Continuation from TFLN - (for thenewnormal)

[neverlooksaway]

He doesn't reply because he's spotted Alex, and, yes, he's eager for whatever they end up doing, but he really is a tiny bit concerned Alex thinks he doesn't want people to know, like he's ashamed of it or something. He's a bit confused, still, because it's so new and nothing he had any inkling of he started noticing Alex, but he's not ashamed of it.

It's just...theirs. And in the Summer of Awful, he needs something good.

Still, his smile is bright with relief that Alex isn't really upset with him, as he pulls up next to him, and reaches across to open the passenger door.

"Wanna go for a ride?"

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[neverlooksaway]

Michael got the point, and hummed into the kiss, pleased. His hand stayed where Alex had put it, rubbing over him slowly. His fingers fumbled at the button on Alex's jeans, had a tough time with it, might've subtly used his power to get it undone.

When he managed to get past fabric and wrap his hand around Alex's dick, he moaned into the kiss. It was still a little strange, holding a dick not his, but strange in a very good way. It was Alex himself that drew Michael, but he liked touching him, learning him; enjoyed the taste of him and the way he fit against Michael's body. It wasn't something he spent much time looking at too closely, after he'd decided to just seize the moment, but it was a wonderous discovery that still delighted him.

It took him a second to get his hand adjusted right, and then make sure they weren't gonna tumble onto his broken one, but once he'd settled into it, he started stroking, slowly, letting his fingers run over Alex's skin, feeling him, and paying close attention to the reactions he managed to get from doing so.

[thenewnormal]

Theoretically, this shouldn't have been any different from jerking off on his own at home. The same mechanics were involved with the only difference being that Michael was kissing him. And really there was an unfamiliarity that came along with it that should have meant it would have been even more awkward.

And yet. And yet this was Michael's hand on him and just that simple fact excited Alex. And yet he was clearly what Alex liked and when he had to thrust to get that little bit more. And yet he was clearly eager in the same way that Alex had been eager to taste him.

"God, I've always loved your..."

Alex froze briefly, his face going pale as he looked at the hand that Michael wasn't touching him with. He'd always loved Michael's hands. He'd watched them play over the guitar he'd given to Michael and had wondered what they would be like on his body.

Shit.

[neverlooksaway]

Michael was pretty sure he was doing this wrong, just because of the awkwardness of the angle, but Alex's dick was hard and hot and heavy in his hand, and Alex was kissing him. When Alex thrust a little more, Michael's hand tightened some to give him more friction.

He was so lost in enjoying the touching, the scent of Alex's pre-cum and feel of him in his hand, that the words didn't register until Alex froze. He pulled back a little with a curious sound, until he followed Alex's gaze to his broken hand.

A pang went through him at that, a flare of hurt for what he'd potentially lost. But maybe not? Maybe it'd heal fine, and he'd work at it, and it wouldn't matter. It did still hurt like a bitch, though, pretty steadily, so he didn't want to talk about it.

"Well, then...you should see what my mouth can do..."

That would be different enough to distract him, though it was awkward to shift position with his hand and he had to pull his right one away from Alex to manage to wriggle down enough. He was, admittedly, a little intimidated after making that boast, but he'd figure it out, right? He knew what he liked, at least, in the few he'd had. Ducking his head, he licked a curious swipe up Alex's dick and around the head, tasting him and finding it far more pleasant than he'd expected.

[thenewnormal]

Alex wanted to curse himself for his moment of distraction, but the wound was still so raw and he still blamed himself. He could have excused it as being a good samaritan if his father had found Michael just staying there, but the unforgiveable sin had been actually sleeping with him.

He let out a soft sigh when Michael switched position and started using his mouth instead. Even if, for all the world, he couldn't actually regret that part.

He kept his hands on his thighs and his thighs still in an effort to make this as easy as possible for Michael. His encouragement came out in soft moans that got louder whenever Michael did something very right. It wasn't perfect by any means, but Michael always had been a good student when he put his mind to it and apparently he wanted to learn Alex.

