Accidentally Boyfriends
This might get cross-posted to AO3 but for now folks on Tumblr get it first! I wrote this last week or the week before and totally forgot to post it 3.6k words
—
Tango stood at the very back of the reception hall, as far away from the dance floor as he could possibly get. He kept his drink close, never leaving his hand.
Impulse and Zed were having a lot of fun on the dance floor, that much was obvious. And, honestly, after flying five hours across the country to get to this wedding, they should have fun. Tango’s two left feet and general distaste for dancing shouldn’t stop them.
Another guest strolled over and leaned against the wall a few feet from Tango. “Not much of a dancer either?”
“Nope,” Tango replied, popping the P.
The other guest—taller than Tango, muscular under his suit, dirty blond, dark-eyed behind his glasses—smiled. “Same,” he said. “So. Which groom?”
“Bdubs,” Tango said. “Old friend. You?”
“Joel,” the other guest replied. “Cousin.”
Tango hummed and nodded. “So… how long do you think they’re gonna last?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well. This isn’t Bdubs’ first marriage. And his breakup and divorce from his previous husband was a disaster. Tore our friend group apart for a while. If he stays married to this guy longer than the first, I’ll be very surprised. And a little impressed.”
The other guest pursed his lips. “How long was Bdubs married last time?”
“Six years.”
“I’ll be optimistic. I’ll say ten, or never divorce.”
“Nine or less and I win,” Tango said.
“Stack of diamonds on that?” He held out a hand.
Tango shook it. “You’re on.”
“I’m Jim, by the way. Well. A’tually. Jimmy.”
“Tango. Pleasure to meet you.”
“I assume you’re staying at this hotel for the night too?”
“Yeah. Flew halfway across the country to get here. Not just turning around and getting right back on a plane. I need at least one more night’s sleep after tonight’s to be ready for that.”
Jimmy hummed and nodded. “Yeah, same here.”
The two of them were quiet for a few minutes, watching the dance floor.
Jimmy knocked back the last of his drink like he was taking a shot. “This is gonna seem really forward,” he said. “But you’re kinda hot.”
Tango snorted. “Shut up.”
“I’m serious,” Jimmy said. “You’re hot and I’m reckless. Figure I may as well say it.”
“Well. I’m flattered.” Tango bounced his eyebrows and took a long sip of his drink. Trying not to eye Jimmy too obviously out of his periphery. “Truth is, you’re kinda hot too.”
He pretended not to notice the way Jimmy lit up. “Really?”
“Ye-up.” He popped the P again.
Jimmy fiddled with the now-empty glass in his hand. “So… if I ask you to meet me in room six-forty-one after the wedding… what would you say?”
Tango thought for a moment, then knocked back the last of his own drink. “Join me at the bar for another drink first. Once I’ve got a little more courage in my blood, I might give you an answer you’ll like.”
“Deal,” Jimmy said, the word quick and eager. He pushed off the wall. “Can I take your glass?”
“Sure.” Tango passed the empty glass over as they crossed the hotel ballroom toward the bar. “What a gentleman.”
“I do my best. My mama raised me right.”
“Your mama raised you to proposition randos at weddings?” Tango asked, arching a brow.
Jimmy’s face darkened, going red. “Well… no. But…”
Tango laughed. “I’m messing with you, Jim.”
They reached the bar, and the mixologist gave them an expectant look. “What can I getcha?” he asked pleasantly, cleaning out a glass.
“I’m going to get a double of whiskey. Neat,” Tango said.
“Ooh. I’ll have what he’s having,” Jimmy said, setting the empty glasses on the bar counter.
The mixologist swept the empty glasses away and came back with fresh ones. He popped the lid off a bottle and poured them both a double of whiskey. “Enjoy!” he offered.
Tango took the one nearest him. “We will,” he said, raising the glass to the mixologist. Jimmy did the same and followed him away from the bar. Tango took a rapturous sip, feeling the whiskey burn all the way down. He couldn’t help but shudder slightly. “Oh yeah. That’s what I needed.” He raised up his other elbow and rested it on Jimmy’s shoulder. “Six-forty-one. After the reception.” He gave Jimmy a look. “I’ll see you there.”
