Chapter Text
Taylor was flitting around the kitchen cooking dinner while Richie stared avidly at his phone. Even after they placed a bowl of beef stew at his elbow, Richie continued scrolling. Uncharacteristic, Richie usually considered it rude not to be present with Taylor and often criticized other people in public when he saw them sitting across from one another looking at their devices. But Taylor didn’t call him on it, watching as Richie repeatedly lifted the spoon to his mouth, inevitably dribbling stew over his chin and down his shirt as his focus remained on the screen.
Scraping the bottom of the bowl, Richie finally glanced up. “Okay, so…” He set down his phone. “I think I got it.”
“Got what?” Taylor lifted an eyebrow.
Richie smiled shyly. “The...the choking. I asked Ted about it, and I was reading up on it, and it pretty much told me all the same stuff he did.”
“Wait Ted? ” Hands splaying on the table, Taylor’s eyes went wide. “You asked Ted, the...the producer for advice on how to fucking choke me, Richie?”
“Um…” Sitting back in his chair, Richie swallowed. “Well...he’s...he’s kind of...you probably haven’t noticed because I think he only talks this way around, you know…” Clearing his throat, Richie looked away. “Around other guys, but...Ted’s kinky as shit, so...I mean...I didn’t mention you, or anything, no. I just...I just asked if he’d done it. And how to do it safely and stuff…” Tapping the table, Richie frowned. “I’m sorry, I...I don’t think he knows we’re together. I...I should’ve asked you first, though.”
Sighing, Taylor waved a hand. “It’s okay, don’t worry. When you first said it I just imagined you approached him out of nowhere like, ‘Hey, help me out, buddy. I wanna put my hands on Taylor’s throat while I pound them in the ass, got any tips?’ And I freaked for a second.”
Giggling, Richie shook his head. “No, definitely not.”
“Alright, so…” A smile blossomed on Taylor's face. “You want to do it tonight?”
Richie nodded enthusiastically. “Yes please.”
Chuckling, Taylor started to clear the table and Richie sprang up to help. Never in their entire time together had Taylor seen Richie that passionate about cleaning up, and his motives were so blatantly transparent it made them laugh.
After, Richie and Taylor went to the bedroom, Richie cupping Taylor’s face and capturing their mouth as they began undressing one another. Once naked, Taylor laid back on the bed and Richie crawled in hungrily, cock heavy between his legs as he lowered himself on top of them, grinding lightly into Taylor’s warmth as he snaked his fingers into their sandy hair.
“So I read…” Richie stated as he removed his glasses and set them on the bedside stand. “That it helps if you’re turned on first before I, you know, stick my dick in your ass.”
Chuckling, Taylor shook their head. “Oh Richie, your words are like poetry, you know that?”
Fingers tiptoeing down Taylor’s abdomen, Richie smiled. “Good thing you love me anyway.”
“I do.” Taylor grinned as Richie’s hand found its way between their thighs, circling their clit with aching precision, teasing until Taylor was moist and rocking into Richie’s touch.
Mouth moving over Taylor’s skin, Richie descended, gliding his tongue from below their navel until he enveloped their swollen clit, lapping and sucking rapaciously.
“ Oh Richie! Fuck! That’s so good!” Taylor pulled at his dark curls as Richie moaned into them and soon Taylor found themselves rutting into his sharp jaw, writhing and panting as the storm built.
“ Richie! Yes! Fuck!” They cried, rotating their pelvis feverishly before Richie raised his head.
“Alright…” Smiling, he rubbed his wide palm over Taylor’s stomach. “Sorry to blue ball you for now, but I need you right on the edge, Tay.”
Squirming a little, Taylor nodded. “Okay.”
Reaching into the bedside stand, Richie retrieved the lube and a condom. Squeezing it out over his fingers, Richie began circling Taylor’s tight muscle. “I’ll start with one finger, okay?”
“Yeah.” Taylor smiled. “Sounds good.”
Middle finger sliding forward, Richie watched as Taylor’s body sucked him in and the sight made his cock throb. Richie pushed, and rotated, curling his finger a bit. For Taylor the sensation was a bit odd. It had been a long time, after all, but soon they acclimated and began to relax under Richie’s ministrations.
“Are you ready for another?” Richie glanced up at them.
Nodding, Taylor took a breath. “Sure.”
Sliding his ring finger in alongside, Richie swirled around for a bit before scissoring them apart, his mouth filling with saliva as he watched Taylor gape under his hand. After a couple of minutes, Richie looked at Taylor, then between his legs.
“Hey, so…” Richie blinked. “I’m thinking maybe we should see if you can handle three first before I, you know, since…”
Taylor chuckled, and it caused their body to tighten around Richie which made him groan inadvertently in anticipation. “Don’t pretend to be humble about your dick, Richie.” Taylor grinned. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. Go ahead.”
