Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

SOME WEEKS AGO.

Greg closed the door behind him, not even caring if there would be too much noise. He grabbed Alex by the elbow, pulling him closer. His mouth covered the lips of the smaller man, a bit too desperate, trying to own him.

They parted the kiss, Alex panting against his chest. He was out of breath. Good, he should be.

"It was a good show."

"Yeah, it was."

Alex melted against him, puppy-eyed almost begging for a pet in his head.

"What was that bit about sex?"

"You brought it up. Not me. I was just improving. Doubt it will make the cut or the outtakes. People laughed though."

"Yeah, the thought of you having sex is funny indeed."

Greg held him closer. During the prize task, he joked about Alex being a virgin, even though everyone knows for a fact that he has kids. By all accounts, the shorter man had sex in his life at least three times. When Alex stuttered to answer that he wasn't, the entire audience was roaring with laughter.

Alex was bright pink as if he suddenly stayed in the sun for a couple of hours without sunscreen. But when Alex asked if he meant sex with a woman or a man, it got his attention. He said women, and Alex said yes.  He poked around and asked if he had sex with men. Alex had a naughty smile when he corrected Greg and told him, man, yes. Singular. 

The audience went crazy, probably assuming this was an in-character thing. It wasn't. Greg raised his eyebrows, he had questions for Alex, but for now, he joined along with the gag.

"You didn't come to my dressing room for a kiss and a cuddle. What's wrong?"

"You told everyone you have, had(?), sex with a man. Women, and… A man. Singular. it wasn't a joke, I know it wasn't. Do you have something to tell me?"

Their thing was quite new, very recent. He wanted to rip Alex's clothes and fuck him from the moment they kissed drunkenly at a party but he hasn't. For once, Greg wanted to take things slowly, build intimacy, and settle down boundaries between them. 

No sex till now.  He really thought he was Alex first, he didn't want to scare the man. Now, this new information presented itself. Alex pointed out he never bothered to ask, and that was true.

"So…hm…I am curious. Who? When? Should I worry?"

God, he sounded like a jealous prick. Alex giggled and got to the tip of his toes to kiss him again.

"Too many questions. We need to get back to filming another episode. I don't think we should talk about this now. Buy me dinner and my secrets are all yours."

Alex gave him a quick peck and a cheeky slap on the bum. Greg hoped that his jealousy, anxiety, and insecurities wouldn't show up while filming the second episode of the day.

MANY YEARS AGO.

Alex’s head was still spinning when he got out of the cab. It was way past midnight when he got home. Good thing that Tim had a heavy sleep, yet he made sure not to make much noise when opening the door. The streets were mostly silent except for a couple of dogs barking and howling.

He just needed a glass of water and a pill for his head, then he quickly went to the bathroom. His roommate didn't need to know how late it was when he arrived home, and he wouldn't need to talk about it.

He tiptoed to the kitchen just to find his friend seated on the counter drinking beer. Tim was downing the drink, almost half of an entire bottle, and looking intensely towards him.

"Oooh, the stink of betrayal."

Alex squinted his eyes and automatically checked if he was actually smelly, making Tim snort.

"If this was early in the morning I would say walk of shame right there. You're late Horne."

"Fuck, was it tonight?"

"Every Thursday, we didn't change. Played with Mark. He won, he is too bloody good in this game."

"I know, maybe we should join forces to take him down."

"We should. Can you believe he had the audacity of bringing a dictionary with him? As if I could invent words."

"Very tiny if."

Tim smiled at him and jumped on the floor, almost losing balance before Alex could get him. There was an awkward moment, too little space between them. Tim looked up, his lips parted in a timid smile. And then he gave a couple of steps to the side. No verbal thank you, just a nod with the head acknowledging that Alex helped him not smash his head against the counters on the other side. The kitchen was so small that it looked like a corridor, he thought, maybe when they had more money they could look for a bigger flat.

"You should eat something. We ordered pizza, and I saved you some slices. Grab a plate and let's go to the living room. I want to hear about your late-night adventures."

Alex gave him a timid smile. Good, he was hungry but he really didn't want to discuss what he was doing for the evening.

As always, Tim convinced him. The poet had a way of always getting the final word, pushing him gently towards what he wanted.

Instead of sleeping, he was now eating reheated pizza on the couch watching late-night repeats on the telly. It was fun. It would fuck up his sleep schedule, and he would probably do a lame job trying to write an article in the morning, but he couldn't help it.

Living with Tim had this effect, it was fun but he worried he indulged too much in their antics, and it could get in the way of work. Not that he saw himself as a journalist, but that was sort of his job. Well not really, he had never got anything of importance, it was just small bits and articles, silly stuff. Tim was working on stand-up routines, he wanted to have the courage to do that too. Maybe if they did something together it would help him with his nerves. As a journalist, he was an incredible comedian.

"Were you out and about for fun or work? Let me guess…work. You are too boring to go to a party on a weeknight."

"Says the man who got mad at me because I missed our scheduled weekly parlor game session."

"Ah…" Tim's voice got a bit high pitched making both laugh.

"But yeah, it was work-related. That article I told you I was nervous to do it."

"The brothel one?"

"Strip club, actually. It would be weird if I went to the brothel to write an article about it."

"Yeah, reviewing a brothel would be weird, but a strip club is very normal to write about."

Tim had taunted him for weeks when he told him he was going to write about a strip club for the journal. He offered to go with Alex, but he was sure Tim would tease him so much that he wouldn't be able to have fun or work. He brought his brother along, which in the end was ten thousand times worse.

"That explains you reeking of alcohol. Had to drink much to see the naked ladies? You know they won't bite you. You would have to pay them. And you don't have the money for that."

"Yet."

"Yet."

Tim slapped his hands and rocked back and forth in laughter.

"I don't know why you got nervous. You've seen ladies in the nude before. I reckon I even saw a couple getting out of your…boudoir."  Tim gave him a tap on the shoulder and a wink.

"Oh, it wasn't girls. When I got there, there were no girls."

"Don't tell me the paper sent you to do a review of a male strip club without telling you."

"Oh, they did. Got there and saw a bunch of guys in thongs shaking their stuff all around. At least the staging was good."

"Who cares about the staging? Tell me how did you like it?"

Tim was overly excited now, he had put down his plate and his beer on the coffee table and sat on his side, resting his head on his right hand, grinning and eyes twinkling.

"I don't know, I guess it was…fun?"

"Was it hot? And if you talk about the lack of an air conditioner I will smack you on the head. I mean, were they hot???"

"I guess you can say that if you are into muscular beefy dudes. Are you?"

"I don't know, people seem to like the type. I am okay with regular-looking people. Were they dancing?"

"There was a lot of that. When the manager discovered I was there to do a review they offered a free lap dance."

"Please tell me you let them do it."

"I don't want to talk about it anymore. I knew you would get on my nerves."

"C'mon. When it is articles about stupid local art shows I listen to every word. Now you did something fun and is acting all weird."

Alex scratched his chin, his stubble was itching a bit. Tim had suggested he let a beard grow, so he would look less like a shaved egg, and of course, he stop shaving, he was still getting used to the awful beard. Alex didn't want to talk about it, but Tim would get any information he could get. His friend was a very persistent man.

"I couldn't say no. And that was it. I don't think we should further discuss any of this anymore."

Tim put his hand on his arm and looked at him dead serious.

"I know you. Something went wrong, let me guess… Did your boy get up during the lap dance?"

Alex could feel his skin burning, he knew he would be beet red by now. There was no point in arguing. Tim saw through him.

"Oh my goodness…IT DID! But like…a semi or full on?"

Tim's laughter was almost wheezing now. He wouldn't answer that. He was still very embarrassed about it. Tim of course was right in guessing he got hard while a man in the smallest thong he had ever seen sat on his lap and gently rolled his hips against his.

For sure it was some sort of physical thing, he was young, and horny most of the time, anything rubbed that way there would have a similar reaction. Still bugged him that he was looking at the man sitting on him with desire. The same thing he felt when he was making out with women. It was the same aching feeling and want, craving release. He hoped his brother didn't watch that closely, or if he noticed something neither would ever bring it up.

He curled up on the couch. He was too drunk to be having these sorts of thoughts, especially with Tim beside him.

Tim got closer, he had stopped laughing. His hand was gently placed on Alex's knee. Instinctively Alex put his hand over Tim's, rubbing his thumb on the back of his hand. There was something about Tim tonight, maybe it was the beer talking but he looked handsome, properly handsome. He wanted to say he looked better than the lads in the strip club but thankfully his brain shut up before he said anything.

Maybe he was into men. Maybe not. Maybe he was just curious to know if it would feel different. 

"I am very confused, Timmy. I really like women. And… this never happened…"

"Sometimes people like both."

Tim got closer, throwing his long hair to the side. If Alex was not mistaken he was flirting now, putting his hair behind his ear and smiling at him. He had seen him doing this to some girls at uni. Often this worked for Tim, he was a ladies' man.

"It is okay. It happens. It is a very normal thing. I got confused too when my boy decided to give salutes to other guys."

"You like men?"

"Not all of them. Just the pretty ones like you, egg face."

"Are you hitting up on me?"

"Let's say I am not not hitting on you."

"Hm…Timmy, we are friends, this might ruin things."

Tim's hand glided on his thighs, the other man seemed very sure of what he wanted. There you go again, the same feeling he had hours ago, blood rushing to places they shouldn't. It was Timmy. His best friend, his roommate, and yet his body was betraying him, stubbornly starting to show a small volume on his pants.

"I promise you it won't ruin anything. If you promise me not to be weird about it."

"I am feeling very weird about it now."

"Okay then, sorry. I think I misunderstood the situation."

Tim got up and piled the plates and grabbed the beer bottles to bring to the kitchen. When he came back Alex was standing in front of his door, blocking the frame with his body.

"I don't think you misunderstood a thing. I am scared though."

"Of what?"

"People say it hurts."

"I would never hurt you. Not on purpose anyway."

"Have you ever…hm..with a guy?"

"Once."

"Ok. Please remind me that I wanted this when I feel awkward naked by your side in the morning."

"Who said I will let you sleep with me?"

"You wouldn't kick me out of the bed. Would you?"

"Of course not. C'mon."

Tim pressed him against the door opening it to the dark room. Alex had no idea exactly what was going to happen but he could see how this would change their friendship forever.

LAST WEEK.

The worst part of everything was trying to keep himself calm while Alex told him about how he discovered himself bi. Usually, he liked to hear stories about people coming out, about how people realized the first time they were not straight. But not now, he could only see green, he was jealous.

If this was in anyone else maybe he wouldn't feel threatened but Key was different. He knew the two still hang out and Alex didn't exactly say they had stopped fucking. To be honest, Greg had no courage to ask it, the answer might upset him.

Now more than ever, he wanted to fuck Alex, no pressure but he wanted it to be so good that the man would never think of finding pleasure in the arms of another. Alex was his. He wasn't expecting to be so in love so quickly, he hoped Alex felt the same.

BRUISES.

Tim was once again in his closet, trying one of his jackets.

"I think I will keep this one."

"My wardrobe is not a department store you know."

"I know, but it is always fun to grab things from your closet to see if they fit me."

Tim adjusted his blue jacket. It looked good on him.

"We will be late. John is waiting outside and you still need to change your clothes. This jumper looks too stupid for a football match."

Unceremoniously, Tim put his hand under Alex's jumper, taking it off by the head. He gasped loudly when he saw the purple marks on his chest.

"Fucking hell, what's that mate?"

"Oh, this…nothing. I mean don't worry."

"It looks like you got into a fight. This looks properly nasty."

He ran his fingers through his chest, caressing the tender spots on his torso and arms.

"I don't know what you are up to but this doesn't look okay. Did Rachel see this?"

"Yeah, she is aware. It is okay Timmy."

"It was Greg, wasn't it?"

"It was but it is not what you think it is. I asked for it."

"I don't want to get in the way of your thing with him, but please be careful. I don't like seeing you hurt. Promise me you won't do anything crazy."

Alex made a gesture, crossing his heart with his finger. Tim planted a soft kiss on one of the marks, the bigger one on his arm.

