Chapter 19: More Early Wedding Gifts
By pulling several of his usual strings - and calling in lots of favors that the whole city seemed happy to owe him - Chris managed to get our party a private dining room at Joe T’s on a Friday night. Then again, it could have also been Ted working his own back-channel magic after giving Joe’s all of his co-op get-together business over the years. Either way, our two amazing dads were absolutely glowing as they led our happy party - including one very proud pup - to our festive dining room for the evening.
Our sweet furry boy faithfully followed his pack through the crowded restaurant without making a bit of fuss. Once inside the room, he curled up contentedly between Corey’s chair and mine - right at the heart of our table. I took a quick moment to slip into my still-developing dad mode, just long enough to gently remind everyone not to offer Riley any table scraps. It’s easy to train a pup to always be good, but nearly impossible to correct an accidentally learned bad behavior.
After a couple rounds of Joe’s killer margaritas, most people - well, who weren’t me - totally forgot about our sweet pup as we happily munched our way through Joe’s multicourse Mexican feast. My moderately buzzed mom felt compelled to once again confess her pride and love for her “brave gay son.” I gave her a genuine smile and I could only hope I wasn’t going to be too embarrassed once again.
“Ollie, when you stood up to… Richard last year. I could feel the support and strength you were getting from your family.” She didn’t even come close to stumbling this time, she only smiled, remaining warm and steady. “I’ve never been more proud of you my baby boy. And I’d never been more ashamed of myself.”
I definitely cringed at “baby boy” until I remembered that I’ve always kinda appreciated that simple phrase’s implied love and comfort.
Even though she’d already managed to take the floor, she still gave her water glass a buzzed, yet diligent, little ding-ding-ding with her butter knife before standing up to make her declaration official. “To my Ollie and his wolf,” she began, “I couldn’t be more proud - or happier - about the love you two have found, and about the life you’re building together. I also couldn’t be more grateful for the strength, the confidence, and the inspiration you gave me that persuaded me to leave the very bad place I was in and find my own new love with Jordan.”
Mom didn’t let me down; I suddenly couldn’t have been happier about where her unexpected speech had landed. I marveled as her face glowed while she raised her margarita glass up in a toast that was happily met by the entire room. She sweetly, naturally - and without any fear - leaned over to give Jordan the first kiss I’d witnessed between them. It was a beautiful, heartfelt moment. One that transformed her overly emotional toast into another unexpected wedding gift that I never imagined I’d be given.
I barely had time to squeeze my wolf’s knee and lean in for a tender kiss of our own before the next big surprise of the night began to unfold. At least we’d been given advanced warning about this one - and we’d instantly given our blessing.
In a selfish way, it was a kinda comforting to know I wasn’t the only nervous man in the room tonight. I gave Corey a tender look and another quick kiss just as Danial pushed himself up to his feet. Corey and I grinned, excited and thrilled for what was about to happen.
Danial stood firmly, trying his best to appear far more confident than he actually felt. Holding his napkin like a child clutching his security blanket, he started the obligatory glass-dinging - giving off the aura of a man who wasn’t entirely convinced his bold decision was still such a good idea.
No matter, as he struggled to keep his - I’d have to say a little desperate - eye contact with me and Corey, he somehow managed to find the strength he needed to begin his speech.
“Okay…” he awkwardly blurted, his voice trembling more than just a little. “So, I promised myself I wasn’t going to sound this nervous or get this emotional.” He glanced around the table, trying to gauge the room’s ability to handle an unexpected surprise. “But that promise didn’t even make it past our first basket of chips and salsa.”
The room let out a warm, polite and reassuring chuckle - as if everyone somehow knew how much he needed it. He meekly continued with his focus still locked on me and Corey.
“Ollie, Corey… You two have no idea how much inspiration and hope you’ve given all of us. Your joy, your happiness, and your dedication to each other - oh, and to Riley too! - has shown all of us that love isn’t about having it easy. It’s about commitment, and working hard, and staying with each other when things get difficult.”
He searched around the room until he spotted Officer Kevin and Anna, then gave them a well-earned wink. “And then battling your way through the unimaginable when one of you gets arrested for Grand Theft Auto on your way to work one morning.”
The table broke into gentle laughter, joined by plenty of knowing looks and nods.
Now steadier - more sure of himself and less reliant on our supportive gazes - Danial continued smoothly, “Watching you two fight for each other, laugh through everything, and still look at each other like you’ve just met the most important person in your life… All of it. It makes it nearly impossible for the rest of us not to believe in the power of love. Believe me, the devotion between you two affects every one of us, every day.”
He swallowed, his eyes already glistening as he looked at Corey - then me. “Corey - you Norse god. And Ollie - you big sweet pup. You make all of us stronger… and braver.”
