Fic: Fits and Starts 1/4 (State Within, Mark/Nicholas NC-17)
Title: Fits and Starts
Fandom: The State Within
Category: m/m slash
Pairing: Nicholas Brocklehurst/Mark Brydon
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 3,238
Warnings: None that I am aware of
Summary: Nicholas realises he wouldn’t mind having sex with Mark Brydon. Mark’s supposedly being straight poses a bit of a challenge. But nothing insurmountable.
Author’s notes: Unbeta’d and only my second fic in English, ever. This will undoubtedly show, but I’ve done my level best. I just finished watching The State Within a week ago for the first time (I know, huh?), so you probably know the fandom better than I do. Concrit welcomed! Btw, I’m sure many writers and readers in this fandom care about plot, realism, and good storytelling. Questions like ‘what are they doing at that hotel’ and ‘what would such shenanigans mean for their professional relationship?’ spring to mind. I swear I also care about such questions occasionally. Now is not one of those times. What you get here is decidedly PWP. Dramaturgically unsound, smutty fluff-smut this way lies.
Fits and Starts
Nicholas was lying on the roof terrace of the hotel-actually on the wooden floor of the terrace, since this was the coolest spot-with a pint of lager next to him that he had been nursing for the better part of an hour. (He never could get into the habit of drinking much alcohol at a time.) How he could have the place to himself he had no idea. It was a beautiful, clear evening, and he was enjoying the cooler temperature and the crisp smell of the air after a hot and humid day.
He knew he had jinxed his perfect solitude when he heard the door open and soft footfalls moving in his direction. When he rose a bit and looked up, there was Mark Brydon with a glass of what looked like whiskey in his hand. He plopped down next to Nicholas and, leaning on his elbows, contemplated the evening sky. Nicholas mirrored his posture.
This was the kind of thing that would have been unthinkable a few short months ago, but ever since Mark had exposed Nicholas for the duplicitous bastard he was, they’d been on much easier terms. And more complicated, too, in some ways.
They both remarked quietly on the pleasantness of the temperate breeze and the view, and then sat for several minutes in silence.
Mark sipped his drink now and then, and after a while turned to Nicholas with a crooked smile, nodding to his glass that was still half full, and asked, “Is it an occupational hazard for you, sobriety?”
“Something like that,” Nicholas admitted.
Mark smiled and put his empty glass down. Nicholas felt the tiniest interested flutter at seeing him lie all the way down on the wooden surface, sighing contentedly as he placed his hands under his head. Nicholas couldn’t help letting a sidelong glance skim over him now and again. Outstretched like that Mark’s lithe form was utterly desirable. It was amazing how carefree Mark acted in his company these days. He must know that his pose right now was…alluring. The flutter intensified.
It was then that Nicholas rolled onto his side and gave Mark a peck right on the mouth.
“Wh... What are you doing?”
“Just trying something,” Nicholas snuck in one more cautious brush of the lips before reluctantly asking, “Should I stop?”
“I just-don’t know where this is coming from.”
“Not sure myself.” Nicholas was hoping not to have to explain something that had taken himself aback. “Let me do it again?”
There was no answer, but Mark’s eyes were still searching his face. He didn’t seem put off so much as bemused, which Nicholas took to be a good sign. Perhaps he had chosen to take Nicholas’ words as an instruction; at least he made no effort to stop him when he leaned in again for another kiss, slightly firmer, slightly longer. He also didn’t reciprocate.
Oh Mark. Ever the diplomat. Awaiting more clarity before acting.
“How long has this been on your mind?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“It hasn’t, not really.” Nicholas was vaguely aware of going into his ‘convincing liar’ mode even though it was actually the truth: he hadn’t thought about Mark in that way, apart from noting in passing that this ambassador was rather more fit than most he had met. Whenever they’d had physical contact, the circumstances had always been fraught with the wrong kind of tension for it to put him in mind of sex. Being alert to immediate danger was not the aphrodisiac it was cracked up to be, in his experience.
But right now, Nicholas knew that he must offer a more satisfying answer unless he wanted Mark to keep asking questions. And he didn’t.
“Maybe in the back of my head. For quite some time, I think.” Which was also true. To change the subject, and because he was suddenly curious, he went on, “Is this the first time you’ve kissed another man?”
“Yes. Is that so strange?” If Mark sounded a bit defensive, his expression was one of mild wonder.
“Not strange. Although there is a rumour-”
“Yes, I know about that, thank you.” They shared a smile.
“Lots of people experiment a bit in their youth, you know,” Nicholas suggested.
“Not when I was young, they didn’t.”
At that, Nicholas gave a genuine chuckle.
“Is that what this is? An experiment?” Mark asked then, in all sincerity.
“Yes, it’s an IQ test. Now, come off it with the questions!”
There was still no protest from Mark when Nicholas resolutely moved flush against his upper body. He wedged himself between Mark’s ribcage and his arm, and Mark passively allowed it. He was still flat on his back, looking… not entirely petrified. So far, so good.
Nicholas lowered himself until their noses touched softly. He inclined his head almost imperceptibly-and their lips were pressing together. Much longer this time. Mark came close to perfect immobility. Nicholas peeked at his face a few seconds in, just in time for the thrill of seeing his eyes slide shut. Mark moved his jaw a little, kissing him back at last, gingerly.
