Southern Charm

Mike should have expected a kiss on the cheek from Patrick as he guided him inside his home. He had worked hard for it on Saint Patrick's Day, "I was going to make you hit a bullseye for another one of those." He mentioned then quickly smiled, clearly joking. Mike didn't mind. He was gathering that it was just who Patrick was. Naturally flirty. He practically had been from the moment they met. His gaze drifted down towards their hands for a moment before he looked around the cabin, noting it was extremely similar to his... There was just nothing special in there. Like Patrick didn't intend to stay long.

Patrick was fully aware that the whole bullseye comment was a joke but hell if he wouldn’t going to make the most of it – by turning his head toward Mike and giving his guest his typical Cheshire grin that held many, many unspoken promises behind it. “I mean – I won’ mind goin’ out shootin’ again with ye’. Ye’ did have fun and surprisingly enough… so did I. However, makin’ me shoot a bullseye for a kiss on the cheek?” Patrick pretended to think when he already knew what he wanted to say – allowing the silence to fill the space between the two. He was a tease – Mike knew it and he didn’t seemed opposed to it – otherwise he would have pumped the breaks when they were together at the shooting range. “Maybe if the prize was a better one, I could try to aim for the bullseye.” His hand squeezed Mike’s gently as Patrick ever so casually shrugged – almost as if he was talking about something as basic as the weather. “Make that a blowjob and I might consider yer’ offer. What can I say? I might be a masochist for the right guy.”

Roman hadn't seen Patrick since March, the "day of his namesake" as he so clearly called it. That didn't mean he hadn't thought about it, the way they danced, and teased. It made sense that it wouldn't be their last encounter. However, he didn't expect their next meeting to include a scavenger hunt. Exciting.

Patrick Pearson loved to tease. If there was one thing he was good at – for it had taken him a few years to master – was the ability to tease someone to the breaking point and then leave them be. Most people would consider that cruel. Edging or giving someone blue balls or something along those lines… but those were the arguments of the weak-willed. He liked to tease and provoke to guarantee that the other person would want him more. Leaving them with just a preview, a quick glimpse behind the curtain… that was enough. If they wanted more, they would come for him and they would do whatever the fuck he wanted in order to enjoy the full experience that was being with him. And the best part of that scenario was that Patrick could walk the walk as good as he could talk the talk. The widest majority of guys he had been with – at the Haus and outside of it – could definitely tease but they failed to progress into an enjoyable practical state. They could bark… but failed to bite. Roman had been nothing but a lovely tease during their first encounter and while Patrick liked when people made their way to him on their own accord – today was different. He wanted to be the one reaching out. He wanted to be the one luring the other man with a siren’s song, rekindling that anticipation that had built from their first encounter. And he was also in a particular mood that day. He had so little control on the things happening in his own personal life that a part of him DEMANDED that he had some control over something. And if that meant calling someone to meet him at a playroom and show a side of him that only very, very lucky few were fortunate to see? Then so be it. As Roman walked in wearing that beautiful and rather fitting leather body suit, Patrick’s lips almost betrayed his neutral expression. He liked what he saw. A lot. Almost fitting considering where they were and all the things that were crossing his mind right now. “Ye’ like the harness? I was in the mood for it today.” The personal trainer admired Roman for a moment, his blue eyes taking in how tight the leather was around the other man’s pale skin, leaving little to his imagination. Guess he did cause an impression on their first meeting after all. “Before that – we should cover some ground rules, darlin’…” Patrick inhaled harshly as he walked closer to Roman, bringing one hand to lift the other man’s chin so that their eyes could meet. No more nice and polite Patrick inside that room. No more teasing. The time for games was over.

There was a large part of Mike that didn't actually think Patrick was going to 'ask him out' or whatever they were calling it. Watching a movie with him sounded like a fun night and he was hoping he'd be able to glean a bit more information about the guy as they hung out more. Sure, he saw him a lot at the gym but that was the gym. They weren't really shooting the shit. Well, at least Mike wasn't. He wasn't much for chatting when he was working out because he was there to work and it was honestly his least favorite part of the day. He just did it because it was something he was so used to.

