Bottoms Up
He should have been thinking about graduation.
About his parents. About what came next.
Instead, he kept noticing Jason Archer.
The stadium seats burned with the combined heat of people packed together under the midday Texas sun. Cody tugged at his collar, the graduation gown clinging to his dress shirt as he watched the principal's mouth move without hearing a word. Sweat was gathering at the small of his back. The students were almost all fanning themselves with their programs, ready for this uncomfortable experience to end.
Across the next aisle, Cody could see Jason. He sat with his cap tilted back on his head, defiance even here, talking to the guy next to him without bothering to lower his voice. Cody knew without looking that Jason's shirt would be untucked beneath his gown, that he'd already unbuttoned the top two buttons the second they'd been allowed to sit.
"Jason Archer."
The announcement felt louder than all the names called that day. Cody shifted in his seat but could not resist watching Jason walk to get his diploma. He remembered, as Jason walked to the stage, the first time Jason was dropped off for their first sleepover — staying up until 3 AM playing video games and eating pizza. Their bike rides to the creek and talks about everything that passed their minds.
Then how that just stopped.
His hand gripped his program.
Tight.
Steaming up Jason's car. Getting off at work.
Cody closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Cody Bennett."
He stood as if on autopilot, walking the stage, shaking hands, accepting the leather folder with his diploma inside. The applause was distant, muffled by the blood rushing in his ears. His parents would be in the audience, his mother crying, his father filming on his phone held the wrong way. He smiled for the camera, descended the stairs, and returned to his seat without feeling any of it.
The next forty minutes were a blur. Cody could hear Jason laughing and talking to the two guys next to him. Rolling his eyes, Cody tried to tune it out.
After the caps were thrown, Cody found his parents on the field. Beaming from ear to ear, his father gave him a firm hug. "Son, you did it. We are so proud of you."
"So proud," echoed his mom, mascara smudged around her eyes.
They were making plans to grab lunch somewhere when Cody turned, and his eyes found Jason's.
The contact held.
Jason's smile didn't falter, but something shifted behind his eyes — a flicker of acknowledgment that lasted a moment too long.
Then his lips curved.
That familiar smirk, and he looked away, turning back to his friends.
Like Cody was nobody.
He gripped his cap harder, almost bending it.
While his parents made plans for the afternoon, Cody only half listened.
Dinner plans. Family waiting. Graduation presents.
Cody left for the safety of his car, sprinting across the field and into the parking lot. He removed his gown to escape the heat and began to unbutton his shirt.
But stopped.
His stomach dropped.
There, leaning against his car,
was Jason, greeting him with that smirk.
Jason's eyes looked up at Cody. Cody looked away.
"Hey, PG! Looks like you lost the bet."
"What… what bet?" Cody said, looking around.
"That I'd actually graduate."
Jason pushed off the side of the car like the answer had been obvious all along.
"You always thought I'd screw it up."
"I never said that," Cody stated as he looked to the ground, focusing on a penny by Jason's foot — well worn and covered in dirt.
Jason tilted his head, studying him.
"You didn't have to."
Cody shifted his weight and looked past him toward the parking lot.
"So what are you doing here?"
Jason tapped the hood of Cody's car with his knuckles.
"Waiting."
"For what?"
"For you."
Cody's jaw tightened.
"You could've said something back there."
"You looked busy," Jason responded.
"You were the one pretending I wasn't there," Cody said sharply.
Jason's eyes narrowed.
"You're the one pretending you didn't see me."
Cody looked down at the asphalt, his voice growing softer.
"I saw you," Cody said, his arm rubbing his shoulder.
Jason let out a small laugh.
"Then why are you acting like you didn't?"
Cody didn't answer.
For a moment, neither of them moved, the Texas heat sitting heavy between them.
Jason stepped a little closer.
"You gonna keep running from me all summer, PG?" Jason said as Cody's mouth opened but nothing came out. He just looked up at Jason. His mouth closed tight.
"I'm not running."
Jason's smile returned.
"Sure looks like it."
Cody stood there in silence.
"Jason…" Cody said, kicking a piece of gravel two feet from where they stood. "…this isn't easy for me."