This time it was Corey squeezing my knee - he could feel the pride and joy radiating off me over what we’d helped inspire our friend to do. Danial took a deep breath as his eyes finally left ours, drifting to the place they had always been meant to land: on his beloved Ethan.
Everyone around the table watched as a look of complete surprise rippled across Ethan’s face.
Before fulfilling the promise in the gaze he’d just given his boyfriend, Danial lifted his eyes back to the table and flashed a sheepish grin. “I know you’re not supposed to do something like this during your best friend’s rehearsal dinner. But y’all - we’re talking about Ollie and Corey here. Normal wedding rules simply don’t apply around them.”
A ripple of laughter happily danced around the table.
“So,” he continued, “I asked our two gracious grooms if I could steal a few minutes of their spotlight tonight, and of course they immediately agreed. Well… because that’s exactly who they are.” He swallowed, voice softening. “They didn’t just give me permission. They gave me their blessing. They assured me that true love will always make room for more love.”
Corey and I watched Ethan’s breathing catch - and I swear we saw Danial’s heart skip several beats - as he pulled a small black box out of the pocket of his shorts. Exactly like Corey had done for me a year ago. Danial was visibly shaking, but he still managed to lower himself to one knee in front of Ethan - his forever love - before beginning his obviously well-rehearsed speech.
“Ethan, for two years now, you’ve been my best friend. My study buddy. My favorite man to argue with. My partner in crime. My comfort at the end of a bad day.”
And that’s when I saw it; the look that Danial gave Ethan. A look that I’d only ever seen in my Corey’s eyes when he looked at me. My face flushed with the realization as Danial continued:
“Ethan… you’ve become the home I want my life to move into. So tonight - right here, right now - in front of our friends whose love has shown us what a forever can look like…” His voice cracked, and the table grew even more reverent. “I can’t imagine a better moment to ask you the most important question of my life. Ethan, will you marry me?”
For several more missed heartbeats, the whole room held its breath. Ethan involuntarily covered his mouth with one hand and steadied himself against the table with the other. An unexpected flurry of tears started falling faster than he could blink them away. It seemed that all he could do was nod, helplessly and beautifully.
A second later, he finally managed to throw himself into the arms of his still-shaking new fiancé.
It seemed that our profound pup was able to sense the sudden joy percolating up through the room. Riley decided to offer a single declarative bark - to be the first one to give approval - before allowing the celebration to resume by breaking into full-on zoomies around the table.
His gleeful antics broke the room’s spellbound silence, and everyone erupted into laughter, cheers and expressed congratulations. Corey and I jumped up from our chairs and rounded the table to give both our happy grooms-to-be a couple of big bear hugs. Ted and Chris raised their nearly empty margarita glasses in a salute; their proud smiles outshining the strings of lights hanging overhead.
Corey used his commanding height to reclaim the room with a flourish, raising his glass high. “To all loves that foster even more love!” he bellowed. Then he glanced down at our panting pup and added, “And to unexpected proposals that earn our sweet Riley’s furry approval.”
Riley responded with a big yawn and a tiny snort, clearly agreeing with his dad’s declaration.
I wiped my eyes and let out a teary laugh as I moved in to stand beside my Corey, taking in all the beautiful chaos. “Okay,” I said, “this is all awesome, but for the record - if anyone else suddenly gets inspired by our love tonight, I’m afraid y’all will need to wait until after we finally get to say our vows tomorrow.”
That earned the next round of laughter. But beneath all the noise, something Danial had said settled deep into my heart: he was right. I realized that our love really had given the people we cared about most the foundation and courage they needed. And in that amazing moment, I couldn’t imagine a better wedding gift than witnessing the very beginning of my two best friends’ journey together.
Chapter 20: A Pup in De-stress
I was still in a blissful state of shock at suddenly being engaged to my best friend - my amazing Danial. He’s supposed to be the grounded one - even the proper one - in our relationship. So, his unexpected and unbridled boldness caught me completely off guard tonight, especially given that our amazing moment had just unfolded during our best friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner.
For any couple other than our Ollie and his Corey, doing something like that - something that could have easily stolen their spotlight - would’ve been an instant friendship ender. But our two amazing men weren’t just gracious about it; they were genuinely honored to allow our moment to become a joyful surprise, a cherished forever addition to their special night. We’re so lucky to have friends like them. Now we’ll have this perfect memory to share between the four of us for the rest of our lives.
Because of the love and generosity they'd just shown us - and because my emotions were still running so high - I nearly broke into tears again as the rehearsal crowd finally started to disband. Seeing the forlorn look in Ollie’s eyes as he kissed his Corey goodbye before he was ushered into Chris and Ted’s X5 for the ride back to their house, totally broke my heart.