When the knock on the window to the balcony echoed inside his cabin, Patrick was already carrying the giant bowl of popcorn to the living room, placing it on top of the small wooden table at the center for the time being. Chances were they would get those between them in the couch but for now – central table was the best. “Welcome to my humble abode, darlin’.” Patrick pushed open the balcony window to grant Mike passage to the interior, greeting the other man not only with his best and most sultry smile… but also with a rather sudden kiss on the cheek – just enough to brush their scruff together before pulling back. Hey – he had shot the damn target to get to kiss Mike on the cheek during the St. Patrick’s night. To hell with everything if he wasn’t going to take full advantage of it now that he could do that. “Make yer’self at home.” The personal trainer took Mike by the hand and guided him to the pristine white couch that they were going to stay in and stretched the other arm to show the whole interior of the cabin. “Bet yer’s look the same as this. I didn’ change anythin’.” He didn’t want to, didn’t have time to and quite honestly… found it a completely waste of time to add a personal touch to it. It wasn’t all that different from living at a hotel. “Ye’ have salty popcorn there… question is – what’cha drinkin’? I got… water, energy drinks, beers…” Not something he drank but on occasion and with the right company, Patrick could indulge. “I didn’ buy any sodas ‘case that shit is nasty to yer’ health.” And he haven’t had a fucking soda in years.

He smiled a bit as Patrick came over to admire his handiwork on the target as well and he released soft laugh at his question. It was a fair one, “Mostly that you asked.” Mike mentioned. It would be a lie to say to that he wasn’t having fun knowing how worked up Patrick got about it. It was entertaining for him and a first, he was fairly certain. Mike didn’t typically go out of his way to make people ‘hot and bothered’ and, really, it wasn’t his intention with Patrick… It was just a side effect. “I did want to shoot again though.” He added in, “That was why I came here.” He chuckled.

It was not exactly how Patrick was planning to spend his namesake’s day party but he couldn’t deny that there was so excitement building from it. It definitely beat walking around exchanging golden coins for a kiss or a touch – or having people offer him coins for a glance of his junk or a chance to get a feel of his body against their own. The personal trainer did love to tease, in the end. To actually get aroused by watching a man shoot a gun was definitely a first but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He did like guys with oozing confidence that knew how good they were at doing something and weren’t necessarily shy about it. Little by little, step by step… Patrick was slowly getting to understand the sort of individual that was Michael Reynolds. And it was fascinating to have a challenge for once. Someone who would keep him on his toes, someone who was definitely going to force him to think twice before speaking. And like every other challenge – Patrick was more than ready for it. A smile formed on his lips as he realized that Mike didn’t do anything to pull his hand back from his own. They remained like that for a little bit, their fingers intertwined and feeling each other’s warmth due to such a simple – and yet so important – action. “I can be blunt if ye’ wan’ me too, darlin’.” Patrick wiggled his eyebrows and bite down on his bottom lip, entertained with the concept that Mike would actually agree with dropping by his cabin and go for a John Wick marathon. “Would ye’ said yes if I just came out of the woodworks and asked ye’ out? I mean – I had to hit a target to manage to get to kiss ye’ on the cheek. I wonder what sort of loops and tricks ye’d have me do in order to ask ye’ out.” A clear joke but Patrick did want to present his point. “Yer’ only considerin’ it now because we came ‘ere, ye’ had fun and ye’ see I’m not that bad of a guy. If I just came out to ye’ in the party and asked ye’ out… chances ‘ere that ye’d say no.” But Mike wasn’t say no now.

To be quite honest, Mike thought that Patrick was exaggerating from his comment. He didn’t actually think he was aroused but when the other pulled down his shorts and showed it, Mike smirked almost immediately, taking the time to look (he would be a fool if he didn’t), before he turned his gaze away, “You are a man of your word, Pat.” He told the other with a chuckle, “Wow.” He sighed out, shaking his head, “John Wick. That’s a…a movie, right?” Mike wasn’t much for movies or anything like that but he had heard of that one a couple times, “Never been compared to him. I will assume he’s good.” He joked.

