Always and Forever - Book 5

Tested

Hunter and Sam finally had the apartment to themselves, a rarity amidst their hectic lives and shared space with Blaine and Mercedes. The silence enveloped them, feeling almost strange but entirely welcome.

They sprawled out on the couch, and when they said they were "enjoying their time together," it really meant that Sam was perched over Hunter, knees planted firmly on either side of his hips as they kissed passionately. The air buzzed with a mix of pent-up emotions, desire, and the sweet relief of finally having this moment alone.

Hunter's hands roamed Sam's back, fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. Sam's breath hitched, yet he leaned in further, their bodies pressing together. Hunter's lips moved with urgency, the intensity of the moment washing away everything else—the stress, the worries, the chaos of the outside world.

"Wait a second," Hunter mumbled against Sam's lips, his voice low and raspy. "I need to catch my breath. This couch is killing my back."

Sam paused, a mischievous smile creeping onto his face. "You know, Blaine and Mercedes won't be home for a couple of hours. We could always, I don't know, go lie down somewhere more comfortable..."

"Sam, I think we need to talk about something," Hunter said, pulling back slightly.

"Okay," Sam replied, curiosity piqued.

"Look, I know we used to be really physical, and it's been months since we've done anything with me being in L.A. But with the wedding coming up, I think we should hold off until then..."

"Really?" Sam asked, his expression shifting to one of disappointment. "If that's what you want."

Hunter felt a pang in his chest at the flicker of hurt in Sam's eyes. This wasn't about rejection; it was something he had been mulling over for a while.

"Hey," Hunter said gently, reaching up to cup Sam's face. "It's not that I don't want to be with you. It's actually the opposite. I want that night to feel special, you know? Like a fresh start after everything we've been through."

Sam bit his lip, processing what Hunter had said. His disappointment began to fade, replaced by understanding. "Yeah, I get that," he murmured, although uncertainty lingered in his voice. "I just thought... since we finally had this time together..."

"I know," Hunter replied, hands sliding to Sam's waist, squeezing him gently. "Believe me, it's tough not to give in when you're straddling me like this." He flashed a crooked smile, hoping to lighten the mood. "But I just want to wait for the right moment when everything feels perfect."

Sam let out a soft laugh, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on Hunter's forehead. "I guess I can hold off a bit longer. But you're making this whole 'waiting until the wedding' thing really hard," he teased, shifting so he wasn't hovering over Hunter anymore.

"I'm trying to do the right thing, but you're not making it easy for me either," Hunter shot back, a playful wink on his face as he adjusted his position on the couch.

Sam grinned, the tension between them easing. He shifted next to Hunter, pulling him closer until their shoulders touched. "Fine. I'll behave," he said, resting his head against Hunter's shoulder. "But just so you know, after the wedding... you're not getting any sleep for at least a week."

Hunter chuckled, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "I think I can handle that," he replied, leaning into Sam's warmth. They settled into a comfortable silence, relishing the peace of finally being alone and the promise of what was to come just around the corner.

***

The restaurant buzzed with energy as Hunter, Sam, Kurt, Blaine, and Artie sat around their table, enjoying their guys' night out. Conversations flowed easily until Sam suddenly broke in, his tone serious.