josh_q

17 February; Sean Bean and Josh Holloway; Sean's workshop in the Quarter; PG

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 06:33:50 GMT

[crossposted to bean_quarter and josh_q]

Josh arrived at the appointed time to a familiar corner, two takeaway cups from Cafe du Monde in his hands and a bag of beignets under his arm. It was cold enough that he could see his breath, but his scarf and leather jacket kept him warm enough, his chapped fingers warmed by the hot Styrofoam containers. He grinned when he saw Sean coming from the opposite direction and inclined his head in greeting.

"How's it going, man?"

"Good, bit too cold though." Sean blew out a breath of air for emphasis before smiling at the other man, even more so when he saw the goodies Josh had with him. "Thankfully the workshop is completely closed and inside. Did you find the place okay?"

"Here, warm yourself up a bit," Josh offered, handing him a coffee cup and smiling as their breath intermingled visibly. "And we can get the fuck inside. Wasn't too hard to find."

Sean took the cup of coffee and nodded a thanks before pulling out the keys he had in his back pocket. Unlocking the main door Sean held it open so Josh could go in first. "You know the sad thing mate, you'll want to be outside after things heat up in here."

"Yeah? Well, I'll take my chances. I'm such a Southern boy at heart though, I always preferred the heat to the cold," Josh reasoned as he walked inside the workshop, letting Sean show him where to go.

After locking up the door behind them Sean lead them into the back. "Well that will help, although if you get too hot just remember to put clothing back on before going out again." Sean gave Josh a wink and opened a sliding door that led into the workroom where Sean did his work. Pointing out a corner with a relatively clean desk Sean set his coffee on it. "We can eat here first and then I can show you around, or the other way around." Shrugging off his backpack Sean flipped on a couple switches to help light the room.

"Planning on getting me naked, Bean?" Josh teased as he sat the bag down on the desk as well. "Might as well eat while the food's warm," he reasoned.

"You'd be surprised how many guys get hot enough they do this work in very little clothing." Pulling over a chair Sean sat on the other side of the desk, putting his feet up on the chair rather than sitting in it. "Personally I'd never do that."

"Seems dangerous with all the fire and metal and shit," Josh said as he pulled a beignet from the bag.

Sean nodded. "It is, but in private shops, people tend to break rules. Personally I don't want to burn something valuable." He gave Josh a wink to let him know he was meaning what the other man was thinking and took a beignet from the bag. "You know you can get me spoiled into thinking I deserve delivering in the morning."

"Yeah, might have a use for those valuable bits sometimes," Josh teased. "And as for what you deserve, well I might point out that I've been an absolutely shit delivery boy the past few months. No tips for me, I guess. But it's no trouble to get an extra cup of coffee."

Sean shrugged his shoulders, telling himself how often he hadn't been at work in the sense most people thought of the last couple of months. "Hey, typically I don't earn those kind of thoughts. So I appreciate it, shit delivery boy or not." Leaning over Sean gave Josh a playful shove before taking a bite of the beignet.

Josh laughed and took a sip of his coffee. "How are you, though, seriously? Better than last I saw you?"

Sean shrugged his shoulders a bit. "Honestly? I'm doing better. Got a clean bill of health. Definitely a good thing."

"Were you ill?" Josh asked, trying to remember their previous conversation. All Sean had said last time was that he'd "done something to someone he shouldn't have," but Josh wasn't sure what that entailed exactly.

Sean frowned a bit when he realized that comment didn't make any sense. Shaking his head Sean pulled apart the last bit of the beignet. "No...I did something stupid. Ended up sleeping with someone without a condom."

"Oh, fuck," Josh replied, not sure what else to say to that. "But you're okay? Lucky break. Was it someone you knew well?"

"Yeah I'm okay. Thankfully." Sean took a drink of his coffee and wondered how much info to give up. "I know the guy, things just got out of control a bit."

Josh nodded. "Well that sucks, man, but I'm glad it ended up all right in the end."

"Yeah. I'm thankful for it. I think the other guy is too." Sean shrugged and smiled at Josh. "Has to happen eventually."

"I remember when the whole AIDS scare happened in the first place," Josh said, shaking his head. "I was only twelve, but I've got three brothers, and a couple of them were pretty scared shitless when they realised there might be some way to be held accountable for what they were doing other than knocking the girls up."

Sean nodded his head in understanding. When he was younger he'd had friends that had realized things like that as well. "I never was...perfect when I was younger but I've always prided myself on being safe, with as much as I usually bed hop."

"Well everyone makes mistakes. It's good that you're safe in general," Josh reasoned with a smile. "Lord knows I've done some stupid stuff in my time--nearly got kicked out of high school for marijuana possession before I dropped out voluntarily."

Sean raised an eyebrow at that. "Really? Possession?"

"Well I wasn't possessing very much, so they let it slide... but it was pretty much a 'Holloway, if you leave quietly now we won't kick you out' situation. I never got on too well with authority," Josh admitted with a smirk.

"Ahh." Sean shook his head and then nodded. "I never did the whole school thing, actually drove m'parents nuts cause I wasn't exactly the kind of kid you wanted to brag about."

"God, I know exactly what you mean. My Daddy always said I was a shame to the family. No good at schoolin', no good at workin' is what he said, though it was only half-true. Just didn't want to do what he told me to," Josh explained with a grin.

"Oh God yes. My parents were heartbroken when I turned away from doing the family welding thing. Went out, partied...started bringing men home." Sean laughed and shook his head. "I think they were happy I said I was leaving and going to the States."

"Oh, well mine definitely didn't know about the men part. Still don't. But I wouldn't want to break my poor mother's heart. At least she has other sons for the whole grandchildren thing. She doesn't ask too much, and I don't tell."

Sean nodded his head. "I should have gone with that. I was a bit of a...bad child that liked showing that." Leaning back a bit on the desk Sean finished up his coffee.

"Yeah? Bit of a rebel?" Josh asked with a grin, tossing the empty pastry bag in a bin under the table.

Sean slid off the desk and leaned his hands against the edge of the desk giving Josh a grin. "Yes, partying, drinking, fighting..." He gave Josh a wink.

"Love it when you talk dirty," Josh joked with a wink of his own. "Gotta say though, I don't think I'd like to be on the wrong side of a fight where you're involved."

Sean thought about that for a moment before nodding as he pushed away from the table. "As intimidating as I can be, I've gotten my arse handed to me a lot."

"It happens," Josh said with a shrug. "I've had some fights that I won, and some that I was really fucking stupid for picking," he said as he stood and stepped away. "So, ready to give me the grand tour then?"

Sean nodded. "Probably should before we decide to follow our bad boy positions and strip." Laughing a bit Sean started heading into the area with the heaters and machines.

Josh grinned at that and followed close behind, looking around at the machines and careful to keep his hands by his sides to avoid touching anything hot.

"Anything you want to help make in general today?" Sean asked as he pointed out where they would be working. "Pendant, earrings, whatever suits your fancy."

"Well it's not as if I'm used to thinking about jewellery," Josh replied with a cheeky grin. "Whatever you prefer."

Sean laughed and nodded, knowing he could easily whip up a pendant, with it being slightly bigger than earrings or rings it would probably be easier to show. "Never thinking of jewellery huh? That's a shame." He winked at Josh before walking over to a clothes rack. Picking out the jacket and gloves he usually wore he got another pair to hand to Josh.

"What, do I strike you as the jewellery sort of guy?" Josh asked as he pulled the gloves on and shrugged the jacket over his shoulders.

"Naw, just giving you a bit of a tease." Sean pulled on his own clothes and picked up a couple pairs of glasses, passing one to Josh. "These will help protect us for the most part."

"For the most part? Well that's reassuring," Josh replied sarcastically, though he donned the safety glasses as instructed. "So, how do I look? Cutting edge flame retardant fashion?"

"Well there's always a risk." Sean picked up a few more things they'd need before looking over at Josh and laughed. "Look very rugged, and dirty." He gave Josh a wink before heading over to the first set of machines.

"Somehow I get the feeling the dirty I look is not the dirty I like," Josh joked, following him. "So what does this stuff do?" he asked, keeping a safe distance from the machines.

Sean glanced over his shoulder to see where Josh was before picking up one of the pans he'd use to put the metal in. "This is what melts whatever metal you want to work with. Typically I work with a mixture of silver and iron, not as rich so that it makes the pieces less expensive then they could be, still something that can be worked with."

"Is the iron more malleable, then?" Josh asked, watching over Sean's shoulder.

"Usually it is." Sean took out some of the metal he needed to heat and set it in the pan. "It's typically something I can reheat if I need to move something just a bit without having to start the design all over again."

"Convenient," Josh replied. "I don't think my hands would be steady enough not to fuck something like this up."

"Takes a bit of practice. I hurt myself a lot when I started." Sean shrugged a bit before gesturing to where the glove ended. "Have a bit of a scar from a burn up here."

"Damn. Guess that's a mistake you don't make twice."

"Oh heavens no." Sean laughed and gestured to the burners. "You basically do it once, never again. If you happen to do it twice you get a new profession."

"And maybe earn an award for klutziness while you're at it," Josh joked.

"I love the way you think." Sean held the pan over the heated vant, waiting for it to start melting.

"I have no room to talk, really. I tried to dance with a girl once at a high school thing and gave her a broken nose."

Sean looked from the heated pan at Josh wanting to see if his friend was joking or not. "Really? How the hell did you do that?"

"Um, I was trying to be flashy and spin her around, and we had fun until my elbow somehow connected with her face," Josh admitted in a mumble.

"Ouch." Sean winced and laughed a bit before looking back at the metal. "She kill you for wrecking everything?"

"She was pretty pissed off," Josh agreed. "Her Daddy more so. Didn't believe the story one bit."

Sean leaned over the pan a bit and smiled to himself when he saw the metal was almost ready. Resting the handle in a small cradle Sean reached over to get a few of the pans he left around for the more common pieces of jewelry he made. "You know, there was always a reason I was happy I liked blokes better. I think you just hit on one of them."

Josh laughed at that. "Yeah, most guys don't have protective fathers. Of course, most gay guys' fathers probably don't know they are gay," he mused, watching Sean's movements.

"And therein lies the fun." Tilting the pan a bit when he went back to the pot Sean nodded and set it down on a tray set up over the fire. "Okay, now that the metal's all nice and liquid we get to pour it into our mold."

Josh laughed, thinking about how convenient it had been the few times he had found a boy of similar persuasion when he was younger to take him up to his room to "do homework" right under his parents' radar. Fun indeed. "Well that looks easy enough," he replied, watching from a bit of a distance.

"It is for the most part." Sean looked over at Josh before doing as he had said. Pouring the hot metal into the mold Sean stopped when it had filled completely. "Depending on the design this is where it can be fun or a pain. You have to polish and smooth the edges once it's cooled a bit. Or try and reheat sections to bend them into place like you want."

"Seems like the part that requires the most artistic skill, at least," Josh commented, impressed by how deft Sean's hands were.

Sean thought about that before nodding in agreement. "Most artistic part but usually the one you can hurt yourself. If an edge is too sharp and you're not careful you can end up needing a hospital trip."

"Let's avoid that," Josh muttered, smiling to himself.

"I'll second that." Looking over the mold Sean nodded to himself. Pulling his gloves up a bit Sean turned the mold so the charm fell out onto the counter.

"Nice. Looks easy when you do it. I'd lose a finger," Josh joked.

Sean laughed and took one of Josh's hands in his, trying to imagine it without a digit. "I don't think that would be too becoming of you, might want to keep it," he said and gave Josh a wink before gesturing to the pendant. "It's like anything, the more you practice the easier it gets."

"Yeah, I'm not that desperate for insurance money," Josh joked. "And I'd imagine you're right, but I'm still duly impressed, man. Thanks for showing me all this, despite my complete lack of faith in my ability to do this kind of thing, it's pretty fascinating to watch you," he admitted. And it was--he always liked seeing people in their "natural habitats," so to speak, and it was good to see Sean looking more relaxed than the last time they'd met.

"Insurance money is never worth it." Looking away from the pendant Sean caught Josh's eyes and smiled. He'd never really shown anyone what he did for a living and hearing Josh didn't find it too boring or girly made him feel a bit more...relaxed for some reason. Knowing the pendant would be cool enough to pick up with the gloves Sean picked it up and looked it over. "When I get it polished up it can be yours if you want," he offered and gave Josh a slight nudge.

"Yeah?" Josh smiled. "Well you have to let me pay you for it," he insisted, nudging back.

"If you insist." Sean laughed and looked down at the pendant, holding it up against Josh's neck. "I'll throw in a chain for free, maybe a cord though, make it look more manly on you."

Josh laughed and flexed his bicep jokingly. "Yeah, I think a cord would look cooler."

Walking away from the oven Sean laughed and nodded. "Exactly my thoughts mate."

"I don't think either of us are exactly your burgeoning metrosexuals," Josh teased. "Where I come from, at least, that shit'll get you beat up pretty damned quick."

"Now as much as you probably look sexy in a fight I don't think that's the way to really go." Setting the pendant down Sean pulled off his gloves and looked over at Josh, giving him a smile.

"More bruised than sexy, man. I've gotten into my share of fights, but I don't usually win them," Josh admitted with a grin.

Sean raised an eyebrow at that, looking Josh over in a slightly different light. He had trouble imagining the other man having trouble not dominating a fight. "Really?"

"Well I guess it depends on who I'm fighting, but most of the fights I managed to get myself into were when I was younger, and often drunk, so I just went in swinging. Might have got a few blows in, but being young, stupid, and overly confident is never a good way to start something," Josh explained.

Sean thought about that a bit before nodding his head. "Okay, well I guess when you put it that way I can see how you might not be winning them as much."

"No one ever taught me how to fight, I guess."

"Sometimes that can be wiser honestly. I wish I hadn't been quite as...go jump in the middle as I was as a kid." Sean shrugged a bit at that and picked up the pendant carefully now that he had the gloves off, tilting it to the sides to check on the edges.

"Well, you've got the brawn to do it I guess. Is that still hot?" Josh asked, watching Sean handle the metal.

Sean ignored the varying ways he could imagine Josh's comment meaning and walked over to show him the pendent. "A bit, more warm them oh-my-God hot. Kind of like getting a cup of coffee fresh off."

"Well I like that," Josh replied, grinning a little maliciously and reaching out to touch the pendant in Sean's hands. "Was always the kind of guy to take scalding hot showers and the like."

"Must be a Southern thing." Sean gave Josh a wink, watching as he felt the pendant.

"Yes, masochism, a Southern art form," Josh joked with an eye roll. "Just don't tell mamaw and pop pop that you're giving me a necklace as a present."

Sean laughed and shook his head, not even able to imagine giving a guy a necklace in front of his parents. "Wouldn't dream of it. As much as I can look rough around the edges it's not quiet what I'm looking for."

Josh smiled at that. "You? Nah, you're a regular dapper dan," he teased.

"Cheeky brat," Sean said and then faked a macho pose.

Josh laughed and nudged Sean's arm, pushing him out of his pose.

Catching his balance easily Sean stuck his tongue out at Josh. "So was there anything else you wanted to look at or would you like to take off? Can't blame you if this is a bit boring."

"It's not that boring," Josh returned. "But I probably should get back. I appreciate you showing me around, though. And the pendant. If you've got a spare moment in the next week or two, we should have lunch."

"Sure, actually getting away from the stall definitely is a plus every now and then." Sean nodded his head almost as an affirmation before gesturing to the pendant. "Should have this done by then too."

"Excellent. How much do you usually charge for something like this?"

Sean looked down at the design again before pulling up the numbers in his head. "After all the work's done and it's finished about sixty, goes up if I embellish it a bit."

"Okay," Josh agreed. "I'll have cash on me, then."

"If not I know you're good for it since you really want to pay for it." Sean waved his hand and made a note of Josh's eye color in case he wanted to buff up the pendant a bit.

"All right, well, I should be able to get to the ATM. Give me a call and let me know what your schedule's like, okay?"

"Will do. Have a good day Josh," Sean said and took the gear from Josh that he'd been wearing earlier.

20 January; Pierce Brosnan and Josh Holloway; City Hall; PG-13

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 14:28:32 GMT

[crossposted to pierce_q and our_quarter]

Pierce sat on the steps of City Hall, a bottle of whiskey wrapped in brown paper at his feet. It was quite a nice night to be sitting waiting to meet someone he didn't even know.

Billy had given him a look when he had gone to buy his special supplies. He'd said he had a cheeky look on his face and wondered what he was up to. Pierce had smiled and said that if he were up for some mischief he could join him on his special evening. Billy had shaken his head and said that he was going to have an early night for once but wished Pierce luck with his scheming.

So here Pierce sat, not knowing what this Josh guy looked like, but sure that it was unlikely many guys would be turning up at City Hall at 2.01 am.

The unseasonable weather had put Josh in a good mood lately. Though it wasn't quite warm enough to go out on the water, at least he could wander the city at will and not catch his death, as his momma would say. Tonight he was especially glad for the warm night, as he and this Pierce guy were supposed to be meeting outside City Hall, a plan that he had to hand it to the guy for coming up with.

As he approached the steps, he broke into a smile at the tall, dark and handsome figure sitting there with a paper bag in a familiar shape. "That looks like whiskey to me, and if so, it doesn't matter that I don't know you--I already like you!" he exclaimed, holding out his hand to shake when he sat down next to the man.

"Josh is it? I'm Pierce." Pierce returned the hand shake firmly, pleasantly surprised to see the scruffy but ruggedly good looking man before him. He looked at his watch. "Exactly one minute past two...excellent!"

"I have to commend you for the idea. I like a guy with a sense of humour," Josh replied, stretching his legs out in front of him on the steps. "And it's good to meet you."

"Likewise," Pierce smiled pulling a plastic cup from behind him. "Sorry it's not the most elegant receptacle to drink from but I couldn't go walking the streets with glassware. He handed Josh the cup and poured him a sizeable nip of whisky. "Here's to flouting the proposed law!" He raised his own cup as a toast.

Josh grinned and "clicked" his cup to Pierce's before taking a good gulp. "I'm a Southern boy born and bred, man. First learned to drink nipping whisky from my grandaddy's flask and then drinking SoCo in red plastic cups from the backs of pickup trucks, so no elegance required here. This is good stuff, though. Much obliged!"

"I'm Irish so I think my mother's breast milk was whiskey!" Pierce laughed. "I like your style mate, agreeing to meet up at 2.01...such an ironic time!"

"So was mine's--just Jack Daniels," Josh joked. "And I liked your idea. Fuck the city, man. They can't take the party out of New Orleans, try as they might. No one 'round here's gonna stand for it."

"So have you lived here all your life?" Pierce asked liking Josh more every second. The guy had a spark, that and he was damn good looking.

"Actually no," Josh replied, taking another sip of his whiskey. "I grew up in bumfuck, Georgia, on a farm in the Blue Ridge mountains. Came here when I was still pretty much a kid, though, soon as I could leave home. Wanted to be somewhere I could sail; own a river cruise company now. What about you? What brings you to Louisiana?"

"A river cruise company? I've heard those things tooting but never been on one," Pierce took another sip of his whiskey. "Me? I came here to work at New Orleans' classiest establishment...Blue Visions. Do you know it?

Josh barked out a laugh at that response. "It's a porn cinema, isn't it? I've passed by; can't say I've had the pleasure of going in myself though."

"But you would if you had a chance?" Pierce asked. He wondered if Josh realised it was a gay porn cinema.

Josh shrugged. "Might do. I'm kind of ambivalent about porn. It's fun sometimes. Prefer the real thing of course," he said with a grin. "But when that's not available, yeah, it can be fun."

"Well of course the real thing is better!" Pierce laughed. "But some people can't get it, that's why that curfew idea has me screaming. You should have seen the poor sods in there Christmas Day...their only joy wanking off to some hot twink's cock and a piece of Christmas cake they got in the foyer. It sounds cliched but the porn industry can be a bit of a social panacea."

"Shame," Josh replied, shaking his head. "Granted, I spent my Christmas alone this year as well, but I got to wank in the comfort of my own home, all cocks imagined to perfection," he joked.

Pierce noted that Josh wanked to cocks and not tits...good sign. "As a young lad I used to wonder whether the Queen realised how many people enjoy a nice quiet Christmas wank!" Pierce laughed. "Always made her boring speech just that bit more interesting!" He laughed and poured more whiskey into Josh's cup. "Now how could a good looking fellow like you be on his own for Christmas?"

Josh laughed at that and shrugged. "Just how circumstances unfolded this year, I guess. My friends were all off with family or whatnot. Could've gone home to my ma and brothers, seen my nieces, but ma gets really weepy around Christmas ever since my dad died, so I decided to be a coward and let my siblings handle that."

"Sound like the best idea," Pierce smiled not wanting to delve into the other man's grief. "So a River Cruise Company huh? How many painful arsed tourists do you have to put up with in a day?"

"Boatloads, quite literally," Josh said with a grin. "But I'm not as directly involved as I was back when I just worked for the company. Now I deal more with representatives for groups, maintenance people, and my staff. It's much less annoying than it used to be."

"My best friend is a projector and a room full of gay porn," Pierce laughed.

"Hey, there could be worse jobs!" Josh said as he took another sip of his whisky. "Looking at guys fucking all day..." He shrugged. "Definitely could be worse. Although, in my experience, about ninety percent of porn is utter shit. It's one of those guilty pleasures--you know what you're watching has no quality whatsoever and yet you find yourself reaching for it in spite of yourself."

"You should come to Blue Visions then, plenty of quality and no-quality porn to be had! But we guarantee...all guys fucking are hot whether there's a storyline or artful photography involved." Pierce laughed. "You want a top up?" he asked reaching for the bottle.

"Yes please," Josh agreed, holding out his cup. "Best thing about living within walking distance--freedom to get hammered," he joked. "And maybe I will come by some time. Would be an experience at least, though I'm just slightly afraid of what to do if I get hit on by skeezy old men."

"I'll protect you from the old men...most of them I know by name...well by hand actually considering what I see them do!" Pierce poured an even larger snifter of alcohol into Josh's cup.
Josh laughed at that and took another gulp, the burn in his throat almost completely gone now that he was starting to get buzzed. "Getting acquainted with the old men's hands now, are you?" he asked with a little lopsided grin.

"Well watching them jerk off!" Pierce laughed. "You don't want to be shaking hands with any of those guys when they wish you a Merry Christmas!"

"Jesus, I wouldn't think so," Josh agreed. "So how on earth did you end up with a job like that?"

"It's the Pierce version of a sea change," Pierce laughed. "Seemed like it would be a no stress job...sitting around and just showing porn. Although that dream got shattered when Katrina hit."

"Wow, that's an interesting idea of a sea change," Josh replied with a laugh of his own. "So did you stick around during the hurricane then?"

"Had no choice," Pierce rolled his eyes. "My fucking stinking arsehole of a landlord wouldn't help anyone out. He fucked off to the sun and surf in Santa Monica leaving his tenants to fend for themselves. He still hasn't fixed the place up properly, even though I know he has the money to. But at least where I am I wasn't in danger. How about you?"

"Damn, that blows," Josh replied, shaking his head. "I went to my ma's place for a couple of weeks and then came back. Had a bit of property damage but nothing too extensive, and my dad ended up dying right around that time and leaving me with an unexpected inheritance... so, I did all right. Hate to edge out the competitors for a reason like that, but business was good once the tourists started returning," he admitted.

