Brian entered the restaurant, his palms slightly clammy with nervous anticipation. His mother’s latest matchmaking scheme had left him feeling a bit dazed. She'd been insistent this time, practically shoving him out the door with a wink and a promise that she had found "just the perfect person" for him. As he stepped inside, he glanced around, scanning the room until his eyes landed on someone already seated at a table near the window—a young man in a button-down shirt, tapping his fingers anxiously on the tablecloth.
As Brian approached, the man looked up, his expression shifting from polite expectation to wide-eyed surprise. “Oh,” he blurted out, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. “You’re… my date? I assume...?”
For a moment, they both stared at each other, stunned, realizing simultaneously that neither had expected their date to be another guy.
“I think there might have been a bit of a mix-up here?” Brian chuckled nervously, trying to break the awkward tension.
The man nodded, a crooked smile forming on his lips. “It would seem so… But please, take a seat. You came all this way.” He gestured to the empty chair across from him.
Brian hesitated for a brief moment but then obliged, sliding into the chair. “Okay, I’m gonna be the first one to say it—this is a bit awkward.” He laughed softly, trying to find the humor in the situation.
“No, no, you're right,” the man replied, his laughter mingling with Brian’s. “I was not expecting to be meeting a man tonight.”
“Me neither, honestly.” Brian admitted, running a hand through his hair. “So, what do we do about this? Did you wanna just leave, or...?”
The man shrugged, a playful grin appearing. “I’m cool with chilling for a bit if you are. I mean... I already drove all this way; might as well enjoy the night.”
Brian nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. “Oh, okay. I don’t mind hanging out for a bit. Not like I have a date or anything.” He joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere. “So, you wanna order something to eat? I’m actually starving.”
The man’s grin widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Yeah, let’s eat and talk! I’m Jaxon, by the way.”
Brian felt himself relax a bit more as the tension began to dissolve. “Nice to meet you, Jaxon. I’m Brian.”
Jaxon leaned back in his chair and grinned. "Alright, Brian, what’s on the menu tonight?"
Brian nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Sounds good. What do you want to eat? I'm buying."
"Thanks, man. I think I'll have the lasagna and a sidecar."
Brian raised an eyebrow at Jaxon's choice of drink. "A side carel? Never had anyone order one of those. You sure you can handle it?"
Jaxon laughed. "Oh yeah, I'm no lightweight."
Brian chuckled, impressed. "I like your confidence. Alright, lasagna and a sidecar it is.And since we’re giving up on being fancy, i guess ill get wings and a majito."
He signaled to the waiter and placed their order, then turned his attention back to Jaxon. "So, tell me more about yourself. What do you do for a living?"
Jaxon shrugged casually. "I'm a professional fighter."
Brian's eyes widened in surprise. "A fighter? Like, a professional boxer or something?"
Jaxon shook his head. "More of a general martial artist."
Brian looked at him with newfound respect. "Damn, that's impressive. I've never met a professional fighter before. How long have you been doing it?"
Jaxon thought for a moment. "Since middle school, I think?"
Brian whistled, clearly impressed. "Middle school? You've been fighting since you were a kid? That's crazy. You must be really good at it."
Jaxon leaned forward, a confident smile spreading across his face. "I like to think so."
Brian smiled back. "I'm sure you are. I bet you've won a lot of matches, huh?"
"Yeah," Jaxon said, almost nonchalantly. "I think I just won my 200th match last week."
Brian's jaw dropped. "Two hundred matches? Damn, that's insane. You must be some kind of legend in the fighting world."
Jaxon laughed. "I guess so. But I try to keep a low profile. I don't like too much attention on me. I just fight, win, then leave."
Brian nodded in understanding. "I can see why you'd want to keep a low profile. Fame can be a double-edged sword. But I bet there are tons of people who would love to meet you."
Jaxon shrugged. "Yeah, but none of them would like me for me, just my money or status or title."
Brian chuckled. "Yeah, I guess that's the unfortunate side of fame. People only want to get close to you for selfish reasons, not because they genuinely like you. But hey, you've got me."