In that moment, my sweet Ollie looked so lost and anxiously adrift… Exactly how I’d always imagined he must have looked right before his Norse god found him - scared, alone, lost, and sitting as far away from everyone else as he could get in that forsaken urology clinic waiting room.
I wasn’t the only one who noticed his distress. I reached his side only moments after his grandmother and grandfather were able to wrap our distraught pup in their loving arms. As I approached their embrace, I heard Laura gently soothing him.
“Ollie, the fact that you’re so upset about a single night away from Corey speaks volumes about the love you two will be making official tomorrow evening. I know you probably think this tradition is silly, but just imagine the wonder and joy of seeing your wolf as he walks down the aisle tomorrow. I swear, it’ll feel exactly like the first time you ever saw him - all over again.”
I was worried he wouldn’t be able to speak without breaking down completely, but he managed to choke out a brave, “Y’all know I survived all alone in my Bronco for three whole months. And I got to sleep - safely and gratefully, but still alone - in Chris and Ted’s home for two more after that.”
He paused, and we all saw the moisture gathering in his eyes.
“But now… I have no idea how I’m supposed to survive for just one night in our bedroom without him.”
More than a few tears slipped down his cheeks and disappeared into his perfectly trimmed blond beard.
I reached out and gently squeezed his shoulder. “Hey, buddy. We’re going to make sure we all have a fun and happy time tonight before bedtime finally gets here.” Ollie didn’t seem convinced in the least. So I continued, “Tell you what buddy, for a start, why don’t you let me have your keys?”
Ollie fished them out of his pocket and handed them over.
I glanced over at Danial. “And my beautiful new fiancé… Why don’t you go get the Bronco, pick us up and drive us all home?”
Our pup stepped away from his grandparents and moved straight into our arms, gifting us with his big, gentle, loving hug.
“Guys… Corey and I love you both so much. Thank you for making our wedding rehearsal even more special.”
More tears came, but this time, at least they were the happy kind. And we all knew it.
****
We settled into our night at Ollie and Corey’s home and tacitly admitted that it had truly been a big - long - day for all of us. Ollie’s grandparents were tired enough that going to bed at 9:00 wasn’t just a good idea, it was practically mandatory - especially given everything on tomorrow’s agenda.
And honestly, I had to agree. Even at twenty-one, I wouldn’t have minded just taking a hot shower with Danial, then slipping under the covers to quietly - and properly - consummate our engagement before getting a well-deserved peaceful night’s rest ahead of tomorrow’s happy chaos.
But we were on Ollie Duty. We loved our pup and knew exactly how much he needed us to be with him tonight.
I also knew there was no way Danial could miss Ollie’s sudden, borderline meltdown either. After we hugged Ollie’s grandparents goodnight, Danial gently eased in, “Ollie… I can’t believe I’m about to suggest this - I mean, I’m usually the responsible one - but pup… this night would be a whole lot easier for you, and for all of us, if you could allow yourself to have a little drink. Just enough to calm your nerves and let yourself breathe.”
Ollie’s conflicted gaze flicked between the two of us. “Guys… I’m just really terrified about having ‘a little’ drink.”
I recognized his tone instantly. We were about to get an Ollie confession - one we hadn’t asked for, but one we definitely understood he felt he needed to give.
“So… I didn’t have a lot of close friends in high school,” he began, eyes unfocused in his quiet way that let us know he was peeling back layers of his soul that he only shared with his closest pack members. “I guess we all know my father kinda made sure of that. But when alcohol started becoming a thing for most of my classmates, I couldn’t handle watching some of them change so radically when they got drunk. It upset me so much that I think it pushed me even further under my father’s control.”
He gave a small, self-aware chuckle. “I’m sure Richard somehow managed to plan that.”
But his brief lightness faded as quickly as it had come. Ollie’s face softened into something brutally honest - raw in a way that made my chest ache more for my friend.
“Seriously guys… I’m terrified that I’ll get mean or belligerent or say something awful to the people I love the most if I ever get buzzed.” He swallowed hard. “I like being me. And I don’t want alcohol proving to everyone that ‘me’ is just an act I put on.”
I glanced over at Danial, and he nodded, giving me the go-ahead. So, I gently stepped in.
“Ollie,” I said softly, “that’s really not how alcohol works. Well, at least not for most people, and definitely not for you. A drink or two just makes you a more relaxed and honest version of yourself. The real you - the wonderful you we already know and love.”
I scooted in closer and bumped his shoulder. “Yeah, sure, if someone’s already in a terrible mood, alcohol might amplify that. But Ollie… there’s just simply no universe where one drink - okay, or even three - is going to turn the sweetest, most loving, most caring wolf pup we know into a bloodthirsty werewolf.”