"Let's go, Horne. We have business to attend to."

Tim zipped up his blue jacket and kissed him before heading outside to meet John.

Chapter Text

THE PARTY.

Usually, Greg would be excited to be invited over to Alex's, but now all he could think was that Key would be there. Reasonable or not, he developed bad feelings toward that man. It was clear to him that Alex needed a firm hand, someone to discipline him, and Tim didn't do any of those things. If he did, Greg wouldn't be the one sitting on the big throne.

Greg tried to remember how filming that first series was. He remembered being annoyed at the time because Alex and Tim had too many inside jokes. On stage they both behaved better, but behind the scenes? It felt like they had their own language, like those creepy twins in horror movies. Maybe he was jealous since then, but this jealousy always felt stupid because he wasn't fucking Alex at the time.

It wasn't a huge party but they had enough people over. Greg measured the short man chatting up with a group. Another thing to be jealous of: Key was also often described as the life of a party. This was the role Greg provided at social gatherings and Tim now had a very captive audience. He stayed close waiting for the punch line and said it first, he ruined the joke, because he could. This was something he did too, get a good story, change some bits and pretend it was his. Unlucky Timmy happened to pick a quite old one, very classic. Easy target.

People dispersed after that, leaving an unhappy Tim staring at him.

"Greg."

"Tim. Having fun?"

"Ah, yeah. You?"

"Yeah."

They stared at each other for a while, in silence.

"Look Key. I know about you and Alex. How you used to be together. He told me."

"And I know you too are together. You should check that verb there, you shouldn't use the past tense to describe something happening in the present."

Tim took a big gulp of the beer, still staring at him. He never took Tim as someone aggressive, but his stance showed differently. Suddenly he looked like a guy that you didn't want to piss off.

The rest of the evening was exactly like that. It wasn't the verbal chess he was hoping for, this was more like fencing and both wanted to draw blood. It wasn't fun and it wasn't pretty. He wasn't proud of himself, and he did say hurtful things to try to intimidate Key. It wasn't working.

The whole time he wanted Alex to give him some attention, he wanted to show that Horne had decided to pick him over the other man. Alex decided, consciously or not, to avoid both. Tim and Mark were chatting on a corner now, he wondered if there was anything in there, maybe he could just make those two become a thing, and then Alex would be only his. The night would be easier if he could just take Alex in front of everyone and show who he belonged to. 

He roamed around trying to find people to chat with, but everyone was too boring or too busy with other conversations. Greg was familiar with just a handful of Alex's friends, at least on the social circle present at the moment. Weirdly, the only person he knew from the bunch that he felt it would be nice to hang out with was…Tim. He started to pick the label on his almost empty beer bottle. He scanned the room and Alex was nowhere to be seen and Mark was now with another group of people. No sign of Tim.

Greg went to the kitchen to get another beer and found Tim there, his head inside the fridge. He was startled when he noticed Greg. For the first time, they were alone since they bickered earlier.

"Hiding in there?"

"Just grabbing a beer mate."

"Want help to reach the top shelf? Because you know…you're short." It was a low blow and a bit petty but he had to keep trying. Tim would have to break eventually.

"I really don't know what Alex sees in you, Key "

"He sees plenty. He uses all other senses too. Mate, you are not special… you are just very tall."

"If you know better you will back off."

Tim put his hands on the kitchen counter, spreading his arms as if he was trying to appear bigger.

"I was here before and I will still be here for him when you two are over. I am the one that will be there for him when you are done.  He is my best friend. We have no secrets."

Two could play the game, he made sure to be in Tim's eyesight, looking him straight in the eyes.

"Alex told me the little story about how you two got together the first time. You must be super proud of yourself, older guy preying on a drunk friend."

That did it. Greg could see the twitch in one of Tim's eyes. He struck a nerve there, the man was visibly uncomfortable.

"Says the guy who is beating up my friend. You must feel like a proper man abusing someone like that."

"Abusing?"

"I saw the marks. If you ever hurt him again like that I will forget how big you are and smash that pretty face of yours."

Being called pretty during a fight was something unexpected, it made him laugh.

"Oh clearly, you don't know anything if you think I am abusing Alex. He doesn't tell you everything."

This was a weird situation. He never thought of himself as someone that exuded toxic masculinity, or ever saw Key as someone that could headbutt someone. And yet here they were because of Alex, too much testosterone, maybe. They were almost baring their teeth and barking at each other.

In his experience, they would either jump at each other's throats or go for a kiss. Exacerbated showcases of masculinity could be more homoerotic than expected. They were drunk enough, there was enough tension and at the end of the day Timothy was a pretty boy, he wouldn't say this to his face but he was. His train of thought was interrupted by Alex arriving. 

"What are you two doing here?"

"Just grabbing a beer, having a chat. Right, Tim?"

"Riiiiight."

They were still locking eyes while they both stood straight and left the island countertop. He grabbed a surprised Alex by the arm and brought him closer, kissing him deeply. That would show him who he belonged to, maybe Tim would back off.

It was a weird thing to kiss Alex while staring at his friend from the corner of his eye. He wanted to make sure Tim was watching. When he let Alex go, he could hear a small moan from him. Nice, that would do it. Key didn't seem bothered by it though.

"Wow, at least you didn't pee on him to mark territory in front of me."

Tim was laughing, louder than usual. Greg knew he was amping it up, to try to show he was cool with everything. He must be a bit upset, even a little.

Alex was still a bit out of breath, his ears bright pink and his eyes widened.

"Timmy, Rachel is looking for you. She wants to show you something she bought."

"Sure. Are Saturday's plans still up?"

Alex nodded. He was still in Greg's arms when Tim dared to get close and go for a quick peck. Bold move there. Weirdly this whole thing was making him respect the short man more, he thought Tim would be an easy target, someone easy to break. Most people ran away from Greg when he wanted them to. At least the guy was fighting back, that would make things more fun. Like cats playing with their food before they were done.

"What was that about?"

"I don't know what you are talking about." Greg said as he watched Tim leave the kitchen. "Saturday? I thought you would come over for the weekend."

"Sorry, something came up."

Alex was not giving anything more than that.

"Something came up and I am not invited but Tim is?"

"Are you jealous?"

"A bit. Can't you cancel? Can't I come with you?"

Fuck. He sounded so clingy. Alex was still in his arms, he was scared of someone walking in on them but he wasn't prepared to let him go. 

"I'm sorry. It is a thing we already had scheduled but it got postponed and then changed dates without much warning. I don't think you will be comfortable hanging out with the guys."

He almost let an audible relief gasp. Guys. So it wasn't a romantic thing with Tim. He could live with that. Maybe this was work-related.

SATURDAY.

That was a nice fuck there. If he was worried that things would get different after Greg, things did it but for the better. Alex seemed more confident and less shy. Good. He kissed Alex one more time and tried not to be sappy about it. 

Tim nestled himself under Alex's arms. He buried his face in the naked torso of his friend, planting a kiss on his rib. There were fainting purple marks still. They look less ugly now, but he could see new ones, bites around his shoulder, and love bites on his white thighs. There were other marks he couldn't recognize, it looks like they were marks from things he wasn't familiar with. Alex got a proper beating.

"Do you think Mark will be angry at us because we finished early to fuck?" Alex said, resting his hand on Tim, his fingers playfully squeezing and pinching lightly the soft skin of his arm.

"Oh no, he was too drunk to keep working on the script with us anyway. At least this time you waited for him to leave before attacking me with your big hands. I think at this point we always know when you need a wee and when you are too horny to bother to keep going."

Mark knew about the two, he didn't mind, but that didn't mean he wanted to watch them get frisky. 

"To be fair it was only that time, and I thought he wanted to join us that's why I didn't wait for him to leave."

"Yeah, nothing says threesome like working on a standup routine for 3 hours."

From time to time they scheduled writing sessions for imaginary projects. There was no need to make the project come true, it was just an excuse to brainstorm ideas while drinking beer. Once or twice a good idea came up and it was used on a poem, on Mark's standup, or a task for Taskmaster, but more than ever they were just friends passing time and pretending it was work.

Alex adjusted himself, already complaining about his arm being numb. Tim loved to cuddle but Alex liked to pretend he hated it.

"What was all that with Greg last weekend? 

"You mean, your new guy throwing a tantrum in the kitchen?"

"He wasn't. Was he?"

"Al… I know a jealous man when I see one. I thought he would grab me by my shirt and throw me out of the window."

"He wouldn't. Greg is a big guy but he is a sweetheart, he would never hurt a soul."

Tim traced one of the bigger marks across Alex's chest, the one that looked like he got hit by a cane. There were some whipping marks around his buttocks and thighs, those looked worse. Greg really had his way with Alex 

"Yeah. I can see that. I just hope he realizes what he is doing to you. It isn't fair that he is beating you because he is jealous."

Alex chuckled and squeezed Tim into a hug, kissing the forehead of the smaller man.

"Rest assured it was consensual. I am okay. No need to tell Rachel or the authorities."

"This doesn't look fine. I worry about you."

Tim ran his fingers through Alex's chest again, trying to have the lightest touch he could have. If Greg was too rough he would show Alex that being gentle was also good, a better option.

"You two need to talk."

"I tried to. Your boyfriend is the extremely possessive one. I thought he would hurt me."

"You didn't back off."

"I was so fucking scared, thought I would shit my pants. I was glad you came. I don't know how long I could keep going with the tough guy act."

"Please, hm? I need you guys to get along. Don't try to make me choose."

"Tell that to the giant. He is the troublemaker."

"Tim, he has a name…"

"He started." He rolled his eyes and sighed. 

"Timmy!"

"Okay, sure. I will try."

"Good boy."

What was that? He wasn't sure he liked being called that but he loved being praised and the way Alex was scratching his head, almost petting him. Weird but nice.

"Your hair is too short, you know I like it bigger. "

"It's for work. They keep casting me as a guy with short hair and no beard."

"Ah! We all love you in the famous role of short hair and no beard, it is the dream role of any actor."

"Don't be a prick. If it wasn't for work you know I would keep it to your taste. Longer hair, short beard."

"Would you? That's nice to know. What more would you do to please me?"

"Almost anything."

He buried his face in Alex's chest again, maybe if he slept quickly Alex wouldn't find an excuse to get out of the cuddle.

MONDAY.

His day started like any other day would, apart from the fact that there was a very naked Alex on his bed. After all, Alex did spend some time of the weekend with him. He got there a bit tipsy on a Sunday afternoon. He was pleased to know his boy missed him.

He knew he was coming straight from whatever he was doing the day before, the backpack told quite the history there. Greg wanted to be mad at him, he knew he had spent the night with Tim even though he had said "the guys". But the minute Alex gave him the puppy eyes and begged for his touch he gave up.

And now he was cooking breakfast for them. Why he didn't send him away the minute he learned they were not exclusive he had no idea.  Last night he joked that he hoped Alex had at least showered before jumping from one bed to another and the man took it seriously. 

Maybe he hadn't showered or maybe he was taking the joke too far, but Alex did go to wash and then asked if he wanted him oiled up too and brought up to his tent.

For the first time in months, they had sex, vanilla and "boring" sex and a cuddle. This is what he wanted from the beginning but he often got caught up in Alex's Rolodex of kinkiness. It was fun, at least to him, he wasn't sure if Alex enjoyed it without the kink element. 

Alex was walking around in Greg's underwear, claiming he lost his and couldn't bother to look for them now. 

Greg served him coffee and passed him the jam for his toast.

"We need to talk."

"About what?"

"About the party. What was that dick size contest in my kitchen?"

"It was nothing. I was just teasing Key, it was quite playful if you ask me."

"Greg, I thought you two were jumping at each other. You know, my life would be easier if you guys just got along. "

"If it was up to you we would all be sharing the same bed." Greg scoffed.

"I wouldn't mind that."

"Not happening."

"You are the one missing the fun. I want you and Timmy to solve it, like grown-ups. Please?"

"Not happening Alex. We have nothing to solve or talk about."

He didn't like the face Alex made. That was a man having a eureka moment right in front of his eyes. Something was afoot.

Chapter Text

THE TRAP.

