#nice in a ''another gay person hears it and doesn't let it slide'' way

[gottagobackintime]

I liked that we only got to see Trent look at Colin this episode. Having him observe Colin and then deciding what to do feels like a very Trent thing to do. Yes, Colin kissing Michael where anyone could see is bad if he wants to keep it a secret. And that's a conversation that I'm not getting into now. BUT, what does Trent actually know about Colin in terms of being out or not. He knows that Colin isn't out to the public, obviously, because it would have made headlines. But he doesn't know if Colin is out to his teammates and leaders. We know he isn't but Trent doesn't. He saw Colin and Michael kiss and he heard what Colin said in the latest episode. Yes, Colin brought Michael to Sam's restaurant and introduced him as his pal, his wingman. Trent could have heard that, he was sitting close by, but did he? I mean every shot we got of him he was clearly deep into his own conversation with various people at his table. Would he have picked up what Colin said, and remembered it? I don't think so.

So he observes Colin, because now he knows something new but not enough. And I know that a lot of you feel like Trent should warn him, tell him that he saw them kissing. But honestly, Colin is an adult who knows that there are no out players. He knows that it would make headlines, he knows he's not out to the team, and he still chose to kiss his boyfriend in an alley. Sure he could have been drunk or just wanted to kiss his boyfriend, consequences be damned. But he still chose to do it. So Trent has two choices, act like Colin doesn't have a clue what it's like being gay, telling him he needs to be careful because people can see him if he's kissing his boyfriend in public (which would honestly be condescending) or he doesn't say anything, he waits and sees how Colin acts, to see if he should mention anything to him. Trent has clearly chosen the latter option for now and we'll see where this goes.

There's also the "is Trent gay or not" aspect, I say he is. And if we're going with that assumption we also have to think about, is Trent himself out? Or rather, is he out to people at work. Because coming out isn't a singular event, you'll always come out. Every time you meet someone who doesn't know who you are, you'll have to decide if you're going to come out to them or not. I'm leaning towards him, not being in the closet, but rather him keeping his private life to himself and being open with friends and family. He's not hiding it and he's not ashamed, he just doesn't tell anyone, because it's not relevant when he's at work. And I say that as someone who loves reading fanfics where he is an openly gay sports journalist.

Where am I going with this? I don't know, I never know what my point is. BUT, I do think that we'll see similar scenes of Trent just observing Colin until perhaps the Amsterdam episode. And that's where he tells Colin that he knows and/or that he's gay himself. And then we might see Colin confiding in him and Trent might help him with a statement for when he's ready to tell the world. Because I do believe that he will tell the public. I don't know if it will be because he's been outed or he's doing it of his own free will. I don't really mind, I think they'll give us something that will rip our hearts out either way. But I am a believer in "gay mentor" Trent Crimm, giving Colin someone "in the business" to confide in.

[katedrakeohd]

A Very Merry Birthday (5)

[Masterlist]

Hey let's make this a wacky drabble. This week's prompt #80 Stop looking at me like that

Word count: 2000

Cast of characters: Drake, Kate, Preston Davis. (OC)

Rated PG: talk of mature themes, sexual innuendo

Tagging:

@wackydrabbles @darley1101 @sfb123 @mom2000aggie @fluffyfirewhiskey @jovialyouthmusic @sirbeepsalot @kingliam2019 @no-one-u-know @nikkis1983 @glaimtruelovealways @texaskitten30 @bbrandy2002 @marshmallowsandfire

..

After exiting the stairway, Drake and Kate make their way down the hall to their room. He looked at her nervously as he dug into his pocket for his room key, "Are we really going through with this threesome thing?"

When they arrive at their door, Kate steps in front of Drake. Cupping his face in her hands she pulls him in for a kiss, her voice low, "Yes, we are. I'm only going to turn 27 once and I want it to be special." 

Drake smirks against her mouth and mumbles as their kisses continue, "What's so special about turning 27?"

