Ryan. I bet he wants to be Ryan’s dirty little slut.”
Amber looked at Eli. “Aww look, he’s blushing. You seriously think you have a chance? You’re a joke. He wants Jenna, he already told her.”
Eli’s eyes stung, fighting desperately to keep tears back. He was gonna reply, but nothing came out. He was frozen, praying that Ryan might show up—but he wasn’t there.
“What? What was that?” Jenna taunted. “No wonder no one fucking wants this faggot.”
Amber laughed even louder. “Go home- do us all a favor and go home. Oh wait- his family probably hates him. I bet-“
Suddenly, Ryan’s voice sliced through sharply. “What the fuck is going on here?”
Amber and Jenna spun around, and Jenna’s face got tomato red.
“Oh hi Ryan! Jenna said in a perky voice. “We were just—“
Ryan cut her off. “Shut up.”
Amber rolled her eyes. “Come on Ryan, it was just a joke..”
Ryan stepped forward, anger radiating off him. “Do I look I’m fucking laughing? Wouldn’t it suck if you got expelled before school even started?”
Amber’s face flushed red with embarrassment washing over. Jenna looked away, unable to look at Ryan’s eyes. Eli stared at the ground with his heart still pounding.
Ryan gently touched Eli’s arm, guiding him away. He spoke softly and discreetly. “Hey, are you okay?”
Eli nodded shakily, and his voice broke. “Uhhmm.. Yea-Yeah.”
He felt like just breaking down into Ryan’s arms and crying. He knew that whatever happened, Ryan’d be there to protect him- but he couldn’t give any of those girls the satisfaction. Not Brittney. Not Amber or Jenna. No one.
Ryan squeezed Eli’s shoulder reassuringly. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t in here. Text me if you need anything. Anything at all.”
By late afternoon, Brittney had managed to get her lies spread across social media. The entire campus, despite being mostly freshman at the time, whispered about Ryan’s supposed cheating. His phone was blowing up with accusations and questions- instagram DM’s, iMessages, everything. Every notification was another smash in the face- he couldn’t breath, couldn’t think. Finally, he slipped away, hiding away in the same spot he found Eli hiding in just a day before.
Eli found him a few minutes later—broken, exhausted, defeated, head buried in his hands. Eli felt his chest tighten at the sight of seeing Ryan so vulnerable.
“Ryan..?” he whispered, slowly approaching him.
Ryan looked up with red eyes and a raw voice. “I can’t fucking do it anymore. I try so hard to be perfect for everyone but I keep messing it up. She’s destroying my life and everyone in it—“
Ryan choked, dropping his head again, shaking slightly. Eli could’ve cried too. He was just searching for the right words.
“I-I mean Im not exactly sure what to say,” Eli began. “but my whole life people told me who I was, who I had to be, and I always believed them. I let them break me- I’d still be doing it today if I hadn’t met you. You make me feel like I’m not completely broken- and maybe it’s okay to be who I am.” Eli paused, surprised himself at how he just responded. “I don’t know. Just- you don’t need to keep proving yourself to anyone. Because the you that I see is way more than enough.”
Fuck. How’d he know exactly what to say? Ryan thought as he lifted his head slowly, staring into Eli’s eyes.
Before he responded, Ryan gently grabbed Eli’s neck, pulling him in. Their lips touched, and Ryan kissed him so deeply. It was so passionate, what they had; It was real. The world stopped around them as they Ryan’s tongue explored Eli’s mouth.
Eli melted into Ryan, clinging to him tightly while Ryan wrapped his arm around Eli’s waist, pulling him in even tighter. There wasn’t a worry in sight while everything around them faded, and the only thing that mattered is that they had each other. They finally parted, with Ryan resting his forehead against Eli’s breathing, breathing heavily.
That sudden urge happened again. The sudden urge to just say, I love you.
“Thank you,” Ryan whispered softly. “I needed that- I needed you..”
Eli sat with Ryan until the sun went down not too long after. They didn’t talk, they didn’t do anything. They just enjoyed each other’s company.
