#rhett wanted to keep patting the back of link's head

[jula483]

awww 🥰

(x)

[captainsourwolf]

I believe @castielspsychnerd called me “delightfully rude” for the little preview she got of this. So everyone enjoy.

*please mind the tags, I know some people don’t like these kinds of fics*

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It’s his wife’s fault. All her damn fault. She brought it up and now Link can’t stop thinking about it. A simple, stupid observance that set his pulse racing and his dick twitching in interest, and fuck if he doesn’t blame every thought that’s crossed his mind since on her.

So what if he blushed when she mentioned how pretty of a mouth Rhett has? And so what if he squirmed when she mentioned wanting to know what he tastes like? It’s not like—

Okay it’s a lot like. She said what she said and Link squirmed and blushed just at the mere mention of his best friend’s mouth. And then when she smirked and left the room he hid in the bathroom and got off quicker than he has in a long time; wrapped his hand around his rapidly swelling cock and thought of nothing but Rhett’s pretty mouth wrapped around it until he was biting his lip and cumming so hard his toes curled against the tiles.

And it’s definitely her fault he’s spread out on the bed hours later, dick hard and leaking a sticky trail down his length and on her knuckles, hands clenched in the sheets, and moaning shamelessly while she runs her mouth. She’s got her hand wrapped around his shaft, just loose and unmoving, holding him as she talks. With every murmur and tease her lips brush his skin and make his muscles shake. He moans again and she laughs, kisses the tip of his cock.

“Baby—“

Link huffs and raises his hips to try and get her mouth around him. But she won’t do it. Not yet. She’s too busy using it to drag filthy images to his mind about Rhett.

“Think he’s good at sucking a cock?” Link gasps and Christy giggles. “Such a small mouth, bet it’s nice and tight. You ever thought about it?” He chances a glance down at her, sees her flushed face and pretty eyes and tousled hair, her small hand wrapped around him; she’s smirking at him and when she sees him looking she winks.

And the thing is he has thought about it. He’s thought about it so much. More than he probably should. But he’s found himself thinking about Rhett sucking him off multiple times, often when he’s by himself or even when his wife is the one doing it. He’s wondered what it would feel like to slip his dick into that mouth, how far he could go before Rhett chokes, how nice it would be to thread his fingers through that stupid manbun and fuck Rhett’s face.

Groaning, Link jerks his hips up, tries again to get her on his cock. There’s that damn laugh again. “You gonna suck me off or keep running your mouth?” he huffs. She squeezes her hand around the base and strokes him once, twice, a third time to spread his mess around, and then she’s finally, blissfully wrapping her lips around his cockhead and running her tongue through the slit.

Link can’t remember the last time he was this wet, this horny for someone, but every little lick across his slit and every press of her tongue against that one spot under the head has him drooling an excessive amount of precum. She grins around him then sinks lower, backs off too fast and leaves him whining for more.

“Ever wondered how far he can go, baby?” Link kicks at her lightly, foot connecting with her hip. She laughs that sweet little laugh and starts stroking him slowly, languidly like she’s got all the time in the world. Link wouldn’t mind keeping it like this, just the two of them because they have the house to themselves, but he’d also really like to cum; feels like she’s been teasing him for hours. “Have you?”

Link moans softly, throwing an arm across his face as he blushes. “Yeah, yeah, I have,” he mutters. Her hand speeds up at his admission and she rubs her thumb across the head the way he likes, then she’s taking him in again; sinks as low as she can and hollows her cheeks on the way back. Link tangles his free hand in her hair and guides her the way he wants. He knows how much she can take and if he closes his eyes he can almost imagine it’s Rhett’s curls he’s holding onto and Rhett’s willing mouth he’s thrusting into.

They stay that way for a few moments, Link’s moans getting higher and louder. She sucks him hard and groans around him and uses her other hand to play with his balls. He squirms, she dips lower, pressing a knuckle into his taint briefly then lower still where she runs her index finger around his hole.

“I know you’ve fingered yourself thinkin’ about him, lord knows I have,” she starts, eyebrow raising in a challenge—don’t judge me. Link chokes on his protest; there’s no denying it, she knows everything about him, almost as well as Rhett does. “Think he can do it better? Better than me, even?”

Link whines high and loud and threads his fingers through his hair, holding on tightly as she leaves a trail of kisses on his inner thighs and the length of his cock and then she’s disappearing. She leans across the bed to the nightstand and grabs the almost-empty bottle of lube.

“He’s got such thick fingers, baby, I bet they’d feel real nice stretching you open.” Link swallows around a moan, hips rocking. The cap pops open and then she’s got one slick finger up against his hole, smearing the lube around his skin before pressing in with just the tip. “How many could you take?”

She doesn’t give him time to even think of a comeback before she’s slipping her finger in the rest of the way, easy and slow, and licking his cock from the base to the head. Link jerks and groans, heart hammering away in his chest, precum pooling on his belly. Another quiet laugh then she’s pulling her finger out and applying more lube; she comes back with two fingers this time and her mouth sinking down his cock.

It’s too much all at once. He’s torn between enjoying the sensation of his wife blowing him and fingering him at the same time, and thinking about it being Rhett instead. God his mouth would be wonderful but his fingers would probably feel even better; one, two, three of them fucking Link open the same way she’s doing, brushing his prostate teasingly, stroking harder on every pass and driving him closer and closer to bliss. Link tries to focus on who’s actually here, yet his mind still wanders.

She started it after all. So really it’s also her fault he can’t stop thinking about Rhett. What would his fingers feel like? His mouth? The wet heat of him and the thickness of his fingers in tandem could get Link off faster than her, he just knows it. And fuck what about his cock? Rhett’s so big everywhere. Link would be so damn full and stretched and can just imagine the slick heat of him, taking care to go nice and slow and then fucking Link through the mattress—

Link’s cumming, surprised and fast, right into her mouth with a strangled moan, hand winding into her hair to hold her there until he’s finished, ass clenching around her fingers. Rhett would fuck him through it, pin him down and thrust into him hard and fast till he’s fighting oversensitivity. But he knows he’d beg for Rhett to cum inside him, fill him up and let it spill out of him, and the thought has him jerking through another wave, cock dribbling out a weak stream onto her tongue.

With a whine he slips from Christy’s mouth and she pulls her fingers out. Link feels her settling on top of him, thighs squeezing around his hips to get his attention. He looks up at her, at the pretty pink pout of her mouth and the bit of cum and spit at the corner and her mess of blonde hair, and grins.

“Feelin’ good right about now?” She grins back and pats his sweaty chest. Link giggles and sits up on his elbows. “As hard as you just came, I hope you’re feelin’ better than good.”

A blush heats up his cheeks. She wiggles and grabs his chin, tilting his head up for a kiss. He’ll give her as many kisses as she wants if it means they do that again. When she goes to sit back Link tangles fingers in her hair and pulls her back down, kissing her deeper and harder.

“Your turn?” Link murmurs, other hand trailing down her front and finding the waistband of her panties. She stays for a second, lets him dip his fingertips underneath the fabric, lets him get close enough to make her shiver, but she sighs and grabs his wrist.

“I’m going to clean up. Take care of things myself.” She says it simply as she rolls off of him and to the edge of the bed. “Maybe later we can revisit this. You’re not the only one that’s noticed how hot your best friend is. Or his wife.” Link chokes out a quiet moan and flops back to the bed; his cock gives a valiant effort at rallying but remains completely spent on his thigh.

“I’m gonna hold you to it,” Link says and delivers a light swat to her hip. Her laugh makes his belly flutter and his pulse quicken again. He watches her grab her robe from the floor before standing and heading for their bathroom.

“Oh and don’t forget,” she turns at the door, a sly smile on her lips and winks, “the McLaughlins are coming over for dinner later.”

Link just grabs a pillow and tries to smother himself with it.

[rhinkthreeways]

Memory (angsty version)

The door of the little room opened and a bespectacled man stepped in. Rhett had been lying on his bed, leafing through a book he couldn’t actually concentrate on. When he heard the door, his heart skipped a beat and his head snapped up to greet his favorite guest.

Link stepped in warily. He still did that, despite it being weeks since Rhett had gotten over the first hurdle and started to make new memories.

“Hey, buddy,” Link said, inching into the room. “How are you feeling today?”

Rhett threw the book on his nightstand and sat up. “I’m good. You?”

“Great, great. I, um… I bought you something.” Link was fiddling with a paper bag, looking nervous. Rhett tried to school his face into a welcoming smile. The hurt that so clearly plagued Link seeped through his smiling features. The smile was fake, a mask Link had trouble keeping on.  

The pain of the blue-eyed man was a constant in Rhett’s blank existence, a reed of hope he’d clung onto after the accident. Not that he remembered the accident. He remembered hardly anything from before he woke up. He’d been told he’d slept for three months. There had been a car accident, someone ran a red, came out of nowhere.

“What is it?” Rhett asked, nodding for Link to come closer. Link walked up to the bed and sat gingerly at the foot of it. He handed Rhett the bag and for the briefest of moments, there was a genuine smile on his face.

“You used to love these.”

Rhett smiled back, a warmth filling his chest. He hoped he still did. He wanted to make Link happy. Wanted to see more of that genuine smile, wanted to see the rare twinkle in his eyes. 

But most of all, Rhett wanted to remember.

So far, there were only flashes. The feel of his mother’s hand on his forehead when he was sick as a child. The sound of gravel crunching under the tire of his bike. A song by Merle that made him feel sad and happy at the same time, but he didn’t know why. And the sound of moving water, a river. How the sun felt on his drying skin, making it tight around his growing limbs. A warm touch on his thigh. Laughter that had to be Link. Rhett wasn’t actually sure; he couldn’t see a face in connection with the tingling laugh, but the way it made him feel was the same he felt every time Link walked into the room—warm and happy and at home.

Rhett worked hard on those little pieces of memories. He tried to see beyond the flashes. The doctors said there was a fifty-fifty chance. Either it would all come back or it wouldn’t. 

“This one year, on your birthday, we went to get those together,” Link said, pulling Rhett back to reality. “It was a good day.” Link’s voice was wistful and the pain was there—a constant undercurrent in everything he said to Rhett. It slashed at Rhett’s tender heart and made him imagine all sorts of strange things. Like pulling Link into his embrace and kissing his temple. Or snuggling with him under a heavy blanket, noses brushing together, whispering quietly. He wasn’t sure why he wanted those things. There was nothing that Link had said that suggested that they were anything more than friends.

Rhett opened the bag and pulled out a burger of sorts. “What is it?” he asked, turning it in his hands, hoping for a new flash.

“A McRib.”

There was a faint tickle at the back of Rhett’s mind, a taste of a memory or maybe the memory of a taste. He smiled at Link, but he was staring at the wall, lost in his memory. Rhett studied the profile of his supposed best friend and wished he could climb inside his head and see what he was seeing.

“It’s really good,” Rhett mumbled, mouth filled with beef and bun. Link jerked and turned to look at him, eyes wide and hopeful.

“You remember?”

“Oh,” Rhett paused to swallow hard. “No, sorry, I meant it tastes good… now.”

Link’s expression fell only for a moment, but he gathered himself quickly and gave Rhett a friendly pat on the back. “We’ll get there, buddy.”

Rhett took another bite, praying that Link was right.

They sat like that, a good couple of feet between them, and talked for a while. Well, it was mostly Link who talked. Rhett just listened. Link recounted random stories from their past. Some almost as old as they were, others so new they were still fresh in Link’s mind, barely corrupted by the telling and re-telling that morphed memories into legends. Rhett tried to soak up every word, hoping that if he got himself saturated enough, he would finally remember.

“Time for your physical therapy,” a nurse said from the doorway, interrupting a tale of a vacation gone wrong. Link jumped up and nodded to the older woman before turning towards Rhett, who rose much more slowly with the help of his walker.

“Okay, I’ll be back tomorrow,” Link said, coughing away the tremor that laced his voice. Rhett nodded and smiled, following Link to the door. At the last moment, Link turned, rushed around the walker and wrapped his arms around Rhett’s waist. Rhett let out a small huff as the smaller—but still substantial—body slammed against him. Carefully, he let go of his walking aid and wrapped his arms around Link’s slim figure. Link pressed his face into Rhett’s chest and shuddered.

Rhett’s chest tightened. Link hadn’t cried in front of him in weeks. They stood like that for a while, the nurse waiting patiently at a respectful distance. Rhett’s palm stroked calming circles into Link’s trembling back.

