"Well...yeah, I was."
"Like I said earlier, I'm not happy about who his father is, but if that's what you want, I'll do my best to support you. Haven't I always encouraged you to make your own decisions in life?"
Ashton paused as he thought that one over. Perhaps it was due to a newfound maturity in himself, or perhaps it came from watching the way Justice suffered under his own father's oppression. Whatever the reason, Ashton realized for the first time just how much his dad always supported him.
Ashton sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the couch. Locking gazes with his father, he said, "Thank you for once again being there for me. I couldn't ask for a better father."
Dad's lips curled up into a smile that never quite reached his eyes. His gaze grew troubled and for the only time in Ashton's memory, he noted a bit of regret in his father's expression. Strangely, that tugged at Ashton's chest and made him almost want to cry.
"There are a lot of people that would argue with you about that one," Dad finally said, his voice a bit gruff.
"That's because they don't know you as well as I do."
"So, what are you going to do about Justice?"
Ashton rolled that over for a few minutes, before the solution hit him. It would be the perfect way for them to finally be together without the fear of Justice being hurt again. The only catch was it would require a huge sacrifice on both their parts, plus it would be asking Justice to take a huge leap of faith. Something that Ashton didn't know if Justice would be ready for yet. While he now realized his deep affection for Justice, there were no guarantees that the other man would return the feelings.
"I have an idea, but I'm going to need your help," Ashton said.
"Anything, son, just name it."
Justice let out a long-suffering sigh as he adjusted the costume mask. It felt hot and itchy, and, even worse, he knew he looked ridiculous in the thing. He didn't dare say a word against the monstrosity, though, since his father had been the one to pick it out and send it to his apartment.
A bright yellow contraption, with a puffy shirt and tight pants, he knew he looked more like Big Bird, than sexy and mysterious. Which always had been the image that came to him whenever he thought of masquerade parties. The sexy part that is, not the looking like a walking, living creature from
Sesame Street.
He pulled at the itchy costume as he cast a jaded glance over the crowded hotel ballroom. While it was nice, it still didn't begin to compare to the hotel where he and Ashton spent the night. Then again, Justice didn't exactly see the local law authorities holding any kind of party at a place owned by any of Ashton's relations.
All of the people at the party were friends of his father's, which meant they treated Justice as a nuisance to be tolerated and nothing more. On the other hand, they all treated Craig as if he were some hometown hero or something. His brother remained glued to their dad's side as they both pandered to the group.
"God, have you ever seen a bigger collection of suck-ups in your life?" an oddly familiar voice to his right asked.
Justice turned and stared at a man in one of the most outlandish costumes he'd ever seen. Mostly gold, with some brief appearances of white and black, the outfit looked like
Aladdin
meets
Showgirls.
A white mask, with gold accents completely obscured the man's face, and a big feather-topped turban covered his head. It still only took Justice a few moments to recognize who it was.
"Oh, my God! Ashton, what are you doing here?" Justice hissed, as he dodged a glance from side to side.
"I had to see you."
"So, you decided to crash a police-sponsored party. Are you crazy?"
Due to the mask, Justice couldn't see Ashton's face, but a warm chuckle told him how humorous the other man found the situation. Justice put a hand over his own mostly clad face as he let out a groan.
"You must be certifiably crazy. That can be the only possible explanation."
"I've been accused of that more than once in the past."
Justice peeked out from between his fingers. "You do realize that you're going to be in a ton of trouble if somebody discovers you're here?"
"After what happened to you earlier today, I wanted to check up on you, plus we need to talk."
"You could have just texted me."
Despite himself, Justice couldn't help but feel touched that Ashton willingly took such a big risk just to see him. Justice darted a glance at his father and brother, relief flowing through him when he noted they were still hip deep in ass-kissing mode. Then again, with the way things usually went at these thing they wouldn't notice Justice for the rest of the night period. So long as he kept to the corner and didn't call attention to himself, he may as well have been a lamp for all they cared. So if he were to say...take off for some fun of his own, they would never be the wiser.