Eli laid in between Ryan’s legs with his head resting on his dick while Ryan slowly ran his fingers through Eli’s hair. Eli could’ve fallen asleep right there, between the warmth of Ryan’s legs, but he didn’t want to miss out on anything.
Ryan interrupted the silence. “Hey, you still alive down there?” He asked in a soft voice.
Eli took a deep breath. “Mmmmhhhmmm” he replied with so much zen in his voice.
Ryan began to stand up and reach out his hand. “C’mon- I’m gonna take you somewhere.”
Eli reluctantly grabbed his hand, not wanting that moment to end. “Ugh, fine. Where?”
“You’ll see. Just follow me.” Ryan said with a smile.
Ryan led him to his car, where they got in and drove away from campus. They started driving through some woods as the sky began to turn from orange to a dark purple-blue color. Finally, Ryan parked somewhere out in the woods, motioning for Eli to follow him.
Beneath the branches of two oak trees, there was a secluded hammock on top of a hill, overlooking a clearing of grass. It was so surreal. It looked like something out of a movie- but just the part at the end when everything is perfect.
“Are we even in Kentucky anymore?” Eli asked, staring out into the field in amazement.
Ryan chuckled, grabbing Eli’s arm. “Nah, we’re in Norway.” He said, pulling Eli into the hammock.
They climbed in quietly, Eli tucked protectively against Ryan’s chest. They shared everything at that moment—the heartbreak of today- the loneliness- all of it. Despite only knowing each other for only a few days, they had never felt closer to anyone in their lives.
Eli softly fidgeted with Ryan’s chain around his neck, barely able to keep his own eyes open.
Ryan brought his hand up and held it, stopping Eli. “Can I ask you something?” He said in the softest, kindest tone he'd ever used in his life.
“Well I won’t know what it is till you do,” Eli said, feeling the warmth of Ryan’s hand holding his.
“Why are you so quiet?” He asked softly.
“My parents hated me for being gay,” Eli confessed quietly. “My whole life- I was their embarrassment like something went wrong or broken. My sister is the only one who ever treated me normally.”
His eyes filled with tears, as he realized he could finally talk to someone who would just listen to him.
“Never had real good friends. I just couldn’t do it when my whole school hated me.” He continued.
Ryan held Eli tighter, gently stroking his hair. “I’m so sorry, Eli.”
“No it’s okay, I’m away from them now. I’m never going back- I don’t need to.” Eli said, feeling his trauma fade.
Ryan couldn’t understand. How could you not be able to go back home, ever? He thought. “Why not?”
Eli laughed. “I’m here fully on scholarships. Not to brag, but I graduated valedictorian with a 4.9 GPA.”
Ryan couldn’t believe it. This nerdy boy is going to be the death of me. “Are you sure you’re real?” He said, jokingly.
“Yes, idiot. I’m real. What about you then? What’s your Disney princess story?” Eli asked, quietly looking up at him.
Ryan sighed deeply, staring upwards. “Definitely not what you’ve been through, but I’ve always had to be perfect, I guess. Perfect athlete, student, son, whatever. But I never was, I just couldn’t. So I hid behind Brittney because I don’t know- I guess just easier to pretend than disappoint.”
Eli didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. They both knew they were safe with each other gently rocking under the stars.
Then, Eli’s soft little eyes looked up, once again.
“Ryan?”
“Yeah?”
“Nevermind.”
Ryan kissed Eli’s forehead softly, smiling. “Me too, Eli. Me too.”
They both knew what he was going to say.
As Eli ran the tips of his fingers against Ryan’s chest smelling Ryan’s deodorant and faint cologne on his shirt, he slowly but surely began to trace from his chest down to his stomach. He slipped his hand up Ryan’s shirt, honestly unsure of his plan but knowing where he wanted it to go again.
Ryan got the memo, happily sitting up and taking his shirt off and laying back down. He grabbed the back of Eli’s neck and pulled his face up to his lips, and went in, hungry for his boy’s lips again.
They kissed while Eli blindly and surprisingly skillfully managed to unzip Ryan’s shorts. He stuck his hand down Ryan’s underwear and wrapped his hand around the big cock once again.