“I’m trying. I know I’ll be back to normal soon. I promise. I promise, bo,” Rhett murmured against the top of Link’s head. The man in his arms froze mid-sob and Rhett looked down, meeting a pair of crystalline-blue eyes. Link’s lips were pulled into a bewildered smile.

“What?” Rhett asked.

“You— you called me ‘bo’.”

Rhett’s mind rewound, stopping at the word that had slipped through the cracks of the barrier in his mind.  

“Bo,” he repeated.

“Bo,” Link encouraged, smiling still, smiling that genuine smile that made Rhett feel tingly and alive.

And that’s when… he started to remember.

[winchesterandpie]

Your Hand in My Hand (Fili x reader)

Pairing: Modern!Fili x reader

Modern!AU

Word Count: 1876

Warnings: pretty much just fluff!

A/N: So, guess who forgot until now that today is Fili Friday? That’s right, this girl! But I remembered, so you actually get this on Fili Friday! Based on the song “Die A Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett - it came on my spotify and this just kinda... happened? (Btw, link goes to the music video) Anyways, it hasn’t really been proofread, but hopefully there aren’t any glaring errors. Gif is not mine (got it from Google). Lyrics are in italics. Hope you enjoy!

Baby last night was hands down

One of the best nights

That I've had no doubt

Between the bottle of wine

And the look in your eyes and the Marvin Gaye

Then we danced in the dark under September stars in the pourin' rain

“Fili, look! It’s raining!” you nudged his arm excitedly as the falling droplets began to sound against the porch roof above them, though it didn’t drown out the old radio next to you.

“I see it, love,” Fili chuckled. You were too fascinated by the rain pouring down just a few feet away from you to see him looking down softly at you. He could live on the sight of you lighting up at the little joys you took from life. 

“Well? Don’t just sit there! C’mon!” You were slipping out from under his arm, standing up from the porch swing before he could react.

“What are you doing?”

“You promised me a dance in the rain! I’m cashing it in!” 

“Love, it’s pouring,” he said as though you couldn’t see it. 

“That’s… that’s the point, Fee.”

“I don’t want you catching hypothermia.” You grinned up at him, utterly unconcerned about the possibilities, your only care in the world was getting to dance with Fili in the rain. 

“I… Just one, alright?” You were his only soft spot, as his brother often teased him when they visited. He let you tug him up from his seat, using his other hand to turn up the music before pulling you into him with surprising speed. 

His hand on your hip was probably the only thing keeping you from melting into him as you tried to keep up with him through the twists and turns. It wasn’t long before you were both soaked, your hair plastered to your head. Fili was still a little worried about your hypothermia risk but as your grin continued to sparkle up at him, his concern was fading to the background. 

When you giggled… oh when he heard you laugh with that reckless abandon, he was lost. One song turned into two, and more inevitably followed as you drowned in each other and the music.

And I know that I can't ever tell you enough

That all I need in this life is your crazy love

If I never get to see the Northern lights

Or if I never get to see the Eiffel Tower at night

Oh if all I got is your hand in my hand

Baby, I could die a happy man

A happy man, baby, hmm

The next morning, Fili looked over at you, still sound asleep on the other side of the bed. The lazy sunlight hadn’t disturbed you yet, allowing him a few more precious moments to trace the contours of your face with his adoring gaze. 

When you stirred, he immediately was concerned that he’d made some noise that disturbed you, but all you did was shift closer to him, cuddling into his chest before settling back down. Gently, he dropped a kiss to the top of your head, seized with the urge to express how utterly and completely in love he was with you. In his heart, he knew there were no words that could ever convey it fully but nothing would keep him from taking every opportunity to try.

With you held securely in his arms, his mind wandered to the dreams he’d had before meeting you. Now, they looked like nothing more than amusing diversions, for he was content to give all of them up if it meant waking up with you in his arms like this every morning.

Baby and that red dress brings me to my knees

Oh but that black dress makes it hard to breathe

You're a saint, you're a goddess, the cutest, the hottest, a masterpiece

It's too good to be true, nothing better than you

In my wildest dreams

Fili heard your footsteps on the stairs, but nothing could’ve prepared him for the sight of you. The black dress fit you just right and his breath hitched as you came toward him. 

“Is it ok?” You sounded nervous, almost timid as you asked, unsure how to interpret his stare.

“Darling, you…” He shook his head wonderingly, crossing the distance between you and grasping your upper arms as he looked you up and down again. Eventually, he realized he didn’t have words and opted to touch his forehead to yours instead. Blush spread across your cheeks faintly at the sheer depth of love in his gaze.

“How did I get so lucky?” he whispered, his lips brushing against yours with every word until he gave in and kissed you thoroughly.

I don't need no vacation, no fancy destination

Baby, you're my great escape

We could stay at home, listen to the radio

Or dance around the fireplace

Fili could really do with a vacation. That’s what he told himself as he returned from work, tired of dealing with the endless meetings, uncooperative colleagues, and clients that were occasionally downright rude.

You knew something was off when you heard the door shut and Fili didn’t call out a greeting to you as he usually did. Just as well you’d decided to make his favorite for dinner when you’d gotten off work early today. Still, his sweet tooth made you think it might be better to take him a plate of dessert first. Going with that idea, you cut a slice of the confection for the both of you.

He didn’t look over as you set the dessert on the side table, barely reacting as you settled next to him on the couch. 

“You wanna talk about it?” you offered quietly. Fili shook his head but finally turned to you, allowing you to see the exhaustion written over every inch of him. Gently, but insistently, you tugged him into your embrace. 

Slowly, he melted into you, his nose pressed into the crook of your neck as your fingers carded through his hair. You smiled as Fili pressed a soft kiss where his lips rested on your skin, muttering a quiet “Thank you” against your neck.

Later in the evening, when dinner was gone and second helpings of dessert had disappeared from the plates, it was like the day at work and its gloom had disappeared as well. Your wildly exaggerated impression of an interaction at work had left him in stitches of laughter, and you were satisfied that he was alright. 

Doing the dishes together, the radio was on in the background as it so often was. His arms slid around your waist and you turned to face him. You giggled at the feigned indignant noise he made when you buried your soap-bubbly fingers into his blond hair.

Only you could ever make him feel weightless like this, make his troubles vanish as easily as the rising sun banished the night’s darkness.

And if I never get to build my mansion in Georgia

Or drive a sports car up the coast of California

Well if all I got is your hand in my hand

Baby, I could die a happy man

Strolling through the park, Fili couldn’t help but admire how you seemed to glow in the light of the lampposts. In all the time he’d known you, you’d turned his world upside down in so many ways. Plans he’d made long ago lay forgotten in distant memory. He found he didn’t mind the loss, so long as he had you smiling at him like you were now. 

Sure, he’d taken you on what he would consider the most romantic date of your relationship so far (not to pat himself on the back or anything), but it didn’t matter if all he’d done was put his arm around your shoulder absentmindedly at home. You always looked at him like he was your world. You certainly were his. 

Impulsively, he grasped your hand tighter and pulled you off the main path toward a less frequented one. 

“Fee, wait up! You know I can’t keep up in these shoes!” you giggled as you stumbled along after him.

“Sorry, love.” He grinned a little sheepishly, consciously slowing his pace so you were beside him. “I got excited.”

You didn’t say anything, but time seemed to slow for Fili as you returned a fond smile. That was all he needed to solidify his resolve as he slowed to a stop. You didn’t notice immediately, going a few steps farther before realizing he was no longer by your side.

“Fee?”

As you turned, your hand lifted to your mouth when you saw him on one knee in front of you. Blue eyes nervously met yours as his words seemed to stick in his throat. His stomach felt like it was full of butterflies? No, more like it was filled to the brim with hyperactive dragons.

“Y/N, I… I love you,” he started, nerves settling when he saw the emotion in your sparkling eyes. “Life’s been better since you’ve been by my side. I don’t mean that it’s necessarily gone smoothly because there was the time when the apartment caught fire, and the other time when I got fired, and then the one time we decided to go camping and nature decided there should be a blizzard… in September…” Fili cut himself off in the middle of his ramblings when you loosed a watery chuckle at the memories. 

“I guess, what I’m trying to say is that I don’t really care what happens after this, because I know that I could get through anything so long as I’ve got your hand in my hand,” His blue gaze never left yours while he pulled the ring from his pocket before continuing. “So what do you say? Will you face it all with me? Will you marry me, love?”

Your mouth opened, but no words came out, so you shut it again and just nodded. You reached out with both hands as you approached him, falling into his embrace when you were close enough. He missed the feel of you as he pulled back just enough to cradle your cheek in his hand for a moment, brushing away the tears that slipped free. 

Just when he didn’t think it got any better, when he was ready to wish he could freeze that moment forever with you, you surged forward to kiss him and the world faded. You kissed him soundly, inexpressibly joyous and so in love with Fili. 

When the two of you finally parted slowly, you nudged his nose with yours as your eyes sparkled gleefully, not quite ready for it to be over. Gently, he lifted your left hand to press a kiss to the knuckles before sliding the ring onto your finger. 

Eventually, of course, you had to return to your apartment, so he offered his hand for you to take. Without hesitation, you intertwined your fingers with his, impulsively leaning close to steal another quick kiss to his lips before allowing him to lead the way home. As you walked hand in hand, he gazed wonderingly down at you, unsure exactly how he’d gotten so lucky as to have you love him so. 

And oh how he loved you in return.

Thanks for reading guys!! Love you all!

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[apparentlynotreallyfinnish]

Moonlit Lovers - Part 1/2

I would like to gift this silly, little tale to @secondhand-watermelon. I couldn’t stop thinking about what Link said about a shadow falling in love with a person and when Melon threw in the idea of the shadow morphing into Rhett, I was compelled to write this. 

---

If you step out the side gate of the Capitol, face the highest peak of the mountains encircling the kingdom and travel as far east as you can, you might happen upon a small village. It might be hard to find, since it’s tucked between a river as wide as seven horses nose to tail and cliff side so steep one would need special equipment to climb it. The village is there, though, to be found should you want to visit. And if you do, you will be welcomed with open arms. 

You’ll be told they barely ever get travelers. They have no riches, nor do they possess any knowledge to share that an average person would deem valuable. They don’t know more about fishing than the folk from the villages along the shore. They grow their crops the same way as every other farmer across the kingdom. Despite the proximity of the mountains, they don’t even have access to valuable ore or ingenious ways to mold it. But what they do have, is stories.

If you find this village, Brittlebell, as it’s called by its dwellers, named after the white, puffy flower that grows on the side of the mountain, you’ll be escorted to a house bigger than the rest. You’ll be seated into a dining room, large enough to fit most of the villagers, and served a delicious meal. After the meal, a man will sit by your side and ask whether you’re there by chance or for the legends. If your answer is the latter, he’ll give you a crooked, pleased smile and pour you a big mug of honey mead. And then he’ll tell you a story. And if you are fortunate enough, he’ll tell you my favorite story. The story of the Moonlit Lovers.

—

Many years ago, in a village called Brittlebell, a boy was born to a couple that had wished for a child for years and years. His mother was the school teacher and his father was the village carpenter. They named the baby Lincoln, but his name soon shortened into Link. Link’s father couldn’t wait for Link to grow up and follow in his footsteps, working at the wood shop. Link’s mother couldn’t wait for Link to grow up and marry a nice girl and give his Mama a bunch of grandchildren to fuss over. They loved their boy dearly and he loved them just as much.

Link was like any other child. He spent his days playing in the small patch of woods behind the village or swimming in the river with the other kids. His childhood was happy and full of laughter. But as he grew past the early years, something changed. The other children started to avoid him. It was subtle at first, but by the time he was in his late teens, Link knew that there was something wrong with him. He had no friends, no one to spend his time with or to share his woes. His peers moved around him hesitantly, whispering and pointing when they thought he didn’t see. Link tried to ask them what he’d done wrong to deserve the poor treatment, but all he got was widened eyes and hushed apologies. He even asked his Mama, hoping she could explain the unexplainable, but all his mother did was smile sadly and pet his hair.

When Link turned eighteen, his father took him on as an apprentice. The day had been long-awaited and Link was excited to please his father. Beyond that, his heart’s deepest hope was that if he learned a trade his peers would accept him back into their midst. But it was easier said than done. There was no better man to teach the secrets of woodcarving than Link’s father. He showed Link all of his tips and tricks, told him how to choose the right piece of wood and how to mold it from the inside out rather than from the outside in. He showed his son the most beautiful pieces he’d made and encouraged him to try out all the different techniques in search of the one that suited him the best. 

