Chapter Text
Despite the April sun’s valiant attempt at peeking through the clouds now and then, it’s been a pretty grey day, as most days around here tend to be. It’s been quite nice though, Liam thinks, regardless of the lack of sunshine. Dry and not too hot; perfect weather for kicking a ball around in the park with your mates.
Pleasantly knackered after a couple of hours of doing exactly that, Liam is just about ready for a sarnie and maybe a beer if he can manage to nick one at the offie on the corner. Depends on who’s manning the shop today. His chances are slim if it’s that bloke with the bald patch, but if it’s the blonde bird, he figures he has a shot. She’s got a soft spot for him, she does.
As Liam continues to saunter home at a leisurely pace, enjoying the wind on his flushed skin, something in his peripheral vision catches his attention.
Or rather, someone.
A someone he'd recognise anywhere.
On the other side of the street, with his head held low and his hands in his pockets as if he’s trying to make himself even smaller than he already is, walks none other than Noel.
Before his older brother can spot him, Liam quickly ducks behind a parked car, peering through the windows to watch Noel scurry down the road on his little feet. As soon as Noel turns a corner, Liam crosses the street and then follows behind him at a few yards’ distance, careful to tread as silently as possible to avoid detection. Not that Noel looks like he'd notice anything around him right now. He's too focused on not being noticed himself, isn't he?
While Liam would pretty much take any opportunity to watch Noel anyway, what piques his interest most of all right now is Noel's obvious desire not to be seen. Because that, in addition to Noel going in the opposite direction of home and the fact that, as far as Liam knows, he doesn’t have any mates in this part of the neighbourhood, means chances are Noel is off to do the thing that Liam doesn’t know about. Yet.
Because Noel has a secret, doesn't he?
Well, he's got lots of secrets, really, but Liam already knows about all the other ones.
This is a new one, and frankly, the fact that Liam still hasn’t been able to figure out what it is has been doing his head in lately.
Liam already knows, for instance, that Noel does drugs. But then, most everybody does these days, and to be honest, Noel doesn't really try very hard to hide that habit from anyone apart from their Mam and maybe the coppers. Noel and Liam have even done them together, on occasion. But since it's still sort of meant to stay hush-hush, Liam figures it more or less counts as a secret.
Then there's the nicking – not the shoplifting, ‘cause that’s just something to pass the time. But the bigger stuff. The gear and trainers and that, the stuff that conveniently keeps falling off the back of the lorries driven by people that Noel conveniently happens to know. Liam doesn’t mind this secret at all if he’s honest, since it means he gets a cool new jacket or a pair of trainers out of it every so often. Keeps him looking sharp, doesn’t it?
A secret that bothers Liam a lot more than the drugs or the stealing is something far more personal. It’s the fact that sometimes, Noel cries at night. Not as often these days as he used to when he was younger, usually after he'd taken a beating from their Da, but it still happens now and then. Like when that divvy bird with the overbite broke up with him last year, and when he got sacked from that pub he worked at and had to go back on the dole a few months ago.
Liam had tried to comfort his brother once or twice, just an arm around his shoulders and a few soothing words, but Noel wasn't having any of it these days. Threw a proper fit, he did, threatening to make Liam's life hell if ever so much as breathed a word of it to anyone. Personally, Liam doesn’t think having a bit of a cry is all that bad – Liam cries all the time, and it doesn't make him any less cool, does it? He’s still a good-looking bastard, popular too, and birds still want him, so he really doesn’t see what the problem is. That’s Noel for you, though. Gets his knickers in a twist about the strangest things sometimes.
Besides, the crying isn’t even half as shameful as that other secret of Noel's. The one that makes Liam’s insides burn and twist and his brain feel like it’s going to explode right out of his ears whenever he thinks about it for too long.
It’s the fact that Noel is a poof.
A queer.
Bent like a fucking pretzel.
Liam knows this because he saw him. He saw his own brother give this big bloke a handy behind the Hacienda last year, and then a few months ago, he caught Noel on his knees for some other hairy geezer in the bathroom of the International 2. Liam really wishes he hadn’t, but he had, and so he knows it wasn't a fluke or a figment of his imagination – which, admittedly, is vivid sometimes. No, this is a pattern, and therefore an inescapable fact.
Noel Gallagher – Liam’s very own flesh and blood and more – is a poof.
Liam is not fucking happy about it, but it's not like there's anything he can do, is there? He knows that squaring up to Noel and telling him to stop sucking cock would only land him with a black eye and probably make Noel want to do it more, the contrarian cunt that he is, so Liam has no choice but to fume about it in silence (which he does, quite a lot).
Noel's final secret – at least, of the ones that Liam knows about – could also be considered kind of shameful. Much less so than the poof thing, though, in Liam's honest opinion. Shameful isn't even the right word, because that would imply you'd have to be ashamed of it, which Liam isn't.
Because see, this secret of Noel's is one that concerns Liam, too. This secret is one that he and Noel are both involved in, but which they don't ever talk about. Liam can tell that it would stop entirely if he ever brought it up in the cold light of day, and there’s no way he’s going to risk that.
The final secret is this:
Sometimes, when Noel is really drunk or high or barely awake, he lets Liam crawl into his bed for a cuddle. Sometimes more than a cuddle. Sometimes, Noel lets Liam touch him a little, or even press up against him to rub himself off against his thigh. Noel usually just lies there and lets it happen, but occasionally, he'll put a hand on Liam's arse and pull him closer, encouraging him to keep going, which is how Liam knows Noel likes it, too.
Well, he mostly knows Noel likes it too because whenever it happens, Noel gets so hard his prick could drill a hole through their bedroom wall, and because after Liam has finished and Noel has kicked him out of bed, Liam always hears his brother wank and come all over himself in under thirty seconds.
It drives Liam crazy, listening to Noel get off and not being allowed to help. The one time he’d tried, Noel had nearly bitten his head clean off, so Liam hadn’t offered again. He doesn't actually have a death wish, despite what their Mam may say whenever Liam comes home with a black eye or a bloody lip, courtesy of some little scrap he's had with his gang.
Despite all the evidence pointing towards Noel liking it too, this thing they sometimes do together, it seems there is something that’s always holding him back. Liam doesn’t get it. He knows it isn’t exactly normal to want to shag your brother, but normal is overrated anyway, if you ask him. If this is something they both want, of which Liam is convinced, then he really doesn't see what the fucking problem is.
To the unenlightened mind, the fact that Liam gets so worked up about Noel wanting to get with blokes might seem a tad hypocritical considering that technically Liam also wants to get with one. But it's different, isn’t it? Liam doesn't want to get with just any random geezer. In fact, there’s nothing he wants less. The only geezer Liam wants to get with is Noel, and Noel is his brother, and therefore, it's a completely different situation. Especially because Noel is more than just his brother.
Things were often rough when they were growing up, even more so than they are now. But although Liam doesn't like to dwell on those days too much if he can help it, he'll always cherish them too because of the way they fostered his and Noel's soulbond; that connection Liam had always felt between them, clear as day. Being Liam's senior by five years, Noel looked after Liam, and in his own way, Liam looked after Noel right back, and while they never had much, they always had each other. Two peas in a pod, they were. Off in their little fantasy world or out and about causing trouble, it didn't matter as long as it was Liam-and-Noel, Noel-and-Liam.
Of course, things changed as they got older and started getting different interests and mates and girlfriends, but the basis of it, that deep, abiding connection they've always shared, is unchanged.
So, Liam wants Noel not because he's a bloke, but because he and Noel are two halves of a whole that are just trying to merge back into one.
It's only natural, if you think about it.