"It's a very...mm...pretty mouth."

[neverlooksaway]

Michael had been just as keen on the sleeping with Alex part, too, and there was no way he was letting Alex's dad come at Alex with that hammer. It was Jesse Manes who was to blame, not Alex, and Michael hadn't ever thought any differently, even when the pain was almost too much.

He paid attention as he worked his mouth over Alex, and, remembering what Alex had done, curled his hand around the base of his cock, stroking slowly. When Alex moaned louder, Michael remembered and definitely did it again. He couldn't take him in very deep, but he was enthusiastic about what he could do. Licking and sucking, and then he experimented with different ways he could tease with his tongue--it occurred to him that at least some of what he'd learned to do with girls could apply here, at least where flexibility and strength came in.

He hummed his appreciation of the compliment, peeking up at Alex from underneath his lashes.

[thenewnormal]

Alex's hips jerked a little when Michael hummed. He knew Michael hadn't meant it like that, but...his eagerness was more than a turn on. Alex was the first guy that Michael had been with and while he might have been a bit shy talking about it - which was absolutely adorable considering he didn't think he'd ever seen Michael be shy - he was jumping in feet first about the rest of it.

"I'm almost...I mean, if you're not sure if you want to try it, you can come up and kiss me and your hand can finish the rest."

And he wasn't sure that had made any sense to him let alone Michael.

[neverlooksaway]

Michael understood what he meant, and his stomach twisted a little nervously, even as he felt a little thrill. The jerk of Alex's hips, him being close--those were thrilling moments of accomplishment. He did this; Alex wanted him, and Michael was doing something new well enough that he was getting Alex there--maybe not perfect, he knew that, felt his own inexperience, but he was learning.

And part of that was knowing what all of it was.

He hummed again, this time very deliberately, and took Alex just a little deeper, tongue wrapping around him as he slid back up, then down, increasing his pace and the tightness of his hand, urging Alex on.

[thenewnormal]

Alex's eyes went a bit wide when he realized that Michael wasn't only giving him permission, he was actively encouraging Alex to finish. And then there was more, more heat, more pressure, more Michael and Alex forgot about asking permission or warning Michael and was instead lost in the sensations.

And then something in Alex splintered as his release poured into Michael's mouth. To be wanted like that was something Alex had never had before. He slumped back against the truck when he was done and ran a hand over his face.

The shattered pieces started to fit themselves back together, leaving a Michael-shaped spot open to be filled.

[neverlooksaway]

Michael was prepared in the vaguest sense, in that Alex had warned him, and, given he had some experience orgasming, he recognized the signs as Alex got even closer. However, there wasn't really a way to prepare for the hot rush in his mouth, or the force of it hitting his throat. He took what he could, then pulled back, swallowing what he could and wiping his mouth.

Only then could he actually process the taste of Alex on his tongue, saltier than he expected, a little odd, but not unpleasant in taste. He'd have to get better at anticipating how it could hit the throat, make sure he could keep from coughing.

He wriggled back up to sort of sitting, a smile on his lips, feeling pretty pleased with himself for making Alex feel good, for making Alex enjoy something in a world that hadn't given the two of them a whole lot to enjoy. But together? Together they seemed to be good. Really good.

[thenewnormal]

Alex put himself away and zipped up again, but his eyes kept going back to Michael. He had an almost smug look on his face, probably similar to the look that Alex'd had back in the front of the truck. He pushed himself up and kissed Michael, taking care not to unbalance him. The last thing he wanted to do was make his hand worse by accidentally pushing him over and making Michael use his bad hand to break his fall.

He just needed to taste, first himself and, underneath that, Michael himself.

"So, something you might want to practice?"

[neverlooksaway]

Michael kissed him back, trying to figure out how to settle comfortably, able to be close to Alex and touch him and not bang his hand on anything or put any pressure on it or whatever else would make this less fun.

He gave Alex a grin when he eased back. "Any time you want..."

