covers of a book.

[goodfight]

Somewhere in that long journey back to the Mojave, in that broken and dusty old road, Alex had mentioned a book. There was nothing particularly descriptive in his utterance, nothing that would have a guy running to the local rundown library for it, but it was enough to stick in Neil's thoughts.

Thus, when he "serendipitously" caught sight of the book in a merchant's stock somewhere in Nebraska, he snatched it up. He tucked it carefully away in his pack.

And now, a day later with the sun sitting highest in the sky, while Alex and ED-E are up ahead scouting the area, Neil slips the book into Alex's pack, in a place the other man would find easily. He straightens from his task, a small grin playing on his lips, before he notes that Dogmeat is staring at him in curiosity.

"Not a word," Neil tells his mutt.

Dogmeat wags his tail, as if excited about the prospect of a secret.

Comments

[goodfight]

Neil smiles back at him, something candid in his countenance. "Only one way to find out," he says as he releases his hand to slowly creep down to one of Alex's belt buckles.

[doubletap]

A flush creeps up Alex's face. He rests his hands on Neil's forearms. "You don't have to... Didn't you want to get moving?"

...They're actually ahead of schedule and Alex knows it.

[goodfight]

Hands do not stop Neil Park from attempting to loosen the buckle. "I more wanted to eat my Sugar Bombs," he retorts, "but now that you mention it, jerking you off sounds like a much better idea."

Especially to see that flush spread.

[doubletap]

"--Shit," he says, gaping at the response. His cock has also decided that the response deserves attention, as it pushes up against the cloth.

"What a fucking filthy mouth," he continues, pretending his breathing's not off. "Where did you learn that?"

[goodfight]

There's that guy. So happy in his anticipation.

Neil moves onto the second buckle, calm overwhelming even the urge to be smug. "I was a teenager once, you know," he says matter-of-factly. "You pick that kind of stuff up in school."

In reality, he picked it up from an old book at the age of twelve.

[doubletap]

When the second belt comes undone, Alex's hands tighten on Neil's arms--not stopping him, just wanting. Something.

Reassurance, maybe, but hell if Alex knows that.

His voice comes as breathless, soft and anxious. "Neil--"

And there's really nothing to say.

[goodfight]

That voice, that soft utterance of his name has fire coursing through his veins, and Neil-- He stops. Sets his hands away from the buckle to again snake them around Alex's torso.

"It's okay," he murmurs gently. "Sorry. That was mean."

[doubletap]

About to tremble, the embrace fortifies him. Where he would snap at the comfort, he instead leans into it. He breathes out, hands moving up to Neil's biceps to hold.

"...For being a cocktease?"

[goodfight]

Holding Alex, Neil can feel his heartbeats, strong and fast. The younger man again wonders about his own state of mind. "Something like that," he says easily.

He releases the other long enough to start redoing Alex's buckles.

[doubletap]

Now he does reach to stop him. "Hey. What's going on?"

[goodfight]

He stops, of course, with his eyes fixed on the metal. Lies would be easy, but they do not serve a purpose here. Besides, Neil doesn't believe they would ever get past Alex.

"I keep expecting simple," he says slowly. "Being kind, that is." Gifts. Genuinely showing want. Desire. "But I keep forgetting I'm no good at kindness."

[doubletap]

The explanation hurts something inside of him; not his own pain, but another's. It makes him reach for Neil, tilt his head up, to kiss him like he means it.

For his tongue to follow suit to press inside, chasing reasons unsaid and kept sorrows.

[goodfight]

Alex lifts his head and presses lips to his. Presses in to take his mouth, and Neil allows the gesture. Lets it happen.

He wishes he could do more. Give more. But there's nothing worthwhile to offer at the moment, and when it stops, Neil can only look away.

[doubletap]

Alex breaks to breathe, and Neil looks away. He grabs his chin more forcefully, to kiss him thoroughly more.

His other hand still on Neil's wrist, he presses Neil's hand--echoing a few weeks before--to the bulge in his pants.

[goodfight]

He's pulled in, further and further, as his hand is pressed to the leather. To feel the organ underneath. And Neil cannot help the small noise he makes against Alex. Cannot help tightening his hold on the other.

[doubletap]

The sound is enough. Alex breaks the kiss, leaving their foreheads touching as his hand moves backward into Neil's hair.

"You're kind enough for me," he replies, a beat late, voice low. "You're enough for me."

[goodfight]

They break, and Neil breathes. Gasps helplessly for air. Alex slips his hand into hair, and on instinct, Neil leans closer to that touch.

"Alright," he says, breathing uneven. "Alright. I get it."

[doubletap]

This feels like lining up more than anything that came before, and when Neil leans into his hand, Alex slips down to kiss the corner of his mouth. "...It's not you," he goes on, in that quiet low tone. "This is new to me, remember? Don't be discouraged."

Don't give up on trying to be closer. On trying to be kind.

[goodfight]

Alex moves to kiss, and Neil again curls his arms around the other man. His mind takes in the words, trying to remember that yes, Alex is quite new to returned affection.

"...I wasn't lying, you know," he mutters. "You do have a nice ass."

[doubletap]

Alex cuddles into Neil's arms, then freezes at the words. He consciously attempts to relax. "Since when," he starts, voice a little choked. "Do you even look at me physically? I thought you weren't into that."

[goodfight]

Neil curls his lips upward in a pleased, albeit broken, smile. "Doesn't mean I can't objectively appreciate the human form," he explains. "And I've seen your ass enough times to comment."

[doubletap]

"God damn," he mutters, and moves to press his face into Neil's shoulder again. Not quick enough to hide the shyly pleased smile peaking on his lips however.

"I guess I didn't know what I was getting into with a relationship. I'm all used to you hating me," he adds in humor.

[goodfight]

Of course, Neil catches that, the shy smile touching Alex's lips. He tightens his hold, finding stability in the gesture.

"Never hated you, old man," he retorts. "Just never knew how to respond to you."

[doubletap]

"And now you do," he wonders, and it comes off as statement and question.

"You seem to know exactly how to affect me at the moment. All morning even."

[goodfight]

"Now I do," Neil repeats. "Though, I'm just glad you got that book. Of all people, you deserve it the most."

As House's inheritor, it's only appropriate that such a rare item of his goes to Alex Seattle Geer.