—
Jimmy was waiting outside room 641 when Tango finally made his way through the maze of hallways and found the damn place. Still in his suit. Now that they were no longer in the half-light of the ballroom with the multicolored party lights swinging around, Tango could see that Jimmy’s suit was navy blue and his tie was damn-near canary yellow. He was leaning against the wall, looking down at his phone in his hand. The door was propped open by the metal loop that would normally hold the door closed like a chain.
“Glad I’m not overdressed,” Tango remarked.
Jimmy’s head whipped up. Tango was also still in his suit, having only gone back to his own room to empty his pockets to make sure nothing important in them would get pinched in the morning if Jimmy woke up before he did. “Not at all,” Jimmy replied.
Tango stepped right up to him, slipping into his personal space like he’d done it a hundred times before. He reached out and pinched the point of Jimmy’s tie—he wore a standard, wide tie where Tango wore a thin one—and brought it up to his eye level, examining the end as if he were simply curious, rather than knowing exactly where this rendezvous with a stranger was going. “Am I too close?” he asked quietly, giving Jimmy a look deliberately through his lashes.
“Honestly, you could be a lot closer,” Jimmy replied, tone casual but with an underlying, simmering heat.
Tango slid his other hand up the tie till he had a decent grip just below the knot at Jimmy’s throat, leaning in and pulling Jimmy to be closer to him. “And how about now?”
Jimmy hesitantly lifted a hand to cradle the back of Tango’s head. “Closer,” he whispered.
Tango yanked Jimmy in, letting their mouths crash together with reckless abandon. Jimmy made a quiet, whiny noise, his other hand finding Tango’s tie and loosening it a little.
He pulled Tango down the wall and pushed open the heavy hotel room door, batting the metal loop out of the way. The door swung shut behind them and Tango’s back collided with it. Jimmy’s tongue teased at his lips and Tango allowed it in. Jimmy scrambled to get Tango’s tie completely free, throwing it off to the side somewhere while Tango did the same to Jimmy’s.
Though Tango was slowed down for a moment. “What… how did you knot your tie?”
“Fancy one my brother taught me when we were kids,” Jimmy replied, breathing hard, as he helped Tango get the knot undone. “Only really use it for special occasions.”
“And to show off to strangers,” Tango teased.
Jimmy kissed him hard. “Maybe a little,” he breathed against Tango’s lips.
Tango snickered. “Meh. Don’t blame you.” He found the button of Jimmy’s shirt at his collar and loosened it first, despite his suit coat’s buttons also still being fastened. Jimmy’s hands were finding the buttons of Tango’s coat so Tango figured he’d keep his hands occupied higher up so they didn’t get hopelessly tangled.
Yet.
Jimmy’s quiet gasp of relief when the button was freed was all Tango needed to hear to know he made the right decision.
Jimmy undid the two buttons of Tango’s suit coat and Tango let his arms drop just long enough for Jimmy to push the coat off by the lapels. He took a tiny bit more care of throwing it over the back of the desk chair while Tango unbuttoned Jimmy’s coat. It was shucked off and joined Tango’s on the desk chair. As Tango was tossing the coat, Jimmy undid his own shirt buttons and then started doing the same for Tango’s. Tango took his cue to get his own shirt buttons free while Jimmy’s kiss kept him pinned to the door.
“God, you’re hot,” Jimmy whispered.
“Says the man chiseled like a god,” Tango retorted, nipping at Jimmy’s lips.
“Stop it, you.”
“Make me.”
Jimmy leaned back enough to break the kisses, one brow arched. “Alright. I see how it is. This how you’re gonna be all night?”
Tango bounced his left brow alone. “Only if you like it.”
Jimmy slanted a playful smile in Tango’s direction. “I think I can handle you.”