"Sex and flirting — they might be easy for you. But…" Cody said as he leaned against the car.
Jason leaned harder against the car, leaning into the conversation.
"This is all new to me.
Brand new," Cody said, looking down, not able to look at Jason.
Jason responded slowly, his voice lowering.
"Cody. When I said you overthink things, this is what I mean."
Cody tensed up.
"I don't—"
"Sex can be messy. My point is, it doesn't need to be."
Cody sat in silence.
"Did you enjoy it?" Jason asked.
"What?"
"Did you enjoy it? My mouth on you."
"I mean… yeah. Duh," Cody said, a smile returning to his face.
"Then what is the problem?"
"The problem is…"
Cody stopped.
"Dude, we are young and supposed to be doing stupid things. That is how we figure things out."
Jason got up and started to pace.
"Do you like me, Cody?" Jason said with a murmur as he looked at Cody.
"What? No, it's not like that."
"Then why are you acting like I am ruining your life?" Jason asked, then sat back down beside Cody, leaving no space between them.
Cody paused as he leaned closer to Jason's ear.
"Because… I enjoyed it more than I thought I would," Cody said, exhaling with relief.
"Good boy," Jason responded, his hands clapping together.
Jason got up to leave, straightening his shirt and grabbing his graduation cap off the car.
"Wha—"
"You are going to a party tonight."
Cody almost laughed.
"But I hate parties."
"That's the point. Besides, you won't tonight."
"Oh?"
"One, Katie invited us, and she is our friend. Two, we won't see most of these people after today. And three, it will be good for you," Jason said as his eyes grazed down Cody's body.
"All of you."
Cody dug the point of his cap into his finger.
"Sure," Cody said as he rolled his eyes.
"Give me your phone."
"What? Why?"
"I'm going to make sure you don't bail."
Reaching into his pocket, Cody surrendered his phone to Jason.
"Sent a text so I have your number."
They now had access to each other.
Whenever Jason wanted.
"See you at the party," Jason said as he backed away, lingering, then walked back toward the stadium to join his friends.
Cody got into his car. He gripped the steering wheel tight and let out a sigh. He put his hand to his chest.
Feeling his heart race.
After lunch with his parents, Cody was lying in bed, his mind racing. Closing his eyes, he started to drift off to sleep when his phone woke him up.
It was Jason.
"You still going?"
Staring at the screen and searching his brain for any excuse not to go, Cody typed, "I don't—" and then deleted it faster than he could write the message.
"Maybe—" deleted it again.
Staring at the screen, he froze.
He started to type that he was tired and maybe another night.
Then there was another buzz.
"Don't bail."
Those two words were all it took.
"OK." Cody placed his phone on his wooden nightstand and stared at the clock, counting down to when he would need to get ready.
He stared at his phone, willing it to freeze time.
That evening, Cody found himself taking longer to get ready than normal. His hands rummaged through his closet, trying to find the perfect outfit. His breathing grew shallow and controlled as he tried to relax. After a deep breath, his hand grasped a shirt, and he went to get ready, his eyes glancing over at the green polo.
Cody arrived at Katie's house that evening and parked three blocks away because the street was already lined with cars. After turning off the ignition, he sat in silence, breathing deep, his mouth feeling dry. As he stepped out, he checked his reflection one final time.
What was tonight going to bring?
Walking up to the house, he could feel the drumbeat of the bass getting louder, matching the pounding in his chest. Soon the mix of laughter and loud talking added to the noise, only intensifying his social anxiety.
He could still turn around.
Not have to do this.
But something inside him forced him not to hesitate.
A couple passed him as he walked into the house and almost knocked him over. The house was your average two-story suburban home. It would have had a cozy feel, with pictures of the family and the faint smell of apple cinnamon in the air.
Cody glanced from side to side, scanning for a familiar face. His pace through the house slowed.
He paused.
Seeking out Jason.
His heart beating out of his chest, almost drowned out by two guys arguing over a game of pool in the next room.
Then an arm grabbed him with a familiar feel and warmth. He could smell Jason's cologne, mixed with beer and something sweeter underneath.
"Cody!"
