Page 50 of Sweet Thing

“Hmmm”, Simeon was pulled back to reality. “Just thinking,” Simeon replied absently, as he strolled into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Bastian’s waist. He hugged him tightly.

“Are you sure?” Bastian asked, surprised by the sudden affection. He returned the hug.

The men stood silently in their embrace for several minutes, neither attempting to speak, kiss, or even move. Simeon enjoyed the simple overwhelming power of the hug. In the fashion industry, hugs and kisses were fake and disposable. But Sim found he was unmanned, speechless and at peace in Bastian’s arms.

Eventually, Bastian’s hands moved to cup Simeon’s face, pulling his head up so he could look into his eyes.

“You would tell me if something was wrong, yes?”

“I would, but there’s nothing wrong—for once. I’m just happy I guess.”

A warm smile stole across Bastian’s face at hearing Simeon’s words, and his blue eyes sparkled. The men hugged for a few moments longer before Simeon said,

“Can I ask you a personal question about Matti?” Sim felt the shiver from the other man.

“Ja, okay,” he said warily.

“Where did you see your relationship with Matti going?”

Bastian slowly pulled away and resumed unpacking groceries. Sim was unsure if he had been insensitive, talking of Bastian’s dead lover.

Bastian inhaled deeply, steeling himself to answer. “I am at my best in a relationship. I didn’t realize this until Matti showed me the way. I wanted to marry him and for us to spend a lifetime together—but for Matti, a lifetime was only five years.” Bastian eyes filled with sorrow. He paused and leaned against the work surface.

“The thought of a casual affair has never really appealed to me. I thought I should try it because of my…issue. But honestly, the thought of a one-night-stand makes me feel insecure, lost. One night is never enough. If I am attracted enough to sleep with a man, I want to know more. I need a solid foundation to build on. I guess it’s the architect in me. There’s joy in learning and growing with a man you care about—love, even”, he added.

“I’ve never really had a relationship like that,” Simeon admitted. “You know from the photos in my apartment that I’ve fucked a lot of men. When I was high it was like a sport, I guess. Sex is fun, and I think I’m pretty good at it”, Sim declared flamboyantly. “But without the drugs and drink, it doesn’t feel the same”, he sighed.

Bastian watched Sim and saw the cogs whirring. “What are you thinking?” He reached out and drew a hand through Simeon’s soft dark hair.

“I’m so fucking out of my depth Bast”, Sim babbled, his timbre moving up an octave in mild hysteria. “I’ve never done this before. All I’ve know are boys for fun and sex. I don’t know how to react to this—to the thought of there being an ‘us.' It's wonderful and terrifying, you know”, Simeon knew he was going to cry. “Sleeping beside you—waking up with you. Things like that are so simple to everyone else, but they are not so simple to me. Waking up in your arms last time we were together… blew my fucking mind. Like, we haven’t even really had sex yet and… Merde!”

Bastian gathered Simeon in a hug again. “Oh, my poor, poor boy,” Bastian snickered affectionately. “There’s no need to get yourself all worked up. There is no rush; we can just work it out, day by day.”

Sim’s head rested on Bastian’s shoulder, the heat of his body warm against Sim’s cheek.

“I don’t want to mess this up or fuck you around,” Sim said in a small voice. Bastian cupped the younger man’s head and drew him back up to meet his eyes.

“Simeon, do you want to be exclusive or do you want to see other people?”

“I’ve never been exclusive. I’ve never wanted it—“ Sim began.

“I won’t share you, Simeon. I need you to know. If you are with me, no one else is taking this.” Bastian pushed Sim against the counter and kissed him with rapacious tenderness. A low rumbling hum of approval sounded in Simeon’s chest. He broke the kiss and gasped.

“But that’s it—I want it. I want to be exclusive.” Bastian’s grin was infectious.

“What’s the problem then? We see only each other until one of us changes their mind. Deal?”

Simeon marveled at just how simple that sounded. He’d driven himself half-mad trying to find the words to ask for it—for their relationship to be more than just Simeon helping Bastian find his Mojo again.

It appeared that one unforgettable night without sex had changed Simeon—forever.

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