Alternative Methods.

[doubletap]

Has sex become repetitious? Feeling sore in certain areas? Well, good news! Your boyfriend has sent you on a quest to find different ways of having fun gay sex. Yay!

Find the following people and seek out their knowledge:

• Arcade Israel Gannon (=D)
  
• Jimmy (Westside)
  
• Old Ben (Freeside)
  
• Doctor Alex Richards (Novac)
  
• Ignacio Rivas (Helios One)

Good luck, Wanderer!

Comments

[goodfight]

A hand through his hair is always welcome, and Neil murmurs nonsensical things, obviously pleased. "Hey," he answers after a beat. "Slept okay. You?"

[doubletap]

"Didn't sleep much," he answers truthfully. He pets Neil for another moment, then thinks to speak:

"I really like your hair this length. Not that it's my hair or anything. But I like brushing through it like this. It's relaxing."

[goodfight]

He enjoys the motions, despite a ping of concern wiggling through his chest. "Something keep you?" From sleep, of course.

The comment regarding his hair surprises Neil. Causes some awkwardness to form. "Was thinking about buzzing it," he admits. "Hair's susceptible to lice, being this long."

[doubletap]

"Mm," he says noncommittally, continuing to pet through Neil's hair.

"Not much worry of lice when you bathe regularly," he comments. "So if that's your only reason...."

[goodfight]

Neil lets it go, focusing instead on more everyday matters. "It also gets in my eyes," he whines lightly. "And in my mouth. It's murder under the desert sun."

[doubletap]

"It's your decision," he replies, massaging the scalp lightly every time his fingers return to the top. "I'm not trying to change your mind. I just wanted to say--"

What did he want to say?

"I like how it feels. And you look handsome."

[goodfight]

The compliment combined with the massage sets Neil completely off, and the young man is left with pretending to not notice that his cheeks are burning.

"...You really know how to flatter an unsuspecting guy," he mutters.

[doubletap]

Alex smiles quietly, tilting his head down to kiss the top of Neil's head. He stops petting him and wraps his arms around him instead, hugging.

"I could keep going forever, you know. There's so much to say."

Like how you saved me, too.

[goodfight]

"Hey, now," Neil protests. "I have compliments to pay you, too, you know."

At the hug, the man snuggles closer, utterly enjoying the proximity.

[doubletap]

"Nah," he says without embarrassment. "I won't be able to take it. I can barely accept a gift from you, remember? A compliment would probably make me self-combust."

[goodfight]

"It's okay," he insists. "I'll start small. Work my way up. 'Nice shoes,' once per day. As soon as you get properly accustomed, I'll thrown in, 'The blue really brings out your eyes.'"

[doubletap]

"Except you started with 'nice ass,'" he protests. "That's not small at all."

[goodfight]

Through the sleepiness, Neil grins. "Then I guess I have to go with, 'You make it hard to walk and sit down for hours.'"

[doubletap]

He winces. "...Sorry about that. I shouldn't have started things last night."

[goodfight]

The hand at Alex's chest lifts to palm his cheek.

"Don't be sorry," Neil returns kindly. "It makes me never forget you. Besides, I wanted things last night."

A pause. "Plus, it was ED-E who started it."

[doubletap]

Alex gives a humorously pained look at the response. "First... Never blame ED-E for sex, please, it's destructive. Two... You can't forget me because I make you sore. I'd rather be remembered for nicer things."

He lifts a hand to Neil's against his cheek, turning to kiss his palm with a small grin.

[goodfight]

"Yeah, yeah. Babybot is an innocent baby." Capable of recording horrendous things.

Nevertheless, the more important is-- "Your nicer things have me shifting my behavior," he says softly, "enough that I can remember how to breathe. Be something better." To not hate being alive.

[doubletap]

Neil attributes changing for the better to parts of Alex, and Alex flushes slightly, the color brighter along his chest and collarbones. "...Then you should help me be something better," he murmurs in embarrassment.

Then tries again, clearly this time. "Help me be better for you as well. Tell me how to love you without making life harder for you."

[goodfight]

His first thought is that Alex is miles and eons ahead, too good for someone like Neil. It's a terrible first thought. It does nothing for anyone, and thus, the man adjusts. He thinks on what is being asked.

These thoughts eventually lead to a suggestion, one involving a recent discovery. Neil suddenly wonders how this will go.

"Alright," he gives, nerves touching his voice. "But I have to tell you something first."

[doubletap]

Neil is nervous, which to Alex means less something bad and more something Neil is worried about. Alex draws up a leg, pulling Neil between them so he can hold Neil to him easier, then reaches to pull the sheet up to wrap around them. Covered and held, Alex hopes it's a little better somehow.

"Tell me whatever you want," he says quietly, affectionately. "I always want to listen."

[goodfight]

Alex pulls Neil closer, more securely, and wrapped in a sheet and in Alex's arms, the younger starts to ease off the nerves. He lays his head to rest against Alex's chest, cheek close to his collarbone.

"You do always listen," he answers. Quiet. Appreciative.

He inhales before continuing, "I mentioned to Arcade that I didn't understand sex. That I never had the urge to do it with anyone, even to take care of things myself. Always thought it was horribly late development, but he suggested that I might asexual."

[doubletap]

Alex spent his adult years in California, so he's pretty familiar with most sexual terms. The different sexualities as well. The reason that he would never have considered it for Neil, though, is that--

Neil responded to him that first night. Keeps responding in increasingly positive ways. Even last night, he--

"Maybe I'm not understanding," he wonders. "Is that even possible? You--and your body--respond to me positively. You've, um, finished without me touching you a few times, and you even wanted sex last night. You don't seem like a person who wants nothing of sex at all. Plus you seem to like this," he adds, squeezing Neil once, indicating the holding. "Wouldn't you not like physical contact as much? As well as dating and being with someone."

[goodfight]

Perhaps they're both not understanding. Perhaps Arcade is misinformed. Perhaps this is the most nerve-wracking discussion in Neil's life. Whatever the case, he needs to elaborate.

"He seemed to insinuate that asexual humans aren't anti-sex. Nor are they opposed to physical contact," he starts in a rush. "Sex remains a non-factor unless they enter a relationship. Even then, they're only interested in it as a means to...bond with their partner. Not interested in flings and hook-ups for, uh, hooking up's sake."

Neil tips his head to watch Alex, expression subdued. "Also, if they have to choose, they would rather this." He returns the other's squeeze. "Then have sex."

[doubletap]

It's different, but it's not unbelievable. "Huh," he considers. "So asexual people are okay with most things, just are... lacking a libido? More or less? And seem to like romantic stuff more, by your description."

[goodfight]

Oh. "That's a good way to phrase it. Lacking a libido." Neil grins before letting the expression fall away. "When you, uh, are being awesome and stuff, I, hm, automatically think to...hug...you...not, um, jump you."