And sure, he finds Noel attractive. Sure, Liam can admit to himself that he wants to get his hands and mouth on every part of his brother’s body, including the explicitly male ones, but that’s just because it’s Noel’s body, see? And had Noel only been hot for Liam’s cock and no one else's, clearly Liam wouldn’t have had an issue with it. Unfortunately, Noel isn’t nearly as discerning as Liam in that regard, and therein lies the problem.
To say it was a shock to find out that what Noel didn’t freely allow himself to have with Liam, he apparently had no problem doing with random blokes he met at the club would be an understatement, and Liam would be lying if he said that knowledge didn’t eat at him from the inside.
Noel knows Liam would give him everything he needs. Liam thinks he’s made that pretty clear. Well, he'd let Noel give him a handy or a blowie, at least – he isn't too sure about any of the other stuff, but he's open to being convinced. So why is Noel looking for it elsewhere?
For a while, this question had caused a niggling doubt at the back of Liam’s mind, one that he was entirely unfamiliar with: what if Noel just didn't find Liam that attractive? What if he just preferred bigger geezers, or hairier ones, or fucking ginger ones or whatever the fuck floated his brother’s queer little boat. Maybe he only got off when they cuddled because Liam was another warm body, and it was dark enough not to be able to see him.
Fortunately, that doubt was quickly put to rest when, after a particularly vigorous footie match, Liam caught Noel staring at him when Liam took his shirt off to wipe the sweat off his brow. There had been no mistaking the look in Noel’s eyes for anything other than lustful, even if he’d quickly averted his gaze when he’d realised he’d been caught.
Liam had started paying attention after that and caught Noel looking lustfully quite a few more times. So he knows the problem isn’t that Noel doesn’t find him attractive, but rather there’s some other daft reason why he won’t let himself – or Liam – have what he wants. Liam just wishes he knew what to do to change that.
He’s considered all kinds of different scenarios. Imagined himself going up to Noel, pinning him against the wall and saying, “Look, man, you’re being a twat. I know you want it too, so let’s have it, yeah?” or crawling into Noel’s bed while he’s asleep one night and just taking what he knows they both want, or maybe even being completely honest with his brother and telling him that the idea of Noel touching blokes that aren’t Liam is fucking with his head, with his heart.
Unfortunately, all those options have significant downsides, so for now, Liam is just biding his time, waiting until he’s hit with some brilliant idea or other that he hadn’t considered before, or until the solution simply falls into his lap. He has a feeling it will, one way or another. His life has a way of working itself out, and besides, him and Noel are meant to be, aren’t they? It’s destiny and shit.
He’s been trying to infuse that same confidence into finding out what Noel’s new and final secret is, but the fact that after three months he still isn't any closer to finding out what it is has been making Liam feel somewhat dispirited.
The only reason he knows Noel’s got a new secret at all is because Noel has been acting strange lately. Well, stranger than usual, that is.
It’s not just the fact that he comes home at odd hours and acts cagey about where he’s been, because that’s just par for the course with Noel, who doesn’t have a proper job but does have various shady habits.
Usually, it’s easy enough for Liam to determine what Noel’s been up to thanks to the various tells his brother has. When it’s about drugs, Noel acts all smug and gloaty, plus he’s often noticeably high. When it’s about nicking stuff, he’s mysterious and evasive like he thinks he's James fucking Bond or something, and when it’s blokes, he gets infuriatingly mellow and kind of floaty, and sometimes his hair is standing up every which way and he reeks of sex. As far as Liam’s concerned, that’s the worst of them all.
The way Noel has been acting recently is reminiscent of the latter, but not quite the same. Lately when Noel comes home and won't tell Liam where he’s been, his hair is damp and he smells freshly showered, even though Liam knows he didn’t shower at home because he just heard Noel come in through the front door. On those days, Noel often seems relaxed to the point of exhaustion; less prone to argue and quick to fall asleep.
Initially, Liam figured Noel had gotten himself a bloody boyfriend or something, and he was trying to hide the evidence of whatever they’d gotten up to by showering at this bloke’s place before going home. But then, Liam wondered, why wouldn’t Noel sleep over at this boyfriend’s sometimes, if the geezer had the sort of place that had a functioning shower? Plus, Noel doesn’t act like he’s in love. There is no wistful sighing or daydreaming or hushed phonecalls or any of that stuff. In fact, some days, Noel seems more agitated than usual. Unable to sit still, biting his nails, playing his depressing music really loudly on that stupid stereo of his.
And his vibes are all off.
That more than anything makes Liam believe that Noel is hiding something different this time. Something new, possibly worse than any of his other secrets, although Liam has a hard time imagining what that could possibly be. He really hopes Noel isn’t getting involved with the proper dodgy crowds. That he isn’t going from petty crime to the hard stuff – like robberies, or breaking and entering, or some sort of aggravated assault. Because if Noel did any of that and ended up in the nick, Liam doesn’t know what he’d do, other than try to smuggle in a nail file during visiting hours. He doesn’t think Noel would be as stupid as that. But until he’s found out what it is his brother is doing, Liam unfortunately has to keep all options open.
One thing is certain: Liam won’t rest until he’s found out Noel is hiding. But since he's a fairly lazy bastard by nature, he's mostly just been hoping his signature luck won’t let him down this time.
And today, on this ordinary Friday afternoon in April, it seems like it's finally delivering.
The longer Liam keeps following behind Noel as they continue deeper and deeper into the dodgy part of town – which is saying something considering they don’t exactly live in the high end part of it either – the more uneasy he feels. Because if Noel gets up to whatever it is he gets up to all the way over here, it definitely can’t be anything good.
Finally, just when Liam is starting to wonder if they’re going to walk all the way to bloody Stockport, Noel suddenly takes a sharp right and disappears between two nondescript buildings. Liam stops abruptly, before setting off on a jog, reaching the corner just in time to see Noel disappear through a door and into one of the buildings.
Liam peers around surreptitiously, doing his best to look like he belongs here. Once he's established there’s no one else around, he walks over to get a closer look at the sign on the wall next to the door.
Soho Studios, the sign says.
Frowning, Liam traces the engraved letters with his fingertips.
Studios? As in a recording studio? He supposes it could be, seeing as Noel is into music and loves to strum away on that beat up old guitar of his. But if Noel were going to a studio to record music, then shouldn't he have brought his guitar? Unless they’ve got a better one for him here, maybe.
Before he can investigate the building further, the door opens and a tall, well-built man who looks to be about forty years old steps out. Upon spotting him, the bloke gives Liam a once-over that immediately makes the hairs on the back of Liam's neck stand up. He then proceeds to wink at Liam before walking off, his hips swaying as he goes.
Liam shudders. He's caught blokes looking at him like that before. He knows what a look like that one means.
The door has fallen shut again, and when Liam tries it from the outside, he finds that it’s locked. He sighs when he notices the keypad. He’ll need a code to get in, then. Brilliant.
Slinking back towards the street, Liam sits himself down on a low wall that has a view on the door to the studios. What is Noel doing at a bloody studio? If it’s recording, they must have good soundproofing, because no matter how Liam strains his ears, he can’t hear any music.
After a while, another bloke arrives, or more of a lad, really. This one has sandy blond hair and a lithe build similar to Noel’s. He punches in a four-digit code before disappearing through the door.
It takes about fifteen minutes of Liam biting his nails before the door opens again and two more blokes come out. And listen – Liam may not have been top of his class, or even middle of his class, but he’s not silly, alright? None of these geezers are carrying any instruments, and most of them, apart from the lad that arrived earlier, are built like they spend half their day down the gym, not strumming a guitar or tinkering on a piano. These men don’t look like musicians. They look like models, and not the fashion kind either.
