Who: Adrian Battye and Jackson London When: December 31-January 1 (Midnight and aftermath) Where: London What: New Years celebrating Rating/Warnings: sexiness Status: Closed/Complete
The hotel had had a nice party for the new year, but Adrian was a little hesitant about kissing Jackson for the new year in front of the Londons. But he'd held his hand in the restaurant in front of Jackson's parents and everyone else. The buffet had been nice, and the music. The Londons were already making clear though that as soon as the New Year toast was over, the plan was to go back to their rooms.
Jackson had no such hesitation. He wanted people to know (even if he would never see most of these people again) that he was with this amazing young man. He wanted Adrian too to know that he was proud of that fact, that he was valued and adored- even if he wasn't using those words. His fingers remained twined with those of his lover and he smiled as they got closer to midnight, hoping that they would be bringing in a year of more of what they had shared this past week.
It was a little strange, being in the city of London for the celebrations - not being with his sister and parents. He wouldn't miss Wallace, who often made drunken appearances well after midnight. His mom was good at dealing with that though - she was used to her sister. It was a different kind of strange being open about his relationship in front of Jackson's parents. He liked the Londons quite a bit and wanted them to continue to like him. They'd been fantastic for this entire trip and he wanted to keep that positive relationship with them. But he couldn't help but feel the romance of the night too - celebrating the incoming new year with their partners. As he was doing. He alternated between watching the television and Jackson as the countdown started.
Jackson knew his parents expected him to kiss Adrian by this point. There had been quiet discussion on the topic, explaining the relationship, since Jackson didn't want to lie. He didn't go into all the details- certain things, he was pretty sure his parents didn't want to hear. His hand held his friend’s tighter though as the countdown started, and the excitement in the room was almost tangible. As the numbers on the screen reached zero, Jackson pulled Adrian close, very lightly capturing his lips. It was tradition, right?
Adrian immediately shifted into the embrace, his arms wrapping around Jackson of their own accord and kissing back - perhaps even escalating the kiss even. Everyone else was kissing their partners. The truth was it was difficult not to kiss Jackson back deeply every time their lips met. Such was the nature of the attraction - it often made Adrian forget his cautious nature around people.
Jackson knew that the caution and reserve Adrian usually held faded with him. He appreciated it. It felt good to know that he could make his friend forget himself. Jackson’s hand touched Adrian’s cheek lightly, wanting to have as much contact between them as he could. After a few moments he pulled back very slightly, still holding Adrian. “Happy New Year…” A faintly teasing smile curved his lips as he spoke.
"Happy New Year," Adrian replied a slightly bemused smile in return. He came back to himself as soon as the kiss stopped - remembering they were in public and in front of Jackson's parents. Fuck, they were in front of his parents. Hopefully they'd been too distracted with each other to notice his tongue in their son's mouth? He looked over at them nervously.
Jackson’s mother smiled indulgently at her son and Adrian, giving the slighter boy a hug and patting his shoulder. She was grateful for Jackson’s friend being there, since he had kept them informed on the well being of their son. Jackson had expected that response and he wasn't really worried about most things - his parents were glad he was with them. That was a celebration over and above what he and Adrian partook in. A smile at his friend and he took his hand again. “They're not stupid, Adrian. We're not as subtle as you think sometimes.”
With no other out, Adrian fell back on manners. "Happy New Year Mrs. London… Mr London." He offered. And hoped that the fireworks and other signifiers of the arrival of the new year would give everyone something else to focus on instead of New Year's kisses. Adrian tried to watch them at least.
Jackson’s parents were both glad to welcome the New Year with their son and his friend- it had been a long time since they had done so. Mr. London soon took his wife away from the boys though, getting more champagne to celebrate (and to allow the younger pair to be more at ease, he knew.) Jackson took Adrian’s hand again, looking into his eyes. “I think it's going to be a good year…”
Adrian remembered the threats at home and political turmoil, but at least personally, he hoped Jackson was correct. If felt natural, being with him, in a way that he hadn't always felt when they were together in the autumn. "You are an optimist," he teased Jackson.
