Chapter Text
The next morning, Zach woke up in Shaun's arms. For a moment he let himself lie there still and silent. Everything was so warm and loving, Zach felt sheltered. The night before had been beyond incredible. It was everything Zach thought it would be and more, so much more.
When he was sitting at his workspace last night, getting up and pacing back and forth he was trying to convince himself that doing this was a bad idea. That it would ruin his friendship with Gabe and with Shaun and that everything would get messed up and crazy.
But he couldn't help himself. It was like he was being pulled toward Shaun with every breath he took, and the harder he resisted the stronger the pull became until he finally gave in and knocked on Shaun's front door.
And now Zach had actually done it. He made love with Shaun….and loved every minute of it.
That's what it had been too. They didn't just have sex last night. I wasn't a one night stand, or a summer fuck.
Zach could feel Shaun's love for him with every movement he made, every caress, every kiss.
And, afterwards...Zach had never experienced that before. When Tori and him had sex he was always zipping up and zooming out right when it ended. But after their third time around (yes they went three rounds with no breaks or breathers) Shaun did something Zach would remember forever.
When they were both finished cleaned up and exhausted, Shaun took Zach his arms and just held him. Zach have never felt more safe in his whole life then he did when Shaun pulled him into that embrace.
That was the moment that Zach stepped over the edge and felt himself starting to fall for his best friends brother.
Now that was an odd feeling for Zach. Sure he had said he loved his ex. He thought he did, but he never felt for her what he felt for Shaun last night. They simply never had that connection.
Last night, Zach completely lost himself in Shaun, the whole world faded into white light and white noise. The only thing either man could focus on was the body against their and the beating of each others hearts. They forgot everything but that moment in time.
It had never been like that with her. With her Zach was always thinking, 'am I doing ok?' 'how is she?' what do I do next?' With her it was all technical. But being with Shaun…it was as natural as surfing. Going with the flow and finding that ultimate happiness.
That's when it finally hit him. Last night Zach made love with another man. And typically straight men (which Zach had claimed to be) don't really spend the night having sex with other men. It would have sounded really stupid if he did it out loud but Zach ran a mental test on himself.
1. Am I still attracted to girls?- Was he ever really attracted to girls?
2. Am I attracted to men?- Ever since Shaun kissed him, his eyes had been wondering to the other guys at the beach.
3. Do I still feel attracted to my ex?- Not physically no, but he still held feelings for her. More platonic than anything though.
4. Do I feel attracted to Shaun? - Of course Zach was attracted to Shaun. He is so smart and passionate and kind and the swimmers body is always a plus. Who wouldn't be attracted to a man like that?
A straight guy that's who.
Before Zach could think any further, he felt Shaun stirring behind him. He reached over to stroke the arm Shaun had held him with all night.It just felt so good being in Shaun's arms, like they were made to fit together like this.
"mmm, morning." Zach heard Shaun say in a sexy groggy morning voice.
"Morning" Zach said back. He wanted nothing more then to just lay there and be held all day long. But suddenly inspiration struck him.
Of course, he had been blocked for weeks on what to do with that bare wall and all of a sudden when he wanted to lay down and enjoy Shaun, he get this incredible idea. He needed to hurry up and paint it before he lost it.
Maybe Shaun was his muse.
"What time is it?" Zach asked. He didn't want to leave to early. Hell he didn't want to leave at all, but this had to be done.
"Why, you got somewhere to go?" Shaun asked, still holding Zach's waist. He thought Zach was running away. He needed to know that that was not what was happening. So Zach stroked Shaun's arm and layed back down in front of him, so they were nose to nose.
"Shaun, I have to go, but I'll be back okay?" Zach said, voice soft and reassuring. Shaun smiled and nodded.
"Okay."
Zach smiled back and planted kiss on Shaun. It was meant to be soft but Shaun pulled him close and tried to deepen it. Zach pulled back smiling and laughing.
"Ah- ah very tempting, but I really have to go." Zach said dragging himself out of the bad. Shaun groaned in protest but let him go anyway, watching as Zach bent down to retrieve his boxers and enjoying the view. After Zach pulled them on he turned back towards the bed and kissed Shaun again.
"See you later." He said as sweetly as he could. Shaun just smiled and watched Zach leave the room, he walked down the stairs, gathering his clothes which were strewn about in the rush last night. He smiled to himself as he pulled his sweatshirt on and closed the door.
As he drove down the street his smile kept creeping up his face and becoming very big.
For the first time in a long time Zach was genuinely happy.