[Castle in the Sky -11] A Mother's Words

Clifton sat on his mother's porch and watched her sip from a glass of lemonade. The sun shone a little less now for the night was coming. Turning so his back was to her and his eyes to the beach off in the distance, he wondered what she would say if he told her he'd kissed Kenneth--that he'd tasted this man she hated so desperately and yearned for more than just the mere mingling of tongues?

He couldn't tell her. She'd surely die.

Bowing his head, his heart slammed into his chest painfully. The wind picked up a little and he could smell the saltiness from the beach.

"What's the matter Cliff?" his mother's voice was soft.

"Mom...I have a question. And you can't get mad about it and if you don't want to answer it just say so."

"Okay."

"Why do you hate the Roddicks so much?"

Silence. For a long moment she said nothing and after a bit, Clifton realised he wasn't breathing and took a breath.  His head spun slightly and a slight anger pulsed through his veins like a crowd, waiting outside a really flimsy fence, shaking it, biding their time.  He turned against the porch wall to face her. She was eyeing him with a certain contempt reserved for the lowest scum on the earth.  He stood.

"Where are you going?" his mother asked.

"I'm leaving." He trudged for the door.

"Why the question?"

"Because I deserve to know why you taught me to hate these people--people I've never met until recently. I want to know why you did that!" He noticed he was yelling so he took a breath and held up a hand.

"You met the Roddicks? Where? What did they say to you?"

"I am working on a project for Kenneth Roddick, mom."

"How dare you!"

"How dare I? The bills aren't going to pay themselves mom!"

"I'd rather starve!"

Clifton bowed his head. "See? That's the difference between you and I.  I don't always let my pride run my life. If you're not going to tell me why then I should go before we say something we'll both regret."

"Cliff...."

But he couldn't stand there any longer. Kenneth kissed him and his whole world swirled around him like a beautiful array of light. Ever sweet taste of his tongue flowing over is to the fingers at the back of his head felt like hot perfection. He'd never been kissed like that or even felt half of what Kenneth sent through him with just one look of those piercing eyes.   But how would he tell his mother he was sleeping with the enemy? He wasn't even sure why she hated them so much and her stubborn self wouldn't tell him why.

As an adult he should be able to make up his own mind but the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her.

"Clifton?"

Clifton looked. He shook his head to realise he was parked out front of the Boat, a small diner in the town. He smiled at Melvin, took a breath and climbed from the car. 

"Hey. Didn't think you were coming tonight since you work tomorrow," Melvin hugged him. "What's going on? You don't look so good."

"My mom and I just had an argument," Clifton explained as they walked into the diner. A tiny bell jangled above them and that sound irritated Clifton more than it should. He fell into a corner booth with his friend across from him.

"What about?"

"The Roddicks. I have no fucking clue why she hates them so much and the last thing I want to do is hurt her. How do I tell her Kenneth and I kissed?"

"Wait, what?"

"You heard me," Clifton muttered.

The waitress took their orders and when she left, Melvin reached in to take one of Clifton's hand. "Listen, I will ask around. Maybe my mom knows why your mom is so up in arms about the Roddicks. But you know it will probably be what was in the rumor mill at the time."

"Probably but it would be a start."

"Okay. I'll ask her tomorrow. I have to take her for her regular check up with Doc Sanchez."

"Thanks man. This is so...ugh."

"So tell me about this kiss? Was it wet, and grose and sloppy and ick?"

Clifton laughed. "None of the above."

"You can't be this upset over your mother..."

"No. I'm this upset because Kenneth kissed me and I want it to happen again."

[Castle in the Sky - 10] Aftershock

"Okay, so how did lunch go?" Eric questioned.

Kenneth closed the book he'd been reading and took a breath. He truly had to think of the answer to that question for he wasn't sure himself. After the kiss, lunch went by too fast. They talked about less explosive subjects other than what was truly crackling in the air between them and eventually Clifton went back to work until he left for the day when he wanted the plaster to dry. Kenneth was left, body tingling, cock hard and going crazy.

"I'm not sure."

"You're not sure? How can you not be sure? What happened? Tell me everything--don't leave anything out."

"We kissed."

Eric beamed and drew closer. "And?"

"That's just it. We kissed. I felt something--something that told me I was doing the right thing and after he was nicer, sweeter. After our lips parted he was the man I always knew he was."

"But?"

"But I know him--at least I think I do. He's going to go home and pull the whole thing apart and analyze it. Then he's going to come back tomorrow and he's going to be the same old Clifton he always was."

"How do you know that? He had to have wanted the kiss too, right?"