Jaxon grinned. "Yeah, I guess so. Hopefully, I don't scare you off before the night's over."
Brian laughed. "Nah, you won't scare me off. I can handle a bit of intimidation. Besides, I like the fact that you're not like other fighters. You're humble and down to earth."
Jaxon nodded appreciatively. "Thanks. I try not to have too big of a head."
Brian's smile softened. "No problem. It's nice to meet someone who's not just in it for the fame and glory. So, do you have any hobbies or interests outside of fighting?"
"Yeah," Jaxon replied. "I like to hunt, and I'm into swordplay."
Brian raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Hunting and swordplay, huh? That's quite a combination. Do you hunt for sport or for food?"
"If I'm hunting for sport, I let them go after I trap them. If I'm hunting for food, I make it quick and I waste no parts of the animal."
Brian nodded approvingly. "That's a good way to go about it. I respect that you don't waste any parts of the animal, me being in the restaurant business and all. And swordplay? That's pretty cool. Do you compete in any of those tournaments or something?"
"Sometimes," Jaxon admitted. "I'd say I'm fairly decent at it, but it's not as refined as my other fighting styles."
Brian grinned. "I bet you are. You seem like a man of many talents. Do you have any other secret talents I should know about?"
Jaxon smirked. "Well, I guess I'd also consider myself a great lover." He winked.
Brian chuckled, his cheeks turning slightly pink. "Oh really? I guess I'll have to take your word for it. But I'm sure you're just saying that to impress me."
Jaxon leaned in, his eyes gleaming with playful mischief. "Who knows? If this date goes well, we might see."
Brian's grin widened. "Oh, so this is a date now?" he teased.
Jaxon laughed. "Well, seeing how this is going, it's not... not a date."
Brian leaned back, his eyes sparkling. "Oh, you're a tease, aren't you? I like that. But let's take it one step at a time. We've only just met, after all."
Jaxon shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Haha, whatever you say."
Brian studied Jaxon with a smile. "So, what do you want to talk about next? We've covered fighting, hunting, and your love life. Anything else you'd like to share?"
Jaxon leaned in slightly, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "I do have a small warning."
Brian’s expression turned serious, his smile fading slightly. "A warning? What is it?"
Jaxon hesitated, then confessed, "I’ve never been on a date before."
Brian's smile returned, soft and reassuring. "Well, I hope you’re having a good time," he said, his voice warm and genuine. "I mean, I know first dates can be a little nerve-wracking… but I'm glad we’re doing this."
Jaxon’s eyes brightened, and he nodded eagerly. "I'm having a great time!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm almost contagious. "Better than I thought I would, honestly."
He leaned forward, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "So tell me about yourself. We've talked a lot about me, but I don't know anything about you."
Brian smiled, clearly happy to share. "Well, I'm 27 years old, and I'm a nurse. I grew up in a small town in Florida, with a family of four—my mom, dad, sister, and me. My parents own a restaurant, so I help out whenever I can. I also I love building things in my spare time—anything from furniture to little DIY projects around the house."
Jaxon grinned, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Ooo, that’s cool. Sounds like you’re pretty handy," he replied, leaning back in his chair. "I bet you’re the type who can fix just about anything, whether it’s a person or a machine."
Brian grinned back, clearly pleased. "Thanks. I'm not as interesting as you, though. You're a famous fighter. I fix boo-boos all day," he joked, his tone light but genuine.
Jaxon laughed. "Well, you could come fix me up anytime. In my line of work, I get injured often," he said with a wink, his smile playful.
Brian laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, I see how it is. You want me on standby just to patch you up after every fight? You sure you can handle all that TLC?" He teased, leaning in with a grin. "Maybe I should start charging you."
Jaxon laughed and shook his head. "No, sorry! I was just making some friendly banter," he said, though his grin suggested otherwise.
Brian chuckled again, still amused. "No need to apologize. I was just messing with you. But seriously, if you ever need someone to come patch you up, I don’t mind doing it… as long as I’m not swamped at work."