Alex was weird sometimes. After he left, Alex texted Greg asking if he wanted to meet somewhere else later that week. And then he texted a link to an Airbnb. Beautiful place, outside London. It would be nice to get out of the city for a couple of days. He was just surprised that Alex planned this romantic escapade for them.

He got all the instructions to get inside the house, Alex wouldn't be there when he arrived, he just needed to finish one little thing first. Greg was impressed with the attention to detail, but then again, he knew Alex could be very bossy and into admin when he wanted to. Alex wanted Greg to wait for him in the bedroom and left a path of rose petals on the ground leading the way.

Even though the house was a bit older, the room seemed quite modern once inside. There was a good-sized TV and a minibar fully stocked. Greg jumped on the bed and bounced for a bit, he couldn't hide his smile. He checked his watch, Alex would soon be there so he did the obvious to him: he got naked to wait for him and give him a nice surprise, why would he lose any time?

Ten minutes passed quicker than he expected and then he heard the doorknob twisting, he made sure to adjust himself on the bed, he wanted Alex to have a good view of his erect penis.

"Bloody hell."

It was Tim. The man jumped when he saw Greg on the bed. He froze with his jaw dropped while Greg tried to cover himself the best he could.

Then the door hit behind Tim and he heard the familiar noise of someone locking the door. Alex.

"I am really sorry, but since you two refuse to talk like grown-ups I was forced to take action."

Greg jumped out of the bed and approached the door.

"Alex open the door, love." Tim said almost in a whisper trying to move away from Greg that was also trying to convince Alex to open the door.

"Mate, we are not angry, okay? Just open the door and we will all talk like you want."

Tim tried again without success, it was weird to hear the grown man almost beg Alex. He tried again with a more angry tone, but nothing worked.

"Can you please put pants on mate? You will poke me in the eye with your massive pole. Jesus."

Greg rolled his eyes and tried to find his pants.

"I won't open the door. You need to sort it out. There is food in the minibar. I will be back in three hours. Please… just talk okay?"

Greg could almost believe that Alex was sad about it. He knew him well enough to know that behind the door he was smiling and having fun with the situation. They heard a noise as if Alex was dragging something heavy. The little shit was blocking the door, probably with a chair.

"Okay, I am leaving. It is for your good."

And then there was silence. He wanted to murder Alex, but he wasn't close, so he would have to direct his anger towards the closest thing: Tim Key.

"You knew he would be doing this."

"Of course not. Mate, I don't know how high you think of yourself, but I can think of at least twelve things I would prefer doing before being locked with you on a Saturday."

Thankfully Greg found his pants, it was quite uncomfortable to wear them now, his cock was aching for some release. He couldn't excuse himself and just jerk off, could he? Nope. Maybe if he thought about bad things it would go away.

"How did you not notice he would do that? If you were quicker you could have blocked the door open."

"Oh, I am sorry for being distracted by you waving your giant penis in my direction."

Okay, he disliked Tim a little less when he flattered him like that.

"Alex did bring me, he had told me you would be here. I am assuming you had no idea I would be here, otherwise… bold move to welcome someone you don't like by pointing your canon towards them."

"Enough, Timothy. I get it. Stop talking about my penis."

"I give that to you. It isn't every day you see a man that has a cane between their legs."

Greg sat at the edge of the bed while Tim walked around, checking the windows and the bathroom. Alex wasn't joking, the bigger window had a lock and the bathroom windows were too small. They were locked inside anyway.

Only a stupid person would try to open that door by slam bodying it, the door was quite old and it looked like it was made with solid wood. And then he saw Tim taking four steps and rushing through. He hit the door and bounced on it like a cartoon character.

 "You are a bloody idiot. You could have hurt yourself, let me see."

He got near the smaller man and held his arm checking if he was hurt, at least he didn't have a dislocated shoulder or anything, he knew it would hurt for a bit but that was his fault for acting on an impulse. Tim let a sigh when he moved his arm up and down. Greg's hand was quite big against his shoulder. Another middle-aged man that looked like a boy depending on the angle, how did Alex and Tim do that? He let him go.

Greg searched the entire room for something to be used to pick the lock but had no luck. They were really stuck. Alex would pay for this, but now was not the time to indulge himself in thinking about how he would do it, he needed to get soft and not harder.

"Let me be clear. I don't want to talk to you."

"And I don't want to hear your voice. We are settled."

His jaw was hurting already, he was biting quite hard to look tougher. Once or twice he saw Tim looking at his tenting boxers. That was awkward, he got his trousers and shirt on the floor and got dressed.

"What do we do now?"

"Can you call someone to get us?'

"I left my phone charging in the other room. And you?"

"I can't think of anyone who would be here in under three hours. He had to pick somewhere far didn't he?"

Tim tried to force the window without luck, it would be stupid anyway since they were on the second floor. 

Greg got the remote control for the TV and Alex removed the batteries. He could try to turn the TV on without it but didn't see any buttons to change channels. Of course, Alex would force them to have a chat, he told them with all the letters he would. 

Greg laid back in the bed staring at the ceiling.

"Maybe we could nap. Time would pass quicker."

Tim took his shoes off and lay in the bed, staring at the ceiling too. There was something very intimate about this. Very weird to lay side by side, within holding hands reach, when in the end he would murder Tim just to have Alex for himself.

"If I knew he would do that I wouldn't come. I only agreed to come here  because…"

"Because what?"

"I imagined this would go differently. We would be downstairs, maybe with a beer and we would try to solve this."

"Right. I think we have beer."

Greg got up and searched the minibar, he found a couple of beer cans and threw one to Key.

"To be honest if I knew he had someone I wouldn't… I know it sounds weird when he is a married man and all, but I would never…You know."

"There is time to do that now. You can always let him go and leave him to me."

Tim's face twisted when he drank the beer. "He could have at least given us good beer, this tastes like crap."

Greg opened his can and tasted it. Yeah, the beer was shit. He looked at the label, an indie local brewery. Alex probably picked this one because there was a pineapple on the logo. It tasted like pineapple juice mixed with horseshit if someone asked him.

They were sitting on the opposite sides of the bed now, Tim near the headboard and Greg close enough to the minibar, still looking for edible stuff and only finding shit that Alex bought at a petrol station probably. 

"I am sorry for my behavior at the party. I should have known by now how to deal with Alex trying to bring new meat to the mix."

Greg raised an eyebrow, this was news to him. 

"Not the first time?"

"He tried twice. One was a guy we knew from college and the other time… well he married her, right?"

"Oh…"

"Yeah, I bet there is a lot he is hiding from you. Wouldn't you love to know?" Tim drank more of the beer, making a disgusted face.

"If you're sorry then I think I have to say I am too. I don't regret it though… maybe I came off a bit too strong, but I had to try."

"Fair enough. I might have to say it won't work. I am too stubborn to let you win this."

Greg finished his beer and started to crush the can with his hands, just to show he could. 

"I just wish you would stop hitting him. That is not okay. The last time…it was nasty. I don't know if this is you being jealous or if you just like it rough, but Alex is a sweet guy, he can't take it like that. And I meant it, if he pops up in my place like that again I will crack your head open."

"Alex? Alex Horne? Are we talking about the same person here? "

"Yes. You might be into…that stuff. He isn't."

"Fuck…I don't know how to tell you but he is kink as fuck. The man came to our first date with BDSM toys I wasn't even aware existed. Very out of my league. Didn't he ever ask you anything like that?"

"No. I assumed you were the one trying to… force him."

Greg was laughing so much that he thought he would lose his breath.

"Oh no. That boy is… twisted. It was the first time that I as a Dom had more hard nos than my sub. He suggested things I wasn't even aware existed, had to Google to see if he wasn't just making stuff up to look more knowledgeable. Did he really never bring this up? In twenty years he had never asked for anything?"

"Hm. No. I mean once he asked me to slap his face but I thought it was a joke."

Bloody hell. No wonder Tim thought he was an abuser, not knowing Alex was on the scene. He grabbed another beer, a shitty beer was better than trying to talk while sober.

"I still don't like the marks."

"To be fair to me, some are not my work. The lovebites are all me, and I did cane him a little bit. But those whip marks? That was all Rachel, he already came to me with broken skin and I patched him the best I could. They just started playing so, you know… rookie mistakes."

Tim's face was funny like the man couldn't believe what he was hearing. More stuff Alex never told him. If Alex was hiding things from the man he called his best friend he wondered what sort of stuff he was hiding from him. Although at this point nothing could surprise him, he wondered what kind of things were exclusive to Tim's. He scanned the man in front of him, Tim looked like a sweet guy, of course, Alex would never ask him such things.

There was an awkward silence building up, he could see Tim was still shocked to know that pretty much everyone liked to beat Alex apart from him. Good, it showed how low he was in the hierarchy. Maybe Greg went too far at the party.

"I am sorry for calling you a predator. It isn't okay to take advantage of someone drunk but I guess you were both too young. It happens."

"What exactly did he tell you?"

"He told me in more detail than I needed to hear about your first time. I asked for a name and he came back with a very descriptive story about you fucking him."

Now it was time for Tim to laugh.

"No. Really? What was his story? Fucking liar."

"He came back from a strip club, and he was drunk and confused and you got all flirty and you brought him to the bedroom. Something about you being more experienced, and it was nice."

"Seems like he is keeping things from you too if he went out of the way to tell you a lie."

Greg put his empty can of beer on the side table and Tim did the same. The shorter man lay on his back staring at the ceiling again.

"Okay, I will bite. What happened?"

"The strip club is true, but he asked for the assignment. I am quite sure he knew it was a male strip club, but he likes to pretend it was a joke from his superiors. He also says he brought his brother every time he tells a version of this story but I was the one with him. Fuck, he bribed me with booze and begged me to go with him. He even made a guy give me a lapdance because he wanted to watch. We got home and… well I did flirt with him, but he was the one to… Let's just say he was the one taking my innocence there."

"Oh okay…"

" At least he was gentle. I was very scared it would hurt. I had never had anything there before him."

Was Tim telling him that Alex was the top? That didn't seem right.

"Beg your pardon, but I think I understood wrong. Are you saying Alex is a… top? "

"200%."

"Alex… Horne? "

"Well yeah. "

"Alex Horne fucking someone? That I would like to watch."

"Oh fuck… I am slow… he doesn't fuck you?"

Greg had to cover his mouth, his laughter was filling the room. He didn't want to be rude but this was the wildest thing he heard. Alex… Alex… what was wrong with him? He couldn't stop lying it seems.

"We tried once, but he couldn't get up and made me shame him for that. I didn't like that, humiliation is not my thing it is his and I have my limits. So no, Alex and I… we don't go that way. I would like it sometimes but he told me he is a bottom, never had topped anyone before and I left it like this. I didn't want to pressure the guy, and I prefer fucking him anyway."

Tim had the face of a man that couldn't believe a thing. What kind of twisted reality was that…that Alex was the top? That didn't feel right.

"So for 20 years he only let me eat his ass twice and you appear and… Fuck. He is a proper wanker."

"I think from all the things said in this room this was the thing that shocked me the most. Alex topping someone… The man cried when I hinted I want to try… I must be something horrible to him that he can't even try properly."

Tim sat up again. He must have looked like a poor sod, because Key came closer, holding his hand.

"Well, who can blame Alex, have you seen your dick mate? I would prefer you on top too."

"Can we stop talking about my dick while you hold my hand? I was starting to like you back. This is very weird."

He playfully put Tim's hand away. He wanted to joke that maybe the other man had a very good ass, but they were not at this level of friendship yet and he wasn't sure if it was the case, it was better not to imagine Tim naked. Maybe one day he would get used to him and things could be less weird.

"What I think is happening is that Alex is having too much fun with this. He is loving the attention, he just likes to pretend he isn't." Greg said, grabbing one more beer can for each of them. The last ones of the pack.

"Oh for sure. Give it some time and he will start giving clues he wants a threesome. It has to be something he wants to cross from a bucket list. He keeps bringing it up."

"Actually, he already did. Sorry, but I said no."