Damn it was big. Eli thought. He knew that, though. In fact, he knew better than everyone- including Ryan. It was just a surprise to feel it again, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t already miss the feeling of his hand wrapped around it.
And for Ryan… Ryan couldn’t have been happier. He absolutely missed the feeling of a small smooth hand around his dick, even if it had only been not even 24 hours since the last time Eli made him cum.
“Fuuckkk,” He whispered. “Stroke it,”
Eli happily did as his man asked.
“Yeahhhh, that’s it Eli,” Ryan said, biting his lip. “Just like that.”
He began to drag Eli’s head down his neck, over his chest, and into his arm pit. He knew Eli loved the smell of a man. He loved the smell of Ryan. But more importantly, Ryan loved the feeling of Eli’s hot air, breathing into his damp, warm arm pits.
Eli was in heaven. Being able to smell a man like that- being able to taste a man like that while pleasuring him was exactly how he imagined a perfect night.
“Damn that’s nice,” Ryan said, firmly holding the back of Eli’s head in place. “Fuck, you’re all mine.”
It was difficult to manage his breathing and stroke at the same time, sort of like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time, but he got the hang of it rather quickly, picking up the pace. He began to move his free hand, but Ryan grabbed it, now having Eli fully restrained and under his control.
The only thing he could think about as Eli’s hand slipped up and down his cock was how that ass would feel if he were thrusting in and out. Not yet. He thought. He’s not ready.
Ryan knew how anal worked, it was his favorite kind of sex. He loved how tight it would hug his dick- how who he’d fuck would whimper under his length. He had no idea how it was to take a dick, and likely never would- but he knew it wasn’t for the weak. Eli’d be able to take it eventually… just not quite yet. In the meantime, those hands and that mouth wasn’t off limits. That mouth.
He pulled Eli out of his pit, turning the both of them to the edge of the hammock. He manspread off the edge of the hammock, placing Eli on his knees right in front of his dick. Eli knew his duty.
So, he pulled down Ryan’s underwear, revealing a fully, rock-hard dick. Somehow, in someway, it was even bigger than yesterday. Ryan was so turned on in that moment that his dick was hurting- it felt as if it was going to explode. He couldn’t wait any longer.
“Put it in your mouth.” Ryan demanded. “I want to hear you choke it back.”
Eli knew not to mess around with the guy who had that massive dick, so he did exactly as he was told. He put as much as he could down, until he made himself gag. He was proud of himself for being able to get farther on his own this time- but it wasn’t enough. Not enough for Eli, especially not enough for Ryan. They both wanted to feel Eli choke.
As his dick entered Eli’s mouth again, Ryan tried to control himself. He grabbed the side’s of Eli’s head- bobbing it up and down. He bobbed and bobbed, with Eli not even realizing he got more down with every push. The sight of Eli with a mouth full of dick- his dick- was still the hottest thing he thought he’d ever see. Damn he swallowed that dick so well. Ryan couldn’t help but smile as Eli gagged once again, now realizing he had 2/3 of the whole thing in.
Eli’s gags turned into chokes, but Ryan didn’t stop. Finally, Ryan felt Eli’s nose hit his bush. Eli thought he was going to let him off, but he didn’t. Not this time. Instead, Ryan began to get a little carried away with himself. He began to just barely slide Eli’s head up and down, only letting up about 2 or 3 inches at a time. The entire time, Eli’s throat was plugged. Ryan cursed under his breath as he could just feel his dick surrounded with a warm, wet throat. He didn’t want to stop. He wasn’t going to.
But just as Eli thought he had it all in, Ryan thrusted his hips forward and tilted Eli’s head back, fully pushing his face against his stomach.
“Holy shit, dude.” Ryan moaned. “Oh my fucking god.”
Eli almost came, somehow in someway. He tried moaning- he tried to say something. Anything. But there was no use, it would just turn into more choking. There was spit dripping out his mouth from all around. He managed to close his lips around it, but his mouth was getting tired. There was so much dick in his mouth.
“Goooood fucking boy,” Ryan said, more pleased than he’d ever been in his life. “Fuck, you’re doing so good. Almost there.”