Jaxon grinned, leaning forward a little. "Might have to start getting hit more often, then," he teased, winking playfully.
Brian raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Oh, so you're planning on getting unnecessary injuries just so you can call me over? If I didn’t know any better, I'd think you were looking for excuses to spend time with me."
Jaxon feigned innocence, his eyes widening comically. "Who? Me? Whattt... neverrr," he said, drawing out the words for effect.
Brian laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying their banter. "Yes, you! You totally want me all over you in concerned nurse mode, and you know it," he teased, his voice warm and playful. "You just want to see if I’ll drop everything to come running."
Jaxon chuckled, and then his expression turned slightly shy. "Well, who could blame me, especially with a nurse as handsome as you? It’d be enough to make anyone throw themselves down a flight of stairs," he admitted, his cheeks flushing as he realized how forward he’d been.
Brian's smile widened as he noticed Jaxon’s blush. "Oh, so you think I'm handsome, huh? That’s quite a compliment," he said, a soft, teasing edge to his voice.
Jaxon nodded, his blush deepening. "Well, yeah, you’re hot as hell, man. I thought I’d never find another man attractive, but the moment you sat down, I think that went out the window."
Brian chuckled, his cheeks turning a little pink as well. "Well, I'm flattered that you find me attractive," he replied, his tone both playful and sincere. "I’m sure there are plenty of other guys who would be thrilled to hear that."
Jaxon paused, suddenly unsure what to say next. His confident demeanor faltered for a moment, and he bit his lip, searching for the right words.
Brian noticed his sudden silence and looked at him with concern. "Hey, are you okay? You’ve gone quiet all of a sudden."
Jaxon shifted in his seat, a little embarrassed. "Sorry, it's just… it’s a little embarrassing flirting with a guy like you. I’ve never flirted with anyone before, let alone another guy. I don't want to say the wrong thing or make a fool of myself."
Brian smiled warmly, his voice softening. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to be embarrassed. I appreciate your honesty, and I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. We can talk about anything you want," he reassured, his hand reaching out slightly, as if to offer comfort.
Just then, the waiter arrived, placing their food and drinks on the table with a polite nod.
Brian thanked the waiter, turning his attention back to his plate. "This looks delicious," he said, picking up his fork eagerly. "I’m starving."
Jaxon picked up his fork as well. "The food really is great," he agreed, savoring his first bite.
Brian nodded, enjoying the flavors. "It really is. I love the way they cook their food here—just the right amount of juicy and tender."
Jaxon grinned, leaning in with a mischievous smile. "Well, if you tried me, I’d be the same way," he chuckled.
Brian laughed heartily at the comment, nearly choking on his food. "Oh, you're really something, you know that? You’re so smooth, I have to watch myself around you."
Jaxon shrugged playfully. "Well, if you saw me shirtless, you might rethink that. I'm a complete fuzzball."
Brian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, really? You’re a fuzzball, huh? I’m sure you look just as handsome without a shirt on—maybe even more so," he replied, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Jaxon chuckled. "Oh, so now you think im the handsome one?"
Brian laughed, leaning in conspiratorially. "Don't tell anyone I said that, though," he whispered with a grin.
Jaxon winked. "Your secret’s safe with me."
Brian grinned wider, enjoying their back-and-forth. "Honestly, from what I can see, you have an amazing body. I’m kind of jealous. I’m sure a little hair won’t be a problem."
Jaxon smiled, clearly pleased. "Thanks, man. I work really hard to stay in shape."
Brian nodded, his smile turning playful. "Honestly, I thought I was in shape, but you put me to shame," he laughed. "I’d love to see what you look like without everything covering you up," he joked, a cheeky grin spreading across his face.
Jaxon raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. "Oh? You want to undress me now?" he asked, his voice slightly teasing.
Brian’s cheeks turned slightly red, but he kept his composure, realizing what he’d just implied. "Well, I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant… you know, actually, forget what I said," he stammered, looking a bit embarrassed.
Jaxon smirked. "I don’t know… I might just give you a little peek," he teased, winking.
