Corbin House Chronicles: Brotherhood Unbound

Chapter 13: Marc And Tanner Hang Out

Marc's eyes kept darting toward the clock, barely able to contain his excitement for the end of class. He'd noticed Tanner leaning casually outside the door, his familiar frame outlined against the hallway lights. When Marc finally stepped out, Tanner greeted him with a playful smirk.

"Nice to see you, bro. What's up?" Marc asked, smiling.

"Nothing much," Tanner replied, shrugging casually. "Thought we could hang out if you're free?"

"Absolutely," Marc answered without a moment's hesitation.

They made their way to the mall and grabbed tickets for an action film Marc had been wanting to see. As the lights dimmed, Tanner's hand brushed against Marc's, and he felt Tanner's arm drape casually over his shoulders. The two sat close, sinking into the comfort of each other's presence, the small gestures feeling more meaningful by the moment.

Halfway through the film, Marc could feel Tanner's fingers gently grazing the back of his neck, sending a thrill down his spine. When he finally glanced over, their eyes met, and in the darkness, the silent connection between them grew undeniable. Marc tilted his head just slightly, inviting Tanner closer, and Tanner leaned in. Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, a blend of curiosity and tenderness. It was gentle at first, a brush of warmth and excitement, but as their confidence grew, the kiss deepened, their fingers intertwined in the shadows, their shared breath a whisper of unspoken feelings. They finally pulled back, grinning shyly as they tried to focus back on the movie, though their hands stayed laced together for the rest of the film.

Once the credits rolled, they exited the theater with a shared energy that lingered in every glance and playful nudge. They wandered around the mall, casually checking out stores, laughing over styles they'd never wear, and pointing out outfits they thought the other would look "ridiculously good" in.

When they found themselves near the dressing rooms, Marc caught Tanner's gaze, his eyes alight with a mischievous glint. "Think we should try some of these on?" he asked, pulling a couple of shirts from the rack.

Tanner smirked. "Yeah, but only if we're trying them on together."

They ducked into one of the larger dressing rooms, slipping inside and closing the door behind them. The enclosed space heightened the tension between them, and for a moment, they simply stood there, caught in each other's eyes. Marc let his fingers trail lightly along Tanner's waist as Tanner pulled him close, their bodies pressed together as their lips met once more. This time, there was more urgency—a shared understanding that they both wanted this moment.

Marc's hands found their way to the hem of Tanner's shirt, gently lifting it as he ran his fingers along Tanner's toned abdomen, feeling the warmth of his skin. Tanner shivered under Marc's touch, his own hands slipping around Marc's waist and pulling him closer. Their kisses grew deeper, more intense, as Tanner's hand moved to cradle the back of Marc's neck, drawing him in as if he never wanted to let go.

With a teasing smile, Marc's hands traveled lower, his fingers lightly grazing Tanner's hips. He slowly tugged Tanner's shorts down just enough to reveal his underwear, letting his fingers skim along the waistband as he leaned down, pressing a playful kiss just above Tanner's hip. Tanner's breath hitched, a mix of surprise and anticipation flickering in his gaze. Marc leaned in close, pressing his lips against Tanner's ear.

"You didn't think I'd stop there, did you?" Marc murmured, his voice low and teasing.

Tanner's breath came faster as he laughed softly, his hands running through Marc's hair as he pulled him back up for another kiss. Their playful energy sparked into something electric, filling the quiet space with their shared laughter, whispered words, and stolen kisses.

After a few more teasing moments, Marc pulled back, looking into Tanner's eyes with a smirk. "I'll let you off the hook this time," he said, stepping back. Tanner looked both amused and flustered, shaking his head as he watched Marc adjust his shirt with a grin.

"You're trouble, you know that?" Tanner chuckled, reaching out to playfully ruffle Marc's hair.

"Guess you'll just have to put up with me," Marc replied, winking.

As they left the dressing room and wandered back into the mall, they exchanged shy smiles and lingering glances, the warmth of their earlier moments still evident in every shared look. That evening, as they walked back to their respective places, the unspoken promise of what was beginning between them hung in the air, leaving them both feeling like they'd discovered something unexpected and wonderful.

After parting ways with Tanner at the mall, Marc walked back to the house with a satisfied smile, still feeling the warmth of their shared moments. When he entered the living room, he found his frat brothers scattered around, each occupied with something different. Colt was on the floor in the middle of a set of push-ups, his focused breaths counting out each rep. Trey sat on the couch, eyes glued to his laptop, fingers typing steadily, while Beau lay sprawled across an armchair, one leg draped over the armrest, nodding along to the beats of a song playing on his Spotify.

As soon as they noticed Marc, everyone paused what they were doing. Colt finished his last push-up, breathing out a heavy sigh as he got up, and Beau pulled an earbud out, looking curious. Trey shut his laptop, resting it on his lap as he gave Marc a curious glance.

"Well, look who's finally back," Trey teased, smirking. "Have a good time out there?"

Marc shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Yeah, you could say that. And hey, since we're all here, why don't we grab some dinner? My treat."

Beau sat up with a grin. "Did you say free food? Count me in!"

Colt clapped Marc on the back. "You're a legend, bro. Let's go!"

They rounded up Connor, Kellan, and Cain from upstairs, who were more than happy to join in. Together, the guys headed to their favorite local spot, a casual diner where they could kick back and talk without a care. They crowded around a large table, exchanging stories from the week, sharing inside jokes, and making jabs at each other. Colt cracked everyone up with his impression of one of their professors, and Beau shared a story about accidentally sending a text meant for one of his friends to his mom, which had them all laughing hysterically.

As they ate, Connor made a point to mimic Marc's expression every time he tried to bring up a story from his afternoon with Tanner, throwing in exaggerated winks that made Marc roll his eyes and laugh, feeling both embarrassed and amused.

"Alright, alright, enough of the teasing," Marc said, throwing a fry at Connor, who dodged it with a grin.

As the evening went on, their joking turned to friendly banter about each other's quirks. Trey, ever the calm one, leaned back and shook his head, pretending to be above the chaos, which only made the rest of them tease him more. Kellan challenged Colt to an arm-wrestling match right there at the table, and Cain was egging them on, practically narrating it like a sports commentator.

By the time they finished eating, the group was feeling full, content, and closer than ever. They strolled back to the house together, still chuckling over the jokes and teasing from dinner. As they reached the front door, Marc couldn't help but feel a strong sense of gratitude for his friends and the bond they shared.

The night wound down with everyone finding their places around the house, each feeling the comfort of a night well-spent with friends who felt more like family. Marc leaned back in his room, letting the laughter and warmth of the evening linger in his mind, already looking forward to more nights like this with the guys who meant the world to him.