He ran his tongue over his torn bottom lip as he debated his next move. If Ashton could take a risk, then the least Justice could do is return the favor. Plus, hadn't he just that day realized that he'd never get his father's approval? So why in the hell should he keep trying so hard to please the man?
No, more! At that moment, Justice realized he needed to grow up and live life by his own terms and rules. He didn't want to have to continue to exist under a suffocating blanket of fear.
"Follow me," he whispered to Ashton.
Justice led him to an empty conference room. After shutting the door behind them, Justice carefully flipped the lock. Ashton slipped off his mask and turban, then set them on the enormous table, which occupied most of the room. While the lights were off, the full moon shone through the large widows. That made it so Justice could make out each and every feature on the man he'd grown to care for so deeply.
He only took his gaze off Ashton long enough to take off his own mask and toss it to the side. Ashton ran his tongue over his lips as he stared back at Justice, the desire in the man's eyes was unmistakable.
"You look so fucking hot right now," Ashton finally said.
Justice laughed as he gestured to his outfit. "In this? I look like a demented canary."
Ashton slowly walked forward until they were only inches apart. "We really need to talk."
"Later. I want you to fuck me first."
It gave Justice some satisfaction to see the look of pure shock crossing Ashton's face. "Right here?"
"I would prefer if you bent me over the table, but if you want to drop to the ground on this specific spot, I won't argue. Just so long as I get your cock in me."
Ashton blinked a few times. "Aren't you afraid that we'll get caught? No offense, but before now you were terrified for us to even be seen talking in public. Now you want me to take you in the conference room of a very busy hotel?"
Justice leaned forward for a wet, hot, open-mouthed kiss that left them both breathless. It hurt his lip a bit, but the pleasure was well worth it. Sill keeping their mouths inches apart, Justice said, "I'm done being afraid. Besides I care more about you than I fear them."
One last brief flash of uncertainty passed Ashton's gaze, so Justice decided to cheat a bit so the other man saw things his way. Darting his tongue out, he licked a lazy path along the outside of Ashton's mouth. At the same time, Justice reached down and rubbed Ashton's cock.
"At least part of you thinks this is a good idea," Justice teased.
"Okay, but you have to promise that we'll talk after."
Justice nodded as he continued to massage Ashton's erection. "Anything. Just so long as you fuck me first."
"Do you have any supplies on you?" Ashton asked with a crooked smile.
Dismay shot through Justice as he froze. "Crap. I didn't expect to run into you here, so I don't have anything on me."
Ashton chuckled before he gave Justice's nose a kiss. "Don't worry, I was only teasing you. I have some stuff in my pockets."
Justice laughed, his hand fumbling with the ties to Ashton's pants. "You had me scared there for a minute."
The laces on Ashton's costume bottoms proved difficult, but Justice managed to get them undone. Once the flaps were open, Justice dropped to his knees. Pulling out Ashton's cock, Justice ran his tongue up the length, a low moan coming from his throat.
"Damn, you taste so delicious," he crooned.
He paused a moment to swirl his tongue along the crown, collecting a smear of pre-cum before he parted his lips and slowly sucked all of Ashton's length in. Ashton let out a shuddering cry, his hands shooting out to fist into Justice's hair.
"Shit, you're getting good at this," Ashton praised as his hips snapped forward.
Justice anticipated the move, so he opened his throat and fought his gag reflex. Ashton's answering groan was his reward. Justice began to bob his head up and down, alternating the strength of his suction. He wanted this to be the best blow job in Ashton's life. To wipe away the memory of any other encounter he may have had before they met.
All too soon Ashton gently pulled Justice away. Justice let out a small whimper of distress as Ashton's cock slipped from his lips.
"I was just getting started," Justice protested.
"If I don't get inside you soon, I'm going to jump from my skin," Ashton explained.
"I guess I can give up your cock for that," Justice quipped as he stood and began to unzip his pants.