"Hey! Blue Visions never closed during the whole thing! Trade went up actually. People needed an escape and seeing one guy blow another was a perfect way to do it!" Pierce laughed.

Josh laughed and shook his head. "Well, I guess sex is always a good form of escapism," he agreed, taking another sip of whisky.

"That's why that fucking curfew idea is a wank. There's still depressed people out there. They need to go floating up and down the river or watch one guy stick his cock up another. The authorities just don't get it do they?" Pierce poured himself another cup and topped up Josh's.

Josh grinned at that. "Hell no. Idiots." As Josh took another gulp, though, he realised two things. One, he was starting to get quite pleasantly buzzed already, and two, one of said "idiots" appeared to be rounding the corner on his nightly beat. "Hey man, we've got company," he muttered, nodding at the cop.

"Smile nicely and don't tell him I work in porn!" Pierce giggled. It seemed now all the alcohol he had consumed was going to come to life in his system and he was finding it hard to be sensible.

"Evening officer!" Pierce grinned.

"Good evening, gentleman," the policeman replied, frowning as he drew closer. "What have you got there?"

"Let me handle this," Pierce whispered to Josh. "Use my Irish accent to its best effect!" Pierce turned to the police man. "Some of the good stuff from back home Sir. If you weren't on duty I'd offer you a drop. 'Tis the finest liquor in the world." Pierce had lain his accent on thick, almost to parody mode.

The cop raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt this time and not confiscate that, but you should know that public drunkenness is considered a misdemeanor under Louisiana law, not to mention our open container law, so I'm going to have to ask you gentlemen to go on home now."

Josh nodded and got to his feet slowly, waiting to see what Pierce's reaction would be.

A look of complete and utter disbelief spread across Pierce's face. "Oh Sir! I did not know that! Straight off the plane I am and catching up with an old friend of mine. If there is any disrespect for your fine laws here it's all due to my total ignorance." He remained seated. He hadn't finished drinking with his new friend Josh here and he wasn't planning to stop.

Josh just looked down at Pierce, bit his lip hard to restrain a giggle, and sat back down with a shrug. "He's really harmless, man. Just here on holiday... I'd take him back to my house, but you know, wife and the little ones are sleeping... we'll be done here in a minute."

The officer just stared at the two men, arms crossed, and finally sighed and against his better judgement, relented. "Go across the street and finish up. I'll be back this way in fifteen minutes and if you're still here, I'm going to have to confiscate that bottle and issue you with a fine. Can't have anyone in front of City Hall, though. Mayor wouldn't like it, and neither would the chief."

"Oh, and we couldn't upset the Mayor and chief could we now?" Pierce said respectfully but with an ironic tinge of sarcasm in his voice.

The cop frowned, not missing the man's sarcasm. "Fifteen minutes," he said gruffly and then turned on his heel and walked off in the opposite direction.

Josh was able to wait just until the cop had rounded the corner before he burst out laughing, clapping Pierce on the back. "Jesus, man, almost got us arrested!" he exclaimed, though his laughter didn't subside. "Straight off the plane indeed..."

"Hey, it's not a lie!" Pierce slapped Josh on the back. "I was straight off the plane...just a few years back. Didn't get the chance to say that in my rush to show respect to your fine constabulary." He poured Josh another drink. "Quick, drink up we only have fifteen minutes."

"Ain't mine," Josh mumbled, still smiling as he took large gulps of the whisky. "My county only had a sheriff, and he was only bad when we got found out smoking pot or having sex in the back of trucks."

"Sex in the back of trucks? I'd be willing to ignite the ire of that cop if I got the chance to fuck in a truck!" Pierce laughed so hard he spilt some of his whiskey. "Now that's poetry for you...'fuck in a truck'!"

Josh laughed as he took another gulp. "And you're not drunk at all, man..." he teased, though truth be told he was getting there pretty quickly himself.

"Fuck in a truck!" Pierce repeated suddenly finding the rhyme totally hilarious. He lent on Josh, both in drunken 'friendship' and also to steady himself.

Giggling slightly drunkenly himself, Josh slung an arm around Pierce's waist to keep him sitting upright. "All right, do I have to cut you off?"

"Nah, that fucking cop will be back soon so I suppose we had better call it a night." Pierce swayed. "That and New Orleans is having a Katrina aftershock, she's not too steady at the moment."

Josh grinned and finished the contents of his cup, attempting a freethrow into a nearby rubbish bin that banked off the rim and clattered to the curb instead. "Damn. Better get out of here before I get a litter violation added onto the public drunkenness. Want me to walk you home, man? Make sure you don't trip over your own two feet or something?"

"Walk me home? What? Have we been to the prom together or something?" Pierce laughed. "Promise if you come in for coffee you won't try to get into my panties?" He fluttered his eyelids and shot Josh a coy look.

Josh burst out laughing and rolled his eyes. "Hey, I'm just being nice. Could let you stumble home alone now, ya bastard."

"Now what sort of way is that to speak to a guest just arrived in your fine city?" Pierce winked. He grabbed Josh's arm. "Okay big boy! Wanna take me home?"

Delivery for bean_quarter

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:39:37 GMT

Hope you're doing better mate, but if not, here are some spirits to improve your mood and some coffee to cure the hangover, even when your usual delivery boy is slacking. Merry Christmas, Josh

15 December; Sean Bean and Josh Holloway; a bar in the Quarter; PG

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 06:21:39 GMT

[Cross posted to our_quarter and bean_quarter]

Josh was feeling rather restless, had been for a while. It was starting to get chilly, so business was at a low point, and that meant mindless tasks like accounting and doing repairs on the fleet, the kind of stuff Josh would just as soon delegate. He hadn't seen Naveen since their "date" the other night, and he hadn't seen much of his other friends either, everyone spending less time hanging around the market and the like now that winter had set in. Tonight, he planned to find himself a place to have a few drinks, maybe listen to some music, and not sit around bored and depressed. What he didn't expect, stepping into the bar and ordering a double shot of Jack, was to find Sean sitting in the corner, nursing a whisky of his own.

Sean frowned as he looked down at the glass he'd been working on. He knew getting drunk was the last thing he really needed after everything. The second encounter with Viggo was still weighing on him, especially the more he thought about it. The more he realized how stupid he'd been about it. Sean had almost gone to Viggo's work, just to apologize again, see if the other man was okay, but he hadn't been able to bring himself to it yet. Not when he knew that there were things he had to deal with now. Like getting yourself tested. Sighing Sean picked his glass up and took a drink.

"Hey, man. You all right there?" Josh asked, noticing Sean's dejected look as he slid into the booth across from his friend. He was no therapist but he could bet the man was in a rough spot by the set of his shoulders and the look in his eyes, not to mention the near-empty glass in front of him.

Sean looked up at the voice, a bit surprised to see Josh sliding into the booth across from him. He hadn't seen much of the man lately and Sean hadn't been nearly as pro-active as he should have considering. Shrugging his shoulders a bit Sean nodded. "Been one of those weeks," he offered.

"Say no more," Josh replied with a smile. "I know the feeling. Next one's on me," he offered, nodding at the other man's glass. "Been too long, Bean."

Sean gave Josh a brief smile in thanks and leaned back a bit in the booth. "That it has, how have you been?"

"All right, I guess," Josh replied. "Business is slow and boring, and the weather is putting a damper on my normal activities. Not exactly sailing weather," he explained with a smile.

Sean nodded his head. "I can imagine that. Business is slowing down too at the market with the weather. Switched the hours around to the middle of the day and that's about it."

"Must be chilly working out there on the colder days, though," Josh sympathized. "I guess this is one time you're lucky you're not back in England."

"There are a lot of times I'm lucky I'm not there," Sean said with a slight laugh. "Although I think at times every place has the option to not be the most ideal place to be."

"Very true," Josh agreed. "I should apologize for having failed in my coffee-delivery missions as of late. I hope you aren't feeling too deprived."

"I'm surviving," Sean said and gave the man a bit of a smile. "Figured you found some other pastimes, or people to share with."

Josh smiled and shrugged. "To some extent, yeah. But mostly I've just been a hermit, so I've got no excuse for not bothering to pick up the phone and give you a ring. Gotten much too friendly with my sofa and the local pizza delivery joint lately, I admit."

Sean frowned a bit, especially when the first thing he could think was that he should have been following Josh's example the last month. "That's too bad. Any reason for the isolation?"

"I don't know, just a mood I think," he replied with another shrug. "What about you? Having a bad time of it for a reason or just the weather?"

"Kind of my stupidity," Sean said honestly, finishing up the liquid in his glass.

"Oh?" Josh didn't push further, leaving it up to the other man whether to elaborate as he signaled a nearby waitress and pointed to his friend's glass.

Sean fingered the rim of his glass. "Just did something stupid to someone that I shouldn't have."

"Uh oh," Josh replied. "Well, maybe it's not as bad as you're thinking now? I mean, things have a tendency to enlarge themselves in our heads, you know?"

Sean nodded a bit, although he had a feeling it was as bad as he thought. Or had the potential. You sleep around; he doesn't. "I hope it turns out to be that."

"I'm sure it will," Josh reassured the man, reaching out across the table to give the thick muscle between neck and shoulder a little rub. "And if it doesn't, well, you'll apologize and move on."

Sean appreciated the light touch and nodded. "I'll have to keep that in mind Josh," he said, fully meaning it. After all, pending finding out something bad about his health or Viggo pressing issues Sean knew logically he'd be okay.

"And if all goes to hell, well, give me a call and I'll get you liquored up and offer a free ass to fuck your problems out on," Josh teased, only half-joking.

Sean finally laughed at that. "I appreciate that Josh."

"No problem, man," Josh replied with a grin, glad to see his friend laughing. "Now drink up," he encouraged when the waitress showed up with another glass of whisky. "I've gotta do my duty as the resident bad influence," he joked, raising his own glass.

Raising an eyebrow Sean couldn't help but smile as he raised his glass with Josh. "Sounds like a fair trade."

"I specialize in booze, sex, and cheering up. It runs in the family," Josh replied with a small eye roll as he took a drink. "May his soul rest in peace, but dear ole' Dad was definitely an expert on the first two. The cheering up not so much."

"Well that gives you room to make the mixture better." Sean just barely nudged Josh's foot with his. "Cheering up is definitely appreciated."

"Any time, my friend. You should come over some time if you're feeling down; I've got a nice little house in the Quarter. Even has a pool, though that's not so much of a draw these days. You still living in that hotel?"

"Sounds like a nice place to hang out." When Josh asked about where he was living Sean realized how long it had been since he'd seen Josh. "Naw, have a little apartment now. Well an apartment, mainly empty cause I haven't gone into decorating mode yet."

"I don't blame you," Josh replied. "My house is nice but it's very sleek, simple. I'm shit for decorating, just bought all that shit in one swoop and don't deal with it anymore now."

"I wish I'd done that. I have the essentials—bed, couch, someplace to eat and a work desk." Sean thought over his apartment and nodded his head. "Yeah, that's about it."

"Well that's all you really need. Do you do your work at home or do you have a studio or something?" Josh asked, taking a sip of his drink as he leaned back a bit in the booth.

"Do finalizing and designing at home. When I do the metal work there's a place further into town that my boss lets me use." Sean shrugged and took a drink of his whiskey. "Wouldn't mind having a studio in a house so I could just work there the whole time."

"That would be pretty fucking awesome," Josh agreed. "Is the metal work dangerous?"

"If you don't know what you're doing yeah," Sean shrugged a bit. "I mean to work with metal, especially silver, you have to get it hot. So you can do some damage."

"I think I'd be a bit chicken shit when it comes to that sort of thing," Josh admitted. "I won't even take something out of the oven without potholders if I can avoid it."

Sean laughed a bit at the image and looked over at Josh, considering a bit. "If you want, could take you to the place some time, you could see the equipment."

"That would be cool," Josh agreed. "I'd like to see how you do what you do. And fuck, that was not supposed to sound like a pickup line," he added with a laugh, shaking his head.

"Right now I don't think I'd take it as a pick up line." Sean reached over and gave Josh's hand a quick squeeze. "After the holidays it'll die down for a bit, could shut the shop down for a few days, would be able to show you then if you want."

"Definitely. I'm pretty much free as a bird in January, other than doing paper work and making sure repairs and such are done on schedule."

"Works out perfect." Sean made a mental note to himself and looked at the glass of whiskey. "You might have to remind me to schedule that in when I'm not a few drinks in."

Josh grinned and shook his head. "I'll remind ya--when I come bring you coffee. Soon, I promise."

Sean smiled, taking another drink. "Sounds great."

2 December; Josh Holloway and Naveen Andrews; Indian restaurant and Naveen's residence; NC-17

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:07:05 GMT

[crossposted to josh_q and naveen_q]

When he'd gotten ready at home, Josh had actually been looking forward to his date with Naveen, which he'd finally stopped being a pussy long enough to schedule, but now, standing on the landing of Naveen's apartment with his fist raised to knock, he wasn't so sure. He'd made a reservation at a pretty nice Indian place that he loved in the Quarter, but now he wondered if he was going to look like a racist prick. 'No no, I just _like_ Indian food, it has nothing to do with you,' sounded like a pretty lame excuse, even if it was true. And then there was the fact, restaurant choice aside, that Josh was scared shitless. He didn't do "normal" dates. He fucked around sometimes, and had had a few relationships, but he rarely was one to ask a guy to dinner and a movie. But, Naveen was strangely special, for reasons that Josh didn't understand and was unnerved by at the same time.

Sighing to himself, he ran his hand through his hair, took a step back, considered fleeing, and finally, before he could back out of it, knocked firmly on the door, shoving his hand back in the pocket of his khaki trousers before he could back out.

Naveen was more nervous than he could remember being in a long time. An actual date wasn't something he had truly ever been on. He'd been very careful during his time in the military not to let anyone know of his preferences. All he'd had back then was quick liaisons at gay clubs that were nowhere near where he was stationed. So this...this was new to him.

He was already checking himself for the tenth time in the mirror by the door when he heard the knock on his door. He had on a brilliant green button-down shirt with black slacks. It was light-weight material and perfect for the weather, the color perfect for his dark skin. Stepping over to the door, he opened it and smiled at the other man, hiding his nervousness behind the friendly greeting. "I was wondering if you were going to chicken out," he quipped.

"Me? Chicken? Never," Josh replied with a grin, his nerves vanishing at the familiarity of the exchange. He did have a little trouble refraining from staring, though, as Naveen looked wonderful, and Josh couldn't help but wonder how this night was going to end. "You about ready or do you need a minute?"

"I'm ready. Unlike some, I don't need long to prepare. Have you figured out where you're taking me?" It was unusual for him to be going out like this with anyone; especially when he didn't know where they were going. Not being in control wasn't easy for him. However, he was fighting his natural inclinations and his need to be in charge and was just going along with it.

"Um, yeah," Josh replied as Naveen locked up and set his security system. "There's this Indian place I really like a few blocks down, I thought we'd go there if that's okay, they have a really amazing biryani and the vindaloo's good if you can handle the spice," he explained, a little nervous still about whether Naveen would think he was stereotyping.

Naveen smiled over at Josh, trying to allay some of the other man's evident nervousness. "Well, I'll just have to compare it to what my grandmother used to make and see if they truly do know how to make it, won't I?" He nudged Josh in the side with his elbow. "Relax, I promise not to bite your head off."

Josh frowned, seeing that he'd been caught, and led the way down the stairs.
"I know you won't..." he objected, silent for a moment as he shoved his hands in his pockets and took a left down the street. "Did your grandmother cook much, then?" he asked after a moment, curious about Naveen's upbringing in a way he certainly wouldn't be about a casual fuck. He tried not to think about it too much.

"Oh, yeah, she did. Quite often in fact. She'd go down to the market at least five days a week, making sure to only get the freshest of ingredients; fresh spices, vegetables, whatever it was she'd be cooking with that day. After school, my friends and I would all gather in the kitchen and listen as she told stories and cooked. Well, at least until I was too old for those sorts of things," he explained, smiling over at Josh. It was unusual for him to be so open about his past. Anything people knew about him could be used against him. He realized that not everyone, or everything was suspect and he had to go with his gut.

Josh grinned at Naveen's story, enjoying tidbits about a man he honestly knew very little about. "That sounds a bit like my gran... she used to make the most amazing Sunday dinner after church, and all the kids around would 'help,' even if we were probably making it worse. She'd tell us stories about the Depression, and how they had no food, yada yada. 'Ain't no use in a plate that a little boy forgot to clean! When I was your age...'" He trailed off, not able to keep up the impersonation for long, and broke into laughter.

Naveen laughed at that, not aware of how his eyes lit up or the small lines that appeared around them. Shaking his head, Naveen turned with Josh down the street, having a feeling he knew exactly which restaurant the other man was taking him to. "My grandmother was the same! 'Back in India when I was a girl...' Now, mind you, I know it was hard in India, but it was almost as bad as walking to school barefoot in a foot of snow five miles uphill both ways!"

"Jesus, that doesn't sound all that fun," Josh replied, shaking his head and laughing. "I'm such a Southerner at heart... the thought of snow makes me cringe, but I've only seen more than flurries once, thank God. Does it snow much in England?" he asked, realising that he didn't know a thing about the weather there and not for the first time embarrassed by his ignorance when it came to other countries.

"Not much, no. Perhaps a couple inches and then everyone is lost and can't manage to figure out what to do with themselves," Naveen answered, shaking his head in amusement. "I wasn't home much after I joined the military to worry about it all that much. But I always enjoyed it when I was a kid. They always cancelled school."

"Military, huh? My dad was in Vietnam, in the Navy. I was supposedly conceived the night he came home, believe it or not... I think one of his greatest regrets was that I didn't sign up to go off to the Gulf," Josh recalled, shaking his head. "Not really my thing, though. What division were you in?"

"I was in the RAF actually," he answered, dodging the actual question. "A file clerk mostly doing random jobs as they saw fit. I was in the Gulf a few times. Though, I somehow can't see you in the military. You're too much of a free spirit. Besides, you would have had to cut that gorgeous hair of yours and it's too nice just like it is." He grinned over at Josh and butted him slightly with his shoulder.

Josh laughed at that, shoving Naveen back slightly. "I would've beaten the recruiting officers off before I allowed them to give me a crew cut. And no, I don't really take well to orders, I'm afraid. RAF though, does that mean you know how to fly planes? That's pretty cool," he commented, leading the way across the street to the small restaurant's entrance.

Shaking his head, Naveen retorted, "No, I don't know how to fly. Though I've been on board many a plane going here and there. Military flights are not as comfortable as commercial, I promise you that much. Oh, and I've jumped out of a few planes in my day as well."

"You've jumped out of a fucking plane? That's awesome, man!" Josh exclaimed, momentarily reverting to six-year-old little boy mode as they reached the door. He opened it for Naveen and then followed him inside, blushing when the woman at the front didn't even ask his name, but just ushered them to a table. "I eat here a lot, can you tell?" he muttered as they walked back.

"No, not at all," Naveen answered dryly, lips twitching in amusement as they sat across from one another. Leaning back in his seat, he looked over at Josh, appreciating the long, lean lines of the other man as he sat down. "And as for jumping out of airplanes, it is an experience like no other. I take it you've never done the same?"

"I don't make a habit of it, nah," Josh replied sarcastically, sitting across from Naveen and then turning to the waitress to order a glass of water and a mango lhassi to drink. "I had a friend who went base jumping once, but they required a $500 deposit. Hell if I had that laying around at the time."

Naveen smiled then, excited about the prospect. And seeing the man's face light up like that filled him with a warmth he'd rather not contemplate. "Would you like to learn?" he asked casually, quickly ordering the same thing and returning his attention to the man sitting in front of him.

"Seriously?" Josh grinned, a little disbelieving. "Man, that would be awesome... is there somewhere around here we could do it, though?"

"Of course! I still go up every few months. I can bring you with and you can jump tandem. Then, if you still like it, I can teach you. I'm certified as an instructor." Naveen chuckled as he watched Josh's reaction. He had to admit he liked that look on Josh's face.

"Are you? That would be awesome, man, really..." Josh grinned as he thought what an incredible rush it would be to rush out of a plane, especially if Naveen was the one at his back. "I swear, I'm starting to feel old or something. I never get to go out and do crazy stuff like that now that I have a business and 'grown up' responsibilities." Josh shook his head and laughed. "My twenty year old self is yelling at me right now."

Naveen laughed and shook his head. "And I've managed to do more than my share of stupid things in my life to make up for your lack thereof, I promise you! However, I still enjoy doing some of those things, so if you ever want to join me, just let me know. I'm sure I can teach you how!"

"Hey, stupid adventures are right up my alley, man," Josh replied with a broad smile, sipping at the lhassi that the waitress had set down for him and tearing off a bit of nan to dip in cucumber-yoghurt sauce. "You ever just get in a car and drive, no destination, just heads-or-tails on which way to turn? Best feeling ever, I think, that freedom."

"God yes!" Naveen retorted, quickly swallowing the piece of curry he had just taken into his mouth. "I used to do that all the time when I was on leave back home. And quite often here when I can manage to get away, though not as often."

"Yeah, business responsibilities always put a damper on it," Josh agreed. "It's wonderful to be financially secure, but I'm looking forward to November when our schedule drops back for the off-season and I can afford some time away."

"And here I'm trying to find a way to bring in customers for the winter. It's worrying me, the sudden slowing of business as we're not even to the level of business we were at before Katrina." Naveen took a quick drink and then continued, "However, I've gotten a guy in to play guitar and sing a few nights a week so I'm hoping that'll bring some more regular business in."

"Oh yeah? I'll have to stop by sometime, see if he's any good," Josh mused before taking another bite. "I feel kind of bad because everyone's been scrambling to regroup after the hurricane and I'm just sort of sitting around on my ass. Got some money at a good time though," Josh explained.

"Did you lose any boats or anything in the floods?" Naveen asked. "I wouldn't complain for good fortune. It just means you were lucky is all. We never know what tomorrow may bring."

"That's a good philosophy," Josh agreed as he tore off another bit of bread. "I did take some damages on the boats I had, but I was able to repair them and buy one more, plus the ones we use now for swamp cruises, with the money I inherited. My father passed away right around the time of the hurricane," he explained.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Naveen replied, nothing automatic about the phrase forming from his mouth. He meant what he said. "I know how difficult a time that is and it could only have been harder in the aftermath of the hurricane."

Josh shrugged, not really sure what to say. He was never very comfortable talking about his father, not so much because he died but because he couldn't lie and say he'd liked him very much in life. "We were never very close... he didn't approve of a lot of things about me, the least of which being the fact that I moved to New Orleans to sail rather than sticking around and taking over the farm. There are other things he would've approved of less, had he known." Josh smiled, slightly bitterly, shaking his head. "Hardly believed it when the bastard left me a third of what he owned. I was expecting something sarcastic--maybe the switch he used to use on me," he joked.

"Sounds like a rough relationship," Naveen commented softly, his eyes meeting Josh's in understanding. "I may be close to my family, and was always close to my mother. But I have had a few moments with my da. He wasn't happy when I joined the military and chose to make it a career instead of just a passing fancy." He reached out under the table and nudged Josh's foot, a wry smile on his face.

"God that's hard to imagine," Josh replied, shaking his head with a smile. "The military would've been a perfect career in my father's opinion... but then, I guess all dads are different. Only similarity is, no matter what you want it's not quite right for them." He laughed and took another bite of food before nudging Naveen's foot back, smiling at him. "So what would your dad have rather you'd have done, then?"