Brian chuckled and leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Oh, you’re really tempting me now. I’d usually say no, but I’m definitely intrigued."
Jaxon grinned. "Okay, fine, but don't say I didn’t warn you." He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then unbuttoned his shirt slightly, just enough to reveal his hairy chest.
Brian's eyes widened as he saw Jaxon's chest hair, and he couldn't help but feel a spark of attraction. "Oh, wow. You weren't kidding about the fuzzball thing. You're definitely hairy," he said, his tone admiring and amused.
Jaxon giggled. "Yeah, didn’t I warn you?" he replied, his smile cheeky.
Brian laughed, still a little flustered. "Yeah, you did. I guess I just didn't expect it to be that much. But hey, I like it. It's a good look on you," he added, his gaze lingering a moment longer.
Jaxon smiled. "Thanks, man. I'm sure yours looks great too."
Brian caught the hint of a challenge in Jaxon’s words and grinned. "Are you asking to see my chest right now, Jaxon?" he teased, his voice low.
Jaxon chuckled. "Well, I showed you mine. Least you can do is show yours too, haha."
Brian looked around to make sure the coast was clear, then grinned and unbuttoned his shirt a little, revealing his muscular chest. "As you can see, I’m not nearly as hairy as you," he joked, flexing slightly, his eyes never leaving Jaxon’s.
Jaxon shifted in his seat a little, his eyes drawn to Brian’s chest. "Well, that’s quite a nice chest you have," he remarked, taking a sip of his drink, trying to sound casual but unable to hide the slight blush creeping up his neck.
Brian noticed Jaxon’s reaction and grinned even wider, clearly enjoying the attention. "Thanks, I work out a lot. And thanks for the compliment on my chest. I guess it's not too bad," he said, buttoning his shirt back up slowly, as if teasing Jaxon by covering up.
Jaxon’s eyes followed Brian’s hands for a moment before he snapped back to the conversation, mentally scolding himself. He took another sip, the alcohol working its magic. "I’m wondering what the rest looks like, but I’ll refrain from asking that," he thought to himself before quickly changing the subject. "So, you live around here?"
Brian nodded as he finished buttoning his shirt. "Yeah, I actually live close by. What about you?"
"I live in the next town over. It’s about an hour's drive," Jaxon answered, swirling his drink as he spoke, the liquid sloshing slightly from his increasingly relaxed movements.
"That’s quite a drive," Brian nodded again, impressed. "What made you decide to come all the way here for a date?"
Jaxon shrugged, his grin widening. "Well, I dunno. I thought I was meeting a nice woman who sounded different from any other woman I’d heard of, so I was like, 'I have to see this.'" He laughed, taking another sip of his drink.
Brian chuckled, clearly amused by Jaxon’s answer. "Ah, I see. So, you’re just naturally curious, huh?"
Jaxon’s gaze flickered over Brian’s form, and he winked playfully. "Very," he said, his tone dropping slightly as he looked Brian up and down without much subtlety.
Brian felt Jaxon’s eyes on him and grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. "Well, I’m glad you’re curious about me. I like a guy who’s adventurous."
"Oh, I’m very adventurous," Jaxon replied with a smirk.
Brian raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the confidence in Jaxon’s voice. "Oh really? In what ways are you adventurous?"
Jaxon’s eyes glimmered with mischief. "Well, let’s just say my hands like to explore," he giggled, his words starting to slur a bit.
Brian chuckled at Jaxon’s suggestive comment, his amusement evident. "Your hands, huh? That’s quite a bold statement. I bet they can do some interesting things," he teased, leaning forward slightly.
Jaxon grinned, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol. "I like to think so. What about your hands?"
Brian leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that sent a shiver down Jaxon’s spine. "Well, I can do things like massage, cook... and other things."
Jaxon shifted in his seat again, clearly affected by the way Brian’s voice dropped into that low, seductive tone. He swallowed hard, trying to play it cool, but his sudden discomfort was obvious. "Yeah, totally fine. 100%," Jaxon said, his voice betraying him as he tried to hide his growing fluster.