As soon as he'd finished, Ashton grabbed him by the shoulders, spun him around and bent him over the table. All the air left Justice's lungs in one surprised
oomph
as he felt his pants and underwear being roughly lowered. Soon the sensation of a warm tongue rimming him followed.
"I thought you were going to fuck me?" Justice protested, even as he thrust back against Ashton's mouth.
"Soon, babe. I just want to make sure you're ready to take me."
Since that sounded like a damn good plan to Justice, he allowed himself to relax against the table and give in to the pleasure Ashton insisted on gifting him with. Soon, one finger, followed by another joined the mix, filling his ass and stretching him. Justice continued to gasp and moan his way through it, even when the cool slick of lube entered into the play.
Finally, the welcome sound of the condom wrapper being opened filled his ears before Ashton stood. He tensed, waiting for the press of Ashton's cock, but it didn't come. After a moment, Justice began to worry he'd done something wrong.
"Is everything okay?" he asked, anxiety creeping into his chest.
Ashton smoothed a hand down Justice's back. "Yes, I was just thinking about how beautiful you are and how much you mean to me."
Justice's heart stuttered at the raw emotion layering Ashton's voice. Justice glanced over his shoulder, his gaze immediately finding and locking with Ashton. As crazy at it sounded, Justice realized that he'd never be the same again--that
they'd
never be the same.
"You mean a lot to me, too," Justice confessed.
His chest tightened a bit at giving so much power to somebody else. By confessing his feelings to Ashton, Justice now gave the man a powerful weapon should he ever want to hurt him.
"I hope you really mean that," Ashton said.
"Of course I do. I--"
Justice's reply was cut off with a gasp as Ashton finally pressed inside him. Then Justice forgot about all other worries aside from the wonderful sensation of Ashton filling and stretching him.
"That's it, just like that," Justice hissed as he pressed back against Ashton.
Ashton bent over and nipped Justice's earlobe. "I would do anything to protect you."
After making that declaration, Ashton began to make love to Justice. They moved together in fast, sharp snaps, the fear of discovery not allowing any time for lingering. Ashton gripped Justice's hips in a tight hold. Since Justice didn't want to lose that bite of pain, he reached around and began to stroke his own cock.
Even with the stress of being caught, Justice's orgasm came too quick. He bit his bottom lip, hoping the hurt would hold it back, but he lost the fight. His cock jerked, right before warm fluid covered his fingers.
Ashton's muffled whimper marked that he'd come, too, his grip somehow managing to grow even tighter. Justice knew he'd relish those sets of bruises, just as he had the last.
Ashton gave the nape of Justice's neck a kiss, before they pulled apart and cleaned up as best they could in the small adjoining bathroom. Once they were done they pulled out two chairs and sat opposite of each other.
The seriousness of Ashton's expression set Justice's body trembling, only this time the reaction came from nerves. Justice ran a hand nervously through his hair as he began to tap his foot nervously.
"What's going on? You're scaring me," he admitted.
Ashton reached out and took Justice's hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that. It's just that what I want to ask you is big and I don't want to blow things by flubbing it up."
"Just say it."
"My father knows about us," Ashton blurted.
Panicked, Justice let out a small gasp. "Is he pissed?"
"No. I'm not going to lie and say he was exactly thrilled about who your father is, but once he realized you're the most important thing in my life, my dad supported us."
Justice shook his head. "What did you just say?"
"That he supported us."
"Not that. What you said right before that part."
Ashton gazed up from under his lashes. "That you're the most important thing in my life."
A bubble of hysteria clogged Justice's chest. "Just like that? After one week?"
"Well, we did say we were like that other famous story. They fell in love at first sight, so why can't we have strong feelings about each other, too?"
"But our story won't end up the same way," Justice replied weakly, echoing their conversation from the library.
"I know I'm probably moving too fast for you. Hell, at times it feels like it's too fast for me, but I can't deny my feelings."
"I care about you, too. Much more than I know I should since this relationship is so new," Justice replied, his voice full of wonder because he'd just realized that fact for himself.