RP LOG with seeuincourt | 10 out of 10
Stuart was sprawled out on the sofa in just his dressing gown, a packet of Gummi Bears sitting next to him as he randomly channel-surfed through the many SkyTV channels looking for something halfway decent to watch. He only had half a day at work that day, his surgeon reluctant to let him back full time initiatially so he didn't get the urge to do too much and permanently fuck up his hand. Apparently coppers were notorious for trying to hurry up their return to work in any situation, but were at high risk of doing themselves in from overwork. A language Stuart spoke fluently. He had come home at lunch time and taken a shower, planning on catching up on things and maybe dropping by the hospital to see Iain. It just never happened. A phone call to Iain told him that there wasn't much change in general, and his big brother told him to stay put and rest like he was supposed to on half a day sick leave. Tom hadn't been home when he got in, which sucked a little. It would have been a good opportunity to talk. Stuart had nervously and subconsciously been putting it off, for the pure and simple reason he hadn't known exactly how to raise the subject.
He stopped on the news channel for a moment when he caught London being mentioned and when the newsreader elaborated on the story, Stuart groaned softly as he heard the front door open and close in the distance. He spent the morning thinking Euan had just decided he hated being Stuart's partner from the sheer mood he was in. It had resulted in them having an interesting argument in the break room - loudly - when Stuart made some sort of comment about pain in the arse partners. If only he had realised what day it was that morning. Euan's mood would have made a lot more sense. "Aw, man..." he murmured with a frown, watching the images of the bombings five years ago on the screen.
Tom hung up his jacket by the door, and dropped his keys into the bowl. He saw Stuart's set and smiled a little before he followed the noise of the TV into the main room. It wasn't so much that he'd been avoiding his fiancé. He hadn't. He'd just been caught up with everything else going on. He was supposed to be taking time off to rest, but that didn't always work out. Especially not when the shit hit the fan, or when he got phone calls from Jess regarding Angus' case. He leaned over the back of the sofa to kiss the side of Stuart's neck before moving around to pick up his legs so he could make himself a spot on the sofa. "I remember that..." Tom said quietly as he watched the TV.
Stuart nodded, reflexively resting his hand over Tom's and linking their fingers together. "Aye... well, nay directly. I wasnae in London then. I was still in training. But I mind it, for sure. Who couldnae? Didnae think it was something that could ever happen in your own country. Cannae believe it's been five years, like. But hell, I wish I had known this morning. I thought he was just being a moody fecking arsehole again. Almost schizophrenic mood changes, and I called him an arsehole to his face. Really is a miracle we didnae kill each other. Just settled on an outright argument the whole CID could hear before I came home."
Tom blinked, tearing his gaze away from the set to look at Stuart. "Euan? I think I remember Virginia mentioning something about his parents being killed in the bombings. I may have questioned her somewhat about the man that now has my fiance's life in his hands." Tom flashed him a sheepish smile. He was maybe just a little protective of the copper. "I was in London. I was with Ethan, actually. It feels strange that it was five years ago. I feel like such a different person from then. So much has changed."
"It's been a strange few years," Stuart agreed, resting his head against the back of the sofa as he turned his gaze from the TV to Tom. He looked down at their joined hands, quiet for a few moments as he nibbled on the corner of his lip in thought. "Wind back the clock that long, and it's just... wow. Gus wasnae a father, Bradie still had hopes he would be one, I didnae even have my badge yet, Iain was launching his restaurant in Edinburgh, Dad hadnae had his heart attack yet, Cal had just become a father for the first time, and we probably all thought we'd stay in Scotland forever. Euan woke up one morning with both parents, and by lunch time, he had none. I didnae even remember. He has been driving me fecking mental all week being a giant cock and then he was just moody and irritable. I got the shits for the dramatic mood change. Five year anniversary, nay wonder he wasnae in a good mood."
"Can't ever be easy coping with the loss of parents. Maybe he's never going to get over it. Maybe it would have been better to not have an anniversary... a date to remember, but how can you forget? His parents' death is a huge loss. And a national tragedy. A lot of people were lost in those bombings." Tom gave Stuart's hand a squeeze before he started to brush his thumb against the back of it. "I had no idea I'd ever consider marriage, ever want to settle down, ever think about the fact that filming sexual encounters was a bad idea. That it would break someone's heart. Or that Ethan would be married, and find a girl to capture his heart. Even if he did cut her off from sex," Tom added with a tired smirk.
"I want to set a date!" Stuart blurted out, right before he slapped a hand over his face to hide behind it with a sheepish groan. "Fuck, that sounded so much more subtle in my head the billion times I practiced it," he added in a mumble, peeking out at Tom from behind his fingers and then indulging in a small smack to his own forehead. Tom gave him the opening in the conversation, and although his brain was working on a subtle, cool, and casual visiting of the subject in his heart, his heart seemed to grab it by the short and curlies and run with it, deciding to take his lips along for the ride. Then he braced himself, stilling as he waited for Tom to make with the protests of why it was too soon... way, way too soon.
Tom's eyebrows had shot up and he fell quiet for a long moment. He just looked at Stuart as the blurted words seeped through his brain. The truth was he didn't think it was too soon. Stuart was offering him the one thing Tom wanted more than anything. It would cement it in his mind that they really were back on track. Maybe they hadn't been able to pick right back up from where they had been, and things had changed. Just not how Tom felt about Stuart, and his urge to marry him. "So do I."
"It's okay, you dinnae have t- what?" Stuart said, cutting himself off as his hand dropped back into his lap. For a long few moments, he just gaped at Tom, playing the three words over in his mind again just to make sure he hadn't misheard. He had been ready to protest, the words on his tongue to try and save face and reassure Tom he wasn't pushing for anything. He swallowed and then wet his lips, blinking in surprise. "You- when? I mean, you do?"
Tom gave a nod and used his free hand to rub Stuart's leg affectionately. "Yes, of course I do. Better get used to hearing those words, love. We'll be saying them down the aisle soon enough. I didn't want to say anything. Ethan knows a little about how I feel, but I just thought I'd come across as overbearing. I figured I should just be grateful you still wanted to marry me. Why push my luck? I have no idea when. Do you?"
Stuart let his breath out in a rush. "I was worried you would think I was pushing, rushing things. I dinnae know. I spoke to Gee aboot it, then a wee bit with Iain, even if his head has been on another planet these past few days. He still listened to my rambling. I wasnae really meaning we had to set a date soon, if you dinnae want to. I can wait. I guess I just wanted to know there was something to look forward to. My inner selfish wanker, too, wants people to know you're mine. I overreacted with the Liam thing, it was because I was scared of losing you. It felt like I had just gotten you a wee bit healthy again, to feel like someone was trying to steal that away from me. Stupid, I know. I'm nay proud of it. But I dinnae like to share, nay like that. Ironic, considering I have five brothers. I just dinnae want to share you. I heard this couple on the cruise talking aboot the tenth of the tenth two thousand and ten, and I thought it sounded really cool. Admittedly, I let myself daydream on it a wee bit... bearing in mind I spent a lot of time oot on that deck staring at the water. It's really soon, though. I dinnae know... maybe next year?"
"Fuck next year," Tom spat out. "I'm not waiting for next year. You don't have to share me, I'm yours, and you know what? If indulging your inner selfish wanker as well as mine will give you that reassurance then let's do it. I want you, only you. I don't want anyone else and I hate that you ever thought otherwise. I kick myself repeatedly over it. It was just stupid timing and bad luck. Liam's a friend. He's not competition. He'll never be that. You're the love of my life, Stuart. You always will be. I say we rock this ten thing and make it our own."
Stuart took Tom's hand again, squeezing it and then tugging on it to get him to try and come closer... preferrably to lie down next to him. He was getting pretty clever being one handed when he needed to be, he was just looking forward to when he could do away with the sling and stick to just the cast. "I know. I do... I dinnae want you to nay be his friend either. I had a mental moment. It's still fresh in my mind how sick you were and I get stupid sometimes. I know he's nay competition, and I'm glad he was trying to help you. Whatever he was trying to do, I'm glad he was doing it." He tugged Tom's hand again, a little harder this time. "I want you, officially. Whatever date, I want to do it."
Tom conceded to Stuart's silent request willingly and made sure he wasn't in the way of his damaged hand as he wrapped his arms around his lover and brushed a kiss to his cheek. "I'll never be able to thank you for taking care of me like you did, and I'll never be able to fully understand what it felt like on your side. I can't blame you for having a mental moment, and I don't. Maybe we should just be grateful that in a strange way it's just cemented even more what we want; who we want. We'll make it official. Wherever you want. But I like the idea of a once in a lifetime date."
