Starlight and Sawdust

To his surprise, Arlo followed, settling beside him in the fragrant hay. “Caleb,” he said, his voice soft. “Are you okay?”

Caleb didn’t answer, his gaze fixed on the far wall, on the scarred wood where the fire had tried to take hold so many years ago. “I’ve been through this before,” he said finally, his voice rough. “When I was a kid. A fire took my parents, almost took the ranch.”

Arlo’s breath hitched. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice filled with genuine sympathy. “I didn’t know.”

“No reason you should,” Caleb said, his jaw clenched. “It’s not something I talk about.”

Arlo nodded, his gaze searching Caleb’s face. “Thank you,” he said. “For telling me.”

Caleb shrugged, uncomfortable with the emotion in Arlo’s voice. “Don’t mention it,” he muttered.

They fell silent again, the only sound the rustle of the animals below and the distant crackle of the dying fire. Then, slowly, tentatively, Arlo reached out, his hand coming to rest on Caleb’s arm.

Caleb stiffened, every muscle in his body tensing. But Arlo didn’t pull away, his touch gentle, reassuring.

“I’m here,” he said, his voice soft. “If you need me.”

Caleb closed his eyes, a shudder running through him. He’d been alone for so long, carrying the weight of his past, his grief, his fear. He’d never let anyone get close, never allowed himself to lean on anyone else.

But here, in this moment, with the smell of smoke still clinging to their clothes and the memory of the fire fresh in their minds, he found himself wanting to let Arlo in. Wanting to take the comfort he offered.

Slowly, hesitantly, he turned to face Arlo, his heart pounding in his chest. Arlo’s eyes were wide, his face pale in the dim light of the barn. But he didn’t look away, didn’t pull back.

Caleb leaned in, his hand coming up to cup Arlo’s cheek. Arlo’s breath hitched, his eyes fluttering closed.

And then, without another thought, Caleb kissed him.

The kiss was hesitant at first, a mere brush of lips that sent a jolt of electricity through Caleb’s body. He felt Arlo shiver against him, a soft sigh escaping him as Caleb’s calloused hand rasped against the stubble on his jaw. For a heartbeat, they hovered there, breath mingling, the world narrowing to the point of contact between them.

Then Arlo made a small, needy sound, and the last of Caleb’s restraint shattered.

He surged forward, one hand fisting in the fabric of Arlo’s shirt, hauling him closer. Arlo gasped, his lips parting under Caleb’s assault, and Caleb took full advantage, his tongue sweeping inside to taste him. Arlo met him eagerly, his own tongue tangling with Caleb’s, his hands coming up to clutch at Caleb’s shoulders.

They kissed like that for what felt like an eternity, desperate and hungry, the adrenaline from the fire transmuting into a different kind of urgency. Caleb’s hands roamed restlessly over Arlo’s back, his shoulders, his arms, learning the shape of him through his clothes. Arlo was leaner than Caleb, but strong, his muscles firm under Caleb’s questing fingers.

Arlo tugged at Caleb’s shirt, pulling it free from his waistband, his hands slipping underneath to find bare skin. Caleb groaned at the contact, his abdominal muscles twitching as Arlo’s fingers traced the ridges and dips of his stomach.

“Fuck,” Caleb breathed, pulling back just far enough to speak. “Arlo, I—”

“Don’t you dare stop,” Arlo growled, and then he was kissing Caleb again, harder this time, his teeth nipping at Caleb’s lower lip.

Caleb groaned, his hips rocking forward instinctively, seeking friction. He could feel Arlo’s erection pressing against his own through the layers of their clothing, and the realization that Arlo wanted him just as badly sent a surge of heat through his veins.

He pushed Arlo down into the hay, settling over him, his weight pinning Arlo in place. Arlo didn’t seem to mind, if the way he was arching up into Caleb was any indication. Caleb kissed his way down Arlo’s jaw, sucking a mark into the sensitive skin just below his ear.

“Caleb,” Arlo gasped, his fingers digging into Caleb’s back. “Please.”

Caleb didn’t need to be told twice. He slid a hand between them, palming Arlo through his jeans, groaning at the feel of him, hard and hot even through the thick denim. Arlo bucked into his touch, a low whine escaping him.

“Shh,” Caleb murmured, nosing at Arlo’s ear. “I’ve got you.”