Kate caresses the back of his neck and runs her fingers through his hair, "Nothing really, but do you know what?"

"Hmm?"

Kate runs the pad of her thumb across his bottom lip, and then licks her own. "I can still taste myself on your mouth and I like it."

Drake presses the room key into her hand and with the other hand goes into his jacket, making sure to slide his palm across her breast before retrieving his phone from the inside pocket. 

"You go on into our room, and I'll give Preston a call."

Kate chuckles, "Be nice to him, and please tell him again that I'm sorry for hurting him."

"I will."

…

Preston is sitting up in bed in his underwear and a t-shirt, with a small bag of ice wrapped in a pillowcase nestled against his groin. The pain had pretty much subsided by this point, but he wanted to make sure there was no chance of swelling. This hadn't been his first blow to the nuts, but knowing how it felt didn't make any time it happened again any less painful. 

Beside him on the bed is a half eaten sandwich on a plate that he had ordered from room service. It was still early in the evening and it bothered him to not have anything to do. If they were back home at Valtoria there would still be another two hours in his work shift. Back at home these were prime party hours and he'd have guests to keep tabs on with his usual crew of guards. If it was a quiet evening with no guests, he'd walk the halls and then patrol the perimeter outside and use the time to go over  the next day's sentry and active guard schedule in his head and get some welcome fresh air.

Once a month there would be an evening poker game amongst the senior staffers, which occasionally the Duke would join in on if the Duchess was away, but mostly it was a fun and casual night for the staff to tell funny anecdotes at their employer's expense. 

Tonight, after clicking through the limited channel options on his room's TV, he had resorted to browsing the social media on his phone. Thankfully the hotel had free wifi. Reaching over he grabs the last part of his sandwich and takes a bite, and then another to finish it. Now that his hand was free he shifted the ice pack to the side and gingerly fondled himself through his underwear. The ice had left him temporarily numb, but there didn't seem to be any unusual swelling so he transferred the ice pack over onto his dinner plate. Laying his phone on his chest he planted his hands on the bed and carefully scooted his ass down the bed so he could lie down on his back. With a sigh he folded his arms behind his head and stared up at the ceiling. 

After a few minutes of studying the crown moulding and lamenting the Ravenhurst's poor choice of wallpaper, he closes his eyes out of boredom. Out in the hallway he can hear the muffled voices of people approaching his room, expecting them to fade as they pass by. But this time they don't. Listening intently he recognizes the low tones of Drake's voice, and the faint inflection of Kate's laughter. So Mr. and Mrs. Smith, or Jones or whatever are back from their dinner date. Hope they had fun. 

There's the click of a door opening and closing and then the muffled footfalls of someone walking away, punctuated by the creek of the wooden floorboards under the carpet. Preston turns his head to look toward the door, curious. Pulling his hand out from behind his head he reaches for his phone before it can slide off his chest.

 …

Drake shoved one hand in his pocket as he paced back and forth in the hallway, looking down at his phone. Of course it had to be the pocket with Kate's panties in it. He bunches them in his fist and sighs in frustration as he picks Preston's name out of his contact folder. How in the hell do I call someone and invite them to be the third person in a sexual situation? Especially when I really don't want him there in the first place? I could lie to her and say that I asked Preston and he declined. Yeah right, Kate's like a human lie detector and would know I'm not telling the truth. 

He presses the message icon on his screen and then stops to lean against the wall. As awkward a conversation this was about to be, it would be better conducted quietly.

The Duke::   Hi Preston, how are you feeling?

There's a brief pause and then Preston responds,

Preston::  I'm doing ok. How can I help you Sir?

The Duke:: I have an unusual request. You're free to decline if you don't feel up to the task.

Preston:: Ok. That's not suspicious at all. 🤔

The Duke:: First some questions. And again you can choose not to answer if you feel they're too personal.

Preston:: Should I be worried? This isn't some dangerous mission is it?

The Duke:: That all depends on how you behave.