Did he say he was sorry? What was that? Tim smiled at him, he knew he wasn't sorry. Or maybe not, the man had to be told Alex was kink and loved to bottom. Greg did feel a bit sorry now for saying no so quickly. Tim wasn't so bad when he was drunk.

"So Alex tried this before too?"

"Oh yeah. With the college guy. He tried to put his wife on board but we both said no. Fuck… he tried once with Mark. Even his name is straight if you think about it, and yet Alex offered. Twice."

They were giggling now. It was fun to have someone to talk about Alex, he didn't feel comfortable saying to his wife that Alex was a little shit. Even though he was. He could see that it could be fun to have someone to vent and talk about the guy and how infuriating he could be sometimes.

Tim was looking away now, he was blushing a bit. Jesus Christ, that man was a softie. He looked almost dreamy and younger than he was.

"So …we give him what he wants and let him win?"

"I don't think we should let him get away with things easily."

"You always let him get away with what he wants, don't you Timmy?"

"Yeah, I do… I can't say no to him, you know?"

Greg put his hand along Tim's jawline, brushing his thumb against the big beard.

"Well, it is hard to say no to him, I get it. Look at me." his voice sounded more commanding than he thought it would. Things could end badly here.

They were very close now, almost sitting side by side, although one facing opposite directions from the other. Tim offered his hand to say truce, and he went to a kiss. Greg found his lips soft, softer than Alex's. Tim was very responsive, he could understand what Alex liked about him but everything felt wrong so they stopped.

"Nope. That was too weird."

"Worth a go though. Still a no then?"

"Without Alex is definitely a no. I still hate you a little bit for making me share him with you. If you backed off it would be easier for me. I hate sharing."

"Fair. To me is a hard no without Alex. He got close to getting what he wanted, I must say."

"I am not saying it is a no if he is involved. I was not joking, I want to watch him fucking someone, I think I need to see it to believe. Hell… This is still very weird. I wanted to murder you a couple of hours ago."

Tim moved away from him. Yeah, maybe it wasn't just Alex that wanted a threesome.

"What do we do now?

"I think I know exactly how to punish our little boy and make him learn that lying is bad."

Chapter Text

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE.

Alex tried to listen behind the doors for a while before he went to the next room. He was curious about how things were going. He loved both men too much and thinking about choosing one broke his heart. Worst case scenario they would decide for him, and best case scenario they would agree that sharing is caring. 

Trying to spend those three hours alone was difficult. Even things like watching football, which he loved, proved to not be enough. He hoped they would not kill each other, he would hate that. 

When three hours passed he rushed to open the door and found Tim and Greg in good spirits. They didn't look friendly but they were not barking at each other. Okay.

Tim said goodbye to Greg and told Alex they needed to talk. He brought Alex to the room where his stuff was and packed the things lying on his bed, the phone, and a book.

"Well, it is hard for me to admit defeat but here I am. I am walking."

"Wait what?"

"I am doing the honorable thing, Al. We talked and we agreed that you and he have something we don't. He owns in ways I will never be able to. So yeah…"

"Timmy…c'mon…"

He tried to cup his face and kiss him but Tim moved away. You could see how hurt he was. Poor thing, it must have been a difficult conversation.

"It is okay Alex. We are still friends. I am still coming over for dinner. I love Rachel too much to let her go too. I love the kids. We will be fine. Eventually."

"Are you serious?"

Tim's face showed indecision. Maybe Greg pushed him too far to make him back off. He hoped Greg wasn't too aggressive with him.

"Yeah. I am sorry Al."

Tim got near him and planted a kiss on his left cheek before taking his backpack and leaving.

Alex didn't have the strength to follow him. As if seeing him through the door would make things real. He brushed a tear from his face, still hot from Tim's lips, and took a huge breath before going to Greg.

They decided for him. It wasn't fair but it was done. Greg was still seated on the edge of the bed looking sadder than he thought he would. Alex thought the man would be a bit happier, after all, he was the one that wanted Tim out of the whole scheme and forced things to have an end. He won and he looked sad.

"Hey babes."

"Jesus…don't call me that. Ever."

"Okay, Greg. So…I hope you brought your swimming trunks, we have a hot tub to enjoy later."

"Actually… Hm…It isn't you, you know. Or me I guess."

"Wait what?" This looked like a speech he didn't want to hear.

"What we have is great, don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed our time together but… what you have with Tim is… I can't get in the way. I would blame myself forever if I ruined your friendship with him. He is a nice guy when you manage to talk to him for more than one hour without wanting to kill him."

Alex was in shock. Greg was grabbing his stuff to leave too, without even kissing him. Nothing.  He froze, not able to say a thing, while he watched the other man make the same path as Tim did some minutes ago.

Tears rolled on his face. Maybe he was too greedy this time. He lost it all.

LATER ON.

The car stopped in front of Tim's flat. It was starting to get dark outside and he was tired from the drive.

"Do you think he bought it?"

"Oh yeah. Thanks for the ride by the way. Hope he didn't notice me leaving in your car. "

"No problem, it was my way anyway. I am proud of you. I thought you would tell him the truth."

"Don't you think we are being too mean?"

"Oh, he deserves it."

"Hm. For how long will we keep this?"

"Couple of weeks, I guess. I have your number. We will keep in touch. Pretend to be shocked when you hear from him that we are not together. I mean…I want an Oscar-worthy performance, get it Key?"

"Sure. I am starting to see why he likes… bloody hell you are good at this whole bossy thing aren't you? This better not wake things on me."

"Oh, I think it is too late for that big boy. See ya."

Tim hopped off the car and gave him a silly wave. He truly hoped this would be a "let me teach you one thing or two to make you act like me when you are with Alex", he couldn't handle two Alexes on his hand. One was more than enough. But Tim was there waving goodbye like a schoolboy. Maybe he was more like Alex than he thought.

GAME NIGHT.

Alex was still hurt. He didn't want to admit to himself how this whole thing affected him. He had to pay for an Uber to bring his wife to drive him home. He was ugly sobbing along the way.

The timing was also not the best, far from ideal. They still had to film a couple of things at the studio next week and of course, they would start filming Set Six of No More Jockeys tonight, just days after Tim crushed his heart. Meaning he would have to see both Greg and Tim more than he liked to at the moment.

He wasn't in the mood for silly costumes but he couldn't disappoint his fans. He grabbed a silly rainbow clown wig and tried it on. Fitting. Maybe he would be the sad clown today.

Alex turned the Zoom meeting on and there it was, Timmy. This was the first time he was seeing him since he left him alone that day.

"Hey, Alexander. You look like a clown."

"Hello, Timothy. I am a clown."

"I can see that. Nice wig."

He chuckled and opened his beer bottle. If he could, he would do Vodka shots, maybe it would make things easier.

Usually, they filmed a bit of banter till Mark got online but Tim seemed distracted by his phone, typing a lot and smiling at the screen. He looked genuinely happy.

"Who are you texting?"

"Oh, no one. Just playing Scrabble with a friend. He is quite good at it."

Mark entered the chat, already topless holding a massive glass of wine. He had warned he would try to get a silly prop but failed to mention it was a glass big enough to hold an entire bottle of wine.

"Oh. Look at us. I am a topless guy, Alex is a clown and Key is… wait what is Key?"

"A twat." Alex replied too quickly.

"Hey. That was mean. I didn't do a thing. "

"I am sorry. I am not in a good mood today guys."

Mark seemed oblivious about what was happening between his friends.

"So, did you know, Alex, that Timmy got himself a Scrabble friend? He doesn't shut up about how smart he is. I think they are K-I-S-S-I-N-G… how many points is it?"

"12." Both Alex and Tim answered at the same time.

"Lots of points for kissing boys."

"Mark, can you please cut it off?"

"Sorry. I thought… from what you told Timmy, I thought you and Alex were on good terms with you having a new boyfriend…"

"He is not my boyfriend."

"Yet."

Against his will, Alex added a Yet to the chorus. That hurt. Three days later and Tim already had someone? Maybe that's why he left so easily. Maybe he already had someone and their arrangement was the thing in the way.

He spent the whole time watching Tim looking at his phone with a dumb smile on his face. It was his worst game. Alex got out in the third round, after a category he just named the round before. Pathetic.

BEERS.

Thank goodness it would be quick at the studios, he just had to film a couple of ads for the next series and some ad bumpers. Usually, this was done at the house, but after a couple of shootings were ruined because of bad weather they decided to move it to the studio. It would be like Alex was hiding in various parts of the studio, and Greg just had to look menacing at him. Easy to shoot.

Alex was trying to avoid Greg, of course, he would be professional and he thought Greg would be too, but they didn't need to interact behind the cameras.

As he finished the last shot, he waited for instructions to see what more they would need from him. Tim was there, he had no idea why he was there, but he saw the man approaching.

"Hey, Tim. You know that the role of Task Consultant is just decorative right?"

"You keep reminding me of that"

"I had no idea you were coming. Do you need something?"

"I am looking for Greg. He told me I could wait for him here."

"Greg?"

"Yeah. We were talking about working together on a new project. We are grabbing a beer. I mean, I hope you're okay with it."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You know…The whole I am in a way your ex and he is boyfriend sort of thing. Some people wouldn't like that."

"About that…we are not a thing."

Tim made a very exaggerated face of disbelief. That was the worst acting he had ever seen. Of course, Tim knew, if he was hanging out with Greg there was no way he didn't know. He once hoped that as soon as Tim discovered they broke up they would get back together and he would have at least one of them back, but now Scrabble Boy was making it hard for him, if Mark already knew about Scrabble Boy things were moving fast.

He sensed Greg before seeing him, the smell of his cologne got there first. Somehow the man was even more handsome than usual. Fuck, since he filmed his scenes he had clearly got back to his dressing room and washed and got ready to go out with Tim. He looked…dreamy, with dark jeans and a tailored dark blue jacket over his black tee. 

Greg passed through Alex, looking at Tim like used to look at his boy. They did a very awkward handshake.

"Key. You should give up. You know I destroyed you on Scrabble last night. Stop sending requests for a rematch."

Tim was smiling at him timidly. Wait…was Greg the Scrabble Boy? It couldn't be. And then Greg touched Tim's shoulder, and his smile was wide. Alex's stomach was turning.

"Hm Alex, we are going out to grab some beers and play darts. Wanna come?" Greg asked but Alex had the impression he was asking just to be polite. He declined the invitation, it would be too awkward.

As he watched them leaving, giggling and chatting, Alex could only wonder if would anyone hear it if he cried in his dressing room. 

Chapter Text

ANOTHER PARTY.

"Do you think I should go?"

"Do you want to go?"

"I don't know."

Alex opened the app again to read the message one more time. There was a time he wouldn't think twice before replying yes to an invitation to go to Tim's flat. And now he was overthinking. Small dinner party, according to Mark that insisted for him to go.

Rachel did tell him not to lock the guys and force a situation, and she was right. Although not even she could predict that the outcome of that situation would be Tim and Greg getting close, she even said that it looked like a plot device to teach Alex a lesson, but this wasn't fiction, it was real life.

Mark was being almost annoying, insisting they had to go. Sometimes he did wonder whose side was Mark on because pushing him to do something he didn't want to was not okay but at the same time he said things like "Hey, show Tim you won't be moping around, that you know your worth, c'mon mate."

Tim wanted to celebrate an award he got for his last book, and he wanted to call some good and close friends. He was happy for him, he truly was and it wasn't like they stopped being friends so…he said yes, reluctantly but a yes.

To his surprise, there were more people in Tim's flat than he realized when he read the invitation. So many familiar faces, it would be nice to have that many people around, plus he had Mark to cling to if anything happened.

Right there on the couch, he saw Greg, seated next to Fatberg. Giggling and talking to Timmy. Greg's hand was on his knee, they were too close, in a way he never did with either in public. They were single men, after all, they could allow themselves to be flirty in the open he guessed.

It seemed like a cruel joke that he locked them together to settle things just to set the two up. What fuck happened in that room that made them so close? He didn't want to know.

"Mark, did you know about Tim and Greg? Are they a thing now?"