Kenneth said nothing. He placed the book beside him and rose to stand by the window. After he folded his arms over his chest, he tried deciding if he was going to keep going after a man who was so hell bent on running away. But he's loved Clifton ever since they were younger.

"I guess I'll wait and see what tomorrow holds," Kenneth spoke finally. "I'm not sure what to do next. I keep getting this feeling in the pit of my stomach and it scares me."

"Well,  have you thought of what you're going to do once you do get to the point where you see it isn't going to happen--if it comes to that?"

Kenneth took a breath. "No--not until just now. I'd have to walk away. Life would go on. But after the lunch we've had, I want to be optimistic--I want to believe he can want me like I want him. I mean, you don't kiss a man the way he kissed me and not feel anything."

"That is true too. Okay, let me make you some dinner and we should call Jarrod and see how he's doing."

"Sure. Why not. Maybe I should talk to Jarrod about this--get his perspective on this too. I mean, he's young. He should have something fresh."

"Is that your way of saying I'm old?"

Kenneth laughed. "No. You're like--fine wine."

Eric chuckled adn dragged his fingers through his hair. "Yeah? Then how comes sometimes I feel like stale milk?"

[Castle in the Sky - 9] This Kiss

Cliff wasn't sure what came over him or why he even did what he did. Touching Kenneth was such a bad idea he was left stunned at the overwhelming sensation of it. Still he smiled and allowed his hand to fall back to focus on eating. 

"Okay so now we fall back into the awkwardness between us."

Clifton smiled. "For now, it's just lunch. I thought we were just going to do a little bit of dancing around the idea of you and I."

"Is that what you want?"

"Well, I don't know. I've never had a man go out of his way to woo me or anything before."

Kenneth stuffed a piece of cheese into his mouth. He chewed with a thoughtful look on his face for a moment before saying anything. "So let me ask you this. Do you think you could see yourself with me? Forget whatever it is that makes you look at me like I punched your baby."

Clifton laughed. "Punched my baby? I've never heard it put like that before. But okay. I can see myself with just about anyone. I just--I don't know what to expect with you and if I let myself go there I will have to face my mother with whatever demons she has in her closet with your family and I don't know if I could break her heart like that."

"I see. Do you think I'm sexy?"

"That's beside the point."

"No it's not. Everything that leads to love starts with an attraction. If you don't like what you see then your heart won't go any further if you don't feel something there. So, do you think I'm sexy."

Clifton remained silent, chewing. He went over what Kenneth said in his head but couldn't even believe he was even thinking about this. But the truth was Kenneth was partially right and the other thing he thought about was his mother can't just tell him to stay away and not say why. She hasn't been able to give him a good reason why he should carry on a hatred for a family who probably didn't know they existed. His body wanted Kenneth and if he would just let himself go there, he could be so happy--if only for a moment. 

"I think you're sexy--I saw you partially naked, remember?" Clifton admitted. "I still don't think that's so important."

"Could you see me in your bed?"

"Now there's a question that means something."

Kenneth chuckled. "I'm asking you this because right now I want you to kiss me and I was trying desperately to work my way up to it."

Clifton eased closer to Kenneth against his better judgment.  He caught his host behind the neck and drew even closer. Their lips collided and without thinking, Clifton shoved his tongue out in search for Kenneth's.  When they finally met, A spark he didn't want to end, ever shot through his core, dancing down his spine and hardening his cock.  Kenneth moaned and Clifton pulled back.

"Damn," Kenneth panted softly. "Do that again."

"No--bad idea. Let's just finish lunch."

Kenneth said nothing and when Clifton looked up, his host was smiling. 

"What's so funny?" Clifton asked. 

"I've tasted you now, Clifton. There's no turning back after that."

[Castle in the Sky - 8] Don't Be Sad....

Kenneth managed to balance everything in a mad dash to the front door. He slipped the packet of croutons between his lips to free up his fingers to unlock the front door.  Then using his foot to push the door open, he toddled through and was relieved to put everything down in a heap on the counter.  After closing the door, he plugged his cell phone in to charge and then washed his hands and used the bathroom. The last thing he wanted to do was let anything interfere with this moment between them. For an instant, he stood before his loot from the stores at a complete loss.

"Come on, Kenny. Get it together."

With a deep breath, he set about cutting up some fruits into a large, glass bowl. Next to come was some potato chips along with other finger foods then finally the sandwiches.  He knew taking the food into the room where Clifton was working was not a good idea, especially with all the dust flying around in there so he took a breath, rinse his hands then hurried through the house to find his guest.  He located Clifton busy sanding a piece of wood.  Once the sander went off he cleared his throat. 

