Fic: Worth It (Grinto, Pg-13)
Jonathan squirms in his seat. Zach does this to him. It’s an amazing play, a phenomenal play, and Jon had seen it maybe a dozen times in different theaters in various parts of the country. He’s read the play a billion times. He knows this character like he knows the back of his hand. He knows this character.
And yet Zach brings a new dimension, takes it to a new height. He’s overwhelmed by the depth and beauty that Zach can bring to this person. So every time he seems Zach doing this, sees him step into that other person, hears the small way his voice shifts, becomes richer, stranger, he squirms in his seat because Zach overwhelms him.
As the curtain comes down for the last time for Zach’s particular version of this character, Jon is suddenly grateful. Because watching Zach act in this play is like being split open and seeing inside himself. Zach’s performance reaches into Jon and wrenches him open, forces him to confront things inside himself that he’s not thought about since he realize who and what he is. But mostly Zach onstage is like a religious experience, and Jon wants to be saved. And it frightens him, how much he is into Zach, how much they click, how easily he can lose himself into the abyss that is Quinto and his talent, his presence, his ability to capture people only giving them back when the curtains comes down. So yeah he’s a little grateful it’s over.
Mostly he’s thrilled for what this means for them. Jon smiles to himself as he waits in the lobby, not hiding, but not shouting his presence either. He can’t wait for Zach to be done. He’s got the whole evening planned, dinner to celebrate, and then back to Zach’s apartment, for an even better celebration. Jon chuckles at the thought and has to readjust himself.
Zach is one of the most competent lovers he’s ever had. And their little trip to Sundance had been ridiculous. Jon was almost certain he wasn’t going to be able to sit on the flight home. They’d christened nearly ever surface in the hotel room. Jon is dying to do the same thing to Zach house in LA.
Because with Zach being done in New York they have some freedom to move about, to do all the things they’ve been talking about for months. And yeah they’ll have to be a little more careful, because while Zach might be out to his friends and certain members of his family, he isn’t ready to broadcast his sexuality to the paps and the entire world. And while it frustrates Jon to no end, he understands, at least abstractly, that Zach is protecting his mom even if she already knows, Zach said he won’t fault his sexuality in her face. Jon’s not quite sure he understands, but protecting your mom is a natural thing. So really he can’t fault Zach for talking impeccable care of the parent he has remaining on earth. And in all honest it really is very sweet.
But now, now they’ll have a chance to spend some time together. A brief trip home to Pennsylvania, he’s given them some cover by agreeing to speak at his old high school, but really this is the opportunity for him to meet Mama Quinto. Jon adjusts his shirt collar at the thought, because he is more than a little scared of Margo Quinto, but Zach’s worth the terror of meeting the overly protective, single mom who’d just as soon have her son’s boyfriend’s balls on a silver platter than see her son hurt.
“Hey, hon.”
Jon smiles and shakes his head a little to clear it. He’d not been paying attention. He wraps Zach in a brief friendly hug. Wanting so bad to kiss his adorable little self, because Zach all bundled up in his dorky ski hat and jacket, wrapped under a scarf is too cute for Jon to resist. But he decides he best wait till they are out of the theatre.
“Shake off all your adoring fans? Or do I still need to share you?”
Zach chuckles and shoves playfully at his shoulder, “Shut up. You’re a fine one to talk. When we went out to dinner with Lea and Theo it was much worse. I thought Theo and I would need to leave the table so you and Lea could be swarmed by fans.”
Jon sticks his tongue out at Zach, and allows Zach to take his hand and pull him out of the theater and down the street. He pouts and petulantly says, “I hate you.”
Zach throws his head back and laughs, “Please. That is not what you said this morning when I had my cock down your throat in the shower.”
Jon chokes a little at Zach’s brazenness. He’s grown since they started dating, become bolder. “You know you can’t say shit like that out loud once we are in LA, unless you want it to be the opening monologue on Entertainment Tonight. I can see it now. Hell I’m Mary Heart, our breaking news tonight, Zach Quinto enjoys taking it up the ass. More information after the break.”
Zach laughs and shoves Jonathan a little, but pulls him back into his body with their joined hands. He lets go and pulls Jon’s arm through his. “Shut up. So you enjoy the show?”
Jonathan makes a face, “I’m not going to stroke your ego Quinto. I’ll happily stroke other things, but not your ego.”
Zach shakes his head, “you are slutty tonight.” He grins with smug satisfaction, “Must have enjoyed the show then. You know you jumped me in my dressing room the first time you saw it. Admit it seeing me on stage makes you horny.”
Jon sighs, “yes I was there, I remember. Also remember someone who was practically humping my leg after my show at Joe’s.”
Zach sniffs and puts his nose in the air, “don’t know what you are talking about.”
Jon laughs, “‘course not.” He finally notices where he’s being dragged. “Hey I thought I was taking you out for dinner?”
Zach smiles and the thumbs the security code into the monitor of the building where he’s been renting an apartment. “Change of plans. Decided I’d rather have desert first.”
Jon laughs as they both trudge up the stairs, and waits till Zach’s got the door unlocked before pulling him in for a deep wet kiss, and shoving him into the apartment. He chuckles when he pulls away and Zach mews trying to follow him, still wanting to kiss him. “And you were calling me a slut?”
Zach chuckles, “you love it baby.”
Jon sighs contentedly and steals another kiss before stripping off his jacket, “I do. Love you too.”
Zach pulls his coat and hat and scarf off. And then spies the new addition to his kitchen counter. “You bought me flowers?”
Jon blushes as he shrugs, “final show and all that.”
Zach opens his arms, “come here.” He uses his chin to nudge curls out of Jon’s face, and presses a kiss to Jon’s forehead as he wraps him into his arms. “You really are so sweet some times.”
Zach kisses Jon’s nose, each cheek and then places a lingering kiss on his lips. Which grows dirty and deep when Jon pushes his tongue into Zach’s mouth exploring and reclaiming him.
Jon moans when they break apart.
Zach laughs, “love you Jon.”
Jon pulls away and then grabs Zach’s hand, “I know. Now come on. I need a shower. More importantly I think you need to join me.”
Zach laughs, “You do have the best idea’s Mr.Groff.”
Jon winks, “yes well. You do have a great ass Mr. Quinto.” And then takes off in a dash for the bathroom and Zach chases him.
Jon never imagined this, that he could make Zach laugh and smile and so damn giddy but he prays every night that he can continue because that smile, that genuine Quinto smile is worth the being wrenched open and made emotionally bear again, it’s worth the being pulled back into the half out, half not closet that Zach's created for himself. It’s worth the months of sneaking around, and the competing with the epic bromance Qunito has with Pine, and the crazy ass busy schedule Zach keeps. It’s worth all of it when Zach catches him in the bathroom, half naked and smiles like that before he kisses Jon and draws him under the shower spray with his jeans still on. And yeah, it’s so totally worth it.