Liam swallows, his stomach churning uncomfortably.
Once the others have gone, he walks back over to the door and casually leans against the wall beside it, tapping his foot as he waits awhile. Finally, his patience is rewarded when yet another tall, broad-shouldered man appears from the direction of the road.
Quickly pushing off against the wall, Liam gives the bloke a friendly nod. “Mind if I slip in behind ya?” he asks, adding with a sheepish smile, “Only I forgot the code, didn’t I?”
This man gives Liam once over that's almost as bone-chilling as the earlier one, paired with an undeniably lecherous smile. “You can slip in behind me anytime, son,” he winks. “Or the other way around, I’m versatile.”
Liam grits his teeth and keeps smiling, wishing the bloke would just go inside already instead of just standing there and devouring Liam with his eyes.
“You new?”
Liam nods. “First time here, innit?”
“I see,” the man says. “Nervous?”
Liam shakes his head. “Nah, not me, I'm not. I know what I’m doin’, don’t I?” He does not, in fact, have a clue what he’s doing, but that's nobody's business but his own.
The stranger breaks out into a grin. “Oh, I’ll bet. You’ll be a huge hit, I can tell.”
A hit? Does that mean it's a music studio after all?
“George,” the other man says, holding out his hand.
Liam takes the proffered hand even though he would very much rather not. “Liam.”
“Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Liam,” George drawls, still holding Liam’s hand. “I do hope we’ll be working together quite soon.”
Liam swallows hard and quickly pulls back his hand. “Uh, yeah. Me too, I s’pose.”
With another wink, George turns towards the door, entering the code before pulling it open. “After you,” he says, gesturing for Liam to go in first, presumably so he can stare at Liam's arse.
Liam’s got a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling.
Once they’re inside, George heads off down the corridor, disappearing into a room down the side of it. Liam turns around, taking stock of his surroundings. He’s standing in what looks like an abandoned office building of some kind, in a corridor with several doors on either side. With a sinking feeling, he notes that he still can’t hear any music. In fact, he doesn’t hear much of anything at all –
– until, suddenly, an unmistakable sound rings through the air.
Moaning.
Liam freezes for a moment, heart beating faster as he starts walking down the corridor, following the sound. He really, really doesn't want to find out what's causing it, but at the same time, he has to know.
Each door has a little window in it, and through one of them, light is falling into the otherwise dimly lit corridor. The closer he gets to that particular door, the clearer the sounds coming from the room get, and the more undeniable it becomes that those sounds are, in fact, moans and groans.
And what’s worse: they're all male.
When Liam reaches the door with the lit-up window, he takes a deep, bracing breath before he peeks into the room.
It takes a moment for his eyes to make sense of what they're seeing, but once they figure it out, Liam promptly wishes they hadn't.
On the other side of the door, mere feet away, two blokes are going at it like fucking rabbits. One of them is enthusiastically railing the other from behind over the back of the sofa, while the bottom one is holding on for dear life, moaning like he's going for the gold.
Jesus fucking christ.
Liam makes a choked-off noise, abruptly jerking away from the window and scrubbing at his eyes in the vain hope he might be able to erase what he just saw.
The only small mercy, the very last shred of hope he's clinging to right now, is that at least neither of the blokes had been Noel. Who knows, Liam thinks desperately, maybe Noel just works here as a cleaner or something. Not ideal, but anything is better than his own brother –
“What. The fuck. Are you doing here?”
Liam whirls around.
There, standing less than five feet away and looking fairly murderous, is Noel.
Liam opens his mouth to reply, but the minute he properly takes in Noel’s appearance, all the words die on his tongue.
Because that's not a cleaner's uniform.
The white robe Noel is wearing is tied at the waist, and below it, his hairy legs and bare feet stuck in a pair of black Adidas shower slides are plainly visible.
“What am I doing here?” Liam echoes incredulously. “What are you doing here? The fuck, man?”
“Did you follow me?” Noel growls.
“Yeah, I fuckin’ followed you,” Liam says, starting to get proper worked up now. “I followed you here, to this fuckin’ – gay porn studio? What is this, some kind of sick joke?”
“Leave. Now.”
“Oh, I am going, alright. And you're comin’ with me.”
“Get to fuck,” Noel bites out. “I've got a job to do, don't I? I'll go home when I'm done.”
“A job,” Liam barks. “You call this a job, mate? Takin’ it up the arse from some buff fairy?”
“What’s it to you?” Noel demands, eyes flashing. “And who says I'm takin’ it? Maybe I'm the one dishing it out, aye?”
Liam can't help himself; he snorts. “Yeah, not bloody likely.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
Suddenly, the door they're arguing in front of swings open.
“What the fuck is going on out here?”
Both their heads snap in the direction of the voice. The bloke standing in the doorway is of average height, weight, and looks, but something about him makes Liam instinctively take a step backwards.
Noel, too, stands up straighter. “Sorry, Richie,” he says, a weird sort of deference in his tone. “Liam was just leaving.”
“The fuck I am,” Liam scoffs. “Not without you.”
“Liam. We're not doin’ this here. Go home, we'll talk about it later.”
“Hold on a minute,” Richie says in a southern accent, holding up a hand in Liam's direction. “Who are you? You're not one of ours, are you?”
Liam bristles. “‘Course not. Not a bloody poof, am I?”
Richie hums, giving Liam another blatant once-over. Liam has had quite enough of those for one day, honestly.
“You sure?” Richie asks, assessing Liam like he’s a prize cow or something. “You could make a killing with that face, you know. Pretty boys like you are worth their weight in gold in this business."
“Oi,” Liam says indignantly, at the same time that Noel says, “Now look here, Richie –”
“I'm just saying.” Richie holds up both hands in a placating gesture.
“Well, don't, you sleazy fucker.”
“Liam,” Noel snaps. “Mind your fucking language.”
“Why should I? He's a creep, in’he?”
“He's my boss.”
“Oh, yeah?” Liam sneers. “Guess that makes you a creep too then, dunnit?”
Noel growls, getting up in Liam's face. “You shut up right fuckin’ now –”
“Or what?” Liam draws himself up to his full height, lording the couple of inches he's got on Noel over him. “Aye? You can't tell me what to do, you twat.”
“Oh, I fucking can,” says Noel, putting both hands on Liam's chest and shoving him away.
Liam stumbles but recovers quickly, raising his own hands to shove Noel right back. Noel hits the wall, but a moment later, he's charging forward like a mad rhino. Liam braces for impact, and suddenly, they're full-on scuffling, grabbing and pushing and pulling at each other the same way they've done a million times before.
He doesn't even mean to, but somehow, Liam manages to accidentally pull on the belt on Noel's robe. It comes loose, causing the robe to fall open, and – oh, christ, he's actually fully naked under there.
Liam falters, forgetting to fight because he’s too busy staring at Noel’s exposed torso and thighs, and at his cock, hanging heavy between his legs.
Noel freezes. After a moment, he scrambles to retie his robe, concealing himself from Liam's gaze once again.
“Do I need to get security?” someone asks drily from behind them.
When Liam turns around, Richie is looking at them with raised brows and his arms crossed over his chest.
Noel clears his throat, sending Liam a glare. “No need. Liam’s goin’ now.”
“Who are you, anyway?” Richie asks Liam. “Jealous boyfriend or something?”
“Boyfriend?” Liam splutters. “Boy – I said I weren't a poof, didn't I?”
“He’s me little brother,” Noel sighs. “Followed me here, I suppose. I didn’t know he was gonna show up though, swear down.”
