Home Is Where The Harm Is

[Existentially Odd]

(continued from Trick's Family)

Harm felt awkward in his own skin as he led Trick back into his complex and around the courtyard's smiling Buddha towards number seven. He tried subtly digging through his bag as he went but it made walking awkward and there was too much shit in there for him to easily locate his key in transit, resulting in him huffing a sigh at his front door and pulling toys, clothing and anything else in the way out and moving to tuck it under his arms while he fossicked. To his great pleasure, Trick started plucking everything out of Harm's hands before he got to that, holding it for him.

"Thanks," he blushed gratefully.

Eventually, the particular jingle he identified as his house key (it was on a metal keyring with a little armoured knight attached to it) reached him as his fingers poked around and he grasped his prize. Wrenching it free with a sigh of relief, he unlocked the door and pushed it open, gesturing for Trick to enter with his burdens first. "Just dump it all on the counter there, thanks," he said, moving in closely behind him and making a beeline for the breakfast bar a few steps ahead in the kitchen. He left his bag there to confirm it was the right spot.

He'd turned the floor lamp beside his couch on before he left that morning, knowing he'd be back at night. The entire open area was filled with soft golden light that complemented the blue LED glow coming from his TV unit across the room. Harm turned back to reclaim his key from the door, close it and lock it, hyper aware of where his companion was. He hung his key on one of the many hooks on the side of his fridge then turned back to look at where Trick was standing or walking to, running a hand through his hair and nervously restyling it.

"Do you want a drink? Coke? Coffee? Juice? Water?" he offered, opening the fridge and pulling a Coke can out for himself. He opened it with a sharp hiss while he waited for Trick's answer.

[Pocky]

Trick took some of Harm’s items when it looked like he was struggling with them. Because Harm had the heavy bag, Trick gave Harm space after he moved around him through the door.

“Sure, I’ll have a water. Thanks.” Trick placed his items on the bench as well and looked around the room. “Can I look around?”

[Existentially Odd]

Harm took a swig of his Coke and then laughed comfortably once he swallowed. He thought it was sweet that Trick asked when he'd just done it sneakily to him in his room. He put the can down on the bench beside the sink in favour of getting a glass from one of his cupboards. "Of course!" he invited, pausing to consider what Trick would see. The only potential embarrassments were items of clothing thrown on the teal quilt of his made bed, a lube bottle on his bedside table and a vibrator on his bathroom sink. Trick already had a photo of it on his phone so what did it matter if he saw it in real life?

"Hey, Google, turn on the bedroom lights!" he called. His Google Home acknowledged his request and the darkened back half of his apartment glowed with more golden light, lighting up the doorway that led to it from the living area. He considered setting the hue to white light to give Trick the best impression of his sleeping spaces but the orange yellow he had it set at was warmer and not too far off the norm. The bathroom light wasn't on because he just used the switch for it. He decided he'd turn it on for Trick once he got his water and went to take his shoes off - he was sure Trick would head for his entertainment centre first.

Harm poured the glass of cold water from the filtered water jug he had in the fridge then replaced it. Closing the fridge, he carried the glass and can over to the lounge, placing them both on the coffee table. He then returned to the kitchen bench and gathered everything there, carrying it into his bedroom and placing it onto his dresser. He toed his shoes off and put his socks in his dirty clothes hamper, quickly putting away the clean ones spread across his bed. He then placed his frog prince toy in the middle of the bed, up near his pillow, before turning to find where Trick was and turn on his bathroom light for extra inspection capabilities.

If Harm had been alone, he's have been naked by now but he remained clothed for his visitor's sake. There'd been enough awkwardness between them tonight.

[Pocky]

At Harm's instruction to Google, Trick turned and watched the light go on where Harm's bedroom obviously was. He looked back at Harm with a smirk and then moved into the lounge, heading for where he'd seen a line of photo frames. He inspected them all, his gaze moving over them hungrily. His hand stole to his back pocket to check for the bulge of his phone but he didn't pull it out.

