enduringvoices | So much better than never have I ever...

[With his head hung in mock shame, the object of Michael's freak out knocks at the door with their quiz in hand and his 'gifts' in the other.]

Dude, piercings are not that bad and you are not vanilla. You will not make me believe that. Get me some rope. I'll tie your ass up right now and prove it. [He laughed.]

Okay, my question then. Are you more likely to use toys on yourself or others. Spill.

[Making himself at home like usual, Max strides in and wanders over to the kitchen to grab the table salt. He's also kind enough to grab a couple bottle waters while he's at it for hydration reasons. If they're going to not remember much of tonight, they might as well drink lots of water for the headaches tomorrow.

Spreading out the glasses, the salt, the limes and tequila on the coffee table, he settles on the couch, dumping his boots and hat at the base and getting comfy.]

Well? I'm waiting.

[His phone was silent for a little too long. Not even the stupid dots to let him know Max was replying. Maybe he pushed him too far. This was weird territory for them. Isabel was usually the one who shared way too much. But they were actually getting along, and he was realizing just how much he didn’t know about Max. He felt a little guilty.

The knock at the door saves him from spiraling. He watches Max stride in and make himself at home as usual but he was not empty handed. He brought gifts and he wasn’t stingy either.]

A man mentions dominance being a turn on one time…[He shakes his head, watching Max set up a makeshift bar on the coffee table.]

Oh, so we’re doing this then? Ok. Game on. What are the rules? Drink when you don’t want to answer? Or when someone’s answer is freakier or what?

[Michael never turned down a free drink and he wasn’t about to start now. He plops down on the couch next to Max and grabs the bottle of tequila to start pouring the shots.]

Oh man, jumping right in. I’m more likely to use toys on someone else. I never really owned any but I never turned someone down who wanted to use them. Though to be honest, most of my experiences outside like two people have been drunken dirty one night stands in various places so not a lot of opportunities for props.

I feel like I can guess your answer but go ahead. You’ve been surprising me all night.

You know I live to turn you on sugar. [Max winks as he grabs the salt, licks his wrist, salts it, licks again, takes the shot then sucks on a lime with a wince. ]
Damn good stuff I brought. The pony always has their shit straight. I'm glad that I'm back to tending bar for a little while until I decide what I want to do. I know I need to go to oasis, but I want to get everything here straight before i go.

[Honestly, Max was ready to jump through the portal that night. He had engaged himself to Liz and almost walked through, but something held him back. There weren't a lot of people left and the planet was disappearing. It hurt his heart, and he knew that he had to go. It was the only way Oasis was going to survive, but with Michael on the verge of stepping over his own cliff, things weren't quite finished.

Liz and he couldn't work through the bigger issues they had. No matter how much they loved one another, sometimes things really don't work. She'd always be his light in the dark, but she couldn't be his wife. That's one of the reasons he was drinking. Bonding with Michael felt so good. He couldn't remember when being with Michael had ever felt this good.

The laughter never stopped, and he only kept pouring shots for them.]

Let's say you take the shot if you haven't done it, or/and if it shocks the hell out of you about the other person.

[Max sat back against the couch and thought. Some of the stuff he got up to were in a place he liked to forget, but he counted it for this. Thinking hard, he remembered the piercing, and ... shit. ]

Okay, I've had someone use a toy on me before. Once. It was a one time thing, and I can't say that I was super into it. I think I'd be more likely to use them on someone else. I think like ropes, blindfolds, or things so I could edge someone. [He turned to face Michael, one leg up on the couch.]

You'd really be surprised what one night stands like. Naw, I have more things to try in the future, but nothing really kinky, I don't think. Maybe a flog, or paddle if someone is into it. I'm more about what my partner is into, beyond my whole being possessive of them.

[Michael knows Max is leaving, that he has to go to Oasis but hearing it still isn’t getting any easier. Especially after everything that has happened recently. Izzy is so busy with her life and with Alex leaving…again, Michael wasn’t handling it well and now he was about to lose Max too. He knows it’s his own damn fault. It was a tale as old as time. He couldn’t stop fucking everything up. But this with Max, this felt good, easy. He felt like he could breathe a little easier for the first time in a long time.

He shakes his head and pours some salt on his hand, grabbing a full shot glass off the coffee table.]

