Humming to himself the next morning as he stood in the kitchen making breakfast, Harry turned his head when he heard footsteps coming down the hall, "Thought you were Zac there for a moment," he said as he eyed Taylor as he came into the kitchen.
"Sorry to disappoint," Taylor replied as he walked to the stove and inhaled deeply. "You're fixing bacon and eggs," he said as he leaned just a bit closer to Harry which made Harry giggle.
"Not for you," Harry told him as he looked back at the stove. "If you want breakfast have Daphne fix it for you," he said as he referred to Taylor's new girlfriend who he was sure had spent the night since her sandals were still by the couch. "This is for Zac and if you touch it I will chop your hands off."
Taylor laughed at that but he moved away from Harry, "You're fixing Zac breakfast now?" he asked curiously as he raised an eyebrow. "Do you also make breakfast for Nick?" he questioned which made Harry blush. "Because if so maybe I should turn gay so you'll make me breakfast after we have sex."
Blushing more Harry stayed turned away from Taylor, "I regret telling you we were having sex," he admitted as shook his head. "But no I don't make breakfast for Nick."
"Then Zac's that good in bed?" Taylor questioned his curious tone seeming to go up a notch. "Good enough that you make him breakfast at seven in the morning?"
"I was up anyway," Harry defended as he finished making the breakfast and he put it on the plate he had on the counter. "Remember I do go jogging at six in the morning and then I have a yoga session this morning too before my afternoon classes," he shrugged as he turned to face Taylor who was fixing himself a bowl of cereal.
"It has nothing to do with how well your brother is in bed," he said before chewing his lip. "I just like taking care of him, is all," he sighed softly as he looked away from Taylor.
Harry was half expecting Taylor to laugh at him or call him pathetic for the weird need to take care of Zac but it was just something that had developed over the seven months they had been having sex with each other. It wasn't something he could help but even if he could Harry wasn't sure he wanted to help it.
Taylor nodded his head as he sat down at the table, "I get it," he finally said and Harry looked up at him surprised. "I was that way with Nina, you know the girl I dated most of last year. I wanted to take care of her, even thought I would marry her but then I messed up," he sighed and it sounded sad.
"I don't want to marry Zac," Harry stated as he began to leave the kitchen so that he could go wake Zac up.
"You know he loves Carrick right?" Taylor asked and Harry stopped in his steps. "He's forever in love with Carrick."
Nodding his head Harry forced a smile but he kept his back turned to Taylor, "I know," he admitted because he knew full well about Zac's crush on Carrick. "But he hasn't done anything about it yet."
"He probably will eventually though," Taylor spoke in between mouthfuls of his food. "Then it will be Carrick taking care of him."
Harry shook his head as he kept his forced smile, "He wouldn't....not while....he has me," he said not even sure if he was making sense. "He wouldn't get with Carrick while he's still having sex with me."
Taylor laughed at that and Harry finally heard a hint of judgement. "You aren't his boyfriend Harry. Anyway what you two have isn't exclusive is it? Like it's not something you two have set boundaries with, you still have sex with Nick."
"But I don't," Harry sighed as he turned to face Taylor finally and his arms fell slightly. "I..I haven't had sex with Nick in six months. It's only Zac," he admitted as he saw Taylor's eyes grow wide.
This wasn't something Harry had wanted to tell Taylor yet but it seemed the truth was coming out whether he liked it or not since he had a case of loose lips right now. "I just I like to just have one friends with benefits at a time and I ended things with Nick," he said and he swore Taylor's eyes grew wider. "I know it was stupid, I mean Zac doesn't even want me but I've grown up with you guys and I'm pretty sure I've had a crush on him longer than he's had one on Carrick."
Shaking his head, Taylor just kept heaving sighs every so often, "I swear you gay guys are more confusing than me," he said and Harry could tell he was trying to lighten the situation.
"That's probably why we are gay," Harry spoke as he laughed finally and it was genuine. "I should go get Zac up though because his breakfast is getting cold," he nodded as he turned back around to head to the room he shared with Zac. He could only hope with Taylor's new knowledge he kept his mouth shut, he was doing so good with not telling Zac he knew that they were having sex.