"Lunch is read," he explained when Clifton looked around. "I figured I'd wait until you put down the tool."

Clifton chuckled pushing the goggles from his eyes. "Let me wash up first?"

"Yeah. Sure. It's set up in the kitchen when you're coming."

Taking in Clifton's eyes for a little bit longer than  he probably should, Kenneth hurried back to the kitchen and proceeded to pace. He couldn't let Clifton see him being so nervous--could he? No. Clifton wasn't the kind of man that loves tame or shy. Tilted his head to one side then the next, he snagged a piece of honeydew melon from the fruit bowl and popped it into his mouth.  The heavy rise and fall of footsteps in the hall told him his guest was coming. Leaning against the counter, he tried his best to look as nonchelant as he could--unworried and calm. 

Then the beautiful man he's been trying to woo appeared in the doorway, and his heart did a lurch then raced. Licking his lips he enjoyed the smile to appear on Clifton's face. "Lunch is served."

Clifton chuckled. "Wow. You were not kidding."

"Too much?"

"A little bit." Clifton stepped forward and snagged a piece of melon from the fruit bowl.  Kenneth loved the way the fruit moistened his big, lush lips. "I could eat this for years."

"So I did pick the right fruits."

"Partially--you're missing the strawberries."

Kenneth chuckled. "Please, have a seat, help yourself."

Clifton sat on the stool and accepted the plate Kenneth held out to him. Their fingers brushed softly and he quickly looked away before Clifton could see his eyes. Still, he tried focusing on having conversations that wouldn't lead to them both getting stubborn at each other again.

"This is delicious," Clifton admitted.

"It's my favorite. I used to sneak away from school to head down to that deli--a lot."

"Confession, Kenneth is good for the soul."

"I would confess a lot more things to you, Clifton but I dare say there are laws against them if you were to file a complaint."

"That didn't stop you earlier."

Kenneth held his gaze for a moment then smiled and looked away to pour them each a glass of juice. He wanted to do wine but didn't think Clifton should be drinking then operating power tools.  After he took a sip he felt strong enough to speak. "Well, I 'm sure it's not a confession anymore since you already know."

"What?"

"That I want you. I pretty much said as much when I asked you to lunch. I'm only playing this game until you come around to the fact that perhaps you're as curious about me as I am about you."

"And what if I said I knew all there was to know about you?"

"No offence but I'd say you're full of shit. You know me as Kenneth Roderick. Deceased parents, two brothers, more money than anyone has a god given right to have. That's all you know. When the cameras go off, and the gates are closed, at nights when its silent enough in this large building to hear the ghosts of my grand parents roaming the hall, you don't know me at all."

Clifton nodded and placed his half eaten sandwich down. "Fair enough."

"Since I have you in a giving mood," Kenneth said, softly. "I'm not sure what my family has done to you or your family, and lord knows my brothers and I have taken a lot of flack for crap my parents pulled in this town. But none of them hurt me as you have."

"Really? And why am I so special?"

"I don't know. I'm intrigued by you. What you think of me matters and the more I think about it the worse it gets. I don't expect anything from you--I just..."

"Need to know..." Clifton's voice cracked softly. "I'm not a hard man to get to know, Kenneth. You're right--your parents did something to my mother that she won't speak off. Growing up there has been a hatred in my house for yours that I don't understand. Now, as an adult I know its wrong to hate the children for the parent's crimes but I can't help it...I shouldn't say hate. I'm sorry."

"It's alright."

"You cringed."

"I know, Clifton."

They slipped into a slow, uncomfortable silence until Clifton reached over and touched Kenneth cheek with a caloused finger.  His touch was soft, almost as if it didn't happen. Kenneth turned his face, pressing it into Clifton's hand.

"Don't be sad..."

"Cliff...."

[Castle in the Sky 7] In the Gutter

The saying should be idle minds are the devil's playground for the moment Clifton stopped working due to his aching shoulders, his mind slipped to Kenneth, naked and pulsing in his hands. He bowed his head in shame. Where did that thought even come from? Just because he saw the man naked--correction, in a towel--covered in suds he so desperately wanted to lick off, especially the one that was over Kenneth right nipple, didn't mean he had a right to be thinking like he was.

Every free moment he got turned into a red light special inside his head and after fighting it for so long, Clifton indulged, letting the warmth of the thought of holding Kenneth down to his bed and taking him hard and fast from behind carry him to the pulsing of their bodies against each other. He pressed his back to the wall, placed the level he'd been using between his outstretched legs and stared down at the front of his pants where his dick was busy swelling under the thought. Rubbing a gloved hand over the bulge, he moaned, focusing on the thought of Kenneth, fully naked with those eyes of light staring through him.