After all, practice made perfect, and Michael was something of a perfectionist.

[thenewnormal]

Alex noticed Michael's flailing and shifted so he could be the one with his back against the bed of the truck and Alex could slide in next to him. He slid his hand under Michael's shirt and contented himself with just touching. He'd slaked the worst of his hunger and now he was content to just bask in actually spending a little time with Michael.

"Good to know." He returned the grin.

"So how did you find this place anyway?"

[neverlooksaway]

Settled more comfortably, Michael curled into Alex a bit more, fingers of his right hand playing with Alex's hair. He cursed the injured hand that kept him from touching more at once. But they were close and touching, and that made him happier than it should.

He shrugged a little at the question, mostly because it was the one thing he wanted to tell Alex most, but couldn't, but...he could tell him some of it, right?

"How do you work in the alien museum and not know this?" he asked with a teasing chuckle. "This is where the crash happened."

Which, to be honest, was kind of depressing, objectively, but it had always felt...right, safe, to Michael.

[thenewnormal]

Alex tapped one painted nail against Michael's chest. "I asked how you found it. Besides, it's not as if the museum hands out a map to this place, otherwise there'd be tourists crawling through the desert looking for the kind of souvenirs they can't find in the gift shop."

He blinked his eyes a little more slowly than usual. It wasn't that he was tired, but the slid of Michael's fingers through his hair was restful. All he'd need to do was close his eyes and he'd be able to have a catnap. Except they were talking.

"Unless I'm missing the plaque that says 'aliens landed here', this just looks like another part of the desert."

[neverlooksaway]

Michael gave a sheepish smile, and a shrug, still playing with Alex's hair. "Well, Foster Ranch's still here--there's the sign for it. I got to know the owner a little bit, helped him out with some stuff, and he pointed me in the right direction."

All true, though some part of him had just known the first time he came out here. But he'd confirmed it, when he was old enough to ask, not just be some punk kid running away to the desert.

"I like coming out here and looking at the stars."

[thenewnormal]

"It is quiet out here. Peaceful." That's what the tool shed had been for Alex. An oasis away from the storm of his father. He'd always felt safe there. And now that safety was shattered. It wasn't Michael's fault. Alex should have known that his father would know when Alex found the least bit of happiness and would find a way to ruin it.

He was half tempted to look over his shoulder, just in case.

"Got any favorites?"

[neverlooksaway]

Michale nodded, flashing Alex a smile for understanding that. He didn't want to think about the quiet he'd lost from his broken hand--it would heal, and he'd be able to play again, right? So, the stars weren't quite the same as music, but being out here, away from most people, able to just...look and see what was above him, know that somewhere out there were people like him, where he wouldn't be a defective freak of nature? Where he wouldn't have to hide and lie?

That gave him some peace, at least, even if he never found them. Right now, with Alex next to him, he didn't know if he wanted to find them. But, maybe, if he did...then Alex could meet them, too. Imagining that, traveling up there among the stars, with Alex? That was possibly one of his favorite non-sexual fantasies right now (though, to be honest, sex among the stars sounded pretty awesome, too).

"In the summer, Aquila and Cygnus, the eagle and the swan," he said promptly. "In the winter, Perseus and Andromeda." Which was a little bit sappy, but who didn't love a good happily-ever-after story?

[thenewnormal]

Alex leaned in a little closer and wished that it were night so that Michael could point out the stars. Instead, he traced out the constellations that he knew against Michael's chest. Gemini he knew as well as the Big and Little Dippers and a few others. He had no idea about the ones Michael had named, though, even if the names were familiar.

"Pretend I didn't ace History class." Which he hadn't. "Or English class." Which he had. "And tell me why you picked those?"

Because he didn't know what they stories were and if it was the patterns that appealed to him or the stories. The only story he could think of off-hand involving swans was The Ugly Duckling and he was pretty sure they hadn't turned that into a constellation.