Applying a little more lube, Richie crept his index finger inside. The stretch stung a bit, but not in a necessarily bad way as Richie rotated the three fingers inside of Taylor, spreading them a bit as he went.
“Alright.” Taylor nodded after a few minutes. “I think I’m ready.”
“Okay.” Richie retracted his hand, hopping up from the bed quickly to wash before returning and rolling the condom over himself. Generously slathering the lube over his cock, Richie put a dollop over Taylor before resting the head at their hole. “Ready?”
“Yeah.” Taylor let out a deep breath. “Just go slowly, alright?”
Richie nodded. “Of course. If you need me to stop, or slow down, just say so, okay?”
Taylor nodded. “I will.”
Hips tipping forward timidly, Richie’s cock pressed inside and Taylor gasped. Immediately Richie stilled himself. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Taylor swallowed, telling their body to calm. “I’m alright. You can keep going.”
Creeping forward, Richie stopped every inch or so to let Taylor acclimate to the sensation. Once fully sheathed, Richie hung his head and let out a deep moan, fingers massaging Taylor’s thigh. “Goddamn you’re so fucking tight, Tay.” Eyes closed, Richie swallowed, breathing through the exquisite pressure. “You feel so good around my cock.”
Thumb poised over Taylor’s clit, Richie twiddled delicately and looked up at them. “Are you ready for me to move?”
The sensation of being filled with Richie’s thick cock was nearly overwhelming, but not in a burdensome way, rather Taylor felt as if somehow Richie were deeper inside of them than before and it struck an unexpectedly emotional chord. “Yeah.” They swallowed. “I’m ready.”
Richie only removed himself an inch or two at first before surging back inside, then a bit further the second time, hand spinning through Taylor’s wetness. Eventually he developed a gentle rhythm, the tug of Taylor’s constrictive form around him addictive as he thrust.
Laying on top of Taylor, Richie’s sapphire eyes studied their face and his fingers ghosted over their neck. “Alright, so…” He began. “If you need me to stop, or change anything, I want you to pinch my arm, okay?”
Taylor nodded. “Okay.”
“And blink once for yes, twice for no, sound good?” Richie asked.
“Yeah, I can do that.” Taylor smiled.
“Okay. Hey…” Combing back Taylor’s hair, Richie kissed them and grinned. “I love you.”
Taylor touched Riche’s stubbled cheek. “I love you, too.”
Thumb pinching on one side, middle and ring on the other, Richie’s hand was large enough that he could easily hit the spots where Taylor’s jaw joined their neck without putting weight on their windpipe. Lightly applying pressure, Richie scanned Taylor’s face. “Are you alright?”
Giving him one slow blink, Richie nodded. “Can I start moving again?” One blink. Hips swirling, Richie gradually increased the pressure around Taylor’s throat, letting up occasionally, then building again as his other hand fiddled their clit.
“Does that feel good, Tay?” Blinking once, Richie continued, watching as Taylor’s face ascended through progressively darker shades of pink, and Richie found he had to clench his teeth to keep from getting overexcited. Richie didn’t know why he enjoyed it as he did. When he first discovered his fascination, stumbling upon the act watching porn and having a toe curling orgasm that left him feeling sticky and ashamed, he tried to suppress the desire for a long time. But with Taylor things were safe enough that they could both explore, and Richie knew they would never shame him for it.
“Fuck, Taylor…” Richie panted. “Your ass feels so goddamn good. And I love having my fingers around your fucking throat. Yes! Fuck!”
Speeding up, Richie was losing himself in Taylor’s emerald gaze when he felt a pinch on his arm and immediately released them. “You alright, Tay?” Brushing back their hair, Richie looked at Taylor with concern.
“Yeah.” Taylor gasped, nodding. “Just, could you put your fingers inside me, too? Sorry, didn’t know how to communicate that via blink.”
Richie chuckled. “No problem.”
Twisting his wrist, Richie sank two fingers into Taylor, curling up to stroke their bundle of nerves as his thumb worked their clit. Hand reaching for their throat, Taylor caught his wrist. “Do...put three in, Richie.”
Making his eyebrows dance, Richie smirked. “Okay then.” Slipping in another, Richie replaced his hand around Taylor’s neck as he pulsed inside of them and soon Taylor was rutting hard, restricted moans wheezing from their closed lips as they stared into Richie’s stormy blue eyes.
“Can I…” Examining Taylor’s face, Richie licked his lips. “Can I go hard, Tay?” One slow blink. Richie began clapping against Taylor’s ass furiously, shoving his hand inside of them, keeping a close eye on Taylor’s visage as the whimpers rumbled in his chest.
“ Oh Taylor! Yes! Fuck! So goddamn good! ” Squeaking with ecstasy, Taylor shook beneath Richie.