Drake grins to himself and rubs his jaw as he waits for Preston to respond. The seconds tick by and then Preston answers.

Preston:: Are you out in the hall?

The Duke:: yes

A few seconds go by and he hears a door open and he looks up to see Preston pop his head out into the hall. 

"Pssst. Over here," he whispers.

Drake pushes away from the wall and tucks his phone into his back pocket. He looks quickly up and down the hall before walking over to Preston's room. He takes in his underdressed state and then grins at him, "You're going to think I'm crazy."

Preston steps back to let Drake step into the room. "Now I'm really curious."

Drake stands in the middle of the room feeling awkward, knowing he still had to ask the questions he had on his mind. Preston gestures toward the chair for Drake to have a seat, but he shakes his head.

"I'd rather stand." I'm too nervous to sit down. "But you might want to sit."

Preston shrugs and then sits down on the end of the bed. "What's on your mind, Sir?"

Drake doesn't know where to start. Just get the personal questions out of the way, you idiot, before you chicken out.

Taking a deep breath in Drake forces himself to push aside his nerves and decides to sit down after all. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and then leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "Ok, then. Question one. Are you currently in a relationship?"

Preston's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, "Uh, no. But why -...?"

Drake holds his hand up to interrupt him, "Just bear with me and then I'll get to the point."

Preston tilts his head, frowning, but crosses his arms and then waits. 

Drake scratches the back of his head, trying to find the words to ask the questions on his mind before he gets to the invitation from Kate.

"Are..are you straight? Gay? Something else?" Drake stammers, feeling anxious.

Preston can't help but laugh, "Are you asking me out on a date Your Grace?"

"I...just answer the question."

Preston shrugs, noting the nervous bounce of Drake's knee and the way he kept averting his eyes. He also couldn't help but notice that his shirt was half unbuttoned already and his hair was slightly messy. "I'm straight...I guess."

Drake looks up, "You guess? Either you are or you aren't.  Stop looking at me like that."

"Well when you get right down to it, these days when you're lonely enough and looking for that kind of pleasure a hole is a hole. If you understand what I mean? Between two consenting adults of course."

Drake wasn't expecting that kind of answer from Preston, and he's suddenly reminded of his own 27th Birthday. But he had one last question before he mentioned the threesome idea. Taking a deep breath he thought about Kate, and how she was expecting Preston to come back with him.

"Well, if you're thinking straight, I want your honest opinion about something."

Preston wasn't sure where this was going, but this had to be the strangest conversation he'd ever had with any boss he's ever had. Was it even ethical to have this kind of conversation? 

"Ok, sure. What do you want to know?"

"How do you feel about my wife?"

Preston wasn't sure how to answer that sort of question without getting a punch to the face. She'd already slapped him and mashed his nuts with her knee, but being the one to escort her to the restaurant had been exciting to say the least. He wasn't sure if he'd interpreted her suggestion correctly, that he should get handsy with her in order to get Drake's attention, or not. Or perhaps he had gone too far. He was certainly confused as to why Drake would show up in his room and start asking personal questions. He decided to keep his answer as ambiguous as possible.

"She's a beautiful woman, and a man would have to be blind not to desire her."

Drake nods, appreciating his answer, "Go on, I think there's more you want to say."

Preston's eyes narrow and he feels uncomfortable with Drake's tone of voice, "If you're trying to lead me on into admitting something as some sort of trap, I'm not falling for it. I was following her orders…"

Again Drake interrupts, "Yes, I get that. What I really want to know is if you enjoyed touching my wife like that?"

Preston carefully considers his answer. Yes, he had liked being able to touch her. But acting like a total ass had earned him a slap and a knee to the groin, and he knew that wasn't acceptable behavior. Kate didn't deserve to be grabbed like that. She had looked like candy wrapped in a red satin bow, and damn she had smelled like it too. He'd love to be lucky enough to have a woman like that. She would be like a gift, one he could unwrap everyday and never get tired of finding the same thing waiting for him on the inside.