He roamed through the living space, only pausing whenever there was something personal--some kind of knick-knack that Harm had picked up and cared enough about to keep, or if there was something that would give a clue to Harm's deeper self such as the books on his shelf or if there was one laying around.

He avoided the bedroom and bathroom, circling back to get his water. He stood in the middle of the lounge, looking at Harm when he exited the bedroom.

"This place looks small from the outside but it's roomy," he said, his words neutral but complimentary. He sipped his water, his eyes remaining on Harm.

[Existentially Odd]

"Yeah, it works for me," he grinned, scooping up his Coke and curling up at one end of the larger portion of the modular couch (where Trick could sit beside him without the drink holder part between them), one leg beneath him and the other lifted beside him to wrap his arms around. He took another drink and put his can in the holder on his other side.

"You can go look at the bedrooms too, if you want. I won't try to accost you or anything." He gave a breathy laugh as he winked at Trick, looking at his phone for the first time today. There were a string of texts from his brother, who'd known he was going to be busy all weekend (but not where or how) with a boy, instead of spending the day gaming online with him. The texts were mostly game related, except for the ones at the end.

sucks with out you
LAMEASS
wtf r u getting home??
punk ass bitch keeps camping me FUCK OFF
how's the date?
is it over?
do i hav a new brother now HAHAHAHA
mf answer me
I'm telling mum you've got a boyfriend
HAHAHAHA

Harm snorted a laugh. "My brother would get on so well with your sister," he grinned, turning his phone to display the end texts to Trick.

[Pocky]

Trick watched as Harm sat down with his drink. His gaze flicked to Harm's bedroom and then back at him before he smiled very slightly and shook his head so minutely that it was hard to know if it was imagination or a real negation. Trick stared as Harm pulled out his phone and inspected it before thrusting it forward with an invitation to read the texts.

Trick complied and stepped closer, peering down at the outstretched phone to read the screen and then puffing brief laughter through his nose. He stood up straight again, his gaze on Harm with obvious consideration before he set his glass of water down, now empty, onto the coffee table, and moved around it to sit beside Harm.

Trick sank into the cushions before looking over at Harm. His conversation wasn't forthcoming but the expression on his face was open. He tipped his head back onto the furniture and gave a tiny smile.

[Existentially Odd]

Harm fired a text back to his brother.

Shut up. All good, home now, talk soon 

He turned his phone off so it wouldn't vibrate and distract him then tossed it onto the seat behind him, dropping his knee and swivelling to face Trick, sitting cross legged and sideways on the couch now, his hands dangling in the gap between.

"I had a great day with you," he smiled. "Sorry about... everything in the car," he shrugged, not wanting to rehash topics that had frustrated Trick. Harm suspected his discomfort had mostly been from revealing personal information about himself and he wanted to acknowledge that. "But thank you, too. I appreciate you sharing. And your honesty." His smile turned shy and he shrugged again.

[Pocky]

He watched Harm send a text and then throw the phone down. His expression remained unchanged when Harm apologised to him about the car ride but his eyebrows did raise slightly when he was thanked.

Without moving the rest of his body, Trick reached across the small gap between them--only enough for Harm and Trick not to be touching--and took his hand.

"C'mere," he instructed, pulling on Harm's hand while tapping his thigh with the other. It was obvious he wanted Harm on his lap as the movement was a recognisable prompt. "Kiss me?" he asked, allowing Harm to know his end goal.

[Existentially Odd]

Harm pulled in an unsteady breath and smiled, releasing the air in a giggle. "With pleasure," he murmured, allowing the tug on his hand to draw him forward onto his knees. He unlinked his feet beneath him and lifted a knee over both of Trick's thighs before sitting down on them, straddling him. He scooched in as close as he could get so that they were groin to groin, chest to chest, face to face, his knees squeezing Trick's hips as they pressed into the couch.

At the same time, Harm unlinked his hand from Trick's so that he could run both his palms up Trick's bare arms, adoring his muscles. When they got to the top, he rested his elbows on Trick's shoulders and wrapped his forearms across his back. His right hand played with Trick's nape, thumb sliding back and forth across the short hairs there while his fingers stroked his smooth, warm skin.

