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7. Kiss and Tell
Last Updated:
2024-10-28 08:15:22Related chapters
Fluid 8. Rhythm of the Needle
Quill turned, expecting Hawk, but it was Lilly. She leaned against the counter, watching him with a grin."You should be more careful about leaving the upstairs door unlocked," she said.Quill shrugged. "Only you and Hawk would have access anyway. Not worried you'll run off with a couple of pencils."She grinned, glancing at his scattered supplies. "I don't know. Pretty tempting. These are some top-tier art supplies you've got lying around."He chuckled as he sat back in his chair. "Couldn't sleep?""Something like that," he muttered, his fingers fidgeting with a pencil. Lilly tilted her head, studying him as she walked into his private studio behind the central area."Must be something in the building's ventilation system," she said, crossing her arms. "Seems like Hawk can't sleep either."Quill didn't need to ask, but he did anyway. "How do you know?"She rolled her eyes. "I was walking down to my studio and could hear him way before I saw him. He's in there, grunting and throwing
Last Updated : 2024-10-28Fluid 9. Bringing it Out of Me
Lilly followed Hawk to his gym after Quill finished the tattoo. She knew this place was his refuge, his second home, the one spot he could sink into when the rest of the world became too complicated. She slipped in after him. Hawk was already behind the front desk, hunched over paperwork. When she entered, he didn't look up. He knew she was there.She made herself at home, dropping onto the bench across from him and watching as he scribbled something down. Hawk glanced up briefly, annoyance clear on his face before he quickly masked it."Do you make yourself at home everywhere?" he muttered, keeping his eyes on the paperwork."Only where I feel welcome," she replied. She looked around the room, taking in the heavy-duty weight racks, hanging punching bags, and the slight hum of the gym equipment. This place was rugged, simple, and practical. Just like Hawk.He didn't respond, and she almost felt him resisting her presence like she was dangerous or something."You two are something el
Last Updated : 2024-10-28Fluid 10. Opening Night
On the evening of the lounge's opening, Hawk and Quill arrived separately, each drawn by Lilly's vague invitation to the "black tie event" via the gold embossed invitations that she delivered to them. She hadn't mentioned she'd invited them both or hinted at the exclusive, mysterious ambiance the night would hold. Nor had she shared that guests would arrive in a wide range of attire beyond the formal dress code. From elegant tuxedos to sensual, artistic costumes that veered toward the bizarre but somehow maintained a degree of elegance. He noticed that the people wearing the costumes had a range of multicolored invitations. Anyone dressed formally had the elegant gold embossed version.Hawk stood just outside the entrance, glaring at the newly hung sign above the lounge. She hadn't even shown it to him before putting it up. The damn thing was bold, massive, and unmistakably suggestive. Precisely what would rile his father up if he saw it.He took a deep breath. She couldn't know ab
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Fluid 11. A Line
Quill's eyes kept darting between the exit and Hawk. "Look, it's late. We've seen a lot already, and I think maybe we should...""We've been here fifteen minutes," Hawk interrupted. "And I had no idea you did this kind of art. Now I need to see it."Quill's jaw tensed as he shifted. "Trust me, you don't need to see it."Hawk frowned. "Why not? It's just your work, right?" He eyed Quill with growing suspicion. "Unless there's something you don't want me to see."Quill's shoulders sagged. "You're gonna hate it," he muttered. "Hell, you'll probably be pissed.""Pissed over a few sketches?" Hawk questioned as he stood up with Lilly. Before Quill could answer, Lilly grabbed them both by the hands. "You two need to see what I set up," she said with a mischievous look directed at Quill. "You're going to love it. Both of you."She led them deeper into the blacklight room, weaving through groups of guests until they reached a display near the back. Hawk nearly gasped as he took in the small d
Last Updated : 2024-10-31Fluid 12. Don't Stop
Hawk pulled his mask down quickly as he scanned the crowd. His heartbeat was pounding in his ears against its edges. If any of his father's pack were here, catching him in this place, with the art, atmosphere, and Quill, there'd be hell to pay. And he doubted his father's reaction would be the worst of it.But Quill must have noticed his anxiety. He grabbed Hawk by the arm and tugged him toward the owner's box alcove behind the stage. "No one's going to see us here," Quill said as he guided Hawk to sit back down in the booth beside him. "They won't smell us, not like that. We live right above this place, and our businesses are practically woven around hers. They would expect to smell us some."Hawk's shoulders slowly relaxed. "It's not just being seen. Someone from the pack had to get in here somehow, so they got their hands on an invite. You realize what that means, right?" Hawk whispered. "It means they either came into contact with Lilly or someone who works for her." He looked ba
Last Updated : 2024-10-31Fluid 13. Stay Here
Hawk growled under his breath. He didn't want to stop. He didn't want to pull away, couldn't even imagine letting this go. Why had they fought this for so long? As he moved his hand slowly, keeping Quill right at the edge, he felt a strange thrill, something almost like defiance. They'd always been told this was dangerous, but here, tonight, it didn't feel like a threat. It felt like freedom. And somehow, that made him want it even more.Quill growled in his ear, and Hawk almost lost control, his own restraint slipping. As he felt both of them moving toward climaxing, footsteps snapping them back to the present. Hawk froze, his heart racing, instinctively tightening his grip on Quill, ready to react to whoever was closing in on their hidden alcove."It's one of my pack," Hawk whispered, dread creeping into his mind. "They're going to find us here."Quill stilled, then leaned close enough to murmur, "Get dressed. Now."Hawk moved quickly, securing his pants. Quill adjusted himself wi