Finally, Eli thought. As much as he did enjoy seeing Ryan feel so good, he needed air. Desperately. There was air being puffed out around Ryan’s dick. Ryan grabbed Eli’s fluffy, messed up hair with one hand and the back of his head with the other, fucking his throat over and over again.
“C’mon, boy. Just open that throat. Relax it. Let it in.” Ryan said, closing his eyes and cocking his head back. “I’m almost done,”
Eli did, and to his surprise, it became just slightly more bearable. But Ryan wasn’t almost done. He promised himself, just one more edge. But he couldn’t stop. Not when it felt this good. Eli didn’t know how much more he could take without air.
“Oh- shit- Ooh my fucking god,” Ryan said, desperately. “I’m gonna fucking- boy I’m going to- Fuckkkk”
Ryan came harder than he ever had before, directly down Eli’s throat. Eli tried swallowing as fast as he could, he tried pushing off but Ryan held him firmly, all the way to his stomach. With a few more seconds of wiggling his hips, nestling Eli’s nose in his pubes, he finally let go of Eli.
He stumbled back, his face was even messier than it was the night before. There was spit, cum, and tears all over his face. He was still gagging and swallowing, choking on god knows what.
Ryan almost felt bad. “Oh shit- dude I’m so sorry,” He said apologetically. “I got so carried away-“
No shit. Eli thought. Once he finally somewhat caught air, he let out a small grin.
Ryan immediately felt relief seeing that.
“We- well did you feel me shake my head?” He replied, still trying to process.
Ryan chuckled, raising his arms above his head. “Goddamn you’re crazy.” He was truly baffled. “How the fuck do you do it?”
“Built different, I guess.”
Where has this boy been my entire life? Ryan thought. No one’s been able to take even close to half my cock, let alone keep the whole thing down for 10 fucking minutes.
“Come here, you.” Ryan said, holding his arms out.
Ryan took Eli back in his arms, gently rubbing the back of his head. They lied back down on the hammock, slowly drifting off together.
——
The next morning, neither of them had anywhere to be, orientation was over. Even if they did, they probably wouldn’t go. Eli woke up first this time, looking out into the field while the morning sun rose. He couldn’t believe he just slept outside.
Did it matter? No. Not at all. He was tucked away beneath Ryan… Nothing mattered. He waited for Ryan to wake up, watching as his chest rose and fell underneath the shadows of the oak branches.
Finally, Ryan stirred. Eli smiled, tilting his face up. “You snore.”
Ryan scoffed playfully. “Do not.”
“You do.”
“You lie,” Ryan mumbled, still half asleep with one eye cracked open.
Eli did his cute, signature laugh, once again melting Ryan’s heart. He smiled softly and reached his hand around Eli’s head and pulled him in for a long, warm, tender kiss. The morning was cool, just a light breeze. Eli got goosebumps as Ryan managed to make the world around him pause just with one kiss.
After a few more minutes of silently cuddling, Ryan holing Eli’s head tightly against his chest, Ryan exhaled through his nose. “You know… I should introduce you to my cousin sometime. Sophia.”
Eli was confused, as he didn’t know where that came from. “Does she like… go here or something?”
“Yea, freshman like you. Cool as hell. Talks too much, but I think you’d like her.” Ryan said in that cool, manly voice of his.
Eli nodded, touched. Even if he didn’t say it.
But eventually, reality set back in. Ryan stretched, making that weird stretching noise you’d do after getting out from a long car ride. Eli sighed, reluctantly getting out of the hammock as well.
“Alright, I feel gross, you feel gross,” Ryan chuckled to himself. “Especially with the aftermath of last night on your face. Want a shower?”
Eli blushed. “How do you know I wasn’t saving that for later?” He said, covering his eyes with his hands.
“Mmmhmm sure,” Ryan smiled, grabbing Eli’s hand. “C’mon let’s go back to my place.”
“Promise me you’re not gonna do whatever the fuck you did to me last time we were in the shower?” Eli said, half joking and half serious.
“Okay fineeee,” Ryan said, disappointed. “I’ll leave you in peace this time.”
This time.