"I have no idea. I never know what sort of things you guys are doing. I am too old school, mate. They seem very… friendly, I guess. But I think you shouldn't worry about Greg, you should worry about the Scrabble Boy… Tim can't shut up about the guy. He seems like a real threat. Scrabble Boy can steal Timmy from you, I think "

"Tim is not mine to be stolen."

"Oh, okay cool. I mean, Tim told me more or less what happened. But I thought you wouldn't quit this fast. I came prepared to help and all."

"Help with what?"

"I don't know… get the guys back? Seems the type of thing the friend sidekick would do in a rom-com. Although I have to admit this would be a very confusing rom-com, too many dicks there for me to follow."

He wanted to hold Mark and cry on his shoulder but people were looking.

"Thank you, but I think the ship has sailed."

"Do you want me to make a speech about polyamory relationships to them? I was at a Zoom meeting the other day, and some of the people there were explaining things to me. It is very interesting…"

He wasn't listening anymore, his eyes were focused on watching Tim and Greg. He was jealous and it was probably showing.

THE OLD TROPE.

"Come closer, whisper something in my ear and I will laugh." Greg ordered.

"What?"

"Can you stop questioning me?"

Tim came quite closer, his lips brushing his ear while he whispered the lyrics to the Teletubbies theme tune but instead of the original lyrics he sang "Timkey-Winkie, Tipsy, wants a cock". He didn't have to act to laugh at that. It was truly unexpected and he let himself go, laughing louder than usual, people turning heads to watch them.

"You are something Key. Do you think Alex saw it?"

"With you laughing like that? I think they heard you down below in old Australia."

He chuckled and drank the rest of his beer, showing the empty bottle to Tim.

"Be a darling, fetch me another one?"

"You know we are not dating for real right? You can't just boss me around. I am not Alex you know."

"And yet, you are a very obedient boy." Greg's fingers were scratching Tim's chin, petting him like a puppy…or you know, Alex.

Key rolled his eyes but went to get another beer for him. Of course, he knew this was fake, they had an agreement to push Alex to the limit, but it was very tempting to abuse his power. Tim was a very shy guy when he wasn't doing his poet persona, and you can't just give him a new toy like that and expect him not to enjoy it more than he should.

Alex was walking toward the couch, and he could see Mark in the back doing two thumbs up. That was the worst case of cheerleading he ever saw but he was glad that Alex still had his friend trying to support him. He wanted Alex to learn a lesson but he wasn't cruel to the point of thinking he deserved to be miserable without anyone on his side.

"Greg."

"Hey, Alex. "

Very awkward silence. Tim arrived with two beer bottles and passed one to Greg. Greg was laughing and used Tim's bottle to open his.

"Show off. Oh hey, Alex. I am glad you came."

"Of course, I would. I had no idea Greg would be here."

"Well…about that…"

Greg could almost see Tim crumbling, fuck he was going to ruin everything. He spent the last couple of days amping things so much to convince Alex they were an item that he forgot the weak link was Tim. Should have called the poet and not Timid Timmy to the action. Bloody hell.

"About that… I have to thank you, Alex. We are really hitting off and I don't think it would happen without your little push locking us. Turns out we have a lot in common. It's been fun those past days, right Timmy?"

He passed his arms around Key that was flustered and barely making any cohesive word. Alex looked hurt. Truly hurt, he could sense there would be tears quite soon.

"It is weird how things work sometimes. Right, babes?"
Greg chose this word carefully, he knew Alex would remember calling him that.

"Right, babes."

He wasn't thinking straight when he bent down and kissed Tim, nor was he expecting the man to melt in his arms in front of everyone. He opened his eyes and Alex wasn't there anymore.

"Jesus Christ. Wow. I mean…Fuck "

"Yeah, I know. Sorry I overstepped."

"By all means do it again…Fuck."

Some people were looking at them, Mark especially. The guy came towards them like an angry heron ready to attack.

"I didn't agree with this, guys. You said you would be subtle, and hold hands at most. This is very irresponsible of you two.”

“It happened.Sorry.”
“I am not the one that needs apologies.”

The man was fuming, clearly, they crossed lines. 

“Mark, did you see where he went?”
“Your room Tim, I guess.”
“Okay, we have a mess to fix. Mark, can you distract the other people or make them  leave?”

“I guess.”

Greg left, bringing Tim by the shoulder, guiding him with strong hands. It was time to have a little chat with Alex, as they should have done before, properly this time. Talk, like real people do.

THE NOTEBOOK.

Watching Greg and Tim kissing finally did it for him, it was too much. Okay, sure, they didn't owe him any explanations but it felt like a personal attack. If he believed that this was a sort of revenge thing from both he wouldn't be at Tim's bedroom right now, trying not to cry.

It looked very real. The way Greg kissed him was the same way he used to kiss him. The way Tim just became a puddle in Greg's embrace… yeah he used to be the guy causing that. 

He paced around, he doubted they would notice he was missing but just to be sure he locked himself in Tim's bedroom. He needed some time away from people to recompose and then leave. He tried to text Mark to say he was okay but his battery died. It was an awkward situation but he would do whatever needed and what he needed now was a phone charger, he would poke around and find one.

He opened the first drawer just to see an impressive amount of condoms and lube. He knew Tim always kept a stash but that was a bit too much. Recently stocked, it seemed, because he was not recognizing some items. He didn't want to think about the uses he would have for a glow-in-the-dark condom. Oh, a pineapple-flavored one… NOPE, FOCUS. He wasn't going to use that shit anymore so why browse around? Better to go after the charger.

Another drawer full of unhelpful stuff. Timmy claimed he had a system, Alex always thought his system was chaos. Maybe it would be better to look on the other side of the bed. He hated the mismatched side tables. This one only had one drawer but it had so many books and scripts. There was a thick black notebook with a pen attached. Tim's diary. He left it there when he heard a noise on the door.

"Alex, are you there mate?"

It was Tim. They noticed quicker than he thought. The doorknob twisted and was being shaken.

"It is closed. No Greg I don't have a key to open my bedroom from the outside. Why would anyone have that?"

Greg's voice was muffled but he sounded concerned. And then he heard them bickering. Well, he was hearing Tim snapping back, saying that Greg was forbidden to try to body slam the door to his bedroom. So early on in their relationship and they were fighting. Good. Schadenfreude.

"Alex please let us in, love. We need to talk."

Now it was Greg talking. Alex got near the door, gluing his ear to the door to try to hear if they were still having an argument. They weren't.

"I need some time. To think."

"Okay. You will have to go out eventually, love. Tim is saying he just changed his sheets and what…? No, I won't say that."

"Please don't pee on my sheets. They are new."

Tim was yelling quite loud, he could hear him clearly even with the music of the party in the background.

"Fine. Let's give him a couple of minutes."  And then the talking stopped. Good. He came back to Tim's bed, the sheets were indeed new. Good stuff. Then he took Tim's diary, he wanted to know if Greg was indeed Scrabble Boy and if this really started right after he locked them together.

It wasn't a diary per se, it was more a collection of thoughts, scribbles, and drafts of poetry. Some stuff had dates and names but it looked confusing.

Volume 5 is written on the first page. Jesus. Alex knew Tim liked to write and do little sketches but this was excessive. He scanned the pages from the start, planning to read only the more recent pages that had his name or nickname or any date that seemed relevant.

To Alex

I don't remember when we started.

We didn't start from the beginning.

It was love before it was.

Why did Timmy never show him this? This was very sweet, and then everything was ruined because there was a drawing of a cock spurting quite a heavy load right under the poem. There were some poems about day-to-day stuff and too many cock and balls in cartoon form on other pages too. Too many to be honest.

Alex told me he wants Greg. Am I ever gonna be enough? I said okay. I can't say no to him can I? Half Alex, well one third Alex is better than none. Greg is hot… sort of. I hope it works. I truly hope it doesn't work.

Maybe he failed to acknowledge that his actions would hurt his friend. Tim often told him he wasn't the only one, but there weren't any mentions of others, guys or women. That he shouldn't worry, he had other people in his life. From his side, they were exclusive in a way.

As I thought. He is in love, it isn't just sex. Talked to Rachel, and she is more worried for me than about Alex. I don't like where this is going.

 

To never be crushed.

We are bound. Connected.

I melt into your wrist.

And stuck under the verses there was a Polaroid picture of them. Way younger. The long-haired poet kissing a very bald and beardless Alex. That wasn't a good look at all, he had no idea how his wife and Tim wanted anything to do with him when he looked like that. 

Alex locked us. Things went better than I thought. No murders. Yet. I am not surprised that he was hiding things from me, I am disappointed though. Greg thinks we should trick Alex, and punish him a little bit. To lie to him was the hardest thing I have ever done.

The other page said:

It was Greg's idea. I still don't know how I feel about it. Especially because he wants to try to go as public as we can, claiming that this would be a quite good final stroke. I don't think Alex will come to the party.

We enlisted Mark to help. He wasn't happy about that.

So…it was all a lie? Well, fuck my life then, because it didn't look like a lie. He wondered if they were pretending so well that it started to become true. He watched too many movies that had the trope. He was confused if he should be happy about it or sad. He unlocked the door, he wasn't ready to invite them over but he was ready to let them in.

Chapter Text

LIKE REAL PEOPLE DO.

Alex closed the notebook and put it back in the drawer. He wanted to get back to Tim's life if only to tidy the mess that was his drawers. He needed to get Greg back if only to make him less stubborn and possessive. Both were impossible tasks he reckoned.

There was less chatting outside, meaning the people were leaving. Meaning that soon they would be here again. He wasn't ready. Worst case scenario they were done with him and ready to move on without a third person in their relationship. In best case scenario they would find a way to make it work. Greg and Tim being into each other would make it easier for both options to happen.

It wasn't long till there was a knock on the door. Greg asked if they could get in, and Alex said yes. Alex tried to look less like a mess, he was crying but didn't want to show that to others. 

"I think we need to talk. Me and Tim are not..."

"Tim and I." Alex promptly corrected him.

Greg rolled his eyes and sat next to him on his right, and pointed to Tim to sit on his right side.

"Tim and I" he was making sure to say every word now "are not dating. I am sorry, we didn't want to hurt you, I got carried away and didn't consider that I could do any damage."

He held Alex's hand and looked at Tim with a soft smile. Tim temptingly held Alex's other hand but Greg grabbed his hand and put it next to his and Alex's, an awkward mess of fingers interlocked. This is what he wanted from the beginning, an understanding that he belonged to both. Both men squeezed his hand that was in the middle of this sort of hand sandwich.

"No more lies and no more secrets okay?"

Greg used his free hand to caress his cheeks, wiping a tear that was falling slowly as Tim kissed his other hand.

"We have a lot to talk about, Al. A lot. Let's just say you are keeping some stuff you shouldn't. And heaven knows why you are doing this."

It was all very tender but he knew where things were heading. 

"Like what?"

"Mainly the fact you are a very naughty boy that doesn't know how to communicate properly." Tim continued to say, his voice was very husky in his ears.

"Or, to be more direct, you let your friend think I was abusing you and you keep manipulating him to get things your way. Alex, you need to learn to be honest. This won't work unless both of us…well, fuck, the three of us… we all need to vocalize things we want, we need… No more secrets okay?"

The way Greg was scratching behind his ears was enough to put him in the mood.

"So I have to be honest then… right? I read your diary, Timmy. I found out you were faking it right before you entered."

"Totally faking it." Tim said while he kissed his shoulder. He blushed while looking at Greg.

"There was some quite sweet stuff there about me, about us. And too many cock and balls drawings."

"All yours tried to draw from memory. Sometimes it was easier to sketch than say anything."

Tim was kissing his nape, as Greg took his lips. Okay, so this is happening. While there are people outside. 

"Do you want to be together?" He asked both men on his side. Somehow he sensed Tim's answer would be yes, Greg he had no idea.

"I don't mind it." Tim replied blushing.

"He is not bad." Greg was too focused on Alex's neck, but this was an okay answer. He could see through their bullshit, he knew Tim well enough to know he was very into Greg and he was ninety percent sure Greg was softening to the idea of sharing him.