Once he was in position, his face inches above Trick's, Harm paused to savour the view, his smile growing slowly as he got a close-up look at Trick's black lashes and expressive eyes. His gaze roamed over his eyebrows, down his nose, across his cheekbones and down to his lips, devouring them with his eyes, heightening the anticipation of tasting him.

"Hi," he whispered, enjoying this moment of reconnection, relishing the way his body came alive and quivered in its appreciation of the effect Trick had on it. There was an intensity to peering so intently at someone from their lap, a feeling of dissonance as the knowledge of them at a distance, as a separate person, melded with this up-close version that was breathing the exact same air while they looked deep into your eyes. Like you knew them and, in doing so, understood how completely you could never know them at the same time. It was a similar feeling to the one he got whenever he looked up into the night sky at the stars.

When he (or Trick, he wasn't sure who moved first) had had his fill of looking, Harm leant forward and pressed his lips to Trick's. They were parted this time, his tongue ready. It was soft, at first, tongue and lips working as a tasting trio, paying homage to Trick's mouth. Primping and sliding, they learnt the shape of him, the texture and the tang of him, before Harm's tongue began to dance with Trick's. His body quickened when that happened; his head tilted and he pressed forward, holding Trick tighter, pulling in air between tongue duels, scraping teeth on lips and tongues across teeth, delving into opening and closing mouth cavities voraciously, sucking on tongues and lips and both at the same time.

In the back of his mind, Harm was thirsting for more; he wanted everything and he wanted it immediately. The rest of him knew that there was unlikely to be too much more and was busy reminding him that he would be content with anything he got. Trick was an unpredictable creature, nervous and flighty. He needed to proceed with caution and remember that the experience made it worthwhile, not the destination.

[Pocky]

"Hi," Trick said softly back. His hands slid up Harm's legs to his thighs and back again. The second time he rubbed his hands upward they went all the way around to Harm's backside, pulling him in closer as Trick adjusted his seating position by lifting his hips and sliding forward, grinding them together and giving Harm's knees somewhere to go. He liked seeing how his movement affected Harm.

They stared and when Trick got impatient they kissed. His hands moved along Harm's back and sides, a firm exploring touch. Eventually a hand ended up where it usually did, palm stroking Harm's nape and then fingers delving through his hair. There was no pressure placed on Harm's head, the hold was light. Trick's other hand continued exploring until he growled into the kiss and wrapped his arm around Harm's back at his waist and locked him in place, holding him tightly. He slid further down just a touch and his kisses became hungrier, more demanding. With Harm atop him, there was no hiding Trick's excitement.

After a short time he released Harm by removing his locking arm and placing his hand on Harm's hip instead, moved the hand holding Harm's head to his shoulder and then turned his head to the side, panting.

"We gotta... cool down," he said, his voice rough.

[Existentially Odd]

Damnit.

Instead of voicing a protest, Harm reached down near his calf, feeling for the buttons he knew were on the armrest beside them. It took him longer than usual to locate them; his body was alive and thrumming with so many other distractions.

Trick’s legs would lift off the carpet and his head would lower as Harm adjusted the recliner they were sitting on, shifting them to an almost horizontal position. With a tiny mewl of disappointment, Harm then lifted himself off Trick but curled up beside him, a leg and an arm across him and his face tucked in against Trick’s throat. Their most demanding parts were conveniently separated to throb their own way towards ‘cooling down’. It was frustrating but nice, too, feeling like they were abstaining in collusion. He hoped it would mean more, later... whenever that might be.

Harm remained quiet, occasionally pressing his lips to Trick’s throat, his hand sneaking beneath the hem of his tank to rest on the hard velvet of his stomach, stroking lightly. Mostly, he just revelled in the moment, in the comfort of having someone he liked a lot in his arms, relishing his body’s response to this man. He tried not to think about how soon he’d leave or the fact that he didn’t know when he’d see him again - his family had plans to return to the carnival tomorrow, as did Harm, but it didn’t feel right to intrude or invite himself along again. He marvelled at how much he liked them, too.

