A Chance Encounter (Chris Hemsworth X OMC)

Instant Regret

You're such a stupid bloke, Chris thought as he stalked across the beach toward the rental. He'd had Wyatt right there in front of him, in his hands, and he choked. What the hell was wrong with him? He'd always been so confident in his life. But now? Now he wasn't so sure of how to proceed with things.

"So, I wasn't expecting you to come back tonight," Evans said as he leaned against the kitchen counter when Chris walked in.

"Yeah, I, uh..."

"You want to talk about it?" Evans asked as he gestured to the tall chairs at the bar.

Chris took a seat and sighed. "I was with him, man. Right next to him in his bed. Could have gone for it. And I backed off."

Evans smiled encouragingly. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to take things slow. Hell, you've never done this sort of thing with a guy before. It makes sense."

Chris shook his head. "No, it's not that. I'm confident about that part. Believe me, I can probably name twenty things I want to do to him."

Evans laughed. "What's stopping you, man?"

Chris sighed. "I...I'm not that kind of guy, you know? The type who just has flings. Not saying there's something wrong with that. I've done it before. I just...I hate that lack of intimacy. I hate how...emotionless it is when that happens."

Evans nodded slowly. "I get it, man. I totally understand."

Chris shook his head. "No. I like Wyatt. Like, really like him."

Evans tilted his head in confusion. "I'm not picking up what you're putting down, man."

Chris stood up and began to pace back and forth. "Wyatt's a nice guy who's been with a guy who leads a double life. I know I don't know him that well, but I know he deserves a hell of a lot more than that. I come into the picture and what am I? Another guy leading a double life."

"That's not a fair comparison, man. You're not hiding it from him or married with kids."

"Just hear me out," Chris said. "I don't think I can give Wyatt what he deserves. He deserves a man who'll be by his side without hiding. Someone who doesn't lie and treat him like a dark secret. I can't give him those things. Not...not yet. So I shouldn't be doing this."

Evans nodded slowly. "I mean, you shouldn't make yourself do anything you aren't ready for."

"It's so hard though. You have no idea how much I want to run back over there and sleep with him."

"But you don't want to because you're afraid it's all you'll be able to do," Evans said. "You feel like you can't offer him everything you'd like."

Chris nodded. "And everything he deserves in a man."

Evans shrugged and raised his hands. "Just playing devil's advocate here- maybe you could give him those things? Maybe he wouldn't mind if you needed to play it cool for a while. I mean, obviously it wouldn't be cool for you to just keep him a secret forever."

Chris sighed. "Is this stupid? Am I being ridiculous? Liking him so much after just a couple of days?"

Evans leaned back and thought about it for a minute. "No," he finally said. "We're grown men. It makes sense that we have a better idea of what we want and don't really feel like playing the games we used to play when we were younger."

Chris nodded, feeling validated. "So, what's your opinion on how I'm handling this? Cocking it up, aren't I?"

"You've waited a long time to get into a relationship so you want to do it right. And you don't want to hurt anyone. Don't let that keep you from taking a chance though. Wyatt's great. I only just met the guy, but I have a feeling about people and I think he's the good kind."

Chris put his face in his hands. "I fucked things up tonight."

Evans shook his head. "No, man. Tell me everything that went down. Let's go through it together."

Chris relayed the events of the night and when he finished Evans shook his head. "Nope. You fucked nothing up. Wyatt can probably see that you're hesitant, but you left the door wide the fuck open and it's clear that you're going to see each other tomorrow."

Chris brightened at this. "Good. Because I was really second-guessing it. Something I never do usually."

Evans smiled. "Just make sure you're up bright and early and ready to catch some waves with him. Then go and make some, if you get my meaning."

Chris laughed. "Oh. I get it."

Evans reached over and socked his arm. "And, for crying out loud, stop hitting him in the head. You're going to give him drain bamage."

Wyatt walked back upstairs and, noticing the light under Darren and Elizabeth's door, walked up and knocked.

"You may enter," Darren announced.

Wyatt walked in and promptly laid down at the foot of the bed, grabbed a throw pillow, put it over his face, and gave an exasperated scream into it.

"So this means Chris Hemsworth didn't bang you?" Darren asked.

Wyatt sat up and crossed his legs in front of him. "He said he wanted to take me to my room and do things to me he'd only ever thought of doing to a man," Wyatt said after he told them everything that had happened. "But he got all hesitant. Like...it was like he was scared of something. But I don't think it was me. Or maybe it was."

"It's got to be something else," Elizabeth said. "Because, based on what you've said, it's clear he's taking the lead and isn't scared of it."

"Yeah," Darren agreed. "I mean, who could resist a hot little piece of ass like you?"

Wyatt went quiet for a few seconds and Darren sat up and pushed him over. "Stop it," he gently commanded.

Wyatt rolled to his side and scowled playfully. "Stop what?"

"Whatever bullshit you're telling yourself right now. Whatever lies your telling yourself. Trust your instincts here. What are they telling you?"

Wyatt pursed his lips. "That he wants me."

"Then I think you know what you have to do," Darren said. "Be open. Don't assume anything. See him tomorrow and see what happens."

Wyatt nodded. "You're right," he said as a plan began to form in his mind.