[neverlooksaway]

As far as Michael was concerned, they could stay here 'til it was, and he'd happily point them out. If he had his way, they'd never have to leave here--the place he felt more like himself than anywhere, with the person he wanted to be with more than anything else.

He shivered at the brush of Alex's fingers over his chest, and chuckled a little.

"All four of them were among the constellations that Ptolemy categorized, though Aquila's in roughly the same area as a Babylonian one also called the 'eagle.' Aquila's brightest star is only 17 light-years from Earth, and is called Altair, which comes from the Arabic for 'the flying eagle.' So--it ends up being really self-referential. It's the bird that they said carried Zeus's thunderbolts across the sky for him." And that always made him think of Max. "Ptolemy also catalogued Cygnus, and it has the Northern Cross inside it. But there are a lot of swans in Greek mythology, and possible origins for the name. But my favorite is the story of Phaeton. He was Helios's son and wanted to drive his father's sun chariot for a day across the sky. But he couldn't control it, and Zeus had to destroy it, and him. They plunged down into the river, and Phaeton's brother, Cygnus, was brokenhearted. So, he spent day after day, diving into the river to bring out his brothers' bones, so he could bury him properly. The gods were blown away by how devoted he was, and so, they rewarded him by turning him into a swan and putting him up in the stars forever."

That...also kinda made him think of Max. Or himself. 'Cause that's what either of them would do for each other, or for Isobel.

"Andromeda and Perseus are named after their myth. Andromeda's mom bragged that her daughter was more beautiful than the Nereids, and Poseidon got pissed and sent a sea monster to ravage the coast and the oracle said the only way to stop it was to chain Andromeda to a rock and give her to the monster. But Perseus was coming home from killing Medusa, and he saw her there, and he saved her by using Medusa's head to turn the monster to stone. He rescued her from the rock and married her, which pissed off her uncle, who, I guess was gonna marry her before they chained her to a rock. So he got all feisty at the wedding, and Perseus turned him to stone with Medusa's head, too, 'cause no way was he letting Andromeda stay with a family whose two ideas for what to do with their kid was feed her to a sea monster or make her marry her uncle. And, they sailed off, pretty literally, into the sunset. They rescued Perseus' mom, and had a bunch of kids, and lived happily ever after. Then, when they died, Euripides placed them in the stars, so they could be together for all eternity."

He gave Alex a sheepish smile, and a little shrug, realizing he hadn't answered the why of it, but also, not sure how to explain. "I dunno why those. I mean...I guess I like the Perseus and Andromeda story, 'cause...I used to come out here, and stare up at the stars, y'know, and I'd think that...maybe something, or someone, up there would save me. And when I saw their constallations, I'd remember the story, and it gave me hope. I mean, Greek myths are usually tragic, but it's a happy one. I mostly just like Aquila 'cause it's this cool shape and I like how many different civilizations looked up and saw the same thing. And Cygnus makes me think of me and Max..."

He bit his lip at that, uncertain if that was something that made sense.

[thenewnormal]

There were more than a few times during Michael's story where Alex would smile or start chuckling. Not because of the content of the story, although that was both interesting and revealing, but because of the zeal with which he was telling it. He was like one of those kids who read children's books about mythology and then went around gleefully reciting the tales.

"Well, you and Max have been friends since you got to town, right? I guess it's only natural that you might see him as some kind of brother."

Of course, he'd been friends with Liz since...okay, maybe that wasn't exactly a fair comparison. He did kind of see her as a sister. At least when she wasn't being an idiot and dating Kyle Valenti.

"And as for Andromeda and Perseus..."

His smile grew and he looked away. "Well, let's just say in addition to being a closet geek, it sounds like you're a closet romantic."

He closed his eyes. That was the most he'd heard Michael speak at any one time and he was revelling in it.

[neverlooksaway]

Michael flushed a tiny bit, a touch embarrassed at the romantic part, but pleased that Alex had listened, hadn't laughed at him. The stories of the constellations were probably more Max's thing--it was fanciful, not hard science--but curled up here against Alex, Michael wasn't thinking a lot about science and facts.

