The group was scattered across the living room, half-paying attention to Riggs, who was sprawled confidently on the couch, gesturing wildly with his hands. His typical smirk was firmly in place as he launched into his latest tale.
“You guys just don’t get it,” Riggs boasted, clearly enjoying the attention. “When it comes to me and Xul, I’m always the one in charge. I mean, look at me—how could I not be?”
Sterling leaned against the wall, trying and failing to suppress a grin. “You? Really?”
Riggs puffed out his chest. “Oh, absolutely. Xul’s all tough on the outside, but when it’s just us? I’ve got him right where I want him.”
Tixo snickered from his spot on the floor, lazily flicking his tail. “You’re telling me Xul, Mr. I-take-no-shit, just lets you call the shots?”
“Damn right,” Riggs replied, leaning back with a proud grin. “I mean, c’mon, I’ve got the height, the muscle, and the charm. What more could he want? I’m the perfect top.”
Sterling exchanged a glance with Tixo, both of them trying not to laugh too openly. “Sure, Riggs,” Sterling said, his tone full of amusement. “Sounds legit.”
Riggs waved a dismissive hand. “It’s all about confidence. Trust me, Xul loves it when I take charge.”
Just as Riggs was about to continue his bragging, a familiar voice interrupted from the doorway.
“Loves it, do I?”
The room froze. Slowly, all eyes turned toward the source of the voice. There, standing casually in the doorway with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised, was Xul.
Riggs, who had been mid-boast, stiffened slightly. His eyes widened, but only for a second. He quickly tried to recover, sitting up straighter and flashing an awkward grin. “X-Xul! Hey, babe! I didn’t know you were—uh—listening.”
Xul, who was noticeably shorter but carried himself with the kind of authority that didn’t care about height differences, sauntered into the room. His expression was unreadable, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes as he approached Riggs.
“*Clearly,*” Xul said, standing in front of Riggs and looking up at him, his posture calm but somehow intimidating. “Go on. What was that about you being the one ‘in charge’?”
Riggs cleared his throat, glancing at the group for some support, but they were all clearly enjoying this far too much. He tried to stand his ground, despite the slightly awkward shift in the air. “You know, just talking,” Riggs mumbled, leaning against the armrest as if that would make him look more relaxed.
Xul raised an eyebrow. “Just talking?”
Riggs hesitated, then sighed. “Okay, maybe I was… embellishing a bit.”
The corner of Xul’s mouth twitched upward. He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Is that what you call it?”
The room was utterly silent, everyone waiting to see how Riggs would respond. Riggs, for his part, gave a weak chuckle. “Look, I was just telling them how great we are together,” he said, his bravado slipping just enough to show that maybe he wasn’t as confident in this moment as he’d like to be.
Xul’s smirk grew as he crossed his arms. “Right. And you’re the one always on top?”
Riggs rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding Xul’s gaze. “Well… I mean, it’s not like *always,* you know. Just… sometimes.”
Xul chuckled softly, a low sound that sent a shiver down Riggs’s spine. “I see. Well, as long as we’re clear on that.”
With that, Xul turned, walking toward the doorway with his usual quiet confidence. But just before leaving, he glanced over his shoulder, locking eyes with Riggs one last time. “You can keep talking, Riggs. Just make sure you don’t overstate your role next time.”
As Xul exited the room, Riggs deflated slightly, sinking back into the couch with a groan. The group, unable to hold it in any longer, burst into laughter.
Tixo wiped a tear from his eye. “Wow, Riggs. Master of topping, huh?”
Sterling shook his head, still chuckling. “That was painful to watch.”
Riggs glared at them both, his earlier bravado now completely shattered. “You guys are the worst,” he muttered, crossing his arms and sulking.
But the laughter only grew, and despite himself, Riggs couldn’t help but crack a sheepish smile.