It didn't take long for Stuart to find a spot, and he let his eyes fall closed for a new minutes as he enjoyed the closeness. Tom's cologne was a scent he would never get sick of. It was a comfort to him now, and he still remembered it from that first night they met when Stuart knocked Tom on his arse in the London street. The close proximity of the embrace just turned Stuart on, though. He couldn't help it. His dick clearly still felt there was lost time to make up for. "How do you feel aboot Scotland... maybe about castles, too?" he asked.
Tom didn't miss a thing, loosening his hold so one hand could snake down to undo the sash on Stuart's dressing gown. "Well, there's one castle I'm especially fond of. A rather large, erect castle... Scotland sounds like a winner to me. I think it's important for you to go back home, just not permanently. Besides, seeing a Scot in his kilt in his homeland... hot. I can't deny it holds a special little place in my heart after going up there for Christmas."
Stuart smirked and then turned his head to catch Tom's lips in a brief kiss. Even just watching his fiancé's hand head to that general area of his body had his erection increasing eagerly. Sex had been sort of on the awkward side with Stuart's arm out of action, but they had found a rhythm that worked consisting of a lot of Tom on top, which Stuart really had absolutely no protests against. "I always wanted to get married at Edinburgh Castle, ever since I was wee and saw a wedding there when we all went one weekend. First time I actually mind being there, even if I had been a lot before that. Just too wee to have any memory of it. My Da' has connections because he was a Chief Superintendent with Lothian and Borders. I bet we could wing it. And dinnae be thinking it crossed my mind with my ex. We didnae ever get close enough to wedding plans in any way and she always told me flat out she was getting married in her family's church. This is something I've just wanted, I didnae tell her. I didnae tell her a lot, actually," he realised with a small shrug. It was well and truly his past now.
Tom wasn't going to need much for his own body to start reacting. Even with Stuart down an arm that didn't stop Tom getting turned on by the detective. He rocked his hips forward gently against Stuart's hip to let him know he was getting hard himself before he wrapped his fingers around the other man's cock. A low growl of arousal escaped and he pressed a kiss to Stuart's throat. "Then you better start talking to your Dad. We'll need all the help we can get to wing a place like Edinburgh Castle. Most people somehow manage to book a year in advance. I've never been particularly patient. I'm not waiting until this time next year. You can have anything you want for the wedding, Stuart. Anything."
"Book the public rooms, sure. When you have connections, you have access to the private areas of the Castle- fuck!" Stuart choked out when Tom gave a very nice squeeze to his cock. Every time Tom touched him lately, it felt like he was on fire. Maybe they were just getting in early on the newlywed thing. It was like the time apart somehow fuelled the arousal for each other tenfold. There was morning touching, evening touching, shower sex, kitchen groping, on the stairs making out, snogging in the car. Whenever they were together, there was always something. "What do you want for it?" he asked, turning it around a little. The thing was, he had thought about weddings and marriage a lot over his time. It was inevitable with his family, who always wanted that, wanted families. Tom had probably never stopped to think about it, and Stuart figured if he caught him unaware right now, Tom could tap into some underlying wants for their wedding too. He got the button of Tom's pants open with his hand, followed by the zip, and the slipped it into Tom's boxers, cupping him with a soft squeeze and pushing lower to sweep his fingertips over his balls.
"I--fuck!" Tom couldn't help himself in echoing Stuart. His hips pushed forward again and he groaned at the feel of Stuart's fingertips against his balls. He really couldn't get enough his fiancé lately. Some of it he was sure was the brief separation, but the rest of it felt like something else, and Tom couldn't put his finger on it. He really wasn't sure he wanted to either. He continued to work Stuart's cock, pumping it with his fist as he moved his mouth down to suck on his collarbone. "I want Ethan as my best man," he finally murmured once he'd marked Stuart. "I don't want yellow flowers. Or yellow anything. It's really not my colour."
Stuart drew in a shaky breath, dropping his head back against the pillow and closing his eyes to lose himself in the feeling of Tom stroking him. He found his own rhythm with Tom's cock, twisting his wrist a little to get a firmer grip and focusing on all the little pressure points that drove Tom wild. Typical of them to have a serious conversation about their impending wedding whilst indulging in a mutual handjob. "Goes without saying," he agreeing breathily with a nod and then opened his eyes, lifting his head. "Oh fuck. Can I have four Best Men? How am I going to choose between my brothers? I-I dinnae even... fuck, do that again!" he cut himself off with a small squeaking sound when Tom hit a sensitive spot. "I hate yellow. Reminds me of bad curry. What about blue? I like irises. Mind my Nana always used to have them in her kitchen when I was wee."
"Irises work for me," Tom breathed out before he ran his thumb along the underside of Stuart's cock as his own body shuddered. "Fuck, yes... Yes. Four Best Men. I swear I'll never call them your bridesmaids. I don't need my arse kicked. Just poked, and definitely not by your brothers. The kilts are better than poofy dresses anyway. We'll provide the poof." He growled as he rest his forehead against Stuart's shoulder, putting more effort into increasing the friction and fighting the urge to move on top of Stuart. "I'm still going to go with the tailored pants that fit in all the right places."
"Glasses," Stuart added and turned his head to press a kiss to Tom's head. He was wriggling underneath him, trying his damnest not to come too soon but it was hard. They might have gotten off together that morning when Stuart was getting up for work, but it still felt like a very long time. He did make a mental note to ask about the Ethan cutting Sophie off thing when they weren't so distracted, but right then, he was glad he and Tom hadn't cut each other off any further because he felt like he was about to burst. A prickly heat crept over his skin and he could feel a light sweat break out as he fought to stave off the orgasm. It was just difficult with Tom pressed against him, practically lying on top of him. "What else do you want besides no yellow?"
Tom's breathing had become shallow the closer he got to tipping over the edge. He was struggling to hold off his own orgasm as he felt his buttocks clench and stomach tighten. "Close... So fucking close. "Black suits... jackets. No white. No offence, but I think we both know neither of us are pure. Armani... silk. Or maybe Rian Ambrose could give us something. She did Sophie's dress. Ethan wanted to take her even before she made it down the aisle. I want us to have that effect on each other. No insanely high layered cake." Tom gave another groan as he thrust forward and found Stuart's mouth in a heated kiss. "Want you."
"Aye... hey... she's the chick that wants Bradie," Stuart realised and picked the kiss back up where it left off. He was pretty sure he would go mental now if he couldn't just have Tom when he wanted him. Never in his life had he been in a relationship this intense or passionate. Sure, they could hold off for a bit if they needed to, but if they didn't, it was home free. And fuck it, if he didn't have the use of both hands, he was going to make the most of his mouth. He could see now, also, that all those DVDs he had watched, Tom wasn't the same in any of them as he was with Stuart, not even the one with Liam. There was more there, and Stuart liked to think that more was all his. "No fruit cake," he added as an afterthought during a small break in the kiss. He pushed his hips up roughly into Tom's hand and with a strained moan, he knew there was no more holding back. In fact, the orgasm still took him by surprise when it hit him rapidly and almost caused him to bite down on Tom's lip as he shuddered against him. Best idea ever to stay naked under that bathrobe after work.
"He's a very wanted man," Tom grunted just before he lost in himself in the feel of Stuart coming from his touch. He really hadn't ever felt like this before. He'd been with men, he'd been with Liam, but none of them had the same intimacy he had with Stuart. He would have never been caught like this with any of his other lays. He had never indulged in deep and meaningfuls combined with handjobs. Even with Liam there hadn't been much talk when the sex was involved. His hips rocked forward as he moved his hand to hold it against Stuart's, forcing his cock right against his fiance's palm as his orgasm tore through him and he groaned against Stuart's mouth. "Want you to take my name," Tom mumbled as he tried to pull himself back together.
Any other comment and Stuart's brain probably would have had to go over the comment a couple more times to absorb it in the post-orgasmic haze. He was panting to catch his breath and could feel the dampness on his fingers from Tom's own climax. But he heard this as clear as a bell and he blinked in surprise. "What?" he panted out breathlessly, wetting his lips that felt swollen in the wake of the intense kissing.
Tom's own brain had barely caught the slip before the words were out of his mouth and he blinked back at Stuart as his gaze dropped to his mouth. He then closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. "Shit, sorry. Didn't think. It's just that I was thinking about it before. I know we've never discussed it. It's not really something that does get discussed these days. Everyone seems to wind up hyphenated, or keep their own. And you could. I wouldn't hold it against you. I just... I would really like it if you took my name."
Stuart looked over Tom's face and then met his gaze. He didn't say anything at first, his mind whirring at Tom's suggestion. First thought was his family name, and the fact he always thought that would be something he would pass on. The only thing was, with four older brothers, two already with children, Braden more than likely to adopt Kenzie's child as his own, and Iain making a family with Ryan, was the family name really that much of a priority for Stuart? He was biting on the corner of his lip without realising it, deep in thought. In fact, the words "Stuart Hunt?" fell out of his mouth before he realised he was thinking it and his forehead creased as he listened to how it sounded out loud.