"No, I didn't. K...Mrs. Walker shouldn't be touched that way without permission. It was wrong."

Drake's phone chimes and he checks it. He has a text message from Kate.

Kate:: have you asked him yet?

Drake:: getting there, be patient.

Drake looks up from his phone. "Smart answer. Now how would you like the chance to make it right?"

His phone chimes again. 

Preston chuckles, "What do you mean?"

Kate:: this kitty Kat is getting awfully lonely over here, and with an itch that needs to be scratched. It would be a shame if I had to handle it on my own. 😽😈

"Kate...Mrs. Walker, wants me to invite you over to our room. For some fun."

"What sort of fun?"

Drake's phone chimes again.

Kate:: tick tock, Walker. Are you two coming over to play?

"The naked kind."

Preston laughs, "You're right. I do think you're crazy."

Drake stands up. "Well are you in, or not?"

Preston shrugs, "What the Hell, I'm in."

[tuesdaywritesharry]

Angel On Earth

Warning: sensitive content.

“I’m going to love you. You don’t have to love me back. But I’m going to love you with my whole heart. And even if you break my heart, I will always wish the best for you. I’ll love you for me, not for you. Because love is a flower growing in my heart, and if my heart chooses to grow a blue flower for you, I will trust my heart. So I love you. Even if you don’t love me back.” (blueemeloncholia)

If there was one thing that Harry had learned about Y/n in the eight months that he had known her, well that would be the fact that she was too much of a good person. Honestly, Harry could not find a flaw in his neighbor, for god sakes, the way they met was a bit of a fairy tale to him.

He met her when he moved in, and she was riding the elevator down to the garages where he had his Range Rover full of boxes to bring up to his apartment. And those blessed lift doors opened to reveal a dopey looking girl, hair a bit of a natural tousle, sipping at some sort of pink smoothie that looked absolutely delicious for the muggy LA weather in October (wasn’t that the month when the leaves started to change and sweaters started being worn?), and she greeted him with a smile and then a gasp.

“Silly idiot! Bet you don’t even have a water on you, gimme a box, we’ll drop it off at your place and then you’re coming to mine for a lemon and strawberry smoothie. ‘Promise you’ll feel like you’re at Jamba once ya taste it.” And she grabbed the box from his arms, instructed him to grab another box from his car, and they took the elevator to his flat. Granted he was a little suspicious of her, knowing that she might have been a crazy fan that wanted to go through his drawers to get to a pair of his boxers, but soon learned that she was a genuinely kind soul.

And a beautiful friendship sprouted from there.

Harry learned lots more about Y/n as the eight months went on. She loved puppies, because of course she did, she’s practically a puppy herself. Bagels and smoothies are her favorite foods, ironic only for the fact that she was all grumpy in the mornings, and having breakfast made her stomach all queasy and unpleasant. She really liked New York City, and the Glass Animals, and listening to music made her feet twitch to the beats. Her weakness was pet names, her face melted to an emotion he couldn’t explain every time he called her one (“Baby, gimme the remote,” ensued a whine and a soft look.), absolutely loved having her back rubbed. He figured out on his own that she was a fairly lonely person, real independent, and didn’t often reach out to her family for reasons unknown to him.

But she really was lonely, and Harry figures that’s the reason she’s with her prick of a boyfriend.

His name was Kade, and even before Harry had even met him, he was already turned off to him. But eventually, Harry had met him, and god, he hated him. Hated the way that Kade treated Y/n, who Harry was convinced was an actual angel on earth. But god, this boy was a right asshole to her, treated her like the dirt he walked on, and Harry absolutely hated the frown that Y/n wore because of him. All because of fucking Kade.

And one night, god, one night he could hear Y/n crying through the walls, and he was absolutely livid at the boy who he had seen exiting her apartment not even fifteen minutes before. And he wanted to go over to Y/n’s and cuddle her while she spilled all about her life and all about that asswipe, Kade, but he knew that he would end up blowing up about her boyfriend in front of her, so he had to call Niall to be able to calm himself down.