[Pocky]

Trick was still when the reclining chair began to shift and as it lifted further he threw Harm a sly look. Trick said nothing, settling into the hold with Harm and looking up at the ceiling and the light fixture once he was in the full reclined position. His arm naturally moved around Harm, his shoulder becoming a pillow for the blond to rest his head on. Trick's arm bent at the elbow so he could hold Harm's shoulder and caress it with his thumb.

After Harm kissed his neck for the second time, he spoke. "Kisses don't..." Trick began, but he cut his own words off and turned his head, nuzzling Harm and eventually reaching a hand across himself to tip Harm's face up by his chin so they could kiss some more. These kisses were soft and sweet and lazy.

Trick's eyes closed and his fingertips caressed the hint of stubble on Harm's jaw. He drew up his opposite knee, placing his foot on the seat rather than pushing off the elevated footrest, and using it to leverage himself slightly towards Harm.

[Existentially Odd]

Harm wanted to know what the end of Trick's sentence was but he smiled and allowed himself to get distracted by kisses for a while. Pressed close to Trick, the heat between them was quickly rekindled and Harm pulled away to wipe the sheen of sweat beading on his upper lip and forehead. He couldn't handle it; he yanked his shirt off and used it to wipe his face before tossing it away and fixing his hair.

"Kisses don't what?" he asked Trick as he settled back against him, leaning on his hand so that he could look at Trick's face, rather than falling straight back into his lips.

[Pocky]

When Harm took his shirt off, Trick shifted his arm down, the one between them. It acted like a barrier, making it impossible for Harm to snuggle back into his original position.

"I don't remember. I should really go," he said, then gave a half-smile, performing a sit-up and then eyeing where he thought the recliner button was. He found them immediately. "I was pushing it coming in," he said, his tone apologetic even as he pressed the button and brought the seat up. "I wasn't...uh..." he paused and the whirring of the recliner unreclining was loud in the silence of his hesitation. He didn't finish the sentence once again even though he made an attempt. "Intending to..."

As soon as his feet hit the floor, Trick stood.

[Existentially Odd]

Harm frowned, confused by Trick's reaction. "Pushing what?" he echoed weakly, pulling a face that showed exactly how little he understood of what was happening. As Trick fiddled with the seat to bring it back to an upright position, Harm sat up also and slid away to give him room. Clearly, he didn't want to be touched any more. Was it because he'd taken off his shirt? It was just because he was hot!

His gaze followed Trick as he stood, brow furrowed and expression wounded. His legs were crossed at the ankles, his knees raised and his arms wrapped around them, one hand hanging onto the other wrist so he'd have something to hold. He didn't understand what he'd done wrong. Enticed Trick into his home by deceptively asking him if he wanted to come in? Kissed him when he'd requested it? Got him hard but given him space when he wanted it? Let him go when he needed to leave?

He didn't fucking understand.

Regardless, he wasn't going to beg. He was a big fan of consent and if Trick wanted to go, Harm wasn't going to try to stop him. It was a sour ending to a pretty fucking great day, coated with a familiar bitterness Harm tasted every time he visited with Luke. The underconfident, vulnerable, lonely man inside him despairing that he'd ever find someone that wanted to just be with him wasn't surprised by this turn of events. The trusting, happy part that had thought things were going well was. It was going numb, though, thankfully.

"Okay," he said softly, his breathing speeding up as he became upset but battled to suppress it. "Thanks for dropping me home, I appreciate it. Drive safely." Harm couldn't smile. He pressed his lips together so they didn't tremble and watched Trick from beneath his tortured frown, hoping he could keep his face neutral (and dignified) at least until Trick left.

[Pocky]

"Pushing for time," Trick explained, giving Harm a sideways slightly confused look like he was thinking 'what else could it mean'.

He dropped his gaze to the floor almost immediately afterward, licking his lips and looking like he was gearing up to say something, but when he looked back at Harm he deflated like all the bravery had leaked out of him. The bustle of Chinatown outside of this apartment was muted, proving that the soundproofing was very good. Trick listened to the silence grow between them after he was thanked and dismissed and he pulled in breath as if he was going to say something but held it and gradually released it slowly.