Alex held their hands closer. He kissed Tim, taking control over his mouth. He had no idea how this would work, his planning never got so far as inviting people for a threesome, but this time it actually worked in the end. Bloody hell. He never bothered to take his fantasies to the more practical side of things, he was convinced it wouldn't happen.

Then he kissed Greg, it was as intense as kissing the other man but it was like turning a switch in his brain. If he wanted to be taken by Tim, with Greg he just wanted to be utterly destroyed. He then watched Greg kiss Tim. The bigger man was way more soft with Timmy and Tim seemed way more forward and aggressive with Greg. It was hot to watch. They were hopefully signing a deal, to be together.

While they kissed, their hands explored Alex's body, Tim focusing on getting his hand under his jumper and Greg rubbing his thighs, both getting temptingly near his crotch before backing off.

Tim finally got Alex's jumper off and Greg started to unbutton his jeans. Both men were looking at each other, as if trying to decide what would happen and who would do that, but, while Alex was thinking about the actual mechanic of a threesome, the other two made the non-verbal decision, stripping him to his pants.

There were too many hands on him, too many lips, he was feeling overwhelmed and all over the place. And then, Greg's big hands were stroking him over his pants till Tim finally lowered his underwear.

"It is a shame, I wanted us both to get down on you, but such a little cock isn't enough for the two of us." Greg's hand ran along his shaft making him tremble.

Tim gave Alex a funny look when he heard Greg saying that. Right. He forgot to mention to Tim that he liked that kind of shaming. He had no idea how much stuff Tim would discover tonight.

"Tell him how little and needy his cocklet is, Tim."

"Sorry guys, that is not my thing. I might have to pass if you want to go that way."

"Shame. I was starting to like you."

"It is okay, Tim. I like it. You don't have to do it but I like it."

Alex took Tim's hand and placed it on his cock while Greg was unbuttoning his own shirt.

"Bloody hell." Tim scratched his head. Alex could see him getting flustered. "I mean… it's below average, I guess, but I like it. I think it is cute and all. All pink. It fits you."

Alex and Greg almost broke into laughter, but well, the boy was trying.

"Okay, Key. What do you want to do then?"

"I don't know…"

"Let me make it easier for my two good boys here."

He hoped Tim was into that. He was quite fond of the way Greg was taking ownership of both of them now. Not that he didn't like Tim but the pull to please Greg was quite strong and he wanted Tim to feel that too. The way he always wanted to do to his friend but never knew how to do it properly.

"I want Alex to suck you real good, to compensate for the little shit he was to you. You will be good to Key right? In return, I will take care of you, because you are naughty but you are also my very sweet boy."

Greg kissed Alex one more time, before pushing him on the bed. Laying down, he watched Greg take Tim's shirt off and start to unbuckle his belt when Tim stopped him.

"What? Don't tell me you are shy."

"Hm. I don't think any other guy has seen me naked since I started seeing Alex."

"I promise I won't look, then. C'mon, trousers off, pants down."

Tim unzipped his jeans and lowered them showing a white boxer already marked with some damp patches. He shyly took off his pants and tried to hide his erection, but of course, it wasn't working, and it was still very visible. Greg looked pleased with what he saw.

"Fuck, no wonder Alex wanted to top you this much. Great ass." Greg said laughing.

"C'mon mate, things are already weird without you mocking me."

"It is a compliment, learn how to take it because it isn't the only thing you will be taking tonight."

Greg was being an ass by wolf-whistling Tim while he came to bed but he couldn’t stop himself.

Alex was nervous but he knew the other two were too, Tim was looking like a deer in headlights, and Greg doing the sort of thing he did when he felt uncomfortable, boosting himself and hiding behind a persona.

As soon as Tim lay on his back, under Greg's attentive eyes, Alex started to work on him, laying perpendicularly and on his side, giving Greg the whole view of the action. Tim's whole body was tense, and he clenched, even more, when Alex took his cock’s head into his mouth. It took Alex a couple of minutes to sense Tim getting relaxed. While he worked with devotion, sucking Key's cock, Greg took his own clothes off and laid on his side, his big hands stroking Alex slowly, spreading the precum from his dripping cock.

He moaned with Tim inside his mouth, filling him. Now that he got used to sucking off Greg, it was a bit easier to take Tim's cock, no gag reflex at all, not even with Tim bucking his hips at Alex’s every moan.

"Fuck Alex. Not like that. This."

Tim moved Alex’s head, forcing him to move faster. Good. Tim needed to take control tonight. For Alex, it was too hard to get out of his state of mind. When he was with Greg he operated on an entirely different frequency.

"Go on, Tim. Fuck his face. Good boy." Greg was encouraging Tim while he got on his knees and got a better grip of Alex's head.

"The lube is on the first drawer."

Greg stopped wanking Alex and went to fetch the bottle of lube. He then stood near Tim, running his fingers on his hair and pulling Key’s head onto Greg’s chest, guiding the man to his nipple. Tim timidly was sucking Greg's nipple and bit lightly. Whenever he did something Greg enjoyed he got praise and was responding well. 

When Greg got back to Alex, his fingers were covered in lube and he started to work on his entrance, one finger at a time. Alex stopped sucking Tim, it was a bit too much. Sometimes Greg was gentle, sometimes he wasn’t, and he wasn't being very soft tonight but properly stretching him open.

"Sharing is not something I like, but I am feeling generous, magnanimous even.  C'mon Key, you want this right? And he is always denying it. Come here, take what is yours."

Greg was properly manhandling Alex, throwing him at the bed, on his back. Tim moaned even louder when Greg applied the lube to his cock.

"What do you say when you get a nice gift like that?"

"Thank you."

"Thank you…what?"

"Thank you…Greg?"

His voice was hesitant and, by habit, Alex said "Thank you, daddy." Tim again looked confused but that wasn't stopping the shallow trusts he was giving in Greg's wrist.

It was amazing to watch how Greg was taking care of both, guiding Tim’s cock inside Alex, grabbing Alex’s legs, and opening them wide for Tim to go deeper. To be honest, the only reason he didn't like to bottom for Tim was that he was too soft, and Alex liked when things were a bit rough, even when his wife pegged him.

Greg kissed Tim, stroking himself hard as he watched him move inside Alex. Tim kissed Alex deeply as they held hands above Alex's head. 

"That is very sweet Timmy. But cut the crap, I know you want to take him. Do it."

Alex knew they were making too much noise because the music was getting even louder outside, probably Mark turning the volume up to not let people hear him moaning like a whore.

Greg started to knead Tim's lower back, his big hands pressing on Tim’s dimples. Tim finally got the rhythm, with Greg pushing him to go harder he was losing his inhibitions and trusting, pinning Alex to the bed. Then Greg slapped Tim's ass making him stop moving.

His ass cheek was red with the mark of Greg's hand. Tim let out a deep moan, surprising even himself.

"What the fuck?"

"You didn't like it?"

"No. Fucking hell, I told you I don't want anything to do with that."

"Yeah, because the sound you made means you disliked it. Go on, you didn't finish with Alex."

Tim bent Alex's legs, now too aware that Greg was behind him. No slaps this time, but now a soft kiss on the burning red skin.

"I can understand why Alex likes to fuck you. Is he tight, boy?"

"Oh yes, daddy." Alex replied, panting as Tim was now pushing deeper inside him. Finally, the way he liked.

Key again stopped when Greg buried his face in his ass, spreading his buttocks apart.

"Is this more to your liking, boy?"

Tim arched his back, pushing himself to Greg's face.

"Fuck…yes…thank you…Greg."

"Good, you learn quickly."

Tim pushed Alex down, letting go his weight over him and making it easier for Greg to lick his hole. He bit Alex's shoulder and buried his head in his chest. Alex embraced him with a smile.

"You look so good, Timmy."

He kissed Tim, his tongue moving on his mouth like Tim’s cock was moving inside him. And then Tim moaned loudly in his mouth, he could only see Greg taking Tim from behind, grabbing him by the hips, and spreading lube on himself and on Tim's ass, still red from the slap.

When Greg entered him, Tim bit Alex without even realizing what he was doing. With every push, a moan. A harder trust made him sink his teeth on Alex's shoulder, leaving a clear mark.

"Fuck, sorry Alex. I… fuck…"

"It is okay, babe. I like it. It is okay, hm?"

Greg pushed harder and moved Tim's hips. When Tim got used to his size he started to move back. It was a beautiful thing to see, to feel all that weight on him. To know that Greg was taking Tim, and Tim was taking him. He was impressed that Tim was still fucking him hard, while he was still taking so much of Greg. The only unfortunate thing was the music playing outside, which didn't fit the moment at all. Someone had the worst indie pop rock from the early 00s playing. 

The grin on Greg's face was something he would never forget, that and Tim getting ruined on top of him.

"Fuck…I want you both inside me."

"You want what?"

"Please daddy…"

"Can you guys stop that, this is very weird."

"Very weird yet you are still hard inside him. Sure…" Greg snorted, he gave him another hard slap. This time Tim didn't complain he just moaned and buried his face in Alex's nape. Greg circled his hand over Tim's ass, caressing it before hitting him even harder, making the man grunt and trust against Alex's hips stronger.

"Tell me, boy. What do you want? Remember how I am generous tonight?"

"I want… I need… I want to cum with you both inside me, taking me like the whore I am."

"Call him a good boy, Tim."

Alex could feel Tim's skin burning against him, he was breathing heavily on him.

"Very good boy. You are my very good boy." Tim's voice was breaking. When he lifted his head to kiss him it wasn't Tim anymore, Alex saw the cocky and braggy persona of the poet coming out. He looked like when he was about to go on stage to perform, something he craved to see on Tim while in bed since they started fucking around.

Greg pulled out and put more lube on his swelling cock, red and pulsing. Alex would never get tired of seeing that man's cock, he wanted to feel every vein inside of him. And then Tim also pulled out leaving him feeling empty.

This time Greg instructed Tim to rub more lube on Alex's hole, showing how Tim needed to finger him, and open him wider to prepare him for both. Alex's cock was already twitching and leaking on his stomach and he hoped he wouldn’t come from Tim pushing four fingers inside him.

"I bet this slut could take my entire fist."

Greg was surprised by Tim saying that but did pet him in the head, praising him for the good work. Now the two men were giggling while they adjusted themselves on the bed.

"I mean, is this how you want it, Alex? Bloody hell, it looks like Greg and I will scissor. Does this work for you?"

Alex nodded; he took even more lube and applied it on both men, slicking his fingers on both shafts, wrapping them with his hands closed into his wrists.

"I think I might do it before I get too scared."

He was giggling in excitement. This was a fantasy of his, one that he never thought he would realize, he just hoped he still had the knees to do it.

With the help of Tim, he lowered himself towards both penises, Greg holding both and helping guide it inside Alex. He wasn't expecting to be so full, he had the idea that it would be like that but one thing was his imagination and another was two fat cocks inside him.

He bounced slowly, he wanted to go faster but maybe his legs would be too weak and he didn't want to fall. He wanted to please both men inside him, looking at him with a mix of pride, lust, and love.

When his legs started shaking, he repositioned himself, using one of his arms to give him support, he put a hand on the bed. Greg was grunting and Tim moaning while he bounced as quick as he could, using the other free hand to wank off, he was so close. He stayed still for a bit, the tears rolling while he shot his own wrist.

Greg helped him get out of both and sat him on the floor.

"Tim said his sheets were new and we won't trash them, right?"

Greg took his sticky hand and made him suck his own fingers, licking his cum clean, while he petted his hair.

"Good boy. Do you want more?"

"Yes, daddy."

His pleading face was too much for Greg.

"Close your eyes, boy. Let's see how messy you can get."

Greg stroked himself hard and shot at his face,  staining his beard.

"Go on, ask nicely to me too."

"Please…Timmy…"

"No Timmy, c'mon… I deserve some respect too."

Greg pushed his head, exposing his neck and putting Tim's cock near his mouth.

"You heard the man."

"Please sir, let me taste it."

"That's more likely."

Alex stuck his tongue out waiting for Tim, that worked himself till he splurts on Alex's tongue.