I gave him a slow wink. “Well… unless he’s the kind of werewolf who just really wants to cuddle naked - fur to skin - you know, because that’s what he’s into...”
I started back in before Ollie’s blush even had a chance to fade. “But honestly, Ollie, here’s the only thing you would ever need to worry about when you’re buzzed…”
I slipped into my worst Ollie impression - which, unfortunately, was pretty accurate. “Oh my lurd, did I really just go on and on for over an hour about how much I love you guys and how much y’all mean to me?”
I dropped the affectation and gave him a warm and honest smile. “Ollie, I swear to you, that’s the absolute worst you could ever be. You’re the kindest, gentlest - purest - soul we know. So please our friend, let’s just have a much-needed drink by the pool to help get you to a place where you might actually be able to sleep tonight so you can enjoy your big day tomorrow. I get the feeling you didn’t get much sleep last night either. So… you need this, pup.”
Danial slipped an arm around our still-sullen boy’s shoulders and gently steered him over to the bar, taking the lead with getting our Ollie his very first drink.
My Danny began, “Ollie, let’s start out as simple and basic as possible - nothing too fancy or extreme - something maybe just a little sweet to draw you in,” he said with his signature, confident expertise. “Let’s make you a vodka cranberry with a splash of Cointreau. Believe me, it doesn’t even matter that you’ve never had a drink before: you’re gay, you’re a sweet boy, and this is the drink you never even knew was invented just for you.”
Ollie chuckled, giving us a small but important win. Danial quickly mixed drinks for the three of us. Then together, we headed toward the awaiting hot tub, committing us to a shared mission of allowing a lot of bubbling heat and a little alcohol, to melt away all the tension, fear, and pre-wedding jitters, that were stubbornly clinging to our friend’s exhausted body.
After a first few happily impressed sips, Ollie seemed to decide that he could trust alcohol - which meant he immediately had to find something new to worry about. “So… you guys actually thought to pack trunks for a hot-tub night?” he asked. Flickers of concern wrinkling his brow.
I had to laugh. “Lurd Ollie, it’s okay. Relax. Come on pup, we changed in front of each other so many times last summer that Danial and I finally had to agree to stop smirking about it by July. And even after we stopped sneaking peeks of you and your Norse god, do you honestly think those skimpy trunks of yours - and his - ever hid anything you didn’t already kinda want us to see?”
I playfully bumped my shoulder against his much beefier one. “Heck, we’ve even been allowed to see Officer Kevin’s naked furry booty more than a few times. And, well, neither of us will ever stop thanking you for that.” I shot a look at Danial, who rolled his eyes - exactly on cue.
I almost managed to keep a straight face as I made my final point - the one I knew would earn me a scolding later, if not an outright rib-poke right now. “Ollie, don’t worry. Aside from maybe Corey, everyone knows you’ve got the biggest pee-pee at the pool. We’re good my man, I promise. Now come on, let’s just get in the water and start your de-stress mandate. We love you, pup. And you really, really-really, need this.”
After a few more snickers and even more - totally expected - Ollie blushes, we all stripped down to our bare essentials - and thankfully it somehow all just felt right. The moment our undies hit the concrete, Danial and I moved in as one. Without even thinking, we wrapped our sweet, emotionally uncertain, friend in a surprise double-sided hug.
Danial said it better than I ever could, “Ollie… just like Corey must’ve felt when he first saw you in that waiting room, we fell in love with you the very second we ran into this big, sweet - obviously lost - kid at TCU, as he awkwardly stumbled his way across our path. My man, you’re kind of irresistible when you’re so utterly clueless but still too stubborn to ask for the help you obviously need. Baby boy, from that one simple chance meeting, we instantly became two more Ollie fans.”
Once we sank beneath the steaming, bubbling water, Danial raised his glass. “To Oliver Aaron Carson - soon to be Rainer. Ollie, you’re somehow the catalyst that makes every life around you shine better and brighter. If anyone deserves a little peace and serenity tonight… it’s you my fine friend.”
After that, we finally just were… Three best friends who adored each other, soaking in the wet bubbly heat and letting the vodka do its gentle work. Ollie loosened up - little by little, laughing more easily as his (don’t tell him, but ridiculously strong) drink kept disappearing past his lips - the lips that had been trembling with so much worry just an hour earlier.
By the time he had drained his drink down to its melting ice cubes and we were all pruned from the hot water, Danial and I finally felt a shift - our boy had hopefully softened enough, settled enough, that he might actually make it through this big, scary, stressful and anxious night alone.