Link could see the beauty of his father’s work and he wanted nothing more than to make him proud. So, he tried. He tried hard. He used the tools, used his hands, did everything he could, but to his disappointment, the wood wouldn’t cooperate like it did with his father. It wouldn’t reveal itself like it did to his father. Link’s creations were far from beautiful and barely usable. His father patted him on the shoulder after each one and told him that he would learn. Each time, he sounded less and less confident and it became increasingly hard for Link to see the disappointment on his father’s face.

After one particularly disastrous workday—Link had managed to chisel his foot instead of the piece of acacia he had been working on—instead of going home for supper, Link ran to the river. He sat at the riverbank, watching the sun set and the moon rise. The moon was full that night—a silver orb so luminous it almost rivaled the light of day. Teary-eyed, Link stared at the shimmering reflection it cast over the slowly moving water.

At first, he thought it was the wind that brushed a lock of hair from his face. He shivered and tucked his hair behind his ear. But when he felt the touch again, he realized it was too warm for the season. Link turned, expecting to see his Mama or maybe even his father, but all he saw was his own shadow cast onto the sand by the bright moonlight. 

As soon as Link turned back towards the river, confused and frightened, he felt the touch again. This time it was a soft caress across his cheek, wiping away the drying tears of frustration. Startled, Link jumped up and around, his hands tightening into trembling fists.

“Who goes there? What are you playing at?” he croaked, words as shaky as his legs. No one answered. But something wasn’t quite right; something about the empty riverbank made his stomach twist and turn. It took a while for him to realize what it was. 

His shadow was still sitting.

Link stared at it for a beat, blinking a few times, making sure he wasn’t mistaken. He was standing, but the shadow still sat on the riverbank. Link swirled around, eyes on the ground, hoping to see his actual shadow, hoping, for once, that he was being teased, that this was a strange prank concocted by the unkindest of his peers. Unable to find anything, he had to accept that what he was seeing was real. He turned back to look at his disobedient shadow.

“H-hello?” Link stammered, nudging the edge of shadow with his boot. The shadow shivered, its edges blurring and sharpening, but it didn’t get up. Slowly, Link sank back down onto the sand, facing his shadow—or the creature that had taken its place. Because surely this couldn’t be his shadow, surely it was a creature of the night, something from folktales, something sinister and old that had taken the place of his shadow.

“What are you?” Link asked, trying to keep his voice level and brave. The shadow moved, making Link jerk back and yelp. After he regained his composure, he saw that the shadow was now sitting like him, legs crossed, head tilted to the side. Since there was no clear attempt at hurting him, Link settled.

He sat like that for a long time, staring at the apparition before him. It didn’t talk, not with words at least, but Link felt like he could sense its thoughts somehow. Not words exactly, more like its mood, its feelings. And what he felt was undeniably good. With every passing moment, Link became more and more certain that the creature was a friend. As the knowledge solidified in his mind, the shadow seemed to grow darker.  

“Who are you?” Link whispered, his voice filled with curiosity. The shadow lifted its arm and instead of moving across the ground as a normal shadow would, it rose into the air, looking almost like it was made of swirling black smoke. Link’s eyes widened and he sat frozen in place, waiting for another touch—craving it, in fact. 

But just when the shadowy fingers were about to brush over Link’s lips, he heard his Mama calling for him. There was a sudden feeling of air being forcibly pulled from Link’s lungs and he gasped and coughed, trying to catch his breath. When he was able to gather himself, his Mama was walking down the riverbank and his shadow… was just a normal shadow—if not a bit too big for him.

After that night, Link returned to the riverbank every night after work. He sat right where he had, peeking over his shoulder, hoping to see his shadow move on its own, hoping to feel the soft touch on his cheek. But nothing happened. 

Not until Link had almost given up. A month later, he was walking towards the river, weaving between small houses, crossing the narrow main street, bathing in the moonlight when something—someone?—tugged at his shirt sleeve. 

Link stopped and with his heart beating wildly, slowly turned to look behind him. His shadow was painted onto the cobbles of the road, its shoulders broad and its chest wide and hair on its head a mane of wild curls. Link glanced at his own slim waist, lean,and much shorter hair and then looked back at the shadow.

The shadow waved.

Link let out a surprised laugh and immediately slapped a palm over his mouth not to attract attention. He felt the shadow’s soundless laughter fill his chest and tickle at his throat. 

“Hi,” he whispered, glancing around them to make sure they were alone. “I was afraid I’d imagined you.”

The shadow shook its head and pointed. Link frowned, trying to figure out what it was pointing at. The shadow wiggled his finger determinedly and finally, drew a circle with it. Link’s head snapped towards the sky and at the full moon lighting the village below.

“Oh,” he said as the realization hit him. “The full moon? You can only do this when it’s a full moon?”

The shadow nodded and did a small, happy dance, the edges of its long legs undulating against the uneven stones. Link smiled and bit his lip as not to laugh again. He felt elated and somehow, he knew that part of the feeling of pure joy he felt wasn’t his—it was the shadow’s.

“Can you do that thing again? With your hand?” Link asked, thrilled with the possibility.

The shadow nodded and ever so slowly, its arm rose from the road, its faded form made from plumes of black smoke. Awed, Link reached for it. Their fingers intertwined, one hand made of flesh and blood and bone, the other of something otherworldly. Link’s skin buzzed and tingled and his heart darted into an ear-ringing beat. 

A door opened a few houses down and a group of voices started closing in on them. Panicked, Link pulled the shadow up and dragged it along with him, rushing off from the road, hiding behind the closest building. The voices grew louder and eventually passed, but Link’s heart refused to slow down. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths, willing himself to calm down.

“Sssssh.”

Link’s eyes flew open. Was that the evening wind, swishing against the shell of his ear? He had to blink a few times, confused about his vision suddenly being blurry. 

“Ssssafe,” a voice whispered into his ear, lodging Link’s heart into his throat. He realized that the blurriness was not a problem with his eyes, it was the shadow, standing in front of him, standing against him, with its mouth hovering right next to Link’s ear.

“You can talk?!” Link cried out and the shadow shushed him again. Link mumbled an apology. 

It was like he was fully enveloped by the shadow, engulfed inside it, in its warmth. Safe. He did feel safe and sound. Link sighed as relief flood through him. He let himself slump against the wall. 

The shadow seemed to be pleased with that. Link felt its approval as a soft hum inside his chest. 

The shadow made a sound, a purr almost, and lifted their hands, still intertwined and pressed its ghostly mouth against Link’s bare wrist. The tender touch sent shivers up Link’s arm that made their way into his belly and settled there, growing warm and squirmy.

Link lifted his free hand and gently touched the shadow’s face. It felt strange—almost solid in some parts but barely corporeal in others. 

“Can you—” Link paused and swallowed hard before continuing. “Can you kiss me?”

He wasn’t sure what had prompted him to ask that. Maybe it was the way the shadow made him feel. Happy and tingly and… not alone.

The shadow ducked down—it’s taller than me, Link noted absentmindedly—and brushed its lips against Link’s. As far as kisses go, it wasn’t much, but to Link, it was everything. His mouth opened into a soft exhale and his knees buckled. Silently, Link thanked the wall behind him, keeping him from falling.  

People never came near enough to touch Link, even in passing. He knew that his mother’s wishes of a nice girl and a litter of grandkids had been buried many years ago. He’d hidden his wishes away too. A wish to be kissed was something he only thought about in the dark of the night, alone in his bed when he imagined that he lived elsewhere. Somewhere where people didn’t balk when they saw him. Somewhere where he was a person someone would want to touch and kiss and love. It all felt like a fool’s dream.

But this thing… This apparition. This whatever-it-was had kissed him just like that. Like it was the easiest thing in the world. Like it was meant to be.

“Bad?” Sadness trickled down Link’s spine and made him feel heavy and murky. His eyes flew wide open and he shook his head vigorously.

“No! Not bad. Good! So good. Very good. The goodest. I mean— I—” The words tumbled out of him in a rush and he had to pause to take a breath. He blushed when he asked quietly: “Again?”

In a flash, the sadness was replaced with bubbling joy and Link laughed and kissed and giggled and kissed and nuzzled and was pressed against the wall and kissed and kissed and kissed. 

And with each kiss, the shadow grew more real, grew more solid in Link’s embrace. It gasped for air like Link did. It moaned when Link’s mouth found its firm neck. Its fingers slipped under Link’s tunic and ghosted over his tented pants. Link could barely function by the time they sank onto the rough ground, tangled with each other. 

The next morning, Link woke up to a light tap on his leg. He jerked up from the ground, looking wildly around himself. The owner of the shop he’d fallen asleep behind was standing a few feet away, poking him with a broom, scowling at him.

Link’s hands reached for his shadow. The pain began even before he realized that he was alone again, that the being was gone, that his shadow had returned back to its normal, lifeless form. 

[cosmiic-witch]

“Step right up! Try out our new creepy haunted house, ‘The Asylum’! You’ll witness some of the worst nightmares to exist. Are any of you brave enough to trek through those haunted corridors?” A man dressed up as a beaten up and burnt ringleader exclaimed over a megaphone. The biggest and scariest haunted house at the fair sat behind him. Some people from the passing crowds stepped in to check out what the guy was on about, all while hearing the blood-curdling screams of participants who agreed to head inside.

“Hey Link, we should try that out. Sound kinda fun,” Rhett bumped Link with his shoulder.

“Oh hell no, you know I can’t handle horror that well!” 

“That’s why it’d be funny! C’mon Link, don't be a wuss.” 

Link rolled his eyes. He knew when Rhett was adamant about something, his pestering wasn’t going to stop. Link grabbed Rhett’s arm as he led them to the haunted house with no words said. They’ll just go in and get out quick with no screaming, At least Link hoped it’ll be that easy.

“Welcome gentlemen! Are you willing to try out ‘The Asylum’?” Both men nodded, handing the ringleader their tickets.  “Well great! Have fun!” The two men were about to enter when the ringleader man spoke up one more time to them, “Oh, and make sure you don’t get lost. You’ll never make it out alive.” He gave out a hearty laugh before attending to the other fair goers.

Rhett entered the Asylum first, with Link huddling behind his back for cover. They stopped at a reception desk, with a seemingly normal lady, besides all the scarring and exposed flesh on her face, working behind it. She never said a word to them, only lifting her arm to point to the west of them. They turned to see the darkest, grungiest hallway they’ve ever seen. They didn’t stick around long and left without saying a word. The hallway was covered in rusty, steel doors with what they assumed was dried blood on it. Several inmates, none with easily definable features,  came scrambling to their doors, banging and screaming for the two men to let them out or kill them. Link gave these actors props. It almost feels real.

Rhett and Link found themselves at a crossroads, the left corridor led into the kitchen area while the right led to the director’s office. Link glanced back and forth the two options. 

“Let’s split up, I’ll go into the kitchen and you can head to the office,” Rhett spoke through a smile. 

“Are you crazy?! You just want to see if there’s food there. What we should do is stick together!” Link’s fear loud and clear in his voice. The fact that Rhett even thought of going with that idea with him makes Link want to rip all that hair off of his long beard.

“I’d be interesting, man! Plus they’re just actors ain’t nothing gonna happen to you.” Rhett patted the brunette on the shoulder in assurance. Link tapped his hand to give a signal that he’s okay. He can do this, he’s in his forty for christ sakes he can get through one haunted house alone. He nodded and strayed off from Rhett, heading down the right hallway.

Link stopped right in front of the director’s room, the door was nicer than the rest of the asylum. A note was posted on the window of the door:

Knock first.

Link raised his arm to knock on the door. It was silent for a while before he heard the door unlock and a deep guttural voice answered from behind it. “Come in.” Link gulped audibly as he let himself in. 

A tall man sat behind the desk, his face barely covered from the light coming from his desk lamp. His skin looked unnaturally red-ish, almost too red to be painted. The man had a toothy grin that showed off sharp teeth. Long horns protruded upwards from his forehead. All of these only struck more fear into Link. Whoever did these actor’s makeups should get a raise that’s for sure.

“Sit.”

Link did as he was told, sitting in the chair right across from the man. 

“Having fun so far? I’m sure you have.” The man’s breath came out smokey, like the room was cold. Link felt it too.

“Uh, yeah?” Link didn’t know how to respond. 

“Good. It took me an eternity to obtain this asylum. I needed to keep my collected souls in a place where I can keep an eye on them at all times. Maybe even torture them a little. You humans come up with the best ways to hide it. ” He gave a hearty laugh that Link has never heard before, nowhere near close to the ringleader’s laugh from earlier. This guy was really invested in his role. The air felt colder than before.