"Tom and Stuart Hunt," Tom murmured as he opened his eyes to watch Stuart's face. There was a part of him deep down that wanted a chance to pass on his family name. Just like Ethan he was an only child. But Ethan had Sophie. His best mate's wife hadn't seemed to have had any qualms in adopting the Williamson name, but he hadn't wanted to lay any pressure on Stuart. Truth was it was an idea he'd had and quickly dismissed. Now the idea was back, and quickly forcing itself to the forefront of Tom's desires.
There was a tiny part of Stuart's ego protesting about not being a wife. It did make him feel a little bit like he was the submissive in the scenario and he was still thinking over the whole thing. It was a huge thing to think about, but he was more than surprised to realise he wasn't opposed to it. In fact, the more he said it over and over in his head, he was getting used to it. There was no reason why he and Tom shouldn't have the same name because they were men. Same sex civil marriage was legal in Britain, just like any other marriage. "It could work, you know..." he finally said, raising his eyebrows with interest.
Tom had been about to argue the submissive point, his mind already clicking onto the same track as Stuart's. It hadn't been because he saw Stuart as the wife, or the submissive. In fact, when Tom thought about the two of them having children he was definitely okay with the idea of Stuart being the biological father. Evans genes were pretty powerful things, and why wouldn't he want to see them passed on. He also knew it was probably a huge want of Stuart's with his brothers and watching them have families. He was also the one with the offer of a surrogate, not Tom. "Are you sure, love? We don't need to decide now. You don't need to agree to it. I know it's asking a lot."
"Um..." Stuart began, and then wet his lips. "Nay 100%, but dinnae take that as anything bad! I'm just surprised, because it isnae something I really thought aboot. I have to talk to my family aboot the date anyway, so I'll tell them about that too. I think that's the only thing worrying me. The whole family name thing, but I have four brothers. One of which already has a wee boy carrying the family name. It's not like it's vital. I think it's just a mindset. It's just... wow. It'll be a lot of getting used to."
Tom suddenly felt awkward squished up against Stuart. A part of him wanted to bolt, he couldn't help it. The mutual getting off had more than got his guard down and now for the first time in his life he was actually regretting expressing his wishes. He'd never had qualms about getting what he wanted before, but now he just felt like he was maybe forcing himself on Stuart. He cleared his throat as he frowned a little and shook his head. "It's okay, it was just a thing. It's not important. This is what happens when you're hand's on my balls and you're still trying to get me to talk."
It was Stuart's turn to frown then, feeling a definite shift in Tom's mood that more than confused him. So, maybe it was just the orgasm and the sex talking. "Oh..." he murmured and then rested his head back on the pillow again. "Okay... whatever you want." He made a mental note to never talk to Tom about important things during sex again. Now he just wasn't sure if any of the wedding talk had been serious, or if it was all just because Tom's cock was being seen to.
Tom looked at Stuart's face and let out a sigh. "I want it. All of it, I do. I just don't want you thinking I'm trying to stop you from being you. I feel like I've just tried to force myself on you, and I don't want that. I want you to have my name, but I get that staying an Evans is important to you and that's okay with me. It is."
"I wasnae meaning anything bad by it! I said that!" Stuart protested in exasperation with a sigh of his own. "I'm just trying to talk about it with you. Isnae that what married people do? Dinnae do that. It made me think the whole conversation was balls for a minute there, and it scared the shit out of me. You're asking me to change my name, and that's a big thing for me. It's something I'd want to talk to you aboot without you thinking you've done something wrong by asking it of me!"
"I'm sorry, love, I really am." Tom shifted so that Stuart was more the one top now and kissed his temple. "I'm still getting used to these talks. I know I'm really bollocks at them sometimes. I guess I'm just wary of your family heritage. It's different to mine. My family realise I might never produce an heir, and it's never been a particularly high priority of mine. It's something Ethan has to worry about more than me. That's the other thing I wanted to mention... I'd want you to be the father. I don't have a problem with that. I just want to give you anything you want."
Stuart shook his head. "If we get to a point where we want to have kids, and we can find someone to help us oot twice, we'll have two. One each, so to speak. If you want bairns, you should have a chance at that. You've gotta mind, we'd both be their fathers. At the end of the day, it's just sperm. It isnae procreating really. I'd still be happy to have a wee lassie for exactly the same reason. Plus, my Da' has three brothers himself and they all have sons. Nay risk at all of Evans dying oot anytime soon," he said with a smirk.
Tom smiled a little. "I pity the poor woman that has to carry both our kids. I just don't think Gee would let you escape from using her if she could help it. She's still your friend, and still has your best interests at heart. Even if you did wind up partnered with her Irishman. It's nice to know the Evans aren't in any danger. They're some pretty amazing genes, you know."
Stuart watched Tom's face closely, trying to read him. "I'm still getting a sense something is bothering you with all this," he murmured. "You seem... I dinnae know, not really excited."
Tom rubbed his hand against Stuart's good arm before slipping it around his waist. "Of course I'm excited. I think I'm just careful because I want to make sure we both get what we want. This is a wedding for both of us, and I maybe am shitting myself a little bit, but I just want it to be perfect."
"How much of a chance is there that you're going to bolt to Ethan within the next hour or so and piss yourself in fright?" Stuart asked with a smirk. He wriggled a little to get his arm out of the sling, tossing it on the floor so he could at least get his arm around Tom in the embrace. "Nay that I would blame you. I'm trying to figure oot which brother is most accessible right now so I can maybe do the same thing. I know it seems like I know more aboot all this, but I dinnae. I'm just as scared."
Tom smirked back at him. "Not very likely given he's probably making himself and his right hand very well acquainted right now. I don't need to get in the middle of that." He really didn't exactly feel like moving right then now that he'd let himself relax back into the embrace. It was the first quiet moment he and Stuart had really shared in between the detective returning to work and their insatiable renewed lust. "We'll figure it out together, promise. Even if we do piss ourselves."
"What the hell happened there anyway?" Stuart asked with a laugh. "Are you serious, he chose to cut her off? Has he gone mental?" He had found a really comfortable spot in the embrace and he entwined his leg with Tom's to finally stop wriggling around restlessly. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment, knowing this right here was why he wanted to marry Tom, sooner rather than later. It just felt right, even if they worried they got it wrong for a moment there.
"He's apparently feeling under pressure with her family suddenly invading them. First Liam had crashed there, and now they have Neil and Renee back from overseas and staying there. He's concerned he can't walk around in his boxers, or fuck his wife loudly. I take it she mentioned to him that ninja fucking might be a good idea, and he's got his back up about being told how to have sex in his own house so he cut her off." Tom tried to bite back a chuckle, but it escaped. "I love him, but I don't always agree with everything he does."
"Hmm," Stuart murmured, putting the pieces together in his mind. "Aye, okay. I wouldnae have cut her off, because that seems like a knee-jerk reaction, but it also sounds like he's freaking out about something. Maybe the whole wife fucking thing is just something he's focused on but it's really a deeper issue. You can get indignant about weird things when something it bothering you. Like, you know, home made porn..." he added sheepishly.
Tom kissed Stuart's lips softly. "Hey, sometimes getting indignant about weird things is the thing to do. I'm just not sure what's really bothering him. I don't even know if he knows. He's definitely bothered about having her family in their home."
"I dinnae know. Sounds more like he's bothered from lack of time with Sophie. Maybe he just wants her to feel bothered by it like he does. They dinnae get a huge amount of time together as it is, aye? But damn, a trip to New York with nay sex? How much would that suck," Stuart decided, really wondering how the hell he would get through something like that. Easy. He wouldn't. He would be jumping Tom's bones before the flight even touched down.
Tom arched an eyebrow. "Interestingly enough New York wasn't brought up. I have no idea if he will keep her cut off for that. Although if I know Sophie she won't give in if she thinks it's what Ethan wants. She probably is bothered by it, but they're her siblings and she hasn't seen them in over a year. It's understandable if she wants to play mother hen. Especially when it turns out the sister was hiding a pregnancy and she's fit to pop."
Stuart's forehead creased and then he scrunched his nose up a little. "Wow... that's... shit. Maybe Ethan's just feeling out of the loop? Sophie telling him how he should have sex might have been the icing on the cake."
Tom's tongue rest briefly in the corner of his mouth. "None of them knew, so they're all just as out of the loop as he is."
Stuart snorted and shook his head. "I'm nay talking that loop. I dinnae even know the lassie, but I'm sure she had reason nay to tell them. I'm talking the whole family loop in general. He doesnae have any brothers or sisters, it'd be easy for him to feel left out if it's suddenly all Morgan Central over there."
Tom drew his eyebrows together. "Well, alright. I'll give him that. Sometimes it's hard to be the odd one out in a family gathering. Like when you and your brothers get together. What's he supposed to do? What should Soph do?"