Making sure our perfect night of bonding never slid into territory we’d all regret in the morning, we dried off fast and left the hot tub behind. None of that “you dry my back and I’ll dry yours” nonsense - the kind that always turns into a steamy three-way in every story except one starring our Ollie. Lurd, our boy was permanently type-cast as the world’s sweetest, most loyal pup.
Even with all our virtuous restraint, Danial and I suddenly found ourselves facing a surprising new challenge: convincing a buzzed Ollie to at least put his tighty-whities back on before leaving the pool area. Come on, regardless of how deeply determined he was to celebrate our newfound level of bro-hood… his grandparents really were still in the house.
Danial had to hug him from behind - something Ollie seemed to passively respond to instantly - to keep him from moving too much while I managed to quickly pull his underwear up over those huge furry quads of his so we could finally enter the house with at least a little modesty. Dang, I guess we just confirmed our suspicions about his preferred role of being Corey’s wide receiver.
From there, we somehow managed to coax him into his bed. After that, it was a total non-event to get our well-mannered Riley to settle into his bed.
As we tucked Ollie in beneath his covers, we delivered our final order of the night:
“Okay, buzzed boy - just go to sleep! Do not text Corey. He’s fine, and you’ll see him tomorrow evening, right before he becomes your husband and partner and protector for the rest of your amazing life.”
I glanced down at our well-behaved Riley - all snuggled into his bed yet clearly unsettled by Corey’s absence from his den. I crouched low and whispered, “Everything’s okay, Riley boy. Just bark if Ollie decides to go rogue in the middle of the night.” I couldn’t tell if his cute head tilt meant Yes Sir!, or My dear Ethan, I truly have no idea what you’re really saying… but seriously - where is my daddy Corey? Either way, I leaned in and caressed his velvet ears between my fingers for a few moments before giving his soft furry head a goodnight pat.
Danial and I quietly slipped out, softly closing the door behind us, and finally making our way to our blow-up mattress for the night.
Chapter 21: An Air Mattress in Distress
I glanced over at my sweet man as we made the short walk down the hall toward Ollie and Corey’s office. “Danial… did we really just manage to get Ollie to lose his alcohol virginity?”
He flashed the same grin I had instantly fallen in love with at our own accidental meeting, just after the start of our first year at TCU. After we stepped over our engagement threshold, we gleefully started making our cozy nest for the night - with the brand-new queen-sized blow-up mattress our Ollie had excitedly bought for us once we’d decided on our sleepover.
“We sure did. And damn, I swear I’ve never seen a man in more desperate need of a first drink in his life.” He gave the fitted sheet an aggressive snap. “You think he’ll make it through tomorrow?”
“Of course he will!” I declared while helping him tuck the sheet under on the final stubborn corner. “He’s our Ollie. You know… the only reason we need to be here tonight is to keep him from getting too tangled up in another one of his inner monologue death spirals. But once tomorrow finally starts? Just like he tackles every test he’s ever been given, believe me - our boy is going to be a superstar.” I chuckled. “And so will his pup.”
We laid out our pillows, top sheet and blanket before we pushed the featherweight mattress against the far wall, away from Corey’s desk, and finally flopped down on its ridiculously bouncy surface. Danial let out a surprised and totally undignified yelp when my landing launched him a full inch off the bed, which sent me into a new round of laughter.
When we - and our mattress - finally calmed, I turned my head toward my love, feeling the soft glow of everything we’d made it through tonight. “Danny… you know we have to consummate our engagement night now - right?” I nudged his hip with mine, sending another bounce through the mattress. “Even if this thing is basically a just a trampoline in disguise.”
Danial carefully rolled his body over toward mine, lying on his side contemplating my request. The warmth in his eyes was deep and familiar. I recognized his serious gaze as my new home - the one built by our love and shared experiences.
“I mean it,” I whispered with a grin. “I can’t believe how brave you were at dinner tonight - how boldly you declared your love to me. I have never adored you more my beautiful man.” I nudged his hand to lace our fingers together. “All that braveness means we absolutely have to face this bouncy nemesis tonight… together - as one.”
Danial’s smile filled our shared office space with every emotion I was already feeling. “Ethan, I love you. And, well, now you know exactly how much. But Ollie and Corey have already given us so much tonight. I mean, come on, there’s probably no other couple on the planet who would have so sincerely welcomed another couple - even their best friends - becoming such a big part of their special weekend.”
He sternly shook his head, though his eyes still sparkled. “So, I really don’t think we should push our luck any further by having our first romantic romp as an engaged couple take place in their office - on an unstable air mattress - especially while Ollie’s grandparents are also in the house.”