Brian grinned, knowing exactly the effect he was having on Jaxon. "You sure? You look a little flustered," he teased, his grin widening.
Jaxon tried to regain his composure, taking another sip of his drink to hide his nerves. "No, no, I’m fine. It’s just the alcohol," he said, laughing it off.
Brian chuckled, clearly not buying the excuse. "Uh-huh, sure it is."
As the alcohol started hitting harder, Jaxon’s normally composed demeanor began to slip away. He took another long sip, feeling looser, bolder. Brian could see it and leaned in, ready to take advantage of the moment. "You know, it’s kinda cute the way you’re looking at me right now," he said, his voice soft but teasing.
Jaxon grinned lazily, his words coming out with less filter now. "Well, I like looking at you, Mr. Nurse," he slurred slightly.
Brian laughed, enjoying the nickname. "Mr. Nurse, huh? I don’t know if your flirting is better or worse after a few drinks," he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Jaxon shook his head, his laugh a little louder than before. "No, no, I’m absolutely terrible at flirting! You’re just easy to talk to," he confessed, his cheeks flushed from both the alcohol and the situation.
Brian grinned, clearly enjoying Jaxon’s openness. "Don’t worry about your flirting skills, you’re doing just fine," he said, his ego clearly boosted.
Jaxon, now more drunk than he realized, found his gaze drifting back to Brian’s chest. "Can you please put your chest away? I feel like a pervert because I can’t stop looking at it," he admitted, his face scrunching up in embarrassment.
Brian burst out laughing at the honesty, quickly buttoning up his shirt to spare Jaxon any more torment. "There, happy now?"
"Yeah," Jaxon said with relief, slouching back in his chair. "I thought I was gonna start drooling or something."
Brian shook his head, still chuckling. "You’re too cute. I guess I’ll have to keep my shirt buttoned up around you, or you might get too excited."
Jaxon grinned, downing the rest of his drink in one go. Brian watched with a mixture of concern and amusement. "Whoa, slow down there. You’re drinking that pretty fast. Are you trying to get wasted? That’s like your third drink."
Jaxon’s usual filter disappeared as he put his glass down. "I’m sorry, I just drink when I’m really nervous. I like you a lottttttttttt," he slurred, the last word stretching out as he grinned drunkenly.
Brian blinked, surprised by the sudden confession, his face turning a bit red. "You… like me? You’re not just saying that because you’re drunk, are you?"
Jaxon shook his head. "Me being drunk is the only way I can say it. I’m not good at showing my emotions," he admitted, leaning back in his chair.
Brian sighed softly, his expression softening as he reached across the table to take Jaxon’s hand. "Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. I think I like you too… even if you are a bit of a mess when you’re drunk."
Jaxon smiled at the touch. "Thank you, Bri Bri," he said, the nickname making Brian chuckle.
"Bri Bri? I’ve never heard that one before," Brian chuckled again, squeezing Jaxon’s hand. "No problem, baby. Call me whatever you want."
Jaxon’s heart fluttered at the word "baby." His drunken mind latched onto it with excitement. "Baby?" he repeated, his smile widening. "Yeah. Yeah, I do. A lot. A lot, a lot."
Brian chuckled softly, clearly enjoying Jaxon’s tipsy rambling. "Well, I’ll make sure to call you that more often then," he said, still holding Jaxon’s hand.
Jaxon’s eyes fluttered shut for a second, then opened again. "Hey, Bri Bri?"
"Yeah? What’s up?"
"I don’t think I’m straight anymore," Jaxon declared suddenly, leaning back in his chair with a drunken giggle.
Brian was taken aback by the sudden revelation, but his smile remained. He couldn't help but find Jaxon’s honesty endearing.
"I think I’m Briansexual," Jaxon added, chuckling at his own joke.
Brian burst out laughing, clearly amused by Jaxon’s humor. "Briansexual, huh? That’s a new one. I’m honored to be your exception."
Jaxon’s eyes focused on Brian again, his words coming out slower. "Hey, Bri Bri? Do you think I’m hot?"
Brian’s face flushed red, and he stuttered for a moment. "Uh, I mean… yeah, I do. You’re definitely hot."