"You feel left out?" Stuart asked, immediately feeling guilty. "I dinnae want you to feel left out. I'm sorry. You should tell me if you feel weird, it isnae their intention. They dinnae want you feeling like that, but it's why I was glad Ethan was there when you met them all in Surrey. I was worried you wouldnae like them. And my parents, well... you met them. They love you. They told me to come back to you. Mum's going to cry when I tell her we set a date. I dinnae know aboot Ethan... he'll probably try and keep his distance if he thinks there's nay room for him. He did have a point, though. He should still be okay to be relaxed in his own home. I guess if I was Soph, I would just try and talk to him. See what is lying behind it all."
Tom rubbed his nose lightly against Stuart's cheek. "No, don't. It's not like that. Just sometimes you can't help feeling like the odd when out when you're surrounded by five members of the same family. Don't take it like I don't like your brothers, or being around your parents. I might still shit myself around Angus for a little while, though. We'll tell both sets of parents together on the phone if you want. Pretty sure my own Mum will lose it, too. She never expected me to get married until you. I'd tell my grandmother but she wouldn't even know who I was." Tom pulled his mouth to the side. "At least if they're not having sex they've got no choice but to talk. I assume Ethan hasn't cut her off from talking. It's their first real fight that I can remember since they were married."
"Did they fight before they got married?" Stuart asked curiously. He didn't know anything about Ethan and Sophie prior to when he met them. They seemed to so tight at the hospital when Tom was injured, and Stuart had envied it, but only because he had never experienced. Not until Tom. They seemed to just rock the married thing, and it went without saying that they made it look good. But obviously even the best marriages could have niggles, and this was an external factor, mostly. "Aye, okay. We can do that. You should still tell your Nana, you know. We should go visit her and you can talk to her. Even if she doesnae recognise you, she still might like some company for a wee while, right? Have you ever seen Labyrinth? Do you know that we dog character in it, Sir Didymus? That is what Gus is like. All bark and bite, he'll only do anything if it's really warranted. He was just trying to protect me, but I've had a wee chat to him since it all went down, and he thinks you're a great lad. He wants to apologise for how the crap went down. He just went into big brother white knight mode. It's the father in him."
"Have he and Jules done it yet? Because that might help a little with the bite. So would having Keira around. He shouldn't be holding out for that bitch, he just needs to do the things that make him happy. I'll take care of the custody thing." Tom cleared his throat and shifted to sit up just a little bit when he felt a twinge in his side. "They fought like cats and dogs. Sophie wasn't really very understanding when Ethan first tried to pursue her. She just assumed she was going to be another notch on his bed post and nothing else. In fact, they got together after a bout of angry sex at a child's playground. At least I think that was where it was... I just know he was incredibly satisfied and bruised after it. She's never really left him without a mark since. Just not the angry kind. Once she understood how much Ethan really did want her that was it - game on." He gave Stuart a soft smile. "It won't be easy seeing my grandma. Just so you know. I love her, but it's just hard."
Stuart shifted too and took Tom's hand to give it a soft squeeze before moving on to start rubbing at Tom's side, massaging it gently. He already knew the looks, the akward stiffness that came when Tom was getting pain. "Sounds to me like Ethan would put a lot of stock into sex with Soph, then. Making love, sex... two different things. It had to be a bit of a blow if she's trying to hint that he should chill a bit when he makes love to her just so her family don't hear it. Did you hear it when you stayed there? Sometimes you just need that intense sex, and that connection. Maybe he's taken it that she's been telling him to chill out with that, so he's cut her off to subconsciously punish her or something because he was hurt by it? Just, from what you say here, it would make sense. If their pre-marital period was that passionate, it would just get more once they're married. And nope, Gus and Jules haven't fucked since that night they did it the first time, I think. It's driving him crazy. He's so confused about what is the right thing to do. He has chilled since Keira has been here, though. She's a sweet wee thing. Hardly ever cries, smiles all the time." He gave Tom a soft kiss and rubbed his nose against his cheek. "Of course it's hard. It must be painful every time you see her, but she's still your grandma."
Tom closed his eyes at the feel of Stuart's fingers, letting his fiancé work his magic. This was one thing he definitely loved about Stuart. He really did know just what to do when Tom was starting to feel in pain again. It didn't always happen, but he was starting to learn that sometimes he just needed to admit that staying in one spot wasn't a good idea. "Well, yes. When you put it like that. I didn't even consider that. No, didn't hear a thing. They stopped when Liam was there. I think it was Sophie cutting off Ethan that time. They wound up going to a hotel for a booty call. Apparently her family would take it as Sophie telling them to bugger off if she fucked loudly." He held up his hand. "I didn't create their logic, I'm just repeating it. I'm not actually sure how the hell that's to be taken as a 'bugger off', but there you have it. Just sounds like there's misunderstandings all around. He needs to fuck Jules. I'm telling you to tell him as an order from his lawyer that he's got to get his end wet and release some of that tension. It won't be helping him think clearly when he's that confused, and that tangled up." Tom nodded. "I know she is. I'll give the nursing home a call to let them know we'll be coming. We didn't want to put her in one but it was just too much to expect Mum and Dad to look after her. They tried, but it nearly broke Mum."
"Did you talk to him about it?" Stuart asked, finding a soft rhythm of rubbing Tom's stomach to try and ease the pain. He knew Tom wasn't keen on being on permanent medications. Massages, wheat packs, hot baths, natural balms were mostly on the menu lately and he had hardly touched the pain killers. "The thing is, Ethan could have said he didnae want them all staying there. He really could have, but he hasnae. He's just accepted it. He helped out when Liam was sick too. I know, Braden told me. Apparently he and Ethan have a new ninja alliance going or something. They were the communication lines when we were having our problems," he said in amusement. "I just know that most days, I just want to be with you. I want to make love to you and block the whole world out even for just a little bit because it makes all the shit easier. Ethan might just be feeling the same pinch. Nothing worse than just wanting that and knowing you have to be all ninja fucking. It stops being fun then when you're on your guard. It's frustrating. I promise I'll tell Gus, and get everyone else to tell him, too. Hell, I'll offer to babysit to give him the time to do it, too." He rested his head against Tom's, still enjoying their closeness and this quiet moment together. "Dementia is a hard thing. They dinnae realise anything is wrong, but for the family, it's heartbreaking and they forget the more recent things first to revert back to older memories. Grandkids are usually the first casualty."
"A little, but he just couldn't stop talking about not being able to fuck his wife. He also admitted to being an unenthusiastic wanker. I guess once you find the real deal, it's hard to just accept your right hand is all you'll be getting. He should just tell her that he needs her like that. Sophie would get it then." Tom licked his lips before letting out a quiet sigh of relief, the pain already starting to ebb just a little. "I can't argue that being lost in you is a good way to block out the world, that I need that feeling when it all starts to get too much. I also just know that for a little while I wasn't really capable of much more than ninja fucking. It still helped to have the closeness though. To still be with you. Ethan and Braden? Why does that combination actually scare me just a little bit? Gus'll be more appreciative once he realises just how much it'll help. I always make an effort to see her, but it's just like you said. Most days she just thinks I'm someone else, or doesn't want to acknowledge me at all."
Stuart gave a small nod. "It's gotta be really bothering him, then. Maybe he did try and tell her, but she was so intent on not bothering her brothers and sisters, she didnae realise what he was saying. Then he got angry and once that happens, things just shut down, aye? It's easy to do. Plus, if her family is part of the reason he's stressed and needs to chill out with her, it's almost an impossible scenario. I've stayed with Iain, and had Braden and Kenzie in the room next door. I've heard both Ryan and Iain, and Braden and Kenzie at it. I just turn the TV up or go to another room. It's not like they keep at it forever. And aye, I know. Braden's arranged for Ryan's parents to come back from America with Ethan and Sophie." He brushed his thumb along Tom's hip affectionately. "I'll be there with you this time. We can just sit and keep her company for a wee while, take her some flowers."
Tom covered Stuart's hand with his own and rubbed his thumb over the engagement ring. "Sophie will get it once they start talking. And maybe her siblings just have to realise their sister's grown up and in love with a man that needs sex as an outlet and a way to keep close to his wife. I don't know, I can only hope it works out. I mean, it's not like we haven't been heard. Hell, you gave me a fucking handjob with your brothers right next door. And Ethan. It's not like he hasn't been witness to other people having sex, either. Family really is becoming a prominent theme in this group. I don't mean that in a bad way. It's nice, actually. I can't thank you enough for wanting to come with me. It means a lot, love."
"Which brings it in a circle to the absentee brother and sister. It sounds like they need some time with Soph too. Of course they do. I dinnae doubt Ethan gets that, he seems fine with her family. Something this time has just gotten to him, probably the fact he has realised just how large her family is right now. It's daunting, and he's taken a back seat with it. Some people are just really sexual, you and Ethan are definitely that type of person. There's nothingwrong with that at all. Sophie's brothers and sisters need to see too that Ethan is part of the big sister deal now. She's not just Soph anymore, and they havenae been married long. Sex is important." Stuart gave Tom some more small kisses. "I want to meet your Nana, no matter what."
