What Happens on the Cruise

21. Ring of Fire

The suite door opened and Chris and Rob walked in to find Austin and Tim locked in a deep, passionate kiss. Rob sighed. "Boy, new relationships are hard to be around."

"Sorry," Austin said as he broke the kiss. "It's just a relief to be out to you guys."

"If you're not more careful, you're going to be out to half the a cappella community," Chris warned, then considered the couple. "Then again, maybe you want to be out..."

Austin shook his head. "Not yet."

"That's good," Rob commented, "because your flirting with Jewell is seriously working in our favor."

"Yeah," Tim said, fixing Austin with a mock serious look. "I'm not the only one who's been looking."

"Yeah, but she hasn't been flirting back with me."

"That's true," Rob said. "She's got the hots for Tim."

"She's got good taste."

Tim's face turned red.

Austin laughed. "Come on, babe, let's go to bed."

"Um, don't forget--" Chris started.

"No rough sex, no oral sex," Austin interrupted. "We know."

"I wasn't going to be quite that specific," Chris complained as the bedroom door closed behind the two men.

***

"Can we talk a bit?" Tim asked as he stripped his swim trunks off.

"Sure," Austin answered, tossing his shirt into the pile of dirty clothes and then moving to his trunks. "I hope it's nothing serious."

"It kind of is, but not the way you're worried about." Tim sat on the bed, naked. Austin, looking concerned, joined him. "Don't be offended, but I want to know if you've been with anyone else this last year."

"You mean sex?"

"Yeah."

Austin shook his head.

"It's okay if you have," Tim assured him, "I just need to know."

"Honestly, Tim, I haven't. I know I got a little wild sometimes, but it never went that far. It's been... over two years, other than you."

Tim nodded. "It's been not quite two for me."

"What's this about?"

"I was thinking... Do we... Do we need to use condoms?"

"Oh." Austin let out a long breath. "Wow. I hadn't... I'm not sure I'm ready to... go without. I know that sounds like I don't trust you, but--"

"No, no. It's okay," Tim interrupted. "I can wait till we're both ready.

"Sorry," Austin said, his eyes downcast.

Tim leaned across the bed and tipped Austin's face up till their eyes met. "Really, it's okay." He pressed a warm kiss to Austin's lips. "There was one other thing."

***

[Smut warning for the next two sections.]

"Are you sure about this, babe?" Austin asked. Tim was laid out on the bed, his legs spread invitingly, but he was trembling and his breathing was shaky.

Tim gave a quick nod. "I am."

"You know I'm happy to bottom," Austin said, laying a hand on Tim's hip and rubbing in slow, calming circles.

"I know. That's partly why I want to try it."

"Jealous, huh?"

Tim laughed and Austin saw he was relaxing a bit. "Maybe a little."