“It’s probably best you don’t stay long, human. Or else I’ll keep you here like the rest of them.” The man’s toothy grin gave Link mixed feelings about the whole situation, but if even the red man didn’t want him here then he should leave pronto. He got up from the chair and headed for the door. The doorknob wouldn’t budge.

“One last thing before you go… Make sure I never have to see you again, Mr. Neal.” The red man snapped his fingers and the door swung open with Link being pushed by some unknown force out. Link was shocked. ‘How did he know my name?’ He thought. His ticket never said his name. Maybe a fan of GMM? He turned to go back into the room to ask, but it was gone.

The whole room was gone, including the door, leaving nothing but the wall that matched the rest of the asylum. Link hurriedly shuffled back to the crossroads to go find Rhett. It was eerily quiet. No more mental patient actors screaming their heads off in the hallways leading to him. He took a quick peek into the cells. All of them were empty.

Link rushed into the kitchen area, but Rhett was nowhere to be found. He quickened his pace, missing all of the jumpscares that waited for him in the subsequent rooms, his eyesight on Rhett only. He got to the end of the attraction, finding Rhett outside talking with the ringleader about his experience.

“Ah, here comes your friend now!” The ringleader pointed towards Link, and Rhett turned to greet him.

“Bo, I thought you’d be out by now. I’m surprised you lasted so long there.” Rhett slapped Link’s shoulder. 

“I would have been out earlier but I had an interesting experience in the director’s office,” Link tried to muster up a smile. “The man was like a demon, he knew my name and everything! The moment I left the room itself  disappeared, even the mental patients in the cells. Man, props to your special effect team and that actor for the director cause it felt so damn real,” Link huffed a laugh, the ringleader just looked at him in confusion. 

“Uh… I’m sorry sir but, uh, we don’t have a director’s office section in the haunted house.”

‘the fair’

day #6 of small rhink ficlets for fantober 2020

ao3

[bleakcreek]

sleep tight

(nothing prompted this except for my own brain. this is 1.5k words of mostly-platonic bed-sharing. it is tooth-rottingly fluffy. this has not been beta’d and it’s almost 1 am so i can’t promise there are no errors.)

--

“Do you remember when we used to do this as kids?”

Rhett’s patting his freshly washed face dry with a hand-towel when Link says it, and he glances sidelong at the hotel mirror to get a good look at him where he’s fluffing up the pillows on his side of the bed. When his eyes meet Rhett’s, his glasses are already off. 

Rhett raises an eyebrow at him. “What, you mean when you came on vacation with my family?”

He tosses the damp towel back onto the bathroom counter before turning off the bathroom light, leaving the lamp on the bedside table as the only light in the room. With the room’s only light source streaming directly onto Link, his hair looks even more silver than usual. 

“Not that,” Link continues. He’s in joggers and t-shirt as he climbs into the room’s single bed.

It occurs to Rhett that when the concierge informed them that they’d been booked in a single, neither of them had even thought to ask about getting a second room.

“I mean when we used to have sleepovers.” 

He turns over on his pillow to face Rhett as he slides in beside him, and it occurs to him how much younger Link looks without his glasses, how vulnerable. “D’you remember — I think it was maybe the fourth time you’d come over? Or maybe it was the fifth. It was definitely at least the third though—”

“Light,” Rhett interrupts, as he rolls onto his side. He glances up at the lamp. 

Link seems to take the hint, because he moves immediately to turn it off, even as he keeps talking. “—Anyway, I think it was maybe a little after Halloween, ‘cause we had that big bag of candy that I hid under my bed, so my mama came in to make sure we’d brushed out teeth an’ weren’t eatin’ candy in bed.”

“And then Mama Sue told me she didn’t like me sleeping on the floor, so she put my pillow at the end of your bed—”

“—And then you thought it was funny to kick me all night!” Link’s voice ticks up at the end like he’s still irritated about it, but even in the dark, Rhett can see the corners of his mouth twitching like he’s trying to fight a smile.

Rhett gives him a gentle little kick, barely more than a bump of his foot against Link’s, and says, “Yeah, I remember that.”

He expects Link to retaliate, to kick him back, to continue the story, to… something.

Instead, Link is quiet. He shifts closer to Rhett, so that only a few inches are separating them, and rolls around to face the ceiling. 

He’s so uncharacteristically silent for so long Rhett would think he was asleep, if he didn’t see the occasional fluttering of his open eyes against the darkness.

At last, barely audible, he says, “Why’d we stop?”

“The sleepovers? ‘Cause we were roommates, man.”

“Not that. I mean the,” he gestures vaguely at the air above his head, “the sleeping in the same bed thing. It felt like one minute it was okay and then the next it was like — it was only okay if we had to, and only if we pretended to hate it.”

Rhett remembers being eleven years old, remembers Cole tugging him aside in the hallway after Link’s mama came to take him home, remembers him telling him you oughta stop letting letting another boy sleep in his bed before people start sayin’ you two ain’t right. 

He didn’t know what his brother meant by that back then, but it was still enough to scare him back into bringing a sleeping bag over to Link’s house.

“Just outgrew it, I guess,” Rhett says instead.

“Mm,” is Link’s noncommittal reply. “Guess so.”

After thirty-five years of friendship with him, Rhett likes to think he’s gotten pretty good at reading Link. More importantly, he knows that on the rare occasion he’s gotten something wrong, they’ve always bounced back from it.

So when Rhett scoots in, closing the last few inches between them, and lifts an arm to give Link a chance to cuddle in closer, he figures — at the absolute worst — Link might get indignant and tell him to get back on his side of the bed, might maybe assume Rhett is just messing with him. Might even kill the conversation for the rest of the night, but nothing worse than that.

It turns out, thought, Rhett’s Link-related instincts are perfect this time, because he immediately feels the warm, solid press of another body next to his. One of Link’s hands lands lightly on Rhett’s chest, right over his heart.

Link makes an indignant noise at the back of his throat. “Man, why ain’t ‘chu wearin’ a shirt?” He doesn’t move to pull away, though, and even hooks one ankle over Rhett’s. 

“‘Cause I get overheated, man.” Rhett curls his arm to brush the pads of his fingers through the soft hair at the nape of his neck. “It’s hot in here.”

“You are basically a furnace,” Link grumbles. It sounds like he’s complaining, but from the way he turns his face into Rhett’s chest and presses his cold nose into Rhett’s collarbone, he has a feeling Link doesn’t mind it too much. 

“You like it,” Rhett counters mildly. “Otherwise you wouldn’t’ve kept tryin’ to spoon me while you were sleepin’.” He can feel the last of the tension eke out of Link’s shoulders as he keeps combing his fingers through Link’s hair. 

“...Wasn’t always asleep,” Link says. “That time I latched onto you and you said you couldn’t get me to let go so I just stayed stuck to you all night? I was awake for that one.”

“You coulda just told me you wanted to snuggle,” Rhett teases, he knows it’s a mistake the second the words leave his lips.

Right on cue, Link’s whole body locks up. “Yeah, I’m sure that woulda gone great back in our Campus Crusade days,” he snaps. “Or maybe you mean back when we were teenagers, when the only time we could touch without your dad or Cole shooting us dirty look was when we wrestled?”

“Hey, I’m sorry—”

“Screw you, you’re sorry.”

Rhett feels Link start to roll away and immediately locks his arms around him, pinning him in place against his side. Link’s legs go to move next, and Rhett immediately wraps one of his long legs around Link’s, his ankle tucked around the other man’s shin to keep him from pulling away. 

“Let go a’ me!” He keeps wriggling, but can’t get enough leverage to get away. Eventually, he settles for pressing his face into the side of Rhett’s neck and huffing. “I don’t wanna cuddle anymore, I’m upset with you.”

It’s a ridiculous sentence, like something Link might say to Jade for peeing on the carpet, and it’s a testament to Rhett’s self-control that he keeps himself from laughing at it. 

“You can cuddle and be mad at me,” Rhett says, voice somewhere between genuine and patronizing, as he reaches the hand not holding onto Link back toward the nightstand.

“Ugh,” Link groans. Still, he seems to have resigned himself to his fate, and starts to relax back into him. “Wait — what are you grabbing?”

“My phone,” Rhett says. He holds it in front of Link, like it will somehow ease any suspicions Link might have about what he’s up to rather than exacerbating them.

“And why—” Link grabs for it, but Rhett just holds it higher, fully out of Link’s reach, as he unlocks it one-handed. “—Do you need your phone?”

Rhett doesn’t answer, just clicks the shutter button once and lets the flash burst into the room, illuminating the blue of Link’s eyes for one brief moment before it disappears again.

In the picture, Link’s face is set into a deep frown, half-buried in the blankets and tucked neatly against Rhett’s chest. He’s never seen any one person look so adorable and pissed off at the same time. 

“What’re you doin’ with that picture?” Link reaches for the phone again, and Rhett holds it out above his head. “If you post that to instagram—” 

“I’m not putting it anywhere public, don’t worry.” Rhett has the New Message box open, gets about two seconds into typing C-H-R when Link starts struggling for the phone again.

“Oh, no, don’t you dare send that to my wife, she’ll never let me life it down—”

“—I was also gonna send it to Jessie—”

“—Oh, so she can post it to twitter to gain clout with our fans? That’s even worse than sending it to my wife!”

“Sent,” Rhett announces, his thumb making contact with the Send Message button just as Link finally manages to grab the phone out of Rhett’s hands. 

Jessie McLaughlin is typing… pops up onto the screen almost as soon as the message enters the cloud.

“Man, therapy has made you into an insufferable ass,” Link grumbles, shoving the phone back into Rhett’s hands before he can see Jessie’s no-doubt delighted response to his predicament. 

“I was already an insufferable ass,” Rhett says evenly. “Therapy just made me into an insufferable ass that’s okay with cuddling with my best friend. Now go to sleep, Link.”

[your-borderline-babe]

A Leg Up

My commissioned one shot from @enterthetadpole

It isn’t like Link wanted this to happen. The set can be a dangerous place when turkey testicles and cow brains are part of your everyday routine. There is bound to be accidents. Slippery accidents. Not looking where you are going and slide on a Will it Salsa by product accidents. Even then, after the crash and inevitable laughter Link thought the only thing that had been broken was his pride. It was only after he had tried to stand up that he realized that his body was not going along with this plan. Specifically his right leg was the lone holdout, and a hobble from Rhett’s arms into the waiting ambulance 6 minutes and 15 seconds later confirmed the situation.

Link had broken his leg. Specifically, according to the doctor in the hospital with way too big of a smile on his face for bad news delivery, he had a hairline fracture of the right side fibula. Rhett sighed and shook his head in the way that a man does when his best friend of over thirty five years has once again done something fascinatingly clumsy. Link grunted like a man who knew that this was not an injury that he was going to live down anytime soon.

Crutches were given, and a cast was set. Then along with pain medication and a hearty good luck pat on the back, they headed out. Rhett volunteered to have Link stay at his house during his recovery because that’s what Rhett does. Be there when Link is ill and broken and shouting that the entire world is out to get him, Or fate, or karma or anything else otherworldly and distinctly invisible.

Rhett spent the first three days of Link’s recovery in a constant state of movement. Link was obviously not able to climb the stair in Rhett’s home to the spare bedroom, so instead he was parked on the large couch in the living room with his foot elevated and arms crossed. The frown on his face only lifting when Rhett was bringing him food covered in peanut butter or maneuvering his giant body behind him for cuddling and watching the original Star Wars Trilogy for what seemed like the fiftieth time.

They would nuzzle together until Rhett’s back would complain, and then Rhett would pull himself away from the warm of Link’s back pressed against his chest and head up the twelve stairs to his bedroom. Rhett tried to take this setback in stride, but man it was hard. Their relationship had hovered right on the edge of something more for quite a while in the past year or so, and of course Link had chosen to cock block their progress by tripping over balls.

The irony was painful on more than one level.

It didn’t help with how sweet Link could be when he needed him. During the small bursts of time that the blue eyes glistened and bottom lip trembled as he asked for a fresh pillow or another glass of water. He was adorable, and at least once a day completely naked to be helped in and out of the shower.

They both had needs. There was a fresh bottle of lube that they both knew were in the side table of Rhett’s bed. They both were masturbating nightly underneath blankets thinking about the other, but neither one made their move. Link wasn’t going to beg Rhett to fuck him. Rhett wasn’t a raging sex monster who couldn’t wait for Link to recover. Eight to ten weeks of healing time wasn’t the end of the world.

