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Larry shoved the paper bag from Misham's Art Supplies under one arm as he dug through his jacket pockets. He was hoping to track down enough loose change to be able to pick up some beer on the way home.
"Okay, six bucks in bills… Those quarters from the laundry room floor… I know I had some more in here somewhere - hah! Nice, that's enough for the beer and a hot dog, and if Nicky pays me back for his share of the drinks I'll be golden!" He muttered to himself as he produced a rumpled five dollar bill from an inside pocket.
Rusted bells jangled when he shouldered open the door to his usual corner store. He paused to scratch behind the ears of the cat sleeping atop a towering stack of soda cases.
"Hey, Mimi! Good to see you," he whispered as she looked up at him, purring sleepily. He patted her gently and continued down the narrow aisle to the beer fridge. Grabbing the cheapest 12 pack and a bag of chips, he made his way back to the counter.
"Can I get a jumbo dog with extra onions?" Larry asked, setting down his purchases.
"Extra onions? No date tonight, Larry dear?" The elderly shopkeeper replied with a smile, reaching for the hotdog buns.
"N-no, Jennika broke up with me last weekend. I think she's seeing Daniel now. You know, on the football team?" He looked away, a little embarrassed by his reply. The shopkeeper set down his hotdog and took Larry's hands in hers.
"I know you've been having a lot of turmoil in the romance department, Larry honey, but don't you rush out and find a new girl just yet. Take some time and I have a feeling the right person is closer than you think," she said reassuringly. "Besides, shouldn't you be concentrating on your classes? You told me the other day that you were worried about your printmaking project." Larry brightened up at her kind words.
"You know, Bea, you're right! I'm gonna have a guys' night in with Nicky and sketch out some ideas while we watch the game. Take my mind off my tragic love life!" He kissed the back of her hand before letting go to grab his cash. He counted out the change plus a small tip, pushing it across the counter.
"Here you go! There's a little extra as thanks for the advice. See you later, Bea!" He picked up his things and headed out the door.
"See you, Larry! Careful you don't burn your mouth, that just came off the grill!" She called out behind him.
Larry rushed along down the block, trying his best not to shake up the beer too badly while gobbling down his supper. Arriving at his building, he headed up to the apartment he shared with his best friend, taking the stairs two at a time in the hope that he wouldn't miss the opening pitch of tonight's game.
He unlocked the front door, kicking off his shoes and setting the beer on the counter. He was about to call out to Nick when a noise from the living room caught his attention. Strained breathing and the slap of skin-on-skin could be heard from down the hall. Was Nick looking at porn?! Oh, this was gonna be good. Plenty of material to tease Nick with for ages. Larry snuck down the hall, footsteps silent in sock feet. He approached the back of the sofa, grinning widely, ready to startle Nick into dropping whatever dirty magazine he'd gotten his hands on. He popped up behind his friend, poised to grab Nick's shoulder, when he spotted what he'd been looking at.
It was not Playboy.
It was not Larry's copy of Dirty Dames Done Dirt Cheap.
It was, in fact, Larry's photo prints and draft sketches for a nude self-portrait he'd started painting.
Well, fuck.
He backed off quickly and quietly down the hall, heart pounding in panic.
All right. Calm down, Larry. He felt like slapping himself in the face to snap out of it. Besides, it wasn't like he hadn't known Nick was bi. It wasn't even like he'd never imagined what sex with Nick might be like - but only because his ex had suggested a threesome with him and then Larry had started thinking too much about the idea and maybe even pictured sucking his dick, but in, like, a bro kinda way, but then Danilynn had broken up with him before they'd gotten around to asking Nick about it anyway. Wait, where was he going with this? Oh yeah. Nick… thought Larry was hot? He felt his cheeks heat up with a blush as he realized that was both flattering and that maybe he... felt the same? No. No, he needed a beer before processing this. Sober Larry did not have the brainpower to deal with these kinds of (love?)life-changing concepts right now. He took a deep breath, slammed the front door dramatically, and called out down the hall.
"Yo, Nicky! I'm home! I got beer and snacks. Can you put the game on? I'm gonna change first."
"Uh, yeah! Yeah, just give me a minute," came the startled and out-of-breath response. Larry made a beeline for his bedroom, taking his time to change into sweatpants and an old t-shirt.
The rest of the evening went as planned, despite the awkward beginning for Larry. After a couple of beers he was back to normal - joking around with Nick, yelling at the TV when the ump made a bad call - just like every other Friday night. It was only after he'd finally flopped down in bed that the gears of his mind had started turning, going over different scenarios of what to do with this newfound information. Clearly Nicky had some interest in him or he wouldn't have been 'admiring' those nudes. Did he feel the same? Larry hadn't really thought about it before. Dating another dude seemed like a good idea, though. It'd be like having a best bud you hung out with all the time, but like, sexier! Nick would probably think that going to a Chargers game on a date was awesome instead of getting mad like Kellileigh did! Okay, this was sounding better and better by the minute. How should he ask Nick out, though? He wasn't exactly supposed to know that Nick was into him. Maybe he could hint around by asking if Nick was seeing anyone? They often chatted about cute girls in their classes, it wouldn't be out of character. Or he could just come straight out and admit he'd seen Nick jerkin' it and it was actually kinda (really) hot. That would probably freak Nick out though. Hmm. He'd have to think this over for a while. Preferably not when he should be sleeping - he had early classes tomorrow!
Larry rolled over, trying to make himself more comfortable. It didn't help that this made him painfully aware of his growing arousal. Well, damn, guess that means he really wasn't as straight as he'd thought in the past. Images of Nick popped into his head. The time they'd gone to the beach and they'd put sunscreen on each other's backs. Nick in a towel, freshly showered with his normally-spiky hair looking soft and fluffy. Nick on his knees, mouth open, begging for his cock. A shiver went up his spine as Larry finally reached into his boxers, fingertips teasing along his erection. He started stroking gently, biting his lip to stay quiet, wanting not to pop his cork too soon. More thoughts of Nick flooded his mind's eye, each more lewd than the last - Nick touching himself in a bubble bath; Nick on all fours, waiting for Larry to fuck his ass; spit streaming down Nick's chin as Larry fucked his face.
His breath hitched as he stroked faster, orgasm approaching like a freight train. He'd never expected to be fantasizing about his best friend but when his brain supplied him with the image of Nick kneeling in front of him, tongue out, eyes full of desire with Larry's cum splashed across his face, he came harder than he had in ages, spilling over his knuckles as he pumped his dick through the last few shocks of pleasure. He grabbed a tissue from the bedside table, wiping himself cleanish and flopping back against his pillow.
Limbs feeling like jelly, he stared at the ceiling, spots and swirls in his vision. His mind went blissfully blank as he drifted off to sleep, having resolved to talk to Nick in the morning. Maybe they'd both be able to have their fantasies come true.