Patrick was a lot of things – but above all else – he was observant. It was a trait that he had started to master back when he was still a poor kid playing with Alexander and Thomas in their vast gardens while his mother worked as a maid. It all started with his admiration for the older King. How he behaved even at such a young age. He was confident and a little bit cocky but he was still nice to him… even if he didn’t have to be. At first, Patrick was jealous. They had everything while he had nothing and a part of him wanted to emulate that spirit so that he could be more like Alex. More vivacious, more confident. Maybe look like someone else so that he wouldn’t be bullied and picked up in school. That observant trait was developed through the years – and with Alexander’s guidance – Patrick learned how to read people in order to say and do exactly what they wanted to see and hear… in order to use that to his own advantage. He could see how proud Mike was of himself right now. There was this almost smug expression n his face as he mentioned the fact that he wanted to see him shoot again – Patrick did wonder if he was going to do that again because that would get him even harder than he was – or maybe if Mike wanted to show off just a little bit more. In the end… it didn’t matter. Mike was good at what he did. Patrick knew it and Mike definitely knew it. As the retired agent prepared the next target in order to shoot, all Patrick could do was lean against the wall and fold his arms over his chest, his eyes never once moving from Mike. There was this confidence oozing from him when he pressed the trigger. Almost like he had been born to do that, knowing full well that his skills were above others. And there was nothing wrong about showing off. He should show off. He should be proud of how damn good he was doing what he did. A sentiment that Patrick knew all too well. Being good at something was more often than not that lifeline that kept them sane. Knowing that they were good at something was sometimes that one mantra that echoed on their head to remind them that they were not completely useless.

When Patrick turned to start walking away from him it confused Alexander at first, but as he made his way towards a specific corner it became clear what he was doing, and sure enough the shirt was discarded to block out the camera that the men had installed for security purposes. Jack would watch when there were playmates in here, just to make sure things stayed on the kinkier side of things, though security was just a call away if he felt they ever crossed the line and the staff needed help. Tonight he wouldn’t get the luxury of seeing what Patrick had up his sleeves, it was now just the two of them, not that Alexander minded - it’s not like he wanted other people to know his business anyway.

He could see the confusion in Alexander’s gaze as he shared portions of his conversation with Steven – something that Patrick wasn’t exactly planning on saying anything about until this very moment. “He told me fucked ye’. And not only at the club. That when ye’ ‘ere together, that ye’ could claim him as much as he could claim ye.” Which made sense considering the two were madly in love and were once about to get married. He also told him that it was unwise to fall for Alex for sooner or later he would end up breaking his heart. That he knew better than anyone how it felt to fall in love with him and have his heart broken in the end. “I’m not stupid, Alex. I know ye’ fucked him and that he fucked ye’. Ye’ guys were goin’ to get married, for fuck’s sake. It’s not ‘bout that, darlin’. It’s not ‘bout braggin’ rights on who got to fuck the King.” It was never about it. Steven only used every ammunition he had to hurt him and Patrick was sure to do the exact same thing. “I know ye’ never saw me like the maid’s son, my love.” Patrick brushed his nose over Alex’s and his grip on his cock increased pressure for a moment as the personal trainer took a deep breath. “He knew I loved ye’ just as much as I know he loves ye’ too. We were just… makin’ sure that we both knew that none of us would back down. He told me I would be unable to get him out of yer’ head – just as much as anyone else would ever be able to get ye’ out of his. And I told him that if yer’ love was that great as he claimed it was… ye’ have never left him at the altar.” It was a fucking low blow and Patrick knew that but all was fair in love and war. If Steven wanted to mess with his head, he would make sure to mess with his in return. “The thing is not who gets to fuck ye’ or not, Alex…” Patrick closed his eyes and pressed their lips together in a desperate kiss. All he had wanted when he sent that text to Alex was to prove himself every bit of Steven’s equal when it came to sex and other things. That he could be just as amazing if not better. Anything that he could that would show Alex that he too deserved a damn chance. But how could he compete with the love of Alex’s life? Even if Alex loved him now and would always love him – there was just something about Steven that worked better. “He told me that sooner or later, ye’ would break my heart just like ye’ broke his. He told me how much it hurt. How he tried to forget all ‘bout ye’ and never managed to do that.” And that… that was Patrick feared the most. The thing that felt like a punch on his gut. The thing that kept him awake at night. Not the getting his heartbroken for he was already preparing himself to it – but the aftermath of it all. “I’m not scared of gettin’ hurt. I told ye’ – if ye’ end up with him, I’ll be happy ‘cause yer’ happy. Yer’ happiness was always my priority. I’ll lick my wounds and I’ll get better. What scares me? What really scares me? Is that I never had a fightin’ chance, Alex.” That Alex’s mind was already made up due to all the history he and Steven had together. “That’s why a part of me wanted to fuck ye’ – because he did too. Because he got that chance and I never did. Yes, I was jealous and I was stupid… I’d never fuck ye’ the way he does.” He would rather make love to Alex as the man he was than the man he was pretending to be.