Jesus, they were going to need a lot more lube.

Honestly, after the fact, neither one of them would have been able to tell which one cracked first. It may have been Rhett after Link had asked for a shoulder rub in week number three. It may have been Link who was so pent up from watching Rhett run up and down the stairs in nothing but boxer shorts. All they knew is that one minute Rhett was taking care of a bad knot in Link’s shoulder blade, and the next minute they had their tongues in each other’s mouths.

In Rhett’s defense, Link touched his dick first. It wasn’t a passing sweep of the hand either. It was a deliberate grope. The kind that would make so that Link could tell Rhett’s penis in a police lineup with just his fingers alone. Rhett groaned into Link’s mouth, and twisted his hips to make sure that Link’s right leg wasn’t being bother at all. Safety first, after all.

Speaking of safety, it is usually inadvisable to have your best friend to become your lover on a couch. Especially when that best friend has a large cast on his right calf. Even when he's making noises that could drive a nun to consider turning to sin for just a single day. Rhett understood this, somewhere between pulling down Link's jogging pants and boxer shorts.

"Why are ya stopping?"

"Not the best place to do this," Rhett answered. His voice low pitched and husky. "Want our first time to be a good as it can be, bo."

Link nodded, fingers exploring the small of Rhett's back and top of his ass. Watching the green eyes clear up from the hazy of lust long enough to twinkle with a good idea.

"I'll be right back," Rhett said. "Jus' need to get something from inside my bedroom. Too bad you can't walk yet."

Link motioned the top of the stairwell. His mind already too far gone to speak anymore. Words took too much effort. It was easier this way, and Rhett was already taking large strides in the correct direction. The only direction to do what they both wanted. Needed.

"I can help," Link muttered against Rhett's roaming lips. "Jus' get me my - "

"Fuck walking," Rhett chuckled back. "I'll carry you up the damned stairs if I have to."

Blue eyes opened wide as Link was just about to protest. That Rhett's back wasn't made for heavy lifting, and that whatever Rhett was getting from upstairs surely wasn't needed to fuck.

Unless it was the lube. Was it the lube?

But Rhett already had one arm around Link's back and the other underneath his knees and lifted. It startled Link, who absolutely did not squeak like a frightened field mouse.

Rhett also didn't laugh like a hyena at the sound, because that's not what you do if you want to keep your soon to be lover in the mood to fuck you senseless.

The head up the twelve stairs was a balancing act. Link may be slender, but apparently his body was made out of something closer to lead pillars or concrete. Rhett wondered how in the hell he had been able to break a bone at all.

All the while Link was still kissing every part of Rhett that he was able to as he carried up the stairs like a blushing bride. His fears of being dropped pushed off for images of Rhett inside of him. Driving into him like it's his new part time job.

It was only when they were back on solid ground and turned to the left that Link pulled away to see where there relationship would fundamentally change. And the bed was notwhere Rhett was taking them towards today.

Link definitely squeaked this time at the sight.

It was a sex swing. The type you see in those sex shops in high end stores with models testing out the products. The frame was sturdy and the harness swung with a slight breeze.

"It'll be better for your leg," Rhett reasoned.

Link squeaked again.

With a few well placed movements Rhett positioned Link in the structure. His clothes pulled off as gently as he could and firmly secured. His injured leg had a pillow placed underneath it, and with a small nod Link was ready.

The lube finally made it's appearance.

Rhett and Link in a sex swing. The GMM crew would have cheered them on of they could see them now. To ask the age old question if two grown men in their fourties could actually make this work?

Will They Fuck? Damn right they will.

Link was spread our like a canvas, and Rhett was going to paint him raw. The touches hot and lubrication cool, and together it steamed up enough to fog Link's glasses.

One finger, the two fingers. Three and then only Rhett. Thrusting firm and quick and dirty like Link wanted it. Heaving chests and burning blood hitting the surface of every particle of flesh. Link felt like the swing would tip over, but he couldn't find the effort to really care. He was too busy screaming out Rhett's name and forgetting his own. All slippery again, but this time it was the right kind of slide. Not crashing into a wall in a well crowded studio, but the graceful glide of becoming better than what Rhett and Link were apart.

All trembling limbs and shuddered breaths creating a brand new song that the words only they knew. The sway became a soaring whoosh as Link came first, because that's how Rhett wanted it. To watch the man he loved turn into something soft around the edges, and that's all it took to have him join him on the other side.

All white noise and everlasting bliss, and they wanted into each other's mouths as the swing inched it's was to a complete stop. The ride was over, but the new adventure had just begun.

[captainsourwolf]

they’re gonna get caught.

oh, fuck, they’re gonna get caught. and yet link doesn’t care. crowded into the corner of the subway car with rhett’s hand dipping down the front of his joggers and he just, doesn’t care.

he’s been on edge since the last stop. a turn had them swaying into each other, link up against rhett’s front, ass perfectly nestled against rhett’s groin. a quiet and emphatic groan, a hand dropping to his waist, fingertips teasing under the hem of his too-tight shirt, and rhett’s dick showing interest threw them head first into stupidville, party of two.

again, he doesn’t care. he couldn’t help grinding back into the body behind him, rubbing his ass on rhett until he was tightening his hand around link’s waist and grumbling out a warning. he’s a cocktease and rhett knows it. it earned him a pinch, a subtle shift so he could feel rhett’s dick swelling in his jeans, a murmured, “hold your jacket in front of you.”

so now here he is, both their jackets hanging in front of him just right and he’s got a hand working its way slowly down the front of his loose joggers and he—he doesn’t care, at all that anybody could see what they’re doing. anybody could figure out he’s not holding the jackets there out of convenience but instead so nobody sees the hand making a home on his crotch. anybody could see the way he’s breaking out in a sweat and trying to shuffle on his feet to keep himself steady and how hard he’s biting his lip.

rhett doesn’t really care either. he is the one that started it after all. he’s the one with his hand cupping link over his briefs and rubbing his thumb lightly across link’s cockhead and grinning against link’s temple like the cheeky fucker he is because there’s a wet spot growing under his touch.

“they could catch us, ya know,” rhett says and squeezes his handful. link bites his lip harder. “want them to?”

for a second link wants to nod his head, let people see how he’s being driven crazy, let them see why he’s dopey eyed and flushed. but he doesn’t. he whimpers and grips the jackets so hard he’s sure they’ll rip. and rhett just chuckles and strokes his cock once, fabric rough in contrast with the warmth of rhett’s hand and the precum wetting his skin.

“gotta be careful, baby. one wrong move and they’ll see.” link holds onto the jackets tighter, makes sure they’re still where they need to be.

there really isn’t much time. their stop is only a few minutes away. link’s afraid he won’t finish, rhett will leave him hanging by a thread right on the edge of an orgasm, and the thought makes him choke on a moan. rhett grins again and tucks his hand smoothly inside link’s briefs and wraps long fingers around him.

“do something, our stop will be here soon,” link pleads and hopes rhett hears it.

he does. he starts stroking link’s cock slow and easy and wet, turning them just a little so they’re more sheltered by the corner, so no one can see how rhett’s right arm is moving when it’s so obviously placed on link’s body. link shudders, holds onto the metal pole above them with his unoccupied hand, and tries his best to appear nonchalant and not like he’s getting jerked off in a crowded subway car.

he’s leaking in his underwear and all over rhett’s knuckles, he can feel it; the wet, slick slide of his hand made easier by it. link huffs and puffs and holds onto the bar and jackets so tight his knuckles turn white. rhett just laughs at him and link knows if anyone were looking at them, they’d see two men flirting, teasing.

he hopes anyway.

rhett shifts against link’s backside, rubs his cock against link’s ass. he groans lowly right in link’s ear and for a second link swears the person in front of him turns their head, just a tiny bit, probably curious and wondering if they heard something. his cock jerks in rhett’s hand and he gets a thumb under the head in reward.

“you gonna cum?” rhett asks him. link whimpers through his grit teeth and nods.

fuck now they’re definitely going to get caught. he’s gonna jizz in his pants in public and won’t be able to stop it. rhett understands, he always does, so he strokes link tighter, jerks him faster than he was, and presses his dick into the curve of link’s ass.

“we’re almost there, do it, do it, do it, rhett please,” link babbles in earnest now and can’t help the way he rocks into rhett’s touch.

rhett runs his thumb over the slit and drags more slick from him and that’s it right there. link tenses up and his brows knit together as he twitches in rhett’s hand, cumming hard and fast and unable to do anything about it. if anyone were looking they’d see the way his arms lock up and his back straightens just enough, but he hopes they won’t know what just happened.

he’s stroked two more times and squeezed on the way up, milking every last drop out of his dick till he’s shuddering and spent. he can feel rhett heaving at his back and clutching at his hip with a free hand. he’s still hard.

but there’s nothing link can do about that. their stop is seconds away. so he grips at rhett’s wrist and feels the tendons under his fingertips as rhett wipes his hand on link’s briefs and carefully pulls his hand out. he pats link on the belly, a consolation for a job well done, then takes a single step back, hand landing on link’s hip.

the subway car rolls to a stop at their exit. link steadies himself and waits for the crowd to thin some before they can move. rhett rubs a thumb across that spot on the back of his neck and smiles against his temple and he’s guiding link towards the door.

link sighs. he’s sticky and messy and wet, satisfied, spent. didn’t get caught, though the way someone is smirking at them as they walk past makes him think otherwise. rhett loops an arm around his waist and grins, guiding link through the crowd and to the escalator.

thank fuck they didn’t get caught, he’s not doing that again.

maybe.

[lovelyrhink]

you can use my ribcage as a pillow, it doesn’t suit me...

link’s asleep on rhett’s chest. it’s their tenth sleepover as new best friends, but rhett’s not really counting. just like he’s not looking at the piece of dark hair on link’s forehead or the way his cheek bunches up against his breastbone, the crinkle in his sleepy lips, or the rise and fall of his chest as he sleeps. the TV is blue and quiet, it’s nearing midnight, and rhett’s caught up in something he doesn’t know how to name. this new boy has become the center of his whole world, and rhett wakes up every morning in blissful disbelief. how can he have someone so tender, so bashful and giggly, as his closest friend? it’s a good way through autumn now, and something about the tinge of red-gold of the late afternoon sun in link’s hair as they walk home from scrap-soccer after school has rhett’s heart aching. link shifts on his chest, nudging his nose a little closer in the dip between rhett’s ribs. rhett takes a small breath, not so big as to wake his sleeping friend, and moves a hand to gently lay on his shoulder. his heart feels too big for his ribs, watching link sleep, as he’s even more beautiful in a soft blue glow than he is in sunlight. too peaceful, too sweet, rhett’s already in love.

i feel flimsy when i grin, like a stretched-out piece of skin...

rhett’s taller than every boy in school, and faster, too, as he darts ‘cross the basketball court. he says he’s not athletic, but as link studies his legs from his place on the bleachers, he knows that’s not true. gym class isn’t so much a place to exercise as it is a chance to look at rhett, study him as he moves. graceful and gawky all at once, he dribbles the ball like he knows what he’s doing and attempts a near-missed shot like an athlete without a coach. link can see the girls on the other side of the court watching him, giggling when he trips and jumps up grinning, playing on like a goof. link grins. rhett’s his goof, all the gangly, pointy edges of him, the skinny shoulders and that mole that stretches when he smiles. link can feel his cheeks burning, beaming as his eyes follow rhett’s form, and he feels dizzy as rhett looks at him. link maintains the smile even as he loses his breath, even as rhett shoots again, scores, and points at link. even as rhett approaches him and scoops him up in a hug, swings him ‘round and makes link feel lighter than air. he sets link back on his feet, but link still thinks he’s flying, and keeps a hand on his young friend’s waist. the girls are watching both of them now, but link’s giddy, because he’s already in love.

beat the dust straight outta me, i’ll come clean in the end...

the first time rhett shows up at link’s house with a bruise on his face, link’s mama shouts at him for getting in a scuffle. rhett holds his tongue the whole way through, lets link’s mama call rhett’s mama and then gets a pat on the rump for getting into trouble, followed by a hug for keeping link out of it. rhett doesn’t tell her what the fight was about, who started it, or who ended it. he doesn’t mention who he was fighting for, or that the punch that got thrown at rhett’s face was the second that day, the first landing directly in link’s stomach. when rhett’s all washed up and bandaged for no reason, it’s just a bruise, mama, he’ll be okay, he gets sent to link’s room so his almost-brother can watch over him. link brings him cheetos and sits with him cross-legged on the bed, asking him to tell him again how mad the older boy looked when rhett shoved him in the mud. rhett shakes his head, eyes buggy, and says it doesn’t matter. i would’ve taken a black eye for you, he says, if he hadn’t missed, i would’ve been hurt for you. link’s on him in a moment, shoving him down and grabbing a hold of his t-shirt in both fists. don’t you ever say that, link warns, and his eyes are sharper than knives. don’t ever let yourself get hurt for me. rhett smiles, shoves link off, scrubs at the bruised part of his cheek. i’ll make no such promises, he says.