“I am, yes.” Plus, it was hard to see how things could get much worse, from Jackson’s point of view. “I know what would make it better though.” He motioned to one of the tables that held chocolate covered strawberries and an assortment of beverages. “We take some of those and go to our room. What do you think?”
"I think… we can do that…" Adrian nodded.. They had officially rung in the new year after all… They could head up to their room politely - so long as Jackson's parents knew where they were. It was late, so it was normal to go to their room and to bed.
Jackson smiled at the assent, leading Adrian to the table. “Grab a few things. I'll go say goodnight to mom and dad and be right back.” Because the snacks would be more for his lover, a sort of teasing foreplay before more happened. He went to tell his parents where they were going, hugging them both and wishing them a happy new year before walking back over to Adrian again.
Adrian meanwhile tried to pick some things he thought that Jackson would like from the snack table - more than just chocolate covered strawberries (although those looked incredible, with drizzles of different kinds of chocolate over the thick coating of base chocolate). He saw all of the chocolate snacks but deliberately picked some non-chocolate ones since he was sharing. It he was just getting for himself, it would have been all chocolate of course. He smiled, and showed Jackson the plate when he returned, "How's this for selection?"
Jackson grinned at his friend and bent to capture his lips for a moment. “Delicious. Come on, let's head upstairs now.” Because upstairs would be much better. Private and quiet, which meant they could focus more on each other and not on the crush of people and sound that was happening in the ballroom with this party. He took the plate to carry it up for them, heading with Adrian for the elevators.
Adrian looked like he might roll his eyes at Jackson's trick - but with fondness, and again when the other boy took the plate. Adrian had filled the plate - he could carry it just fine. Since Jackson had taken it though, Adrian instead picked up a couple of soft drinks before they took the elevator to their room. He put them down immediately once they were in the room, knowing he would want (or perhaps need) his hands free.
Jackson too put down the plate immediately and took Adrian’s hand, tracing the palm for a moment before meeting his friend’s eyes. “I think the bed might be in order…” Because it would be much more comfortable than standing, and he was looking forward to their New Year's celebration - this was much better than the party downstairs.
Adrian's eyes were on Jackson's mouth and shifted slowly to Jackson's when Jackson looked up. "We could do that." It wasn't as though they were pretending their plans were anything that didn't involve horizontal surfaces - and the bed would be more comfortable than other options.
Jackson wasn't quite ready to move though. He wanted to kiss his lover, to prepare a bit for the sex that was certain to come. That in mind, he trailed kisses over Adrian’s neck, his fingers instinctively sliding under the other boy’s shirt and along his side.
Adrian made a soft noise at the touch of Jackson's fingers along the bare skin of his side. His hand wrapped around Jackson's neck, pulling him closer, and then pulling his mouth back to his. The neck was nice - very nice - but Adrian wanted to really kiss Jackson for a moment (or three).
Jackson was perfectly fine with kissing for as long as Adrian wanted to do that. His fingers remained on his lover’s side, tracing along the soft skin, enjoying the knowledge that it got reactions. He liked making Adrian feel good. It made him feel good to be able to do that. “Tell me what you want to do, Adrian…” Because he was open to anything at this point.
Adrian's wants were pretty simple when it came to Jackson. He wanted to preserve their friendship - that open acceptance of each other they'd had for years - and he wanted to touch and be touched. The details of what they did weren't as important. The previous night's oral focus was enjoyable. So was just using hands… or having Jackson inside him. It was hard for him to say what he wanted to do. It didn't matter. "This… is good." It was a start but it was good.
Jackson smiled against Adrian’s lips and allowed his hands to trail down to his thighs, tracing over the other’s inner thigh. Because that was another place that Adrian reacted to very easily. He captured Adrian’s lips again, pleased by the fact that they were together here. He wanted to make Adrian feel good now, to show him that he deserved it- though more just to allow him to feel good.
Adrian retaliated by going after Jackson's ear. It would escalate things more quickly but then, so did where Jackson touched him. "Changed my mind… want you on the bed." And wanted him undressed, but sitting on the bed would make some parts of undressing easier… which would make everything else to come easier.