"You might at least need to put some trousers on first," Tom murmured as he grinned at Stuart and kissed him back, already wondering just how far they could push their energy limits to get another round in. "Just not quiet yet..."
Word Count | 8,257
He stopped on the news channel for a moment when he caught London being mentioned and when the newsreader elaborated on the story, Stuart groaned softly as he heard the front door open and close in the distance. He spent the morning thinking Euan had just decided he hated being Stuart's partner from the sheer mood he was in. It had resulted in them having an interesting argument in the break room - loudly - when Stuart made some sort of comment about pain in the arse partners. If only he had realised what day it was that morning. Euan's mood would have made a lot more sense. "Aw, man..." he murmured with a frown, watching the images of the bombings five years ago on the screen.
Tom hung up his jacket by the door, and dropped his keys into the bowl. He saw Stuart's set and smiled a little before he followed the noise of the TV into the main room. It wasn't so much that he'd been avoiding his fiancé. He hadn't. He'd just been caught up with everything else going on. He was supposed to be taking time off to rest, but that didn't always work out. Especially not when the shit hit the fan, or when he got phone calls from Jess regarding Angus' case. He leaned over the back of the sofa to kiss the side of Stuart's neck before moving around to pick up his legs so he could make himself a spot on the sofa. "I remember that..." Tom said quietly as he watched the TV.
Stuart nodded, reflexively resting his hand over Tom's and linking their fingers together. "Aye... well, nay directly. I wasnae in London then. I was still in training. But I mind it, for sure. Who couldnae? Didnae think it was something that could ever happen in your own country. Cannae believe it's been five years, like. But hell, I wish I had known this morning. I thought he was just being a moody fecking arsehole again. Almost schizophrenic mood changes, and I called him an arsehole to his face. Really is a miracle we didnae kill each other. Just settled on an outright argument the whole CID could hear before I came home."
Tom blinked, tearing his gaze away from the set to look at Stuart. "Euan? I think I remember Virginia mentioning something about his parents being killed in the bombings. I may have questioned her somewhat about the man that now has my fiance's life in his hands." Tom flashed him a sheepish smile. He was maybe just a little protective of the copper. "I was in London. I was with Ethan, actually. It feels strange that it was five years ago. I feel like such a different person from then. So much has changed."
"It's been a strange few years," Stuart agreed, resting his head against the back of the sofa as he turned his gaze from the TV to Tom. He looked down at their joined hands, quiet for a few moments as he nibbled on the corner of his lip in thought. "Wind back the clock that long, and it's just... wow. Gus wasnae a father, Bradie still had hopes he would be one, I didnae even have my badge yet, Iain was launching his restaurant in Edinburgh, Dad hadnae had his heart attack yet, Cal had just become a father for the first time, and we probably all thought we'd stay in Scotland forever. Euan woke up one morning with both parents, and by lunch time, he had none. I didnae even remember. He has been driving me fecking mental all week being a giant cock and then he was just moody and irritable. I got the shits for the dramatic mood change. Five year anniversary, nay wonder he wasnae in a good mood."
"Can't ever be easy coping with the loss of parents. Maybe he's never going to get over it. Maybe it would have been better to not have an anniversary... a date to remember, but how can you forget? His parents' death is a huge loss. And a national tragedy. A lot of people were lost in those bombings." Tom gave Stuart's hand a squeeze before he started to brush his thumb against the back of it. "I had no idea I'd ever consider marriage, ever want to settle down, ever think about the fact that filming sexual encounters was a bad idea. That it would break someone's heart. Or that Ethan would be married, and find a girl to capture his heart. Even if he did cut her off from sex," Tom added with a tired smirk.
"I want to set a date!" Stuart blurted out, right before he slapped a hand over his face to hide behind it with a sheepish groan. "Fuck, that sounded so much more subtle in my head the billion times I practiced it," he added in a mumble, peeking out at Tom from behind his fingers and then indulging in a small smack to his own forehead. Tom gave him the opening in the conversation, and although his brain was working on a subtle, cool, and casual visiting of the subject in his heart, his heart seemed to grab it by the short and curlies and run with it, deciding to take his lips along for the ride. Then he braced himself, stilling as he waited for Tom to make with the protests of why it was too soon... way, way too soon.
Tom's eyebrows had shot up and he fell quiet for a long moment. He just looked at Stuart as the blurted words seeped through his brain. The truth was he didn't think it was too soon. Stuart was offering him the one thing Tom wanted more than anything. It would cement it in his mind that they really were back on track. Maybe they hadn't been able to pick right back up from where they had been, and things had changed. Just not how Tom felt about Stuart, and his urge to marry him. "So do I."
"It's okay, you dinnae have t- what?" Stuart said, cutting himself off as his hand dropped back into his lap. For a long few moments, he just gaped at Tom, playing the three words over in his mind again just to make sure he hadn't misheard. He had been ready to protest, the words on his tongue to try and save face and reassure Tom he wasn't pushing for anything. He swallowed and then wet his lips, blinking in surprise. "You- when? I mean, you do?"
Tom gave a nod and used his free hand to rub Stuart's leg affectionately. "Yes, of course I do. Better get used to hearing those words, love. We'll be saying them down the aisle soon enough. I didn't want to say anything. Ethan knows a little about how I feel, but I just thought I'd come across as overbearing. I figured I should just be grateful you still wanted to marry me. Why push my luck? I have no idea when. Do you?"
Stuart let his breath out in a rush. "I was worried you would think I was pushing, rushing things. I dinnae know. I spoke to Gee aboot it, then a wee bit with Iain, even if his head has been on another planet these past few days. He still listened to my rambling. I wasnae really meaning we had to set a date soon, if you dinnae want to. I can wait. I guess I just wanted to know there was something to look forward to. My inner selfish wanker, too, wants people to know you're mine. I overreacted with the Liam thing, it was because I was scared of losing you. It felt like I had just gotten you a wee bit healthy again, to feel like someone was trying to steal that away from me. Stupid, I know. I'm nay proud of it. But I dinnae like to share, nay like that. Ironic, considering I have five brothers. I just dinnae want to share you. I heard this couple on the cruise talking aboot the tenth of the tenth two thousand and ten, and I thought it sounded really cool. Admittedly, I let myself daydream on it a wee bit... bearing in mind I spent a lot of time oot on that deck staring at the water. It's really soon, though. I dinnae know... maybe next year?"
"Fuck next year," Tom spat out. "I'm not waiting for next year. You don't have to share me, I'm yours, and you know what? If indulging your inner selfish wanker as well as mine will give you that reassurance then let's do it. I want you, only you. I don't want anyone else and I hate that you ever thought otherwise. I kick myself repeatedly over it. It was just stupid timing and bad luck. Liam's a friend. He's not competition. He'll never be that. You're the love of my life, Stuart. You always will be. I say we rock this ten thing and make it our own."
Stuart took Tom's hand again, squeezing it and then tugging on it to get him to try and come closer... preferrably to lie down next to him. He was getting pretty clever being one handed when he needed to be, he was just looking forward to when he could do away with the sling and stick to just the cast. "I know. I do... I dinnae want you to nay be his friend either. I had a mental moment. It's still fresh in my mind how sick you were and I get stupid sometimes. I know he's nay competition, and I'm glad he was trying to help you. Whatever he was trying to do, I'm glad he was doing it." He tugged Tom's hand again, a little harder this time. "I want you, officially. Whatever date, I want to do it."
Tom conceded to Stuart's silent request willingly and made sure he wasn't in the way of his damaged hand as he wrapped his arms around his lover and brushed a kiss to his cheek. "I'll never be able to thank you for taking care of me like you did, and I'll never be able to fully understand what it felt like on your side. I can't blame you for having a mental moment, and I don't. Maybe we should just be grateful that in a strange way it's just cemented even more what we want; who we want. We'll make it official. Wherever you want. But I like the idea of a once in a lifetime date."
It didn't take long for Stuart to find a spot, and he let his eyes fall closed for a new minutes as he enjoyed the closeness. Tom's cologne was a scent he would never get sick of. It was a comfort to him now, and he still remembered it from that first night they met when Stuart knocked Tom on his arse in the London street. The close proximity of the embrace just turned Stuart on, though. He couldn't help it. His dick clearly still felt there was lost time to make up for. "How do you feel aboot Scotland... maybe about castles, too?" he asked.
Tom didn't miss a thing, loosening his hold so one hand could snake down to undo the sash on Stuart's dressing gown. "Well, there's one castle I'm especially fond of. A rather large, erect castle... Scotland sounds like a winner to me. I think it's important for you to go back home, just not permanently. Besides, seeing a Scot in his kilt in his homeland... hot. I can't deny it holds a special little place in my heart after going up there for Christmas."