I could tell this was going to take some serious convincing on my part. Luckily, I’m always up for a challenge. I bounced just a little closer. “My pookie boy…”
Danial sat up from the mattress - legs crossed - pointing a stern finger at me. Though his lips were already threatening to betray him, he added, “Nope. Nuh-uh. There is no ‘pookie boy’ here tonight. That ain’t happening.”
But I saw it - the tiny, tell-tale twitch at the corner of his mouth. The little grin he only showed when he was already halfway to giving into my scheme.
And I couldn’t help it… I grinned right back.
I pressed my advantage and leaned my head over to rest in his lap, looking up and giving him my most dramatic sigh. “Danny… come on. After that drink you made him, I’m sure Ollie’s already passed out cold. And Laura and Joe are in the guest bedroom on the far side of the house. I promise I’m not saying that we have to have our usual freaky-wild monkey sex.” I was maybe a bit too amped up and needed to glance away to stifle a rude chuckle before I was able to recover my composure.
With my sincerity regained, I kept on, “Listen - he who always rocks my world - I want you to just gently slip inside me, slowly make love to me, and give me a much more personal declaration that I’m yours. You know, something that says we’re stepping into our new forever - together.” I looked up at him with a grin. Then emphasized it with another playful chuckle and my obvious conclusion, “Basically what I’m trying to say is… breed me my sweet pookie and make me yours forever.”
He didn’t react quite as quickly as I’d hoped, so I pulled out my final - never fail - weapon. I gave Danial the most exaggeratedly sultry grin I could muster - the one he always pretended didn’t really work on him while I knew it absolutely did - every time.
His eyes went wide. “Lurd, Ethan! You know how that promise you just made always goes. We might start out all sweet and slow but it never stays ‘just gently’ with you - especially once I start mashing your prostate and driving you wild.” He couldn’t contain his grin as he motioned toward the ceiling as if making his case. “I can’t risk bouncing you off of that tonight. We need to be restrained and proper right now. Just like Ollie and Corey are by spending the night apart.”
I couldn’t stop it; I burst out laughing. “Restrained and proper? Seriously my sweet love… You remember what Ollie told us about their engagement night, right? That boy overshares with the enthusiasm of a Labrador retriever who just found a new stick. I’m sorry, I mean, you know he’s totally a Lab pup, right?”
Danial cut in with a contemplative chuckle, shaking his head. “I don’t know, he really may be more of a golden, I mean - those blond curls - come on.” We both exploded with more laughs.
“But seriously, anyone else sharing that story would’ve sounded like they were bragging. But from Ollie? It was like he was trying to thank the universe for a joy he never expected to have. Like he just couldn’t quite believe he was worthy of something so beautiful. That’s what makes him… well, our Ollie.”
I smiled as I took over, “Our curly-haired friend is a true one of a kind.” Then I allowed my smile to shift into a playful smirk. “Let’s see, so… what this really means is that we know somewhere in this house, there’s a fun-filled toybox with a vibrating cock ring slash taint vibrator slash thrusting dildo slash butt plug that could rock your world as you rock mine… Let’s go find it!”
I sat up quickly and made an exaggerated motion of rubbing my fiancé’s furry tummy before adding, “Do you think it’s maybe in the office closet?”
Exactly as expected, my man gently punched my shoulder while he tried his best to stifle his giggles, “Ethan, you can add that to the long list of everything I’ve said ‘no’ to tonight - we are definitely NOT going to raid our best friend’s sex toy stash.” And then I saw a playful smirk that let me know he was at least intrigued by the thought. “…Unless you really think it might actually be hidden somewhere in this room.”
I couldn’t believe my Danial had let his standards tumble to such delightfully chaotic depths - and I loved it. If he was already teasing me like this, I knew it meant we were definitely going to sanctify our engagement tonight, right here in Ollie’s house. And that totally had me buzzing. But let’s not get crazy.
“Danny,” I grinned, “you just made me the happiest man on campus - for the second time tonight - but how ’bout we skip the scavenger hunt and just get the lube from our duffel bag? And then have some boring… passionate, sincere, sweaty, recently-engaged, college-boy, air-mattress, hot sex before we go to sleep?”
“Deal! Uh - wait.” His expression shifted into a disbelieving, nearly chastising squint.
“You packed lube for tonight?”
I shrugged innocently. Watching Danial’s face melt into something so warm and reverent it made my chest tighten, I knew that Danny - my angel, my constant, my forever - wanted me just as badly as I wanted him. And not just for right now, but for the rest of our lives.
I peeled my boxer briefs down my legs, letting my raging hardon slap up against my abdomen with a wet, pre-cum ‘thwack’ before I flopped dramatically back onto the mattress. Throwing my arms over my head, I flashed my pits in full Ollie fashion and purred, “Danial… you stud! Take me to bed now or lose me forever.”