"Yeah, well. Don't go telling people the closet-romantic part. That's just for you..." And then he flushed a bit more, because, well, Alex was the only one who'd ever touched that side of him, the part that went beyond the physical, that craved the connection and intimacy.

Thinking in that vein, he bit his lip, pausing as he debated whether it was safe to share a piece, but. Since none of it screamed "alien," he didn't think it mattered. "Max and I...I mean, we are brothers," he said quietly. Even if they didn't know how to prove it, biologically, it was so much more than friends. "Isobel's my sister." He shot Alex a sideways glance, then looked down, studying his hand for something else to look at. "I was here, before. In Roswell, I mean. We were all found together, not just the two of them. But they got adopted, and I got sent away to Albuquerque."

[thenewnormal]

Alex was starting to lean forward and kiss through their mutual blushes, Michael's That's just for you... still ringing through his head. And then Michael mentioned Max and Alex stilled, frowning a little and then even more as Michael went on.

He didn't ask the obvious rhetorical question about how Max and Isobel's parents hadn't adopted him, although he was curious about whether they knew about him. Instead, he leaned in a little closer to Michael and wrapped an arm around his waist in as much of a hug as they could get in this position. Because whatever way you looked at it, this just sucked. For Isobel and Max, not knowing where their brother was, but especially for Michael.

"I've heard of brothers and sisters being split up in foster care, but..." He swallowed and shook his head, not even sure what to say to that. So he didn't say anything, following through on his lean to kiss Michael, making it a soft one instead of the teasing one he'd been planing on.

"I'm glad you found them again," he murmured.

[neverlooksaway]

Michael leaned in to Alex, accepting the kinda-hug, and then returning the kiss just as softly. He couldn't tell Alex the whole truth, but, with how things were now...what happened that night, with Rosa. He'd barely seen Max since then, and Isobel kept looking at him like she was scared what he'd do next--not of him, but whether his powers were all out of control again, and everything was...wrong.

Except this. He kissed Alex again, a little harder, before murmuring against his lips, "Me too."

He rested his forehead against Alex's, breathing him in, and reminded himself how lucky he was to have Alex, how this was worth fighting for, even if he was sure he didn't deserve it anymore.

[thenewnormal]

Alex was silent for a long while, just tucked up against Michael, foreheads pressed together and noses nuzzling each other. Michael had told him something real and probably painful given his parental history and Alex... Well, he didn't feel obligated to do the same, but he wanted to tell Michael something.

"Dad," he said quietly, tensing at the very name, "wants me to enlist. Or join ROTC when I go off to college."

He shifted and buried his face in Michael's neck. He hadn't planned on telling Michael that. Had wanted to handle it on his own. Or maybe not handled it, like he hadn't handled it when Michael's hand had been smashed.

"I'm worried about what he'll do if I don't."

[neverlooksaway]

Michael's world tilted a little bit at that, fear gripping his chest. He didn't want Alex to leave (or, well, he did, because he should get out of here, but Michael was gonna be wrecked when he went) at all, but it wasn't like this was really peacetime. It seemed like every day the news was talking about servicemen and women dying due to IEDs or insurgent firefights. Death had always sort of been this far-off thing, like it was for most teenagers, but Rosa's death had changed that, shown Michael how fast life could be gone, and the thought of Alex going off into that...and, worse, going off into it when he didn't want to....

His arm tightened around alex and he turned his face into him, in turn. "You don't have to do what he says if you don't want to," he said, a little urgently. "He can't make you join up, and now that we've graduated...you can go anywhere. You don't have to stay with him."

Michael knew the fear all too well, and it had been terrifying stepping out on his own, but less terrifying than staying in the home he'd been in. Yeah, sure, he lived in his truck, but that had mostly been because he figured he'd be going to college. Without that, now...he'd find a place. He had his job at the junkyard, and Sanders was keeping him on, even with his hand busted.

"He's had all the control, 'til now, but you don't have to let him keep it."