Stuart smirked and then turned his head to catch Tom's lips in a brief kiss. Even just watching his fiancé's hand head to that general area of his body had his erection increasing eagerly. Sex had been sort of on the awkward side with Stuart's arm out of action, but they had found a rhythm that worked consisting of a lot of Tom on top, which Stuart really had absolutely no protests against. "I always wanted to get married at Edinburgh Castle, ever since I was wee and saw a wedding there when we all went one weekend. First time I actually mind being there, even if I had been a lot before that. Just too wee to have any memory of it. My Da' has connections because he was a Chief Superintendent with Lothian and Borders. I bet we could wing it. And dinnae be thinking it crossed my mind with my ex. We didnae ever get close enough to wedding plans in any way and she always told me flat out she was getting married in her family's church. This is something I've just wanted, I didnae tell her. I didnae tell her a lot, actually," he realised with a small shrug. It was well and truly his past now.
Tom wasn't going to need much for his own body to start reacting. Even with Stuart down an arm that didn't stop Tom getting turned on by the detective. He rocked his hips forward gently against Stuart's hip to let him know he was getting hard himself before he wrapped his fingers around the other man's cock. A low growl of arousal escaped and he pressed a kiss to Stuart's throat. "Then you better start talking to your Dad. We'll need all the help we can get to wing a place like Edinburgh Castle. Most people somehow manage to book a year in advance. I've never been particularly patient. I'm not waiting until this time next year. You can have anything you want for the wedding, Stuart. Anything."
"Book the public rooms, sure. When you have connections, you have access to the private areas of the Castle- fuck!" Stuart choked out when Tom gave a very nice squeeze to his cock. Every time Tom touched him lately, it felt like he was on fire. Maybe they were just getting in early on the newlywed thing. It was like the time apart somehow fuelled the arousal for each other tenfold. There was morning touching, evening touching, shower sex, kitchen groping, on the stairs making out, snogging in the car. Whenever they were together, there was always something. "What do you want for it?" he asked, turning it around a little. The thing was, he had thought about weddings and marriage a lot over his time. It was inevitable with his family, who always wanted that, wanted families. Tom had probably never stopped to think about it, and Stuart figured if he caught him unaware right now, Tom could tap into some underlying wants for their wedding too. He got the button of Tom's pants open with his hand, followed by the zip, and the slipped it into Tom's boxers, cupping him with a soft squeeze and pushing lower to sweep his fingertips over his balls.
"I--fuck!" Tom couldn't help himself in echoing Stuart. His hips pushed forward again and he groaned at the feel of Stuart's fingertips against his balls. He really couldn't get enough his fiancé lately. Some of it he was sure was the brief separation, but the rest of it felt like something else, and Tom couldn't put his finger on it. He really wasn't sure he wanted to either. He continued to work Stuart's cock, pumping it with his fist as he moved his mouth down to suck on his collarbone. "I want Ethan as my best man," he finally murmured once he'd marked Stuart. "I don't want yellow flowers. Or yellow anything. It's really not my colour."
Stuart drew in a shaky breath, dropping his head back against the pillow and closing his eyes to lose himself in the feeling of Tom stroking him. He found his own rhythm with Tom's cock, twisting his wrist a little to get a firmer grip and focusing on all the little pressure points that drove Tom wild. Typical of them to have a serious conversation about their impending wedding whilst indulging in a mutual handjob. "Goes without saying," he agreeing breathily with a nod and then opened his eyes, lifting his head. "Oh fuck. Can I have four Best Men? How am I going to choose between my brothers? I-I dinnae even... fuck, do that again!" he cut himself off with a small squeaking sound when Tom hit a sensitive spot. "I hate yellow. Reminds me of bad curry. What about blue? I like irises. Mind my Nana always used to have them in her kitchen when I was wee."
"Irises work for me," Tom breathed out before he ran his thumb along the underside of Stuart's cock as his own body shuddered. "Fuck, yes... Yes. Four Best Men. I swear I'll never call them your bridesmaids. I don't need my arse kicked. Just poked, and definitely not by your brothers. The kilts are better than poofy dresses anyway. We'll provide the poof." He growled as he rest his forehead against Stuart's shoulder, putting more effort into increasing the friction and fighting the urge to move on top of Stuart. "I'm still going to go with the tailored pants that fit in all the right places."
"Glasses," Stuart added and turned his head to press a kiss to Tom's head. He was wriggling underneath him, trying his damnest not to come too soon but it was hard. They might have gotten off together that morning when Stuart was getting up for work, but it still felt like a very long time. He did make a mental note to ask about the Ethan cutting Sophie off thing when they weren't so distracted, but right then, he was glad he and Tom hadn't cut each other off any further because he felt like he was about to burst. A prickly heat crept over his skin and he could feel a light sweat break out as he fought to stave off the orgasm. It was just difficult with Tom pressed against him, practically lying on top of him. "What else do you want besides no yellow?"
Tom's breathing had become shallow the closer he got to tipping over the edge. He was struggling to hold off his own orgasm as he felt his buttocks clench and stomach tighten. "Close... So fucking close. "Black suits... jackets. No white. No offence, but I think we both know neither of us are pure. Armani... silk. Or maybe Rian Ambrose could give us something. She did Sophie's dress. Ethan wanted to take her even before she made it down the aisle. I want us to have that effect on each other. No insanely high layered cake." Tom gave another groan as he thrust forward and found Stuart's mouth in a heated kiss. "Want you."
"Aye... hey... she's the chick that wants Bradie," Stuart realised and picked the kiss back up where it left off. He was pretty sure he would go mental now if he couldn't just have Tom when he wanted him. Never in his life had he been in a relationship this intense or passionate. Sure, they could hold off for a bit if they needed to, but if they didn't, it was home free. And fuck it, if he didn't have the use of both hands, he was going to make the most of his mouth. He could see now, also, that all those DVDs he had watched, Tom wasn't the same in any of them as he was with Stuart, not even the one with Liam. There was more there, and Stuart liked to think that more was all his. "No fruit cake," he added as an afterthought during a small break in the kiss. He pushed his hips up roughly into Tom's hand and with a strained moan, he knew there was no more holding back. In fact, the orgasm still took him by surprise when it hit him rapidly and almost caused him to bite down on Tom's lip as he shuddered against him. Best idea ever to stay naked under that bathrobe after work.
"He's a very wanted man," Tom grunted just before he lost in himself in the feel of Stuart coming from his touch. He really hadn't ever felt like this before. He'd been with men, he'd been with Liam, but none of them had the same intimacy he had with Stuart. He would have never been caught like this with any of his other lays. He had never indulged in deep and meaningfuls combined with handjobs. Even with Liam there hadn't been much talk when the sex was involved. His hips rocked forward as he moved his hand to hold it against Stuart's, forcing his cock right against his fiance's palm as his orgasm tore through him and he groaned against Stuart's mouth. "Want you to take my name," Tom mumbled as he tried to pull himself back together.
Any other comment and Stuart's brain probably would have had to go over the comment a couple more times to absorb it in the post-orgasmic haze. He was panting to catch his breath and could feel the dampness on his fingers from Tom's own climax. But he heard this as clear as a bell and he blinked in surprise. "What?" he panted out breathlessly, wetting his lips that felt swollen in the wake of the intense kissing.
Tom's own brain had barely caught the slip before the words were out of his mouth and he blinked back at Stuart as his gaze dropped to his mouth. He then closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. "Shit, sorry. Didn't think. It's just that I was thinking about it before. I know we've never discussed it. It's not really something that does get discussed these days. Everyone seems to wind up hyphenated, or keep their own. And you could. I wouldn't hold it against you. I just... I would really like it if you took my name."
Stuart looked over Tom's face and then met his gaze. He didn't say anything at first, his mind whirring at Tom's suggestion. First thought was his family name, and the fact he always thought that would be something he would pass on. The only thing was, with four older brothers, two already with children, Braden more than likely to adopt Kenzie's child as his own, and Iain making a family with Ryan, was the family name really that much of a priority for Stuart? He was biting on the corner of his lip without realising it, deep in thought. In fact, the words "Stuart Hunt?" fell out of his mouth before he realised he was thinking it and his forehead creased as he listened to how it sounded out loud.
"Tom and Stuart Hunt," Tom murmured as he opened his eyes to watch Stuart's face. There was a part of him deep down that wanted a chance to pass on his family name. Just like Ethan he was an only child. But Ethan had Sophie. His best mate's wife hadn't seemed to have had any qualms in adopting the Williamson name, but he hadn't wanted to lay any pressure on Stuart. Truth was it was an idea he'd had and quickly dismissed. Now the idea was back, and quickly forcing itself to the forefront of Tom's desires.