“One way to find out.” Tango unhooked the long piece of fabric that covered the button of Jimmy’s suit trousers. Jimmy’s kisses trailed down to Tango’s neck as his button-down shirt fell off and bunched up on the floor. Tango made a noise that was absolutely not a whine as Jimmy sucked a long kiss to the curve of where Tango’s neck met his shoulder. “I’ll be honest, Jimmy,” he whispered, words strained. “Impulsive hookups aren’t usually my style.”
“Me neither. But I thought you were hot and I was feeling bold.”
“Not… not complaining.” He caught his breath. “You are single, right?”
“Oh yeah,” Jimmy replied with a hint of quiet enthusiasm.
“Good. Me too. Not interested… in helping someone cheat.”
“Same.” Jimmy slipped out of his shoes as Tango got his trousers unbuttoned and let them fall down along with his button-down shirt, leaving him in just a tight, thin white T-shirt underneath, socks, and his underwear. Tango kicked off his own shoes and let Jimmy undo his trousers. They slid down his legs and he stepped out of them. He had on a tank top beneath his button-down rather than a T-shirt, and Jimmy played with its hem. “How do you feel about being picked up, handsome?”
Tango couldn’t help but snort. “If you’re capable of picking me up, go for it. I’m pretty small but I’m a little heavier than I look.”
Jimmy bent down and scooped Tango up as easy as if he were a child. Tango’s head swam immediately with desire. Jimmy seemed to notice, because he smiled as he carried Tango over to the bed. “You still good?”
“Oh yeah,” Tango replied with a nod.
Jimmy kissed him, heated passion simmering between them. Tango hooked one leg up over Jimmy’s back and pulled so make sure they were right on top of each other. “Eager?”
“I think we’ve played around enough. Unless you want to keep playing.”
“Oh, baby, I’m happy to jump right in.” Jimmy sucked a hickey to the soft, sensitive side of Tango’s neck. “That okay? The pet name?”
“Perfectly fine. I like it.”
“Good to know.”
“So, what are we waiting for, Jimmy?”
—
“Where are you from? Where are you flying back to after the wedding?” Jimmy asked, twirling one of Tango’s wavy locks of hair around his thumb.
“It’s a little suburb called Stagerton. You’ve probably never heard of it.”
But Jimmy started laughing. “No way. Really?”
“Yeah… why?”
“I’m moving to Stagerton for work next month.”
Tango gaped at him. “You’re kidding!”
“Nope!”
They both laughed, trying to keep their voices down. The city outside was dark but the sun was rising soon. Tango reached up and brushed some of Jimmy’s flat, straight hair out of his eyes. “Well… if you’re ever feeling lonely in Stagerton, I live alone. You’re welcome to reach out. I could introduce you to some friends, if you want. Or we can just… do this again.”
Jimmy gave him a tentative but excited smile. “You liked it?”
“Of course I did. I told you I did while we were in the shower.”
“I know. Just wanted to make sure you meant it now that we’ve had a couple hours of sleep and we’re not just riding the high quite as much.”
“Mm. Fair enough. But yeah. I liked it. A lot. And I’d be down to do it again when you move to Stagerton, if you would.”
Jimmy smiled and brushed Tango’s bangs off his forehead, pressing a soft kiss to the exposed skin. “I’m down,” he said.
“I’ll give you my number before going back to my room.”
“And I’ll give you mine.”
Tango smiled softly. “See you in Stagerton, then.”
“See you then.” Jimmy closed the gap between them. “May I kiss you again?”
“I’m good for another round before breakfast if you are.”
“Oh, all the way?” Jimmy asked playfully.
“If you want.”
“Say less.” Jimmy’s hand slid down Tango’s bare back, disappearing under the covers.
—
Tango opened the door to his house, raising one eyebrow.
“I know. I’m late, I’m sorry,” Jimmy said. “I got lost.”
Tango’s face split into a smile. “Don’t apologize. Just glad you made it.” He took a fistful of Jimmy’s shirts—a white T-shirt with a soft, light blue button down worn loose over it—and pulled him over the threshold. Jimmy’s arms wrapped around his hips automatically, holding them both upright and steady.