Jason's hand grazed his elbow, pulling him to face him.
Cody paused.
Jason pressed a red Solo cup into Cody's hand. "You look like you're waiting for permission to relax."
"I, uh, don't really drink," Cody said, looking at the beer as if it were a snake about to strike him.
"What, don't tell me you've never had a beer."
"Once with my dad while camping."
"Well, it might help you relax a bit," Jason said with his all-knowing smirk.
Cody took a sip, wincing.
Jason leaned in, lowering his voice just enough for Cody to hear.
"You came."
"You invited me."
"You don't go to parties much, do you? Let me introduce you to some people."
As Jason guided Cody to a couch with five strangers, he felt his pulse quicken.
"Hey guys, let me introduce you to Cody. Cody, this is Stephen, his girlfriend Kelly, and Derek and Eric are on my gymnastics team."
Kelly patted the seat next to her, welcoming Cody. "Yeah, aren't you on the tennis team?"
Jason sat down between Cody and Kelly.
"Yeah, you should see him play. He's pretty good."
Cody raised an eyebrow.
"Hey guys! I brought refills."
"Perfect timing, we were out. Cody, Brian. Brian, Cody. He always makes sure we never run dry."
"Hey man, nice to meet you." Cody leaned in, shaking his hand firmly before sitting back with his beer.
The group sat there talking. As the conversation flowed, Cody's rigid posture relaxed, and he eased more into the group. Jason was so at ease introducing everyone and making him feel like part of the circle. Before their cups emptied, Cody felt relaxed and like he had known everyone for years. Jason had slipped away, and he had almost not noticed. Every time he glanced up from talking, Jason was with a new group, laughing and talking without hesitation.
Grabbing her drink, Kelly scooted closer to Cody.
"Jason can never sit still at these parties."
"Yeah, I wish I could just talk to anyone like that."
"Don't worry. If he's interested in you, he'll come back."
"Wait, I'm not—" Cody responded as his knee bounced up and down.
"Are you sure? You can't take your eyes off him."
"No, seriously. Jason is not the kind of guy I would ever date."
Kelly leaned over. "Who said anything about dating?"
"Hey guys." Jason plopped down on the couch next to Cody. "What did I miss?"
"Nothing, just some girl talk." Kelly shook her head at Cody, telling him to change the subject.
Jason sat down next to Cody, his knee bumping into Cody's. "Hey Cody, do you mind grabbing me a beer? You're empty, I'm empty."
Cody felt the spot where Jason's knee had hit him before getting up. "Sure thing, be right back."
What did she mean, if he's interested? The thought held in Cody's mind as he walked to the kitchen to get a refill.
There was a line around the keg, and Cody stood fidgeting with his Solo cup. As he waited, he grinned to himself, thinking about how Jason had made it so easy to talk to his friends and had made him feel welcome.
"Hey, are you going to go?"
Cody had not realized the line had moved up.
"Sorry, yeah," he said, his mouth starting to get dry.
"No worries. I saw you around the party. My name's Clay."
"Hey, Clay. Cody." Cody reached over and shook the stranger's hand. His eyes glanced over the stranger, taking in his defined arms, his tight shirt, and up to his eyes that had flecks of amber in them.
"Do you know Katie?" Clay asked.
"Yeah, have known each other for years. You?"
"She's been dating my younger brother for a couple of weeks."
"Oh, you're Bryan's brother. Nice to meet you."
As they talked, Cody could feel Clay moving closer. As Clay's hand rested on Cody's arm, his body grew tense, his eyes looking toward the other room.
"Oh hey, Clay, I've got to get back to my friends," Cody said, his voice trailing off.
"Oh. Yeah. Sure. Maybe we can chat later," Clay responded, his eyes giving Cody a look of confusion.
"Sure! Yeah, find me later."
As Cody turned and left the room, he almost crashed into Jason. Their eyes met, and Jason gave Cody a bemused smile.
He could feel Jason tugging at his arm. "Hey, come outside with me a sec."
Jason's hand slid down Cody's back and guided him out to the backyard.
It was still crowded, but not as much as inside. The lanterns and tiki torches scattered around the yard gave off a warm glow.