“Your brother,” Richie repeats, eyebrows climbing higher. His shrewd eyes flick back and forth between the two of them. “Oh, yes. Of course.”
“And who are you, then?” Liam demands. “Some kind of pimp, are ya?”
Richie laughs – it’s not a pleasant sound. “I’m a director, kid. I make films.”
Liam snorts derisively. “Pornos, ya mean. Mingin’.”
“You don’t like porn?” Richie asks. He looks amused.
“No, I love it, me,” Liam hastily corrects, “but only the kind with birds in it, d’you know what I mean?”
“Right. ‘Cause you’re not a poof.”
“Exactly.”
“But your brother is.”
Liam turns to scowl at Noel. “Yeah. And he didn’t tell me, did he?” He crosses his arms and tilts his chin up. “I already knew, though.”
“Did you fuck,” Noel scoffs.
“I did, too. Saw you, didn’t I? With that bloke behind the Haçienda.”
From one moment to the next, Noel's face goes pale. “You’re full of shit.”
Liam narrows his eyes. “Am not. I know what I saw, our kid.”
“Well, whatever you think you saw, it's none of your fuckin’ business.”
“It is my fucking business,” Liam argues stubbornly. “You’re me brother, aren’t ya?”
“So?”
“So your business is my business.”
“How d’ya reckon that, then?” Noel asks, looking exasperated.
“What’s mine is yours and all that,” Liam clarifies, waving a hand around to emphasise his point.
“That doesn’t make any fucking sense, Liam.”
“‘Course it does,” Liam insists. “We share everything, you and me.”
“Clearly, we don’t.”
Liam glares at Noel. “Yeah, well. That’s on you, man. Not my fault you’re keepin’ secrets.”
Noel rolls his eyes. “Oh yeah, ‘cause tellin’ ya I like blokes would’ve gone down so well, aye?”
“You still could’ve,” Liam says, his voice cracking as the anger suddenly drains out of him. “You could've told me, man. I don’t fuckin’ like it, but – I’m not gonna like, kick your head in for bein’ a poof or whatever. Be who you be, I suppose. But like –” He gestures around them. “I don’t understand all this. Why are you doin’ this, Noel?” He darts a glance at Richie, narrowing his eyes at him. “Is this geezer makin’ you or summat?”
Noel huffs in annoyance. “No one’s making me do anything. I’m here ‘cause I wanna be.”
“But why?” Liam repeats, frustrated. “Gettin’ on your knees behind the club ain't enough anymore, so now you’ve gotta be whoring yourself out to get off? That it?”
“That's enough, William,” Noel says. His voice is like ice. “You don't know what the fuck you're talking about.”
“Then explain it to me, man!”
“We need the money,” Noel exclaims, throwing his arms up in exasperation. “I’m doin’ this because it pays a shit lot better than construction work, alright? Someone’s gotta pay the bills.”
Liam frowns, mulling that over. They are always tight on cash, that much is true. Mam's job doesn't pay much, and their older brother Paul works, but he’s got his own place to pay bills for now. Noel got sacked a while ago, and lord knows being on the dole isn't exactly a gold mine either.
“I can get a job,” Liam says, a little doubtfully.
Noel snorts. “Yeah, but can you keep one?”
“Ah, come on –”
“Besides,” Noel goes on, shoulders sagging a little, “it’s not so bad, this. I – I like it, most of the time.”
Liam sets his jaw. “Well, I don’t. Makes me fuckin' skin crawl, thinking of you with all them random blokes.”
“Then don't think about it.”
“Can’t think about owt else, can I?” Liam mutters.
“If I may,” Richie says.
They both turn towards the other man, whom Liam had already forgotten was even there.
“What?”
If Richie is bothered by Liam's tone, he doesn't show it. “I’ve got a proposal for you,” he says. “An offer, if you will.”
“I already told ya –”
“No, not that. Well, not quite.”
“What are you on about, man?” Liam huffs, irritated. “Just spit it out, yeah?”
“Liam –” Noel warns.
“You gentlemen need money, correct?”
“So?”
“So,” Richie says, fishing a pack of Silk Cuts out of his pocket and unhurriedly taking one out. “I am prepared to offer you both a significant sum –” Here he pauses to light his cig, taking a slow drag as he looks from Liam to Noel and back again – “for the two of you to do some scenes for me.”
Liam stares at Richie. His memory's not the best, but he's pretty sure he just repeatedly told the man he wasn't interested.
“Together,” Richie clarifies, when both Liam and Noel just keep looking at him blankly.
For a moment, the meaning of the words fail to register, but when it clicks, Liam’s mouth falls open.
“What?” Noel asks, sounding bewildered. “You’re not serious, are ya?”
“Oh, but I am.”
“You’re mental,” Noel half-laughs, seemingly having forgotten that he should at least attempt to be polite to his boss. “You’re out of your mind. Me and him? We’re brothers.”
“Precisely,” Richie agrees. “Do you have any idea how much demand there is for siblings in this scene?”
Noel looks pale as a sheet suddenly. “That – that’s sick.”
Liam frowns, something about Noel's reaction not sitting right with him. Sure, they're brothers, but they’re more than that, aren’t they? Maybe Noel doesn’t want to admit it, but they are. It's spiritual, what they've got. And besides, if Noel was really that disgusted by the idea, then surely he wouldn't blow his load as hard as he did every time he and Liam had a bit of a snuggle together, would he?
“Noel,” Liam says, leaning closer to him. “Can I talk to ya for a minute?”
Noel’s eyes look a little crazed. “What?”
“Just –” Liam shoots Richie a look, and then steps aside, gesturing for Noel to come closer.
Reluctantly obliging, Noel turns around and gives Liam an impatient jerk of his chin. “So? Spit it out, then.”
“I’m just thinkin’, maybe we should hear him out?”
“Aye?” Noel stares at him like he's grown another head. “Are you – Are you actually mad? Did you hit your head or summat?” He runs a shaking hand through his own hair, mussing it up. “What happened to I’m not a poof?”
“Well, I’m not,” Liam reasons, “but this is different, innit? You’re me brother.”
The laugh Noel lets out has a hysterical edge to it. “You realise that’s worse, right?”
“Is it fuck,” Liam frowns. “I just told ya, didn't I? We share everything, you ‘n me, and it wouldn’t even really be the first –”
“Shut up,” Noel hisses, darting a panicked look at Richie. “Fucking shut up, Liam. Do not breathe a word of that or so help me god –”
“Jeez, fucking fine, whatever. I’m just saying, we could at least hear ‘im out, yeah? See how much money we’re talking ‘ere.”
For a few long moments, Liam watches the inner conflict play out behind his brother's eyes. He holds his breath as he waits to see what Noel will do; whether he’ll smack Liam around the head and storm out of here, continuing to let whatever’s been holding him back until now get in the way of what Liam knows he wants too, or if he'll finally give in and accept his fate.
“C’mon, Noel,” Liam says quietly, putting on his best pleading look. He makes his eyes big and round, hoping it’ll work on Noel the way it did when Liam was little, but rarely does anymore these days.
It seems he's once again in luck.
After another nerve-wracking moment, Noel closes his eyes. “Alright,” he says. “Fine.”
Liam's heart jumps. “Yeah?”
“Just – We can hear ‘im out. That's it, alright?”
“Yeah, alright,” Liam nods eagerly, already turning back around towards Richie, who is watching them with barely concealed amusement.
Sounding like it’s causing him actual pain to say the words, Noel grits out, “How much?”