Taylor squeezed his fingers and as he saw their eyes flutter, Richie dropped his grip, Taylor inhaling mightily before shrieking, “ Richie!”
The added intensity proved too much as Richie collapsed forward. “ Oh shit! Fuck, Tay! I’m fucking cumming! Fuck! FUCK!” Left eye twitching helplessly, one of Richie’s legs rattled across the bed as he emitted a strangled whine, body jerking violently before deflating on top of Taylor.
“Oh Jesus fucking Christ…” Pawing at Taylor’s face, Richie tried to kiss them but his lips missed by about two inches in his haze and slid past their chin. “That was so goddamn hot, Tay. Thank you.” Sucking air, Richie’s lips passed over Taylor’s neck as they rubbed his broad back, smiling.
“Yeah, I enjoyed it. That was fun, Richie.”
Pulling out, Richie got up and tossed the condom before jumping back in bed, practically making Taylor airborne, as was his custom. “So is it something we could do again sometime?” Richie carded his fingers through their hair.
“Sure.” Taylor lifted a shoulder. “I don’t see why not.”
Richie smiled. “Good. Maybe I won’t cum so fucking fast then.” Rolling his eyes, he gave Taylor’s arm a squeeze.
Chuckling, they brought Richie in for a kiss, the two of them sweaty and satisfied.
***
Setting down the two lamps they were carrying, when Richie insisted they save on the cost of movers and rent a truck, doing the work themselves, packing and shuffling their belongings from place to place in August , Taylor thought he was crazy. But now as they watched him haul yet another installment of their books into the living room, firm arms straining, curls dripping and plastered to his scalp as Richie set the box down, removing his glasses and lifting the white undershirt he wore to wipe his sweating face, exposing his soft belly, Taylor though Richie had a fair point after all.
They managed to find a decent two bedroom that was equidistant from the office and the majority of the comedy clubs they frequented, with rent that was only slightly exorbitant, and once all their belongings were piled around them, truck returned and AC blasting, Richie and Taylor laid on the couch, weary and useless in their underwear as they looked around at the bare walls.
“You ever live with anyone?” Richie turned to Taylor once he summoned enough energy to speak.
Taylor shook their head. “Nope. You?”
“Nope.” Richie smiled. “I’m sure we’ll figure it out, though.” Grinning, Taylor took Richie’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
And they did. Eventually. At first, though Taylor thought themselves accustomed to Richie’s chronic untidiness, the full spectrum hit them within the first two weeks of living together. As soon as he came home, Richie would shed his clothes wherever he stood, walking around in his boxers and undershirt. Which would be fine, except he left them in a pile near the doorway, Taylor staring quietly until they eventually broke and picked them up, tossing them in the hamper. After the fifth time though, Taylor threw up their hands.
“Alright, no, Richie.” They pointed accusingly at the discarded garments and Richie blinked in confusion.
“What?”
Taylor shook their head. “You have to put your clothes in the hamper when you take them off. I love you, but it’s driving me crazy.”
“Alright.” Richie lifted his hands defensively, giggling. “I got it.” It took a couple more days of reminding, but thankfully Richie broke the habit.
Another awkward incident occurred when Richie was padding from the living room to their bedroom, passing by the open bathroom door and he saw Taylor sticking a needle into their thigh, pressing the plunger with their thumb.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Taylor! What the fuck are you doing?!” Panicked, Richie flashed to images of dragging Taylor to rehab, knocking spoons out of their hands, holding their hair while they puked, and watching them waste away before his eyes as his heart clenched.
“Uh…” Taylor’s green eyes flicked up at him. “My testosterone shot?”
Richie could almost see Taylor’s lips forming the word ‘dumbass’ at the end of the sentence, and he could certainly see it in their eyes as his shoulders dropped and he exhaled. “Oh. Right….Duh.”
Chuckling, Taylor took the sharps container out of the bathroom cabinet and tossed the needle inside. “Don’t you think you would’ve noticed if I was on drugs by now, Richie?”
Richie shook his head and giggled. “Yeah. Sorry.”
But overall they sank into a reliable symbiosis. Though Richie, of course, was a tornado of messiness, he also wasn’t afraid to pitch in and clean up, insisting on taking care of the kitchen since he was useless when it came to cooking and Taylor made any meal they consumed at home.
Things at work went well, and when the show finished for the season, Richie and Taylor attended the wrap party together. Returning from the refreshments table with a bourbon for Richie and a vodka sour for themselves, Richie draped an arm around Taylor as they stood at one of the small tables, observing the milling guests.