"An accountant or lawyer would have been fine with him. Anything that kept me in London by his side and the family's where they could dictate every turn my life made. And as my father, I would have had no say in that as I would have had to respect his wishes. But it was too late by the time I was in Her Majesty's Service and he couldn't say much about it then," Naveen replied, shaking his head. "He would have had me married with seven children if he could have!"

Josh groaned sympathetically at that prospect. "That's what siblings are for, man. Let someone else pop out the babies, and I'll just go and get...what's the word y'all use for it? Buggered? I like that. I'll go get buggered," he joked with a little wiggle of his eyebrows. "I can't really see you as a lawyer or an accountant though, honestly. I mean, maybe, but I think you'd make a much better bad-ass RAF pilot," he admitted with a grin.

Chuckling, Naveen sipped at his drink. "I was much more suited to military life, that's for certain." His lips quirked upward then and he nodded. "Yeah, buggered covers it. As do a number of other things we won't go into in polite company."

Josh laughed at that. "Tomato, tomah-to," he joked. "You know, when I first moved here I was pretty damn embarassed by my accent, what with all the Yankee tourists on the boats being like 'aw, he's so cute'... but then I sort of decided, fuck 'em, they're coming to my part of the country so they can just deal with it. Like, if I went to London or something I wouldn't walk up to you and be like 'hey man, you talk funny,'" he pointed out with a grin.

"You're living in the south, mate! Tell the others to bugger off!" Naveen retorted, grinning broadly. "Be who you are supposed to be, not what anyone else expects you to be. I refuse to compromise. Besides, it brings more of those yanks into my pub when they hear my 'accent'."

Josh grinned at that. "Popular, are you? I'm sure the girls are on you like white on rice for it," he joked.

Rolling his eyes, Naveen laughed at that. "Something I could do without, I assure you! I don't like having to disappoint them when I tell them that lately I'm just not interested in soft curves and breasts. Give me hard lines and hard cocks and that's what turns me on of late." Or one in particular...

Josh laughed to mask the almost painfully quick hardening in his pants at those words coming from Naveen's mouth. Jesus. Warn a guy, why don't you? "Yeah, no kidding. Women can be great friends, but sometimes they just don't get the message. I guess they figure anyone who isn't limp-wristed with a lisp is a fair target."

Naveen's mouth twitched at that. "Well, I assure you there is nothing limp...about me as you well know." His gaze took on a heated, glazed look as he let his eyes drift down over Josh's chest and upper body before lifting to meet the other man's gaze. "Are you done yet?" Suddenly, all he wanted to do was get out of there and slam Josh up against a wall and take him hard...then take him back to his apartment and take him nice and slow. Just the thought had his own trousers tightening a bit about the crotch.

Josh's lips curled into a slow grin at the question. "Sure am... and seeing as how I'm being a proper gentleman and all tonight, I assume you want me to deposit you on your doorstep with a kiss on the cheek and a hug, right?" he asked as he signalled for the check.

"I was thinking more along the lines of coming in for a nightcap," Naveen retorted, grinning now as he waited for his friend to pay for their meal so they could make it out of there.

"Well I suppose that wouldn't compromise my fragile morals too much," Josh teased, quickly doling out the payment for their meal in cash when the bill came and telling the waitress to keep the change.

Naveen laughed as they made their way through the restaurant and back out into the night. He quickly glanced up and down the street, ensuring all was clear and safe as he usually did. Reaching out, he wrapped his arm around Josh's waist and pulled him closer to kiss him briefly. "Thank you for dinner, it was wonderful."

Josh smiled brightly at the kiss and the general closeness and fell into step with Naveen, his own arm circling Naveen's waist as well and squeezing gently. "Pleasure was all mine. You're good company." He found that it was true, not only sexually but also as a friend, and for that Josh was grateful. Good conversation was something he couldn't always find these days.

"I'm afraid we have a bit more in common than one might think," Naveen retorted in agreement smiling teasingly. "And I can't wait to show you some of the things I've done. I think you'll enjoy them...Even if they are outside of the bedroom."

"Hey, I don't spend all my time thinking about sex... just ninety-five percent of it," Josh replied as they headed back towards the Pub. "I do think skydiving sounds incredibly awesome, though. It's got to be exhilarating... maybe even as exhilarating as the things I'd like to do to you after that nightcap," he added with a little smirk.

"Just what do you plan on doing to me after our nightcap?" Naveen quipped, amusement lighting his face as he turned his head and met his friend's gaze, lifting a brow as he let his gaze slide down over the body right next to him.

"Well now you're a smart man, Andrews. I'm sure you can figure it out," Josh replied, his face in a full-on grin now as he too unabashedly let his eyes roam Naveen's body.

Naveen grinned at that. "So, now it's a guessing game, is it? Do I get a prize if I get it right?"

Josh laughed out loud at that. "Oh, there's a prize, don't you worry," he teased as they neared Naveen's corner.

"Ooooh, promises promises," Naveen quipped leading the way around the corner and glancing around automatically before leading the way up the stairs and quickly opening his apartment and turning off the alarm. All of his less high tech security measures showing the area clear and unmessed with as well. So he relaxed and dropped his keys into the tray on the table by the door and quickly drew Josh in against him. He kissed the other man deeply, demandingly, his tongue darting out to tease along Josh's lips before he slowly pulled back, gripping Josh's lower lip with his teeth and pulling lightly before letting go and pulling back. "I've been wanting to do that all night."

"You too, huh?" Josh's smirk was playful as he fisted his hands in Naveen's shirt and drew their lips together again, this time taking control of the kiss, his tongue darting in and out of Naveen's mouth as his hips rolled sensually against the other man, a quick shift of his legs pressing them both up erection-to-thigh. "You feel fucking good," he growled, one hand reaching up to tangle in Naveen's curls before resuming the kiss.

Naveen's hands began pulling at Josh's clothing, pulling his shirt out from his trousers, quickly pulling at the buttons to get them open so he could run his hands up over Josh's chest, pinching slightly at his nipples before he moved his hands further up and shoved Josh's shirt off his shoulders.

Josh groaned at the little pinches and did his part to help Naveen get his shirt off, breaking away from the kiss to pull Naveen's own over his head, too impatient to mess with buttons. He let his hands roam the strong muscles of Naveen's back and shoulders, his lips descending on Naveen's bare neck as he pressed their hips together again.

"Let's forget about that nightcap and have it later," Naveen managed when he pulled back and looked at Josh from an inch or so away. At that point, all he wanted was to feel the other man beneath him, pounding into him as his hands explored his body.

"Damn fucking straight," Josh growled, followed by a little grin as he quickly unzipped Naveen's trousers and took a firm hold of what he found inside. "Glad you're not one of them nice boys who don't put out on the first date," he joked, moving his fist in a hard stroke up, over, and back down.

"Fuck," Naveen gasped, his hands tightening on Josh's upper arms as the sudden sensation swept through him, sending pleasure straight through him and causing his cock to harden even further in response. "Josh..."

"Good, huh?" Josh asked rhetorically, grinning as he bent his head and bit lightly at the elegant curve of Naveen's neck. He wouldn't lie--he liked when this man fucked him, quite a lot, but he also liked getting to play a bit.

Naveen nodded briefly, sighing softly as Josh's hand stroked in just the right way as to send a wave of pleasure washing through him. "Yeah...very good..." His own hands weren't idle as he quickly managed to get Josh's cock free of his trousers and gripped it hard, stroking up and back before cupping Josh's balls, rolling them in his hand.

"Damn... ah..." Josh gasped as Naveen cupped his balls. "Just like that, fuck." He flicked his thumb over the head of Naveen's cock, slicking the precome back down the shaft, and kept it up for a few more moments before he realised it was going to soon be too much. "Your choice, man. We can jerk each other off here in the hallway or finish up in your bed. I could go either way, but you'd better... fuck... choose quickly."

"Bedroom then, now...I want to be inside of you, Josh. To feel you heat surrounding my cock as I fuck you into mattress," Naveen returned, pushing Josh from him and turning him around toward the bedroom. He thought he was going to explode before they got there at this rate.

Josh's arousal turned a happy little number in his gut at that idea, but he didn't want to act like a complete girl. "Now tell me something," he requested as he walked backwards towards the bedroom, a mischievous smile on his face. "Why is it always that way, hmm? Why never the other way 'round? I've got one of these too, you know," he informed the other man, lifting his cock in one hand.

Naveen lifted a brow at that, shoving Josh back on the bed and coming very quickly on top of him, pressing their hips down against one another so their cocks were squeezed between them. "Do you ever go away unsatisfied?" he asked softly.

Josh frowned, realising he wasn't going to win this argument, but he couldn't deny his response. "Well, no..." he agreed, pressing his hips upwards as he grabbed a hold of Naveen's waist. "I'm just sayin'. Never wanna toss things up a little? I like it this way, don't get me wrong...but it's not what I'm used to," he admitted.

He wasn't sure if it was the emotion behind the hard-won admission, but Naveen found himself answering honestly. "Because I never put myself into a position where I could potentially lose control of my surroundings and be at someone else's mercy." Then Naveen smiled, leaning down to kiss Josh deeply. "But I always make sure you are satisfied. I love seeing that look of ecstasy as my cock is in your arse and I'm fucking you until neither of us can breathe and then you finally just let it all go, Josh. It's a gorgeous thing to behold...believe me."

Josh sighed into the kiss, torn between disappointment that Naveen didn't trust him enough to keep the other man safe while he lost control and desire to just give in and let Naveen take him. The next words sealed the deal, as he had never heard such words of praise and awe centred on him before. "Well, I hope you're not just talking pretty," he replied in a snarky tone to belie the depth of his emotions. "But God help me, all right, I want it. Like this. This time, at least."

Reaching over to the side table, Naveen pulled out a condom and lubricant from the drawer. He was almost beyond caring what Josh said, and knew that they could discuss it later if there was a problem. But he would not give in and give up his control. Moaning softly, he kissed Josh once more as he rolled the condom on before pulling back and removing the rest of their clothing, not paying attention where they were tossed.

Josh was much more comfortable with kissing than talking at this point, anyway-- no danger of revealing anything personal that way--and so he kissed back greedily, doing his part to help Naveen remove their clothes and then pulling the other man down by the waist, his own legs spreading naturally as he reached up for another kiss.

Naveen's cock ached in need as he pushed up Josh's legs so he had access to the other man's arse. Using the lube, he prepared two fingers, pressing first one deep inside and then the other as he teased Josh, preparing him for his cock. Scissoring his fingers, he brushed them against the other man's prostate, rubbing it in time with his movements.

"Goddamn," Josh gasped, groaning as his prostate was stimulated and letting his legs fall open. "I've gotta say though, man..." He paused to moan at a particularly strong sensation. "... you've got fucking amazing fingers."

"I'm amazing with other parts of me too, mate," Naveen returned, grinning as he pulled his fingers out and positioned himself behind Josh, pushing his cock slowly into the other man, inch by slow, agonizing inch. It took all the control he had not to just thrust in and pound away.

"Goddamn," Josh explained, any complaints lost as he braced himself and focused on stretching to let Naveen in. "You could say that..." he muttered, head falling back as he arched into Naveen.

Leaning over, Naveen claimed Josh's mouth, kissing him demandingly, his tongue forcing its way into Josh's mouth, teasing and dancing along the depths. His hips finally fit in against Josh's arse, a soft moan lost in the midst of their kiss. Then he was pulling his hips back just as slowly before slamming them back into Josh's arse.

Josh didn't mind that he was the one being fucked, but he was anything but passive, one hand on the back of Naveen's head as he greedily swallowed Naveen's moan and kissed him possessively, a moan of his own ripped from his throat as his body jerked with the hard thrust. "More," he demanded against Naveen's lips, his eyes fiery with passion that almost bordered on violence as his body surged with the desire to claim, to posses, even from this position. He was too strung out on sex and Naveen to really think about what that might entail.

"Yes," Naveen said softly into the kiss, allowing Josh to dominate the kiss. He began pounding deeply into the other man, speeding up his movements and pushing into the other man hard, thrusting and pounding. The pleasure swept over him, crashing against him and sending him very quickly higher and closer to the edge.

Josh groaned as Naveen quickly answered his request and reached down, his hands groping alternately at the backs of Naveen's thighs and his arse to push him in harder, his own hips rocking up to meet Naveen's strokes faster and harder. "Ah!" he gasped aloud before he clamped his teeth down on the sound, his orgasm suddenly taking him by surprise as he shamelessly continued to slam himself down on Naveen's cock, drawing out the pleasurable tremors as long as he could. He didn't stop to think about how long it had been since he had come that quickly without having his cock touched, but simply let his head fall back as pleasure overcame him.

Josh's orgasm took Naveen by surprise, but even as he tightened around him, and he reached down to finish Josh off, enjoying the feel of his cock throbbing in his hand, Naveen bit at Josh's lower lip and suddenly felt swept away, his own release suddenly slamming into him, taking him away as he pounded a few more times into Josh and stilled, his own cock throbbing as the long hot spurts of his cum exploded into the condom covering in as he stilled deep inside of Josh.

Josh found himself feeling oddly sentimental as he watched Naveen follow him over the edge, gently stroking the side of Naveen's face as his kisses slowed to something soft and sweet. He felt none of that familiar impulse to flee when Naveen's thrusts slowed to a standstill, and he smiled to himself, as if recalling a particularly funny inside joke, his hands tracing idle paths up and down Naveen's back.

"You gotta work tomorrow?" Naveen asked quietly, running his own hands lightly over Josh's body as he just enjoyed the feel of the other man against him. He hoped that perhaps Josh could at least take a few hours off in the morning so they could enjoy the night together, but he wasn't sure Josh was ready for that.

"Mm, yeah, but I set my own schedule. You want me to stay?" Josh asked, careful to keep his tone casual. They were on slightly fragile ground here, after their past two encounters, but he was starting to feel comfortable with Naveen. This time, he really didn't want to leave and start back to square one.

Nodding, Naveen tilted his head to meet the other man's gaze. "I'd like that, yes. If you would want to, that is..." He could sense a certain hesitance in Josh and wasn't sure what it stemmed from, so he was trying to be careful in his own right.

"Yeah, I would," Josh agreed with a smile, careful not to add any 'just for convenience's sake' comments. Naveen wasn't giving him any reason to run, and he was going to try his damndest not to. "Your bed is pretty comfy," he did add, with a grin.

"I'm glad you approve," Naveen returned. Pushing himself up, he smiled down at the other man, more than happy with Josh's decision. It was the perfect ending to the perfect night.

Weird...

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 23:31:42 GMT

I don't think my head's quite on straight lately. I've sort of been avoiding Naveen... well not avoiding him, really, because I'm really looking forward to that dinner we talked about, but slightly afraid to call after what happened and the whole jealousy issue. Because I really want to see him, and that is not normal. At least, shouldn't be.

Sean and I have a great time together. And he's a fucking amazing lay. That night on the boat was out of this world, but then I'm starting to wonder if a man really has a right to so much pleasure, and if maybe I'm tempting fate. Two days later at the Pub, and Naveen mentioning Sean, and I think I might have bad karma. So maybe I'll try to be a bit more friendly and a bit less gropey with Sean, and get off my ass and pick up the phone and set a night with Naveen. I've got just the place in mind, too...

15 September; The Pub; Naveen Andrews, Josh Holloway; NC-17

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 19:23:01 GMT

[crossposted to our_quarter and naveen_q]

Josh hadn't been back to The Pub since over a month ago, when Naveen had brought him back to his apartment over top. But tonight he needed a beer, and his legs had for some unknown reason steered him to this place. Well, okay, maybe he did know. And it wasn't like he couldn't get sex elsewhere, in fact, he was doing just fine on that front, so this recent fascination with Naveen had to come from something other than sex. Josh just wasn't quite ready to admit that.

Naveen was just coming out of the kitchen when he glanced through the pub, stopping when he saw a familiar face as it came through the door. His cock twitched in memory of the night he'd shared with Josh and he had to school himself to settle down. Smoothing down his trousers, he also couldn't help but flash back to a few weeks ago when he'd seen how close Josh had been getting with Sean. What the hell had been up with that anyway? Josh, too, was unable to keep his body from reacting at the sight of Naveen coming into the pub from the back. One look into those deep brown eyes and he was suddenly remembering rough fingers, caressing his prostate just perfectly, and a man confident enough to control a situation in a way that made Josh feel strangely safe. Blushing, he lowered his eyes and stepped up the bar, ordering a straight shot of Jack and then cursing himself when the taste reminded him how he had gotten himself into this mess in the first place. He downed the rest of the drink in one gulp.

A slight smirk lit his face as Naveen worked his way through the crowd and slid in behind Josh. Leaning in, he put his lips in against Josh's ear so when he spoke, it would be a quiet undertone that no one else could hear.

"So, no flavor of the night, I see," he quipped before his teeth took Josh's earlobe between his teeth and pull slightly. Why it would matter to him what Josh did beyond their night together was escaping him at the moment.

He did care and that was what mattered.

Josh frowned, but couldn't hold back a shudder at Naveen's quietly dominating presence or the delicious pull of his teeth. What the hell? After an awkward at best conversation and not much else, suddenly Naveen was all touchy feely?

"What are you talking about?" he muttered, signaling the barman for another whisky and forcing himself not to lean back towards Naveen. Sneaking up on someone like some bloody magician. He'd try to ignore the stirring said technique caused in his trousers.

"You seemed awfully cozy with that man on the boat not too long ago," he murmured in Josh's ear. And _why_ was he acting so territorial? The man wasn't his, hell, they'd had a one-night stand, he had no real claim on the other man! But that didn't stop him either. "Do you always go passing your favors around to any cock that beckons?"

Josh whipped around at that suggestion, definitely angry now. What the hell? "What the fuck are you trying to pull, Andrews? What exactly did you see?"

Naveen backed off, slightly, and crossed his arms over his chest. His face was inscrutable as he eyes Josh up and down, his own body stirring at the memories of their shared night together. "I was on the other side of town a few weeks ago, Holloway. You looked quite cozy on that sailboat."

Josh frowned. Well, could be worse. He could have seen me fucking Sean against the railing on the river. "Yeah, well, I was. Went out for a bit of relaxation brought a friend along, had a bit of a good time. Not like I'm some two-bit whore," he argued. "Do you have a problem with that?" he asked, his expression and posture challenging.

He shouldn't have a problem with that. Naveen understood that much. However, understanding that and action seemed to be at opposite ends of the spectrum right then. And he hated it when he felt out of control of any situation! He lifted a brow and pierced Josh with his gaze, eyes narrowing at the stance the other man had taken. Naveen may have his arms crossed, but they were loose so he could spring into action if need be, and he leaned just slightly on the balls of his feet for the same reason. It was a ready stance that most wouldn't even identify or understand.

"And if I did?" he asked softly, his eyes never leaving Josh's.

Josh was expecting outright denial, and he didn't like the surge of an illicit thrill that ran through his veins at Naveen's response. He certainly wouldn't admit how the other man's jealousy or possessiveness turned him on.

Josh stared at him, for a moment. "We had a good fuck, Naveen," he admitted, his tone low as he held steady in the other man's personal space. "You and I both know that, and I don't regret it. But contrary to what you seem to believe, I don't just give it up all the time, to whoever comes along. You want me again, fine. But this time you're going to have to fight for it," he warned, his expression serious and tinged with a bit of anger.

Naveen's eyes flashed slightly with some unreadable emotion. Stepping in toward Josh, he put both hands on the bar on either side of the other man. He hated being so short, but he had other ways to compensate for that and most didn't fuck with him when he got this way. "Is that what you want?

For me to fight to get to your ass?" Leaning up, he took Josh's lower lip between his teeth and pulled back leaning back and meeting the other man's gaze once more.

Josh didn't quite expect Naveen to get so aggressive in the middle of the God-damned bar, but then it was his God-damned bar, so he figured it was all right. And Christ, he wanted it, but he couldn't give too much away, not yet. Their last encounter had left him feeling vulnerable, and he hated that feeling. "Something like that, yeah," he agreed, his hands moving up to push against Naveen's chest and get him out of this close proximity which was compromising way too much of his resolve. He frowned when his little shove didn't do much, realising the other man was braced better than he thought, and instead moved to the side, using his weight to push Naveen's right arm away.

Snapping out, Naveen's hand gripped Josh's arm and pulled him in against him. "Let's take this discussion into the back, shall we?" he asked mildly, tone completely belying the tight grip he had on Josh's arm.

Josh considered saying no, just walking out, but he honestly didn't want this to be over. He was here for a reason, no matter how subconscious, and he would have to see where it led. "Fine," he agreed, following Naveen behind the bar and trying not to shiver at the tight hold Naveen had on him.

Once in the kitchen, Naveen pulled Josh along into a hallway that led to the back part of the bar. He should take this upstairs or into his office, but Naveen wasn't sure he wanted to make it that far. The next door on their right was opened slightly, a light leaking through into the hall, so he banged it open and pushed Josh inside before stepping inside himself and slamming the door shut behind him.

Josh stumbled a bit when he was shoved in the room and steadied himself with a hand on the metal shelving that lined one wall. "So this is how it's gonna be, huh?" he asked, a little more comfortable in the private setting.

He held his arms out wide to the side and smirked. "If you want me then, I guess you're gonna have to come and get me." He braced his legs in place, ready to put up a fight for dominance whether he thought he could win or not. He was the bigger man, yes, but after the past few examples he'd seen of Naveen's strength and skill, he wasn't sure he could actually best him in a physical contest.

"You look as if you expect me to tackle you," Naveen quipped, pushing off the door and stalking toward Josh with an almost feral grace. He didn't stop until he was right in front of the taller man. "Are you hoping I do or hoping I don't?"

Josh frowned. That wasn't exactly what he was expecting. "I..." He hesitated, not sure how to respond. "I went down for you without a fight once, Andrews. I like knowing what to expect, and that wasn't it. So why don't you go ahead? May the best man win, right?" he said with a bitter smirk.

"So you like the fight, is that it?" he demanded softly, a hand snaking up to tangle in Josh's hair before Naveen pulled him down and claiming his lips in a demanding, hard kiss. Even as their lips met, he used their momentum to shove Josh into the wall, pressing hard against him.

Josh groaned into the kiss and kissed back, relaxing his muscles to throw Naveen off before he suddenly slammed forward and shoved Naveen into the opposite wall, quickly gripping the other man's biceps to hold him "I like it when my opponent doesn't assume he's going to win," Josh growled as he slammed their lips together again. His scalp burned like a mother from the brilliant move of pushing away while Naveen was still holding his hair, but at least he hadn't ripped any out, and the texture and pressure of Naveen's lips were really doing some distracting things to other parts of his anatomy.

Bringing a hand up, Naveen managed to twist it around quickly, breaking Josh's hold on his arm and shoving Josh back, his arm hyper extended. He used that pressure to move Josh away and turn him into the wall beside them.

Pressing him hard, Naveen released the arm, not wanting to hurt Josh, but slammed in against Josh's back, his hands, gripping the man's hips hard. "But don't you know? I always win," Naveen murmured before biting Josh's Neck and pressing his hips in against Josh's ass.

"Motherfucker!" Josh cursed, though truly he was embarrassingly turned on by the situation, now that he could feel Naveen's dick through his jeans and his skin was being worried by a set of teeth. He wanted to prove something tonight, but now he was damned if he was going to leave this room without someone getting fucked. "Is that right?" he asked in response to Naveen's comment, his sarcastic tone a little shaky as he resisted the urge to grind against the wall.