“Well,” Richie smiles, showing off his smoker’s teeth. “We’d have to do a trial run first, of course, see how things go. I could offer you twice Noel's normal rate each for that. If it works and we can plan a proper shoot, however, there could be some serious money in it for you both.” He pauses for dramatic effect, before mentioning a sum that seems so ludicrous it has Liam’s mouth falling open again.
Even Noel goes a little speechless. “You’re joking,” he says weakly. “You're pulling me leg, aren’t ya?”
Richie shakes his head. “Not at all. I’m not lying when I say there’s a huge market for this sort of thing.”
They let that sink in for a moment, each of them processing the information in their own way.
“Noel –” Liam starts.
“Shut up,” Noel says, holding up a hand.
“Just think about it,” Richie goes on, though he's mostly addressing Noel at this point. “You’d both be making a lot of cash. You’d get Liam here off your back – well, in a manner of speaking – and Liam, you wouldn't have to worry about your brother, ah, working with random men anymore.” He shrugs. “Sounds like a win-win-win to me.”
“He’s got a point,” Liam says.
Noel lets out a pained sound. He puts both his hands over his face and gives it a vigorous scrub. “Fuck,” he mutters. “For fuck's sake.”
“And I'll be honest with you boys,” Richie continues, not without a hint of glee. “The chemistry between you two? Off the fucking charts.”
While Noel seems to shrink in on himself at that, it has Liam standing a little taller, puffing up his chest. That's fucking right, that is. Him and Noel are special, aren't they? It's nice that someone else is seeing it now, too, even if it is some creepy porn geezer.
“I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this,” Noel whispers.
“You are?” Liam asks, hardly daring to believe. “Honestly?”
“I don’t even fuckin’ – Sure. Why the fuck not. Jesus fucking christ.”
Liam’s stomach does a somersault, before he’s hit with a wave of giddy anticipation so strong it almost causes his knees to give out.
Noel agreed.
He said yes. To having sex with Liam. On camera, sure, but whatever, it's still going to happen. They’re doing this. Fucking finally, Liam thinks, feeling the puzzle pieces of the universe slot into place with a satisfying click.
Noel, on the other hand, has that lamb-to-slaughter air about him. He’s pale as a sheet, and he’s very carefully not looking at Liam. “So,” he croaks. “A trial run. What does that mean, exactly?”
“Think of it as a screentest, to see if you two will even work that way together.”
“We will,” Liam says, a little indignant, because of course they will.
“Shut up, Liam,” Noel sighs. “And we'd get paid double my usual rate each for it, yeah?”
Richie nods. “That’s what I said.”
Noel gives Richie another long, hard look, before he finally nods. “Alright. Fuck it. We'll do the screentest, and then we'll see.”
“Excellent,” Richie says. “I'll just go let the others know there's been a change of plans and we can get cracking.”
“Wait, now?” Liam asks, stomach swooping. He'd kind of figured they’d have to come back for it some other time.
Richie raises an eyebrow. “Unless you aren't up for it after all, of course.”
“Uh.” Liam takes an unsteady breath and wipes his palms on his trousers again. “No, ‘course I am. Now's good.”
Smiling, Richie steps back, gesturing for the two of them to enter the room behind him. Fortunately, the two blokes who’d been going at it earlier are now dressed in robes as well, chatting away by the sofa like two dads on a school run.
“Change of plans, gentlemen,” Richie announces, clapping his hands together. “You can call it a day. See you next time, alright?”
Both men shoot Liam a curious look, but ultimately shrug and start to head out.
“Shame,” the bigger one says, when he passes by Noel. “I was looking forward to this one.” Winking, he adds, “Ah well, there's always next time” – and then he has the fucking nerve to slap Noel's arse.
Anger flares up hot and sharp in the pit of Liam’s stomach. Purely on instinct, he growls, taking a threatening step forward while glaring so viciously that the man visibly recoils.
Noel, meanwhile, turns redder than a bloody firetruck, but he doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t stand up for himself in any way, and fuck, Liam does not like that at all.
After the door has fallen shut behind the two men, Liam huffs out a sharp breath and starts to prowl around the room, trying to calm down again while he takes everything in.
The windows to the outside are boarded, meaning the only light sources are the ceiling lamps that cast the space in a bright, slightly yellow-tinted hue. The floor looks like it hasn't seen a mop since it was put in, but at least the black leather sofa looks fairly new. Liam still eyes it doubtfully, looking out for any suspicious wet spots, before letting his gaze glide over to the camera on wheels that’s stationed next to it. The bloke on the chair behind the camera, wearing a t-shirt and a ball cap, looks like he’s half asleep, barely even aware of his surroundings. Liam sniffs, noting that the room smells strange. A bit like his and Noel's bedroom, but with a hint of unfamiliar body odors that has Liam's nose wrinkling up in disgust.
“Alright,” Richie says, settling in the director’s chair. “If neither of you has any objections, we'll get started straight away. Got another shoot after this one and I'd like to get home before the match.”
Liam barely suppresses an eyeroll, because tonight's match is a Man United one. Figures.
“Where do you want us?” Noel asks, sounding matter-of-fact all of a sudden.
“By the sofa, if you please.”
Noel nods and walks over to it, while Liam follows, coming to stand next to him.
“Wait,” Liam says, an alarming thought suddenly occurring. “Are we gonna have to do like, actin’ or summat?” He did a few school plays years ago, sure, but he’s not a theatre kid by any means. Shagging his brother on camera is one thing, but he's not sure about acting.
Fortunately, Richie shakes his head. “No need for that today. We'll start off easy, not to worry.” Stapling his fingers under his chin, he gives them a critical look. “Liam.”
“Yeah?” Liam asks, his heart beating faster.
“Noel looks a little tense, don't you think? Why don't you try and make him relax?”
Liam very nearly snorts. If he knew how to do that, he'd have done it a long time ago. He throws Noel an uncertain look, but he’s still not looking at Liam. “So like, what do you want me to…”
“Kiss him,” Richie suggests.
Liam's stomach swoops again.
Kiss Noel.
And this time, neither of them are drunk or high or both.
Liam takes a deep breath and then turns towards his older brother. Noel’s shoulders are rigid, his jaw tensed, and he’s staring at the wall like he’s hoping a portal might open up there that’s going to allow him to teleport to somewhere far, far away from.
“Noel,” Liam says quietly, just for his brother’s ears. He's hoping it’ll get him to look at him, but Noel merely glances at him for about half a second before his eyes skitter away again.
“C’mon, Noely. ‘S just me, yeah?”
For a moment, nothing happens – until Noel takes a deep breath, and then finally turns to look at Liam.
When their eyes meet, Liam’s chest feels suddenly tight.
Christ. Noel looks scared, like a cornered animal. His eyes are so wide and wild that for a second, Liam considers if it’s even worth it this way. He wants it more than anything, but if it’s causing Noel to look like that, maybe this isn’t the time yet. Maybe Noel just isn’t ready.
But then, just as he’s about to suggest calling the whole thing off after all, Liam spots a glimmer of something else in Noel’s eyes. Something that makes his heart rate pick up and his breath hitch in his throat.
It’s a hint of unmistakable heat. That same heat that Liam’s seen there before, those times he’d caught Noel watching him when he thought Liam wasn’t looking.
Knew it, Liam thinks, feeling a thrill all the way down to his toes. Fucking knew Noel wanted this, too.
The confirmation bolsters him, emboldens him enough to shuffle a little closer, until their faces are mere inches apart. Noel doesn’t back away. He just keeps standing stock-still, eyes locked on Liam’s until they suddenly flick down to Liam’s mouth.
Heart beating faster, Liam slowly starts to lean in. He doesn’t miss the way Noel's lips part slightly in anticipation, or how his breathing picks up –
Though when Liam’s lips brush just barely across Noel’s, for a moment, neither of them breathes at all.