Taylor noticed that since Richie came out, he was an exceptionally affectionate person in public. Not sexual, per se, though Richie did pull Taylor into more than one dressing or men’s room, pushing them against a wall as his large hands traveled over them. Rather, he just hung over Taylor all the time. Strong arms at their waist and swaying Taylor while they waited for a cab, stubbly chin balanced on their shoulder and pouting when they were in the grocery line and Richie grew bored, plopping a massive hand on top of their head and standing on one foot, other poised at his knee like a flamingo for no reason Taylor had been able to discern as of yet. It was a shocking change after months of necessary distance, and Taylor feared they were one of those couples people hated, but couldn’t bring themselves to care much as the idea of telling Richie to put his hands away was ridiculous.
After the party they got home, Taylor tossing the keys on the counter as they toed off their shoes. Once the two of them settled on the couch, a rerun of Snapped playing in the background, Taylor patted Richie’s thigh. “Hey, I was wondering,” They asked. “Since you came out at the club, and at work and everything. Do you have family you want to come out to?”
Tensing, Richie pushed his palms into the cushion and shifted. “Um, I…”
“Wait…” Furrowing their brow, Taylor blinked and looked off to the side. “Now that I said that, I realize you don’t ever really talk about them. I think you mentioned you were from...Maine? Am I getting that right? Fuck, I feel like I should know this stuff.” Glancing down at their hands, Taylor didn’t see Richie’s chest rising rapidly, his eyes going wide as his hands started to tremble. “But yeah, if you want to go back there, not that you have to come out to them, but I would go with you if you wanted to— Richie!”
Taylor was familiar with a nervous Richie, an anxious Richie, but this was something else entirely. This was terror. Face a mask of fear, Richie was frantically tossing his head from side to side as he fought for shallow breaths and his fingers scrambled at his thighs. “No...No...I...I can’t go.” Voice high and irregular, Richie was shaking. “I’m not…”
“Hey, hey… ” Scooting next to him, Taylor placed a hand on Richie’s cheek, the other just above his belly and made him meet their eyes. “Okay, look at me, Richie.” Speaking softly, Taylor pressed gently against his body. “Breathe into my hand, alright? You’re panicking. That’s all this is. Just breathe with me, okay?” Demonstrating, Taylor took an exaggerated inhale before exhaling loudly. Richie tried to imitate them but he struggled, breath hitching and stuttering. “Alright, let’s go again.” Taylor repeated the process until Richie was only shivering a little before hugging him and pressing a kiss to Richie’s temple.
“I’m sorry.” Shaking their head, Taylor rubbed large, slow circles into Richie’s broad back. “I didn’t know talking about that would get you so upset.”
Richie shrugged. “It’s just...Derry, it’s...it’s not a very nice place, and, um…” Leg bouncing, Richie blinked and shifted his eyes. “A lot of bad stuff happened there, and…”
Seeing Richie was getting worked up again, Taylor cupped his crisp jaw and turned him to face them. “You don’t have to tell me about it if you don’t want to, Richie.” Taylor shook their head. “It’s fine.”
Nodding in relief, Richie drew his legs up and curled into a ball in Taylor’s arms, able to make himself surprisingly small despite his tall stature as Taylor rocked him gently, fingers trailing through Richie’s soft curls.
Tipping his head up, Richie’s lips brushed Taylor’s neck and they kissed his forehead. Lifting a hand to their face, Richie’s mouth was voracious as his tongue snuck past Taylor’s teeth and he let out a pleading moan. “Would you…” Voice soft, Richie’s eyes were closed as he pulled back, forehead to Taylor’s cheek. “Would you suck me? Please?”
“Yeah.” Taylor nodded, squeezing his shoulder. “Let’s go to the bedroom.” Taking Richie by the hand, he shuffled behind Taylor down the hallway and once in their room seemed weary, allowing Taylor to undress him as he stood looking lost. Taking off his glasses, Taylor guided Richie back on the bed before shedding their own clothes. Richie was hard when they laid on top of him, pumping his cock lightly as they wove their tongues together, Richie thrusting into the warmth of Taylor’s palm.
“Please…” Breaking away, Richie whined. “ Please.”
Nodding, Taylor caressed Richie’s face. “Okay. Okay, Richie.” Sliding down his body, Taylor took him into their mouth, sucking intensely and Richie sighed in relief, sizable hands instantly going to their scalp and shoving them down as he began humping Taylor’s face in a frenzy.
Starting to roll Richie’s balls between their fingers, Taylor was surprised to find them already tightening toward Richie’s body as his cock burrowed in their throat, the taste of precum evident as Richie slammed into them with abandon.
Usually Richie would utter any number of filthy things when Taylor went down on him. To no surprise, Richie could get particularly creative when it came to dirty talk. But as he clutched Taylor’s mouth around the base of his cock, barely withdrawing as he ensconced himself ever-deeper, all Richie uttered in a vulnerable, whimpering voice was, “ Please make me cum. Please. Please…”
Tensing, Richie let out a whine that was so broken, so fragile Taylor thought he might’ve been weeping as his salty essence passed over the back of their tongue. When his hands fell from their head, Taylor crawled up to look at him, but Richie’s eyes were dry as he stared blankly at the ceiling.