"Besides, I think you like it a bit more than you wanna admit even to yourself," Naveen quipped, moaning at the friction caused when he pressed his hips, hardened cock in his jeans, against Josh's ass once more. His other hand slid around and down the man's stomach and rubbed against his hand. "And this proves I'm right. I think we both like it a bit more than either of us would like to let on..."

"Awful lot of admissions for someone who pretends to be so sure of himself," Josh replied, his protective instincts flaring up as Naveen hit a chord he didn't necessarily want prodded. "Who says I'm in it for more than just a fuck?" As he said it, Josh was immediately tempted to backpedal, as he was afraid of driving Naveen away at this point, when not just his body but his mind were begging him to keep the man around a little longer. He felt like there was a fuse strung between the two of them, growing shorter by the day, and that when it was lit there was going to be an explosion he wasn't sure he was ready for.

Naveen cursed himself silently, wondering why in the hell he'd even suggest that. Well, other than the obvious fact that it was true! He chuckled, however, covering his discomfiture before he bit Josh again, squeezing and kneading at his cock. "I'm man enough to admit it at least instead of trying to dodge it like some pansy who couldn't decide what they felt if their life depended upon it."

"I'm not a fucking pansy!" Josh growled, trying in earnest to struggle now but not having enough leverage to reverse their positions and not really feeling very safe with a fight now, given Naveen's hand so close to his balls. Still, he at least put up a protest--Naveen's words were closer to Josh's true self-perception than he'd like to admit, and that hurt.

"Then admit you fucking like it when I fuck you so hard you feel it for days after," Naveen retorted, his hand kneading at the balls in his hand even as he palmed over the hardened cock under his hand. His other hand slid around Josh and began working at his jeans, unfastening them as he worked his tongue up the salty skin under his mouth and pulled at Josh' earlobe.

Josh wanted to come up with a witty comment, really he did. But as any man, he was a slave to instinct, and his instinct right now was to moan and push into Naveen's hand. "Fine, all right!" he agreed. "I like it! There, you happy?" His eyes clenched shut, trying to ignore the delicious heat surging through his veins and what Naveen's body heat and masculine scent were doing to his libido. He was so fucked.

Naveen shoved Josh's pants down over his hips, his hand coming up to cup the other man's cock and pull a few times roughly. His other hand slid back and worked on his own pants, quickly freeing his own cock and shoving his pants down and to the side before he teased his cock along Josh's crack. His hand slid into his pocket and pulled out a lubricated condom. "I thought you'd see things my way..."

"Jesus, just..." Josh's breath caught in his throat as he tried to refocus, but failed utterly. It was just too much, and the drag of Naveen's cock over his naked arse reminded him strongly of the last time this had happened and how much, despite what had happened with Sean, he missed it and was hoping for more. Josh brought his hands up to brace himself against the wall and pushed back, despite the flush of embarrassment this movement brought to his cheeks. "C'mon, damnit. Just do it."

"You got it," Josh murmured as he expertly rolled on the condom one handed while his other hand continued to stroke and squeeze Josh's cock with the other. He knew it wasn't going to be an easy entry, but he wanted to take it as easy as he could despite the fact that his body was urging him to just shove inside of the other man.

He positioned himself just outside of Josh's hole and brought his hands to the other man's hips. Even as he slowly pressed his hips toward Josh, he pulled the other man's hips. A soft moan was torn from his throat as he slowly pressed past the guardian muscle and felt the tip of his cock surrounded by the tight heat of Josh's ass.

Josh didn't even bother to bite back a moan this time, as he had embarrassed himself enough. In fact, the promise of a rough, dry fucking was almost penance for him--he wanted to prove to himself that he wasn't a girl, just because he liked it from this end, and especially with Naveen. Bearing down purposefully, he pushed back and let Naveen slip in another inch, his heart beating faster as his body thrummed with anticipation.

"You're so hot and tight," Naveen stated, his hand snaking around and grabbing Josh's cock, gripping it tightly as he and using it to brace Josh's hips while he shoved the rest of the way into the other man, groaning as he did so, the friction causing a thrill to rush through him and causing him to shudder in response.

"I... oh God," Josh stuttered, giving up on speech as the thrust sent his cock sliding deliciously into Naveen's firm hold. All he could do was moan, his hands nearly white on the wall as he tried to brace himself and force his muscles to open up. He wasn't a hundred percent sure why, but he liked it so fucking much this way, and he couldn't bring himself to complain even to salvage his pride.

Naveen began moving, pulling out and thrusting back into Josh slowly. He built up in speed, moaning softly as he leaned up and nipped at the back of Josh's neck. This was all out of his control and normally that would have had Naveen running in the other direction, however he couldn't stop this, it seemed to have a life of his own. His entire body was rushing with sensation as he continued to thrust into Josh. "Yes...oh shit..."

"Jesus, man... more," Josh begged, losing himself slowly tot he sensations that were coursing around him and filling him up. His eyes shut, he focused on the slide of Naveen's cock over his prostate, and the incredible pressure. His body had a mind of its own as he thrust into Naveen's hand and he knew he wouldn't last long, and that he was in serious danger of coming completely undone under Naveen's hands.

"Come for me." Naveen pounded as fast as he could now, his hand stroking hard over Josh's cock as he pushed it back and forward through his palm.

There was nothing but friction between them, building and thrumming, working it's way inside and around them. He felt his entire body shudder as his own orgasm ripped through him. Biting down on Josh's shoulder, Naveen muffled his cry in the skin held between his teeth as he felt his cock throb deep within the other man.

Josh had never imagined it possible to come on command, but with Naveen's voice, rough and silky at the same time against his ear, it seemed like the easiest, most natural thing in the world, and his body snapped and bucked between Naveen's hand and his body, channeling the energy that crackled between them. "Yes," he hissed, lost to the sensations, his head falling back against Naveen's shoulder as he felt the pulsing of Naveen's dick inside him, followed by the sharp pressure of teeth. For a few seconds, he wasn't in control of his own body, only a slave to sensation and to the other man, and it felt strangely good.

Shuddering, Naveen held close to Josh, his cock throbbing hard deep within the man's arse. Slowly, he released his hold on Josh's shoulder with his teeth and loosened his grip around the man's waist. His breathing was still heavy as he nuzzled against his skin. Pulling back, slowly, he pulled out of Josh and removed the condom. "I can't seem to get enough of you," he admitted quietly, running a hand down the other man's back.

Josh knew he should probably have a smart comment ready, pull up his jeans and get the hell out like last time, but Naveen's admission rocked him, and something in knowing how the other man felt made Josh feel safe. "I know the feeling," he admitted with a sigh, turning his head and giving Naveen a long look before slowly reaching for his jeans. "I'm not used to this," he added, not really sure why he said it, or why he was getting so fucking sensitive all of a sudden, but needing the other man to know.

"What? Sex in a storeroom?" Naveen quipped as he tied a knot in the condom and dropped it into the garbage. He didn't move away from Josh, however as he pulled out some napkins from a packet and handed them to the other man while using some himself to clean up his hand. Naveen grew serious however and met Josh's gaze. "I don't make a habit of this sort of things either. I've not been with anyone other than you since before I moved to New Orleans. Our bodies just seem to get away with us when we get together." His lips quirked slightly at that as he met Josh's gaze.

Josh smiled as he wiped up and then zipped his jeans. "You could say that. I'm sorry about Sean..." he started, but then shook his head, changing his mind. "Well no, I'm not sorry about Sean, but I am sorry if it upset you. He and I have gotten to be friends, and I enjoy his company, but... well I don't want you to think I'm fucking with you," he explained, shrugging, a bit embarrassed. "Just that I'm fucking you," he added with a grin. "Or being fucked by you, as the case may be."

Chuckling, Naveen tossed the napkins in the garbage as well, settling himself in and zipping his own jeans. "I don't exactly have a right to get upset whomever you're fucking," he retorted in self-deprecation. "However, I do enjoy...erm...fucking you. I suppose we really should get to know one another if we're going to make a habit of it."

Josh barked out a laugh. "Yeah, can't do this storeroom thing too often, it'll ruin my reputation," he replied with a snort. "I'll take you out to dinner some time, how's that?" Wait, did I just ask him out on a _date_?

"Best idea I've heard all day. I'd like that," Naveen agreed, smiling at that. This was insane. There was nothing here but damned good sex. But, at least he could be a friend, right? A friend, with benefits. Yes, he could use one of those.

Josh smiled, still a little frightened at his own audacity but marginally comforted by the fact that Naveen hadn't yet shot him down or laughed at him, and even seemed to be feeling similarly. "Well I'll give you a call then. But don't expect flowers, I was always shit at picking them out," he added with a wink, restoring his normal joking tone.

Chuckling, Naveen looked up at Josh from under his long, dark lashes. "I don't normally do living things. Buy me a drink or food and I'm more than happy. Speaking of, come on, let's get something to drink...my treat." The bar owner reached down and picked up the garbage bag from the can and tied it off. "After I throw this in the bin out back."

Josh chuckled and held the door open for Naveen. "Yeah, might wanna do that. And a drink on you sounds just about perfect," he added with a grin.

September 13, 2006; Josh's River Cruise Boat on the Mississippi; Josh Holloway, Sean Bean; NC17

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 02:22:28 GMT

[Cross posted to our_quarter and bean_quarter.]

Josh was in an exceptionally good mood tonight. He hadn't seen much of Sean since their day out on the water, with the exception of an occasional coffee delivered on the way to work. His mind had been other places, but he'd felt bad about that and decided to invite Sean to dinner on one of the cruise boats, for the jazz dinner that was held every Friday and Saturday. He'd made sure a table would be available in one of the small upper-deck dining rooms generally reserved for VIP guests and private gatherings, and he was dressed (though he kept pulling uncomfortably at his tie) in a suit as he generally did when appearing in public as the company's owner. Still, he'd put the staff under strict orders not to bother him with business tonight.

At ten minutes to seven, Josh finally spotted Sean heading down the sidewalk in his direction, and he grinned. "Thought we'd have to take off without you," he called teasingly, standing up straight from where he was leaning on the dock's guardrail.

Sean laughed as he made his way toward Josh, hands in his pockets. "I didn't know exactly what I was suppose to wear." As it was Sean was wearing the only pair of nice slacks he owned and a white collared shirt, no tie or jacket. "It's not often you can get me wearing things that aren't t-shirts and jeans."

"You look perfect," Josh assured him, grabbing Sean briefly by the upper arms and kissing him in a quick hello. "As you can see, the dress varies a bit," he explained, motioning to the men and women walking up the gangplank in everything from khakis to evening gowns. "I'm just sort of stuck with the suit--trust me, I'd be much more comfortable out of it but even when I'm here for personal reasons you can't make the business go away, I'm afraid."

Sean was impressed Josh gave him a kiss in front of everyone and grinned. Looking the man up and down Sean grinned, his hand brushing along Josh's stomach. "Ehh, even if you have to wear it the suit looks good on you. Although I'm glad to hear I'll fit in fine."

"Well, I think you've got no hope of fitting in with some of these people..." Josh began as he led the way towards the gangplank, "...but then I wouldn't want you to, insufferable snobs," he added in a low whisper right next to Sean's ear.

"Oh now those are my time when they pay me money for something." Sean grinned and looked over at Josh as he followed him around the boat.

Josh just laughed and led the way to the upper deck, smiling and nodding at crew members as they passed. "They're preparing the dining rooms as we speak, but we could have a drink in the VIP lounge if you like, or I could introduce you to the captain. Or we can just watch from the deck; whatever you prefer."

Sean thought about the options that Josh was giving him. Then he thought about what could very well happen that evening and smile, the decision easy. "I think we should get a drink."

"All right then Sir, this way please," Josh joked, gesturing grandly with his hand and letting Sean pass first up a second flight of stairs to the upper deck's lounge. Josh ordered a glass of good whisky for each of them, remembering what Sean had been drinking when they met, and led the way to a love seat, happy that the lounge was empty tonight with the exception of one couple in the corner. "So how've you been?" he asked, crossing his ankle causally over his knee and turning towards Sean.

Sean sat next to Josh and accepted the glass of whiskey. As he settled back on the seat Sean took a drink of the whiskey, letting out a sigh at the pleasant burn as it moved down his throat. "I've been good, working at the stall a bit longer than I intend but good. How about yourself?"

"Mostly working too, yeah. Things aren't too bad but they'll be getting busier in September when it starts to cool off just a bit. Is business good then, or working longer because it's not?" Josh asked, taking a sip of his own drink.

"lt's doing okay right now, had a lot of people shopping for weddings." Sean shrugged his shoulders a little and took another drink. "It'll slow down soon for a bit then pick up around formal dance times."

"Makes sense." Josh smiled to himself, laughing slightly at a memory and then refocused. "Sorry, I just was thinking of my last formal dance. Senior prom, 1987. That was quite a laugh... and I can guarantee I wasn't buying my date handcrafted jewelry, either."

Sean laughed. "God I can't even remember if I have been to a prom, at least not by the standards they have here in America. Most of the people buying for things like that are mothers who think their daughters are just going to look pretty and dance all night."

Josh smirked. "Yeah... well I haven't got the slightest clue what happened to the girl I went with. Elizabeth Masters... she was a pretty girl, sure, and my Daddy was dead proud of me for finally taking a girl out, even lent me his pickup truck for the occasion... but after about an hour at the dance I ended up in the back of that truck smoking a joint and then making out with a tight end from the high school football team. My first real kiss," he admitted with a grin.

"Well now that sounds rather memorable." Sean finished a large portion of his drink and rested the glass against his knee. "He end up reminding you not to talk later?"

"Well of course, but I never would have. I was about as closeted as you could be back then. I mean, I went to the only high school in my county, almost all farming families and then some more well-to-do folks in the towns. There were a couple of queer kids, but they got beat up all the fucking time, and no one, myself included, wanted to be friends with them. It was easier to play straight and then figure out quietly who among the supposedly macho guys swung the other way. Including Mr. Tight End, whom, I found out later, had a very tight end indeed," Josh admitted with a wink and a grin.

Sean laughed and nodded his head to show he was enjoying Josh's story. "See I must have been lucky, I started with women and kind of fell into a group where we shared, a lot. Ended up hooking up with one of the other guys and that was just that. As much as women can be enjoyable I'm definitely in it for the men."

"Yeah, I don't think anyone I've hung out with has been quite that liberal," Josh replied. "But then, once I got old enough and established enough, people know not to fuck with me, and I'm slightly more open about it. New Orleans is still the South, but it's not quite middle-of-nowhere as where I grew up."

"Well I for one am glad your not completely hidden away," Sean said, moving his hand to Josh's knee, just barely running up the inside of his thigh before pulling away. "Although I have trouble imagining you as a complete bad ass."

Josh smiled at the touch, not backing away from it, and took a slow sip from his glass. "You have trouble with that, do you? Not bad ass enough for your tastes? Perhaps I need to reassert myself with you then, hmm?" He raised an eyebrow suggestively. "Don't want my poor reputation to be ruined."

"Mmm I think you have a rather nice ass," Sean said although he had a good idea what exactly Josh was really hinting at. Leaning in closer Sean watched Josh's face for a moment before dropping his gaze to Josh's mouth. "Although you asserting yourself might be a necessity."

Josh shifted slightly, needing to relieve the tightness in his jeans, and slowly let a smile creep over his face. "Good. I am entirely too tempted to say to hell with waiting for dinner and take you into a staff area and fuck you right now, but it'd be a shame to mess up our nice clothes," he murmured. "Maybe later," he suggested with a smirk.

Sean's eyes darkened and he gave in, leaning in to steal a quick kiss. "I'm going to hold you to that. Especially after dressing all prim and proper."

Josh smiled, a little cheekier now, and set his glass on the small table, playfully tugging his lapels. "You like?"

"You definitely know how to clean up." Sean leaned back, enjoying the view as Josh showed off a little. "How often do you have to get dressed up like this?"

"Only for dinner cruises, which I usually am only on when I'm doing a surprise on-board inspection. I do those a few times a year per boat, just to check up on the actual operations, but for the most part I do my work either in my office, where I can dress business casual, or during the day on the boats, which is much more casual. This suit may look nice, but trust me, it's the only one I own," Josh explained, pulling a face.

"Well if you ever end up killing it you can always wear the one you were born with," Sean said winking at him even though he knew the joke was a bit bad. "So when do we eat? I'm looking forward to desert."

Josh laughed at that and checked his watch. "In about ten minutes. We're actually just about to get underway," he replied, just as they felt the boat slowly begin to move. "Oh, now that was better than I expected," he joked with a grin. "But anyway, I thought we could take our dinner in the smaller dining room up here, and then we'll see about that dessert," he said with a quick squeeze to Sean's thigh.

"Sounds great to me." Sean closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the way that the ship moved as it pulled away. "How long did it take you to get use to things like that?"

"The boat, you mean? I've always been at home on boats... but if you mean knowing when we were going to get underway, that was a lucky guess, actually," Josh explained with a grin. "Though I try to charm you with my stunning intellect whenever I can, we're just very timely about things around here."

Sean found himself chuckling a little at that, resting his hand on Josh's knee again. "I was meaning about the boat, but I do like your admittance for trying to charm me. I was just curious about you and boat since you grew up as a bit of a farm boy and all."

"Yeah, I guess I was just always drawn to water," Josh explained, moving in a bit at the familiar touch. "I always wanted to have a boat, even when I was a little kid, and so when I was eighteen I guess the ultimate act of rebellion was to move down here and learn to race sailboats. I never really had any trouble with them, even at first," he added with a shrug.

"Nothing wrong with that mate. I find it really interesting though." Sean couldn't help smiling when Josh moved a little closer on the seat, moving his finger along the seam in the inside of Josh's pants. "Now see I can deal with boats fine, any kind of ground transport, absolutely hate fucking planes."

Josh took in a small breath through his teeth when Sean brushed the seam, not quite audible, and leaned in a little more, so tempted to just give up on dinner and find somewhere to work out this sexual frustration, pronto. Instead he smiled and shook his head. "I"ve never been on a plane, man, so I wouldn't know. Doesn't sound all that fun, though."

"Planes are just...I don't like knowing if something happens I'm falling to my death. Definitely not quick." Sean rested his head against the back of the seat and watched Josh, not moving his hand away. "I mean a boat, yeah you can drown but you know when that's going to happen. A plane...never know until the fuckers falling."

"I don't know, I mean you can capsize pretty quick," Josh replied with a teasing smile, covering Sean's hand with his own and intertwining and releasing their fingers as he talked. "I've just never had any reason to be on a plane. Where the fuck would I go?"

"There are lots of places to go, I had no choice when I moved to the states." Sean paused in thought, giving Josh's fingers a squeeze. "You'd probably love some of the other beaches and things. While you could get there in a boat flying can definitely save time and money."

"I guess so," Josh agreed with a shrug. "I'm happy here for the time being, though... and speaking of which, we might as well head on to our table. They'll be serving appetizers soon," he explained, checking his watch.

Sean nodded his head and stood up, he still thought Josh would probably be at home some of the places he'd traveled in his time in the states, but for the time being he had to agree - Josh seemed to fit in here. "I doubt you'll mind if I let you lead?"

"Never had a problem with leading," Josh agreed with a little smirk, getting to his feet and gesturing for Sean to follow him into the small dining room on the same deck. There were fewer tables than in the grand dining room, but the same menu, and a more private atmosphere, with only fifteen tables and a darker ambiance. As downstairs, there was live jazz music, and the musicians were just setting up with Josh and Sean entered the room. "This is our table," Josh announced, bypassing the host who was waiting to seat the guests and leading Sean to a small table in the corner. "This all right with you?"

Sean looked around, simply taking in the sights of the boat and what it was Josh did for a living. When he'd been out on Josh's private boat it had given him a little insight but nothing like this. "This is perfect," he said when he finally looked at their table in relation to the other tables in the area.

"Good," Josh replied with a smile, waiting for Sean to sit before he took his own seat. The waiter appeared immediately to take their drink orders, and Josh ordered a glass of wine for the both of them. "The menu's set," he explained when the waiter had left. "You get to choose steak, shrimp, or vegetarian for the entree though." As he spoke, he nudged Sean's ankle under the table with this foot.

"Makes it easier when you're a bit tipsy to just simply nod your head to one of the choices," Sean said stretching out a bit in the booth. When Josh nudged his ankle Sean gave him a wink over the table. "Which of the fixed choices are you going to have?"

"Hmm, are you on the menu?" Josh retorted, sliding his ankle up Sean's calf. "Barring that I think I'll go for the steak."

Sean unconsciously moved his legs a bit further apart when Josh's ankle moved higher. "If you want desert first, sure," he said giving Josh a cheeky grin. "I think I'll go for the shrimp, not too often I order things like that."

"Well you should, then. They're quite good; I'm just in the mood for some meat tonight," Josh countered with a wink.

Sean grinned, his hand moving down to catch Josh's foot when he felt it move a little higher. "I'll do good on my promise," he said and held Josh's gaze, ignoring his cock when he felt it stir in his slacks.

Josh grinned and was about to make a smart comeback when the waiter returned with their wine and two salads. He lowered his foot as nonchalantly as possible before taking a sip of wine. "You don't know how hard this meal is going to be to concentrate on," he murmured when he was sure the waiter was out of earshot.

Sean sat up a bit straighter in his seat and looked down at the salad before picking up a fork. "You won't be the only one," he said and stabbed a few slices of lettuce. "Right now I'm happy my slacks are a bit loose."

"You don't say?" Josh smiled a bit mischievously and took a bite of salad, casually scooting forward under the table as his free hand slid out and just brushed Sean's crotch through said slacks. "Hmm."

Sean had to bite back a groan when he felt Josh's hand brush against him. Swallowing the fork full of salad he'd put in his mouth he looked over at Josh, holding his gaze for a long moment, taking a calming breath.

Josh smirked, not dropping Sean's gaze, and then drew back to fold his hand primly in his own lap, concentrating on his salad. "So, is the wine all right with you?" he asked, clearly focused on anything but the wine.

It took Sean a moment to focus on the wine, picking the glass up Sean took a drink and nodded his head. "Wine tastes great," he said, barely having tasted it as his mind was a little too focused on the light pulse of his cock.

Josh just smiled and took a sip of his own before getting an idea. Making as few movements as possible, he toed off one dress shoe and scooted his chair back slightly again, just enough to give him room but still so that the table could conceal his movements, and ran his foot teasingly up from the inside of Sean's calf to his thigh before stopping and raising his eyebrow in question.

Sean had started eating his salad again when he felt Josh's foot. In a lot of ways the sexual tension play wasn't surprising, especially considering the one time they'd fucked had been out in the open. Giving a single nod Sean took another bite of his salad, keeping up the pretense that they weren't doing anything bad.

Josh smiled happily to himself and continued to eat, though his mind was a million miles away from his food as his foot crept up higher, nestling between Sean's slightly spread thighs with the heel on the chair, the arch of his foot pressing forward and down to cup the growing erection in Sean's trousers. It was a bit awkward, but if he pushed forward with the ball of his foot, and then rocked back, curling his toes, he could get something resembling a good stroke. When the waiter approached to take their half-eaten salads and deliver the oyster appetizer, Josh kept his foot moving steadily under the table as he smiled and complimented the salad. "Excellent as usual, Paul. I'll be having the steak and my companion would like the shrimp. Make sure mine's medium rare, yeah?"