This time Tim was the one taking the cum out of his face and making him lick his fingers. Then Greg pulled him up to kiss him and ordered Tim to do the same. Now Alex was the one hinting that Greg should also kiss Tim. He did it, way more softly than in the beginning, now that the tension was out. He wasn't going to say it was love but he could see the bigger man caring about his friend. Good, he should treat Tim well.

Tim let himself fall on the bed, still giggling. Alex did the same, but now that sex was over Greg looked a bit more conscious, he always stayed like this for a while even when they were not doing a scene, he always worried that he let himself carried away.

"Fuck. This was insane. Are you guys okay?"

Tim had a glow that Alex didn't see in him in years, he really enjoyed himself.

Alex brought Greg by his hand and reassured him that it was fine, he didn't cross any line. By their standards, this was very mild, but the man was worried about Tim.

"Why don't you both cuddle for a bit? I think I am going to take a long bath, a shame that the bathtub is too small for us three. You guys should talk… fuck… I will be so fucking sore."

"I am supposed to do aftercare, Alex." Greg looked a bit disappointed.

"I know, but talk to Tim. I will sort myself and then later you can go and scrub my back." He bent down and gave Alex a peck, and then watched him leave the room butt naked. 

SURPRISE. SURPRISE.

Alex was surprised that he could walk, his legs were shaking a lot but he managed to get to the kitchen, open the fridge and get some water. The place was quite tidy, more than he expected to find after a party. All the glasses were washed and put away to dry.

The radio was still playing music, so he went there to turn it off just to find Mark still in the apartment. Napping on the couch, covering himself with his jacket.

He turned the music off. Mark had insisted on coming together, maybe he thought they were going together too and was waiting for Alex. It was very sweet of him. Alex adjusted the jacket on his friend and ran his fingers through his curly hair.

"Maybe one day, Mark. One day."

Mark rolled on the couch and Alex rushed out to the bathroom, too scared to wake up his friend and have to explain why he was naked and still sticky.

"I think I got carried away, I am sorry for not listening to you saying you didn't want to…"

Greg wanted to get closer to the man laying down next to him, but somehow he felt more awkward now than when he had been inside the other man.

"I think I liked it. The slap I mean."

"Did you really?"

"I feel like I shouldn't but I think I did."

Greg got a bit closer, not cuddling after sex was weird. He knew Alex hated that bit, he had no idea if his friend was the same.

"Good. Are you comfortable telling me what more you liked? I have to say I was very curious to see how this would work."

"May I know why?" Tim looked at Greg for a moment, raising an eyebrow.

"You are very bossy with him aren't you? I always saw you giving him orders and telling him to do things, and in Alex's manner, he would obey. And then in bed, and I say this as a compliment… you are very sheepish. Well, till you suddenly weren't."

"To be honest, I don't think I was ever called sheepish before. I think I will need to absorb some information about what happened before I can say what I really like or not. I can see why he obeys you and praise is… it works. But it also felt good to try to do with Alex what you were doing."

Greg forgot his inhibitions and pulled Tim closer. He was stiff for a moment but then he let himself relax in Greg's arms.

"I think it would be fun to do this again. With or without Alex I might say."

There was a funny feeling in his stomach. He liked that answer, and it turns out he was okay about having two boys for himself. Life could be worse for an older guy like him.

"I wouldn't mind if we explored a bit. I thought I would have to share Alex with you but turns out he might be the one sharing you with me."

Now their naked bodies were intertwined. The heat from Tim's body on his. Fuck.

"It's weird when you think about it… in a way, Alex always knew this would happen. All the lore about the Taskmaster, the consultant, and the assistant. The consultant serves the master but it is also there to make sure the assistant will do his part."

"I don't mind it. I don't mind a bit."

It felt natural for them to have another kiss, this time without an audience, the first time doing it for themselves and not just because they were bored and locked in a room.

"I am glad you like to cuddle, Tim. Alex is a little prick that tries to avoid this part as much as he can."

"Funny that you say that, force of habit I think. Alex is the one that enforces a cuddle whenever we fuck, he says it is good for me. He pretends to hate, but that man is very soft and cuddly."

"Really? I will have to have a little chat with him about that. But I have to say he was trying to train you well and he did a somewhat good job."

Tim's hand was very soft, brushing his chest and his fingers playfully twisted the hair.

"I wasn't joking, by the way, I want to watch Alex fucking you. Even more now, let's say I am curious about your…dynamics."

"Oh yeah? I mean I don't mind it. Is it weird that I want you to be pleased with that? Fuck."

"Very good boy. "

He nuzzled his nose on the top of Tim's head. 

"I don't know what is happening but keep calling me that."

Greg rolled on his side, his hand pulling Tim to a kiss. If someone told him weeks ago that this was going to happen he would call everyone mad. Maybe he shouldn't be so stubborn when Alex pushed for things to happen, that boy had a good eye.

Alex entered the room, looking pleased with what he was seeing like he was saying "I told you so."

"Okay, I will need two hot volunteers to give me a bath. I am very sticky at the moment."

Tim was the first to get up with Greg following.

"And I think it is better for you to put on some pants. There is a very sleepy Watto on your couch. And I think seeing three naked guys that just fucked might be too much for his straight heart."

Alex was still naked, always the fucking exhibitionist. He fetched Tim's white boxers and put on his black ones. There must be something about hand-holding that he didn't know yet, but here it was Tim offering him his hand again, and taking him by the hand to follow Alex to the bathroom.

Chapter Text

"Text me when you finish it. Miss, you v much."

He wondered if Tim was drunk and lonely. They never did booty calls, but, apparently, this was a thing now. Tim was texting him and teasing him for the past 15 minutes, making it hard to ignore. Alex said it would take a bit longer than he expected, but he would be at home in two hours.

"Waiting then."

"Going home, not your place"

Another text popped up on the screen. Tim again.

"You don't understand. I MISS you VERY much." 

Aubergine emoji???

Bloody hell. With all their busy schedule he hadn't seen Tim in what? Two weeks tops.

"I will order food and give you a foot rub. I need you here tonight."

"Beers too?"

"Whatever you want."

That didn't sound like Tim texting him at all. Even when they spent months apart Tim never sounded so needy. Something weird was happening. Part of him liked to think his dick was that good, but now Tim also had Greg, so it made no sense for him to be desperate for sex. 

"Okay. You won. I just need to wrap up this podcast and I am going. You can send me a good picture if you want to give me more incentive to go quicker."

It didn't take long for a pic to pop up in the chat. It wasn't the nude picture he was hoping for, just a Scrabble board with the words: FUCK ME ALEX. It was dumb, but it worked. Now he needed to focus and finish things as quickly as he could.

It didn't matter that he had his own keys, he still liked to knock and wait at the door. Tim took his time to get to answer, he would think that by his texts the man would be more eager.

Alex cupped his face and took his lips, already letting his backpack hit the floor. He stepped on his own feet removing his shoes but when he started to unbutton Tim's shirt, he pushed him a bit, breaking the kiss.

"Oh, calm down big boy." Tim said, trying to recover. His hands were on Alex's chest and he looked surprised. "I wasn't expecting you here tonight, and this is a nice surprise, but what is this about?"

"Not expecting me? You basically bribed me to come here. How much did you drink?"

"Tonight? Nothing. First Greg, now you…I was planning on spending my night watching TV with Fatberg."

"Greg?"

"Yeah. Sometimes he comes here… not that we are doing anything behind your back, we just chat and watch movies and…"

Alex chuckled while Tim was making too many excuses about seeing Greg. There wasn't a "behind your back", their relationship was not like that. Fuck, he liked that Tim and Greg were getting closer. Maybe he should let Mark make that speech about polyamory relationships.

"So I am guessing I won't be getting food, beer, and a foot massage then…"

Alex pulled Tim closer again to kiss the shorter man. Matter of fact, he bloody missed him if he was honest. This time Tim let him unbutton his shirt and throw it on the floor.

"Can I at least have you then?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about Al, but fuck yes."

Now it was time for Tim to take his shirt off, pulling it out by his head and making Alex giggle. And then there was a big hand on his shoulder, a very familiar one.

"Not waiting for me?"

Alex jumped back, startled, to say the least. It didn't even cross his mind that Greg would be here. He thought Tim meant way earlier, and that Greg had left already.

"Hey, Alex. I sent the messages."

Greg came forward and kissed him gently. Of course, it wasn't Tim, he knew those messages felt off.

"Oh, when I lock you too in a room I am a little shit, but when you two lure me here with false pretenses it is okay. Very rich from both of you."

"Don't look at me, I have nothing to do with that. I was enjoying a nice bath, he is the one that stole my phone to send you dirty texts."

"You handed me your unlocked phone and told me, and I quote: let's prank Alex."

"I was thinking more of sending him surprise pineapple fritters."

"Sending people food isn't a prank, for the love of god."

"Alex does it all the time."

"Dorks."

Tim was still mumbling about of course it was a prank, and a good prank, when he went to the kitchen, offering them beers.

"Key, no beers, unless the horny prince here needs to be drunk to fuck you."

"What?" Alex and Tim said at the same time.

For the past three weeks, Greg was throwing hints that he wanted to see if Alex topping someone was true or just Key talking trash. Apparently, he got to the nonsubtle phase and now was trying to force them to fuck or something like that.

"Is it so hard to believe I can be a top?"

"Extremely." replied Greg. "Tim insists on telling me you fuck him, then again… no disrespect Key, but you believe birds are not animals."

"Hey! That is a joke and you know it." protested the poet.

"Exactly my point. You might be doing another of your very long jokes."

He had no idea what Tim told Greg, they avoided talking about what happened in that room, it was their private joke to say something absurd every time they mentioned it. Things like "Tim couldn't stop complimenting my dick " for example. The only thing that he knew was true was that Tim told Greg he was the top of their relationship and Greg laughed. But yeah, was it so hard to imagine him fucking someone? 

"Well, I don't know if I am in the mood."

"Love, you opened the door and the first thing you did was shove your tongue in Key's mouth. You didn't even see me on the couch, I bet you thought I was the stuffed bear. You ARE in the mood, Alex."

He rolled his eyes. Yeah, usually things were not like this, but "Tim" texting him did work. It was very stupid that a Scrabble board made him so horny.

"C'mon. I just want to watch my boys having a go at each other."

This was a cheap trick Greg used. Whenever he needed a push or a yes he just called him his boy and caressed his face, the big hand framing the side of his head, the thumb brushing his cheek, a good pet on his head. Low blow. This worked with Tim too, he knew that because he also did the same thing to his friend over the years, but he was more subtle when doing it.

"Are you making us do it?"

"Do you need that? I was not planning a scene or anything. Be a good boy for me, hm?"

"I love that you are both ignoring that I have to agree with this. It is my ass on the line, literally speaking." 

Tim was looking at the floor, his voice was very low and he was mumbling a bit.

"Do you want to be called a good boy too?"

"Maybe."

Greg was now patting his head, messing with Tim's hair, which was longer like he promised he would leave it unless he was cast for another thing that would fuck with his looks again.

Fuck it, why not? As long as Greg didn't mess with him and he didn't go to subspace, he could do it.

"Are you joining in?" Alex said.

"Not exactly. I was thinking of just watching, like watching a documentary about the secret life of animals. I promise you won't even notice me. Go on big boy."

Greg slapped him on his bottom when he went past him to go to the bedroom. He heard him whispering something to Tim and his friend nodding.

Greg was way softer with Tim, he picked up quite quickly that praise and soft touches did wonders when interacting with him. Alex always took mental notes from their interactions to use those tricks later on. He knew that both he and Tim liked to sub for Greg, but his dynamics with Tim switched a lot. When they were alone, Tim was very submissive to him, maybe more by habit than anything, and in a way, he did train him to be like that, but when the three were together, things changed a lot, it was like having a dom and a Dom in training because Greg loved that, to watch Tim learn the ropes with Alex. 

What Greg was asking for tonight fucked with the entire dynamic. Of course, he knew how to fuck someone, he liked doing that, the problem was with his brain and not his dick.

Tim finally followed him and then Greg, who never looked so smug. The bigger man sat on the chair near the window, after making sure all the curtains were closed.

"Go on."

"Hm…are you really just staying there and watching?"