i really like the yellow ‘round the edges of my bruises as they mend...

link’s wringing his hands. it’s more than ten years later, and he’s about to make the biggest promise of his life, even bigger than the one he made to rhett all those moons ago in a field outside town, though nothing will ever feel quite as big as The Oath. he’s happy, or at least he knows he will be, hopes he will be, even as he hides in the bathroom moments before the vows. he hears people whispering beyond the bathroom door, where’s the groom? but he doesn’t quite want to be found. his heart feels tender, and there’s a fuzzy feeling on his finger like it’s preparing for a ring there. he loves her, that he knows for sure, but there’s something that keeps him here, pacing in front of the sink, and not out there, under the stained glass of the cathedral arches and smiling up at God like the rest of them. maybe it’s that he remembers too much, remembers the cut on his palm and the way rhett’s blood felt sticky, or maybe it’s the way rhett smiled at him when he told him he was tyin’ the knot. link doesn’t think he dreamt the tinge of what, sorrow? on his friend’s face, but then again, rhett’s always looked at him funny. link takes a half-breath and catches his bravery before it sneaks off, lets himself out of the bathroom before the shyer part of himself climbs out the window. he’s ready, he’s gotta be, and he tries to think of the life he could have, the wife he will have, and not the tall man who looks a lot like his old friend, standing there in the shadows, watching him like a stranger. link doesn’t mind the tightness in his chest, or the sniffles from the pews as the preacher reads the vows, or even the tingle of his finger when the ring fits where it’s supposed to. he doesn’t mind the sweat on his new bride’s hand when they take their first dance, or the way her eyes go restless like wild horses when someone first calls her missus neal. he’s doing it, he’s done it, and he’s happy with it. it’s all been planned, so this is right, it’s right, right? but when he finds that man again, gets him alone after the ceremony, it doesn’t so much feel like his heart has grown any bigger, but has instead bruised. and he tries not to linger on the sorry shape of rhett’s mouth as he talks, wishing hopelessly, silently, that they could elope, steal away together and lay beneath the stars, falling asleep on each other’s chests like children calmed by the sound of a friend’s heartbeat.

[buddeysystem]

for the prompts: take your pick of 33, 38 or 45

i can’t remember which one it was but i chose prove it! also so sorry this is late have 1400 words for your trouble (college au)

Rhett couldn’t get it out of his head. He normally hated his psychology class because it made him realize that he had a brain in his body which connected to his entire body and inside that entire body was a brain. His brain. Controlling his body. He was just a sack of meat controlled by chemicals.

But when his professor got on the subject of love and what happens to the brain, he fizzled out. It wasn’t that he hated hearing about love, but it felt so over-the-top sometimes. He had plenty of girlfriends in high school and yeah, he loved them, he guessed. But them holding his hand when he was in

pain didn’t make the pain any less and their heartbeats didn’t sync up when they looked into each other’s eyes.

That was silly.

But he still couldn’t get it out of his head. All of the little details of what love did to the body, to the mind, freaked him out.

The one that really stuck with him was the one about gratitude. For whatever reason, telling someone you love thank you for something caused a spike in happiness.

Link thanked him all the time.

Not that Link was in love with him or anything, but it still nagged at the part of his brain that held onto useless information.

They were in the game room in their dorm, waiting for the pool table to open up. It had to be one of the most used things on campus with its green felt faded into an almost dead grass color. The balls were chipped and faded from misuse and flying off the table. In particular, the number 13 couldn’t even be read because the whole face of the ball had been lobbed off somehow.

Don’t even get Rhett started on the cues.

He and Link started bringing their own when Rhett almost snapped one in half in frustration at the damn thing’s tip splintering and ruining his winning shot.

Regardless of how shitty the pool table was, it felt like home. Like they were back in Rhett’s basement playing pool on a late summer night, trying to stifle their laughter to keep his parents from waking up. It made being away at college a little less hard, even if he Rhett refused to call it homesickness.

Rhett racked up for them once the table opened up as Link leaned on his cue stick, his fingers threaded together on the tip with his chin resting on top. He gave the illusion of boredom and patience, but Rhett knew better from the little smirk playing on his lips as he watched Rhett set everything up. Any second Link would be raising an eyebrow and asking him if he was finally ready.

Rhett just liked to set the balls up right, was all. The right color and number coordination. He had a system.

“Any day now, brother.”

Rhett looked up from his bent-over position over the table, the eight ball in his hand. He raised an eyebrow, an idea in his mind of chucking the ball at his best friend.

Link laughed when Rhett simply placed the ball into its rightful place and gestured for him to make the break. Link always took pleasure in going first, so Rhett usually indulged him. Usually. Link thanked him, grinned, and lined up to take the first shot.

And Rhett’s stomach flipped. Butterflies. Adrenaline, his mind added helpfully, Fight or flight, Mclaughlin. Adrenaline was what caused butterflies in the stomach. A tickle in the back of his throat made him cough and sputter. Flight.

Link looked up at him much in the same way Rhett did only moments earlier. The cue ball was set in place and Rhett watched Link’s elbow move as he lined up the shot again. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration and his shirt tugged a little tighter across his shoulders than it usually did from this position.

Rhett watched the cue stick pass between his index finger and rest over his middle and ring finger.

“You ever been in love, man?”

The smack of the cue ball breaking the formation punctuated his question. Link seemed to blink with the sounds of the solids and stripes bouncing against the walls of the table. He hadn’t yet moved from his position. Rhett’s throat was so dry. It clicked when he swallowed. He cleared his throat uselessly.

And like he’s waiting for Rhett to call it and go for the seven resting right up against the upper right pocket, Link says, “Sure,” all obscure and weird. Rhett missed.

He muttered under his breath at that, hung his head in defeat, and shook it as he stood back up. He pretended that his heart wasn’t beating too fast for a game of billiards. He could feel Link’s eyes on him and it made a sheen of sweat break out on the back of his neck.

The cue ball rested opposite of Rhett so Link didn’t have to move far to take his shot, sinking the 13 easily. He stuttered his movements before taking his next shot, turning his head sharply to look at Rhett with scrutiny. “Why? That lecture gettin’ to ya?” There was a hint of a smile under the question.

Link had no idea.

He sunk the shot. ���Lucky 13,” he said, a stupid superstition of his. If he sunk 13 first, he’d win the game.

Rhett chewed on his thumbnail from his end of the table, brain trying to catch up on the conversation before it got too far behind. “No,” he said, like he wasn’t lying. And then, “I just wondered.” His palms were sweating.

Link hummed in response and missed.

Truthfully, Rhett tried not to smile at Link’s defeat. He really tried.

However, as he stepped grandly around the pool table with his hand skirting around the wood edges, he couldn’t help the smirk. When he came to rest next to Link, whose backside rested against the spot where the cue ball sat, he chuckled and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

When Link didn’t move, Rhett pressed his lips together to stop the smile before speaking again. “No need to be sore, Neal.” He tried so hard to keep his tone serious.

He nudged Link and treasured the smiling rolling of his eyes. Another point for Rhett. Link didn’t move far, though, and as Rhett bent down, he could feel eyes tracing his posture. Rhett aimed for good ole number one at the middle pocket across the way and forced his breathing to even itself out. The proximity to Link made him nervous suddenly, like he had a secret to hide.

“You believe all the stupid things he was saying? The heartrate and the butterflies?” Link asked right as Rhett pushed through his swing. It was so casual and close that Rhett lost focus. The cue slipped through his sweaty fingers and hit the cue ball, the ball going so askew that it managed to not hit anything.

“Scratch!” Link cheered.

Rhett shut his eyes.

By the time he opened them again, Link had put in two more balls and was working on his third.

He wondered what Link’s heart rate was. “Nah,” he said, “no way your heart rate is the same as someone you love if you look into their eyes for long enough. Different physicality and stuff.” He rounded the table and missed again. He licked his lips and continued, “Like if we looked at each other, no way our heartrates would be the same.”

Link bounced his stick off of the floor and crinkled his nose as he tilted his head at Rhett. “Yeah, well,” Link started, the sweetest confused expression on his face, “You’re not in love with me so it wouldn’t work.”

Rhett didn’t hear Link protesting himself being in love…with Rhett.

There were those damn butterflies again. He wanted to bail; his hands were sweaty and his heart was racing. Still, he refused to choose flight again. He walked up to Link, quicker and less suave than he would have wanted.

He didn’t have a plan from there, but he was trying at

least. He swallowed and gave a shaky smile. His hand even shook as he placed it over where he thought Link’s heart should be. “Prove it,” he said, “Prove to me that it wouldn’t work.”

[apparentlynotreallyfinnish]

42

So, I know I just said I wouldn’t write any more ficlets for Kinktober... Well, I wasn’t going to until those goddamn Instagram stories. Link’s hair getting mussed up between Rhett’s and his stories... I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. So, I wrote this and it accidentally got a bit kinky. No edits, no betaing, just needed to get this out of my head. :D

---

“Come on. You gotta eat at least one!”

Link just handed him back his phone and went back to his Big Mac.

“Nah. You can have ‘em all. I know how much you like ‘em,” Link mumbled, mouth filled to the prim; full enough for his cheeks to puff out and stretch.

God, that mouth… Rhett stared at him, the McRib half-eaten and forgotten on the counter. It had been too long, months, since the last time they’d indulged.

It took Link a little while to realize Rhett wasn’t eating.

“Something wrong?”

“No. Just wondering if after you’re done with your burger you’d want your mouth filled with something more substantial?”

“Rhett!”

“What?” Rhett said with a smirk and stepped up to Link, crowding him against the counter.

“I was supposed to give you my present and –” Link started, peering at Rhett over his shoulder.

“That can wait a bit. I wanna give you something first,” Rhett murmured and crouched down to take the burger in his hands. “Eat up now, baby, but save room for dessert.”

Link huffed out a laugh and took a bite out of the burger. He let out a pleased low moan. Rhett knew it was a fake one, purely done for his benefit, but that didn’t stop the heat in Rhett’s belly from coiling tight. He pressed against Link’s back, rolling his hips slowly, making sure Link could feel the hardness growing in his jeans.

“Another bite?” Rhett asked, offering the burger to Link. Link leaned towards Rhett’s hands and before taking a bite took time to give his fingers a few long licks. His tongue was wet and warm and full of promises, making Rhett groan and rut a bit harder against Link’s back.

“Mmh,” Link hummed, his mouth full again. He swallowed audibly and sighed. “So good. More.” The last word was a breathless whine and it made Rhett buck against Link and groan.

“Oh, fuck yeah. Just like that. Fill that mouth, boy,” he growled as he lifted the burger again for Link to bite. It was almost gone and as Link bit down, Rhett’s thumb slipped into his mouth and Link sucked it against the soft inside of his cheek.

“Goddamn it, Link. So filthy,” Rhett murmured through his smile as he slid out the spit-slicked thumb that now glistened with grease and burger sauce. Link swallowed and said:

“Oh, I’m sorry. Let me clean that for you.” He took a hold of Rhett’s wrist, pulling his thumb back into his mouth again. Without food in the way he was able to suck on it properly, swirl his tongue around it and press it against the roof of his mouth. Rhett cursed and moaned.

“There you go. All better?” Link husked after letting Rhett’s thumb go with a wet plop.

Rhett’s whole body was trembling as he lifted the rest of the burger on Link’s lips. It was a big bite, but Link had no problem taking it all in, sucking in a few of Rhett’s fingers as well. Rhett pulled them out and lifted his hand to his face to marvel at the sticky mess Link had made.

“Turn,” Rhett said, voice low and shaky, and Link shifted on his seat until he was facing Rhett’s belly.

“Seems like you can’t eat without making a mess. Gonna have to teach you some manners. Clean this up,” Rhett ordered and stuck his fingers back into Link’s mouth. Link sucked on them enthusiastically, bobbing his head lewdly while staring up at Rhett. His eyes were blown black by want and his cheeks were covered in burger sauce and saliva.