When all was said and done and they were left panting messes he could only chuckle when the first words out of Pat’s mouth were that he needed this. “You and I both,” it had been a while since they’d fucked, or really been together in any way since Patrick had pumped the brakes on their relationship. It’s not that Alexander couldn’t have gotten his rocks off elsewhere, he had in fact, but there was just something about Patrick that set him apart from others. He was different, special, and would always be seen as such to the King brother - no matter what happened down the line with the two of them, Alexander would forever hold Patrick in the highest of regards.

When Alex didn’t answer the question that Patrick had mastered all the courage he even had to ask… in a way – he understood. They had just fucked and they were in the middle of a damn party and they needed to keep appearances. That was not the time, nor the place for Alex to give him the answer he so desperately sought. But at the same time, there was a fraction of him that was outraged by how quick his own fears had been dismissed for the sake of putting on a show. He would have done – and did – whatever he could to make Alexander happy, to put his needs above everything else… and he couldn’t do the same for him? This one time, he couldn’t just forget that the entire world existed and at least try to give him an answer? Was he even aware of how scared he was of being the one that would end up alone? Patrick cleared his throat and his arms immediately moved from Alex to collect his own clothes for he needed to make himself presentable to return to the party. That was the priority now. Put on with that damn charade and pretend everything was well and dandy. He could do that. He could lie and manipulate as good as everyone else if not better. He could put his trademark smile on his lips and go have a blast with someone through the night. After all – it was not the time nor place for Alex to give him a brief moment of relief. His own issues would need to wait. His own fears and doubts would need to be placated elsewhere – probably by doing something that would keep his mind away from Alex. “Ye’ want me to spend the night with ye’?” His blue eyes looked at the bag of coins and Patrick wanted to just say that Alex didn’t need a whole bag of coins for him to have him in his bed. All he needed to do was snap his fingers and he would be there without a second thought. Because he would always put Alex’s needs above his own… while Alex couldn’t even do anything to stop that pain that festered inside of him from growing. Nothing but a we’ll talk later. He needed to wait. He needed to just suck it up and endure it, just like he had endured all those days since Steven had come to the island. Maybe it was not the time or place for them to talk but why… why couldn’t he give him something to make him stop thinking? Why couldn’t he for this one time focus on how badly he was hurting? Instead – the show must go on. If he wanted answers, he’d need to dance to Alex’s tune and drop by his place later that night.

Mike, honestly, wasn’t much for bragging or showing off. It just wasn’t who he was. It took him a long time to actually accept that he was the best shot in the FBI. He would be told it time and time again but it was hard to quantify that type of thing. However, when Mike was approached to go undercover as an arms dealer, that was a pretty good indicator that he knew what he was doing. Someone who sold guns had to know how to shoot them and they had to make it believable. On top of that, all the upper officers would tell Mike that he was the best. And when he was in the academy, he was leagues ahead of everyone else there. All those added together to make the best. But it still wasn’t something he liked to flaunt, so when he took the time to aim for his target and shoot, he almost didn’t want Patrick to watch. Just because he didn’t want the attention.