He popped the button on Arlo’s jeans, easing the zipper down carefully over the straining fabric. Arlo’s cock surged out, thick and flushed, the tip already glistening with precome. Caleb’s mouth watered at the sight.

He wrapped his hand around the base, giving it a few experimental strokes. Arlo’s hips stuttered, his breath catching in his throat.

“Caleb, I— oh god.” Arlo’s head fell back, his eyes squeezing shut as Caleb worked him over with a firm, steady grip.

Caleb watched him, fascinated by the play of emotions across his face—the desperation, the pleasure, the need. He wanted to see Arlo come apart, wanted to be the one to make him lose control.

He tightened his grip, twisting his wrist on the upstroke, his thumb swiping over the head to spread the moisture there. Arlo cried out, his back arching, his fingers scrabbling at the hay beneath him.

“Fuck, Caleb, I’m—” Arlo’s words cut off with a choked gasp, his body going rigid as his orgasm ripped through him. He came with a shout, his cock pulsing in Caleb’s hand, spilling over his fist in thick ropes.

Caleb milked him through it, not stopping until Arlo was a shuddering, panting mess beneath him. Then, and only then, did he let Arlo go, bringing his hand to his mouth and licking it clean.

Arlo watched him through heavy-lidded eyes, his chest heaving. “Fuck, that’s hot,” he rasped.

Caleb chuckled, the sound low and rough. “You’re hot,” he countered, leaning down to kiss him again.

Arlo returned the kiss eagerly, his arms looping around Caleb’s neck to keep him close. They made out like that for a few minutes, slow and dirty, until Arlo’s spent cock started to stir against Caleb’s stomach.

“Again?” Caleb teased, raising an eyebrow.

Arlo blushed, but there was a wicked gleam in his eye. “Your turn,” he said, pushing at Caleb’s shoulder until he rolled onto his back.

Arlo straddled his thighs, his clever fingers making quick work of Caleb’s belt and zipper. Caleb’s cock sprung free, hard and aching, the cool air of the barn a welcome relief against his overheated skin.

Arlo wrapped his hand around him, and Caleb had to bite his lip to keep from coming on the spot. Arlo’s hand was smaller than his own, his grip not as strong, but there was something about the contrast that drove Caleb wild.

“Fuck,” he groaned, his hips bucking up into Arlo’s fist. “Arlo, Jesus.”

Arlo smiled, a slow, sinful curve of his lips. “You like that?” he purred, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

Caleb could only nod, his ability to form words evaporating as Arlo leaned down and took the tip of his cock into his mouth.

“Fuck!” Caleb’s hips snapped up, his hands flying to Arlo’s head to hold him in place. “Arlo, fuck, your mouth—”

Arlo hummed around him, the vibration traveling up Caleb’s shaft and settling in his balls. He swirled his tongue around the head, lapping at the precome beading there, before taking him deeper.

Caleb’s eyes rolled back in his head as Arlo worked his way down, taking more and more of him until his nose was buried in Caleb’s pubes. He had no idea how Arlo was breathing, but he didn’t care, not with the wet heat surrounding him, the tight suction drawing him deeper.

Arlo pulled back, his lips dragging along the shaft, leaving a trail of spit and precome in their wake. He tongued at the vein on the underside, tracing it with the tip of his tongue before taking Caleb back into his mouth.

He bobbed his head, finding a rhythm that had Caleb seeing stars. Caleb’s fingers tightened in Arlo’s hair, not enough to hurt, just enough to guide him, to encourage him.

“Arlo,” he panted, his voice wrecked. “Arlo, I’m close, I’m gonna—”

Arlo doubled down, sucking harder, his free hand coming up to roll Caleb’s balls between his fingers. That was all it took.

Caleb came with a shout, his cock pulsing as he spilled down Arlo’s throat. Arlo took it all, swallowing around him, not pulling off until Caleb was spent and softening in his mouth.

He pulled back with a lewd pop, his lips red and swollen, his eyes dark with satisfaction. Caleb hauled him up, kissing him deep, tasting himself on Arlo’s tongue.

They collapsed together into the hay, a tangle of limbs and ragged breaths. Caleb’s arm was draped over Arlo’s waist, his face buried in the crook of his neck. He could feel the racing of Arlo’s pulse against his lips, the fine tremor that ran through his body.