It was Emmett’s turn to pay for their motel room. He’d already decided on the drive over that things would be a little different. A compromise that would hopefully be enough of a hint, of a nudge, of a neon sign saying “Bend me over and fuck me already”.

“A king sized bed, non-smoking please.”

A crash and a yelp of surprise.

Tab had been on the other side of the room, looking at a brochure display for the local area.

“Hey, watch it.” The owner complained, looking over Emmett’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry. Really sorry.” He heard Tab say followed by the rustle of papers.

“Do I just swipe my card here?” Emmett asked, calling back the man’s attention as Tab scurried out of the building. Emmett hurried through the remainder of the transaction, snatched up the plastic card keys and joined Tab outside.

“Do you mind if I bring some work into the room?” Tab’s eyes were bright in the half-light of the fading twilight. He had his hands clutched in front of him, twiddling his thumbs.

“Can’t you save it for the morning?” He would have liked to give a ‘no’ outright but he didn’t think Tab was capable of accepting it. And he wanted to be on Tab’s good side at this point in time.

“If you won’t get mad at me for waking up early again. I can try to do something quiet then.”

“I suppose I can manage that.” Emmett conceded, leading the way to their room.

It felt immediately spacious as they entered, familiar but different. Tab flipped on the lights before stopping by the desk, to place a couple of sketchbooks, sewing machine and bag on the table. Emmett only brought himself.

Tab seemed hesitant but Emmett wasn't going to let him be. He moved to stand behind Tab, placing his hands on his shoulders and leaning down to press his face in his hair. Why the hair? I never realized I was so single minded.

Tab leaned back into his touch, resting his head on Emmett's shoulder as he looked up at him. Emmett was sure this looked ridiculous from the outside but no one else was there to see.

Tab turned in his arms, took Emmett by the waist, walking him backwards toward the bed until he was forced to sit down on it. The one way to make himself taller than me. Emmett mused, mouth breaking into a thin, crooked smile.

Tab must have liked that face, because his hands were on Emmett's jaw, tilting his chin upward. "God…" Was all he could manage to say in hushed tones.

"Just kiss me already." Emmett demanded, grabbing Tab's shirt to pull him closer.

Tab didn't hesitate after that, throwing a leg up on the bed so he was practically sitting on Emmett's lap. It was the closest they'd been to one another so far and Emmett had no plans to complain, especially when he noticed the growing hardness in Tab's pants.

Tab's mouth was on him before he could think too hard about it. He was more forceful this time, sloppy, and he still hasn't figured how to breathe yet. When Tab broke away to gasp for air Emmett found that he was now reclining on the bed, leaned back on an elbow. He let himself fall back the rest of the way, amused when Tab crawled on top of him to follow.

He's just as single minded. Emmett found himself thinking when Tab bent to kiss him again. Which was fine. Emmett was feeling impatient though. His hands strayed until they found Tab's thighs, surprisingly fit under a layer of stretch denim. He clawed his way up until he found the waistband, hooking his fingers in the belt loops so he could pull Tab hard against him.

Tab broke off the kiss to gasp, his hands shaking as he braced himself on the bed.

"You didn't fire off already, did you?" Emmett joked, lying back so Tab could have his breather.

"Not yet." Tab answered, a hint of indignance coloring his words.

Emmett couldn't stifle a laugh and he was glad Tab was able to return his own smile instead of getting offended.

Tab's fingers plucked at the lowest button of Emmett's shirt.

A shard of ice felt like it was being driven into Emmett's chest.

Tab moved up to the next button.

Emmett's heart was hammering in his ears. He tried to let out a slow breath, to relax, but he felt like he was choking on air.

Emmett grabbed Tab's hands before he reached the next one. "Don't."

"What? Emmett, why…?"

He felt Tab staring at him. He couldn't read his expression. Emmett was trying not to look at him.

"Emmett-"

“I need a moment.” Emmett rolled Tab off of him, sat up in the bed clutching his shirt to him. His eyes were stinging. He covered them with a hand, hoping to stop any tears before they started. I can push this stupid feeling away.

A hand on his back. He leapt to his feet.

“Wait!” Tab’s voice was tight with worry. He’d managed to grab Emmett by the arm before he’d gotten too far. “What’s going on?”

Emmett sat back down on the very edge of the bed. He felt himself shaking. He didn’t want to explain. “Can we turn off the lights?”

“I won’t be able to see you.”

That’s exactly the point!

“I’m not ready for you to see me.”

Tab was silent. Still turned away, Emmett couldn’t look at his face, couldn’t try to gauge what he was thinking. He only had Tab’s hand on his arm still, could only feel his grip loosen and tighten as he considered.

“I don’t want to turn the lights off.” He said finally.

A wave of heat ran over Emmett’s skin, white hot anger. He tried to stand again but Tab’s hand was still on him and he was pulled back onto the bed, landing in Tab’s lap, his head pillowed on the kid’s thigh. Emmett was still avoiding his eyes.

Tab reached down to brush the hair from Emmett’s face. Despite the light touch Emmett closed his eyes, a few welled tears finally escaping. Tab wiped those away too. Emmett let out a long shaky breath.

Tab’s touch moved away from his face, found his hand thrown to the side. His fingertips grazed his palm and Emmett felt himself shiver. He blinked up at Tab, feeling conflicted.

Tab took hold of Emmett’s wrist, leaned down over it. Emmett’s vision was blocked now but he could feel Tab press his lips to his fingertips. It sent a thrill through him, more than he would have expected for something so simple.

Emmett rolled his head, tucking his face into Tab’s hip. With his free hand he gripped hard at Tab’s other thigh. "Whatever dumbass thing you're doing… don't stop."

He didn’t. Emmett trembled in his grip as he felt more kisses, followed by the brush of a tongue against his knuckles. How simple, how stupid. He chided himself but there was no denying how hard he was getting.

Tab noticed too. He reached down to carefully undo the button at his waist, lower the zipper. Emmett fought against another wave of panic, his fingers digging into Tab’s thigh. He wouldn’t be surprised if Tab found bruises there tomorrow. Tab didn’t complain, only returned his attention to Emmett’s fingertips, biting lightly at the tender flesh before pulling a finger into his mouth. Emmett let out a gasp, squirming. Impatience made him reach for his dick but Tab beat him to it, stroking eagerly.

He was in no position to offer any service in return but it didn’t seem like Tab wanted anything from him. It was a fuzzy thought at the edge of his mind, quickly pushed away as a wave of pleasure racked him. “Tab…” Emmett pleaded unnecessarily. Tab’s touch brought him over the edge in a sweating, trembling climax.

Emmett slumped back into Tab’s lap panting, legs still shaking in the aftermath. Belatedly he noticed Tab smiling down at him, and as flushed as he was already he felt himself warm further. Tab bent to place another simple kiss on his brow. Emmett let more tears fall, feeling more relief than shame.