Once they got back to the apartment, it smelled heavily of coffee grounds and new furniture. They weren’t expecting anyone to be there—so when they opened the door and saw bags by the couch, Ryan paused mid-step.
“Awww shit-“ Ryan said.
Right on cue, from the kitchen: “Yo.”
Tyler. Broad-shouldered, smug-smiling, perfectly messed up hair Tyler.
He stepped out, sipping a gatorade like he already owned the place. “Didn’t know you were bringing guests.”
Ryan lit up. “Dude!! You moved in early?”
“Surpriseeeee,” Tyler said flatly.
Ryan glanced back at Eli, with that awkward, gritted-teeth fake smile that just screamed ‘I’m so sorry’. Eli, standing halfway in the doorway drowning in Ryan’s hoodie was blinking, like he’d been caught somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be.
Tyler looked at Eli for just a little too long.
Ryan gestured, presenting Eli. “This is Eli—uh, um.. one of my orientation kids.”
Eli let out a small side-smile, offering a small little wave.
“Cool,” Tyler replied, nodding once before turning to the fridge. But his jaw stayed a little too clenched. His posture was a little too stiff.
Eli may not have been a great talker, but he sure could pick up on a body cue or two. He’d been doing it his whole life—he knew who was feeling what at any given moment. Tyler wasn’t angry. He wasn’t curious. He seemed just jealous- not of Eli but of Ryan.
But, at an unsuccessful attempt of another shower together, Eli was just going to take one back at his dorm. He stepped through his door and was immediately hit with a wall of sweat, protein powder, and a faint hint of weed.
Tanner Brooks. Tanner was Eli’s roommate for the year. Eli went random, but what else was he supposed to do? After all, he hasn’t spoken a word in public for what seemed like years.
“Yo,” Tanner grunted from the top bunk, shirtless and with crazy hair. “You got back late as shit.”
“Uh- um yeah,” Eli said avoiding eye contact and feeling like he was intruding on something. “Had um- a long night.”
Tanner glanced down, and he eyed down the oversized hoodie and messed up hair. “Bet you did.” He said, judgmentally.
Eli said nothing.
There was a pause. Then Tanner smirked. “You see that guy earlier? With the painted nails and that crop top thing? Shit’s getting crazy. Everyone’s turning into a fag.”
Eli’s stomach twisted. How was everyone always out to get him? In one way or another, they wanted to mess him up.
“Soooo true,” Eli mumbled, visibly uncomfortable.
He didn’t wait one more second before texting Ryan.
mind if i hang out a lil bit more?
Always.
Like the hero he was, Ryan saved Eli once again. They sat outside at one of the little cafe tables outside the Starbucks. Everything was nice. Calm. Ryan bumped his knee under the table every now and then, just enough to keep Eli smiling.
Then Tyler showed up.
He “happened” to be walking by. Said he was just picking up lunch. “Didn’t know you guys were here.”
He pulled up a chair without asking and settled in like he belonged. Ryan smiled and started catching up with him, but Eli felt it instantly. That same shift. Same tension. Tyler’s eyes kept flicking over to him- like he was studying him. It wasn’t subtle, either.
“So…” Tyler started slowly, eyes locked on Eli. “You two know each other for how long now?”
“Few days,” Ryan answered, blind to what was going on.
“Huh. You don’t waste time, huh?”
Ryan blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I guess you’re just always kinda locked down. Always talking to new people. How’s Brittney these days?”
Eli glanced away, pretending not to hear.
“Umm she’s… Brittney.” Ryan said.
Just hearing…saying her name made him mad.
While Ryan was trying to explain the situation in the nicest way possible to Tyler, Eli saw something.
Could it be? No.
He could’ve sworn.
“Hey,” Eli whispered. “Ryan,“
Ryan didn’t hear.
“Ryan-“ Eli said, slightly louder.
Ryan looked at Eli, seeing him visibly distraught looking in the distance. He looked to where Eli was looking then he saw it.
“Well isn’t this cute?”
The voice cut through the crowd like a blade.
“Tyler. Go. Now.” Ryan said sternly.
Tyler got up and left, no questions asked.
Here they go again. Brittney vs. Ryan.