Leaning into Taylor, Richie’s hand went between their legs unceremoniously as he shifted closer but Taylor took his wrist and shook their head. “It’s...That’s okay, Richie. Why don’t...let’s just go to sleep, okay? Maybe tomorrow.”
Not meeting their eyes, Richie nodded slowly and flipped over onto his side, facing away from them. Richie seemed so far away in that moment, Taylor wasn’t sure if they should touch him or not. Switching off the light, Taylor looked at Richie’s outline in the muted tones of the room with concern. After a couple of minutes, Richie’s voice spoke into the darkness.
“Taylor?” Barely above a whisper, high and unnatural, Richie couldn’t even get the two syllables out without it cracking.
“Yes, Richie?”
Quiet for a second, Taylor listened to Richie breathing. “Would you hold me?”
“Of course.” Molding themselves over Richie’s larger body, Taylor put their arm around Richie and he clutched it to his chest. Kissing the nape of his neck, Richie’s heartbeat radiating through their knuckles, and Taylor hoped that whatever happened in Maine wouldn’t haunt the dreams of the man they loved.
***
Sleeping soundly before him, Richie squirmed as he watched Taylor’s eyes dart below their lids. Richie tried getting up and rummaging not-so-subtly around their closet for his clothes before taking his shower. Richie tried shifting unneeded pots and pans around while he got water. But still, Taylor slumbered on. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore.
“ Good morning!” Richie shouted. Eyes flying open, Taylor saw Richie’s excited, bespectacled face beaming back at them.
“Morning…” They grumbled, digging a fist into their eye socket. “What time is it?”
“Almost nine.” Nodding exuberantly, Richie giggled. “Do you know what day it is?”
Sighing, Taylor smiled. “Happy birthday, Richie.” Of course Taylor knew it was Richie’s birthday. Richie made absolutely sure of it. For the last two weeks, Richie constantly brought it up, wedging it into any and every conversation.
Walking by a pastry shop, “Hey, you know I like chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, right?” Sitting down to a meal. “Did you make the reservation for my birthday dinner?” Seeing the number 42 on a stranger’s sports jersey. “That’s how old I’m going to be. ..”
Rolling out of bed, Taylor went to the bathroom and when they emerged Richie was sitting at the kitchen table, feet shuffling underneath as he smiled. Still groggy, Taylor bent down to give him a kiss. “Bacon, waffles, and eggs, right?”
“Yup.” Richie rubbed his hands together expectantly. He had specific requests for all three meals. Taylor never knew an adult to be so enthralled over getting older. Frankly, most people they knew over the age of 21 preferred to ignore it altogether, but for Richie it was a monumental occasion and he wasn’t too proud to allow himself to be spoiled.
More than happy to oblige, the bacon crackled as Taylor sprayed the waffle iron. “Over easy eggs?”
“Yes, please.” Richie grinned, drumming the table with his hands. Serving up the food, Taylor watched Richie devour, thankful they had the forethought to make seconds as syrup trickled out of the corner of his mouth.
“Thank you. Really good.” Richie mumbled around a mouthful of mashed breakfast foods.
Chuckling, Taylor shook their head. “You’re welcome, Richie.”
Cleaning up, Richie came up behind Taylor and squeezed his arms around them. “When do I get my present?”
Taylor rolled their eyes. “After dinner.”
“Aw, come on.” Balking, Richie dropped his arms.
Scratching under his chin, Taylor turned on the dishwasher. “You’ll live.”
“Please…” Dipping down, Richie nuzzled into Taylor’s neck, kissing below their ear as his hand brushed between their legs. “I really want it.”
Taylor laughed and playfully smacked his shoulder. “You can’t bribe me with sex, Richie. You’re just going to have to wait.”
“Fine.” Pouting, Richie went to sit on the couch. He asked if they could have an Evil Dead marathon for the day before going out at night, and even though Taylor was sure he’d seen each one half a dozen times before, Richie laughed throughout as they cuddled up on the couch. When Army of Darkness began, Taylor gave Richie a kiss and left him in front of the television to cook.
About an hour, later Richie pressed pause to sit down to steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn on the cob. Taylor thought it was a remarkably heavy choice considering they were going to his favorite restaurant for dinner, but Richie’s metabolism was a thing of legend and he sucked the bone dry, letting it clatter to the plate and moaning appreciatively as he patted his little belly.
Pressing play, Taylor fell asleep in Richie’s lap as his fingers trickled through their hair, his giggled entering their dreams. After the last credits rolled, Richie gently shook Taylor’s shoulder. “Tay.” Richie whispered. “Time to get ready.”