There was a tiny part of Stuart's ego protesting about not being a wife. It did make him feel a little bit like he was the submissive in the scenario and he was still thinking over the whole thing. It was a huge thing to think about, but he was more than surprised to realise he wasn't opposed to it. In fact, the more he said it over and over in his head, he was getting used to it. There was no reason why he and Tom shouldn't have the same name because they were men. Same sex civil marriage was legal in Britain, just like any other marriage. "It could work, you know..." he finally said, raising his eyebrows with interest.
Tom had been about to argue the submissive point, his mind already clicking onto the same track as Stuart's. It hadn't been because he saw Stuart as the wife, or the submissive. In fact, when Tom thought about the two of them having children he was definitely okay with the idea of Stuart being the biological father. Evans genes were pretty powerful things, and why wouldn't he want to see them passed on. He also knew it was probably a huge want of Stuart's with his brothers and watching them have families. He was also the one with the offer of a surrogate, not Tom. "Are you sure, love? We don't need to decide now. You don't need to agree to it. I know it's asking a lot."
"Um..." Stuart began, and then wet his lips. "Nay 100%, but dinnae take that as anything bad! I'm just surprised, because it isnae something I really thought aboot. I have to talk to my family aboot the date anyway, so I'll tell them about that too. I think that's the only thing worrying me. The whole family name thing, but I have four brothers. One of which already has a wee boy carrying the family name. It's not like it's vital. I think it's just a mindset. It's just... wow. It'll be a lot of getting used to."
Tom suddenly felt awkward squished up against Stuart. A part of him wanted to bolt, he couldn't help it. The mutual getting off had more than got his guard down and now for the first time in his life he was actually regretting expressing his wishes. He'd never had qualms about getting what he wanted before, but now he just felt like he was maybe forcing himself on Stuart. He cleared his throat as he frowned a little and shook his head. "It's okay, it was just a thing. It's not important. This is what happens when you're hand's on my balls and you're still trying to get me to talk."
It was Stuart's turn to frown then, feeling a definite shift in Tom's mood that more than confused him. So, maybe it was just the orgasm and the sex talking. "Oh..." he murmured and then rested his head back on the pillow again. "Okay... whatever you want." He made a mental note to never talk to Tom about important things during sex again. Now he just wasn't sure if any of the wedding talk had been serious, or if it was all just because Tom's cock was being seen to.
Tom looked at Stuart's face and let out a sigh. "I want it. All of it, I do. I just don't want you thinking I'm trying to stop you from being you. I feel like I've just tried to force myself on you, and I don't want that. I want you to have my name, but I get that staying an Evans is important to you and that's okay with me. It is."
"I wasnae meaning anything bad by it! I said that!" Stuart protested in exasperation with a sigh of his own. "I'm just trying to talk about it with you. Isnae that what married people do? Dinnae do that. It made me think the whole conversation was balls for a minute there, and it scared the shit out of me. You're asking me to change my name, and that's a big thing for me. It's something I'd want to talk to you aboot without you thinking you've done something wrong by asking it of me!"
"I'm sorry, love, I really am." Tom shifted so that Stuart was more the one top now and kissed his temple. "I'm still getting used to these talks. I know I'm really bollocks at them sometimes. I guess I'm just wary of your family heritage. It's different to mine. My family realise I might never produce an heir, and it's never been a particularly high priority of mine. It's something Ethan has to worry about more than me. That's the other thing I wanted to mention... I'd want you to be the father. I don't have a problem with that. I just want to give you anything you want."
Stuart shook his head. "If we get to a point where we want to have kids, and we can find someone to help us oot twice, we'll have two. One each, so to speak. If you want bairns, you should have a chance at that. You've gotta mind, we'd both be their fathers. At the end of the day, it's just sperm. It isnae procreating really. I'd still be happy to have a wee lassie for exactly the same reason. Plus, my Da' has three brothers himself and they all have sons. Nay risk at all of Evans dying oot anytime soon," he said with a smirk.
Tom smiled a little. "I pity the poor woman that has to carry both our kids. I just don't think Gee would let you escape from using her if she could help it. She's still your friend, and still has your best interests at heart. Even if you did wind up partnered with her Irishman. It's nice to know the Evans aren't in any danger. They're some pretty amazing genes, you know."
Stuart watched Tom's face closely, trying to read him. "I'm still getting a sense something is bothering you with all this," he murmured. "You seem... I dinnae know, not really excited."
Tom rubbed his hand against Stuart's good arm before slipping it around his waist. "Of course I'm excited. I think I'm just careful because I want to make sure we both get what we want. This is a wedding for both of us, and I maybe am shitting myself a little bit, but I just want it to be perfect."
"How much of a chance is there that you're going to bolt to Ethan within the next hour or so and piss yourself in fright?" Stuart asked with a smirk. He wriggled a little to get his arm out of the sling, tossing it on the floor so he could at least get his arm around Tom in the embrace. "Nay that I would blame you. I'm trying to figure oot which brother is most accessible right now so I can maybe do the same thing. I know it seems like I know more aboot all this, but I dinnae. I'm just as scared."
Tom smirked back at him. "Not very likely given he's probably making himself and his right hand very well acquainted right now. I don't need to get in the middle of that." He really didn't exactly feel like moving right then now that he'd let himself relax back into the embrace. It was the first quiet moment he and Stuart had really shared in between the detective returning to work and their insatiable renewed lust. "We'll figure it out together, promise. Even if we do piss ourselves."
"What the hell happened there anyway?" Stuart asked with a laugh. "Are you serious, he chose to cut her off? Has he gone mental?" He had found a really comfortable spot in the embrace and he entwined his leg with Tom's to finally stop wriggling around restlessly. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment, knowing this right here was why he wanted to marry Tom, sooner rather than later. It just felt right, even if they worried they got it wrong for a moment there.
"He's apparently feeling under pressure with her family suddenly invading them. First Liam had crashed there, and now they have Neil and Renee back from overseas and staying there. He's concerned he can't walk around in his boxers, or fuck his wife loudly. I take it she mentioned to him that ninja fucking might be a good idea, and he's got his back up about being told how to have sex in his own house so he cut her off." Tom tried to bite back a chuckle, but it escaped. "I love him, but I don't always agree with everything he does."
"Hmm," Stuart murmured, putting the pieces together in his mind. "Aye, okay. I wouldnae have cut her off, because that seems like a knee-jerk reaction, but it also sounds like he's freaking out about something. Maybe the whole wife fucking thing is just something he's focused on but it's really a deeper issue. You can get indignant about weird things when something it bothering you. Like, you know, home made porn..." he added sheepishly.
Tom kissed Stuart's lips softly. "Hey, sometimes getting indignant about weird things is the thing to do. I'm just not sure what's really bothering him. I don't even know if he knows. He's definitely bothered about having her family in their home."
"I dinnae know. Sounds more like he's bothered from lack of time with Sophie. Maybe he just wants her to feel bothered by it like he does. They dinnae get a huge amount of time together as it is, aye? But damn, a trip to New York with nay sex? How much would that suck," Stuart decided, really wondering how the hell he would get through something like that. Easy. He wouldn't. He would be jumping Tom's bones before the flight even touched down.
Tom arched an eyebrow. "Interestingly enough New York wasn't brought up. I have no idea if he will keep her cut off for that. Although if I know Sophie she won't give in if she thinks it's what Ethan wants. She probably is bothered by it, but they're her siblings and she hasn't seen them in over a year. It's understandable if she wants to play mother hen. Especially when it turns out the sister was hiding a pregnancy and she's fit to pop."
Stuart's forehead creased and then he scrunched his nose up a little. "Wow... that's... shit. Maybe Ethan's just feeling out of the loop? Sophie telling him how he should have sex might have been the icing on the cake."
Tom's tongue rest briefly in the corner of his mouth. "None of them knew, so they're all just as out of the loop as he is."
Stuart snorted and shook his head. "I'm nay talking that loop. I dinnae even know the lassie, but I'm sure she had reason nay to tell them. I'm talking the whole family loop in general. He doesnae have any brothers or sisters, it'd be easy for him to feel left out if it's suddenly all Morgan Central over there."
Tom drew his eyebrows together. "Well, alright. I'll give him that. Sometimes it's hard to be the odd one out in a family gathering. Like when you and your brothers get together. What's he supposed to do? What should Soph do?"
"You feel left out?" Stuart asked, immediately feeling guilty. "I dinnae want you to feel left out. I'm sorry. You should tell me if you feel weird, it isnae their intention. They dinnae want you feeling like that, but it's why I was glad Ethan was there when you met them all in Surrey. I was worried you wouldnae like them. And my parents, well... you met them. They love you. They told me to come back to you. Mum's going to cry when I tell her we set a date. I dinnae know aboot Ethan... he'll probably try and keep his distance if he thinks there's nay room for him. He did have a point, though. He should still be okay to be relaxed in his own home. I guess if I was Soph, I would just try and talk to him. See what is lying behind it all."