Making it to the bedroom, Harry stopped in the doorway and watched as Zac slept, dead to the world and he just admired the sight for a few minutes because Zac was just too cute sleeping. But of course he couldn't let Zac sleep all day so he walked into the room and over to the bed.
"Zac," Harry said as he reached the bed and he moved his hand down to move some hair off of Zac's face. "Zac, it's time to wake up," he said as he bent down a bit closer watching as Zac roused but didn't wake up fully which made him chuckle. "I made you breakfast Zachary," he finally said and that seemed to do the trick because Zac's eyes shot open faster than Harry had seen before.
Zac smirked as he looked up at Harry, "You made me breakfast?" he asked his voice still rough from sleeping.
Harry nodded as he leaned down and pecked Zac's lips softly, "Wanted you to eat properly before you went to your class today," he muttered out as he rested his forehead against Zac's and he felt Zac's arms wrap around his neck before slowly pulling him down onto the bed.
"I would have ate," Zac argued before pecking Harry's lips back. "You didn't have to make me breakfast, especially because it's early and you came in late," he sighed out as he locked eyes with Harry as they both lay on the bed, their foreheads pressed against each other.
This was feeling romantic and a lot more than just the friends with benefits thing they had and Harry half wondered if Zac felt it too or if he was oblivious to it or even if he was oblivious to how romantic it was last night when he told him that he was beautiful after he came for him. If he didn't know than he was just as bad as Carrick was.
"You would have ate pop-tarts on your way out the door," Harry said finally breaking his silence as he stared into Zac's eyes. "It's like you live on those things every morning and have since high school."
"They're good," Zac argued as he blushed slightly. "And maybe I wouldn't have to eat them all the time if you made breakfast for me more."
Scrunching up his nose Harry pecked Zac's lips again briefly, "I'll consider it," he said before moving away from Zac and stood from the bed. "Now come eat and then go shower so you can get out of here, otherwise you'll be late."
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Leaving his last class of the day that afternoon, Harry walked towards the food court area as his stomach rumbled. It was past lunch time and Harry had forgotten to even eat a snack after yoga but he had been running late after going back to the apartment to shower and so that had stifled his ability to make or grab a snack.
Hearing someone calling his name as he had almost made it to the food court, Harry turned around to see Carrick walking over to him and he rolled his eyes but plastered on a fake grin for the other guy's benefit.
"I wasn't sure if you heard me, man," Carrick said as he came to a stop in front of where Harry stood. "I was actually on my way to leave campus but I wanted to talk to you before I did."
"Me?" Harry asked confused mainly because while he was friends with Carrick through Zac they weren't close.
Carrick nodded his head eagerly, "It's about Zac," he laughed before blushing and looking down. "Go figure huh. The main thing we have in common."
"Yeah, go figure," Harry laughed though it felt just as forced as the smile he wore on his face was. "But what did you want to talk to me about regarding Zac?"
Again Harry watched as Carrick blushed even deeper red and he couldn't help but feel a knot twist in his stomach and not the good kind of knots either, the kind Zac gave him. No this knot was the kind that usually happened right before something bad was about to go down and happen.
"My boyfriend and I broke up last month," Carrick began to speak as he looked up at Harry finally. "I think I'm ready to start dating again and I was wondering if Zac is single...I mean it's kind of obvious he has a crush on me, has been for awhile but crush doesn't always equal being single."
Swallowing hard now it was Harry's turn to look away from Carrick and he half wished he had somewhere to sit down because he really needed to sit down. This couldn't be happening, it couldn't.
"I didn't even know you were gay," Harry lied because he had always suspected.
Carrick laughed at that, "I'm surprised, everyone can usually tell but I just am never really open about my relationships you know. It's between me and that person, not me and that person and social media or the world."
Harry nodded because yeah he got Carrick's words, "But you still could have told Zac," he said knowing he still hadn't answered Carrick's original question on if Zac was single.
"Didn't want to hurt him if he wanted more," Carrick shrugged as he sighed. "So, is Zac single?" he asked again and Harry knew he'd have to answer him this time around.
"He's single," Harry confirmed feeling like he wanted to vomit as he said those words because he didn't consider Zac single, not when they had been so mushy with each other this morning.