She walked up slowly, arms crossed. “You really couldn’t wait, could you?”
Ryan kept his voice even. “Now isn’t the time Brittney…”
“Oh, no, I think it is.” Her voice rose—people were already turning. “I mean, look at you. Playing house with your little freshman. What is this- some kind of game? Are you having fun?”
Eli’s face went red.
Ryan’s jaw clenched. “Brittney—“
“No, let’s talk about it,” she snapped. “Let’s talk about how you cheated. Let’s talk about how you led me on while you were clearly into some fucking faggot.”
More heads turned. Eli could feel the whispers.
“You lied to me. For months,” she barked. “You strung me along like I was your dog on a fucking leash.”
Months? What the fuck was she talking about? Ryan didn’t say anything. He let himself build with rage. He knew that silence pissed her off more than anything.
“You gonna say something, Ryan? Or you gonna keep standing there like you’re not the biggest shit bag man whore on campus?”
Then—he laughed. Just once. Sharp. Cold.
“You want something to talk about? he asked with a raised voice. “Fine. Let’s talk.”
Brittney blinked, the shift catching her off guard.
“Maybe let’s talk about Thomas. The ugly ass bitch you open your legs to every fucking night. Or maybe one of the other 15 guys on the football team that you’re constantly sucking off.”
The crowd was silent.
“You think I don’t hear all the guys talking about you? Your pants are a fucking community pool. Free of charge. You’re a fucking cum slut. That’s all you ever have been, and all you ever will be.”
Brittney opened her mouth but nothing came out.
“And for me? I haven’t fucked anyone for 5 fucking years, Brittney. I stayed with you way longer than I should’ve. Because you made me feel like I was only worth something when I was with you. You controlled me. Used me. And the second I find someone who makes me actually feel like a human, you blew it up. Not me.”
The whole campus could’ve been silent at that point. There wasn’t a whisper in the crowd, not a bird in the sky. Nothing.
“So yeah,” Ryan said, stepping forward. “We’re done, Brittney. Fucking done. We’ve been done. But now, it’s public.”
The both of them paused for a moment. Ryan’s body was filled with relief.
And then—smack.
The slap echoed. Hard.
Ryan didn’t flinch.
He just looked at her one more time and said, “Get help, Brittney. You’re sick. You need help.”
They walked away fast, Ryan’s hand was wrapped tight around Eli’s wrist. Ryan was scared to let go.
Neither of them spoke. Ryan being scared was something new, something unheard of. They finally turned the corner, out of view from the crowd, tucked in between two buildings.
Ryan leaned against a wall, dragging a hand down his face, sweat dripping down the side of his head. “Jesus Eli…” Ryan said, apologetically. “I’m so sorry… Are you okay?”
Eli leaned next to him, trying to steady his breath. “Are you?”
Ryan looked down at him. “Yeah… I mean… no… I don’t know.”
“Is it bad that this just made you that more attractive…” Eli said, unsure of the response he was going to get.
Without saying anything, Ryan turned around fast, firmly grasping Eli’s face with both hands. He pushed him against a wall and drew him into his lips.
They both closed their eyes, enjoying the moment. They knew that nothing else mattered when their lips were touching.
They broke momentarily, Ryan still brushing his lips on Eli’s
~“I love you, Eli.”~
Eli almost gasped hearing that. Ryan opened his eyes to see a reaction, but was just met with those brown, adorable eyes looking at him with all the love in the world. It was just a whisper. Just a quiet, lonely whisper- but it wasn't out of place. No matter how quiet, those 4 words held so much power.
Was it too early? Maybe. Did it feel right? Absolutely.
Eli eagerly pulled Ryan back in for more, and they deeply kissed like they had all the time in the world.
Finally, they broke contact, Ryan still embracing Eli. Then, before either of them could say anything, a voice cut through their sweet silence.
“So that’s what you’ve been hiding.”
They both turned. Tyler was standing there. His hands were in his pockets and he was smiling—although not kindly. His eyes were locked on Eli.
Ryan froze. Eli felt a lump in his throat.
“This is going to get interesting.”
And Ryan felt a pit open beneath them.
TO BE CONTINUED...