I was pretty sure that was a line from some old Tom Cruise movie - but whatever. It totally worked.
I was rewarded by Danny slowly sliding his tighty-blackies down over his darkly furred thighs. All I had to do was lay there and revel in all his dusky beauty. Damn, I loved every inch of his olive skin and Iberian scruff.
“I love you, my furry Iberian superman,” I whispered.
He smiled gently in return. “You make me feel so lucky. And well, aren’t you the lucky Irishman? Your ginger pits, red bush, and little wispy treasure trail absolutely drives me just as wild. I love you Ethan. Every part of you. I always have and I always will.”
“I still can’t understand how my wispy ginger chest hair and pits can compare to your dark forest of fur.”
Danial’s intense gaze ignited a fire in my soul as he moved between my raised legs and settled into his firing position. He continued, “That’s the glory of love. We all seem to be attracted to something different than what we are.” He looked deeply into my green eyes as his leaking cock was unintentionally starting to get my little pink pucker ready with - or without - the lube I’d so boldly packed.
He warmly continued, “You aren’t just the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen, you’re the most clever, the most playful, the most kind and loving, man I’ve ever known. You could even be as blond and furry as Ollie and I’d still love you forever.”
We both laughed at the thought of anyone ever being able to resist Ollie’s furry blond superpower. Lord, if ever an over-used gay stereotype needed a poster boy… It would be our Ollie - or his Corey. At least we knew he’d be a benevolent one.
Back to us... Danny looked down at my submissive frame, willingly presenting itself on the bouncy surface of our belligerent bed - knees raised, legs spread wide and my arms once again positioned above my head in an act of total loving surrender. “Take me my love, I need you. I need you more than I’ve ever understood before.”
There wasn’t much more preamble, we both knew we needed to connect in the deepest way possible, I wanted my man’s six and a half inches securely embedded in my quivering body, pleasuring my prostate while I made him lose control in the way that always drove us both wild.
A long night of finesse and foreplay would have to wait until after Ollie and Corey’s wedding. Right now, we needed to rut - to assure each other that our love was every bit as deep and intense as Ollie and Corey’s. I abruptly and unexpectedly considered that in a weird way, us doing this now, here, in their home office, was kind of like us somehow inviting them to be the best men in our future wedding.
My best friend, my lover, my dusky shadow, my bright light… lowered himself over me and seductively pushed my ginger thighs up to my abs to fully expose my pink Irish hole for his pleasure and care. And I knew his pleasure would only lead to mine. He immediately lowered his 11 o’clock shadow on his classic jaw to my needy taint and used it to its fullest potential as his Spanish tongue reassured my hole that it was okay to relax and open up to his desire.
As his tongue connected, I couldn’t stop my head from jerking back against the bouncy mattress in pleasure. Damn. I hope this is exactly what Ollie gets to share with his wolf every night. Well, unless our pup gets to top his big burly wolf every once in a while too. I mean, Ollie’s a pretty big and burly guy too, right? Damn, I have so many inappropriate questions waiting for my favorite wolf pup after their big day and honeymoon.
But then faster than I expected, none of my questions mattered as I felt Danial’s middle finger replace his tongue, breach my defenses and start attacking my wanting prostate.
I’m not a total bottom, I mean, we switch off a lot, but my one big rule that my love always respects is: There are “No Thumbs” in my tightness until a couple of fingers have first persuaded my shy prostate into playing nice. My Danny never forgets that Golden Rule. And because of his strict adherence to my wishes, I was already robbed of my ability to form coherent sentences.
Still, I tried my best, “Danny, you were so brave tonight. I love you so much. Let’s bounce this air mattress across the room right now. I’m beyond ready, I need you more than ever before. Make me yours… Pookie.” Danial’s grin turned into a wicked sneer. One that almost made me cum before he could even enter my readied hole.
His quick entry, even after I’d asked for it, still took my breath away. “Damn Danny, I’m gonna need you to fuck me like this even when we aren’t being so naughty. Trying to be all quiet - right beside Ollie’s bedroom. Fuck! I can’t tell you how good you’re making me feel right now.”
Danial’s thrusts were exactly like him, precise and methodical - every one of them calculated to both give him the delight he needed while driving my blissed-out and over stimulated prostate absolutely crazy.
But it wasn’t just that. He was taking an almost obscene joy in overstimulating my entire quivering body. And that included my pucker, my nips, my balls and my poor touch starved, leaking cock. My mind finally lost its reserve and screamed - please start stroking my dick my mad man - even though I knew I couldn’t utter that wish out loud.