"Good," Jaxon said with a satisfied nod. "Because you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever met."
Brian’s face turned even redder, but he couldn’t stop the wide smile that spread across his face. "You really think so? I mean, thank you," he said, his voice soft and a little flustered.
Jaxon nodded vigorously, his voice thick with drunken sincerity. "I wanna see you again. Over, and over, and over, and over."
Brian laughed softly, touched by Jaxon’s insistence. "You do? I mean, I’d love to see you again too. We could go on another date, or just hang out. Whatever you want."
Jaxon nodded again, leaning forward on the table. "Whatever you want. I just wanna keep looking at you and hearing your voice."
Brian’s heart skipped a beat at Jaxon’s words, a warm sensation blooming in his chest. "You’re really making me blush, you know that?"
"I am?" Jaxon blinked, his expression dazed. "I’m sorry," he added, his words slurred.
"No, don’t apologize," Brian said, smiling softly. "I like it when you say things like that. It’s cute."
Jaxon blinked slowly, clearly struggling to maintain his balance as he slouched in his chair. The alcohol had hit him hard, and it was becoming more and more obvious that he was reaching his limit. His words were slurred, his movements clumsy, but the affection in his voice was undeniable.
"Bri Bri?" Jaxon asked, looking at Brian with a sleepy grin.
Brian smiled, though he couldn’t hide the concern in his eyes. "Yeah?"
Jaxon paused for a moment, blinking as he tried to gather his thoughts. "I need to go to the bathroom, but… I’m having trouble standing straight. I think I drank too much."
Brian chuckled softly, trying to mask his growing embarrassment. He had dealt with his fair share of drunken friends before, but this felt different. This was Jaxon—the same man who could knock out an opponent in seconds—and here he was, vulnerable and needing help. "Yeah, no problem," Brian said gently. "Just try to hold still and let me help, okay?"
Jaxon gave a nod, his usual confidence replaced with the endearing clumsiness that only came from too much alcohol. "Okay…" he muttered, his voice thick with both gratitude and exhaustion.
Brian guided Jaxon to the bathroom, trying his best to stay composed as he helped the drunken fighter. Jaxon was slumped against the wall, his balance unsteady, and Brian could feel the weight of his arm leaning heavily on his shoulder.
"Just… hold still, okay?" Brian murmured softly, his voice laced with a mix of concern and amusement. Jaxon nodded sluggishly, clearly embarrassed, his usually confident demeanor replaced with vulnerability.
Brian carefully positioned Jaxon toward the toilet, doing his best to focus on the task at hand and not the awkwardness of the situation. He unzipps Jaxon’s pants and fishes for little guy,after a bit of struggling he manages to get it out. As he held Jaxon, a sudden shift in his grip caused him to notice something. Jaxon’s body was responding in a way neither of them had anticipated. His "excitement" began to grow, and Brian’s cheeks flushed red as he realized what was happening.
He kept his focus forward, his face heating up as he tried to pretend it wasn’t a big deal. Jaxon, on the other hand, felt his own face flush with embarrassment. His heart raced, not from excitement, but from the sudden realization of what was happening. The alcohol had loosened his usual control, and he couldn’t help but blush furiously.
"I… I’m so sorry," Jaxon muttered, his voice cracking with nervous laughter. He shifted, his body tense with the embarrassment of the moment.
Brian noticed Jaxon’s blushing and decided to break the tension with humor. He let out a soft chuckle, trying to ease the awkwardness. "You know," he said, grinning despite the situation, "this is definitely not how I imagined our first date going."
Jaxon let out a small laugh, his face still burning red. "Me either," he admitted, his eyes half-closed as he leaned his head against the cool wall. He tried to relax, but the situation had him on edge.
Brian chuckled again, shaking his head slightly as he adjusted his grip. "Well," he continued, his voice light with amusement, "at least it’s memorable, right?"
Jaxon managed a grin despite his embarrassment. "As far as first dates go, I’d say it’s a great one. I mean, at least for you. You’re already at third base," he joked, trying to laugh off the awkwardness.
