Wednesday brought with it a case of nerves even stronger than the first night Corey met James. It also brought with it the knowledge that he was Corey and not Cora. All throughout classes he tried to will himself into feeling different. He wanted to be Cora. He wanted to go out in a tight dress and tuck himself up… but that wasn’t him. He felt like Corey and that’s where his nerves were coming from.

This agreement was for him to explore his feminine side. It was a chance for Cora to be visibly present and acknowledged. The fact that he was very much Corey today… It just didn’t feel right to still go over.

Forcing himself to present as female felt just as wrong as forcing himself to present masculine when he felt female so he didn’t want to do that.

Corey: I’m Corey today.

James texted back immediately.

James: Cool. I’ll be sure to call you Corey.

Corey: Do you still want me to come over?

James: If you want to come over then I want you to come over.

Even with James’ reassurance, it didn’t quite feel right. Still. He wanted to go and James offered. He spent another couple minutes deciding on his outfit. He didn’t want to try too hard but he also didn’t want to show up in sweats again.

The jeans he chose were maybe a touch too tight, but they looked good on him. Corey ran a hand over the shadow on his jaw. Part of him thought he should shave. A bigger part wanted to keep it. He liked having facial hair when he felt masculine.

James opened the door before he could knock. He leaned against the door frame and smiled down at him. “Hey, I was worried you weren’t going to come.”

Corey shifted his weight back. “I thought about it.”

James hummed. “Well come on in since you came all the way out.”

Again, doubt curled dark and unpleasant in the back of his mind. He followed James in though.

“Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

“No, I’m good.”

James turned to the living room. “So we need to talk some things out, obviously.”

“Obviously,” Corey repeated.

“You’re genderfluid, correct?”

Satisfaction warmed him from the inside out. To hear someone call him what he was with no judgement, no confusion, just acceptance and understanding… Corey never thought he’d find that. “Yeah. I mean, probably. It seems to fit how I feel so it’s the label I use.”

“Perfect. I didn’t like assuming. How would you like me to address you? I know today you said Corey, but if there’s ever a time you haven’t specified how would you like me to handle that?”

“Um, Corey is just fine.” It wasn’t, but he’d feel like an idiot if he asked James to ask him which name he was currently going by every time he saw him.

“If it’s actually what you want, then ok. This isn’t going to work though if you aren’t comfortable being honest with me.” James’ gaze was sharp. Corey felt like he could see straight through him.

“Um. Just, if you could ask then? I mean if it’s fairly obvious, like I’m in a dress or something then you can go ahead and call me Cora and I can correct you if you ever call me the wrong name. It won’t be a big deal.”

James chuckled. “It is a big deal. Who you are is always a big deal and don’t let people tell you otherwise.”

Corey grinned at him. “I just mean, it’s not like extreme dysphoria I feel or anything. It’s more just a mild unsettledness. Like something is just a little off.”

“It doesn’t have to be extreme. Any time you’re here, I want you to be comfortable. If you’re unsettled then I’m not doing something right and I want to know about it.”

“All right.”

“Will you tell me more about your gender fluidity? Is it just between male and female that you go?”

“Yeah, sort of. Some days I kind of feel like both, but I still usually feel more one way or the other. It's usually split pretty evenly too. Maybe like 40% of the time I feel like I’m Cora and the other 60% I feel like I’m Corey and everything is how it’s supposed to be.”

“What about sex?”

Corey’s cheeks warmed and he wanted to smack himself for it. “I don’t like women sucking my dick when I feel like Cora. I don’t like sex with women when I feel like Cora. I didn’t mind, like making out, but doing more kind of skeeved me out.”

“But you don’t have a problem being with men regardless of your gender at the time?”

“No. Uh, not that I’m aware of at least. The thought of it doesn’t turn me off.”

James laughed again. There was no malice in it and Corey found it easy to smile along with him. “That doesn’t mean it’ll turn you on though. Look, it’s up to you. Do you want to try stuff tonight? I can give you a blow job? Or we could just watch some tv and get to know each other.”

“I want a blow job.” Eh, probably should have sounded a little less eager, but he was not about to turn down a blow job. Especially not a blowjob from someone who looked like James.

James’ eyes crinkled at the corner and Corey let out a breathy laugh at the sight. He really was stunning. “Come here then.”

In a quick motion, James had Corey straddling his lap. Large hands ran up his back and pulled him down for a kiss. James’ stubble rasped against his skin and in an instant, Corey was achingly hard in his jeans.

“Eager?” James asked in a low voice as he rolled his hips up. Corey gasped against James’ lips as pressure was added to his dick. He dropped his head to James’ shoulder as James’ lips traced a path on his neck. “What do you want, baby?”

The pet name was like a splash of cold water. He didn’t want to be called baby when he was a guy.

James must have been able to tell that the name didn’t land right. His teeth scraped across Corey’s neck. “Not baby? Is sweetheart off limits too?” Corey gasped as James’ hips rolled up again. “What do you like, then? Darlin’?” James’ voice was raspy. “Sugar?” His hands squeezed Corey’s hips. Corey shivered. He felt James’ lips curl up in a smile. “Tiger?”

Corey laughed and leaned back. James grinned up at him. His erection was snug against Corey’s ass. Corey wiggled on it and James obligingly rolled them up again. It wasn’t the overwhelming heat that their first time together was, but this was perfect for them.

“Probably not tiger?” James asked later after they were spent and laying in bed. His hand stroked down Corey’s naked back. Corey mumbled noncommittally in response. James left him exhausted. It wasn’t anything more than a blow job, but damn… it was an intense blow job. Corey felt goosebumps race down his back as he remembered James’ refusing to break eye contact as he swallowed him down.

“So there you go. Some gay sex. Was that enough or are you wanting more?”

“Tonight?”

James laughed above him. “No. I’m not 21 anymore.”

Corey jumped when James’ gave his ass a smack. “Tomorrow?” Corey asked and wiggled his butt, prompting another smack. Corey laughed.

“Can’t. I have to cover for my bartender.”

Corey opened his eyes. They were both naked as could be. James was propped up on his elbow. His gaze was appreciative as it ran down Corey’s body. “Your bartender?”

“Hm? Yeah. I had someone quit.”

“You own a bar?”

“Yeah. I figured Wes told you? Isn’t that why you came there?”

“Uh, no.” Corey rolled over to face him. “He said it was a safe bar and on Sundays was usually pretty empty. I wasn’t… I didn’t want there to be a lot of people for my first time striking out.”

James snorted. “Didn’t quite strike out though.”

Corey grinned and rolled into James. James’ arm came around his waist and pulled him in tighter. “When will you be back?”

“Sunday. Want to come over then?”

“Yes.” Corey should probably roll away. It was late. He was tired. He needed to get back to his dorm room… but he was comfortable. James was warm against him. His arm was a steady solid weight over his side.

“Want to stay here tonight?”

Oh god. He did. His classes tomorrow didn’t start until the afternoon. Corey grinned against James’ solid chest. “Yes.”

His chest rumbled in a laugh. “Want to at least get under the blanket?”

Corey grumbled but rolled over to get under the blankets. James pulled him back into his arms and Corey was asleep in moments.