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If the romcoms Luca likes to watch are to be believed love comes on quick and slaps you across the face leaving you shocked and turned upside down. Inside out.
It hasn’t been like that for Rocker if he stops to think about it. They started as rivals, two separate teams always set to compete against each other for the glory and the pride. The bets, taunting and ambition actually drives them closer and to friendship rather than away. The friendship has been the foundation for what they have built these last few months together. The all-consuming need to be close, to touch, to taste. And not always for sex. Something they just need that grounding hand on a thigh while they watch TV. Or feet in the lap while reading. It was slow. It built upon years of memories. Which is why Chris asking him about being in love took him by surprise.
Yes they have passion and need and want. Yes Rocker wants to be with Luca every moment of everyday. And if you told him last year, when he was going through a divorce, that he would feel this way about his roommate, his friend he would have thought you were crazy. So maybe falling in love with Luca was fast and he is still in that moment before your body registers the feel of a slap. Maybe that’s why he didn’t realise, that while he said he wanted something more than sex with Luca, what he wanted and already felt was a deep well of love for this man.
This man who doesn’t even know he holds all of Rocker’s heart, all of his world in his strong and rough hands. Who could destroy all that Rocker is if he decided to squeeze that heart and break it to pieces. Rocker has never felt so happy or so terrified before in his life.
~
Luca had settled himself between Rocker’s legs on the couch. His back to Rocker’s front and the huge arms he loves wrapping him up tight. Two men this big shouldn’t fit on their couch like this but it’s become their favourite way to be as close as possible when they need the comfort. Feeling Rocker’s heart beat and his chest rising with each breath, the arms holding on tight so he can’t move away. Like he would be able to find anywhere else in the world he would rather be than right here and right now.
Luca couldn’t tell you what was on the TV or how long they had been sitting there. But he could describe the way Rocker’s freckles are laid out on the arm closest to his face. He could describe the smell of Rocker’s shampoo and cologne, how the two scents shouldn’t work together but on Rocker it works. It’s become Luca’s favourite scent and he loves to breathe it in deep when they relax like this.
Luca cannot believe how happy he has been since they finally talked and realised they both wanted the same thing. Chris’s words about idiots in love bounces around in his brain. Neither of them has said it out loud. The implications are there in the way they look after each other, the way they seek each other out when they’ve had a bad shift. The love is there in the slow soft kisses just as much as in the passionate needy ones. Luca knows he is in love with Donovan and has been for a while. He just doesn’t know if it’s too early to tell him. He can feel Rocker deep in thought as well behind him.
“What are you thinking so hard about back there?” Luca asks trailing a hand up and down one of the strong muscular arms that feels like home.
“Oh um. I was thinking about how academy us wouldn’t believe this is where we are now.” Rocker chuckles. It’s close enough to the truth without being a lie. Not that he wants to lie to Luca. He just wants to be sure Luca is in the same place as he is. Rocker feels Luca’s body shake with deep laughter. The sound, one of Rocker’s favourites and thrills him every time when he is the cause of it.
“Yeah I wanted to wipe that arrogant smirk off your face so badly. Every time you would beat me at something, or break my record I wanted to punch your stupid face.” Luca admits remembering how frustrating Rocker was back when they first met.
“Hey you won pretty much everything. Do you know how annoying that was. When I finally broke your record or won something I had to make a big song and dance about it. It was a rarity. Which made the times I won even more special to me. You paid attention to me and I liked that. Huh. Just realising now that’s what it was. It made me work harder so I have a lot to thank you for.” Rocker says kissing Luca’s temple.
“I worked all the harder because I wanted to be better than you. So I need to thank you as well.” Luca replies snuggling deeper into Rocker’s hold.
“Do you remember the first time we ran the outdoor course?” Rocker’s laugh against Luca’s neck tickles in the best way.
“You were such a cocky bastard.” Luca slaps lightly at Rocker’s arm, reprimanding him for the past. Then taking one of Rocker’s hands and bringing it to his lips.
“I had to get inside your head. I knew I could throw you off if I did. Plus it was kinda funny seeing you blush when I blew kisses at you.” Rocker places a kiss to Luca’s neck.
“I was ready to drop kick you.” Luca laughs remembering how angry Rocker could make him with just a look. Now he can make him hard with a similar look.
“If looks could kill.” Rocker jokes.
“You are lucky to be alive babe. I was so mad. Even worse when you destroyed my record. I was also in awe of how you did it.” Luca admits.
“I do have a confession to make about that. I may have broken into the course at night and practiced so I could beat you. It took me a week to get a good handle on the course.” Rocker confesses sheepishly.
“What? You are such a shit! How did you see the course at night? How did you not get caught?” Luca questions turning his head to look to Rocker.
“I had a headlamp and I may have bribed anyone who caught me with Lakers tickets.” Rocker kisses Luca’s forehead. “We got better at working together rather than against each other, eventually.” Rocker smiles gazing into Luca’s eyes.
“Who would have thought some healthy competition would have led here.” Luca smiles wistfully.
“You’re happy about it though? Right?” Rocker questions.
“Of course I am. Why. Are you, having second thoughts?” Luca suddenly feels his heart rate increase.
“Oh god no!” Rocker rushes to reassure him, kissing him lightly on the lips.
“Thank god. We just came out to everyone.” Luca sags with relief, half in jest.
“What were you thinking about before? You seemed deep in thought as well.” Rocker asks not wanting to take his eyes off his boyfriend.
“I was thinking about how happy I am now that we got our shit together. What idiots we were taking so long to actually talk. How we might still be there if Chris didn’t whack us upside the head. Good thing you said you are happy too otherwise this could be embarrassing. I don’t want you to say anything if you don’t want to and I know it’s early but I can’t keep myself from just.” Luca waffles on.
“Dom!” Rocker interrupts placing a hand on his cheek, smiling at how cute Luca is when he is flustered.
“What?” Luca asks bringing his eyes back to meet the beautiful blue ones before him and trying to get his thoughts under control.
“I love you Dominique Luca.” Rocker confesses stroking a thumb across his cheek.
“You do?” Luca checks, heart soaring with the declaration.
“Absolutely. With all my heart.” Rocker’s big brilliant smile crinkles his face.
“That’s good because I love you too Donovan Rocker.” Luca replies resting his forehead on Rocker’s.
“I didn’t know if I would ever fall in love again after the divorce. I didn’t know if I wanted to. But I’m glad I did and I’m glad it was you. I have never loved anyone as much as I love you.” Rocker smiles knowing he won’t love anyone as much as he loves Luca.
“Neither have I.” Luca replies turning his body to have better access to Rocker’s lips.
The kiss is soft and sweet at first, slowly the kiss deepens. Luca pressing his weight down more on Rocker, trying to get closer. Rocker grips Luca tighter devouring him and it’s still not enough to convey the depth of feeling they have for each other.
“Tell me again.” Luca sighs breaking contact with Rocker’s lips just enough to make the request.
“I love you Dom” Rocker says kissing him lightly.
“I love you too baby” Luca whispers placing one more kiss on Rocker’s lips and standing up.
“Where are you going?” Rocker asks perplexed.
“I’m going to show you how much I love you.” Luca replies holding out a hand for Rocker, pulling him to his feet, he leads him to the bedroom to make good on the statement.