Noel doesn't immediately react, so Liam presses their mouths together a little more firmly, inviting him to respond. Noel's lips are just as lovely as Liam remembers from the few times he's done this before; soft and pillowy just like a bird’s. Taking Noel’s bottom lip between his own causes Noel to let out a small gasp. The tiny sound lights a fire in the pit of Liam's stomach; makes him part his own lips on a shuddery exhale.
Noel's tongue darts out to lick across Liam's bottom lip, and Liam groans. He instantly meets it with his own, pushing past the barrier of Noel's lips into the soft heat of his mouth. Noel makes a small sound, one that Liam’s never heard him make before but which sears itself into Liam’s brain immediately. Noel’s hands, which had been hanging on either side of his body, come up to clutch at Liam’s top, and Liam presses in closer, winding his arms around Noel’s waist to pull him in. He deepens the kiss, forcing Noel’s mouth open wider until they’re sharing every breath, licking into Noel’s mouth to chase his taste.
As one of his arms wraps around Liam’s neck to pull him closer still, Noel comes up on his tiptoes a little to fit himself flush against him. With the exception of the part of him that’s poking Liam in the groin, Noel feels softer and more pliant in Liam’s arms than his wiry frame would suggest. He feels warm, too, so warm despite the fact that he’s just wearing a robe –
Fuck.
He’s just wearing a robe.
Noel is naked under there.
Suddenly, that’s all Liam can think about. He whines softly, his hands fluttering along Noel’s hips before impatiently moving to his front where the belt is tied into a knot. He makes himself pause there, pulling back to look at Noel.
“Yeah?” he pants, still a little unsure of how Noel will react.
Noel, whose pupils are blown and cheeks are flushed, holds Liam’s gaze for a moment, before giving a quick nod.
Liam unties the knot on Noel's robe with trembling fingers, allowing it to fall open the way it had earlier in the corridor. Leaning back just enough to be able to look at him properly, he hungrily takes in the sight of Noel, bared just for him. Well, and for Richie, and the camera geezer, and whoever else might be watching this recording further down the line, but Liam isn't thinking about that right now.
In fact, he's not thinking very much at all, at least not with his brain. He's mostly just ogling, his eyes roving across the pale expanse of Noel's slim, hairy chest, his wiry thighs, his narrow hips, and his cock – fucking hell.
Noel is hard as a rock, and Liam feels giddy with it, with the knowledge that Noel is raring to go, and all they've done so far is snog a little. Then again, it's not like Liam is any less affected.
“Fuck,” Liam breathes, a little overwhelmed.
Without warning, Noel surges up and smashes his mouth to Liam’s. Liam moans into it, and he’s just about to slip his hands under that robe and push it off completely when Richie suddenly speaks up again.
“Noel,” he orders, “turn around.”
Noel briefly freezes, breathing hard against Liam’s lips. He swallows and pulls away from Liam to do as instructed.
Liam feels briefly bereft, but Noel is back again a moment later, leaning into his chest. Liam's arms wrap around him from behind, one of his hands wandering across his brother’s bare chest while the other comes to rest possessively low on his stomach. Tilting his hips, Noel grinds his little arse back against Liam's crotch, startling a moan from him.
Liam buries his face in Noel's neck, nosing behind his ear and breathing in his scent. As always, Noel smells fucking fantastic, so Liam takes a deep sniff, filling up his lungs. He starts pressing open-mouthed kisses to Noel's throat, licking across the soft skin to get a taste of him too, making Noel's warm chest move up and down quickly under Liam's hand.
“Liam, why don't you give Noel a hand?” Richie suggests.
Although Liam feels another stab of annoyance at the interruption, he doesn't let it throw him off. He reckons it's a pretty good idea anyway. Slowly, he lets his right hand drift down Noel's stomach, lower and lower until he encounters the thatch of coarse hair. When his fingers brush against the hardness there, Noel shivers, his breath hitching audibly. Bloody hell, and Liam hasn't even touched him properly yet.
Taking a breath, Liam tentatively wraps his fingers around Noel's dick. It's hot and hard in his hand; a little bigger than his own perhaps, but all in all it’s not too different from when he touches himself, especially from this position. In a way, this is even better, because it's Noel.
Noel whose breath hitches when Liam tightens his grip a little, slowly stroking up and then down again. Noel whose hips involuntarily push forward into Liam’s grip, and Noel whose hand reaches back to clutch the back of Liam’s neck, blunt nails digging into skin. When Liam speeds up the movement of his hand and scrapes his teeth along the shell of Noel’s ear at the same time, Noel lets out a beautiful little noise. Liam moans along with him, his dick throbbing in his pants.
When he experimentally runs his thumb over Noel's cockhead, the way he likes to do to himself, Noel gasps, his dick leaking wetness onto Liam's fingers. Acting on an urge, Liam lets go of Noel for a moment, lifting his hand to his face to lick across his palm. It serves the dual purpose of tasting Noel (weird, but sort of good, too) as well as wetting his hand, which he then lowers to wrap it around Noel’s prick again. The whimper Noel lets out when Liam gives him a couple of quick, slick strokes is possibly the hottest sound Liam’s ever heard, shooting straight to his dick. He’s so hard right now it’s almost painful, making him pull Noel closer and grind insistently against his arse.
Just as he feels like they’ve found a rhythm that’s sure to get them there in no time at all, they’re once again interrupted.
“Noel,” Richie says, “take off the robe and kneel.”
Ugh. Fucking Richie.
Liam has half a mind to just ignore him, but it seems Noel has other ideas. With a small squeeze to the back of Liam’s neck, Noel extricates himself from Liam's grip and then quickly shrugs off his robe, letting it fall to the ground. Which means he’s now fully naked, and you know what, maybe this idea of Richie’s wasn’t such a bad one either.
Liam is so distracted gaping at his brother's naked body that he doesn't see it coming when Noel puts his hands on Liam's chest and gives him a shove. He stumbles backwards, his arms windmilling a little before he falls and lands on the sofa. He doesn’t even have time to get indignant about it, though, because the next moment, Noel drops to his knees in front of him.
Liam goes a little slack-jawed. Oh, fuck.
Holding Liam’s gaze, Noel reaches out and puts his left hand over the bulge on the front of his trousers. He presses down, slowly palming Liam’s straining cock through the fabric. Liam lets out a loud moan, his toes curling from the tantalising heat and pressure of Noel’s hand – until suddenly, it’s gone again. Before Liam can protest, Noel raises both hands to the elastic waistband of Liam’s keks and curls his fingers around it.
“Up,” Noel says.
Liam is quick to obey, allowing Noel to pull down Liam’s trousers and underwear in one go. When Liam’s cock springs free, slapping against his abdomen, Noel’s eyes home in on it instantly. Hungrily, even, which is more than enough to make up for the slight awkwardness Liam feels about the fact that Richie and the camera geezer are also seeing his dick right now.
Noel pulls Liam’s keks further down until they’re pooled around his ankles, and then he shuffles forward a little and puts his hands on Liam’s bare knees. Liam sucks in a sharp breath.
Slowly, Noel starts to slide his hands upwards over Liam’s thighs, lingering at the bulkiest, hairiest parts to give them a squeeze. Noel looks very focused now. Purposeful, like Liam’s thighs hold the secrets to the universe and Noel is determined to find out what they are. It’s making Liam feel exposed, but also cherished, and very, very turned on.
When he gets to the top of Liam’s thighs, Noel, still looking very focused, slowly reaches for Liam's cock. His hand is warm and a little rough when it wraps around the girth of it, giving it a slow, deliberate stroke that punches the breath right out of Liam’s lungs.