Last Updated : 2024-10-31Fluid 14. Us
Hawk sat on the edge of Quill's couch, jaw tight as he stared at the floor. Everything they hadn't allowed themselves to feel, let alone voice, was suddenly loaded with implications they never expected. This tension that had been building for years was now just waiting for a crack to break free. And knowing who was downstairs only sharpened it."They're here together. Acting like a couple?" Hawk sounded bitter even to his own ears. He glanced up at Quill, who was pacing the room."Yeah," Quill muttered. "Hard to believe, isn't it?" He stopped and shook his head. "The same people who'd beat us down if we so much as looked the wrong way at each other. And now…" He trailed off.The silence that followed only exacerbated the frustration Hawk felt. It wasn't just that their fathers were here together, breaking every rule they'd forced on their sons. It was the hypocrisy of it, the impossibility that their fathers could have the freedom they were denied. Neither of them knew how to face th
Last Updated : 2024-10-31Fluid 15. Still Hiding
Quill blinked awake slowly. He was lying on his back, and Hawk was sprawled beside him, still fast asleep with his body pressed against him. They hadn’t done this in years. Not since they were kids, not since Hawk’s father had found them curled up together in the treehouse one morning and had made sure neither of them forgot why boys didn’t “share beds” like that.Quill shifted and propped himself up to look at Hawk. His friend was splayed out, one arm over his eyes, his breathing steady. A soft snore escaped occasionally. His lips were barely parted, and his usual guarded expression was nowhere to be found. He looked peaceful. Comfortable. Seeing him like this, wearing Quill’s clothes no less, made him want to stay still and memorize the moment. To etch it in his mind much like he would later on canvas.Hawk stirred and mumbled softly before settling back down. Quill couldn’t help but smile. After watching him for a long time, he quietly slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom
Last Updated : 2024-11-01
Latest chapter
Fluid 41. Make Waves
Quill paced outside the tattoo shop. Hawk was nearby, leaning against the doorframe. “You’re wearing a hole in the sidewalk.”Quill didn’t respond, focusing on the horizon where Hadlin should have appeared by now. “He’s late."“You don’t have to do this, you know.” Hawk stepped away from the doorframe. “You’re working yourself up before he even gets here. What if he shows and you’re already unraveling?”“And what if he doesn’t show up at all?” Quill shot back, finally turning toward Hawk. Quill bristled at how easily Hawk could unsettle him without even trying.“Then we’ll handle it,” Hawk replied. “But he’ll show. You know he will. He showed up to the art show. I just wish you could have met with him then.”Quill opened his mouth to argue when a shadow appeared around the corner. Hadlin’s figure emerged, broad and familiar but carrying a presence that felt too much like a memory and a stranger combined. As he came closer, Quill had to take a deep breath. Hawk moved aside, giving Quil
Fluid 40. When You're Ready
Sunlight spilled into the room, catching on the edges of the sheets tangled from the night before. The warm aroma of coffee mingled with the faint hum of morning life. Hawk shifted in the bed as Quill placed a steaming mug on the nightstand. He stretched slowly before pulling the mug closer, savoring its inviting heat. Across the room, Quill moved with uncontainable energy.Bare feet tapped against the floor, moving with a sense of purpose that seemed to escalate by the second. Drawers opened and cabinets closed in rhythm, filling the small apartment with a gentle chaos. A half-folded blanket was tossed over the arm of the couch, quickly abandoned in favor of a stack of papers needing attention. Quill’s shirt, half-tucked into sweatpants, betrayed the impatience driving him from task to task.Hawk leaned back against the headboard, the cup in hand barely touched. He observed Quill darting between chores, his movements light and full of energy.“What’s gotten into you?” Hawk asked.Qui
Fluid 39. Did I
The backdoor of Fluid slammed shut behind them, the muffled echoes of the crowd barely audible as Hawk dragged Quill upstairs. His grip was firm, his strides relentless, and his presence demanded attention. Quill followed, working hard to keep his breathing steady. Hawk was so charged, so sure, he didn’t want to shatter the moment by mentioning what he’d seen. Herc could wait. This was Hawk’s time.The door to their apartment swung open, and they stumbled inside. Hawk didn’t waste a second, turning and pressing Quill against the nearest wall. He explored Quill’s suit with urgent and searching movements, filled with a raw hunger tempered only by hesitation. Quill felt the uncertainty in Hawk’s actions, his careful intensity as he navigated this new territory. The mix of boldness and hesitance elicited a visceral response from Quill, distracting him from everything else.“Damn... You liked that, didn’t you?” Hawk said, tugging the zipper of Quill’s suit halfway down. He moved his hands
Fluid 38. Living His Art