Jason guided him to a wooden bench in a corner, away from everyone.
As they sat, Jason held Cody's gaze and leaned forward to talk.
"You didn't even look at him," Jason said matter-of-factly.
Cody took a small sip.
"What?"
"The guy talking to you." Jason's eyes pointed back to the house.
Cody took a bigger sip.
"You were great with my friends, then you looked all weird again when he was chatting you up."
"I wasn't interested," Cody said, rubbing his arm.
"Yeah. I know. You shut it down before he had a chance."
Cody's eyes wandered around the backyard, focusing on a white wooden gate.
"Cody. If you didn't want to do it, I would respect that. That's not what happened. It's like your head is stopping your body from what it wants to do."
Then silence. Cody could hear the crickets chirping as his eyes moved back and forth. Finally, he softly closed them.
"Some things come easy for you, Jason. I feel… scared."
Cody sat there, his finger tracing the rim of his plastic cup.
"You keep thinking about it, though," Jason said softly as Cody looked around the backyard.
"When you looked at him.
When you look at me." Jason said, looking right at Cody.
Cody could feel a lump in his throat as he tried to swallow.
"You couldn't stop thinking and looking." Jason leaned in, his breath on Cody's neck.
"If you wanted to, you could just… let go and do it."
Jason got up to leave and patted Cody on the shoulder.
"Come find me when you're ready."
As Jason left, Cody sat in silence. His breathing increased.
Finally, he closed his eyes.
When he opened them he could see Jason back in the party already talking to some guy, his head thrown back in laughter, his hand touching the guy's side.
Katie's voice broke the silence as she sat next to him.
"He's like that, you know. At every party."
Cody felt that Katie could read every thought as they sat in silence.
"Well, I am glad you made it. I really didn't think you would come," Katie said, resting her head on Cody's shoulder.
"Me neither. Jason wouldn't take no… as usual."
"He has a way about him where he almost knows what people want before they do."
Cody took a drink. Then another.
"Well, I have to make my rounds. Try to enjoy yourself!"
Cody sat there.
Thinking.
Replaying the last several days.
Thinking about how Jason had gotten him to come to this party and actually have a good time.
Their time together. Alone. How it made him feel. How his body reacted.
He put his Solo cup down on the ground, almost kicking it over as he walked back into the house. He looked around the room, searching.
As he slowly went upstairs, his hand brushed the cool wall. Finding an empty bathroom and a moment alone, he could finally think. His eyes looked up as he relieved himself.
He looked in the mirror, deep into his own eyes.
"Dude, what are you doing? This isn't you."
He looked down, his hands gripping the sides of the cold porcelain basin.
His eyes returned to his reflection, and he just stood there.
As he turned to leave, the door opened.
Jason. Standing there.
Quiet. No witty remarks. Only silence.
Neither one moving.
"Looks like you found me," Jason said softly.
Cody tried to speak but the words were lost.
"Are you sure about this?" Jason asked, almost a whisper.
Cody nodded. Faster than he wanted.
He could feel Jason's hand grabbing his, squeezing it as he led him back into the bathroom.
Then the lock clicking.
Then nothing between them but silence.
Jason was pressing him into the sink. Cody could feel the edge of the marble pressing into his back. Their lips inches apart.
One of Jason's hands rested on Cody's hip, the other on the back of his head.
Cody could have left.
He didn't.
He couldn't.
Jason held his head in place, his eyes feeling like they were looking deep inside of him — for a moment looking like they found something lost.
Their lips, almost touching.
Cody looked at the door, listening to a conversation and laughter of people passing outside. He closed his eyes as Jason's mouth landed on his lips. He could feel the warmth of his mouth as Jason took it slow. A hand touched Cody's chest before Jason's firm hands began moving up and down his body as they started to make out.
Cody could feel his cock expand in his pants. His body wanted this, just like Jason said.
He wanted this too. So why was he stopping himself?
His thoughts were interrupted as Jason pressed against him more. The length of his cock now firmly against his. Jason was just as excited as he was.
Cody let out a moan.
"We better be quick," Jason said, almost regretting the words.