This reaction wasn't something he expected or needed.  He couldn't allow himself to betray his mother any more than he already had by working for a Roddick. But now his body was burning in ways that left him gasping, unable to breathe and wanting. The only way he knew to put that flame out was to let Kenneth seduce him, then plunged his ready cock so deep into Kenneth, he- Clifton- would cease to exist for that moment. To make matters worse, Clifton hadn't bottomed for anyone in almost ten years--he didn't trust anyone like that. So when he wondered what it would be like to assume the position, bracing his palms into the wall, back arched and ass out for Kenneth's plundering he felt he had no control left.

"This is fucking crazy," Clifton muttered. "So I saw the man half naked. I see that all the time. Why is he so different?"

But the answer was simple. Kenneth was forbidden. Bedding a Roddick was an un-written no-no and he knew full well. The way Kenneth approached him and told him precisely what he was after was another tun-on for Clifton. At that moment, being so closed, trapped in the doorway with his boss he wanted to just bend forward and suck those lush lips into his mouth.

Rising, he walked across the dusty room and peered out the window to the large front yard. A car was pulling on the driveway. Tilting his head, he watched until Kenneth climbed out and opened the back door of the vehicle.

He could enjoy fucking Kenneth and what a good fuck it could be....

[Castle in the Sky - 10] A Mother's Words

Clifton sat on his mother's porch and watched her sip from a glass of lemonade. The sun shone a little less now for the night was coming. Turning so his back was to her and his eyes to the beach off in the distance, he wondered what she would say if he told her he'd kissed Kenneth--that he'd tasted this man she hated so desperately and yearned for more than just the mere mingling of tongues?

He couldn't tell her. She'd surely die.

Bowing his head, his heart slammed into his chest painfully. The wind picked up a little and he could smell the saltiness from the beach.

"What's the matter Cliff?" his mother's voice was soft.

"Mom...I have a question. And you can't get mad about it and if you don't want to answer it just say so."

"Okay."

"Why do you hate the Roddicks so much?"

Silence. For a long moment she said nothing and after a bit, Clifton realised he wasn't breathing and took a breath.  His head spun slightly and a slight anger pulsed through his veins like a crowd, waiting outside a really flimsy fence, shaking it, biding their time.  He turned against the porch wall to face her. She was eyeing him with a certain contempt reserved for the lowest scum on the earth.  He stood.

"Where are you going?" his mother asked.

"I'm leaving." He trudged for the door.

"Why the question?"

"Because I deserve to know why you taught me to hate these people--people I've never met until recently. I want to know why you did that!" He noticed he was yelling so he took a breath and held up a hand.

"You met the Roddicks? Where? What did they say to you?"

"I am working on a project for Kenneth Roddick, mom."

"How dare you!"

"How dare I? The bills aren't going to pay themselves mom!"

"I'd rather starve!"

Clifton bowed his head. "See? That's the difference between you and I.  I don't always let my pride run my life. If you're not going to tell me why then I should go before we say something we'll both regret."

"Cliff...."

But he couldn't stand there any longer. Kenneth kissed him and his whole world swirled around him like a beautiful array of light. Ever sweet taste of his tongue flowing over is to the fingers at the back of his head felt like hot perfection. He'd never been kissed like that or even felt half of what Kenneth sent through him with just one look of those piercing eyes.   But how would he tell his mother he was sleeping with the enemy? He wasn't even sure why she hated them so much and her stubborn self wouldn't tell him why.

As an adult he should be able to make up his own mind but the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her.

"Clifton?"

Clifton looked. He shook his head to realise he was parked out front of the Boat, a small diner in the town. He smiled at Melvin, took a breath and climbed from the car. 

"Hey. Didn't think you were coming tonight since you work tomorrow," Melvin hugged him. "What's going on? You don't look so good."

"My mom and I just had an argument," Clifton explained as they walked into the diner. A tiny bell jangled above them and that sound irritated Clifton more than it should. He fell into a corner booth with his friend across from him.

"What about?"

"The Roddicks. I have no fucking clue why she hates them so much and the last thing I want to do is hurt her. How do I tell her Kenneth and I kissed?"

"Wait, what?"

"You heard me," Clifton muttered.

The waitress took their orders and when she left, Melvin reached in to take one of Clifton's hand. "Listen, I will ask around. Maybe my mom knows why your mom is so up in arms about the Roddicks. But you know it will probably be what was in the rumor mill at the time."