Blinking awake, Taylor’s body stretched across him and Richie bent down to give them a kiss. “Alright, I’m up.”
Taylor jumped in the shower while Richie changed into a black and gray short sleeve button up and black jeans.
“Mmm...sexy.” Patting Richie’s ass on the way to the closet, Taylor smiled and emerged a few minutes later in dark wash jeans and a green Henley. “Alright, you ready?”
“Yes,” Bouncing on his toes, Richie followed Taylor out of the apartment. When they arrived at Momofuku the scent was intoxicating and as they were led to their table, Richie nearly drooled over every dish that floated by.
A short brunette waitress approached them, flipping open her notepad. “Hello, welcome to Momofuku. My name is—“
“Yes, hi, I would like two orders of the pork buns to start, please.” Richie interrupted her and Taylor brought a hand to their face. “And also the Momofuku ramen. And I want the green tea milk bar soft serve, please. Thank you.” Sitting up, Richie. flashed a comically wide smile and the waitress blinked at him, nodding slowly.
“Alright...and for you, sir?” She turned to Taylor.
Sighing, Taylor shook their head. “Sorry, it’s his birthday and he’s excited.”
“Oh, happy birthday!” She smiled warmly. “You get your soft serve for free, then.”
“Yay!” Richie beamed and Taylor rolled their eyes before giving their order. Food arriving, Richie immediately shoved a pork bun in his mouth before she even set down the plate, groaning loudly and hitting the table with a fist.
“ Fuck, that’s good!” He exclaimed around half a mouthful and the waitress stared at him curiously as she set down the other plates.
“Can I get anything else for you two?”
“Yeah, actually,” Taylor glanced at Richie’s chewing bliss and smiled. “Before we leave, can you give us two more orders of the pork buns to go, please?”
As she nodded and left, Richie looked up, stuffed face smiling. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Richie. Happy birthday.”
Unlocking the door to the apartment, Taylor was grateful every day wasn’t Richie’s birthday because he might be able to eat this way all the time, but they certainly couldn’t as they hoisted the triple layer chocolate cake complete with ganache frosting from the refrigerator and set it before him. Taylor placed the large wax ‘4’ and ‘2’ candles in the center and lit them. “Make a wish, Richie.”
Puffing his cheeks exaggeratedly, Richie blew them out before grabbing a candle and sucking the frosting from its stem. Taylor started to slice, but when Richie noticed where they were placing the knife, he raised a hand and waved it over. “Uh-uh. Bigger.” Chuckling, Taylor inched the knife over. Richie peered down his nose. “Little more…”
“How are you not as huge as a house, Richie?” Taylor shook their head as they glided the knife to the right.
“Perfect.” Richie nodded and as Taylor started to slice, he smacked their ass lightly. “I find ways to work it off, apparently.”
Polishing off his dessert, Richie clapped his hands together. “Present!”
“Yes, Richie. You can finally have your present.” Taylor got up and ruffled his hair. “Hang on, I’ll be right back.”
Going into the office, Richie heard a scraping noise and was curious, so he followed. He found Taylor pulling the desk away from the wall and retrieving a large, flat rectangular package wrapped in blue shiny paper. “Oh hey.” Taylor smiled when they spotted him. “I hid it back here because I didn’t trust you not to go looking for it.”
Giggling, Richie nodded. “Absolutely the right choice. I dug through the whole closet and under the bed when you went grocery shopping. Fucking nothing. I was pissed.”
Scoffing, Taylor threw back their head. “So that’s why I couldn’t find my suspenders the other day. Figures. You are incorrigible.”
“Yup.” Smirking, Richie snatched the gift from Taylor’s hands, tearing away the paper unapologetically to reveal a Blazing Saddles poster, signed by Mel Brooks.
Richie leaned back against the doorframe, mouth open. “Wow, Taylor, this is…” Richie shook his head and his oceanic eyes rose to meet Taylor’s, blinking behind his glasses. “Thank you. I love it.”
“You’re so welcome, Richie.” Taylor tipped up to link their lips. “Happy birthday. I love you.”
“I love you too, Taylor.” Smiling at them, Richie then looked down at the poster. “I’m going to go hang this.” Striding into the living room and setting it down, Richie went into their hall closet and began shifting things around on the top shelf. “We have a hammer and nails, right?”
“Uh, Richie?” Taylor placed a hand on his broad shoulder. “It’s a little late. The neighbors. Maybe we can hang it up tomorrow.”
“Oh right.” Richie nodded. “Sorry, I just got excited.”
Taylor kissed his cheek before going to put away the leftover cake. They were closing the refrigerator door when Taylor felt Richie’s strong arms snaking around their waist. “It’s still my birthday…” Richie giggled, drawing them close. Of all the precise instructions regarding the day, Richie hadn’t mentioned anything sexual that he wanted in particular, so as Taylor spun in his arms and brushed back his dark curls, they were curious.