When the waiter came over to get their order for the main course Sean was happy that they'd already discussed what each of them would be having cause Sean honestly didn't trust his voice at that moment. Taking a sip of the wine Sean bit the inside of his cheek to keep from groaning when Josh kept up the pressure on his cock. Once the salads were gone Sean shifted on the seat enough that he could press himself a little harder against Josh's foot.

Josh tried to think of small talk that would make them less suspicious, but he was honestly at a loss for words seeing Sean's normally perfect composure rattled. He rolled his foot a little harder in return when Sean pressed against it, and then got an idea. Leaning forward, he beckoned Sean to do the same with two fingers, and then whispered roughly in his ear. "Two choices. I'll finish you now, and fuck you all open and loose, or we excuse ourselves and I fuck you till you come before the oysters even get here. What's it gonna be?"

Sean leaned forward when Josh gestured for him to, taking deep breath to try and get a handle on the tension in his gut. Thinking of the options. Get fucked now, or potentially wreck his slacks with Josh getting him off there. Sean turned his head so he could whisper back to Josh. "Fuck me," he said holding Josh's gaze when he pulled back.

Without speaking, Josh dropped his napkin on the table and pulled his foot back, slipping it into his shoe before standing. As he led the way to the door, he grabbed the waiter by the shoulder. "We'll be back in a few minutes, Paul. My companion and I need some fresh air, and we're not to be disturbed, understand?" At Paul's nod (thank God for discreet, gay waiters) Josh hurried out the door and out again into the night air, trusting Sean to follow. The moment they were at a part of a deck they couldn't be seen from any windows inside, Josh threw Sean against the side of the boat and kissed him savagely, hands fisting tightly in Sean's hair as he ground their crotches together. "This is going to be so fucking good," he growled against Sean's lips when he finally pulled away for breath, fumbling with the zip of Sean's trousers one-handed.

"Mmm fucking hope so," Sean groaned, his head spinning a bit from the ravishing mixed with the new location. Looking down his body Sean watched Josh's fingers working open his slacks and pulled his hands up to the back of Josh's head, guiding the man's lips back to his. Biting his lower lip Sean pushed his tongue into Josh's mouth, his hips rising up against the other man's hand when it brushed against the solid bulge in his slacks.

Sucking enthusiastically at Sean's lower lip, Josh pressed down hard against Sean's erection and then brought his hand up, pulling his lips from Sean's just for a moment to slide two fingers into the other man's mouth, giving him a significant look as he pushed their hips together again and gave Sean time to wet them thoroughly.

Sean had a pretty good idea what the fingers in his mouth were for and easily moved his lips down them, his tongue stroking along them. When Josh pressed their hips together he moaned around Josh's fingers and moved a hand to Josh's hip, sliding down to squeeze the other man's ass.

Josh grinned when Sean grabbed his ass and drew his fingers out of the other man's mouth, quickly assessing the situation before turning Sean around and pushing him towards the railing. At least if absolutely necessary they could claim they were just standing really close to each other to look at the water, though if Paul let anyone out to this part of the desk he would lose his job. Josh wasted no time getting Sean's trousers far enough down to slide two spit slick fingers inside, and he groaned at the tightness he found. "How long since you've been fucked?" he growled, nipping Sean's ear lightly.

When Sean turned him toward the railing Sean had to give the man credit for picking out there places for them to fuck. Wrapping his hands around the bar on the railing Sean had to bite down on his lower lip to keep quiet when Josh's fingers pushed into him. The saliva helped a little but he definitely still felt the burn. Sean leaned his head back against Josh's shoulder. "Fuck...least four or five months, could be longer."

"I'm honoured," Josh replied in a somewhat sarcastic smirk, but then whispered a bit more reassuringly against Sean's ear, "The condom's lubed." He pulled his fingers out and brought them to his own mouth this time, spitting on them again and retuning to Sean's opening, scissoring and twisting to open him up quickly but also make it enjoyable as he could, crooking his fingers hard against Sean's prostate and smiling when the muscles loosened obligingly. Continuing to work his fingers, he quickly reached into his pocket for said condom and tore it open with his teeth. "Can you take it?" he growled, awkwardly going one-handed for his fly.

Sean pressed himself back against Josh's fingers. He could still feel a bit of pain but the more that Josh pressed against his prostate the more pleasure he felt too. Tightening his fingers against the railing Sean closed his eyes and nodded his head. "I can."

Josh wasted no time once he was given the go-ahead, sheathing himself and then positioning his cock at Sean's opening. Suckling at Sean's neck to calm him, he waited a moment before he thrust in, hand clapping over Sean's mouth to allowed the other man to scream or bite down if he needed to, the rocking of the boat familiar under his feet as he felt tight heat surrounding him.

Sean's exclamation of 'fuck' was easily muffled by Josh's hand when he felt the hot mixture of pain and pleasure when Josh thrust into him. Breathing through his nose Sean forced himself to loosen the hold he had on the railing a bit, the white knuckles slowly bleeding color back into the skin.

When Josh was sure Sean wasn't going to scream, he lowered his hand, pinching lightly at a nipple under the fabric of Sean's shirt and indulging in a few slow, luxiourious thrusts before upping the pace, his teeth nibbling a neat line along the shell of Sean's ear as his hand reached through the railing and gripped Sean's exposed cock, stroking steadily. "God, you're so fucking hot like this," he muttered, half to himself. "Like taking you out here, where anyone could see," he added, even if it wasn't strictly true. It was easy to imagine, at least.

Sean grunted through the first few thrusts before the pain fully faded away, Josh's hand stroking his cock helped speed up the process. When he finally felt like he had his footing a bit more Sean pushed his hips back, letting out a moan when he felt Josh's cock press deeper inside his body. "I think you have an exhibitionist streak mate," Sean managed to get out, rolling his hips forward to thrust into Josh's waiting hand.

"That I might," Josh agreed, breathlessly, flicking his thumb over the head of Sean's cock and drawing the precome back down the shaft as he bent his knees to thrust up at a more pleasurable angle. "Don't hear you complaining though."

"Mmm fuck, not complaining." Sean felt his cock throb when Josh changed the angle of his thrusts, rolling his hips back to meet the other man's thrusts. "Fuck you feel good."

"Jesus, man... you too," Josh agreed, his tongue just flicking Sean's ear before he dropped his head to suck lightly on his neck, his free hand roaming Sean's chest freely as he closed his eyes and concentrated on the velvet heat around his cock. "Tell me what you need," he gasped, squeezing Sean's cock harder as he felt his orgasm built.

Sean opened his mouth to say something to Josh but let out a low moan instead. God it had been ages since anyone had Sean in this position, probably longer since it felt so damn good. Reaching behind him Sean gripped the back of Josh's head, tugging him down to the crook of his neck. "Bite me...fuck..." Sean's words trailed off when he felt the tension build, his cock throbbing steadily in Josh's tight grip.

Josh smiled broadly against Sean's neck, hesitating just a moment before he obeyed, his hand stroking Sean's cock steadily. "Like that, do you?" he murmured before biting down hard, and then sucking the skin between his teeth and licking over the mark.

Sean's fingers tightened in Josh's hair when he bit down harder, his hips jerking between Josh's hand and cock. Instead of answering Josh's question Sean let out a mixture of a moan and a curse as he came.

The tightening around his cock was too much to hold back, and so he simply held Sean in place with one hand on his hipbone and the other wrapped around his torso, a few more thrusts pulling him over the edge as he buried his face in Sean's neck to muffle the groan. "Jesus fucking Christ," he muttered when he had finally slowed to a stop. "That was well worth the wait."

Sean was still trying to catch his breath as he leaned back against Josh's body, letting out a satisfied hum. "God..." Sean's voice trailed off as he looked down his body, looking out at the water beyond the railing of the boat. "I'm glad I gave up on being a top all the time."

Josh smiled at that, producing a handkerchief and using it to gently clean Sean before pulling his trousers up. "I know the feeling, man."

Sean grinned at that, turning his head enough that he could kiss the side of Josh's neck. "Yes, you did give that up last time, yeah?"

"As if I needed a reminder," Josh said with a smile, tilting his head a bit to allow the kiss before he pulled away to remove and tie up the condom, tossing it in one of the outdoor bins bolted to the deck. "And that wasn't the only time I've done that, admittedly, but certainly one of the better ones." He smiled again and stepped closer once he was all zipped up, running his hand through Sean's hair at the back of his head before leaning in for a kiss.

Sean returned the kiss, stepping away from the railing he'd been propped against. "If it had been your first I wouldn't want to know," he said when they pulled away, his hand smoothing down the front of Josh's shirt. "Would give me too much of an ego boost I'm afraid."

Josh laughed at that, straightening Sean's shirt and kissing him briefly. "No worries, sweetheart. Not the first, nor the last. But an extremely good lay nonetheless--and that's all your ego gets, for today."

Sean chuckled a bit. "Sweetheart huh?" he asked, a playful smile on his face. "Who says I'm the lass tonight?"

Josh raised an eyebrow at that, gesturing with his hand to indicate the railing, and what had just taken place there. "Well..." He laughed and shook his head. "But I'm Southern, we have a licence to use sweetheart and darling with as much sarcasm as is warranted by the situation... kind of like you people and your 'love.'"

Sean gave Josh a playful shove when he indicated the railing. "Well, coming from the South I'll give you that," he paused and leaned in to steal another kiss before they had to head back inside. "Besides, I kind of like the drawl, luv."

Josh smiled at that and took Sean's elbow, steering him back towards the dining room once he was sure they were both looking presentable again. "Well thank you kindly," he replied, making sure to draw out the syllables in a mocking imitation of an Antebellum Georgia accent. "Shall we adjourn then to the dining room?"

"I think we shall, food sounds great right about now for some strange reason." Sean looked himself over and then Josh. "I think we accomplished having that glow without looking ravaged."

Josh grinned and opened the door into the dining room for Sean. "Yeah, I'd say we've had a successful evening so far, and you haven't tasted the food. It's pretty excellent."

"I don't doubt it will be." Sean stepped through the door, ignoring the look he got from the employee Josh had spoken to as he walked back to the table.

Josh for his part just smirked, and nodded to the employee, daring him to challenge their little indiscretion. Great sex, great food, and a place where he was the boss and could do whatever the fuck he wanted. He grinned, mentally patted himself on the back, and sat down to enjoy an excellent meal.

10 August, coffee shop, Josh and Orlando, PG-13

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 04:50:49 GMT

Takes place the morning after this chat..

August 10, 2006.
Orlando Bloom (prettyorly) and Josh Holloway (josh_q); a coffee shop in the French Quarter.
PG-13 (ish for language).

When Josh arrived the next morning to pick up his sculpture, he was glad to find Orlando there and quickly paid for the piece, putting it into his truck before suggesting coffee at a shop around the corner. The younger man agreed, and so, they headed to the cozy little shop, ordering iced coffees to combat the hot day and settling into a couple of comfy chairs at the back.

"So how did you get into art, then? You said you started out in drama school?"

"I've always been interested in art, even informally...since I was a kid, you know? I always dabbled, but I never figured I could make anything of it you know? It was just...a hobby. When I got into Guildhall--a drama school--in London, I was too busy to mess much with it...then my father passed and I suddenly inherited stuff here...so I decided to move and that's when I really started focusing on sculpting again," Orlando explained, then realized he was rambling. "Sorry," he chuckled.

Josh laughed at the kid's enthusiasm and waved off his apology. "I don't know much about sculpture," he confessed. "Painting, yeah. I've read up a lot, like to poke around the local galleries. I love Degas and Renoir. But I'm an amateur when it comes to sculptures... have no idea what I'm looking for."

"Well, then take my suggestion when it comes to how I choose pieces--though Remy considers it incredibly uncultured: I go with what I like, what my gut tells me. Sure, someone that's trained knows to look for form and line and all these other catch phrases and can tell you who it resembles and what era it comes from...but art should be about the reaction it evokes in someone, the way your gut twists when you look at something particular moving or sad; the smile you get if it's uplifting. There are no technical words for that. Art makes you feel. Or at least it should..." Blushing, Orlando picked up his coffee and took a sip.

Josh smiled, strangely touched by the other man's enthusiasm. "Yeah, that's how I got into it, originally. We didn't have much of anything at home to speak of, but there was this one Degas print. One of his dancers," Josh explained. "Mom kept it in the dining room, and I used to love how alive and delicate they looked." He rolled his eyes. "Of course, that probably says something about me. Got five lashings with the belt the first time Dad caught me staring at it."

Orlando winced a bit at that. "Five lashings for staring? Wow..." Shaking his head, the young man just mulled that over for a moment. "It seems odd to have art that you wouldn't want everyone looking at...but that's just me. I'm glad it didn't destroy your love of art."

Josh shrugged. "My dad's sort of old school, I guess. Taught me everything I knew about working on the farm, how to take care of the horses... art was a little out of his realm of familiarity. But my mom's always been supportive of whatever the hell I'm interested in. She was devastated when I didn't go to college, but I just didn't think I needed it. Learn enough on my own, you know?"

"For some people that's enough. You've your own business, so you obviously haven't suffered for it. There are many different kinds of education, as I'm learning," Orlando responded, smiling.

Josh nodded in agreement. "Sometimes you learn as much from life and reading than you do from sitting lectures. But then, I can't really claim credit for the business. That was more a stroke of luck than anything--I worked on staff at the company, and then later as a tour director, and when the owner died he bequeathed the company to me. Quite unexpected, but it's worked out," he explained with a shrug.

"Well, I'm not more deserving of my money...so I can understand that. I had no fucking clue what to do man, when it happened...I was like 'I'm a what?'" Orlando laughed.

"I certainly know the feeling," Josh agreed with a grin. "I came across a bit of money, as well, when my father died... I had no idea how much he was sitting on and when I got it I didn't really know what to do with it. Bought a couple more boats for the company after Katrina, but other than that..." Josh shrugged. "I'm a beer and burgers kind of guy, ain't much gonna change that."

Orlando laughed. "And don't let it change. Growing up, I spent summers here, few weeks here and there, you know? But I don't think I ever really got it, and when I got a bit older...well by older, my teens, I didn't see him as much...so it was all a bit of a shock."

"Yeah, I feel you." Josh took a sip of his coffee, leaning back in his chair. "You seem to be doing pretty well on your own steam, though. Your sculptures are quite impressive for someone... well you can't be a day over thirty."

"I suppose...and I've never really tried to make a living at it, so I don't know..." Orlando giggled softly. "I'm twenty-five actually--but that was a very unique way to fish." He winked.

Josh laughed. "I wasn't fishing... well, not entirely," he amended with a grin. "Still, you're a lot more put together than I was at twenty five. I turned thirty eight a few weeks ago and still don't think I've got it all figured out."

"I know I don't have it all figured out!" Orlando exclaimed. "And I don't know that I'm put together, or just really good at appearing that way." He winked, shrugging as he sipped his coffee. "It still feels a little strange, like I'm a long way from that club kid I was back in London."

"Hey, appearances are half the battle, right?" Josh smiled. "I can see you as a club kid, maybe, in the right clothes. That was never my scene but then, I've never lived in a city near as big as London. It was pretty much straight from Bumfuck, Georgia to here about twenty years ago."

"Bumfuck, Georgia," Orlando giggled, he couldn't help it. "And yeah, I still hit the clubs, I think I'm outgrowing it a bit though—it’s not nearly as fascinating as it used to be. Or I'm getting boring, not sure which."

"I'd imagine it loses its appeal... at least after you find other ways to pick people up," Josh added with a smirk. "I'm starting to feel like a bit of an old man, but I've got my pubs and they still serve their purpose well--and I don't have to attempt dancing."

"I enjoy dancing..." Orlando said with a smile. "As for picking people up, I haven't found better ways..." he laughed. "But I'm rather done with random encounters, you know?"

"Agreed," Josh replied. "Not that I don't have my share of one-night stands still, but completely meaningless sex got old around thirty," he explained with a shrug. "Still, I don't think I could ever get married or anything. I mean, besides the fact that I don't much care for T&A."

Orlando snorted, nearly choking on his coffee. "Well, that's a good enough reason to avoid marriage, at least the legally sanctioned marriage in this country..."

"Yeah," Josh agreed. "Besides, even if I could, I don't think I'd want to.
I'm not the marrying type." Josh paused, wondering if Orlando's snort was out of disdain, rather than humor. He didn't think so but figured he should mention it. "Hey, if this line of conversation offends you, I can change the subject..."

"Offend me?" Orlando asked, eyes going a little wide. "Not at all!
Gay through and through, thanks..." he responded, assuring Josh everything was fine.

Josh grinned at that. "Well there's a relief. You didn't look like the relentless homophobe, but hell, you never can be too safe."

"No, I'm not that self-hating, I assure you," he shook his head, taking a sip of his coffee and smiling. "It's not a fact my mother was very proud of, I'll tell you."

Josh nodded, knowing that score far too well. "Yeah well, if my Daddy had known, I would've gotten far more than a simple strapping, I'll tell you that. But there are certain things parents just don't need to know."

"I will totally drink to that...my father never knew, it's not something I told him before he passed," Orlando responded. "I actually think he would have taken it better than my mother, to be honest."

Josh raised his own coffee in salute, taking a long sip. "Neither of my parents knows, but I don't think my mom would care. Honestly, my personal life has never been their business, really. It's the whole Southern mentality, you know, what happens in the bedroom stays in the bedroom. Did you know that in both Georgia and Louisiana oral sex is actually illegal? In fact, any position but missionary heterosexual is technically illegal," he explained, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Yes well and England used to throw men in jail for buggery...it's all so backwards, no pun intended. Actually, strike that, pun intended." Thinking for a moment, Orlando spoke again, quoting a song: "But way back where I come from, we never mean to bother; We don’t like to make our passions other peoples concern,
And we walk in the world of safe people, and at night we walk into our houses and burn...." He chuckled. "English mentality isn't always that much different, it's all about being proper."

Josh snorted. "I'd imagine... I mean most Southern traditions actually originate in Victorian England. But that's a good line, what's it from?"

"Dar Williams song," Orlando responded, grinning. "It's called Iowa. And you've a point about ancestry."

"Dar Williams, huh? I wouldn't necessarily peg you for the chick rock type," Josh replied with a smile.

"Okay, don't be a bitch," Orlando shot back, grinning. "My musical tastes are varied and eclectic." He sniffed dramatically.

"I can't believe you just called me a bitch," Josh replied, shaking his head but grinning. "And I'm sure they are, darling, but you don't have to be a diva about it," he added, ducking as if to avoid an inevitable blow.

Had he known Josh better, Orlando probably would have given him a good sock to the arm, but since he did not, instead he just pouted at him before dissolving into giggles. "God, a diva...it's been a long time since I was accused of being a diva..."

Josh laughed. "Well, maybe not in general, but that little sniff was rather diva-esque, Miss Thang," he replied with a wink. "Harboring old habits, I see."

Orlando laughed, shaking his head. "Well, I told you sometimes I feel like I'm just playing grown up. God...one second I was some completely irresponsible kid hopping around London and then here's me in New Orleans with a family fortune and trying to figure out how to be responsible about it. Just at the time I was thanking god I was alive, there goes my father..."

Josh smiled sympathetically. "You never realize how little time you've got with someone till they're gone, do you? I rarely see my family anymore, haven't since I left. But then, it's not like they come visit me here," Josh pointed out with a snort. "I do need to get out to see my nieces more. They're three and five, in Marietta. It's a bit of a drive but they grow up so God-damned quick."

"Yeah, I don't see my mum and sister as often as I'd like...I mean, it's not like I can't afford the flight or anything, but going all the way to Kent is quite a commitment to time and being away. Sam, she'll come visit, but mum isn't so keen on the flying...not with things how they are. She begged me not to come back here after the storm."

"Storms have been happening here for centuries. And hell, we survived, might as well have something to show for it," Josh said with a shrug. "But I can see why you wouldn't go home much... I've never flown in a plane before and I'm not too eager to. I'd love to see London or Paris, but I doubt I'd fit in, and eight hours in an enclosed space doesn't sound like a lot of fun."

"You've never been on a plane?" Orlando asked in disbelief. "Seriously? Dude...I'm not a huge fan of flying or anything...but wow...never?" He shook his head, chuckling. "And my mum would still have me safe in Kent in my childhood bedroom. She wasn't overly happy when I moved to London at sixteen either."

Josh shrugged. "For us, even leaving the county was a big step. When I told my mom I was moving to an entire different state to sail, with only waiting tables to earn a living, she cried enough tears to fill the Mississippi. She's marginally happier now that I'm in business, but we never really trusted business people. And we never would've been able to afford a plane ticket then. I could now I guess, but where would I go?"

Orlando snorted softly, shaking his head. "There has to be some place you’ve dreamed of visiting or seeing..."

"Well sure," Josh countered. "But that I could actually go and not feel like a total hick or an intruder? Not likely. I'd love to go to France, or Italy, but that's so outside the realm of my experience that it's on another planet entirely. I don't even have a passport. And don't you need shots or something?" he asked, cluelessly.

"An intruder? Don't you just mean tourist? What you need is someone to go with you that can play tour guide or speak the language. That's what you need. So, you start by getting a passport and unless you're planning on going to a third world country..."

"Unlikely," Josh replied. "I'd just want to see the cultures I've read about.
Doesn't really extend to Asia or Africa."

"Paris can be lovely," Orlando agreed. "And the ferry ride from England to France is a lot of fun...if a bit long, well total travel time, but anyway..."

"Now ferries I can do," Josh replied with a grin. "Never feel more at home than on the water. Though who knows? It might be different over there. Colder, probably."

"Not here recently, god...they're having crazy arsed heat waves too...and less air conditioning because the heat isn't normal. It has me calling my mum a lot more often because of it."

"We didn't have air conditioning when I grew up. Us kids just sat with our faces in the box fan whenever we could. Is your mom all right, though?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, I'm just a touch paranoid. I didn't grow up with A/C either, but god help I can't imagine living here without it...it's so...muggy!"

"You learn to survive. Spritzer bottles with fans attached and such. Daddy always said it raised boys to have a strong constitution, whatever the hell that means," Josh explained with a snort.

"Yeah, whatever the hell...give me my cool air here, seriously. I don't think I'll ever get used to the air being liquid..."

Josh laughed at that. "You will, eventually. And if not, you can just drink iced coffee by the gallon," he pointed out, raising his almost-empty cup.

Orlando snorted. "Point."

"So are you about ready to head out?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, I think I am..." Orlando stretched a bit. "I need to get back to the gallery. I've enjoyed this though, we'll have to do it again, or maybe dinner."

"Yeah, that would be fun," Josh agreed. "I should get back to work too, unfortunately," he agreed, wrinkling his nose. "I'll give you a call sometime soon. And thanks again for the sculpture."

"Thanks for buying it..." Orlando laughed. "I'll look forward to that call. Have a good rest of the day."

12 August; Dirty Linen Festival/Jackson Park; Josh/Viggo; PG

Sat, 12 Aug 2006 12:14:23 GMT

[Cross posted to our_quarter and viggo_q]

After putting in a few hours at the office and eating a quick lunch at one of his favourite cafes, Josh decided to go see who was playing at the jazz festival going on today. He planned to do a little more work later in the afternoon before dressing for the Dirty Linen Festival, but he had a bit of time to check out the acts. He had only been standing in the crowd around an outdoor stage where the next band was setting up for a few minutes when he saw a familiar face, one of the local bartenders whose establishment he liked to visit from time to time.

"Viggo, man, how's it going?"

Viggo had been lost in thought waiting as the next band set up when he heard his name behind him. He turned and grinned when he saw who it was. "Hey... Josh, it's all good. Good music, plenty of beer." Viggo stepped though a space in the crowd next to Josh and asked, "So what's going on with you these days?"