“Miss me that much?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Or did you just miss my—”
Tango cut him off with a kiss as the front door slammed behind them.
Jimmy snickered. “Not wasting time, then,” he said against Tango’s lips.
“Nope.”
Jimmy tilted his head for a better angle. He backed Tango up another step into the entryway of the house to kick off his shoes. “How much playing around do you want to do before we get to what we really want?” he whispered.
“Mm… I wasn’t really thinking about playing around unless you think you need to. I was thinking we get to the good stuff and then I either make dinner for us both afterward or we get some delivery.”
Jimmy smiled against Tango’s skin. “Bold of you to assume you’ll be able to walk after we’re through.”
Tango nipped at Jimmy’s lips gently. “Delivery it is,” he breathed.
Jimmy chuckled. “God, I missed you.”
“For being a stranger you barely know. I think you just missed my—”
Jimmy cut Tango off with a kiss. “Doesn’t matter that I barely know you. I like your personality and your humor and your wit. I missed all of you. Not just the fun part.”
“Mm… I’ll believe you for now.”
“Good. Because it’s the truth.” Jimmy trailed kisses until he found Tango’s earlobe and tugged at it between gentle teeth. “Ready for me to show you?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Show me where, handsome. Living room, bedroom, somewhere else—just show me where.”
Tango clutched Jimmy’s shirts between both fists and began pulling him down the hall toward his bedroom. “This way.”
—
Tango woke up sore and satisfied. He hadn’t realized how pent-up he’d been, waiting for Jimmy to move to Stagerton. After they’d cleaned up in Tango’s shower, they’d collapsed into bed in each other’s arms to doze for a bit. The sun had changed angles, so it must have been probably a half-hour.
Jimmy was lightly stroking up and down Tango’s spine with his fingertips, just firm enough not to tickle. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this,” he said softly upon realizing Tango was awake.
Tango couldn’t help but give Jimmy a bit of a sardonic look in return. “You’re a pretty good lay yourself, Solidarity,” he replied.
Jimmy smirked. “You’re damn right I am.”
Tango fluttered his tongue against the top of his mouth like a playfully seductive purr. “I like a confident man.”
“I noticed.” Jimmy licked the back of his lip and Tango giggled.
“Ready for some food?”
Jimmy opened his mouth as though to answer, looking away. The corner of his mouth tugged up. Then he shut his mouth and shook his head. “There’s a joke there but I’m gonna leave it for now. And just say yes.”
“Hand me my phone on the table and I’ll get a delivery order started.”
—
Tango looked around his house with his hands on his hips. Jimmy’s hoodie was draped over the arm of the sofa. He’d left it months ago and never took it home. Always claiming he “forgot” it. It still vaguely smelled like Jimmy, despite how much time it had spent on Tango’s body when Jimmy wasn’t here.
Other evidence of Jimmy’s consistent presence in Tango’s life was scattered around the house. The misplaced throw pillow on the sofa from Jimmy holding the pillow while he sat in his spot during movie nights and then put back in the wrong spot. The pair of fuzzy slipper socks on the floor near the fireplace too big to be Tango’s. The two place-mats on Tango’s small dining table that usually only had one. The extra dishes in the sink and dishwasher. The extra drawer in his dresser containing a set of clothes that weren’t his was a subtle sign, but Jimmy always left it cracked open slightly after he changed.
The quiet tapping of rain on the windows and roof filled the otherwise-silence besides the refrigerator’s consistent thrumming.
Knock-knock-knock!
Tango spun and hurried to his door.
He pulled it open and pulled Jimmy inside by the collar, slamming the door shut behind them. Jimmy snickered as he shook rain out of his hair. “Missed you too,” he said playfully.
They crashed together messily, tangling up in one another. Jimmy tasted like the vanilla lip balm he always used. He stayed remarkably steady, despite Tango trying to pull him deeper into the house, as he stepped out of his sneakers. He yielded to Tango’s tugging and flopped down onto the couch when Tango pushed him slightly. Tango climbed on his lap, continuing to kiss him.