"Do you have a problem with that, pet? Do you want a voiceover while you fuck?"

He rearranged himself on the chair and in between laughs, with a bad posh accent, started to say: "This is a savanna ferret that found itself in need of a fuck. They're the horniest animal on land so it doesn't matter if they get into an unexpected hole."

Tim was biting his hand trying not to laugh and upset Alex who was sighing and rolling his eyes. If Greg just stayed quiet he could do it but it seems like he was obsessed and making him fail. He almost regretted lying about being exclusively a bottom to Greg. Almost.

"I'm waiting."

He opened Tim's drawer, took the bottle of lube, and tried to pick a condom, it was just ridiculous the amount of novelty shit there. He liked it, they had this in-joke to have the most outrageous condom that they could find. But Greg was becoming impatient with their shenanigans.

Alex awkwardly took the rest of his clothes, leaving his pants on, and watched Tim do the same. Tim was hard and he wasn't. He kissed the shorter man deeply. Tim was very into foreplay, but the more Alex tried to rationalize this, the less it worked. He could almost hear Greg laughing at him. He was getting into his head pretty quickly. Alex still remembered how he tried to fuck Greg and failed and now again, he was soft and Tim palming him was not working. He was going to fail again, that was the sort of humiliation he didn't enjoy.

"How about we make things more exciting, Greg?"

"Anything is more exciting than what is happening now. I was going to say that Horne is having a hard time but that doesn't seem to be the case."

Greg was being a complete asshole now, that was very mean.

"Let's say we turn this into a bet. Are you interested in that?"

Alex was not expecting Tim to go and try to defend him, but here they were. That really caught Greg's interest.

"I am listening, Key."

"I am putting my word that Alex will fuck me like he always does, but I doubt you can avoid touching yourself while watching us."

"Very doable on my side. What is the reward?"

"If you win you get a free pass over me, you can spank me till my ass is sore, tender, and red. Hands, whips, whatever you want."

"I really like that. What if you win?"

"If I win…how about your friend and mine, spit roast? Me and Alex taking you."

Greg started to laugh out loud, slapping his thigh while rocking back and forth.

"That seems like too good of a prize for you. Let's settle like this then. If I win I will make you my bitch, like Horne is. If you win, yeah, sure, those two cocklets can try to tickle me. Go on."

He wasn't expecting Tim to jump on a bet, part of him was pleased that Tim believed so much on his cock, because as of right now he was not sure if this would work. Even though he was sure Greg would never cross any line with Tim, just the thought of Greg manhandling him was scary. Alex was into very weird shit, very kinky, and Tim was just dipping his toes in the water without realizing it was an ocean.

He grabbed Tim by the waist and started kissing him again, maybe that would restart the engines. He was trying to ignore Greg heckling in the corner, if nothing else, he knew that Tim trying to get in the way made it worse because Greg now had a proper reason to actively try to ruin it.

"We don't need to do what we normally do. "

"I think it is what he wants, Timmy."

Their voices were low, almost a whisper. 

"Not the debut I was expecting but hey, I bought something for me, that is for you… give me a second"

He watched Tim go through his stuff and come back with a leather harness. Fuck, he did look like a happy puppy. He helped Tim to put it on, and stared at the man in front of him, so willing to try new things just because he knew Alex was into it.

Tim grabbed him by the waistband of his pants, slowly sliding his fingers under the fabric to sink his nails into his ass.

"I want you inside of me Al. Feel your weight on me when you bend me over. So deep we will be one. Make me curl up my toes and scream your name under my breath." Tim said to his ear, biting his earlobe afterwards.

"Oh yeah, that is working. Keep talking."

The poet's fingers pressed harder and then rolled the orange boxers, taking them out of the way.

"I want you to ravish me. Make me undone."

His cock was twitching. Tim always knew how to press his buttons. The man was at his feet, mouth eager to take him.

"Fuck Alex, if you are not getting hard I am. Tell me if you need help."

As Tim sucked him, he closed his eyes trying to ignore Greg still trying to get to him. He was describing this as a sad fuck and laughing.

He pulled Tim by the hair, exposing the neck, his mouth dripping saliva.

Alex held Tim by the harness and pushed him to the bed.

"Good boy, I can take it from here. Tim, on your fours, please. Greg, hands where we can see it."

"Oh, now we are talking." Said Greg loudly in the corner.

Greg put his arms open on the armchair and spread his legs. He could see how excited he was, even though his words said the opposite. If Greg wanted a show he was going to put up a show.

"You can be rough with me."

Tim was almost begging. Eyes wide and lips parted. Alex waited for him to stay in place, he wanted Greg to watch. He needed Greg to watch because he knew he would be pleased.

"I know, love. Hips higher, please. That's it, nice."

While Tim raised his body, Alex put a pillow under him. By now he was aware Tim enjoyed spanking so there was no problem trying that. Alex lowered Tim's pants showing all that white skin, ready to get marks. He gave him a slap, open-handed, and watched the man move rubbing lightly against the pillow.

Another slap on the other butt cheek to make it even, and then he gently circled the area with his palms. They were not strong slaps like the ones Greg gave him. They were just strong enough to make him red and ready.

"You look so beautiful."

Another slap and he brought Tim's hips closer. Another slap and he could see Greg grinning on the other side of the bedroom, his eyes sparkling. It was clear he was enjoying watching that.

"Beautiful."

He kissed his red cheek and then the other, and finished rolling down his pants. Soon enough it was yet another item of clothing on the floor, in the mess of clothes trailing the house.

Alex spread his cheeks and licked Tim's hole, he couldn't stop smiling when he heard a soft "fuck" coming out of his friend's mouth.

His tongue circled Tim's entrance, teasing and flicking and going in and out.  Alex could watch Greg, his eyes fixed on him, his breathing a bit out of pace. He knew Greg well enough to know he was very turned on by that. 

"You like that?"

"Yeah."

His hand grabbed Tim's cock and started to slowly pump it. 

"Hold still, please. That's it, isn't it nice?"

He went back to work on his ass with his tongue. Alex could feel how the man was pushing against his face while he moved his tongue inside him. He spat on Tim's ass, letting the saliva drip from his mouth to his hole before sinking his face again and getting back to work, flickering his tongue before going in and out of him. Hearing Tim moaning while he spread him apart made Alex hard.

Tim with the harness was easier to manhandle, but he still preferred asking, so he asked Tim to get near the edge of the bed and waited there while he fetched the condom and the lube. No silly stuff today, so he went for a very boring and normal one.

It was risky but he had to try, so he got near Greg and asked if he wanted to put it on him. He could see the big bulge on Greg's jeans, he was hard too. He was more than happy to assist.

"You can always join in, you know."

"Oh, I know. But I still want to see my boy thinking he has what it takes to be a Dom. Don't think I didn't notice. Here, all done."

Greg rolled the condom on him, his big hands taking his time. Alex bent over letting Greg think it was for a kiss but then he whispered in his ear.

"You can touch yourself over the jeans. I won't tell Timmy if you don't."

Greg opened a smile at him before kissing him.

"Maybe if you are good enough. Go on, big boy, we don't have all night."

At least now Greg had toned down the heckling, he seemed to be very interested in watching them. Alex got back to the edge of the bed and put an obscene amount of lube on Tim and pushed himself inside. He made sure to give Greg a good view from the side.

Alex grabbed Tim by his hips and held him still while he thrusted inside the man, keeping a continuous rhythm. Tim's arms gave in and he was having trouble staying on his fours so again the harness was proving itself useful, as Alex grabbed him by the leather straps, to give himself traction to go a bit harder.

"Fuck, Timmy…"

Alex pushed him further on the bed, making Tim turn directions, and now they were both facing Greg.

"Be a good boy, keep an eye on Greg. We can't allow him to be naughty right?"

Tim's answer was just a muffled moan. Alex kneeled on the mattress and using his legs he opened Tim's legs wider. Being way taller than his friend helped a lot, he could never do it like this with Greg. He reached for Tim's arms and put his hand on his head, then locked the position with his own arms, interlocking them. There was no way of resisting him. He held Tim kneeling, his body upwards, and got back to the hard and rhythmically thrusting.

"Al…I…my knees"

Alex took his arms from Tim's allowing him to put his hands on the mattress again, and then he collapsed on the bed. Alex straddled him, using his thighs to hold Tim in place again. And lowered himself to cover his back in kisses.

"You are doing so well. When I am done with you my boy is going to get all the kisses he wants."

"Promise?"

"Yeah."

He ran his hands along Tim's back, scratching lightly. As much as he liked to, he couldn't leave marks on him, not yet.

Alex pushed Tim against the bed and started to pound harder, his hands on Tim's back trying to caress him as much as he could to balance how hard he was going inside his friend.

He looked at the chair, Greg was biting his lips. His shirt had at least 2 buttons open and you could see the droplets of sweat on his forehead. He had unzipped his jeans. His underwear, or at least what Alex could see of it, was wet with semen. He was sure that Greg rubbed himself at least a little when he was too busy comforting Tim, but he knew he wouldn't be able to prove it.

Staring at Greg he pushed harder on Tim, the last time he felt such an urge to finish something, just to prove something to Greg, was with that key lime pie. He let himself go for a moment, focusing on how good this felt, how Tim was clenching under him making his cock pulse. He laid on top of Tim, covering him with his entire body and pounding increasingly harder.

"Bloody hell Alex."

He couldn't believe it when Greg put his hand inside his pants and pulled his cock out. Greg rubbed himself till he stained his dark jeans. That made Alex extremely pleased with himself.  Alex embraced Tim as he filled the condom, finally letting out a grunt. Greg also looked pleased, a mess, but pleased.

Alex sat on his knees and pulled Tim closer to him, making him rest his back on his chest.

“You can cum now. It's okay, I got you.”

He held him, while Tim's hand desperately tried to pleasure himself. Alex pulled him for a kiss, sloppy and desperate. Tim moaned in his mouth when Alex's hand met his, taking control of the movement.

When Tim came into his fist he let it all out and sat on Alex's lap and stayed there for a moment, trying to recompose himself. Alex kissed his shoulder blades as he pulled out.

Greg finally got closer, feeling a bit more embarrassed than Alex would think.

"Do you want to wash your pants? Fuck Greg, I think you ruined the jeans." Tim was laughing when Greg helped him take the harness out.

"I should make you wash it, it is your fault after all. Which one of you wants to wash my boxers?"

"Oh…I do." Alex was eager.

"There he is, the puppy is back."

He was really tired but still wanted to please Greg.

"You liked, then?"

"I think I saw a miracle happening. Twice if you count that Tim did shut up."

"Ah fuck you, Greg."

Tim went to the middle of his bed and fluffed the pillows before inviting the other two men to lie with him.

"Why would I when I have two hot men to fuck me? Yes, "I lost" on purpose." He did the quotation marks with comical emphasis. "Seriously. Doing a bet in which all the options I win was one the dumbest things I’ve seen."

Greg took out his pants and trousers and threw them in Alex's direction. He caught the clothes and turned them into a ball. He still needed to throw the clothes in the washing machine and get rid of the condom before joining the other two men. Greg moved upward in the bed laying on his side.

"Alex you know you will have to fuck me too right?"

"What? Can’t hear you?"  He yelled from the room next door.

"He will, I will make sure he will. You know, you just have to work with him. He is like an old car in winter, you have to know the right tricks to make him work."

Greg laughed but Alex had a funny face of fake disapproval when he got back. He jumped at the bed, too small for the three of them. Meaning that the three would have to stay all over each other, which he didn't like, Tim tolerated and Greg loved.

Greg's arms were long enough to reach for both men, and Alex just liked to crush the smaller man in the middle. 

"I bought more than the harness, by the way. I think you both corrupted me. Ruined me, financially even."

"What kind of things did you buy?"

Alex sounded very excited, he never expected Tim to be interested in kinky stuff but he seemed very eager to learn.

"Oh you know the sort of thing Greg will have to teach me to use on you."

"I like this idea."

Alex reached for Greg's hand and rested their hands on Tim's hips. He was still learning to find the situation less odd but he could get used to this softness of cuddling with his men.