Okay, I did not expect you to say someone used a toy on you. I don’t care if it counts I’m taking a shot because you are not getting a head start on me this time.

[He flashes Max a smile and licks the salt off his hand, chasing it with tequila and lime.]

Shit, that hits the spot. But okay yeah edging. That is just so fucking good you know? Both ways. Doing that to someone, they give up complete control to you but honestly, I love being on the receiving end of that. Tied up, whatever. I want to be really begging for it you know? Not gonna lie a paddle peaks my interest. I can see the appeal. Pain can be so fucking sexy sometimes.

[Maybe Max doesn't want to leave as much as he says. Leaving his home is really fucking hard. He's worked his whole life to stay, and even with a new bubbling relationship in the wings. It's still long distance. That twists everything up. Max isn't certain he can do it. How can he leave Michael like this. Looking over at his brother, there's all sorts of feelings tied up. They've always been tied up.

Michael saved him when they were young. He was the one who took the blame in the kid's home, and got himself shipped off to home after home, when it'd been Max who had been the unstable one. Max would never stop feeling guilty about that now that he knew. Maybe that was another reason why he worked so hard to fix everything between them now. He loved his brother in a way he never thought possible before. Respect was never fleeting when it came to michael.

He grinned when his brother took a shot, suddenly locked in on that pink tongue as it swirled over Michael's hand. He pushed his lips together and inhaled some, not even thinking about it as he did it. ]

Edging is always one of the best things. I have only done it to one guy. I cared about him, but he didn't feel the same way about me. It wasn't love, more unhealthy obsession. I didn't realize it though.

It can even be with something simple. Like this salt. [Max takes it and thinks for a second, then picks up his brother's wrist and flips it over. It's really tame given the games he's played with salt.

Keeping Michael's eyes locked on him, he slowly licks over the pulse point on Michael's wrist, swirling his tongue in a flourish at the end. Then he sprinkles a little salt, and uses the flat of his tongue to take up most of it. But, doesn't stop there. He blows across the bare skin, knowing that it is some of the more sensitive skin in the human body. Using the edge of his tongue, eyes still locked he decorates the wrist in lines, finishing up taking the salt. Then he holds the wrist up as he takes the shot. ]

Come'ere. [Knowing that after what he did, Michael will be too mesmerized to think, he pushes the lime backwards in between Michael's lips, and leans in barely touching their lips together as he briefly sucks on the lime between lips. It's all about light and near touches. Edging on a whole new level. Max is really damn good at it.]

Now that, my brother is how you edge someone without even touching a genital. I think it's your question now. [He's grinning like a bitch, like the cat who just ate the mouse and still has the tail sticking out from between its lips]

[Michael is pretty sure his brain short circuited. He can still feel the slow, tantalizing drag of Max’s tongue on his skin and he shivers despite himself. He forces himself to drag his eyes away from Max’s mouth still wet from the lime juice and tequila.

Lately, Max makes him feel unmoored, thrown off his guard like the ground beneath him keeps shifting. It was a little unnerving.

Without a word he refills his glass and downs it straight, no chaser before refilling and throwing back a second one back to back. If Max was trying to throw him off his game, he was ready. Maybe.]

I think it’s safe to say you won that round.

[He clears his throat and relaxes back into the couch cushions.]

Okay, when was the last time you had a dirty dream? Do you remember what happened in it?

[It's pretty understandable if Max has thrown Michael for several loops. There was a part of his life that he hadn't told his brother about at all, and here they were getting fucked up together while opening up about sex, something they had never done together.

They had both shipped off the lives that they were sure they were gonna live, and the ground was completely rocky. Max lets out a breath and smiles softly, knowing he set his brother a little on edge with his reaction. He just leans against Michael, taking another shot all by himself as well. It's good to be getting drunk with or without the need to.

Tipping his head up, he can see the outline of Michael's chin, it's nice and strong, something that Max never really thought about before.]