“It is. And what would you like on this special day?”
Richie threw his head back and sighed. “So many things , that’s the problem. I couldn’t decide!” Giggling, Richie shook his head. “I’m so jealous that you can have multiple orgasms.”
Taylor laughed. “Yeah, I’m not going to lie to you. It’s pretty great.” They squeezed Richie’s firm arm. “You want to just get started and see what happens?”
“Sure.” Richie nodded, following them to the bedroom.
Getting naked, they crawled into bed together and Taylor caught Richie’s lips, tongues lacing together as they placed their hand around his soft cock and tugged lightly. Richie’s fingers cascaded over Taylor’s skin, absorbing them before trickling between their thighs and coaxing their clit.
“Do you want me to suck you, Richie?” Taylor asked, Richie’s cock stiff and ready under their ministrations.
Richie shook his head. “No. Well, not yet at least. I want to play with you for a while.” Rolling on top of Taylor, he drew his fingers around their clit patiently as their languorous mouths wove together.
A small moan chirped from Taylor’s throat and Richie smiled. “Mmm...you like that?” Applying more pressure, Richie ground his cock against Taylor’s thigh. “You like when I touch you?”
“Yeah.” Taylor breathed. “I love it.”
Adjusting his grip, Richie made a triangle around Taylor’s clit with his thumb, fore, and middle fingers and began delicately milking them. Taylor’s mouth fell open as they pressed themselves into his hand and Richie’s smile broadened. “That feels good, doesn’t it? Huh?”
Heels kicking the sheets, Taylor clutched Richie’s vast shoulder. “ Yes, Richie! Yes! So good! Don’t stop!”
Richie tilted his head, dark blue eyes examining. “Are you gonna cum for me? Am I gonna make you cum on my fingers? Huh? Fuck, I love making you cum, Tay. I love it. I love the sounds you make. It gets me so goddamn hard.” Thrusting his cock persistently against them, Richie groaned.
“ Yes, fuck! Fuck! Richie! I’m cumming! I’m cumming!” Thighs snapping shut around his hand, Taylor drew Richie close as their eyes fluttered and they quivered. Richie sucked the fingers into his mouth, reveling in the taste of Taylor’s desire before he swiped them through their hair.
“I think I’m ready for you to suck me, now.”
Tracing Richie’s strong jawline, Taylor nodded. “You got it.” Leading him to his back, Taylor sat atop Richie for a kiss before their mouth moseyed down his body, taking their time lovingly caressing every inch of his built chest and little belly before parking between his legs.
Taylor never tired of Richie’s substantial cock, neither the aesthetics nor its multifaceted abilities. No matter how many times the warm circle of their lips descended, smooth pink skin gliding over their tongue as the inevitable taste of precum hit their palette, Taylor loved it.
The way Richie’s hands, so massive and strong, would force them down in the height of his ecstasy, all the while his fingers played with the tendrils of Taylor’s hair with the utmost delicacy. The way Richie’s hips would lose control, like a malfunctioning carnival ride, lifting, rocking, and jerking erratically until they fell still altogether. But it was the sounds Richie made, those got to Taylor most of all.
While Richie’s words, whether it be the, “Yeah, suck my fucking cock, I know you love it” growled through gritted teeth in a voice nearly an octave deeper than the one Taylor heard each day, or the, “Please suck me, don’t stop! Fuck! I love your mouth, Taylor!” Spoken quickly in a breathy moan, always got Taylor going, it was the noises outside of them that truly ignited their desire.
How Richie would whimper, starting so soft, barely audible and revving up like an engine until it blossomed into one long, vulnerable wail. How Richie would whine, notes nearing anguish that sounded as if they were being wrenched from the depths of his being as Richie tossed his head back and opened his pink lips to set them free.
Richie moved beneath Taylor now, body sliding up and down on the bed as their saliva pooled at the root of his cock and he pounded forward. “Taylor, I…” Swallowing, Richie caught a breath. “Could I...could I get on top and fuck your face?”
Raising his hands, Taylor popped up and nodded. “Sure, come on.” Flipping onto their back, Richie positioned himself over them and Taylor opened their mouth. “Oh fuck yeah.” Richie closed his eyes as he surrounded himself with Taylor’s warmth. Hand at the back of their head, Richie rocketed forward. “ Fuck, Taylor! Yes! I fucking love it! You feel so goddamn good! ” Fingers bunching in the sheets, Richie folded over, hips bouncing above Taylor’s face as he drove himself inside and they stuck their tongue forward and focused on breathing through their nose to avoid gagging.