Thankfully, my incredible mate knew exactly what I needed. Just like he had when he slipped that gold band on my shaking finger earlier tonight. That same skilled hand grabbed my leaking pole and started an erotic technique that only he had mastered over me - just before he started his final, uncontrollable, rut.
I knew he was as close as I was. We desperately raced toward our fevered peak together. We hit our final stretch - urgent, breathless - both of us riding something every bit as intense and perfect as Danial’s declaration of our love at Joe T’s.
And then, at the precise moment our climax crested, our tragically mobile air mattress made a final heroic bounce… straight into the corner of Corey’s decorative office credenza. Which, apparently took offense and decided to retaliate by launching a huge, sharply pointed onyx obelisk down, directly toward our very exposed and very vulnerable situation.
In wide-eyed horror, I watched the death totem topple from six feet up, taking a lethal trajectory directed right between our still-quivering legs. We both gasped - and unleashed a synchronized, but hushed, B-movie-worthy scream - as the murder weapon hit our air mattress. Only to somehow harmlessly bounce off our “trampoline of love” and make a loud clatter onto the hardwood floor a few feet away.
For several stunned seconds, neither of us moved. We just stared, first at each other, then at the fallen obelisk. Trying to process how we were somehow both still alive - still intact - and unbelievably not skewered like the two very horny beef kebabs we had so recently been.
The absurdity of it all finally hit us. We burst into an as-quiet-as-we-could-make-it, breathless laughter, kissing through our disbelief as our adrenaline and testosterone slowly faded.
“Damn, baby,” I whispered against his lips, “you were amazing, but… Lurd! I think we almost just got killed by a random office knick-knack.”
Danial let out a soft laugh. “You realize we now have the perfect toast for Corey and Ollie’s first anniversary, right?”
I snuggled up into him, kissed his collarbone, began trailing my lips toward his neck - fully prepared to go on for an unexpected round two - when a soft yet utterly euphoria-shattering knock came from our door.
We both instantly froze - embarrassed despite all of our previously shared openness tonight.
I breathed out, barely audible: “…Ollie?”
As the door eased open, I heard an equally meek whisper in return from the hallway: “Guys, are y’all okay? That sounded… um, really kinda serious. And… well, are y’all maybe finished now? I’m happy about your, well, consummation. But I really don’t think I can sleep in my bed without my Corey tonight. I’m so sorry - I guess this probably my buzz still talking and I know I’m making this all about me - but could I maybe sleep with y’all? I mean, It’s either with y’all or I’m sleeping in my Bronco in the garage.”
As if the universe decided to punctuate Ollie’s emotional plea… Right as he entered our room, our poor, over-stressed air mattress decided to let out a pitiful pffftttt - one long, deflating sigh of resignation. Most likely from the falling obelisk… or maybe - I beamed despite my sweet intentions - from the enthusiastic activities of its inaugural occupants.
Danial and I laughed and exchanged one unified look before we turned back to our sweet, and definitely still unsteady, friend.
“Sure, pup,” we said together, unable to keep the fondness from our voices. “Just give us a few minutes to, er maybe clean up a bit.” Danial chuckled, “But come on Ollie, you know we’re not letting you sleep in your Bronco - ever again.”
Our sweetly buzzed friend nodded, relieved. We finally looked around at what remained of our deflated sleeping arrangement. Ollie’s latest purchase was flatter than a tortilla on a comal (not being a native Texan, I admit - I had to look that one up, but it so worked).
We tried to contain it, we really did. But we broke out in a fit of uncontrolled giggles bubbling up from all three of us. “Well,” I managed eek out between desperate breaths, “that’s if you don’t mind sleeping on your own hardwood floor… Ollie pup, we’ve always got you covered.”
After ignoring our lost bounciness and humbly adding a few more blankets to our nest, we all eased into our impromptu puppy-pile. Ollie spooning Danial while I spooned him. Easily falling into a place that felt like we’d been living in our entire lives. I’d never felt more loved, or more certain that I was exactly where I belonged. This was suddenly my ultimate friendship paradise… A dream I’d always wished for but never expected to be given.
When our Riley pup decided that the room was finally calm enough, he click-clacked his way in and curled up between our jumble of legs, adapting to this strange new arrangement with the casual expertise of a pup who had apparently done this every night of his fluffy life. I couldn’t help whispering, “So Ollie… does this make us official members of your pack?”
To my stunned and forever grateful amazement, Ollie quietly turned his face toward mine and answered - without hesitation, without even realizing the gravity of his words - “Ethan… I hope you know that you and Danial already were - always.”
He cupped my cheek with his hand just before giving my forehead a sincere, loving kiss. He then sweetly burrowed deeper into my arms while delivering his final words for the night. “Now let’s all get some sleep. People keep telling me that tomorrow’s going to be a really big day.”
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