“He’s such a prick, I wanna hurt him. She’s literally sent from heaven, and he’s over here making her cry, and God knows she doesn’t deserve it! I’m so mad, I could go on a rampage. Fucking ‘ell.” He spat, kicked the side of his couch, and then doubled over with a hiss, his toe folded weird as it hit the couch and felt horrible.

“Harry, calm down. Just because you like this lady doesn't mean you’ve got to go abuse her boyfie. Let it be, mate. Slide in after the heartbreak period.” Niall advised, and Harry didn't really like the advice.

“But Ni, she’s a lonely person, I'm guessing she’s only staying with him because he made her feel special and loved. I don't think they will break up because she doesn't want to be alone. I don't think she believes that she deserves better.” Harry huffed out a breath, paused his pace and placed a hand on his hip. “She deserves so much better.” He breathed out, his exhale shaky afterwards.

“H, mate. Are you okay?” Niall questioned softly. Harry took a few more deep breaths, left the call silent for a while in order to compose himself.

“I'm fine, just want better for her.”

“You want her in a relationship with you, that's what you mean ‘better for her.’” Niall deadpanned.

“Come over for a week, hang out with me. We can just hang out and talk over our music.” Harry changed the subject, and Niall let a little laugh out.

“Next week, text me your address. See ya.” And with that, they hung up. And maybe Harry paced a little bit more as he heard her sobs continue through the walls, bit at his lips, but he promised himself not to go over to her.

“I brought smoothies, because for some weird reason you’ve been ignoring me, and I know you love my smoothies and friends don’t ignore each other for long times.” She reasoned as soon as he opened the door.

She pushed her way through the doorway, and he noticed as she passed him by, he looked at her and missed her cute little uniqueness. Loved the way that her clothes tended to be very soft, looked very soft too, and she always smelled like lemons and sugar. And yes, it might have only been April, but it was so hot outside (thank you, California.) and so she wore shorts and a worn out t-shirt, her hair put on top of her head. And a small, small inkling of a thought crossed Harry’s mind that he wanted to push to the side immediately, that maybe he was starting to fall in love with the girl next door. And it was such a cliche itch in the back of his mind, the neighbor falls in love with neighbor, and yet he couldn’t control who his heart grappled on to.

“Wasn’t ignoring you, puppy. Just had other plans.” He explained, closed the door behind him and locked it, trailed after her as she walked to his kitchen. She shoved a smoothie into his hand, and he smiled at her. “Hi.” He greeted, pulled her into a hug. “My mate Niall is here, you’re gonna meet him.” He told her softly, the two of them still pressed together.

“Mm, you smell good. Are you trying to impress someone, that why you put on cologne?” She teased, finally pulled away from him and he took a sip of the smoothie she had given him.

“Of course, did I not tell you I’m gay? ‘m trying to sway Niall.” He joked, and then felt hands lock around his waist, a chin rest on his shoulder.

“Awe, darling. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I’d love to make Narry happen.” Niall kissed Harry’s cheek closest to him, and Harry giggled along with it. Harry widened his eyes at Y/n, a bright grin lighting up his face.

“You hear that Y/n? I think it was the cologne!” Harry spouted, and Niall pushed off of Harry, ended the little banter and went out to the left of him and wrapped Y/n in a warm, quick hug. He pulled away from Y/n and smiled at her.

“I’m guessing you’re Y/n, I’m Niall. It’s nice to finally meet you.” He greeted. Y/n smiled back, and sipped at her smoothie.

“Nice to meet you too, how much did this dolt spill about me?”

“Plenty, but nothing scarring, don’t worry.” Niall winked at her and she tried to quickly hide the blush that formed. She turned and Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulder, felt her form melt into him. “Although he did tell me about your little quirk with pet names, and how he likes to call you Puppy.” Y/n let out a whining noise as Niall revealed this to her, hid her face into Harry’s shirt.