Fandom: The State Within
Category: m/m slash
Pairing: Nicholas Brocklehurst/Mark Brydon
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 3,238
Warnings: None that I am aware of
Summary: Nicholas realises he wouldn’t mind having sex with Mark Brydon. Mark’s supposedly being straight poses a bit of a challenge. But nothing insurmountable.
Author’s notes: Unbeta’d and only my second fic in English, ever. This will undoubtedly show, but I’ve done my level best. I just finished watching The State Within a week ago for the first time (I know, huh?), so you probably know the fandom better than I do. Concrit welcomed! Btw, I’m sure many writers and readers in this fandom care about plot, realism, and good storytelling. Questions like ‘what are they doing at that hotel’ and ‘what would such shenanigans mean for their professional relationship?’ spring to mind. I swear I also care about such questions occasionally. Now is not one of those times. What you get here is decidedly PWP. Dramaturgically unsound, smutty fluff-smut this way lies.
Fits and Starts
Nicholas was lying on the roof terrace of the hotel-actually on the wooden floor of the terrace, since this was the coolest spot-with a pint of lager next to him that he had been nursing for the better part of an hour. (He never could get into the habit of drinking much alcohol at a time.) How he could have the place to himself he had no idea. It was a beautiful, clear evening, and he was enjoying the cooler temperature and the crisp smell of the air after a hot and humid day.
He knew he had jinxed his perfect solitude when he heard the door open and soft footfalls moving in his direction. When he rose a bit and looked up, there was Mark Brydon with a glass of what looked like whiskey in his hand. He plopped down next to Nicholas and, leaning on his elbows, contemplated the evening sky. Nicholas mirrored his posture.
This was the kind of thing that would have been unthinkable a few short months ago, but ever since Mark had exposed Nicholas for the duplicitous bastard he was, they’d been on much easier terms. And more complicated, too, in some ways.
They both remarked quietly on the pleasantness of the temperate breeze and the view, and then sat for several minutes in silence.
Mark sipped his drink now and then, and after a while turned to Nicholas with a crooked smile, nodding to his glass that was still half full, and asked, “Is it an occupational hazard for you, sobriety?”
“Something like that,” Nicholas admitted.
Mark smiled and put his empty glass down. Nicholas felt the tiniest interested flutter at seeing him lie all the way down on the wooden surface, sighing contentedly as he placed his hands under his head. Nicholas couldn’t help letting a sidelong glance skim over him now and again. Outstretched like that Mark’s lithe form was utterly desirable. It was amazing how carefree Mark acted in his company these days. He must know that his pose right now was…alluring. The flutter intensified.
It was then that Nicholas rolled onto his side and gave Mark a peck right on the mouth.
“Wh... What are you doing?”
“Just trying something,” Nicholas snuck in one more cautious brush of the lips before reluctantly asking, “Should I stop?”
“I just-don’t know where this is coming from.”
“Not sure myself.” Nicholas was hoping not to have to explain something that had taken himself aback. “Let me do it again?”
There was no answer, but Mark’s eyes were still searching his face. He didn’t seem put off so much as bemused, which Nicholas took to be a good sign. Perhaps he had chosen to take Nicholas’ words as an instruction; at least he made no effort to stop him when he leaned in again for another kiss, slightly firmer, slightly longer. He also didn’t reciprocate.
Oh Mark. Ever the diplomat. Awaiting more clarity before acting.
“How long has this been on your mind?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“It hasn’t, not really.” Nicholas was vaguely aware of going into his ‘convincing liar’ mode even though it was actually the truth: he hadn’t thought about Mark in that way, apart from noting in passing that this ambassador was rather more fit than most he had met. Whenever they’d had physical contact, the circumstances had always been fraught with the wrong kind of tension for it to put him in mind of sex. Being alert to immediate danger was not the aphrodisiac it was cracked up to be, in his experience.
But right now, Nicholas knew that he must offer a more satisfying answer unless he wanted Mark to keep asking questions. And he didn’t.
“Maybe in the back of my head. For quite some time, I think.” Which was also true. To change the subject, and because he was suddenly curious, he went on, “Is this the first time you’ve kissed another man?”
“Yes. Is that so strange?” If Mark sounded a bit defensive, his expression was one of mild wonder.
“Not strange. Although there is a rumour-”
“Yes, I know about that, thank you.” They shared a smile.
“Lots of people experiment a bit in their youth, you know,” Nicholas suggested.
“Not when I was young, they didn’t.”
At that, Nicholas gave a genuine chuckle.
“Is that what this is? An experiment?” Mark asked then, in all sincerity.
“Yes, it’s an IQ test. Now, come off it with the questions!”
There was still no protest from Mark when Nicholas resolutely moved flush against his upper body. He wedged himself between Mark’s ribcage and his arm, and Mark passively allowed it. He was still flat on his back, looking… not entirely petrified. So far, so good.
Nicholas lowered himself until their noses touched softly. He inclined his head almost imperceptibly-and their lips were pressing together. Much longer this time. Mark came close to perfect immobility. Nicholas peeked at his face a few seconds in, just in time for the thrill of seeing his eyes slide shut. Mark moved his jaw a little, kissing him back at last, gingerly.