“If this is how you react to me missing last week, maybe I should skip weeks more often,” Jimmy whispered teasingly.
“Mm-mm,” Tango replied, shaking his head. Jimmy snickered.
“How long we been doing this, now?”
“How long have you been living in Stagerton?”
“Four months of hooking up every Friday night. The fact that we’ve only missed one week is impressive.”
Tango stuck his tongue in Jimmy’s mouth to shut him up. “Mmhmm,” he managed to get out. Jimmy snickered out his nose, his hands roving over Tango’s back, eventually finding the hem of his T-shirt and slipping under it. His hands were really warm against Tango’s skin and his felt himself get a little weak in the spine.
The rain grew a little louder outside, and they both took a brief moment to separate and look toward one of the windows when a flicker of light registered on their senses.
Thunder rumbled.
“Perfect weather,” Tango whispered. He ducked back in and gave Jimmy another firm kiss. Jimmy’s hands on his back pressed harder, holding him closer.
“Shirt off?” Jimmy whispered.
“Thought you’d never ask.” Tango stripped his shirt off. Jimmy did the same. Tango brought Jimmy’s head back to his own and kept kissing him. “I did miss you, actually,” he whispered into Jimmy’s mouth. For all that they were determined that they were just hooking up without any real obligation behind it, Tango liked Jimmy. He liked spending time with him. Jimmy was fun—both in bed and otherwise. They found themselves laughing a lot while eating dinner or watching a movie.
“Missed you too,” Jimmy whispered back. He rolled forward to take a turn to lick into Tango’s mouth, scraping against his teeth. His warm hand on Tango’s back slid down to his hip to hold them as close as they could possibly be. “How much do you wanna play before I carry you down the hall?”
Tango shrugged. “Gimme a minute to appreciate that you’re here again.”
Jimmy’s thumb rubbed back and forth on Tango’s back with a thoughtful hum as Tango tangled his hands in Jimmy’s hair, scratching a little at his scalp and tugging on his hair. He’d discovered quickly that Jimmy liked having his hair tugged on. Not pulled, but tugged. Something Tango was happy to oblige, keeping his pressure gentle but present.
Jimmy made a soft little noise and Tango pulled back. Both of them were breathing hard. Tango’s heart was pounding so loud in his ears he could barely hear Jimmy’s panting. “You’re so good-looking it’s not fair,” Tango whispered.
“Look who’s talking,” Jimmy retorted breathlessly, running his hand up Tango’s back. “Gosh—every time I look at you…”
The air grew tense between them as they held one another’s gaze, chests heaving from the combination of rushing feelings and kissing restricting their oxygen intake a bit. Tango blinked and took deep breaths. His heart was beating wildly, trying to escape his ribcage. Jimmy’s eyes had a glint in them that was almost feral.
Jimmy swallowed, thumb rubbing up and down over the crest of Tango’s hip bone. Tango scratched lightly at Jimmy’s scalp.
“Tango, are—”
“Jimmy, I—”
They both stopped, eyebrows raising.
“You first,” Jimmy said.
“No, no. You go first.” Tango nodded to Jimmy with his chin.
“No, please. You go first.”
Tango huffed. “I… I don’t want to cross a line here. But…” He took a deep breath, steeling himself. “Jimmy, I think I’m your boyfriend.”
Tension melted out of Jimmy’s shoulders. “Thank goodness. I was about to ask if we were boyfriends.”
Tango smiled and leaned in close. “Might as well call it what it is, yeah?”
“Yeah.” Jimmy held the back of Tango’s head and brought them together for another kiss. Tango hummed in contentment. “How… how long have we been a couple?” Jimmy asked softly, lips soft against Tango’s.
Tango managed a shrug. “Couple months,” he replied. “Since I cleared a drawer for you to leave some things behind and you intentionally keep forgetting your hoodie here.”
“I do that so you can wear it and think of me.”
“Exactly. Because you’re my boyfriend.”
Jimmy smiled into the kisses. “Damn right, I am.”