The last dirty dream. Yeah, Hey mike. Listen, this is going to sound really fucking crazy, but we're aliens if anything is crazy, it's happened to us. When Liz and I split, something else happened to me man. Like, really something massive. [He actually takes Michael's hand and pushes his fingers through it, because this takes something from him. The time he spent in Duplicity, is time he wants more than anything to forget. It fucked him up, and for the most part he does forget it, but all this sex talk, it revolves around it all. ]

I - I was gone for a few months that no one knew about. There was this place that like ... they like took me, kidnapped me. It was all about sex, being dominant and submissive. You had to have sex to survive there, man. It's why I've got all these stories, why I was hurt, I - the guy I was with there, it was another version of Kyle. That's why I know who I'd pick. He was really different though, dating some vampire. Don't get weird on me. Please, Michael. You're the only one in my life who I've told this to.

[he squeezes his brother's fingers and holds them tight, looking up at his brother with almost panic in his eyes.] My last sex dream was of that place. A guy I was with. He was the one that did my piercings. I dreamed of him. Don't tell anyone. I got one hell of a blow job, okay? He was really good at them. Nothing like a guy to give a great blow job. Once you've had a guy do it, you can never go back to a woman again.

[The sudden flash of anger that pours through him, causing some glasses in the kitchen to rattle and fall off their shelves, isn’t a surprise. Michael has always been protective of his family no matter what was happening between them and his fingers tighten around Max’s as he tenses against him. But listening to Max talk, he feels a lot of emotions. Anger of course, he wanted to kill the bastard that did this to him. Hurt that Max never told him and guilt. Mostly an overwhelming guilt that sucked the air from his lungs. How could he not know something happened? That something was so very wrong? He had been so wrapped up in his own bullshit once again that he didn’t even know Max had been fucking kidnapped.
.

Hearing Max plead, the fear in his voice is enough to bring him out of his pity party. For now. He tears his eyes away from their joined hands to Max’s face and his heart breaks. He tries not to let it show on his face but he’s never been good at hiding especially from his brother.]

Max, I had no idea. What happened to the bastard? I’m going to fucking kill him. I don’t care if I have to go there myself. Fuck.

[He can feel his anger rising again and he pulls away to stand up.]

How could I not know? I was so fucking wrapped up in my bullshit. I should have been there for you.

[He starts pacing, running a hand through his unruly curls, trying to calm down.]

We don’t have to play this game anymore, Max. It must be bringing up horrible shit. Fuck. I’m sorry.

[There's this small part of Max that should have expected this, known this could have happened but the freedom of the game, the buzz of the alcohol in his veins shorted out his better judgement and the reasoning behind why he'd never mentioned it to a soul beyond this.

It was his burden, his cross to bear. It'd made him wiser and more accepting of so many things. When he returned, Max had actually forgotten his time after a brief period of depression. Once Liz moved back into his life, and they became so busy trying to rid themselves of the constant array of forces trying to kill them. It wasn't important any longer.

Kyle became Kyle again, even the name of his other sub-- what was it now. Caleb? He'd nearly forgotten it. It was only watching the forces move around him that reminded him of his brother's anger. Sighing, Max got up.]

Michael! Listen to me. [He took to his brother's side and pressed his hand against his chest. Luckily he didn't push what he was feeling, and mark his brother. That would have given them too close of a bond with their emotions this heightened.] Michael. Listen to me. You can't just go there. No one knows how, and it's over. It's been over.. they are experiences. Not all bad. I was a dominant. I had a nice house, and submissives. [a short laugh]

You were there michael, a version of you. I don't know how it works. One that didn't know what I knew, you were from my past, and you were who I mostly lived with, except when you were dating this other vampire, who pretty much hated me. He thought I was irresponsible. You thought I was too.

[Rolling his eyes, Max could admit now that being free of Liz, and trying new things did make him emotionally vulnerable in ways he hadn't been. He'd done things he might not have, but now he was doing his best to make up for it all.] Come back and sit on the couch with me. Drink with me. This game isn't bad. I'm learning about you, I want to know. I want you to know about me... Come on.

[The hand on his chest and Max’s presence at his side was grounding. His brother had the ability to bring him back down in a way very few people in his life ever did. Michael was still angry. Furious that someone did this to Max. That he was forced into horrible situations, his life turned upside down again. He had already been through so much. But this wasn’t about Michael. This was about Max. He had to put that aside, for now, and be there for him. Despite multiple attempts, they didn’t have the power to change the past. They just had to move forward.