The music started low and pulsing, its rhythm threading through the room, commanding attention. The white sheet stretched over the bed glowed faintly under the lights, creating a soft, otherworldly stage. Their bodies beneath the fabric became mere impressions, turning every movement into an artful tease. The fabric glided over the others perfectly, like water running over a smooth surface. Quill moved first, his body pressing against the sheet with quiet confidence. Each shift was deliberate, every motion purposeful, as though the music itself flowed through him. He felt it immediately. He was meant for something like this. Meant to express himself in as many creative ways as possible. His father be damned. This was what made him feel alive. This was living his art. And he was lucky enough to be living it with the guy he loved.Hawk followed, slower at first, his hesitance visible in the sharpness of his outline. The tentativeness was perfect for the scene and brought the crowd clo
Fluid 37. Take Control
Lilly strolled into the tattoo shop, her entrance as unhurried as her smile. Quill stood by the workbench, sorting through fresh needles and inks, the machine already prepped for his next client. She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching him with that look she always had when she was about to ask for something."Got time for me later?" she asked.Quill paused mid-motion and turned her way. "Depends. What's on your mind?""A tattoo," she said, lifting one foot slightly to point at her ankle. "Right here. Something small.""Now you trust me with permanent marks?" he teased, setting a needle into the machine. "Careful. You might regret it.""Not a chance," she fired back. "Besides, I want to see what you come up with."Hawk chimed in from the doorway as he stepped in from the back steps. "Careful, Lilly. You're inflating his ego.""Hardly," she shot back. "I know how to keep him humble."Quill smirked, tilting his head toward the chair. "Come back later. We'll see if your
Fluid 36. Let It Go
The paint dried in uneven streaks beneath them, vivid smears marking every chaotic movement from moments before. Hawk lay on his back, one hand resting in the mess of colors, while Quill stretched out beside him, quieter now. The tarp clung to their skin, the air carrying the faint scent of paint and sweat.Quill shifted closer, his breath warm against Hawk's chest. "Do you think they regret it? Any of it?"Hawk traced an absent-minded line through a smear of blue paint on the tarp. "No. People like them don't regret things. They double down."Quill stayed quiet. "I hate that it still gets to me. It feels like they win every time I care.""They don't win. You still made them face it. That's a kind of victory."Quill brushed his hand lightly through the mess between them. "I don't feel victorious. I feel… emptied out.""That's good." Hawk sat up. "Now there's room for something else."Quill let that settle. He didn't move for a while, simply breathing and listening to Hawk's heartbeat
Fluid 35. Can't Control
Hawk leaned near the booth's edge, the muffled buzz of the gallery below barely registering. Lilly stood beside him, a notepad balanced against her hand as she tapped a pen lightly on its surface."Collect the names and details of everyone asking about Quill's work," Hawk instructed, keeping his focus on the closed door that led upstairs. "We'll need them later."Lilly slipped the notepad under her arm. "It's already done."He nodded, then he stepped away from the booth, moving toward the stairs. He didn't say anything else as he pushed through the gallery doors and headed upstairs.The apartment was quiet, almost unnaturally so, until a loud crash shattered the silence. Hawk stopped mid-step, listening as another crash echoed from inside. Without hesitation, he opened the door and stepped inside.Quill stood in the center of the room, surrounded by debris. A broken side table lay in pieces near the wall. One of his finished paintings, vivid and expressive just days ago, had been torn
Fluid 34. Why I Am
The office felt stifling as Quill and Hawk focused on the grainy security feed. The static shimmered faintly, but it didn't obscure the image of their fathers marching toward the gallery entrance like they were the ones who owned the place. Quill leaned closer."They're here," he muttered, tightening his grip on the edge of the desk.Hawk stood motionless behind Lilly's chair, his eyes locked on the screen. "I told you they'd show. Even if they were fighting, I knew they would show."Quill rubbed his temple, exhaling sharply. "I can't believe they are acting like we wouldn't know they did any of this. Really? Do they really think we are that naive?" Hawk rolled his eyes and leaned against Quill. "No, they think they scared us enough it wouldn't come up. That we wouldn't dare go near something like this." Quill leaned back against him and allowed the contact to calm them both for a second. "Or each other." Lilly leaned casually against the filing cabinet nearby, watching the screen
Fluid 33. The Fun Part
The small apartment above the businesses felt oppressive that night, the usual hum of comfort replaced by the weight of anticipation. Quill stood in front of the mirror, tugging at his tie with mounting frustration. The fabric twisted and wrinkled in his hands, refusing to cooperate. He threw it down on the dresser with a sharp exhale, leaning on the edge with his palms. The reflection staring back at him didn't look like him. The suit, pristine and tailored, felt like an ill-fitting costume for a role he didn't want to play."This is stupid," he muttered, brushing his hair back before it flopped forward again. "I look like I'm auditioning for a bank job."Hawk didn't answer immediately. He was sprawled on the couch, one ankle resting on his knee, a half-full whiskey tumbler balanced in his hand. His own suit fit perfectly, the sharp lines complimenting his frame, and somehow, he looked both at ease and like he didn't belong there either."You don't look like a banker," Hawk said eve