“Spend the night here, we can have a sleepover. I’ll let you pick the movie.” Harry spoke into her hair. He looked up to see Niall looking at him with a faux pout. “Maybe Niall can join.” He added.

“Of course Niall can join, would be rude to not invite him.”

Niall watched them that night, on another couch they cuddled, and whispered to each other soft meanings. They were tangled in a mess of limbs that just seemed to fit together, and Harry kept petting at her hair, to which she seemed to enjoy quite a bit. To be honest, Niall couldn’t quite keep focus on the movie, well until the end because that was when the entire movie started to make sense and it was captivating. But before the last fifteen minutes of the film, Niall’s eyes would drift between the screen and the cuddled ones.

Because he could see the love blossoming between the two, even if they couldn’t see it themselves. Because Niall tended to be a shipper. And hell yes, he shipped them.

It was that night in Harry’s bed that they found themselves breathing in each other, the scents of each other and savoring it. He kept loving on her, gave her back rubs galore, and she kissed his chest in return. His feelings boiled about Kade once more silently, wished that the girl in his bed could live in his bed with him, instead of down the hall to the right, the apartment right next to his, where he could hear her crying some nights.

“I don’t understand how you don’t see that you deserve better than him.” He blurted, and she tensed. “Know you’re lonely, puppy, but you wouldn’t have to be, I got you.” He soothed with a finger skim over the skin of her neck.

“I don’t know how to love myself, I’m just a mess of a person who doesn’t even know how to let people ignore me properly. I shove myself into people’s lives and then don’t know how to get out.” She whispered, her head still not facing his.

“I can help you get out. And how many times do I have to say it, I wasn’t ignoring you.” He replied, and she turned her head to face him with eyes backed up with tears.

“He's so mean to me, Harry. So mean, and I hate it. Pretty sure he's a verbal abuser.” She let a drop slide from her eye, and he felt in on his clothes chest.

“Baby, what does he do?” He asked hesitantly, and Y/n looked to her fingers that traced patterns on his shirt.

“Calls me names, tells me I'm worthless and that's why my family doesn't talk to me anymore. Um, sometimes he kinda uses me.” He starts to feel more of her tears soak through the shirt underneath her head.

“Uses you how?” He questions, and has a inkling of the answer, just doesn't want it to be true. Doesn't want to know that his precious little neighbor, the one he swears is an angel on earth, is being used by her boyfriend for carnal acts.

“I guess he sexually abuses me.” She breathes, and Harry’s eyes well up. “But maybe it's not, because I don't really say anything against it. I mean, it's the only thing that really keeps him around, so I just let it happen.” She admits quickly, not wanting to frame fucking Kade as an abuser without telling all sides of the story. “I just don't want to be alone, Harry. I'm sick of being lonely. And I mean, I thought that if that’s what would make him stay, then that’s what I would do.”

She bursted out into sobs on his chest, suddenly becoming fully aware of how she was becoming a piece of a person, becoming a shell that Kade could use for pleasure. And Harry wanted to do the same as her, wanted to violently cry, but her emotions were more valuable in the moment, so he held her tight, soothed her with quiet words, and silently prayed that Kade would rot in hell one day.

It took another two months for Y/n to break up with Kade, a lot of long nights of tears in Harry’s bed while they talked over her relationship with Kade, and it was on the night of their tenth month friend-iversarry that Y/n finally spoke up to Harry with a firm voice, all hints of teariness about the subject gone.

“I broke up with him, I’m done.” She stated, and Harry ignored the way his heart jumped excitedly in his chest. Y/n, his unofficial girl, was free. “He’s rude, and I’m done.” She nodded to herself in agreement to her statement, a tickle of a smile hinting at her lips before it fell to an almost frown. Her head then fell from looking Harry confidently in the eye. “Just… just please don’t leave me.” Her tone shifted to one of vulnerability, and Harry jolted forward to where she was sat to take her in his arms.

“I told you, puppy. I got you.”