“Let’s get these out of the way,” Rhett said and took Link’s glasses off, gently placing them on the counter. “Wanna see those pretty eyes when you choke on my cock.”

Rhett drew his fingers out of Link’s mouth, enjoying the low whimper he made at the loss of Rhett inside him. Link was still looking up at him, eyes glossy and black, face messy and lips plum and glistening.

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” Rhett husked grabbing Link’s loose jaw and leaning down to kiss the grease off his lips. Link’s tongue slipped into his mouth and Rhett tasted the burger and tasted Link, and at the same time they moaned into each other’s mouths.

“Wanna get on your knees, babe?” Rhett whispered against Link’s lips when they parted. Link slipped of the chair and onto the floor. Rhett scrambled for his belt buckle. Link’s gaze finally shifted down and Rhett could see his goozle bob up and down as he swallowed.

“You still hungry?” Rhett asked softly as he popped open the button of his jeans and unzipped them. Link’s tongue poked out and he licked his lips before nodding. Rhett pulled his jeans and underwear down and his cock jumped free. It was angry-red and throbbing and Rhett grabbed it, giving it a few slow strokes, desperate for the pressure.

Link’s hands settled on Rhett’s hips and he took Rhett in his mouth, sucking on the head of his cock with years of practice, tongue flat and undulating under it. Rhett’s head whipped back and a throaty moan released towards the ceiling.

“Just like that. Oh, God. I’ve missed this. Missed your mouth on me.”

There was an obscene slurping sound when Link sucked in more of Rhett’s length and settled him against the roof of his mouth, moving his head a tiny bit, nodding towards Rhett, making his knees buckle with the press of his tongue.

“Oh gosh,” Rhett groaned, let go of himself and braised his hand against the wall trying to stay on his feet.

Link kept going, taking over where Rhett had abandoned himself; wrapping his hand around the base of Rhett’s cock. Soon, Rhett’s full length was drenched with whatever liquids Link had had in his mouth. Link pumped him agonizingly slowly and bobbed his head, eyes flicking up to Rhett’s face once in a while, as if to make sure he was still enjoying himself.

Rhett was definitely enjoying himself. He was panting audibly, little whimpers and growls leaving his lips without prompting. Link found his hand and guided it into his hair. Rhett grabbed on almost without thinking, desperate to get his hands on any part of Link he would offer. He wasn’t guiding his movements, though, more like going along for the ride. As he felt his thighs start quaking, his grip tightened and he pulled hard making Link hum against the heat of his cock. Link had always liked the sting.

“Link, I’m gonna… I’m gonna come. Hnnnnnggg. That mouth of yours is a gift that keeps on giving. Almost there. Don’t stop. Oh fuck. Fuckfuckfuck – ” Rhett cursed and pleaded. His body was moving now, unabashedly fucking into Link’s slick warmth. Link let him; his throat relaxed around the intrusion and he swallowed repeatedly to help Rhett get deeper.

The heat. The wet. The pressure. Rhett’s hips stuttered and he cried out. Blood was rushing in his ears, and all he could think about was the man kneeling in front of him. It was like his heart was beating his name: Link. Link. Link! He was everywhere – all over Rhett’s body and mind – the feeling of it enveloping him from head to toe.

Rhett tensed and gasped for air before he was plunged into the deep end; waves of pleasure coursing through him as he emptied himself into Link’s throat. Link pulled back, releasing Rhett cock and catching the last ropes of come on his lips and cheeks. Rhett was shaking, barely able to stand, head hanging down between his arms; one hand still in Link’s hair, the other holding onto the wall for dear life.

Link was smiling up at Rhett, his hand working still, milking the last few droplets out of him and cleaning them off with quick kitten licks. Rhett whimpered pathetically, his body shivering, oversensitive – blissed out. Link patted him on his thigh and got up.

Rhett trained his gaze on the smiling face of his best friend, covered in all manner of filth, and leaned down to kiss him despite it. Link pressed himself into Rhett’s arms, rutting his own hardness against his thigh. A needy grunt rose from his throat and Rhett chuckled.

 “Need a hand?” he asked with a smirk.

 “Actually, I was thinking… We don’t have to be anywhere for a few hours. Maybe we could go upstairs and you could tie me up and – “ Link’s eyebrows raised with the implied question.

“Best birthday ever,” Rhett murmured and pressed another kiss onto Link’s lips before following him upstairs for round two.

[seabonre]

link getting to work before rhett in the mornings and just being so happy to see him one day, eyes softening and voice pitching up when rhett walks in. when he greets him from the couch he can barely move his mouth because he’s smiling so big and rhett questions his unusually good mood but he’s smiling too. link shrugs and says he just slept well last night is all. 

the rest of the day is filled with heightened amounts of giggles and touches and sweet gestures. rhett puts extra effort into making link laugh, which, of course, succeeds. link asks rhett periodically if he needs to take a break from work, a nap, some tea, but rhett’s stress instantly melts away just at the sound of link’s caring questions, and so he smiles and says thank you, but no thanks, i’m doing just fine with you here. 

rhett ends up being so desperate for link’s attention all day long, waiting patiently for him to finish a conversation before he pulls him aside to show him something he’d otherwise text him. link smiles fondly, doing his best to snap out of his affection long enough to take this sweet, passionate man seriously, nodding and asking questions. 

link takes every excuse to hug rhett. little, inconsequential things are cause for celebration, like rhett successfully catching a cashew in his mouth after several instances of link tossing them in the air and having them land all over the kitchen floor. he throws himself at rhett in triumph, laughing and grasping him tighter when they nearly fall against the side of the counter. 

as if that’s not enough, link hugs him quick after a good shoot, pulls him into his side with a squeeze when he comes up with a great idea, gives him a grateful pat-pat-rub on his back when he brings him lunch. rhett takes them all gratefully, feeling warm inside at every touch. 

rhett asks link to come over after work, says jess wants to see him, his voice just a little too casual. but there’s a gentle hopefulness in his eyes that says jessie isn’t the only one, so link agrees, deciding to leave his car at the studio and have rhett drive him home later. rhett keeps him for longer than either of them planned — even jessie looked happily surprised to see link when he arrived, successfully debunking rhett’s claim that she’d been expecting him. the two men stay unconsciously close to each other all night, following the other into the kitchen at dinner when one of them announces they need a refill of their glass. they opt to eat dessert outside, just the two of them with plates in their laps and each other’s ice cream on their spoons, cackling loud into the night. link hooks his leg under one of rhett’s. rhett lets himself blush and offers him more ice cream. 

when rhett finally takes link home, they stay parked in link’s driveway for a full half hour, unable to stop talking. it’s well past midnight and they have work the next day but link knows he’s gonna have to skip the gym anyway, what with his car still left in the parking lot. it’s almost one in the morning when rhett gives him a reluctant alright, man and link’s gotta go. link’s loopy with laughter and the one beer he had, forgetting to take his eyes away from rhett while he tries to get his own seatbelt off. rhett moves in to help him, a little too close, giggling with his hair brushing link’s nose while they both look down at the buckle. eventually, rhett gets it unstuck but doesn’t make to move back to his side of the car. he meets link’s eyes with a grin, the same one he’s had all day, and link giggles low at their proximity. rhett whispers, tells him goodbye. link returns it. he doesn’t open the door. 

it’s tense and quiet for a good few seconds as they smirk at one another, seeing who’ll crack first. they both soon break down in giggles, reveling in the awkward ridiculousness of it all. don’t i get a goodbye kiss? link asks. this makes rhett laugh harder. he says maybe next time. link shakes his head and finally moves away, still smiling brightly. he gets out of the car, leaving his coat on the floor on purpose. he leans in the open door, just a crack, and says he’ll see him tomorrow. rhett tells him to sleep well, to please, sleep well again tonight. link nods, enters his home. his cheeks ache. he holds himself up against his front door with weak knees. he sighs. he sleeps better that night than he has in a long time.

[cockymclaughlin]

GOD i am on a fluff kick so i hope u are too. what about the first time link refers to rhett as his boyfriend, like at a party or something?

He’s had a couple of drinks. 

Not enough to be drunk, really, but enough to have him a little loose. He feels good, from the adrenaline and the alcohol, and he’s bouncing between groups to expend some of that energy. 

So he loses track of everyone after a while. It’s a bit of a blur, and sooner or later, he can’t find Rhett anywhere. He’s checked just about everywhere, even sneaking through the bathroom line to see if he’d ducked off in there to check his phone or fix his hair or something. 

They’re supposed to be leaving together, and it’s getting late, and he’s keyed up. 

Plus, it’s just weird that he can’t find Rhett anywhere. 

He figures asking is his best bet, so he finds familiar faces and leans in close to ask, “Have you seen my boyfriend?” It’s maybe not the best way to word it, but everyone gets the idea of who he’s asking about, and nobody really bats an eye at him when he says it, but he does get a couple, “Oh, fucking finallys” that leave him laughing a little too loudly. 

In the end, Rhett finds him. He’s discussing drinking games with the girl they’d both talked about the affect a good cheese plate has on a party when they’d first gotten here, when Link feels a big hand on his shoulder. He’s turning around to ask their opinion when he realizes it’s Rhett, and his face cracks wide open in a smile. 

“Hey, man!” he says, patting him on the chest and leaning in close. 

“Hey,” Rhett laughs, pulling him closer, and leading him away. “Ready to go?” 

“If you are,” Link tells him, and he is. He really is, but he’ll stay if Rhett wants.

He’s not surprised when they end up in the car, with Rhett’s arm around his shoulders to keep him in place. He is surprised when Rhett chuckles a little as he asks, “So you were looking for your boyfriend, were you?” 

“Yeah, man. Have you seen him? He’s super tall, kind of handsome.” 

“Kind of?” Rhett teases, his hand finding its way to Link’s thigh to dig his fingers in. 

“Could be handsomer,” Link shrugs, trying to fight back his grin, trying to play along. 

Rhett hums, tugs Link as close as he can with the seatbelt in the way. Link tilts his head up in challenge, and Rhett leans down to press their mouths together for a second before pulling away to say, “My boyfriend isn’t so bad himself.” 

[jannelle-o]

Happy (late at this point) Birthday!!!! :D

Here’s a space fic featuring Rhett and Link! Imagine this is like… what, 3-5 years in the future? Just after we’ve established a Lunar colony!

—————————————————————————-

One of the things most people don’t seem to realize is that, standing on the daylight surface of the moon, there are no visible stars. It’s not that the lack of atmosphere distorts the light, but that the brightness of the moon and the full force of the sun and Earth-glow outshine any near by stars. And if one stood in enough shadow, the stars would be visible.

But for a first time moon trip, it is unnerving to stare up at the sky and only see inky blackness pressing overhead.

That’s what Link Neal was dealing with when he stepped out on to the lunar surface from the air lock. He was sure that his LCVG* was malfunctioning, because he was soaked in sweat. Or maybe his EVA* suit had a leak, as he was finding it hard to breathe. Though the tight pinching in his… ‘coin purse’… betrayed that his suit was fine. Rhett had gracefully pointed out that his MAG* was ready for usage, just in case he really did shit his britches when he got onto the surface.

Link had punched him in the arm for that.

Now, though, he could only stare up into the darkness as he tried to orient himself. He mentally cursed Rhett, NASA and the moon as he tried to calm his nervous breathing. Rhett’s voice crackled in his ear, the microphone and earphones tucked into the Snoopy cap he wore under the helmet.

“Doin’ okay there, buddy?” Rhett asked, “You’re breathing is a bit high and you got limited oxygen, Link.”

“You know you telling me that doesn’t help me calm down!” Link snipped back as he nearly huddled against the air lock, then took a moment to breathe, “Sorry, it’s just really stressful for me, man. Why can’t you be the one out here?” He heard Rhett chuckle followed by one of those drawn out thinking noises he sometimes did.

“You know I want to be! But I’m too tall for the EVA and you’re just two inches shy of being too tall.” Rhett said, “Though if they’re right about the gravity stuff, you might get too tall for the suit.”

Link sighed as he started side stepping away from the door. That’s why they were here in the first place. Well, that and social media. Both Rhett and Link had been surprised when NASA had approached them in the first place. Apparently, scientists wanted to see what would happen to above average height people in the micro-gravity of the Lunar colony. Not them specifically, but why not drum up some social media popularity by asking some popular internetainers?

So now they were here, in the first Lunar colony, surrounded by scientists and other astronauts, being poked and prodded on the daily as Rhett and Link got to film the first look at the colony. NASA had made a special soft suit design for Rhett to be able to ride along in the shuttle, but considering it was the first of its kind, they were concerned about it failing on the Lunar surface, despite rigorous testing.