"Can't complain about either of those things," Josh agreed, holding up the large plastic cup of Corona he had obtained at a stand. "I've been busy, pretty much, lots of tours to book--which is why I haven't been around much to see your smiling mug. How's business?"

"Good to hear things are picking up again," Viggo nodded and downed some of his own drink. "Business at the bar seems to vary according to the weather; it's good right now with the festival. But hey, I get a wage regardless of whether I'm run off my ass or standing around talking up some tips." He laughed and raised his glass in salute. "Other than that, I've been scrubbing walls, selling flowers and trying to fit into Liev's schedule ... the usual."

"A typical day in the life, huh?" Josh laughed to himself. "So you're selling flowers... are the tips really that bad?"

"Not enough to keep the renovations going, but I'll get there." Viggo shrugged and looked across the crowd before saying, "Actually I saw you at the market the other day, but you seemed pretty preoccupied."

Josh blushed, guessing what Viggo was referring to. "Yeah, I met a guy who works there. Makes jewellery. It's some pretty amazing stuff."

"Yeah it is beautiful," Viggo wanted to ask more but noticed Josh's blush and thought it best to leave it there. "Working at the market has been a real eye opener ... meet a whole different clientele to the bar. I love watching people choose flowers, says a lot about them. You know, the whole 'are you a rose or daisy' type of thing?"

Josh laughed. "Yeah, that and 'what level of queer have you accomplished?'" He shook his head, holding a hand up. "Sorry, sorry. I just never quite bought into the hearts and flowers thing. You love someone, you tell them. Seems pretty simple to me."

"Yeah I guess," Viggo said quietly finding Josh's words a little too close to home and not sure he wanted to go there today. He looked across at a couple obviously enjoying each other's company and turned back to Josh with a shrug, "Sometimes it's not that simple ... so anyway, fill me in Josh what's going on in your love life?"

Josh noted Viggo's discomfort, but as usual chose not to pry. "Well my love life, not so much," he replied with a grin. "My sex life however, quite healthy, thanks." He chose brashness over confessions, because frankly what had happened with Naveen ran a little deeper than he wanted to admit.

"Yeah?" Viggo tilted his head and grinned. "You cannot say something like that and not give me details."

Josh laughed and shrugged. "Just a couple of good encounters in one weekend, that's all. Went home with a friend after the White Linen festival Saturday, and then I met a guy at a pub Friday night. I even brought him coffee Saturday morning, and we didn't actually do more than make out a little, so hey, that's admirable for me, right?" Josh asked with a grin.

Viggo raised his eyebrows and nodded. "Very ... so the coffee guy was Sean huh? All I can say is you get more action than me and I'm the one supposedly in a relationship," he laughed, "But I plan to make up for that tonight and I'm gonna do more than make out a little."

Josh laughed loudly at that. "Good plan, my friend. I'm sure the guy won't know what hit him. And yeah, Sean and 'coffee guy' are one and the same. I brought it to him at the market and that's when I got a chance to look over his stuff. You know him from your flower selling shifts?"

"Yeah, we've talked a bit ... flirted a lot, you know how it goes, passes the time," Viggo said and shrugged looking down at the crushed grass under his feet. He leant towards Josh as a slow bass rhythm started on the stage and said with a wink, "Next time you call in at the market mine's a long black."

Josh laughed at that. "Yeah he is quite a bit of a flirt, even for me. And I'll remember that, though I'm gonna have to start getting one of those little trays from Cafe du Monde to hold all the coffees I'm bound to deliver to the attractive men of the market," he joked with a wink.

9 August; Orlando's gallery; Josh Holloway, Orlando Bloom; PG

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:14:36 GMT

[crossposted to prettyorly and our_quarter]

It was a fairly slow afternoon when Josh decided he was just too jumpy to be in the office. It was too early to be drinking, really, and definitely too early to eat, so he decided to poke his head into a few of the galleries he had missed on White Linen Night when he ended up getting caught up in Naveen. The first didn't really impress him, really weird shit, but the second was considerably more his style. He was eyeing a painting on the wall when some conversation drifted to his ear, coming from another part of the gallery. He turned and saw two men emerging from another room, one older and kind of boring looking--presumably the owner--and one much younger and admittedly, extremely attractive. He smiled to himself, and then forced himself to turn back to the art, while keeping the man in the corner of his eye.

Finishing up his conversation, Orlando gave a wave to Remy and headed deeper into the gallery to check on a few of his pieces. It was one of the reasons he didn't show more than he did, he tended to get too...anal about things when it came to the display.

Chuckling at himself, he moved over, nodding a bit as he moved around the various sculptures set up. He always felt a little weird showing his work at a gallery he half owned as well, and had a few pieces in other galleries that he had no connection to, but usually after continued insistence, he could be convinced to show them here as well.

When Josh noted the younger man moving into another room--someone looking to buy, perhaps?--he suddenly decided he was interested in seeing what was in there. In fact, the sculptures displayed around the room were quite impressive, and he stopped in front of one that caught his eye.

"They're pretty good, aren't they?" Josh commented casually to the other man, now standing a few feet away.

Having not even realized he was no longer alone, Orlando looked up, smiling at the handsome man. Not all of the sculptures were his, so he didn't feel quite so self aggrandizing when he responded. "Yeah, they are," he agreed, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Josh smiled back and moved on to another piece, a guy in a somewhat odd position. "Damn, I wouldn't have wanted to be this guy, sitting for this," he commented, shaking his head. "Are you an art student?" he asked, turning back to the other guy. He looked kind of young... maybe an exchange student or something... but then he could be thirty and just well kept. Josh hated those timeless faces; you never could tell and usually ended up embarrassing yourself when you guessed.

Orlando hid his smile when Josh commented on the position, considering he was the artist for that particular piece. "I don't know, someone that...limber could prove fun," he stated, not mentioning that he was in fact the artist, or that lots of times he didn't need a model to create what he saw in his head.

Smiling openly, he shook his head. "No, not an art student, though I was a drama student for a bit back in London."

Josh smiled broadly at the other man. "You've got a good point there. So drama, huh? What brings you to little old Louisiana from London? I can't imagine our theatres are exactly superior," he said with a little smirk.

"I've been here since I was eighteen," Orlando responded. "My father was a native. It's not London, but it has its own magic. I've grown quite fond of the place honestly." Extending a hand, he smiled. "Orlando."

"Josh. Nice to meet you." He shook Orlando's hand, and then noticed a modern piece over his shoulder that looked quite interesting. "Wow, I really like this one. I should probably buy some art for my lobby but I've got no clue what would be appropriate, exactly."

Smiling when he noticed Josh giving praise to another of his pieces, Orlando shrugged. "Lobby? As in at home or a business? If its home, who cares what is appropriate...and if it's a business...well, what do you do? This is New Orleans, appropriate has different meanings."

Josh grinned at that. "Yeah, that it does. But it is for my business. I own a river cruise company, so most of our business is done on the docks, but I do have a small office in the Quarter where I do my work and occasionally have people come in about weddings or group bookings and such. There's a small lobby, waiting area type thing when you come in and it's pretty bare."

"Hmm..." Orlando said thoughtfully, considering. "Come here..." he led Josh around the corner to where some other sculptures were, one was of crashing waves with a figure--though the gender was left to the imagination--emerging from them. "What about something like that?"

"Wow. Josh tilted his head to the side, considering. "That's perfect, actually." He turned to Orlando then, giving him a quizzical look. "You come around here a lot? You seem to know the art pretty well."

Orlando looked a little sheepish for a moment. "It's my gallery and some of the stuff in here is mine," he admitted, blushing.

Josh just stared for a moment and then burst out laughing. "You're shitting me! You own this place? Damn, could've fooled me! Now don't tell me this is the most expensive piece in the gallery?" he asked teasingly, nodding to the sculpture Orlando had pointed out.

Orlando laughed self-consciously. "No, it's not the most expensive piece, just a piece I'm rather fond of; I almost didn't put it here."
He ran a hand through his unruly curls. "And yeah, I'm a co-owner. I'm sorry if it seemed like I misled you."

Josh shook his head and smiled. "Nah, it's fine. I know plenty about business, that's for sure. It is a lovely piece, though, and I think it would be perfect for my lobby. What are you asking for it?"

Smiling, Orlando dropped slightly into business mode as he presented Josh with the listed price, explained a bit about the piece and grinned sheepishly again as he realized it was almost too businesslike given their previous conversation.

Josh smiled at Orlando's expression and pulled a card out of his wallet. "This is my business card," he explained. "I can come back tomorrow with my truck and pick it up, if you don't mind holding it for me. And the asking price is fine with me; quite reasonable, actually. But do you think you might be willing to have a coffee with me sometime? I'd love to hear more about your work--I'm a bit of a closet art buff," he confessed.

Taking the card, Orlando smiled, blushing a bit. "Sure, I'd love to have coffee," he accepted. "Closet art buff hmm? Why closet? Dirty secret?" There was light teasing in his voice.

Josh laughed. "Nah, not a dirty secret, though I do happen to enjoy erotic photography," he admitted with a wink. "I'm just not what people expect when they think of the artsy type, I guess." Josh shrugged.

"Well, I learned long ago what people expect and what is are very rarely the same thing, so fuck 'em," Orlando grinned, shrugging.

"I like the way you think," Josh replied with a grin in return. "I'm afraid I really should get back to the office now, I only stepped out to gallery-hop because I was going stir-crazy, but I'm looking forward to that coffee. And I'll be back tomorrow for the sculpture."

"I'll try to be here," Orlando said with a smile, then reached into his pocket and withdrew a pen. Reaching for Josh's hand, he smiled. "May I?"

Josh laughed and nodded. "Sure, go ahead."

Taking the man's hand, Orlando cradled it as he wrote his phone number down upon the palm. "There you are," he stated, smirking. "Now you know how to get in touch with me if I'm not here."

Josh smiled and bent over slightly to make sure he could read the numbers before withdrawing his hand. "Excellent. So I'll see you tomorrow then, Orlando, or I'll give you a call. Good luck luring unsuspecting clients in this afternoon," he joked with a wink.

Laughing out loud at that, Orlando shook his head. "Not my usual MO, I promise. Have a good day, Josh."

Fuck

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:27:11 GMT

[private]

I woke up this morning and noticed that the marks from Saturday night are fading. Just a few teeth marks, but Naveen left them, and after how that ended, I doubt I'm going to be able to hope for any more soon. And why the hell would I be hoping, anyway? Fuck it. I need a few Jack and Cokes after work, and I need to forget about this. Even if "this" happens to be the best damned fuck I've had in ages.

5 August; White Linen Night/Naveen's Apartment; Naveen Andrews, Josh Holloway; NC-17

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 17:18:45 GMT

[crossposted to our_quarter and naveen_q]

Backdated to 5 August.

The streets were crowded, even for New Orleans at night. Josh had missed the festival the past couple of years, but he liked art more than most people would guess, and he definitely liked the possibility of free food and alcohol. Josh didn't wear a ton of white, but he was able to drudge up a pair of white jeans from the back of his closet and paired it up with a plain white dress shirt, short-sleeved and unbuttoned all the way down to block out the ungodly heat. He had just left the second gallery of the evening, having finished a complimentary glass of Sauvignon Blanc, when he spotted a familiar face.

"You look good in white, Andrews," Josh greeted the bar owner, his thumbs tucked in his pockets and his eyes slowly looking the other man up and down as his lips formed a slow smirk. He knew Naveen liked guys at least some of the time, so he wasn't too likely to get decked at least, and the man was looking particularly attractive this evening.

"Fancy meeting you here, Holloway," Naveen returned, his brow lifting in amusement as a smirk of his own lit his face. "Thank you, I enjoy wearing white on occasion. It goes to show that it's not just for the 'good guys' anymore." His quick survey of Josh was much more surreptitious than the other man's had been of him.

Josh laughed at that and shook his head. "I've been called many things in my life, but I'm pretty sure 'good guy' is not one of them. So would you care to join me? I was just going to head into that modern gallery down the street, might even fetch you a complimentary glass of wine if you're nice to me," he joked.

Smiling, Naveen fell into step beside Josh. "Anything that involves the word alcohol, and I assure you, I can be extremely nice," he quipped, lips quirking upward in a smirk all his own.

Josh laughed at that and led the way down the sidewalk to the gallery he was thinking of. "I'm right there with you on that, my friend, but then you knew that already, considering how much time I spend drinking in your fine establishment."

"You never know, all that money you manage to give me. It could be a fluke. Though, there is quite a bit of it, come to that. What have you been up to of late? It's been a week or so since I've seen you last, I believe." He walked with a rolling gait, almost on the balls of his feet, his arms loose at his sides as they swung with each step. It was a graceful sort of walk that garnered him more than a bit of attention from those around them as they wound their way through the crowds.

"Yeah, I've been doing a lot of drab administrative stuff," Josh explained, matching Naveen's stride with his own long legs, albeit a bit less gracefully. "Had a surprise on-board inspection this afternoon for the Peach," he explained, referring to the Louisiana Peach, the newest boat in the cruise fleet. "I get sick of having to harass people to do their jobs, but that's management I guess. I never had enough trust to delegate," he admitted with a wry smile.

Naveen couldn't help but chuckle at that. "I trust no one so most things that have to be done for things like that, I just do myself. Delegation is not something I do well." He smiled ruefully at that. "Makes for a lot of work for myself, but I don't normally work the bar until late a few nights a week, so I suppose I can afford it."

"I feel your pain, my friend," Josh agreed as they stepped into the small gallery. "But a little extra work is worth it when I know my business is in good hands--my own." Josh smiled when he spotted a little table in a corner where a couple of white tuxedo-ed waiters were serving wine and hors d'oeuvres. "Just a moment, monsieur, I'll go obtain your wine," he said in a posh accent, rolling his eyes, and left Naveen to the art while he scouted out the refreshments.

Naveen grinned as he watched Josh walk over to the table. He couldn't help but notice the way the jeans covered the blonde's tight ass and the grin turned into a slight smirk. Glancing around the small gallery, he stepped over to his left, eyeing a painting on the wall that was swirling in color.

Josh managed to get two glasses of wine and a little paper plate of shrimp scampi and stuffed mushrooms to share, and, dropping a dollar in the tip jar, went to find Naveen. "Kind of chaotic, isn't it? I like it," he commented as he stepped up behind the other man, offering one of the carefully balanced wine glasses.

The bar owner took the glass, feeling Josh's body so close behind his. He had to force himself not to tense at the proximity of the other man. Naveen let himself, instead, enjoy the slight warmth he could feel even through their clothing and the distance between them. Turning his head to look at Josh, he smiled slightly and nodded at the picture. "It reminds me of some people I know. Completely scattered and out of control. But the colors themselves are beautiful."

"Reminds me of myself, a while back," Josh replied in a rare personal admission, stepping to Naveen's side. There was a moment of silence before Josh started to feel that he had given too much away. "Shrimp?"

"I'm actually looking for a piece for the pub," Naveen stated, respecting the other man's need for privacy as he took a shrimp and inclined his head in appreciation. "Not sure if I want to go abstract with it or stick to something more...concrete."

Josh tilted his head, considering. "Well, I think I would go a little more concrete if I were you. I mean, I'd put something like this in my house but for the pub I'm not sure abstract fits," he pointed out, moving on to the next painting displayed, a night sky painted with an illusion to make the stars appear to be swirling in on themselves. "Something like this, maybe. Unobtrusive but interesting. But then, what do I know?" he countered with a self-deprecating grin.

Smiling, Naveen snatched another shrimp off the plate and met Josh's gaze. "Obviously more than you let on. Not that I doubted that for a minute." He lifted a brow and looked at the other man in amusement. No, the genteel southern boy did not fool him in the least.

Josh shrugged, not denying it. Although he tended to choose lower-brow entertainment and more down-to-earth folks to hang out with, it was nice to not to be underestimated for once. Naveen always seemed a bit more observant than you might realise, and at the moment he appreciated it. Being pegged as the dumb hick did get old after a while. "Well all I know about art I learned in books and galleries, I'm afraid," he explained, grabbing a mushroom. "Never had a chance to go to any of the 'important' museums."

"You think there is a better way?" Naveen asked as they moved on to the next piece that was a bit more bizarre, bright colors splashed across an even bright background completely clashing with one another and almost making Naveen wince. "I've been to the Louvre and many others, and have to say I find out more and have a chance to speak and 'learn' more with people in the smaller galleries than I ever did in the large museums where everyone is left to fend for themselves."

"Yeah, I don't think I'd fit in at the Louvre at all... or in Paris, for that matter." Josh grinned at the flamboyant painting and at Naveen's look when he saw it. "This looks like something my nieces would do when left to their own devices with fingerpaints," he whispered, leaning towards Naveen's ear so that the gallery owners hovering nearby wouldn't overhear.

"I'm assuming your nieces are two?" Naveen whispered back, turning his head so that Josh's lips brushed his ear slightly before they were staring at one another from just a few inches away. His lips quirked upward and Naveen realized just how long it had been since he'd taken the plunge and had anyone in his bed. Especially if such a light touch such as that could have his cock jumping as it did.

Josh met Naveen's eyes with a bit of surprise, not expecting the interest-- or maybe it was just amusement?--he saw there. "Three and five," he replied in the same gravelly whisper, not really thinking about his nieces at all anymore. "All right, Andrews," he spoke up as they moved on to the next painting, towards the door of the gallery again. "What's on your mind?" He gave the other man a knowing smile before turning his gaze to the painting, a strange collage of disjointed images that was slightly disturbing.

Naveen's lips quirked up into a smirk as he glanced sidelong at Josh. "I think this picture is confusing and I don't understand its purpose," he answered, eyes shining slightly in amusement as he easily avoided the question. Looking at the picture in front of him, he cocked his head to the side and looked at the picture from a different angle.

Josh rolled his eyes at the response. "All right, that's one dodged question. The gentleman would give three, so I guess I'll hold myself to that." As Naveen looked at the picture, Josh looked at Naveen, however surreptitiously. He didn't notice the man's posture so much behind a bar, but here his strength and grace was much more evident. He seemed relaxed, but at the same time guarded--and given the way Josh himself could be, he supposed he couldn't blame him. "Shall we move on then?" he suggested, setting his empty glass on a table by the door for that purpose.

Setting his own glass down, Naveen followed Josh out the door. He glanced up and down the street at all the different crowds and had to admit he was happy to see it. Things were recovering, albeit slowly, after Katrina, and he liked to see all the people returning. "Depends on where you'd like to go, I suppose. We could continue down the street or...perhaps go for something a bit stronger somewhere else." And it was as simple as that. Naveen had decided to take the plunge. He was horny as hell and Josh was definitely handsome enough to pique his interest. He'd also seen the other man checking him out, so he knew that wasn't a problem, either.

"I'm always up for stronger," Josh agreed with a slight smirk as they navigated the crowd. "Why don't you pick a place? I'm easy; I can get my usual double shot of Jack anywhere." As they walked, a group of three teenage girls turned their heads to gawk at the pair of them, erupting into giggles, and Josh turned to look at them over his shoulder, smirking and winking as Naveen continued on obliviously. He supposed they did make a somewhat striking pair, but it had been a while since he had been checked out by a sixteen year old.

"I have some Jack up in my apartment if you're interested in finding someplace a bit more...private," Naveen answered, slipping to the side as another group of kids ran almost through them. It gave him a chance to meet Josh's gaze, the question in his eyes more than evident.

"Your apartment?" Josh was a little surprised, but quickly let his face form a more characteristic casual smirk. He hadn't expected the invitation, but it was a welcome one. After Sean got him all worked up the night before, Josh was more than ready for some tension release. "Sounds good to me," he answered simply, letting Naveen lead on.

What had possibly possessed him to take someone home with him? Not that it wasn't hard to find his home, it was right above the pub, but still it wasn't normal for him. He must be hornier than he thought!

Naveen nodded at that. "Yeah. My apartment's right above The Pub. Makes things easier when I wish to stock my private bar. Not that I make it a habit to entertain up there. But..." He shrugged slightly as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his trousers, keeping his own face impassive.

Josh sensed a bit of discomfort coming from Naveen and smiled widely, using sarcasm to diffuse the slight tension as usual. "Don't worry, man, I won't get used to it." He kept up with Naveen as they rounded the corner and approached the pub, feeling a little jolt of nervous anticipation in his gut. It wasn't a familiar feelilng, and he chalked it up to the fact that Naveen always seemed so damned intuitive. Just don't want to give anything away unintentionally, that's all, he reassured himself.

Laughing, Naveen shook his head and turned down the side alley, kept cleaner than most allies due to his sheer anal retentiveness and refusal to allow anything to collect in the alleyway that could allow for bums or other unsavory creatures to skulk about. He also had lit the alley quite well so that when they came to the stairs to his apartment above the pub, one couldn't really tell that they were walking in an alleyway at all. "It's not much, I assure you, but it's enough for me," Naveen said as he unlocked the three locks on his door and quickly turned off the security system he'd installed himself. His words were a bit of an understatement as his apartment truly covered the entire top floor over the bar itself and encompassed two bedrooms, a living room, and an office.

Josh just raised his eyebrows at the impressive security on the apartment, and then whistled when he stepped inside and had a look at the spacious-looking interior. "Not much? You do realise that my living room and my kitchen could fit in this room alone?" he observed with a teasing smile as he looked around. "This is really nice."

"It sort of came with the pub when I bought the building. I renovated it and here is the result. Luckily enough, up here didn't sustain that much damage from Katrina." Of course that could have had something to do with the reinforced walls and bullet-proof glass he'd had installed when he'd moved in. "Most of it was storage, but I wanted an office and room to work out in."

He led the way further into the apartment, removing his jacket and casually tossing it over the back of a chair. "So, you said Jack? Double shot?"

"That would be wonderful." Josh considered buttoning his shirt back up now that they were in the air conditioning but remembered with a smirk why he was most likely invited here, and decided it wouldn't be necessary.

"Do you work out a lot?" he asked as Naveen headed into the kitchen for the drinks. "I get enough of a workout from sailing but not nearly as much as I did when I was racing, or back in Georgia working with the horses. Guess we can't keep our 18 year old bodies forever," he reasoned with a grin as he leaned in the kitchen doorway.

"Oh, I don't know, you're looking pretty damned good for an old man if you ask me," Naveen quipped, grinning over his drink as he took a sip and handed Josh the other glass. "Sailing agrees with you, as does the sun."

He motioned for the other man to head back into the living room and he led the way over to the couch. Sitting down, he turned toward Josh. "Horses and sailing; two of my favorite activities."

"And it's only for your superior tastes and your kind offer of free alcohol that you have not earned a hearty 'fuck you' for the old man comment, my friend," Josh retorted as they sat down. "I just turned 38 a couple of weeks ago, I'll have you know. I'm a spring chicken!" he insisted with a grin.

"Well, mate, I'll have you know I have you beat. I turned 38 in January," Naveen retorted, a smirk on his face as his lifted his glass to the other man in silent toast. "So now that we've established who's older does that mean I get to lead tonight?"

Josh raised an eyebrow at that, but didn't object. He was used to being the one doing the seducing or the picking up, but in this case he felt overwhelmed, in a positive way, by Naveen's presence. He got the feeling that Naveen was the kind of guy who got what he wanted, and Josh wasn't going to deny him that, for tonight at least.