Brian laughed with him, the tension between them starting to dissipate. "Yeah, I guess I should be grateful for that," he said, his voice warm with affection. "But you’re right—it’s definitely memorable."
Despite the lighthearted banter, Brian focused on what he was doing. It wasn’t easy, though, with Jaxon’s body reacting the way it was. He could feel the heat radiating from Jaxon, his cock growing in Brian’s hand, making it harder for both of them to keep things casual. Brian notices how big its getting.its taking up most of his hand and making it harder for him to aim.
Jaxon cleared his throat, his face still burning. "Sorry about… that," he muttered, clearly mortified by the situation.
Brian shook his head quickly, his tone gentle and reassuring. "Don’t apologize," he said, doing his best to sound calm. "It’s not your fault. I’m just… trying to get this over with," he added, offering a small, awkward laugh to ease the mood.
Finally, Jaxon finished up, and Brian quickly pulled his hand away, stepping back toward the sink to wash his hands. "There, all done," he said with a relieved smile, doing his best to keep things light. He scrubbed his hands thoroughly, his mind racing but outwardly calm.
Jaxon let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair as he steadied himself. "Thanks, Bri Bri," he said, his voice quieter now, full of both gratitude and lingering embarrassment.
Brian turned to face him, the warm smile on his face reassuring. "Hey, it’s no big deal," he replied softly, crossing the small space between them and resting a hand on Jaxon’s shoulder. "You’ve been looking after yourself for so long. It’s okay to let someone else help you out sometimes."
Jaxon’s eyes softened at that, his usual bravado slipping away entirely. "Yeah… I guess I’m not used to it," he admitted, leaning into Brian’s touch for support. His voice had dropped lower, the playfulness from earlier fading into something more genuine.
Brian kept his hand on Jaxon’s shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Well, you’ve got me now," he said, his voice soft but full of meaning. "I’m here for you. And this… weird, awkward stuff? It doesn’t change that."
Jaxon smiled at that, his heart swelling at Brian’s words. He felt the warmth of the moment settle over them, a shared understanding that they were both in this—awkward moments and all.
"Thanks, Bri Bri," Jaxon said again, the nickname now filled with affection instead of humor. "You’re really something, you know that?"
Brian chuckled softly, brushing his thumb lightly over Jaxon’s shoulder. "So are you, Jax. So are you."
They stood there for a moment, the awkwardness gone, replaced by something deeper—a growing trust, a sense of comfort that came from being vulnerable with someone who truly cared.
In that moment, Jaxon knew that this—being cared for, being supported—was something he hadn’t realized he needed. And Brian, with his quiet strength and easygoing warmth, was exactly the person he wanted by his side.
Jaxon looked up at Brian, his voice slurring slightly but full of warmth."Thank you, Brian. You're the best first-date buddy anyone could ask for."
Brian grinned, a soft laugh escaping him. "De nada, amigo," he replied casually, the Spanish slipping effortlessly into his speech. Jaxon blinked at him, trying to figure out what Brian had just said. Before he could ask, Brian added with a grin, "I guess this means I'm not a complete failure at dating, huh?"
Jaxon beamed, trying to give Brian two thumbs up but losing his balance, having to lean against the wall for support. "You get five stars from me," he declared, his voice full of drunken enthusiasm.
Brian laughed, shaking his head. "Five stars? That’s pretty high praise. I’ll take it."
Jaxon shifted slightly, his expression growing a bit more serious. "Can I be completely honest?"
Brian raised an eyebrow, curious now. "Claro que sí. Go ahead."
Jaxon paused, a little confused by the Spanish but pushing through. "That’s the first time anyone has ever held my… thing like that," he admitted, his face flushed, though it wasn’t clear whether it was from embarrassment or the alcohol.
Brian raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the confession. "Really? Not even your exes?"
Jaxon shook his head, looking down. "Don’t have any. I’ve been too focused on my career, never had time for dating. Plus, I’ve never found anyone who could hold my interest for more than a few minutes."