Looking back up at Carrick, Harry watched the man heave a sigh of relief and then give a smug little grin, a grin that Harry wanted to slap off his face but Harry was too nice to do that and if he harmed Carrick he had a feeling Zac would hate him.
"I was scared for a second he was dating you," Carrick laughed softly as he ran a hand through his hair. "I mean you two are so close and this morning I think he was wearing one of your plaid button down shirts."
Harry let his smile falter slightly, "He's not dating me," he said as he shook his head. "And he was wearing one of my shirts but only because he has no clean ones and laundry day is tomorrow. I just let him borrow one of mine," he shrugged knowing he had let Zac borrow his shirt as long as Zac had promised Harry could take it off him tonight.
"When do you plan on asking Zac out?" he asked and he was surprised his voice didn't crack because he could feel a lump forming in his throat.
"Tonight, he asked me to come out with your friends to some club. Said you guys go every Friday," Carrick revealed as he shrugged. "I know a few drinks of liquid courage will make the nerves go away so I can ask him."
"Good luck then," Harry smiled at Carrick briefly as he looked down at his wrist watch. "I...I must go though. Kind of hungry but I'll see you tonight," he said quickly before turning and walking away before Carrick could reply. He just wanted to be away from Carrick because he felt like he was going to cry and he didn't want to cry in front of him.
Going inside the food court, Harry went to order something to eat and once he had his food and had sat down, he pulled his cell phone out to check if he had any messages.
Seeing three texts from Zac he wanted to be happy but he couldn't not when he knew in a matter of hours Zac would more than likely be official with Carrick.
Clicking on the messages anyway he just frowned as he read them.
Thanks for breakfast again, even though I thanked you before leaving-Z
Just got out of last class. I rock your shirt better than you do but I think I'll look better with it off. I mean nudity is my best look-Z
I'm going to send you a nudie pic if you don't answer me. I know you're out of class Harold! -Zachary
Rolling his eyes at that last one Harry was about to respond when his phone buzzed again to let him know he had a new message. Shaking his head he opened it, figuring it would be from Zac and of course he was right though he couldn't help but freeze at the image attached to the message.
It was a picture of Zac naked from the waist down and Zac was in Harry's bed and underneath the picture Zac had asked him if he minded if Zac got off in his bed.
"Sorry to disappoint," Taylor replied as he walked to the stove and inhaled deeply. "You're fixing bacon and eggs," he said as he leaned just a bit closer to Harry which made Harry giggle.
"Not for you," Harry told him as he looked back at the stove. "If you want breakfast have Daphne fix it for you," he said as he referred to Taylor's new girlfriend who he was sure had spent the night since her sandals were still by the couch. "This is for Zac and if you touch it I will chop your hands off."
Taylor laughed at that but he moved away from Harry, "You're fixing Zac breakfast now?" he asked curiously as he raised an eyebrow. "Do you also make breakfast for Nick?" he questioned which made Harry blush. "Because if so maybe I should turn gay so you'll make me breakfast after we have sex."
Blushing more Harry stayed turned away from Taylor, "I regret telling you we were having sex," he admitted as shook his head. "But no I don't make breakfast for Nick."
"Then Zac's that good in bed?" Taylor questioned his curious tone seeming to go up a notch. "Good enough that you make him breakfast at seven in the morning?"
"I was up anyway," Harry defended as he finished making the breakfast and he put it on the plate he had on the counter. "Remember I do go jogging at six in the morning and then I have a yoga session this morning too before my afternoon classes," he shrugged as he turned to face Taylor who was fixing himself a bowl of cereal.
"It has nothing to do with how well your brother is in bed," he said before chewing his lip. "I just like taking care of him, is all," he sighed softly as he looked away from Taylor.
Harry was half expecting Taylor to laugh at him or call him pathetic for the weird need to take care of Zac but it was just something that had developed over the seven months they had been having sex with each other. It wasn't something he could help but even if he could Harry wasn't sure he wanted to help it.
Taylor nodded his head as he sat down at the table, "I get it," he finally said and Harry looked up at him surprised. "I was that way with Nina, you know the girl I dated most of last year. I wanted to take care of her, even thought I would marry her but then I messed up," he sighed and it sounded sad.
"I don't want to marry Zac," Harry stated as he began to leave the kitchen so that he could go wake Zac up.