"No problem," he replied, sounding far too casual and overly loud for the brevity of the situation, then headed for the door.

[Existentially Odd]

Harm watched him leave, his throat growing tighter with every step Trick took. When the door closed behind him, Harm sagged into the back of his couch, no longer able to fight the emotions swirling within him. He was tired and dirty and in need of a shower and a good long sleep because he shouldn't be this upset; rationally, he knew it.

Irrationally, he decided, fuck it. A soak in the tub, a change of clothes and a return to the carnival to see Ben would do just as well. It wasn't like he owed anyone anything, right?

He snatched up his shirt angrily and stalked into the bathroom to get ready.

[Pocky]

Trick went back to the car and drove it home with the radio still all the way down low so he could think. The mood had shifted into something sombre. The light was still on in the house downstairs when Trick pulled into the drive. With the garage and front door locked, he placed the keys in the shell bowl where they were usually kept and found his father in the living room in front of the television.

Jon glanced up at his son and muted the television--already soft--so they could talk. Trick flopped onto the couch beside him.

"So you obviously have reservations about this one," Jon announced.

"Yeah," Trick sighed. There was a long pause and he eventually filled it. "He fits me really well. We have a good laugh together. I really like him and I feel like I can be myself around him. But every now and then I get strong vibes that he's a player."

"Really?" Jon shot back immediately. His expression mirrored his tone of disbelief. "He struck me as honest."

"That's what's throwing me. Being in his company is super easy but there were a couple red flags."

"Which are?" Jon prompted.

"Well, he brought up that Ben Samson vampire who's paying for the carnival. I didn't want to freak him out about my opinion on, um..."

"Oh shit, sorry, should I not have said--"

"Nah, that's not it," Trick said with a sideways grin. Jon visibly relaxed but listened intently as Trick explained. "I told him about the attacks. But... he mentions Ben three times on our date and I'm thinking it's a bit weird until I find out later he's hooked up with him."

"I thought Samson was Galvin's partner?"

"Vampires, Dad," Trick said. He could see his father was refraining from arguing but that he wasn't convinced. "Anyway. So I realise that he's mentioning Ben because it was a recent thing and to shut him up from talking about this guy so much I showed him what I can do with water."

"I was wondering why you showed him that. It's not like you."

"No," Trick agreed, then shrugged. "So I figure, okay, this was recent and because I like him I'm going to forgive him talking about this other guy on our date, and everything else went well and so I was going to hang out with him at his place."

"Hang out," his father repeated with a smirk.

"Yeah, shut up. But my stupid car cock-blocked me and you were asking him all the stuff I couldn't without looking like an asshole."

"You're welcome."

Trick chuckled but the laughter died quickly. "So I wanted to talk to him and find out how much he's into vampires, right? And I also didn't want to get caught up in my attraction for him so that's why I thought I'd drive him home. And I told him about when I was on the scene."

"Really? You told him about that?" Jon asked, his eyebrows shooting up as high as they could go.

"No, no... no details, just that I had two vampire boyfriends."

"Kind of like lying."

"Nah. Not really... well. Okay, kind of." Trick shifted uncomfortably. "So he knows about the drugging effect and he starts asking about biting and sex and it all got real personal real fast but I know he doesn't know so I forgive him again..."

"Oh, okay, I'm starting to see it."

"Yeah," Trick said unhappily.

"That's not a red flag though, is it," Jon pointed out. "He's a talker."

"He's just... too much at times. He goes overboard a bit. And he's got some moves that I feel are moves. Like he has this really genuine personality but then he'll be really full on and I feel like if I was more receptive I'd just be a notch on the bedpost, you know? Like he'd keep me around a bit. Or worse, that he'll get pulled into the scene and I'll be dragged right back in there with him."

"I get why you're wary, but I like that boy. He's very open. I feel like if you ask the question he'll give you the answer."

"Yeah," Trick said. "Maybe."