Brian’s expression softened, his eyes full of understanding. "Lo siento, hermano," he said, and then caught himself, quickly translating with a smile. "Sorry to hear that, man. That must’ve been tough."
Jaxon tilted his head a little at the unfamiliar word but figured it out through Brian's sympathetic tone. "Yeah, I’m a complete virgin. Ugh, you must think I’m a loser," he said, trying to laugh it off, though a hint of self-consciousness slipped through.
Brian shook his head immediately, his voice firm but gentle. "No, no. Eres un buen hombre," he started, then smiled as Jaxon gave him a puzzled look. "I mean, you’re a good man. There’s nothing wrong with waiting for the right person."
Jaxon’s smile grew a little wider, and he looked at Brian with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I think I found them," he said softly.
Brian’s heart skipped a beat at Jaxon’s words, his pulse quickening. "Really? You think I’m the right person?"
Jaxon nodded, his voice dropping as he confessed, "You’re the first person to make me so nervous I turn myself into a drunken mess just trying to have a conversation."
Brian smiled, his voice filled with warmth. "Eso es un buen señal," he said, and Jaxon furrowed his brow slightly. "Uh, that’s a good sign," Brian translated with a chuckle. "But maybe we should try to have a conversation when you’re sober next time."
"I promise, no alcohol next time," Jaxon said earnestly, though his slurred words made the promise sound more humorous than solemn.
Brian chuckled, shaking his head. "Good. I’d rather not have to deal with you throwing up or passing out all over my house."
Jaxon’s eyes lit up, his voice playful. "Wait, you’re inviting me over?"
Brian blushed slightly, caught off guard by his own words. "Maybe. If you want to come over, I wouldn’t mind."
"Hell yeah!" Jaxon exclaimed, his excitement almost causing him to stumble.
Brian grinned, both excited and nervous at the prospect. "Great. I’ll give you my address, but just don’t get too borracho, okay?"
Jaxon squinted for a moment at the unfamiliar word. "What?"
Brian laughed. "Too drunk."
"Ohhh," Jaxon nodded, understanding now. "I’m not! I’m done drinking for the night," he said, trying to put his "little soldier" away but struggling a bit. The alcohol clearly wasn’t helping his coordination.
Brian turned his head slightly, trying to give Jaxon some privacy as he fumbled with his clothes. "I’m glad to hear that. It’s good to see you’re being responsible."
Jaxon managed to zip up, laughing at himself. "Thanks for being so patient. I wonder how I’m getting home tonight… I definitely can’t drive like this."
Brian thought for a moment before offering a solution. "Actually… you could stay over at my place if you want."
Jaxon’s face lit up, his excitement bubbling over. "Great! Sounds like a plan," he said, giving two enthusiastic thumbs up but leaning heavily against the wall for support.
Brian chuckled at Jaxon’s enthusiasm and gently led him toward his car. "Just try not to pass out in the car, ¿vale?"
Jaxon’s brow furrowed again. "Wait… what?"
Brian grinned. "It means ‘okay.’ You good with that?"
"Oh, okay!" Jaxon laughed, his confusion easing. "Yeah, yeah. If I fall asleep, I can’t hear your lovely voice."
Brian smiled, clearly touched by the compliment. "You’re quite the charmer, you know that?"
Jaxon’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "I know. A really hot guy told me earlier."
Brian laughed, shaking his head as he started the car. "Oh, really? ¿Quién es ese chico guapo?"
Jaxon blinked, lost for a second before guessing. "Uh, you?"
Brian grinned. "Correcto," he said with a wink. "You’re catching on."
Jaxon looked over at Brian, his gaze steady despite the alcohol. "Are you trying to flirt with me?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
"No," Jaxon replied, laughing softly. "I’m actively doing it."
Brian laughed too, feeling a little flustered by the directness. "I see. Well, you’re doing a pretty good job of it."
"You like my words, Brian?" Jaxon asked, his voice soft, the playful glint still in his eyes.
Brian nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Sí, claro. You’re very charming, and I appreciate the compliments."
With that, Brian drove them both back to his place, the air between them buzzing with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation.