The moment he heard Mike actually LAUGH, Patrick knew he had done things right. It was… not the sort of sound he expected to come out from Mike. It was so musical and carefree and most importantly… it was so fucking genuine. The personal trainer smiled in return, his eyebrows arching all the way up to his forehead as he watched the retired agent laugh it out – probably because no one had ever admitted to pop a boner while watching him shoot – but where was the lie? Patrick was indeed aroused and he was completely shameless about it. And it did make Mike laugh. That alone had made this entire exchange worthwhile. Hell, a part of him no longer wanted to kiss the other man’s cheek anymore because hearing him laugh had been the cherry on top. That… Patrick considered a damn SUCCESS.

His head nodded just a bit at his comment about growing up in Texas. He supposed that did explain a bit of things, but not much in his opinion. But honestly, that wasn’t much of his concern right now. He just wanted to make sure that Patrick didn’t shoot his fingers off on accident or something like that. “I’m giving you the opportunity for that cheek kiss without embarrassing you.” He mentioned, “Shooting is a game of skill. By the end of your box of rounds, I want to see you hitting where you’re intending.” Hopefully he would be able to help him achieve that. Mike had done a lot of training back in his day. He would help the academy with training new recruits, so he had some experience with hit.

Mike was… well, he was good. No surprises there since he was a former FBI field agent and shooting guns were pretty much mandatory in his line of work. Patrick had the admire the confidence that oozed from the other man as he was touched, guided and made an example of as Mike was correcting all the things that he had done bad. Like positioning himself behind him to correct his stance – that was as close as they had ever been since that night started – and while Patrick was a bit self-conscious regarding the fact that Mike was right behind him, he paid attention to his guide lines, perhaps a bit more fascinated with the art of shooting a firearm than he had been minutes ago. There was a certain finesse to things. To how he was supposed to keep his hands – one over the other as he gripped the handle – to how his feet should be planted on the ground for a steadier position – to even using the damn eyesight that the gun had and Patrick never actually noticed until that very moment. He could tell why Mike had the bragging rights regarding being the best shot back in the FBI. He made everything seem so effortless. Like shooting a gun was the same as chopping onions in very tiny pieces or the muscle memory of a workout routine that Patrick had done time and time again. And the most adorable part of it all was how kindly his words sounded as he gave them those guidelines – with the infinite patience of a drill instructor that was dealing with someone who had played too many videogames throughout his entire life. Overall – Patrick couldn’t deny that he was both impressed and a little bit aroused with the entire explanation. If only his school teachers had been that kind and easy to understand – perhaps he would have been a much better student.

As Patrick worked on loading his own Glock, Mike popped out of the clip for the gun, cocked back the slide, and began to load up the clip. His gaze shifted over towards Patrick as he spoke about the letting out anger and frustration, “Those people shouldn’t have guns.” Mike answered simply. He didn’t trust the people that openly admitted that they shot guns to release frustrations. Those people scared him. One minute they could be on a range, the next, out in the city. Mike saw the shooting range as a sport, and he believed that everyone should. The goal was accuracy. He would never use the range as more than that.

“I never fired a gun before… doesn’ mean I don’ know my way ‘round them.” Patrick kept close to Mike and glanced over to the firearm he held in his hand. “I spent a huge portion of my life in Texas, sweetheart. Everyone knows how to handle a damn gun there. I just don’ like them.” It didn’t mean he was completely clueless when it came to guns. He knew where the trigger was, that there was a safety pin that would prevent people from accidentally shooting themselves on the foot… and he had once slept with a guy that was a monumental gun aficionado, who loved to brag about his collection of firearms. Unfortunately for him, that was the only big thing he owned. One of those empty heads that weren’t even worth a second of Patrick’s time – whether it was in or out of bed.