Liam gasps, nearly doubling over. “Fuck,” he groans. “Noel.”
“Yeah,” Noel mutters, squeezing a little. His eyes flick between his own hand and Liam’s face, like he doesn't know where he wants to look more. “Yeah, that’s it, kid.”
Watching Noel watching him, Liam’s breathing picks up, a tingling sensation spreading throughout his whole body. The twist of Noel’s fist on the upstroke has Liam’s dick leaking, causing Noel’s hand to slide more smoothly along it. Liam whimpers, his hands balling into fists on either side of him on the sofa. He wants to reach out and touch so badly, but he’s not sure if he’s allowed.
And then, while Liam is still contemplating if he should attempt it, suddenly, Noel bends down and takes Liam’s dick into his mouth.
“Fuck,” Liam yells, his hands flying up to land Noel’s head after all. “Oh – fuck, Noel.”
Noel’s hand had been so good, but his mouth… God, his mouth.
It’s without a doubt the best thing Liam has ever felt in his life, and that includes shagging the handful of birds he’s been with. Don’t get him wrong, he loves birds and he loves shagging them, but he loves Noel more – and, he quickly decides, he loves being sucked off by him more, too. In fact, this blowjob can’t even compare to the ones Liam’s gotten before. He liked those well enough, but Noel’s head game is on another fucking level. Which presumably means he's had some serious practice, and that's something Liam is not going to think about right now, or he’ll explode, and not in the fun way.
Even just the shadow of that thought has Liam tightening his fingers possessively in Noel’s hair, which makes Noel moan, which in turn makes vibrations run up Liam’s cock, which feels very fucking good, so it all works out in the end. When he experimentally tugs on Noel’s hair again to the same effect, Liam feels a surge of something between exasperation and fondness. So Noel lies to get his hair pulled when he’s sucking cock, eh? Of course he does, the little slag.
As if hearing Liam’s thoughts, Noel’s gaze flicks up to meet Liam’s, his eyes burning with something fierce. Christ, Noel's mouth is hot, so hot and wet and perfect. Liam shivers, moaning when Noel tightens his lips around the shaft and hollows out his cheeks.
“Noeeel, Noely, fuck…”
Noel groans, as if he likes Liam saying his name like that, all desperate and needy. Liam doesn’t miss when Noel sneaks his free hand down between his own legs, and although he can’t quite see it from this angle, the movement of Noel’s arm suggests he’s tossing himself off. The idea that Noel loves sucking Liam’s cock so much he has to get himself off too is almost enough to make Liam lose it entirely.
When Noel flicks his tongue against the head of Liam’s dick, Liam sucks in a sharp breath, eyes snapping back to Noel’s face. Noel is already staring straight at him.
Jesus christ, but his brother looks pretty with a cock in his mouth – Liam’s cock, specifically. Made for it, wasn’t he? Made to wrap those red, plump lips around Liam’s dick and suck his fucking brains out. Liam knows better than to say that out loud, but he’s thinking it, and he reckons Noel can see it in his eyes anyway. Their gazes remain locked as Noel picks up speed, bobbing his head as he sucks Liam down over and over again and keeps up the motion of his hand between his own legs as well.
Noel's brow furrows as he moans around Liam’s cock again, and suddenly, Liam knows they’re both about to go off.
The thought of that, of them coming together, is what does it. He gasps, back arching and toes curling. Whining Noel’s name, Liam starts to come, spilling straight into the hot, tight heat of his brother’s waiting mouth. Somehow, he manages to keep his eyes open, and even through the overwhelming pleasure, Liam still catches the way Noel’s eyes flutter; the way his thick eyebrows draw together in something that looks almost too intense to be just pleasure; how he shudders through his orgasm, moaning quietly before collapsing with his head on Liam’s thigh.
Fucking hell.
A moment later, they’re abruptly startled out of their haze by Richie’s voice.
“Well,” the director says drily. “I suppose that answers our question, doesn't it?”
Liam had been so completely caught up in Noel that he’d almost forgotten Richie was even there. The reminder of it makes something cold and unpleasant squirm in his stomach, chasing away some of that glorious post-orgasmic bliss. When Liam darts a glance at Noel’s face, he sees his brother’s expression has also gone a little sour.
Noel clears his throat and pushes himself to his feet. Grabbing his robe off the floor, he wraps it around himself, and the pang of disappointment Liam feels at that is quickly drowned out by his apprehension about how Noel is going to react to what just happened.
“So, uh,” Noel asks, his voice hoarse. “Were that alright, then?”
“I’ll say,” Richie says, a lewd grin on his face.
Liam doesn’t like that grin at all. He tries not to scowl too obviously, but he’s not sure how well he succeeds. Richie doesn’t seem to take offense, though. He just keeps smiling like the cat that got the cream, which – technically, Noel was the cat who got the cream, wasn’t he?
At least the camera geezer still looks like he’s half asleep.
“That was great, lads. Bit quick, but we can think of something to fix that next time.”
“Next time?” Liam asks, suddenly alert. He sits up straighter and pulls up his pants, because his spit-wet dick is getting chilly.
“Oh, yeah.” Richie shifts in his chair. “We’ll do a proper scene, full nudity, penetration, the lot.”
At the word penetration, Liam’s stomach flips over. He darts a look at Noel to see his reaction, but Noel’s face doesn't give anything away.
“We’ll want the money upfront,” Noel says, before he names a sum that has Liam's eyes widening.
Richie’s eyes, on the other hand, narrow just slightly. He names a lower sum, adding, “And you'll get it afterwards.”
Liam looks between Noel and Richie like he's watching a tennis match as they haggle for a while, until finally, they reach a deal.
“And we’ll take today’s pay now as well,” Noel finishes, his tone brooking no argument.
Richie stands up, holding Noel’s gaze. He pulls a wad of notes from his pocket and counts out the money.
Walking over to him, Noel snatches it from his hand. “Ta.”
“Same time next week, then?” Richie proposes. “And if you could both wear tracksuits, that would be splendid.”
Noel nods. He glances in Liam’s direction, though he still isn't really looking at him. “C’mon, then.”
Richie holds up a hand. “A moment, please, Liam.”
Liam looks at him, and then at Noel.
Noel’s jaw jumps. “What for?”
“I just want to ask him something, that’s all,” Richie says airily. “It’ll only take a minute, I’ll send him right out.”
“Fine,” Noel huffs. “I’ll get dressed. I’ll meet you outside, Liam.”
As soon as he’s gone, Liam crosses his arms and glowers at Richie.
“Relax,” Richie says. “I won’t bite.”
“Whatever, man. What d’you want?”
“I couldn't help but notice that you were quite into the proceedings just now.”
“So?” Liam asks defensively. If Richie is going to get on his case for finding his brother attractive, then he can fuck right off. That's what he wanted, wasn't it?
“So,” Richie goes on, “while that's a good thing for the purpose of what we're doing here, it also means that I have my doubts about whether, bluntly put, you'll last long enough next time for us to complete the shoot I'm envisioning."
“Fuck off,” Liam grumbles. “I can last.”
Richie raises an eyebrow. “Can you? Took you less than ten minutes just now.”
“Yeah, well, that's hardly my fault. Noel's just really fucking good at it, ain’t he?”
“I wouldn't know,” Richie says drily.
“Too right you don't,” Liam mutters.
Reaching out, Richie gives Liam’s shoulder a conciliatory pat. “I'm not saying it's anyone's fault, Liam. Just that it might make a longer shoot a bit tricky, unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless you're willing to consider some help in that regard?”