"You know he loves Carrick right?" Taylor asked and Harry stopped in his steps. "He's forever in love with Carrick."
Nodding his head Harry forced a smile but he kept his back turned to Taylor, "I know," he admitted because he knew full well about Zac's crush on Carrick. "But he hasn't done anything about it yet."
"He probably will eventually though," Taylor spoke in between mouthfuls of his food. "Then it will be Carrick taking care of him."
Harry shook his head as he kept his forced smile, "He wouldn't....not while....he has me," he said not even sure if he was making sense. "He wouldn't get with Carrick while he's still having sex with me."
Taylor laughed at that and Harry finally heard a hint of judgement. "You aren't his boyfriend Harry. Anyway what you two have isn't exclusive is it? Like it's not something you two have set boundaries with, you still have sex with Nick."
"But I don't," Harry sighed as he turned to face Taylor finally and his arms fell slightly. "I..I haven't had sex with Nick in six months. It's only Zac," he admitted as he saw Taylor's eyes grow wide.
This wasn't something Harry had wanted to tell Taylor yet but it seemed the truth was coming out whether he liked it or not since he had a case of loose lips right now. "I just I like to just have one friends with benefits at a time and I ended things with Nick," he said and he swore Taylor's eyes grew wider. "I know it was stupid, I mean Zac doesn't even want me but I've grown up with you guys and I'm pretty sure I've had a crush on him longer than he's had one on Carrick."
Shaking his head, Taylor just kept heaving sighs every so often, "I swear you gay guys are more confusing than me," he said and Harry could tell he was trying to lighten the situation.
"That's probably why we are gay," Harry spoke as he laughed finally and it was genuine. "I should go get Zac up though because his breakfast is getting cold," he nodded as he turned back around to head to the room he shared with Zac. He could only hope with Taylor's new knowledge he kept his mouth shut, he was doing so good with not telling Zac he knew that they were having sex.
Making it to the bedroom, Harry stopped in the doorway and watched as Zac slept, dead to the world and he just admired the sight for a few minutes because Zac was just too cute sleeping. But of course he couldn't let Zac sleep all day so he walked into the room and over to the bed.
"Zac," Harry said as he reached the bed and he moved his hand down to move some hair off of Zac's face. "Zac, it's time to wake up," he said as he bent down a bit closer watching as Zac roused but didn't wake up fully which made him chuckle. "I made you breakfast Zachary," he finally said and that seemed to do the trick because Zac's eyes shot open faster than Harry had seen before.
Zac smirked as he looked up at Harry, "You made me breakfast?" he asked his voice still rough from sleeping.
Harry nodded as he leaned down and pecked Zac's lips softly, "Wanted you to eat properly before you went to your class today," he muttered out as he rested his forehead against Zac's and he felt Zac's arms wrap around his neck before slowly pulling him down onto the bed.
"I would have ate," Zac argued before pecking Harry's lips back. "You didn't have to make me breakfast, especially because it's early and you came in late," he sighed out as he locked eyes with Harry as they both lay on the bed, their foreheads pressed against each other.
This was feeling romantic and a lot more than just the friends with benefits thing they had and Harry half wondered if Zac felt it too or if he was oblivious to it or even if he was oblivious to how romantic it was last night when he told him that he was beautiful after he came for him. If he didn't know than he was just as bad as Carrick was.
"You would have ate pop-tarts on your way out the door," Harry said finally breaking his silence as he stared into Zac's eyes. "It's like you live on those things every morning and have since high school."
"They're good," Zac argued as he blushed slightly. "And maybe I wouldn't have to eat them all the time if you made breakfast for me more."
Scrunching up his nose Harry pecked Zac's lips again briefly, "I'll consider it," he said before moving away from Zac and stood from the bed. "Now come eat and then go shower so you can get out of here, otherwise you'll be late."
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Leaving his last class of the day that afternoon, Harry walked towards the food court area as his stomach rumbled. It was past lunch time and Harry had forgotten to even eat a snack after yoga but he had been running late after going back to the apartment to shower and so that had stifled his ability to make or grab a snack.
Hearing someone calling his name as he had almost made it to the food court, Harry turned around to see Carrick walking over to him and he rolled his eyes but plastered on a fake grin for the other guy's benefit.