“ Taylor! Taylor! Yeah! I’m gonna cum! Taylor! FUCK! ” Richie whined and for a moment his limbs contracted, nearly in the fetal position atop Taylor before he sprang apart, warm cum draining down the back of their throat as Richie shivered. Climbing off, Richie grabbed his glasses as Taylor took a corner of the sheet to wipe their eyes and mouth before settling under Richie’s arm.
“So…” Taylor’s fingers flowed through his dark chest hair. “Good birthday?”
Richie nodded. “The best. Thank you.” Raising Taylor’s face to meet his, Richie’s expression was serious as he traced their lower lip. “I…” Swallowing, Richie bit the inside of his cheek. “I hope I get to spend a lot of birthdays with you.” Corner of his mouth turning up, Richie lifted a shoulder, blue eyes looking down before they bounced back up to meet Taylor’s. “All of them.”
Hand at Richie’s stubbled cheek, Taylor grinned. “Me too.”
***
Living with one another for a few months, Taylor continued to accompany Richie whenever he did a stand up set. One night, seated in the front row, as per usual, Richie was approaching his closer when suddenly he pointed to a couple at a neighboring table. “Hey, where are you folks from?”
Taylor could probably perform most of Richie’s material themselves at this point after seeing him so many times, though they would struggle with the voices, and never, not once, had Richie done crowd work. In fact, Richie specifically mentioned the act made him nervous, and that he often found it cringey when he saw other comics plucking strangers from the audience for humiliation or simply to fill out their lackluster sets.
So as Richie made fun of the couples’ Bostonian accents, Taylor narrowed their eyes curiously. When he proceeded to another gentleman seated beside them, Taylor heard a woman’s voice ringing out from the back of the room.
“Hey!” She barked. “Why don’t you try telling some fucking jokes for a change?”
Disgusted, Taylor craned their neck to try and see who was responsible for the rude interruption, but couldn’t spot her. Glancing at Richie to see if he was alright, he lifted a hand and shrugged. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do.”
“Oh yeah?” The heckler shouted back. “Well, you’ve been doing a piss poor job. I haven’t laughed once.”
Crossing his arms, Richie held the microphone to his mouth indignantly. “You think you can do better? Come up here and fucking try it.”
Scoffing loudly, Taylor was shocked at how brazen this woman was as she continued. “Yeah, right. Like I want to be a stand up comedian. Telling bad jokes in bars for drunks who don’t give a shit. I bet you’re so fucking lonely and pathetic.”
Fuming, Taylor bunched their fists at their sides, flabbergasted that a stranger would be this cruel. “Well,” Eyes falling to the floor, Richie scratched the side of his head. “You might be half right.”
Taylor looked at him, heartbroken. They couldn’t believe Richie was going to allow this nobody to get to him. “I might be pathetic.” Richie shrugged. “But I’m not fucking lonely.” Rounding on Taylor, Richie narrowed his eyes. “Hey you.” Tilting up his chin, Richie stepped toward Taylor’s side of the stage and they glanced around confusion. “Yeah, you. Good lookin’ in the first row.” Richie smirked, lifting his eyebrows.
Unsure what was happening, Taylor swallowed as Richie hopped down, stepping in front of them. Tilting his head, Richie’s expression softened and a wide grin blossomed on his face as he reached into his pocket and dropped down on one knee.
“Taylor, will you marry me?”
Taylor couldn’t speak. They couldn’t hear. All of the gasps and reactions from the crowd were lost on them as they stared open mouthed between Richie’s dazzling blue eyes and the ring poised in his outstretched hand. Microphone to his mouth, Richie’s voice warbled a little. “The punchline is kind of on you this time, Tay.”
Nervously giggling, Richie looked at them expectantly and Taylor managed to choke out, “ Y-yes!” Richie standing to scoop them into his arms and covering every surface of their face he could with kisses as people around them clapped.
“Sorry, um…” Voice tremulous, Richie swiped a finger under his glasses as Taylor cried into his jacket. “Sorry to subject you folks to ‘performance art’ when you came here for comedy.” Richie chuckled. “Special thanks to my friend, Mary Thurmond, who’s going to be your next performer, and is not actually a terrible human being.” The voice behind the heckler wove her way to the stage and Richie lifted a hand. “Thank you, everyone. Have a good night.”
Passing Mary the microphone, Richie ushered Taylor outside and with shaking hands slid the ring onto their finger, a silver band inlaid with a moonstone. Taylor pulled up the collar of their shirt to wipe the tears from their face and gave a watery smile. “It’s beautiful, Richie. Thank you.”
“I love you, Taylor.” Hands at their waist, Richie drew them near.
“I love you too, Richie.”
Sounds of laughter floated from the club below as Richie and Taylor stood on the busy New York street, holding one another as their lips met, finding it difficult to maintain their kiss as neither of them could stop smiling.