“What kind of help?”
Richie sticks a hand in his back pocket and fishes out a little see through plastic bag with a single pill in it.
“Molly?” Liam scoffs. “How's that meant to help? I shoot off quicker if I've used that, ‘s not gonna make me last longer.”
Richie chuckles. “It's not molly, kid.”
“Then what is it?”
“It's a new drug specifically designed to help men to get it up – and before you say you can get it up, I know that,” Richie smirks. “I thought maybe you'd need some help with that today too, but fortunately that didn't seem to be a problem, did it? Anyway, this will also help you keep it up, so we can continue filming for longer.”
Liam eyes the little bag suspiciously. “I’ve never heard of that.”
“It's pretty new, but trust me, it'll be big in a few years time. A lot of our guys take it, it’s perfectly safe.”
“Has Noel taken it?”
“Well, no,” Richie says, “because there’s no need. He’s a bottom, isn't he?”
Liam scowls, his stomach squirming with a confusing mix of arousal and searing jealousy. He chews his lip as he considers the proposal. It's probably not a great idea to take unknown drugs from practical strangers, but then again, it wouldn't be the first time, would it? And besides, Richie is probably not out to poison him, seeing as he’s so eager to have Liam in his little porno.
“Alright,” Liam says. He reaches for the bag, but before he can grab it, Richie moves it just out of reach.
“Just two things.”
Liam rolls his eyes. “Yeah?”
“Take it half an hour before we start next week, yes? Thirty minutes.”
“I know how long half an hour is,” Liam huffs. “What else?”
“Don't tell your brother.”
“What for? Noel don’t care about me doin’ drugs, we do ‘em together sometimes.”
“It’s not that,” Richie says, shaking his head. “I just think it’s better to keep it… a surprise, shall we say.”
Liam narrows his eyes, but ultimately shrugs. “Sure, whatever.”
Finally, Richie hands him the little bag, which Liam quickly pockets.
“See you next week, then.”
“Yeah.” Liam mutters. He glances at the camera geezer, but he’s properly asleep now. “See ya.”
—
As agreed, Noel is waiting for him outside.
“What did he want?” he asks, glancing at Liam and then quickly looking away again.
“Nowt,” Liam says.
“What do you mean ‘nowt’?”
“Well,” Liam amends, thinking quickly, “I mean. He just, like, told me not to tell anyone. About all this, you know?”
“Why the fuck would you tell anyone?”
Liam shrugs. “Dunno. That’s what I said, too.”
Noel hums dubiously, but lets it go.
They walk in silence for a while, their shoulders occasionally brushing like they tend to do. Liam tries not to be too obvious about it, but he can't help but keep shooting covert glances at Noel, even though Noel stoically continues to look straight ahead.
Christ, they just had sex. Like, proper sex.
Noel sucked him off.
All at once, Liam feels giddy and excited again at the memory.
“So –”
“Don’t,” says Noel.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t say nowt. About – y’know.”
“But –”
“No.” Noel gives a decisive shake of his head. “We’re not talking about it. It didn’t happen.”
“What d'you mean, it didn’t happen?” Liam asks, indignant now. “How am I meant to pretend the best sex of me life didn’t happen?”
That makes Noel stop in his tracks and finally turn to look at him. The expression on his face is one of pure bafflement. “The best –?” he starts incredulously, before he breaks off, shakes his head, and sets off again.
“I just think –”
“Shut the fuck up, Liam.”
“But Noel –”
“Shut up.”
“So what, we’re just going to pretend it didn’t happen and then go back next week and do it all again?”
Noel nods. “Yep, pretty much.”
“Fuckin’ hell,” Liam mutters. “Whatever. Weirdo.”
“I’m a weirdo?” Noel chokes.
“Yeah. You’re a fuckin’ weirdo, you are.”
Noel shakes his head. “Sure, whatever you say, Liam.”
The rest of the walk back is tense and silent, and somewhat uncomfortable, since the memories of what transpired earlier keep flashing through Liam’s mind, which makes his dick hard again, which makes it rather unpleasant to walk. If only Noel wasn’t being such a little bitch about it, they could’ve just ducked into an alley to take care of it for a minute, but no.
When they get home, Noel immediately stomps upstairs.
“Don’t follow me,” he hisses.
Liam rolls his eyes and heads to the kitchen to find himself some scran, because he's honestly about to keel over at this point. He should probably take a shower too, but he doesn't really want to. He kind of likes the idea of having Noel's spit on his dick.
Since Mam isn't home yet, Liam eats in front of the TV while he waits for her, only half seeing whatever’s happening on the screen. His mind is still elsewhere.
He doesn’t see Noel again until he heads upstairs for the night. Actually, he doesn't even really see him then, because when he enters their shared bedroom, Noel is already in bed with the covers pulled up halfway over his head. Only an unruly tuft of his dark hair is visible.
“Noel,” Liam says.
There’s no reply, meaning Noel is probably pretending to be asleep. Fine, whatever.
Liam doesn’t make any effort to be quiet as he gets ready, undressing and purposely bumping into things as he gets into bed himself. For a while, he just lies there on his back, staring unseeingly at the ceiling. Again, he thinks about what happened between him and Noel earlier today, about how it had felt. No matter what Noel may think of it, Liam hadn't been exaggerating when he’d told him it had been the best sex of his life. Fuck, man. He really wishes he could just crawl into Noel’s bed right now for a round two, or even just for a cuddle, if Noel isn’t up for it again.
But apparently, Noel is hellbent on pretending nothing happened. Hell, the masochistic arse is probably beating himself up over it all, like he molested Liam or something, when clearly, they’d both wanted it. Or maybe he’s embarrassed about Liam finding out about his side hustle, which, yeah, he should be. Then again, Liam is implicated now too, so it's not as if he’s got a leg to stand on. No point in being embarrassed anymore, is there? They’re in it together now, like they are in everything else. Noel just refuses to accept it. Honestly, he’s lucky Liam loves him.
“So, you just gonna ignore me all week, then?” Liam asks eventually.
Again, there’s no reply.
“Fuckin’ suit yourself, man,” Liam mutters, before he slips a hand under he covers and takes himself in hand. He’s already half hard, so it doesn’t take long to get himself there all the way, and he isn’t quiet about it either. He doesn’t stifle his moans or pants, even kicking off the covers when he starts to get too hot, which makes the wet sounds of his fist flying over his cock even more audible. Even if Noel really was asleep before – which he wasn’t – there’s no way he’s asleep now, with the racket Liam is making.
And yet, Noel's breathing stays suspiciously even and he doesn't tell him to shut up, which can only mean he’s awake and listening to Liam wank. Noel’s probably hard as steel himself, but unless he wants to admit that he is awake and listening, he can’t do anything about it. He’s just going to have to lie there and suffer, which is his favourite hobby anyway, isn’t it, so that serves him right.
It’s liberating, really, getting off in the same room as Noel without having to be silent or secretive about it. Before, things were still somewhat ambiguous, but there’s zero doubt left in Liam’s mind now about the fact that they’re in the same boat. That deep down, Noel wants the same thing Liam does. Liam isn’t going to bother pretending anymore, as if they don’t both know exactly what the deal is.
So when the wave of pleasure crests, he comes while moaning Noel’s name out loud and without inhibition. It's not as amazing as the one Noel sucked out of him earlier today, but it's still pretty damn good. Liam does try to stay awake afterwards to see what Noel will do, but he’s exhausted and conks out almost immediately.
Which means he misses how Noel, as soon as Liam starts to snore softly, wraps a hand around his cock, gives himself a dozen desperate strokes, and comes hard, his fist jammed inside his own mouth.