"Probably but it would be a start."

"Okay. I'll ask her tomorrow. I have to take her for her regular check up with Doc Sanchez."

"Thanks man. This is so...ugh."

"So tell me about this kiss? Was it wet, and grose and sloppy and ick?"

Clifton laughed. "None of the above."

"You can't be this upset over your mother..."

"No. I'm this upset because Kenneth kissed me and I want it to happen again."

[Stuck On Rewind-4] Ashton Confesses

Ashton smoothed his socks and jammed his feet into the black loafers. Now where in fuck was his… He spotted the blue tie on the floor by one of the legs of the vanity. Despite his best efforts, his eyes strayed to the couple by the door. At least they'd stopped sucking tongue, but Jesus! Lance faced away from him and Ashton watched Trix's hands move under his mini, kneading that perfect ass Ashton would give his soul to worship with his lips and tongue…

Lance giggled and thrust his hips into Trix. Ashton bit his lip, a tiny pain starting in his chest when Trix laughed and pulled Lance's sweet body tight against him, nuzzled into his neck. Ignoring the thumping of his heart, Ashton retrieved his tie and slung it around the collar of his white shirt.

"Oh, hon, you forgot your bowtie here the other day," Lance exclaimed, leaving Trix's arms and crossing the room with a flash of white skin and black lace. Ashton couldn't tear his gaze away from the slim, nearly naked body of his best friend as Lance rummaged through the pile of clothes on his mattress. He ached suddenly to push Lance face first onto the bed, lift that tiny skirt and shove his dick into his hot, willing hole.

He jumped when Trix touched his arm. He'd forgotten all about the other man.

"Why don't you tell him?"

A flush of heat swept through Ashton. "What do you mean?"

He shivered at Trix's chuckle and met his gaze, expecting mockery. The rich brown eyes were warm, Trix's smile fond. "I've known you, what? Almost two years? You're in love with him. Just tell him."

 They both started at a crash from across the room. Lance stood, arms full of clothing, shaking his head helplessly at the lamp he'd knocked from the stand. He dropped the bundle with a soft curse and bent to pick it up. Ashton sucked in a breath at the amount of flesh showing.

Trix's warm breath tickled his ear. "Can't tell me you don't want to fuck that."

Ashton jerked his shoulder away, angry, heart beating madly. "Don't be stupid. He's my best friend. Period."

"If you say so." Trix coolly reached out and started knotting Ashton's tie. Ashton swallowed, breathing in the warm, spicy scent of the man's body. The muscular chest was mere inches from his fingers, the dark nubs tight and hard, waiting for his tongue. Fuck. Why couldn't he be like normal people, take what was freely offered? His heart sank. He wanted all or nothing with Lance, and so he had nothing.

"Thanks," he muttered when Trix finished. "I'm off to work."

"You going to go fuck Clark Kent instead?"

"What?"

"Kent. Your boss." Trix leaned a hip against the vanity, crossed his arms on his chest. "You keep making the same mistakes, man. You can't have the man you want, so you try over and over with these other guys. You're stuck on rewind, Ashton. Skip ahead. Lance is just waiting for you to say something, too insecure to start anything himself."

"Stop fucking saying that." He regretted the words instantly, sighing when anger flitted across Trix's handsome face. He ran a hand through his hair, let out a frustrated breath. "Sorry. I know you want to help. But Lance…" He glanced across the room, warmth flooding his chest at the sight of Lance sitting on his bed, sorting through his socks. "I couldn't share him, Trix," he confessed sadly. "I keep telling myself I could, but it's a lie."

"Did you stop to think that maybe Lance would be faithful?' Trix said, voice bitter.

"He would be. And in a few months or half year he'd be restless. The joy would leave his face. A cage is still a cage, no matter how pretty the bars."

"I think you're wrong, but you guys have to figure it out."

"Found it!"

Lance's cheery cry tore Ashton's heart to shreds. Time to fucking go. "By hon," he called to Lance as he approached them. Lance's smile slipped, but Ashton couldn't stay. He practically ran for the door, hard pressed not to slam it behind him as he fled the room. He scowled as he waited for the elevator.

"Fucking Trix," he muttered, chest tight with emotion. If Trix knew his secret it was only a matter of time before everyone else did too. Then what would he do? His expression turned bleak at the thought of leaving, but what choice would he have with his heart out there for everyone to see?

The doors opened and he stepped into the empty box, loneliness trapped inside with him as the doors slid closed again.