Tom rubbed his nose lightly against Stuart's cheek. "No, don't. It's not like that. Just sometimes you can't help feeling like the odd when out when you're surrounded by five members of the same family. Don't take it like I don't like your brothers, or being around your parents. I might still shit myself around Angus for a little while, though. We'll tell both sets of parents together on the phone if you want. Pretty sure my own Mum will lose it, too. She never expected me to get married until you. I'd tell my grandmother but she wouldn't even know who I was." Tom pulled his mouth to the side. "At least if they're not having sex they've got no choice but to talk. I assume Ethan hasn't cut her off from talking. It's their first real fight that I can remember since they were married."
"Did they fight before they got married?" Stuart asked curiously. He didn't know anything about Ethan and Sophie prior to when he met them. They seemed to so tight at the hospital when Tom was injured, and Stuart had envied it, but only because he had never experienced. Not until Tom. They seemed to just rock the married thing, and it went without saying that they made it look good. But obviously even the best marriages could have niggles, and this was an external factor, mostly. "Aye, okay. We can do that. You should still tell your Nana, you know. We should go visit her and you can talk to her. Even if she doesnae recognise you, she still might like some company for a wee while, right? Have you ever seen Labyrinth? Do you know that we dog character in it, Sir Didymus? That is what Gus is like. All bark and bite, he'll only do anything if it's really warranted. He was just trying to protect me, but I've had a wee chat to him since it all went down, and he thinks you're a great lad. He wants to apologise for how the crap went down. He just went into big brother white knight mode. It's the father in him."
"Have he and Jules done it yet? Because that might help a little with the bite. So would having Keira around. He shouldn't be holding out for that bitch, he just needs to do the things that make him happy. I'll take care of the custody thing." Tom cleared his throat and shifted to sit up just a little bit when he felt a twinge in his side. "They fought like cats and dogs. Sophie wasn't really very understanding when Ethan first tried to pursue her. She just assumed she was going to be another notch on his bed post and nothing else. In fact, they got together after a bout of angry sex at a child's playground. At least I think that was where it was... I just know he was incredibly satisfied and bruised after it. She's never really left him without a mark since. Just not the angry kind. Once she understood how much Ethan really did want her that was it - game on." He gave Stuart a soft smile. "It won't be easy seeing my grandma. Just so you know. I love her, but it's just hard."
Stuart shifted too and took Tom's hand to give it a soft squeeze before moving on to start rubbing at Tom's side, massaging it gently. He already knew the looks, the akward stiffness that came when Tom was getting pain. "Sounds to me like Ethan would put a lot of stock into sex with Soph, then. Making love, sex... two different things. It had to be a bit of a blow if she's trying to hint that he should chill a bit when he makes love to her just so her family don't hear it. Did you hear it when you stayed there? Sometimes you just need that intense sex, and that connection. Maybe he's taken it that she's been telling him to chill out with that, so he's cut her off to subconsciously punish her or something because he was hurt by it? Just, from what you say here, it would make sense. If their pre-marital period was that passionate, it would just get more once they're married. And nope, Gus and Jules haven't fucked since that night they did it the first time, I think. It's driving him crazy. He's so confused about what is the right thing to do. He has chilled since Keira has been here, though. She's a sweet wee thing. Hardly ever cries, smiles all the time." He gave Tom a soft kiss and rubbed his nose against his cheek. "Of course it's hard. It must be painful every time you see her, but she's still your grandma."
Tom closed his eyes at the feel of Stuart's fingers, letting his fiancé work his magic. This was one thing he definitely loved about Stuart. He really did know just what to do when Tom was starting to feel in pain again. It didn't always happen, but he was starting to learn that sometimes he just needed to admit that staying in one spot wasn't a good idea. "Well, yes. When you put it like that. I didn't even consider that. No, didn't hear a thing. They stopped when Liam was there. I think it was Sophie cutting off Ethan that time. They wound up going to a hotel for a booty call. Apparently her family would take it as Sophie telling them to bugger off if she fucked loudly." He held up his hand. "I didn't create their logic, I'm just repeating it. I'm not actually sure how the hell that's to be taken as a 'bugger off', but there you have it. Just sounds like there's misunderstandings all around. He needs to fuck Jules. I'm telling you to tell him as an order from his lawyer that he's got to get his end wet and release some of that tension. It won't be helping him think clearly when he's that confused, and that tangled up." Tom nodded. "I know she is. I'll give the nursing home a call to let them know we'll be coming. We didn't want to put her in one but it was just too much to expect Mum and Dad to look after her. They tried, but it nearly broke Mum."
"Did you talk to him about it?" Stuart asked, finding a soft rhythm of rubbing Tom's stomach to try and ease the pain. He knew Tom wasn't keen on being on permanent medications. Massages, wheat packs, hot baths, natural balms were mostly on the menu lately and he had hardly touched the pain killers. "The thing is, Ethan could have said he didnae want them all staying there. He really could have, but he hasnae. He's just accepted it. He helped out when Liam was sick too. I know, Braden told me. Apparently he and Ethan have a new ninja alliance going or something. They were the communication lines when we were having our problems," he said in amusement. "I just know that most days, I just want to be with you. I want to make love to you and block the whole world out even for just a little bit because it makes all the shit easier. Ethan might just be feeling the same pinch. Nothing worse than just wanting that and knowing you have to be all ninja fucking. It stops being fun then when you're on your guard. It's frustrating. I promise I'll tell Gus, and get everyone else to tell him, too. Hell, I'll offer to babysit to give him the time to do it, too." He rested his head against Tom's, still enjoying their closeness and this quiet moment together. "Dementia is a hard thing. They dinnae realise anything is wrong, but for the family, it's heartbreaking and they forget the more recent things first to revert back to older memories. Grandkids are usually the first casualty."
"A little, but he just couldn't stop talking about not being able to fuck his wife. He also admitted to being an unenthusiastic wanker. I guess once you find the real deal, it's hard to just accept your right hand is all you'll be getting. He should just tell her that he needs her like that. Sophie would get it then." Tom licked his lips before letting out a quiet sigh of relief, the pain already starting to ebb just a little. "I can't argue that being lost in you is a good way to block out the world, that I need that feeling when it all starts to get too much. I also just know that for a little while I wasn't really capable of much more than ninja fucking. It still helped to have the closeness though. To still be with you. Ethan and Braden? Why does that combination actually scare me just a little bit? Gus'll be more appreciative once he realises just how much it'll help. I always make an effort to see her, but it's just like you said. Most days she just thinks I'm someone else, or doesn't want to acknowledge me at all."
Stuart gave a small nod. "It's gotta be really bothering him, then. Maybe he did try and tell her, but she was so intent on not bothering her brothers and sisters, she didnae realise what he was saying. Then he got angry and once that happens, things just shut down, aye? It's easy to do. Plus, if her family is part of the reason he's stressed and needs to chill out with her, it's almost an impossible scenario. I've stayed with Iain, and had Braden and Kenzie in the room next door. I've heard both Ryan and Iain, and Braden and Kenzie at it. I just turn the TV up or go to another room. It's not like they keep at it forever. And aye, I know. Braden's arranged for Ryan's parents to come back from America with Ethan and Sophie." He brushed his thumb along Tom's hip affectionately. "I'll be there with you this time. We can just sit and keep her company for a wee while, take her some flowers."
Tom covered Stuart's hand with his own and rubbed his thumb over the engagement ring. "Sophie will get it once they start talking. And maybe her siblings just have to realise their sister's grown up and in love with a man that needs sex as an outlet and a way to keep close to his wife. I don't know, I can only hope it works out. I mean, it's not like we haven't been heard. Hell, you gave me a fucking handjob with your brothers right next door. And Ethan. It's not like he hasn't been witness to other people having sex, either. Family really is becoming a prominent theme in this group. I don't mean that in a bad way. It's nice, actually. I can't thank you enough for wanting to come with me. It means a lot, love."
"Which brings it in a circle to the absentee brother and sister. It sounds like they need some time with Soph too. Of course they do. I dinnae doubt Ethan gets that, he seems fine with her family. Something this time has just gotten to him, probably the fact he has realised just how large her family is right now. It's daunting, and he's taken a back seat with it. Some people are just really sexual, you and Ethan are definitely that type of person. There's nothingwrong with that at all. Sophie's brothers and sisters need to see too that Ethan is part of the big sister deal now. She's not just Soph anymore, and they havenae been married long. Sex is important." Stuart gave Tom some more small kisses. "I want to meet your Nana, no matter what."
"You might at least need to put some trousers on first," Tom murmured as he grinned at Stuart and kissed him back, already wondering just how far they could push their energy limits to get another round in. "Just not quiet yet..."
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