“One hundred percent,” Alex said, and grinned as he slipped his hands beneath Layne’s shirt to rest warm again his back. “I’d just have to kiss you once and then you’d swoon in my arms and then I’d win. Easy-” He cut off suddenly as Layne leaned down to pick him up, definitely not squeaking when he found that his feet were no longer on the floor. The startled “Layne!” he gave was more of a shock response than anything else, and Alex couldn’t hide his grin as he moved to quickly wrap his arms around his boyfriends shoulders. “You’re a fucking ass.”
It wasn’t long into their relationship that Layne learned how much joy Alex got from being manhandled like this. Well, was it joy or just sheer amusement when he knew what was going to happen? Whatever it was, the squeak made him laugh as he walked towards the couch, depositing his lover on the cushions. He could feel the arms wrap around his shoulders, only bringing him down on top of the man when he was set down. A grin and he chuckled, leaning in to kiss and nip at his lower lip. “You’d be lying if you said you hated it.”
“The sweetest,” Alex replied, mock-glaring at his boyfriend before leaning down to let Salem go, so that he could reach out to wrap both arms around Layne’s waist. “Fucking fight me on that.” Of course, there was no doubt in his mind - or, for that matter, Layne’s - that Layne would absolutely, 100%, definitely be able to kick Alex’s ass in a fight, but hey. It was worth a shot, right?
“Oh – you sure you want me to fight you? Think I won’t wipe the floor with you?” Even though that was the last thing he wanted to do. Layne leaned into the touch and rested his forehead against Alex’s, looking into his eyes for a moment before closing them. Working on the spur of the moment was the best way he could surprise Alex, so when he got the thought into his head, he acted on it. “I think I’d rather do this.” Arms wrapped tight around the other’s waist and he picked him up, carrying him to the couch to toss him down on it.
“Yes.” Alex grins. “I’m a mind reader, and I’ve been around lawyers. Totally and accusation. Absolutely. I know these things.” That’s a complete lie. He doesn’t at all. But hey, Layne doesn’t know that, and Alex feels he doesn’t really have to say much more when Layne leans in to press a kiss to his cheek, turning his head to press a quick kiss of his own to his lips. “I’m the sweetest,” he says, before nodding, “Yep, absolutely. Isn’t it romantic?”
At the same time, what Alex said both called and did not call for bullshit. It was a lie that Alex knew what he was saying, but it was amusing enough not to mention. He smiled to the kiss that was pressed to his lips, giving a sigh and a slight roll of the eyes to the last comment. “I wouldn’t go so far as to call it that, but it’s something. I’d prefer to stay here than run off with you. ‘Course, I plan on keeping you with me.”
“Mm, I don’t know. They say cats choose their owners and, well, you did just accuse us of planning to elope together,” Alex replied, and held Salem a bit closer. “But don’t you worry, babe - I’d never elope with anyone who wasn’t you.” After all, how would that even happen? He’d just magically find someone he liked more than Layne? Yeah, that sounded more than a little bit fake.
“Is it an accusation if it’s completely true?” That was probably as far as the teasing would go on the subject, but he had to push it that bit more. Stepping up to Alex and Salem, he wrapped an arm around the other’s waist and leaned up to press a kiss to his cheek. “Aren’t you just sweet? Is that your way of asking me to run off and elope with you?”
“Hey!” Alex reached out, still grinning just as widely as Layne was, and brushed his fingers gently through Salem’s fur. “I can’t believe you’re trying to break us up like this,” he said, pulling a face of mock sadness, “You’re trying to kidnap back your own cat. Unbelievable.”
❝ It’s not considered kidnapping if it’s my own cat! ❞ But he doesn’t make any move to go and take the cat from Alex. A few scars on his arm reminded him of the last time he tried to pick his cat up before he was ready. ❝ I should just kick both of you out. ❞
“…I’m not going to promise anything.” He can’t really deny what Layne is saying, either - he has more or less adopted his boyfriends cat, after all.
❝ That’s what I thought. ❞ He could joke and tease about this subject every day, only because of the truth that was held behind it. Yet that was the only extent he would take it to, giving a grin to Alex as he scooped up Salem in his arms.
His body always thrummed after a fight, win or lose the adrenaline still pumped through his veins. It was merely the results that changed how he would expend all of the pent up energy he still had. After a losing bout, he would let it run its course quickly through his body, getting rid of all that he felt in one go so he could leave and decompress. Yet in a winning fight, he felt he had to do something with the excess energy. And seeing as Alex was always more than glad to be the recipient of his fervor – he was sure his boyfriend could nearly feel him from a mile away – he let himself get patched up before heading right home.
Layne was as careful as he could be in returning, though once he got to the apartment building, he climbed the steps two at a time and ran up. It kept his blood pumping, kept him excited just as the apartment door was opened for him. He took no pauses in walking in and closing the door behind him, cornering Alex up against the wall and capturing his face with both hands to kiss him with fervor and near desperation.
“Don’t worry, babe – I’ve gotten pretty fucking good at
taking care of myself over the years.” Please,
Layne. Alex could definitely take care of both of them at once, especially when
‘taking care of Layne’ involved little more than just bringing him food and
keeping him company in bed with the possibility of sex later, none of which
sounded particularly taxing or challenging to Alex. And besides, he’d taken
care of Layne before, and honestly rather enjoyed it. It was just nice, to know that he was able to care
for the one he loved, giving him time to relax stress-free. Alex sighed a
little, and moved his hand to run it gently through Layne’s hair. Moving in, huh? Maybe not yet. “Yeah, I
guess it is a bit…”
Layne knew he could be dense when it counted, that he sometimes had difficulty comprehending sarcasm or a joke or two. But he could understand body signs and tells. And when he mentioned Alex already being moved in, as well as the thought that passed through his mind, he knew Alex reacted more to it than it just being a joke. Which had the smile tugging at his lips a bit more, leaning into the touch as the other’s hand ran through his hair. Looking up to his boyfriend, he took a deep breath and nodded his head. ❝ Since it’s like that already – maybe you’d like to move in … with me? ❞