After a shaky exhale, he places his hand over Max’s where it rests firmly on his chest and squeezes.]

Okay. But Max, I’m here for you if you need someone. Even if you don’t want to talk about it.

Come on. We’re taking a shot for your blowjob comment because I agree with you there. Why do you think I got one blowjob from a guy and it changed my life?

[He flashes Max a small smile, trying to let him know they were okay as he leads him to the couch and collapses back onto the cushions. He fills up two glasses and passes one over with the salt and limes.]

Go ahead ask me one.

[With the reassurance from his brother, he feels a lot safer than he has in a long time. It meant a lot to finally share that secret with someone, and for Michael to let Max know he was a safe space, was a damn fine thing.]

You know, Michal. All those times I threw your ass in jail and got mad. I wasn't really all that pissed. I had to be firm, to be a tough ass, cause I knew you needed it, but I've always been so fucking proud of you. You've always been the one I trusted most. Like now. Thanks for this, really. man.

[He toasts the shot, and then settles back, doing something for comfort that he doesn't think about because it's something he's been doing to people he cares for a long time. When he gets close to someone, and starts to feel this overwhelming sense of... whatever, he turns and slips a hand low along Michael's waist, touching the skin barely beneath his shirt, only just to touch skin. It's a comforting thing-- knowing someone's skin is there for you. That's all it is. Really]

Alright, tell me... [He has to grab the magazine with the other hand now, and look it over with a grin.] tell me... What's a guaranteed way to turn you on?

Thanks. That’s-uh-that means a lot to me. I know I needed the tough love. I still do sometimes and you were the only one who even bothered giving it to me. Even when I was such an asshole to you.

[There was a sense of familiarity to being around Max that Michael found comforting. In the seemingly endless maelstrom of his life, Max was a constant. Even after all the times Michael tried to push him away. He was still here.

He’s not sure if it’s the alcohol or Max sharing something he hasn’t told anyone that has Michael feeling protective but there’s less space between them on the couch now. He can feel the heat coming off Max’s body, their thighs barely touching. Michael just wants Max to know he’s there. He’s not alone. ]

Guaranteed huh? Other than the stuff we’ve already talked about?

[His stomach flutters at the the touch of Max’s fingertips under the hem of his t-shirt but he doesn’t pull away.]

If I’m into someone it’s not that hard to turn me on. Like you said before. I’m a man with needs.

[He laughs softly, shaking his head.] I mean touching is a big one. I like when someone is handsy, when I can tell they really want me. There’s nothing sexier than knowing someone wants you that bad. You’re doing that to them. Fuck. It’s so good.

If we’re talking about techniques or something physical, getting my hair pulled. Almost guaranteed to work just like getting manhandled you know? It’s a turn on.

What about you?

You may have been the asshole, but I never forgot how we were as kids, and what we did together to save izzy.

[They had needed each other then, and maybe things were never the same after Noah used Isobel to kill, but Max would never forget what they had. That's what being the quote responsible brother was all about. Michael took all the shit because that's what he had been set up to do. It was Max's job to fix it down the line. Now look at them. They both had their own darkness inside them. Max a clone, Michael the son.

Only they understood the depth of anger, darkness and solitude really that being attached to the dictator in that way represented. Sharing everything now felt more natural than anything else.

Still not even thinking about what he's doing because of how comfortable he is, and how the alcohol has warmed him. The bond between them is so tight, and so max turns his hand to run blunt nails along the base of Michael's back, and then pushes the pads of his fingers along where he ran. He also opens his legs slightly so that their thighs touch now, and the heat of their bodies mingle.

There's a grin and he can't help himself as he reaches over and tugs at one of Michael's curls, holding it back for a few seconds. ] You mean like that?

[He releases it, and lays his head back on the couch and stares up, surprised that the world isn't spinning yet. They've been doing the shots far enough apart that his body is handling the human spirits pretty well, amazingly.]

I agree, being wanted is pretty hot. My turn ons are my neck, and my nipples. So fucking sensitive. Someone gets to kissing those spots and I'm instantly hard. That or pulling on my nipples. That's why I pierced them. Sometimes even my shirt would... [He laughs.]

Now you get to ask the next question. You haven't asked one in a while.

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@cosmiccowboy tfln

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