"Well it is your house, your whisky... if you've got what it takes, sure. Lead away," Josh agreed with a smirk, taking a slow sip of his drink. "Tonight, anyway." Of course, there was no guarantee that there would be other nights, but Josh didn't want Naveen to think he had him all figured out.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Naveen retorted smugly. "After all, no one ever knows what tomorrow will bring." Leaning in, he lightly ran his lips over Josh's. This was completely insane. Not only did he never pick up customers (even outside of The Pub), but he never brought anyone home with him. Right then, however, he truly didn't care as his tongue darted out to tease along the seam of Josh's lips.

Josh supposed he should be putting up some token resistance, at least, but Naveen's lips and the closeness of his body heat felt so fucking good. Josh opened his mouth willingly, letting his hand come up to thread his fingers through Naveen's thick curls as his tongue played with Naveen's. Yeah, he'd let Naveen take the lead tonight, he decided, but he wasn't going to be a passive participant.

Which was exactly what Naveen had been hoping for. He hated people who just lay there like limp rags and didn't give as good as they were getting. His own hand came up and tangled in Josh's dirty blonde hair as the kiss intensified. They were all tongue and teeth and lips as the kiss continued. They only broke apart when they both had to breathe.

"Come on," he murmured, his cock achingly hard and very close to the point of no return as he pushed himself to his feet and pulled Josh with him, heading toward the Master bedroom.

Josh growled hungrily when Naveen pulled away, but when he followed him to the bedroom, held his ground at the foot of the bed. "Now I ain't just layin' on my back like a two dollar whore," he warned with a smile, reaching out with his hand to twist his fingers in Naveen's hair again and pull him in for a hard kiss to show that he needed to at least have a teeny bit of control in such an encounter. His other hand dropped boldly between them to press a flat palm to Naveen's crotch, kneading slightly as he pulled back and sucked on Naveen's bottom lip.

Chuckling, Naveen watched Josh before commenting briefly, "I wouldn't have it any other way." Then he crushed his mouth against Josh's once more, hand tightening again in Josh's hair even as a moan escaped him at the hard squeeze the other man's hand gave his cock. Naveen's other hand slid up under Josh's shirt and slid over a nipple before pinching it and then smoothing over it. His own hand then slid down began kneading a bit roughly against Josh's crotch as well.

So you claimed, Josh wanted to reply, but his words were swallowed by Naveen's kiss and he found himself a little distracted, his lips separating from Naveen's with a groan when the other man started working on him with both hands. Not wanting to sound like a girl, he dropped his head to Naveen's shoulder to stifle any sounds he might make, and then, since he was there, placed a little love bite on Naveen's neck.

Naveen moaned even as his head tilted to the side to give Josh more access to his neck. His hand quickly began unbuttoning Josh's jeans and slid inside. His teeth latched on to the other man's earlobe and pulled slightly. "Going commando, I see," Naveen murmured in a passion-filled tone. "I like that..." His entire body was thrumming with need and the bite on his neck had just intensified the feeling. Licking his way down Josh's neck he bit the crook of his neck and pulled the skin with his teeth.

"There's something to be said for...fuck...easy access." Josh's sarcastic tone slipped as Naveen used his teeth, and he bucked into Naveen's hand unconsciously, needing more of the slightly rough touch. His right hand, unable to fully focus on its task now, gave Naveen another squeeze and then slipped under Naveen's shirt, his nails scraping down Naveen's back as the hand in Naveen's hair encouraged him to continue on his neck.

"Or easy fucks," Naveen quipped lightly against Josh's skin, realizing now that the other man enjoyed it just like he did. Hot, hard, and rough. He forced his hand further into Josh's pants, rubbing at the balls beneath the hardened cock even as he roughly bit the other man once more, this time sucking hard before laving the area with his tongue.

"You calling me easy, Andrews?" Josh asked in an indignant tone, but the effect was ruined when he moaned in pleasure at Naveen's minstrations. Frustrated with the amount of clothing, he slipped his own shirt off his shoulders, not able to get to Naveen's without forcing him to move his hand. And that was something Josh did not want.

"Not easy, but definitely hot." The bar owner slid his hand up slightly and gripped Josh's cock, jerking it hard as he stroked it roughly; just enough to hurt and feel good at the same time. Naveen pulled back and claimed Josh's lips once more, his tongue invading the other man's mouth and exploring the depths.

"Mmm, that's more like it," Josh half-purred before Naveen pulled him into another kiss. He let himself respond a little more to this one, allowing Naveen to take the lead without pushing too much. He liked to be an active participant, but at this point all he cared was that someone was getting fucked tonight, and it was quite all right if it was him.

As Naveen kissed him, Josh decided that he needed to at least be a little more fair in this, and reached down to unbutton Naveen's trousers, groaning into the other man's mouth when he felt his cock warm and pulsing slightly in his hand. Fuck, that's gonna feel good.

A soft moan escaped Naveen at that and he finally gave up on the foreplay. He wanted to move them along to more tangible play. Sliding both hands to the waist of Josh's jeans, he pushed them down, ensuring that his fingers brushed against the other man's ass as he did so. Leaning in, he bit and sucked on the other man's collarbone, running his tongue over it even as he pulled away and pulled off his own shirt.

"Fuck that's good," Josh muttered, giving up on dignity as he worked Naveen's trousers and underwear down his hips as well and then grinned evilly when Naveen's shirt was gone, rubbing a nipple with his thumb as he ran his tongue along the shell of one ear and pressed his body along Naveen's, groaning as their erections ground together. "All right, you've convinced me," he murmured into Naveen's ear, pausing to bite the lobe. "Fuck me already."

"I thought you'd see things my way," Naveen quipped, before moaning softly as Josh pulled on his lobe with his teeth. Then he was pushing the other man back toward the bed. When Josh's legs hit the side of the bed, he pushed him over and tumbled right after. Naveen pulled back and claimed the other man's lips in a deep, demanding kiss for a moment before pulling back and reaching over into his side table drawer and pulling out a condom and a bottle of lube.

Josh wasn't used to being pushed around, but he had to admit he kind of liked it. He liked that he and Naveen were more or less on equal footing. Not the kind of guy you'd like to meet in a dark alley, but in this context it was perfect. Josh returned the kiss with equal fervor and then spread his legs a bit when Naveen returned with the supplies. "It's been a while," he admitted as he did so. "Remember, lube is your friend," he added with a smirk.

Chuckling, Naveen got his finger lubed and slipped it without warning into Josh even as he bit at his nipple. He glanced up the other man's body as he began moving his finger in and out, sliding it over the man's prostate. "You mean like that?"

"Fuck... yes," Josh agreed, forgetting to protest as Naveen worked his finger over Josh's prostate. "Jesus fucking damn," he muttered quietly to himself, arching his back. "Another," he demanded, staring down at Naveen and noticing not for the first time just how dark and intense Naveen's eyes were…and how much he liked them focused on him.

"Just one?" Naveen slipped one more finger in beside the first, thrusting them in and out of the man's body, teasing along his prostate. He'd rub it just hard enough it almost hurt and then he'd touch it so light Josh could barely feel it, then he'd move his fingers over it in a stuttering fashion, stroking it even as he only hit it in rhythmic spots. His own cock was achingly hard, but watching Josh squirm and moan was almost as good as the sex to come. Finally, he slid a third finger in, pushing them in and then pulling them out in a steady thrusting motion even as his tongue laved it's way over Josh's chest and upper body.

Josh probably shouldn't have been surprised that Naveen was so fucking good at this, as he always got the feeling there were things about the other man that he didn't know and very possibly might want to. But here he was, and he couldn't stop the moans from his lips or the writhing of his limbs and his loss of control frightened him just slightly. "Jesus...Naveen... fuck me," he growled, not noticing the change from his usually just calling Naveen "Andrews" until he'd said the man's first name. And now, he just wanted Naveen to give him more.

Only then did Naveen remove his fingers and slide back up Josh's body, kissing him with an intensity that matched the look in his eyes. His tongue darted out and danced with the man beneath him as he used his hand to roll on a condom. As Josh had said, lube was his friend and he made sure his cock was covered in it before pressing himself against the opening his fingers had so recently been fucking. Pulling back slightly, he pushed into Josh, a soft moan of his own escaping him as the tight ring of muscles clamped down on his cock.

Josh couldn't help but let out a long, satisfied groan when Naveen pushed into his body. It had been a while since he'd been fucked, and he'd almost forgotten just how fucking gorgeous it was to be so filled. His whole body cried out for Naveen in blind need, his legs wrapping around Naveen's waist as he tried to relax the muscles further down, his right hand clutching in Naveen's hair again as the left flattened against his arse, urging him to keep moving. Tomorrow, he'd be embarrassed for such wantonness, but tonight he just wanted. "More," he whispered, huskier than he would've liked, lifting his head up to bite Naveen's lower lip.

Naveen began to move, to thrust, into Josh's body. His cock pounding over and over into Josh, the tip rubbing against Josh's prostate and making him moan loudly into Josh's mouth. He loved the sensation of the teeth on his lower lip. Moving over and over again into the hot depths of the man below him, his mouth claimed Josh's before pulling on Josh's lower lip with his teeth. Reaching down between them, he gripped the hardened cock that pressed against his belly and began a rough stroking in counterpoint to this thrusts.

"Oh Jesus Christ that's it," Josh muttered, feeling his orgasm fast approaching with the rough stroke of a hand on his cock once again, no matter how much he wanted to draw this out. Barring that, he decided to concentrate on bringing Naveen right down with him, and gripped Naveen's arse with one hand, his thumb just brushing over the crack, while his other scratched lightly up and down Naveen's back. He lowered his head to the junction of neck and shoulder, and bit down there, quickly laving over the spot with his tongue.

"Fuck!" Naveen managed, his own mouth finding and biting the crook of Josh's neck as his own release came racing toward him. His entire body was strung out with desire and need, yearning for release as he stroked deep within the other man. Naveen's balls clenched and his body tensed as he drew closer to the edge, a knife's edge of sensation sweeping over him.

Josh felt the tension in Naveen's body and couldn't wait any longer, his back snapping into an arch as his head tipped back, neck pressing up into Naveen's teeth even as he came with a shout of pleasure into Naveen's fist. For the few moments of orgasm, Josh let go of his tenuous control over his own body, giving himself up to the sensations Naveen was plucking out of him like a fantastic symphony from a single violin. His hands clutched tight, one on Naveen's arse and the other on his back, and he just rode the incredible waves of pleasure that surrounded and filled him.

When Josh tightened around him, Naveen did something he rarely allowed himself to do. It slammed into him so fast, he just lost it, crying out as he felt his cock throbbing as he spurted his hot cum deep within Josh's ass, even as he moaned loudly against the soft skin of his shoulder where he'd bitten down hard, realizing only after the fact that he had left several marks on the other man's body. He shuddered as he held himself up over Josh, slowly recovering his senses and coming back to himself as the orgasm passed.

For a moment, Josh just relaxed, on a fully blissed-out plane, wrapped up in the man over him and the heights of pleasure said man had just brought him to. And then he realised that not only had he just had mind-blowing sex with a friend he never really expected to be getting lucky with, but he had completely played the "girl" in this situation. He'd barely taken care of Naveen at all, letting the other man do the work, and he'd opened himself up to his friend in a way he rarely did. Realising this, his body tensed, and he closed his eyes. Shit, this was going to be awkward.

Naveen felt the man below him tense as the same time he himself did. This wasn't normal for him. There was a strong line he kept between work and his private life. And this was crossing that line! Though, it had been so long since he'd found someone he could connect with like this, and it had felt so damned good. Slowly, he pulled out of Josh and pulled off the condom, tying it off and tossing it into the garbage. Then he stretched out beside the other man and stared at the ceiling. "Fuck," he breathed, figure that was a safe enough expletive for now.

"You got that right," Josh agreed with a smirk, turning his head slowly to look at Naveen. At least he could rely on his trademark sarcasm at a time like this. "Y'ain't half bad, Andrews." You're about as far from 'bad' as one could possibly be, he added mentally.

"Glad I was able to make some sort of impression," Naveen quipped, turning onto his side and propping himself up on his elbow. "You weren't so bad yourself. Maybe next..." He shut his mouth then. Who the hell said there'd be a next time? "Well, next time you come in for a drink we'll have something to toast to. Nice company and a good shag."

Josh frowned. He knew what Naveen was about to say, and he felt a surge of (completely unreasonable, ridiculous) disappointment when he didn't. But, he couldn't get up the balls to suggest another shag might be a fucking hell of an idea after all, so instead he just smiled. "Indeed, my friend. Well just consider yourself lucky. Josh Holloway doesn't take it up the ass for just anybody," he replied with a cheeky grin.

What, you thought he'd fall on his knees and beg you to do him again? Naveen stifled the irrational disappointment that caused and the snort that came with. He returned the grin, lifting a brow. "Indeed. Well, I assure you that your secret is safe with me. I will take it to my grave."

Josh smiled and, not knowing what the fuck possessed him, kissed Naveen briefly on the lips. "I'd appreciate that." For a moment, he considered trying for a proper post-orgasmic snog, but he didn't want to push his luck. No matter how gorgeous Naveen looked all spread out, naked, and satisfied. "Well, I guess I'd better head out, yeah? I'll see you soon, I hope." Not a girl, Holloway. Not a girl.

"Yeah, see you soon..." Naveen repeated watching as the man hurried from his bed and snatched his clothing up. He realized then that Josh couldn't wait to get out of there and perhaps that was for the best.

5 August 2006; French Market; Sean Bean, Josh Holloway; PG-13

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 13:33:39 GMT

[crossposted to bean_quarter and our_quarter]

The day after his little celebratory trip to the pub, Josh woke at nine feeling a little out of it. He looked around confused--no, still in my bed... no hangover... what the fuck--and then remembered Sean and their little makeout session on the sidewalk. He grinned at the thought and considered a nice slow morning wank before making himself some breakfast, but then remembered that Sean had said he'd be working and Josh wanted to surprise him by actually showing up with coffee. Granted, he needed to get a move on if it was going to still be considered morning, and if the beignets were still going to be good and fresh. He showered quickly and dressed in khakis and a short-sleeved button down, as he planned to put some time in at office this afternoon and liked to have at least a semi-professional appearance despite the heat. He couldn't be bothered with nice shoes, though, and slipped on his favourite Birkenstocks before pocketing his keys and heading out the door.

Fortunately for Josh, the line at Cafe du Monde wasn't too bad, and so he got two large iced coffees and a bag of beignets and was heading through the market stalls before ten. It took him a few minutes to find what he was looking for, but after a bit of a search he located a jewelry display, and peeking behind the table saw a man bent down looking for something in a box with a head of sandy blonde hair. "Nice merchandise you've got here, sir," he commented with a definite smirk in his tone as he admired Sean's arse, pretending to be looking at a bracelet.

Sean was flipping through one of the boxes of jewelry left over from when the owner was exclusively doing the designs. Typically Sean didn't put his work out as much anymore, preferring to sell and work with his own, but naturally his first customer had been a regular of his employer's and asked about some old design. He still wasn't sure how he'd managed to sweet talk her into coming back in a few hours so he could look everything over but he had. When he heard the voice behind him Sean was thrilled that it wasn't the lady back already and turned around.

"Well, well, well, keeping to your word I see," Sean said, grinning at Josh as he set the things he had in his hand on the edge of the table behind one of the display cases.

Josh grinned back and held out one of the coffees. "I hope iced is okay, I can't stand to drink hot coffee in this heat and I'm actually from the South." He laid the bag of beignets on an empty spot between cases and unrolled it, pulling one out with a napkin to have with his own coffee and gesturing for Sean to help himself. "Damn, this stuff is really nice," he commented, looking at some of the necklaces on display as he sucked the much-needed cold caffeine through a straw. "These are your designs?"

"Iced coffee is perfect," Sean said, picking up the cup and taking a drink. Considering the previous late night Sean hadn't gotten to the market early enough to get his usual dose of coffee and the added chill would help wake him up just as much. Before turning to the bag Josh had set on the table Sean reached behind one of the tables and pulled out the spare chair he kept around; unfolding it he set it at the end of the table Josh was looking at. Once he had the chair up Sean looked back at the cases and nodded. "Yeah, they've kind of turned into my hobby ever since I started working here." Moving his own chair closer to the table Sean finally pulled out one of the beignets and took a bite.

"Well I'm impressed," Josh replied, taking another moment to look at Sean's designs before he took a seat in the chair. "So did you sleep all right?" he asked with a little knowing smile as he took a bite of beignet and sighed happily at the warm sugary taste.

Sean laughed at that, moving his coffee cup closer as he sat down in his chair, stretching his legs out in front of him. "After I worked off a little tension, slept like a babe." He looked over at Josh and raised an eyebrow. "And yourself?"

"Well now ain't that a lovely image?" Josh drawled, raising his eyebrows suggestively. "And yeah, just about the same for me in fact."

Sean ran his tongue over his lips, licking up some of the sugar from the pastry that stuck to his lips. "Could definitely say the same for you as well. Might have to take in that show at some point."

Josh tilted his head to Sean in agreement but just smiled, not taking the bait just yet as he had little desire to spend the morning at the office with a hard-on. "I've got to get some work done soon, actually, to prep for an inspection this afternoon on one of the boats, but I wanted to see if you're free next Saturday. I'm planning on taking the boat out, just a nice leisurely sail, maybe a bit of a swim to beat the heat. You interested?"

"I think an inspection sounds much better than dealing with a little old lady," Sean said as he thought about his schedule for the next week. With all the events going on Sean knew he could potentially do a bit of business but from what he'd heard from the owner it usually was better on the linen nights to close up early and enjoy the festivities rather than be an active hoping for money part of them. And he was due to close up the stall for a weekend day. "As for next Saturday, I'd be very interested."

Josh smiled. "Excellent. We can meet at the boat after lunch, say one o clock?" Josh felt in his front pocket for the ballpoint pen and memo pad he usually carried. "This is the dock I keep it at and I'll give you my cell as well in case you have trouble finding it," he explained as he scribbled on the pad. "It's a sixteen-footer, the Wild Magnolia. Shouldn't be too hard to find."

Sean leaned forward in the chair, watching as Josh wrote down the information on the pad for him, nodding his head to let the man know he was listening. He'd never really ventured down on the docks but Sean had walked by them enough to know he could find the place. "Sounds good, need me to bring anything?"

"Just yourself, and you might want to wear swim shorts underneath at least if you think you might want a dip. Unless of course you'd rather swim in the altogether," he added with a sly grin. "I wouldn't stop you."

"Could always take them," Sean said nudging one of Josh's feet with his own. "See if I really need it or not."

"Works for me," Josh agreed with a grin. "I'll leave you to your old lady, though," he said with a wink as he stood. "Keep the third beignet for sustenance. Oh, and don't forget to put on sunscreen," Josh added. "I don't need it but we wouldn't want to harm that fair English skin," he teased.

"I'll be sure to pick some up, last thing I need is to be bright red and dealing with little old ladies." Sean looked at the bag and held up his coffee to give Josh a salute. "Thanks for the sustenance Josh. Good luck with your inspection."

"No problem. Enjoy your afternoon, and I'll see you next weekend." Josh left the stall with a smile on his face, remembering the taste of smoke and Scotch and the feel of Sean's erection pressing against his through denim. He was already looking forward to next weekend.

4 August, 2006; A Bar in the French Quarter; Josh Holloway, Sean Bean; R

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 03:59:32 GMT

[Cross posted to our_quarter and bean_quarter.]

It was a good day. Josh had been working on the accounts (he had an accountant, but never trusted other people to handle his money) and his cruise company was up again this quarter. At this rate, they'd be making twice as much as pre-hurricane by the end of the season, thanks to the losses the competing companies had sustained and Josh's timely accumulation of new capital right after Katrina. Heading down the street with a tuneless whistle on his lips, he decided to duck into a local pub to celebrate. Nothing like getting hammered to blow away money recently earned.

Sean pushed the now empty plate to the other side of the table he was sitting at. Over the last week he'd been bar hopping more frequently than normal and was pleased he seemed to finally find a place that served not only good whiskey but a good burger as well. Looking around the bar Sean was surprised to see it had filled up while he'd enjoyed his dinner. But a quick glance at his watch confirmed now would be a typical time for the working types to be getting off. Standing up Sean moved over to the bar, leaning on the edge, and signaled to the waitress in the back to bring him another whiskey.

The bar being rather crowded, Josh had to wait a moment to get anyone's attention, and this gave him a bit of time to observe. He liked this place a lot, even if it always made him want to dig out the home-rolled cigarettes that he'd "quit" off and on for the past five years. There were a couple of pool tables, a dartboard, and almost all male customers. Granted, most of those were also straight as an arrow, but he didn't mind friendly conversation and he loved to play pool when he got a chance. He also loved, he noted with a smirk, the occasional very attractive man who wouldn't notice him looking, as it was never the straight man's first assumption as long as his eyes didn't linger. And with the guy next to him, it was a bit hard for them not to.

Sean could tell when someone moved into the space at the bar next to him but didn't pay the body any attention for a moment. Instead he focused on giving the waitress a small wink when she slipped him his drink before getting some of the other patrons drinks. When he straightened up to take a drink Sean finally turned to look at the person that was waiting next to him, a bit surprised to see the other man eyeing him. So far his impression of this bar at least wasn't one that men usually looked at others like that, but this man was. Sean let his eyes look over the man before leaning his elbows back on the bar, taking a drink of his whiskey.

Josh realized that he'd been caught and looked away quickly, ordering a beer from the waitress before she walked away, but when he looked back the man didn't look angry. Considering whether to say anything, Josh decided that this guy looked like as good an option as any for tonight's drinking buddy, and decided to risk it. "You here alone?" he asked casually, half leaning with his hip on an empty stool as he kept half an eye on the girl to make sure she was getting his beer.

Sean noticed how quickly the man had diverted his attention when he'd caught him starring. Well it seemed as though not everyone here is straight laced. When the other man spoke up Sean turned his attention back to him, mentally gauging if he wanted to be alone or not for the evening. Deciding quickly he'd been alone way too much lately Sean nodded his head a single time. "Yep," he said before looking out on the floor. "Have a table if you want to escape the bar."

Slightly surprised at the offer, Josh nodded. "That'd be great, thanks." At that moment the waitress returned with his Corona, and he fished a couple of bills out, telling her to keep the change and then following Sean through the crowd to the small table. He had to hold his beer up high to keep it from sloshing, and couldn't help but let his eyes drop for half a second to Sean's arse, smirking to himself before schooling his features to a more neutral expression as he sat down. "I'm Josh, by the way," he offered, extending his hand across the table.

Sean set his drink down on the table and slid into the seat across from the man. When the other man offered his hand Sean took it, giving it a solid shake. "I'm Sean," he said and let go of Josh's hand after a moment. "No problem on the table, the bar can be...stifling sometimes."

"Yeah, I forgot how crowded this place can get. I just got done with some tedious accounting so I was hoping to get a bit sloshed and maybe play a game of pool while I'm still thinking straight enough to take aim," he explained with a grin. "Do you play at all?"

"I've been known to on occasion." Sean looked over Josh's shoulder at the table area before turning his attention back to him. Leaning back in his seat a bit Sean ignored the part of him that said not to completely ogle the man when he was still working on his first drink and let his gaze run over Josh's form. "The idea of getting sloshed is always a good way to relax."

"Drunken relaxation and me go way back," Josh agreed, raising his bottle in salute before taking a long swallow. He didn't miss Sean's surreptitious glances, and was secretly pleased. Drunken flirtation was also a time-honoured tradition of his. "When there's a table free and you've got enough of that whisky in you that I feel confident, I'll buy a game," he offered.