Link let out a tiny shriek when the air lock hissed again, lost in his own thoughts for a moment. He heard Rhett laughing on the mic, but thankfully he didn’t say anything. An actual astronaut, Nolan, stepped out of the door and closed it behind them before turning to Link. Both space walkers had their sun visors down, so neither could see each other’s face, but Link was pretty sure Nolan had an amused smile on his face.

“You, uh, ready to go?” Nolan asked, casually doing that astronaut hop and making it look somehow graceful.

“Oh no. I’ll never be ready.” he replied, “But let’s do it.” And with that, he took his first step on the Moon.

And promptly at shit.

—————————————————————————-

“OHHOHOHOHO! LINK! Are you okay??” Rhett managed to gasp between laughs as he watched the video footage from Link’s helmet take a straight dive towards the surface. There was a grey puff, then darkness as the cameras planted themselves into the lunar dust. He glanced at Nolan’s cameras, confirming that Link had indeed face planted with his first step. Next to him, astronaut Jannelle checked the readout of Link’s vitals and suit status.

Over the headset he wore, he could hear Link hyperventilating and saying “Ah ah ah! I-I-I think I cracked the visor! I’m freakin’ out! Will I -Am I going to die???”

Link’s camera view swung upwards as he struggled to stand in the micro-gravity. A quick glance at Nolan’s cameras told Rhett that Link was fine, just dusty. “You’re all good, Linkster, just listen to me talk.” Rhett said, “Or maybe Nolan, he knows what he’s doing. I’m just a guy sitting at a, what, desk? Console? Computer bank?” He glanced at Jannelle, who simply gave him a shrug and a smile. She probably knew, but that wasn’t important at the moment, Rhett figured. He’d have to ask her later.

Nolan’s voice crackled on his headset as he reassured Link. “Your visor is strong, so don’t worry. It can withstand micro meteor impacts and more falls.” the astronaut said.

“Micro meteors??” Link’s panicked reply came, “Am I gonna get hit, Nolan??”

Both astronauts laughed at the question and Nolan said “You’re technically getting hit all the time, but they’re so small, it’ll be fine.” “Yeah, Link, it’ll be fine, so relax, buddy!” Rhett chimed in, grinning as his best friend wobbled again, “Don’t fall again!”

—————————————————————————-

“Easy for you to say, you’re sitting there all safe and sound and I’m gonna fall off the Moon!” Link grumbled as he found his balance again. “Oooooh, Nolan. I am not sure I can do this!”

The other astronaut gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and said “You can! Just follow my lead and don’t forget to hop!”

With that, Nolan turned easily and hopped towards the far end of the colony building. Link stared for a moment, trying to watch Nolan and muttering to himself about technique. After a hesitant step forwards, Link followed suit, stumbling from time to time, but not falling.

“We have to get to the top of the crater, otherwise we can’t see Earth-rise from here.” Nolan said as Link watched him skip right up to the LVR*.

“Moon buggy!” Rhett exclaimed, causing Link to wince at the sudden loudness, “Ooooh, man, I’ve always wanted to drive one of those! Can you imagine doing doughnuts on the moon? Or jumping off a crater edge? You’d go so far!”

“No. Absolutely not. I don’t want to puke in my suit!” Link replied, slowly hopping towards the buggy. He sat down on the passenger seat and tried to glance at Nolan, but the EVA’s helmet didn’t turn and he only saw the side of his own helmet.

“Don’t worry, it only goes like 10 miles per hour.” Nolan said, giving him a pat on the knee before starting the buggy.

The two astronauts headed for the edge of the crater and Link realized his nerves had died down a little. Not gone, but he was feeling better about being out here. On the moon. Finally, the magnitude of what he was doing washed over him and felt himself getting a little excited. He was here, on the moon, filming and experiencing what life was like as an astronaut. And while Rhett couldn’t be out here, the two of them were still doing something historic by being the first civilians on the moon. And that was amazing.

Nolan’s voice broke through his thoughts, saying “Link, we’re almost at the top of the crater. I want you to close your eyes and cover your cameras. I want you two to see it in full rather than coming into view! Trust me, I’ll help you out of the LVR, so don’t worry.”

Link hesitated for a second, then followed Nolan’s instructions. It was a little awkward to cover the cameras, but he managed to do it, despite Rhett’s grumbling. He could hear Jannelle’s voice faintly through Rhett’s mic as she agreed with Nolan and reassure Rhett that it would be more interesting that way.

Link felt a hand on his arm and he started to look up, but stopped himself. Nolan helped him out, just like he promised he would.

“Yup, lift your foot. Okay, now pivot, keep that foot up. Both feet on the ground now. I’m gonna pull you carefully. Try not to stand up too fast or you’ll float up a little.”

After a few bumbling moments, Link’s feet were firmly planted on the ground and he was facing the way Nolan oriented him.

“On three, look up.” Nolan said.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

Link looked and dropped his hands, uncovering the cameras. Both Link and Rhett sucked in a breath and held it as Link stared in awe.

Just barely above the Lunar horizon, Earth hung in absolute darkness, the sun illuminating it from behind them. The lower quarter of the Earth disappeared into nothing as the sun only illuminated the daylight side of the planet. Clouds swirled around the brilliant blue orb, covering and revealing landmasses as they drifted. The oceans reflected the noon sunlight, creating a small bright spot, much like a shiny ball would have under an overhead light.

“Oh my word.” Rhett breathed over the comms, then fell silent again.

After a solid minute of watching the Earth rise above the horizon, Link finally moved, turning towards Nolan. “That was…. wow. You were right.” he started, still lost in the beauty of the Earth-rise, “That was something. That was worth this. Even if I did fall on my face, that was worth it.”

Nolan gave him an awkward thumbs up, due to the bulky gloves, and said “I’m glad. Now do you want to bounce down the side of the crater or ride in the buggy again?”

“Buggy!” “Bounce!”

“I will not bounce down the side of the crater, Rhett! I’d fall ass over kettle if I tried!”

“Yeah, you would, Link, but think of how much the viewers would love it, man!”

Glossary:

LCVG: Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment

EVA: ExtraVehicular Activity, aka space walk suits

MAG: Maximum Absorbency Garment, aka fancy diaper

LVR: Lunar Roving Vehicle

O-oh my gosh Inky, thank you so much for this wonderful fic!! ;v; I love this so much aaah _(┐「ε:)_♡

[mythicallyyours]

Had a dream that I was working at Mythical and got called into Rhett and Link's office. I thought I was in trouble and they were acting like I was gonna get canned, but turns out it was a birthday surprise party! It was the best! Could you write a little piece using that dream as a prompt?

Sounds like a lovely dream, nonnie! Here ya, go!

_____________________________________________

You hadn’t been an employee at Mythical very long, but there was an almost home feeling about being there. Your co-workers were unique talented people from all corners of the world, they were good hardworking people. 

The big bosses, Rhett and Link, were always busy with mounds of work an projects on the side, but they seemed okay as far as bosses went.

Subconsciously, you avoided them. Not that they did anything to intimidate you. But, past work experience had taught you to keep your head down and do your job and do it well and you’d never have to talk to them.

Stevie, the 2nd in command, was just as busy but far more approachable, always had a smile and greeting to you each morning seeing as you arrived to work at the same time. 

Yes, Mythical was shaping up to be a good job with fun challenges so far.

•••••

On a hazy Thursday afternoon, you had just finished running errands with Chase, when you got a text from Stevie that read, “Could you please meet me in Rhett and Links office when you get back? Thank you!”

Chase glanced over your shoulder, “Uh oh, you’re in trooooouuuble, my friend.”

You slipped your phone back into your pocket, “I am? How?”

Chase sat the bags on the kitchen counter, “Three of the big bosses vs one employee, sounds bad.”

“You’re not wrong. Should I run out of here now or go see if you’re wrong?” Chase shurgged, “I can put the rest of the stuff away, you go ahead.”

 He tapped your arm, “Also, I’m just playing  with you. It’s probably nothing major.”

You nodded slowly, “Okay. Uh Chase?”

He paused, “Yeah?” You took a breath, “I-I don’t want to go into the office.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Why not? You nervous?”

You nodded, “Y-yeah.”

Chase placed a hand on your shoulder, “Its okay. Tell you what, I’ll walk with you there. You haven’t really talked to Rhett and Link much have you?”

Nodding you allowed Chase to lead the way.

Chase smiled, “They’re two, weird uncles from the south, that’s all. Nothing to be scared of.”

You paused at the office door, “What if  they ask questions that I can’t answer?”

Chase elbowed you, “Don’t over think it.”

 Chase knocked on the door and opened it for you, “Youll be fine, go on.”

•••••• 

Your fingers clasped the door as you peeked thru. Oddly enough, the office didn’t have a heavy oppressive feel to It. Green viney plants hanging down fro  the loft, Merle Haggard Records on the focus wall and cozy furniture gave off a welcoming brightness drawing you in. 

Rhett was at his desk “Hey, come on in.”

Link poked his head out from the other side of the door inches away from your face, “Hello!”

You gasped and jolted, jumping out of the doorway, back into the hall.

Rhett’s ‘ho ho’ laugh filled the office, “Link, you need to wear a bell, man.”

Link grinned gregariously as he opened the door completely and grabbed your forearm, “Come on in, girl. Don’t be shy.”

His grip was strong as he pulled you into the office showing no effort on his part, “Didn’t mean to startle you. Have a seat.”

Rhett gestured to the couch and sat beside you, “Sorry about Link. He’s unpredictable.”

You nodded and tried not to think about how intimidating it was to sit between two men who towered above you.

Link patted your back, “Hows your day been? Working hard?”

“Y-yes sir.”

Rhett folded his arms on his knees frowning slightly, “Thats what we like to hear. However we have a little problem.”

Your heartbeat picked up, “Problem? W-where is Stevie? I-I thought she was going to meet me here too.”

Link shrugged, “Stevie is out at the moment and asked us to take care of you until she got back.”

Rhett tipped his head, “Honestly, we’re not too happy that you weren’t up front with us.”

Link leaned forward. His bright blue eyes looking darker every second, "Yeah, something you didn’t tell us upon being hired.“

You tensed up, unsure as to what they were talking about, "A-am I in trouble? W-what did I do?" 

Rhett’s voice deepened, "Big trouble.”

Link matched Rhetts dark tone, “You’re in for it today, girl.”

 At this point, you were trembling. Terrified of what they were going to do.  A small sob escaped your lips, “S-sorry, I’m sorry. I-I don’t know what I did. I’m sorry.” Your hands came up to cover your head as you shrunk down into the couch waiting for the worst.

•HOOONK•

 A loud horn tooted from above and a symphony of voices shouted, “SUPRISE!! Happy birthday!”

Link pulled you upright by the shoulders,  "Happy Birthday!“

Rhett clapped his hands together as laughter bellowed out of his chest, "Ha, ha! We had you going good! Happy Birthday, welome to the Mythical family!”

 Links hands clasped your wrists, gently pulling them away from your head, “Hey, it’s your Birthday, girl! Don’t hide.”

You looked up in the loft and saw almost all the crew members and Stevie with noise makers and birthday hats on waving at you. As they flowed down the stairs Rhett pulled you to his side into a hug, “You’re shaking, hopefully with joy. We wanted you to feel welcome and appreciated today. Stevie informed us that today was your special day so we did something special.”

Link elbowed you, “You didn’t tell anyone either! Just waltzing about your day like normal. Not a word. But, we have ways of finding out.”

Rhett rolled his eyes, “Yeah, a super secret way called Facebook.”

 As your eyes surveyed all the smiling faces looking down at you, a warm rush of happiness washed over you, “Oh wow, y-you all are the best. Thank you." 

You stood up and gave Stevie a hug. She laughed, "Sorry about the vague text, but I had to get you in here somehow without suspicion.

Chase kept you busy so we could sneak out and get you a cake and treats.”

Exhaling shakily you laughed, “The way Rhett and Link were talking, I thought they were about to fire me or kill me. I couldn’t tell the difference.”

Everyone chuckled Link leaned on your shoulder, “Oh yes, horrible. Look out, the big scary bosses might get you a cake. Oooo scary.”

Rhett patted your head, “That was intentional, to get you worked up. And well, it worked. But at least you get sugar out of the deal. Ha!”

Cake, ice cream, cards and presents all in the lunch lounge awaited you courtesy of your adopted mythical crew family and two crazy adopted mythical uncles.