"I wasn't sure if you heard me, man," Carrick said as he came to a stop in front of where Harry stood. "I was actually on my way to leave campus but I wanted to talk to you before I did."
"Me?" Harry asked confused mainly because while he was friends with Carrick through Zac they weren't close.
Carrick nodded his head eagerly, "It's about Zac," he laughed before blushing and looking down. "Go figure huh. The main thing we have in common."
"Yeah, go figure," Harry laughed though it felt just as forced as the smile he wore on his face was. "But what did you want to talk to me about regarding Zac?"
Again Harry watched as Carrick blushed even deeper red and he couldn't help but feel a knot twist in his stomach and not the good kind of knots either, the kind Zac gave him. No this knot was the kind that usually happened right before something bad was about to go down and happen.
"My boyfriend and I broke up last month," Carrick began to speak as he looked up at Harry finally. "I think I'm ready to start dating again and I was wondering if Zac is single...I mean it's kind of obvious he has a crush on me, has been for awhile but crush doesn't always equal being single."
Swallowing hard now it was Harry's turn to look away from Carrick and he half wished he had somewhere to sit down because he really needed to sit down. This couldn't be happening, it couldn't.
"I didn't even know you were gay," Harry lied because he had always suspected.
Carrick laughed at that, "I'm surprised, everyone can usually tell but I just am never really open about my relationships you know. It's between me and that person, not me and that person and social media or the world."
Harry nodded because yeah he got Carrick's words, "But you still could have told Zac," he said knowing he still hadn't answered Carrick's original question on if Zac was single.
"Didn't want to hurt him if he wanted more," Carrick shrugged as he sighed. "So, is Zac single?" he asked again and Harry knew he'd have to answer him this time around.
"He's single," Harry confirmed feeling like he wanted to vomit as he said those words because he didn't consider Zac single, not when they had been so mushy with each other this morning.
Looking back up at Carrick, Harry watched the man heave a sigh of relief and then give a smug little grin, a grin that Harry wanted to slap off his face but Harry was too nice to do that and if he harmed Carrick he had a feeling Zac would hate him.
"I was scared for a second he was dating you," Carrick laughed softly as he ran a hand through his hair. "I mean you two are so close and this morning I think he was wearing one of your plaid button down shirts."
Harry let his smile falter slightly, "He's not dating me," he said as he shook his head. "And he was wearing one of my shirts but only because he has no clean ones and laundry day is tomorrow. I just let him borrow one of mine," he shrugged knowing he had let Zac borrow his shirt as long as Zac had promised Harry could take it off him tonight.
"When do you plan on asking Zac out?" he asked and he was surprised his voice didn't crack because he could feel a lump forming in his throat.
"Tonight, he asked me to come out with your friends to some club. Said you guys go every Friday," Carrick revealed as he shrugged. "I know a few drinks of liquid courage will make the nerves go away so I can ask him."
"Good luck then," Harry smiled at Carrick briefly as he looked down at his wrist watch. "I...I must go though. Kind of hungry but I'll see you tonight," he said quickly before turning and walking away before Carrick could reply. He just wanted to be away from Carrick because he felt like he was going to cry and he didn't want to cry in front of him.
Going inside the food court, Harry went to order something to eat and once he had his food and had sat down, he pulled his cell phone out to check if he had any messages.
Seeing three texts from Zac he wanted to be happy but he couldn't not when he knew in a matter of hours Zac would more than likely be official with Carrick.
Clicking on the messages anyway he just frowned as he read them.
Thanks for breakfast again, even though I thanked you before leaving-Z
Just got out of last class. I rock your shirt better than you do but I think I'll look better with it off. I mean nudity is my best look-Z
I'm going to send you a nudie pic if you don't answer me. I know you're out of class Harold! -Zachary
Rolling his eyes at that last one Harry was about to respond when his phone buzzed again to let him know he had a new message. Shaking his head he opened it, figuring it would be from Zac and of course he was right though he couldn't help but freeze at the image attached to the message.
It was a picture of Zac naked from the waist down and Zac was in Harry's bed and underneath the picture Zac had asked him if he minded if Zac got off in his bed.