Even when Patrick told him there was nothing to be sorry about Alexander knew that wasn’t the case. There was so much to be sorry about, from how he had treated him that night, to the shit he’d been putting him through since then, and the thoughts that evaded his mind whenever he thought about whether his future included Patrick, or if the stars were more aligned with Steven. So fucking much to be apologetic about, and yet as Patrick told him not to worry he did just that, knowing that something would have to change, whether it his relationship with Patrick or whatever he had going on with Steven - something EVENTUALLY would shift, and someone was bound to get hurt (honestly if it meant saving the both of the men that stole his heart he’d happily be the one who’d get crushed and ruined).

“It crossed my mind,” the playrooms wasn’t usually a place that the two found themselves, having all that they’d need for some fun together right in Alex’s place, or even Patrick’s when Alex felt like sleeping over. They certainly didn’t need to come to the playrooms to get their rocks off, but it seemed Patrick had something up his sleeve and who was Alexander to complain or even argue? He’d let the other have his fun, curious to know just how far he’d be taking this, looking around a quick second before his sights rested back on the man infront of him. He watched as his flame circled him, Alexander standing still as he let the other admire him, proud himself of the work he’d put into his body.

Alexander’s response… It almost pulled a bitter laugh out of Patrick – but he stopped himself before the sound would even contemplate roll from his lips. They weren’t in competition his ass. It didn’t take a genius to notice that the King was on the fence when it came to the two of them, otherwise… otherwise, he would have just picked someone. Instead, he was reeling them both in, being the focus on their attention and wanting to see for how long he would keep doing that until one of them would eventually drop a damn ultimatum on his lap. Honestly, if he too had two guys with whom he had a history after him – Patrick wouldn’t know what to do either. He couldn’t really blame Alex for not knowing what to do. Once the shirt was finally discarded and Alex was shirtless, Patrick took one second – or maybe two – to admire how beautiful the other man looked. That man… would have gone to hell and back if that was what Alexander wanted in order to be happy. But instead, Patrick kept the shirt under his grasp as he walked to the darkest corner of the playroom where he knew the hidden cameras were. Not that Jack was a creep – or maybe he was – but safety always came first when it came to the Haus. But this… this was a show that Jack, unfortunately, would have to miss. “Say night night, darlin’.” With a wink toward the camera, Patrick covered the very small device concealed from the naked eye with Alex’s shirt… and now – they were truly alone. Just the two of them without the prying gaze of the best spy on the island.

He had no idea why he had agreed to keep going to these damn personal training sessions, more often than not they never actually accomplished anything other than them fucking in a private room of his gym, but if having to schedule a time to fuck Patrick was how it had to work out? Well fucking hell, he'd plan those weekly sessions knowing good and well he wouldn't be picking up a single weight (unless you count his entire weight as he lifts him up to fuck him against the wall - those sessions were always fun).

He was aware of how DANGEROUS this game would be. And playing it with none other than Alexander King could either be one heck of a great thing or a terrible one. But Patrick was… done. He was done playing safe, he was done being predictable every step of the way. He was done being the second choice. If Alex was going to pick Steven over him when all was said and done, then so be it – but he wouldn’t simply take that without a fight. Alex… Alex was important to him. Probably the most important person in the whole world, even being more important than himself. Was he boring? Was he predictable? What did Steven have that he didn’t? What was the spark that lured Alex to the Blackwell and not to him? “Yer’ late, darlin’.” Patrick slowly turned on his heels and placed his hands on his hips, trying his best to keep a very serious expression but the slight twitch on his lips was enough to let Alex know that he was not that mad. “I’m sure yer’ wonderin’ why ‘ere.” Patrick motioned to the playroom before he took slow and deliberate steps towards the owner, taking his time in circling him and admiring him from every possible angle that he could. “We could have gone for a jog. Ye’ know… find a secluded place on the beach where I’d just bend over for ye’ and let ye’ fuck me as hard as ye’ wanted to.” His voice dropped almost to nothing. Just a little whisper as the silence took over the room, only to be broken by the sound of the door locking. No one would actually disturb them there. But there was one last thing that Patrick needed to take care of.