"Guess I'll have to order a few more rounds then," Sean said looking at the half empty glass. He'd only had one with his meal and a beer before that, definitely not enough to make him tipsy along with the food. "I think I can handle playing a game though, been awhile since I have."

"Same here, honestly. Haven't been out as much lately while business has been good, ironically." He took a sip of his beer, leaning back in his chair, and started picking at the label out of habit. "How long have you lived in the area?"

"A few months, three or four, something like that." Sean finished the rest of his whiskey, setting the empty glass on the plate still resting on the table. "What kind of businessman are you?" he asked, realizing Josh had mentioned it twice, from the way the man was dressed he imagined he had to do well. Didn't have the usual lower class look to him.

"I own a river cruise company," Josh replied. "We have a couple of big paddleboats on the river and a couple of swamp boats as well doing tours. What about you; what brings you to New Orleans?" he asked as he looked around for a waitress among the crowd to get Sean another drink.

Sean nodded his head, impressed by Josh's profession, even more so that the other man owned it. "Now that sounds like something. Easy way for you to escape huh?" He paused when he saw the waitress and gestured to his glass and Josh's, smiling when she nodded in acknowledgement. "I ended up here by accident actually. Had some people point me in the direction and now work down in the market place."

"In the market? God, I love that place. I live nearby, and it's the best part of the neighbourhood. I'm from a very small town, so fresh produce, bread, what have you, was always a bit hard to come by if you didn't grow it yourself. I'm not much of a shopper otherwise, but my stomach is a big fan of the market," Josh admitted with a smile. "What do you sell?"

"The food is always a welcomed relief on my break, so I'd have to agree there." Sean rolled his neck before pulling out a back of cigarettes, holding the pack up to see if Josh minded. "I design and sell jewelry."

"All kinds of jewelry or do you work in a certain material?" Josh asked, waving his hand to indicate that he didn't mind if Sean smoked and then patting his own front pocket to find one of his own left and putting it to his lips. "Sorry, can I bum a light?"

Sean nodded, putting one of his cigarettes between his lips before pulling out his lighter. He lit his quickly and held the lighter out for Josh, the flame still lit. "I work with silver, some jewels. Typically do necklaces, pendants, rings, occasionally bracelets."

Josh leaned in and lit his cigarette, smiling appreciatively as he took a long drag. Something about being in a place like this always made him crave a smoke. "I'll have to come by and check out your stuff sometime. I'm by the market almost every morning for a coffee and a beignet at Cafe du Monde; just can't get out of the habit."

Sean took a long drag on his cigarette, letting the smoke fill his lungs before nodding his head. "Coffee is a God sent in the morning. I don't think I'd be able to deal with some of the clients if I didn't have coffee in some way." The idea of Josh dropping by in the morning gave Sean another bit of hope he was reading the man right. Stretching his legs out Sean gave the waitress a smile when their drinks were set in front of them. "If you're over there every morning maybe we can meet up some time."

"Sounds good to me," Josh agreed with a smile. He certainly wouldn't object to seeing the man again--easy-going, attractive, and if he was reading the signals right at least not a hundred percent heterosexual. "I'll bring you a beignet sometime soon, to go with your coffee. That's the one good thing about owning your own business; I'm rarely required to deal with the tourists personally. I used to run the tours, and occasionally went a bit mental from it."

Sean grinned, liking the way this situation was looking. After being in New Orleans as long as he had seeing the promise of gaining a buddy, or something slightly different would be a nice change in pace. Tapping the edge of his cigarette Sean fingered the edge of his full glass of whiskey. "Who do you usually deal with? If you don't mind me asking."

"Not at all," Josh replied. "Honestly, mostly myself. Like I said, I'm a horrible delegator, and I spend more and more time alone in my office, except when I have to go out on the boats and keep an eye on things. And when I'm not being a hermit, I try to spend as much time as possible enjoying myself, either by going out drinking and meeting intriguing gentlemen such as yourself..." He paused and raised his second beer to Sean with a slightly mischievous smile. "...or going out weekends sailing on the lake."

"Sounds like a great way to spend a weekend," Sean said and raised his own drink. "Definitely will toast to that." He took a long drink, keeping his eyes on Josh's when the other man took a drink as well, his mind easily imagining other things Josh probably dabbled in on the weekend. "I definitely enjoy going to the pubs, can't say I've been out on the lake on the weekend."

"You should come out with me sometime," Josh suggested, surprising himself. He didn't normally invite people he'd just met out on his boat, but Sean seemed all right. "I mean, if you ever have a Saturday afternoon free. It's not a huge sailboat, but it's always nice not to have to do all the work myself, and you look like the kind of man who's not afraid of doing a bit of work to achieve an enjoyable goal." He licked his lips almost unconsciously as his eyes flicked to Sean's strong arms. Well, he certainly didn't look like he'd have any trouble handling a boat.

"I think I can handle swinging a Saturday afternoon off. Kind of set the hours for the stall." Sean stubbed out his cigarette in the ash tray on the table between them. Now that statement definitely wasn't one that Sean could really misinterpret, or at least the double meaning there. "And work definitely doesn't frighten me away from achieving an enjoyable goal."

"Well then," Josh said with a knowing smile, reaching out to clink glasses with Sean. "To enjoyable goals. And on that note, I think I see a free table. I'll go get us some balls, if you're ready to get your ass kicked," he suggested with an amiable grin.

Sean laughed at that but nodded. "I'm willing to let you attempt to kick my arse." Honestly Sean didn't really care who ended up winning the game, hell he hadn't played pool for at least a month. But the idea of seeing his drinking companion for the night leaning over the table...that definitely intrigued Sean.

Josh laughed and headed to the bar, stubbing out his finished cigarette and paying five dollars for a tray of pool balls along with another whisky for Sean. His own second beer was still half finished, so he tucked it under his arm, holding the balls in one hand and the glass in the other to walk to the pool table where Sean was waiting. "So what's your fancy? Eight ball? Nine?" Josh set the tray on the table, handing Sean his drink, and put his own on a small high table by the wall.

"Thanks for the drink," Sean said and looked at the tray of balls. "Since you paid I'll let you call it." He took a long drink of his whiskey before setting his drink on the table Josh's beer was on. He picked up a few pool cues and handed one to Josh, leaning his hip against the table.

"All righty then. Let's go with eight ball then, nice and easy. You can break," he suggested as he took the cue from Sean and quickly set the balls up in a triangular frame. When the formation was set, he replaced the frame on its hook and stood opposite to Sean, leaning forward on his hands on the table's edge. "You know, if I were a woman, I could pull the old tit flashing distraction trick out on you," he joked. "But alas..."

Sean put a bit of chalk on the end of his pool cue and leaned over the table to take his shot. When he caught Josh's comment he laughed and looked over at him. "Oh I'm sure you can find ways to distract me if you really want to," he said giving the other man a bit of a smirk before hitting the cue ball, smiling when the triangle broke apart.

Josh smiled broadly at that comment--if he hadn't been pretty sure of Sean's preferences by now, that sealed it. "Yeah, I just might," he agreed with a slight smirk, walking around the table and deliberately brushing between Sean and the table. "Chalk," he explained, grinning as he held up the piece Sean had used as evidence and rubbed the tip of his cue with it before setting up a shot and by some miracle knocking in a solid. His second shot went wide, and so he leaned back against the wall with his beer to watch.

Sean closed his eyes when Josh brushed between him and the table. Well he wasn't lying when he had told the other man that he was sure Josh could distract him. Swallowing past the lump in his throat Sean looked over the table at the striped balls, finally seeing one that he thought he could knock into the pocket. Giving Josh a wink he leaned over the table, hitting the cue ball and just barely tapping the ball into the pocket. "Will have to try a bit harder I think," Sean commented as he walked around the table, giving into watching Josh as he took a drink of his beer before taking his second shot where he only managed to line a ball up.

Josh had to admit he was becoming slightly distracted himself, the more beer he drank, and the word "harder" made him think of something far removed from a game of pool. "So where are you from, anyway?" he asked as he looked for his own shot, hoping a more casual line of questioning might help him to preserve the upper hand.

"Sheffield England," Sean said as he leaned against the edge of the table, watching as Josh lined up his shot. Loving the way that the other man looked bent over. "How about yourself?"

"Bumfuck, Georgia," Josh answered with a grin as he shot and scratched. "Shit! I wonder if another beer might actually help my coordination," he joked, waving to a nearby waitress for a refill.

"Beer and cigarettes always help when it comes to pool." Sean walked around the table, brushing up behind Josh as he went for the cue ball. "So you're a Georgia boy? Haven't been to that state yet."

Josh sucked in a breath when Sean repeated his own move against him and willed his body not to respond quite so eagerly. "Not sure I'd recommend it," he replied after taking a long swallow to finish his beer. "New Orleans is just about the best the South's got to offer, in my experience. And who'dve thought a guy who couldn't even get through school would end up a successful businessman in this city? Somebody up there must like me, I tell ya."

"School's over rated sometimes mate." Sean took his shot and frowned when he knocked his ball into one of Josh's, hitting that in instead of his own. Shaking his head Sean straightened up and stepped back so Josh could pass. "I dropped out of school young, was suppose to be a welder, that didn't work out as well. Although I do a bit of that still."

"Well I guess we've got something in common, then. I was supposed to be a farmer. Got a diploma, but just barely, and my dreams of being on the water caught up with me." Josh smirked as he took a shot and knocked another of his balls in. "Thanks for that shot, by the way." He managed one more good shot before missing his third and gratefully took his fresh beer from the waitress.

"If you have a diploma your further along than me." Sean nodded his head in response to giving Josh the shot. He was definitely thankful that he didn't care about the outcome of the game. Looking over the table Sean finally found his position and leaned over, looking across the table at Josh. When he saw the man was looking at him Sean gave him a grin, taking extra time sliding the pool cue between his fingers before hitting the cue ball, letting out a slight sigh when he hit one of his own balls in this time.

Josh's eyes widened slightly and then his grin widened, his tongue coming out to lick his lips--this time definitely deliberately--before he raised the glass of beer to his lips. Standing directly in Sean's line of vision as he lined up his second shot, he "accidentally" spilled a bit on his fingers and made a show of raising two fingers to his lips, hollowing his cheeks, and sucking the foamy liquid away before he withdrew them.

Sean shifted his gaze up from the table just in time to catch Josh sucking his fingers into his mouth. Fuck if that wasn't a sight. Sean had to bite back a groan when he felt like his pants were suddenly far too tight. Looking back at the pool table Sean attempted to hit the ball he'd lined up, not surprised in the least when the shot went wide. "Now that mate, is playing dirty," he said looking up at Josh.

Josh grinned. "What? I got my fingers wet," he reasoned with mock innocence. As he lined up and quickly sunk his own shot--before Sean could do anything else--he let his innocent smile turn into a smirk. "Besides, you started it."

"I didn't quite go that far," Sean muttered, moving around the table to watch Josh, pulling out his smokes. He pulled out one and lit it, feeling a bit of relief when he felt the nicotine kick in. "But on the other hand," he said letting out a long cloud of smoke. "You've definitely let me know how far you will."

Josh smirked. "Hey, you never know," he said as he missed a shot. "I could be a complete fucking tease." Though as he leaned against the wall again, Josh was seriously envying that cigarette and couldn't decide whether he'd rather smoke it or be it.

"Somehow that would surprise me," Sean said and ignored the fact that it was his shot. Resting his pool cue against the table Sean walked over to pick up his drink, holding the cigarette away so he could take a drink, the whole time standing closer than necessary to Josh. "Unless teasing and waiting is the key to your foreplay."

Josh just smiled, leaning in a bit. "Never underestimate the power of foreplay," he replied in a low tone, taking the cigarette from Sean's fingers and taking a long drag without dropping eye contact before he returned it to Sean's hand and picked up his own drink. "Your shot."

Sean didn't take his eyes off Josh as the man took a long drag from his cigarette. This time Sean didn't quite hold in the low groan when Josh passed the cigarette back to him. "That it is," he said after a moment, fighting the temptation to kiss the other man. Instead he forced himself to turn to the table, pulling in a drag from the cigarette, his mind far too occupied with where it had been a moment before. Taking a shot Sean missed again. God he was off his game.

Josh smirked slightly when Sean missed the shot, but he had to admit that he too was inordinately enjoying this. He liked a man who could give as good as he got, and he suspected Sean fit that bill quite nicely. "Lucky for you," he commented as he found another shot. "I'm starting to get rather tipsy." And sure enough, his shot missed the
pocket entirely, ricocheting aimlessly around the table.

Sean laughed, moving up behind Josh when the cue ball stopped not too far from where Josh had originally started it. He ignored the part of his mind that reminded him where they were and pressed his body in against Josh, lining up his shot. "Your defenses go down a bit then?" he asked, his arm resting against Josh's before he took his shot, surprisingly sinking one of his balls.

Josh's eyes went extremely wide when he realized what Sean was trying to pull, and how much it was working. A man should not have permission to be this incredibly sexy, he rationalized, and he had to bite his lip from sighing with disappointment when Sean pulled away. "A..." He turned, determined to make a snarky comment, and then realized how fucking close they were standing and how fucking
expressive Sean's eyes were, and... "Oh, fuck. What were we talking about?"

Sean grinned at the sudden break in Josh's concentration. After Josh had turned to face him Sean knew it would take very little to find out just how much the other man was getting effected, to feel how much, and that made Sean bit back a groan. Instead he rested his hand on the edge of the table, his arm pressing against Josh's waist. "About you being a bit tipsy I believe," Sean said finally, licking his lower lip.

"Right," Josh replied, reminding himself with all his mental fortitude not to grab the other man and kiss him in the middle of a bar full of resolutely heterosexual men. "Just a bit." Then, reluctantly, he stepped to the side, away from the arm at his waist, and stepped behind Sean instead. "Your shot again," Josh reminded him, lips not far from his ear as he concentrated on regaining the advantage.

"Awww yes, ball shot," Sean said looking back at the table. He could feel the heat from Josh's breath and bit down on the inside of his lower lip. God this was a change, not often did Sean come across other men that would do this power play with him and it was just adding fuel to the fire. Leaning over Sean made a quick attempt at a shot, instead of sinking a ball Sean just managed to get the cue ball between two of Josh's solid balls instead. "Guess it's your shot."

Josh smiled, examining the two remaining solid balls and the cue ball between them. "Guess it is." He took the first shot carefully, plucking the cue at a sharp angle to just barely sink the one ball. Now there was only the 4 ball and the 8 left for him to win the game. He grinned as stepped back to the side of the table where Sean was standing and prepared for the relatively easy shot. "Shame I didn't bet any money on this game..."

Sean watched as Josh moved around the table, surprised the man had regained so much confidence. Well...that's something he could handle. "I'm sure there will be rewards if you end up winning." Making sure to keep in Josh's line of sight Sean bent over the table a little, his hand moving down to 'seemingly' adjust himself although in reality Sean instead ran the palm of his hand down the bulge in his jeans, letting out a moan loud enough that Josh could hear him but not the other patrons.

Sean's words didn't affect Josh's play too much, as he set up the easy shot, but just as he pushed the cue forward his eyes took in the sight of Sean's hand palming his crotch, and he heard the moan, and the cue slipped in his fingers, knocking the cue ball to the side, and... "Fuck!" Josh watched with horror as the eight ball tapped neatly into a side pocket. "You bastard," he growled, though the insult had little heat. He returned his cue to the rack and quickly stepped over to Sean, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him forward in a move that anyone else who happened to be watching would dismiss as a friendly fight. "You play very dirty pool," he rasped, his leg sliding briefly between Sean's to press his thigh up against what Sean had been cupping a moment ago.

"Someone was getting cocky in the last round," Sean said back easily before letting out a light groan when he felt Josh's thigh press against him. The growl to Josh's voice made Sean's cock throb and he pressed his hips forward against the thigh, not shy in the least to let Josh feel what he was packing. "Besides, gives an excuse for a rematch, yeah?"

"Hey, I'm not the only one who's getting cocky," Josh retorted, rolling his hips once more before pulling away. "And you can believe there'll be a rematch... of some sort." He paused when the lights flashed and someone yelled for last call. "Heading out, then?" He considered just inviting Sean to his own apartment for the night, but he didn't usually do that with someone he'd just met. Fucking rules.

Sean took a deep breath trying to calm his body down when Josh turned his attention toward the bartender. "Looks like," he said in response to the last call. It wasn't often anymore that he'd be in a bar til closing and he was surprised to realize how quickly the night had gotten away from him. But considering the man that was still eyeing him up...Sean could understand how time had slipped by. "Wanna get out of here before the mass kicking out?"

"Sounds good." Josh was done drinking, anyway, and in no mood to exit the bar with seventy five close, personal friends. He led the way to the door as they wove their way through the crowds and breathed the fresh, though humid, air with a bit of relief. "Well, I'm down that way," he said, pointing down the street to the left. "What about you?"

"The opposite," Sean said gesturing toward the right toward the more touristy area. The fact that Josh lived further into the housing districts didn't shock him. Sean looked around the street and when he was sure that there weren't people around that would completely groan at them he stepped in closer to Josh, guiding the man so his back was against the wall. "Is this where we're saying night?" he asked, eyeing the other man's lips as he pressed his hips against Josh's.

Josh fought his urge to growl again when his back hit the wall, and instead he let his hand come up to slip stealthily under the back of Sean's shirt, laying his palm flat on the warm skin of the other man's lower back. "I think it just might be," he agreed in a low tone, leaning in to claim the kiss he'd been waiting for all evening with a little purr of satisfaction. Well, okay, in reality he'd been hoping for more than a kiss, but that wasn't the smart thing to do. He liked this guy, and past experience had told him that when making a new friend, sex should be held off till at least the second meeting.

Sean leaned into the kiss, pressing one of his hands flat against the wall behind Josh to hold him steady. Now these were the kinds of pay offs Sean liked in a night spent with someone instead of sitting alone. Tilting his head slightly Sean teased Josh's lower lip with his own.

Josh smiled to himself against Sean's lips and pressed his hand harder against Sean's back, trying to push him closer despite the fact that he knew he wasn't getting any relief tonight until he got home. Still, he loved the feeling of the other man's body pressing him against the wall, and kissed Sean enthusiastically, enjoying the chance to indulge in this without it being a prelude to sex.

Sean took the hint and pressed his hips hard against Josh's, unable to keep from moaning when he felt the press of the other man's body fully against his. Moving his free hand up the side of Josh's body Sean gave into the temptation to slide his fingers through the other man's hair, deepening the kiss so he could taste the mixture of cigarette smoke and beer.

Josh, too, was making some rather encouraging sounds when Sean pressed up harder against him, feeling how much they both obviously wanted it. He let the kiss continue for several more moments before needing to pull apart for air, laughing a little breathlessly. "Fuck. I don't think I've been this horny from just making out since I was twenty," he said as he let his other hand press open-palmed against Sean's arse for emphasis.

Sean was pulling in deep breaths of air as well but couldn't help chuckling a little. "I think we successfully worked each other up all night mate," he said nipping at the side of Josh's neck. He could feel the hard press of Josh's body, even more so when the other man pressed his hand against his ass. "We should have been doing this earlier."

"Fuck yeah," Josh agreed, extracting his hand from Sean's shirt to thread his fingers through the other man's shirt and kiss him deeply again. "If I wasn't such a gentleman, I'd definitely be dragging you back to my apartment by the shirt collar right about now," Josh admitted in a rather husky whisper when he pulled away.

"I don't think I'd argue if you did." Sean knew that this was going to end with a brisk walk home trying to ignore the hard on he was sporting and he was slightly tempted to press the issue. But then again, Josh had mentioned coming by the stall to see him. At the possessive tug on his shirt Sean grinned and leaned in to get one last good kiss from the other man, rolling his hips just enough to help make the pressure of his jeans more bearable. When he pulled away Sean ran his thumb down Josh's jaw line. "We are takin' a rain check on this right?"

"You'd better fucking believe we are," Josh agreed in a growl, turning his head to nip Sean's thumb lightly. "You are too fucking tempting." Reluctantly, he took a step back, slowly stepping backwards away from the man to resist the urge to fuck his morals and go for it. "Expect a coffee delivery sometime in the next day or two," he said in a somewhat more casual tone as he continued walking backwards. He broke into a wide grin, then turned and tossed over his shoulder "I think you've earned it" as he continued down the street, unable to wipe the grin off his face.

Sean watched as Josh walked away, a smirk on his face, pleased to know the other man found him just as tempting as he was finding Josh. "Plan to see you then mate," Sean said in return, standing on the sidewalk for a long moment, watching the way Josh's ass moved as he walked away. He finally shook his head and turned to head home, his tongue licking off the remnants of Josh's taste from his lips.

Josh's Apartment

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 19:24:36 GMT

The front door opens into a small hallway; bedroom to the right and bathroom to the left.

Josh's bedroom; windows to the front of the house unpictured (to the right).

Bathroom; one window unpictured.

Hall deadends in the living room; door at the back leads to patio and pool.

Kitchen.

Back patio and pool.

Pup/Player Info

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 22:43:29 GMT

(note: PP Info template respectfully borrowed from Fabala!)

AIM: VkAngelique
E-mail: viktoriaangelique@gmail.com
When you can be reached and preferred method: Prefer Gmail though AIM is great for plotting. I'm usually online all day and night during the summer on weekdays, except from about 6-10 pm EST. Weekends I'm on at night. In the autumn this may change a bit.

Pup's physical info: Turns 37 on 20th July, 6'1", blond hair, green eyes, muscular but lean build
Pup's location: French Quarter near the French Market
Pup profession: Owns a river cruise company

Pup's orientation: Gay switch (will bottom but rarely subs, usually only does BDSM on the dominant side)
Pup's kinks: Bondage, quick angry fucks, semi-public sex
Pup's hard limits: beastiality, scat, pedophilia

Pup's hobbies: Sailing, riding horses, playing guitar (badly), and cooking (he's surprisingly good at French cuisine)

Pup's bio: Josh grew up on a farm in Georgia, close to his family and only going to school until he got a high school diploma and could convince his mother that he was done. Most people don't know that he's actually extremely smart, but has low bullshit tolerance and prefers working with "real people." After working on the farm for a while, he moved to New Orleans at 18 in pursuit of another love--sailing. He sailed on a couple of racing teams while waiting tables, until he found a job with a river cruise company operating out of the French Quarter. He did well running the cruises and when the owner died, he unexpectedly left the company to Josh. Though he doesn't like being in an office all the time, the company has done well and is back to normal functionality after the hurricane, thanks to capital Josh was able to invest in new boats when his father unexpectedly died of a heart attack, leaving his wife and children a much larger sum of money than they expected. Josh rarely goes home now, and is content in his business, but he likes to go out at night whenever he can and get out on weekends sailing in his own boat to relax.

Type of Characters Pup Likes: People who don't have a lot of bullshit and appreciate his sarcastic sense of humour are high on Josh's list. He doesn't like snobbery and is fairly down-to-earth. He also doesn't appreciate people who make assumptions about him based on his education and his accent.

Play Situation: Josh is avaialable for friendly tags, hookups, whatever. He doesn't really do (or know much about) formal BDSM but he has been known to enjoy kink from time to time. He'll top or bottom, but he won't let someone tie him up or be on the receiving end of pain. He tends to be caught up in a lot of quick fucks and "standing invitations," but he's not opposed to romance--just hasn't been around it much.