Cody was almost frozen as Jason reached down and unbuckled Cody's pants, sliding them down his legs.
His dick bounced up, firm and throbbing. Should we do this. Here?
Staying still as Jason sank to his knees, smiling as he held Cody's cock.
Examining it before smirking.
"I missed him."
Jason placed his mouth onto Cody's cock. His tongue traced each vein and line, exploring how each ridge felt.
Cody placed his hands on the back of Jason's head, grasping the blonde hair tightly — the same dirty blonde he had imagined in the dark weeks ago — and pushed him down his cock while keeping one eye on the door.
He could feel his throat around his dick as Jason responded to the control.
Cody's grasp tightened as he pulled him down, lubricating himself.
Then held him there before allowing him to withdraw.
Jason sat back, catching his breath, before wiping his mouth and returning to his feet.
He could feel his own throat tightening.
His heart racing faster.
"I-I don't know what to do."
Jason's eyes softened. He leaned in and whispered softly.
"I got you."
His eyes never leaving Cody's as he lowered his pants below his ass.
He added some spit to his fingers and slid them behind him.
Cody looked down, memorizing every part of Jason he had never seen before.
Growing harder. Entranced.
Feeling Jason grab him by the base of his cock as he guided it toward him.
Cody took a step closer. Then a half step back.
Looking at Jason, ready for him.
Jason nodded at Cody.
Pressing himself to Jason's entrance. Watching it disappear inside.
Cody could see a flicker of pain on Jason's face as he was halfway inside and froze .Not wanting to hurt him.
"It's ok. You're just thick." Jason said as he held Cody steady. Adjusting the angle to allow better access to him.
Then Jason opened up allowing
Cody's eyes started to roll back in his head as Jason accepted him.
His hand reached back, grabbing Cody and pulling him deeper.
Jason moaningly loudly causing Cody to slow down.
"Stay."
Cody did not dare move. The stillness of that single word pressing into him as much as his own body pressed into Jason.
Jason started pushing back on Cody. Slow at first.
As Jason relaxed around his cock, Cody's pace quickened.
He was sliding almost all the way out.
"Oh God, you feel good."
Cody started pounding harder with each thrust.
"Yeah… fuck me harder."
Cody grabbed Jason by the waist and started to pound him deeper.
Harder.
Cody looked more intent, growing harder inside Jason.
Jason's inner walls contracted around Cody.
"Oh God… I'm about to cum."
"Yeah? Don't pull out."
Cody plunged deep into Jason, flooding him on the inside.
He could feel Jason contract as he shot his load on the wall in front of him, his cum streaming down the beige walls.
Cody held it there.
Jason looked back, pulling Cody into a kiss as he stood up.
"Fuck, that was hot."
Cody just nodded.
As Cody withdrew, Jason caught his breath.
He looked over at Jason.
The smirk. Gone.
Cody pulled back up his pants as Jason cleaned up the evidence.
Out of breath, both young men stood there, Jason fixing Cody's hair.
As his hands grabbed the door handle his smirk returned, the old Jason returning.
"We should go," Jason said with a smile.
Cody agreed and opened the door.
They left, almost bumping into Katie, who gave a knowing look to both boys.
"Hope you both had fun."
Jason returned to the party and his friends. Cody took the chance to say it was late, a long day, and time for him to leave.
As Cody passed people, he had a smile on his face, greeting people he had met through the night.
As he got into his car and turned on the ignition, he sat there, the cool air hitting his skin, pulling the heat from his body.
He exhaled slowly.
Quiet.
His hand rested on the steering wheel, fingers tapping once… then stopping.
His eyes lifted to the rearview mirror.
For a second, he just looked at himself.
Then longer than that.
His jaw tightened while his thoughts replayed the evening in his head.
He swallowed.
His breathing picked up, just enough to notice.
Jason.
Clay.
The way Clay had looked at him.
The way Jason had touched him.
His grip tightened on the wheel.
A pause.
His eyes flicked back to the mirror.
Then away.
Then back again.
Being inside Jason.
The heat of it.
His hand gripped the seat.
Another breath.
Slower this time.
But it didn't settle.
It lingered. It stayed with him. Followed him into the night.
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