Chapter 36 - Pulling Away

Zay knocked twice before letting himself into Trey's apartment. He wasn't used to showing up unannounced, but something told him Trey wasn't answering his texts for a reason.

"Yo, Trey?" Zay called, stepping into the darkened apartment. The only light came from the faint glow of the TV, but it was muted. Zay frowned as he walked deeper into the place, the silence thick in the air.

He found Trey on the couch, slouched, his eyes barely focused on the screen in front of him. He looked drained, the weight of his day-or whatever else was going on-written all over his face. Zay couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration.

"You good?" Zay asked, standing just inside the doorway. Trey didn't respond right away, his eyes flicking toward him for a second before returning to the TV.

Zay's brows furrowed. "I've been textin' you all day, Trey. What's up?"

Trey sighed, his voice low. "I'm fine, Zay. Just tired."

Zay could tell there was more to it. This wasn't the Trey he was used to. Normally, Trey would've gotten up to greet him, cracked some joke, maybe even pulled him into a kiss. But tonight, Trey seemed... distant.

"Man, you're not fine," Zay snapped, irritation rising in his chest. "You been dodging my calls, ignoring my messages. What's really goin' on?"

Trey shifted on the couch, looking like he was thinking hard about how to answer. He leaned back, running a hand over his face, his frustration growing. "I just needed some time, alright?"

Zay stared at him, confused. "Time for what?"

Trey stood abruptly, running a hand through his hair. "Just... I don't know. I don't wanna talk about it right now. I'm not in the mood for all this shit."

Zay stepped closer, his voice lowering. "Not in the mood? Trey, I'm your damn boyfriend. I'm here for you, you don't just push me away. I get that you need space, but that don't mean you act like I'm not here."

Trey's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "I didn't mean to push you away. I just... I don't know how to deal with everything. You're not the problem, okay? I'm just dealing with my own shit."

Zay could feel the anger starting to rise in him, but there was something else there too-a hurt that he wasn't expecting. "So you're just gonna ignore me when things get tough? Is that how this works now?"

Trey froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard. He exhaled deeply, looking like he was torn between wanting to snap and wanting to hold Zay close. He took a few steps toward Zay, the distance between them shrinking with every move. When Trey reached him, his hand slid to the small of Zay's back, his touch lingering.

"Zay," Trey started, his voice low and strained. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just don't know how to handle everything sometimes. And I wasn't thinking when I started pulling away."

Zay's heart softened at his words, but the sting of Trey's silence earlier was still there. He looked up at Trey, eyes searching his face. "You can't just do that, Trey. You can't shut me out when you feel like you need space. I'm here. I'm always here. You just gotta talk to me."

Trey sighed, his eyes flicking down to Zay's lips for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "I know, baby. I know. I'll do better. I promise."

Zay's shoulders relaxed, but the tension still hung in the air. Trey could tell that Zay wasn't fully letting go of the anger yet, so he took a step closer, his hand sliding down Zay's back before pulling him close. "You know I'm not used to this, right?" Trey murmured against Zay's ear. "I ain't used to having someone like you, someone who actually gives a shit."

Zay's breath hitched at the confession, his emotions beginning to mix into something sweeter. Trey pulled him in tighter, his hands moving to Zay's waist, squeezing him like he couldn't get enough. "I'm sorry, love. I won't push you away again."

Without thinking, Zay pushed up on his toes and kissed Trey, a desperate kind of kiss that left both of them breathless. Zay pulled back, trying to catch his breath, but Trey didn't give him much space. Instead, he held Zay tighter, pulling him into his lap with one smooth motion.

"Relax," Trey murmured against Zay's neck, squeezing his hips gently before settling his hands down low, close to where Zay's legs rested against him. Zay wasn't sure whether to get angry again or melt into Trey's touch, but the way Trey's hands lingered, rubbing slowly over him, made it harder to think straight.

Zay shifted in Trey's lap, trying to pull away just a little, but Trey's grip tightened, holding him right where he wanted him. Trey's hands slid down to Zay's ass, squeezing him gently, his touch possessive but comforting.

Zay bit his lip, his breath catching. The argument felt distant now, replaced by something else-something tender. Something that made Zay forget the hurt, even just for a moment.

"I'm here, baby," Trey whispered, his hands moving to Zay's back, holding him close like he never wanted to let go. "I ain't goin' nowhere."

Zay nodded, his heart racing again, but this time it was different. The air felt lighter, the space between them closing completely. He didn't have to fight for Trey's attention anymore.

"I'm sorry," Zay whispered back, his voice softer now. "I just need you to be there."

Trey nodded, pulling him even closer. "I'll be here. Always." He squeezed Zay's ass again as Zay sat on his lap, the gesture affectionate, possessive, and everything Zay needed to feel grounded in the moment. He didn't have to say more, not when Trey was holding him like this, like he was everything.

Trey stood abruptly, he hoisted Zay into his arms. Zay's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't protest, wrapping his arms around Trey's neck as he was carried to the bedroom. Trey's quiet strength always left Zay a little breathless, and this was no exception.

"Trey, what you doin'?" Zay asked, his voice a mix of surprise and amusement, but Trey didn't answer. He just carried Zay down the hall, his grip firm and unyielding. When they reached the bedroom, Trey laid him down gently on the bed, his body hovering over Zay's as his hands slid under Zay's hoodie.

"Lemme take this off," Trey murmured, his voice low and steady. Zay lifted his arms, letting Trey pull the hoodie over his head and toss it aside. Trey's fingers brushed against Zay's skin as he worked, the touch sending shivers down Zay's spine.

Next came Zay's shirt, and Trey took his time, his hands sliding up Zay's sides as he lifted the fabric slowly, his fingers grazing the warm skin underneath. Zay's breath hitched as Trey leaned down to press a soft kiss to his collarbone, his lips lingering for a moment before pulling back.

"You're so beautiful," Trey whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he took in the sight of Zay lying beneath him. Zay's cheeks flushed at the praise, his heart pounding in his chest.

Trey's hands moved to the waistband of Zay's jeans, and Zay lifted his hips to help him slide them off. Trey's touch was deliberate, his fingers brushing against the sensitive skin of Zay's thighs as he pulled the jeans down and off. Zay was left in just his boxers, and Trey's eyes darkened as he took in the sight.

"Turn over," Trey murmured, his voice steady but soft. Zay hesitated for a moment, his heart racing, but he obeyed, shifting onto his stomach. Trey's hands gripped his hips, pulling them up until Zay's ass was arched in the air. Zay bit his lip, his face heating up as he felt Trey's hands slide over his boxers.

"Trey-" Zay started, his voice shaky, but Trey cut him off with a gentle squeeze of his hips.

"Relax, baby," Trey said, his tone soothing. "I got you."

Trey hooked his fingers into the waistband of Zay's boxers, pulling them down slowly and leaving Zay completely exposed. Zay's breath hitched as the cool air hit his skin, but Trey's hands were warm as they slid over his hips, holding him in place. The weight of Trey's gaze on him made Zay's heart race, and he dropped his head, burying his face in the pillow.

Trey leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the small of Zay's back, his lips trailing lower until he reached the curve of Zay's ass. Zay gasped as Trey's tongue brushed against his skin, slow and deliberate. Trey's hands gripped his hips tighter, holding him steady as he started to eat his ass, his tongue pressing against him in a way that made Zay's entire body tremble.

"Oh, sh*t," Zay breathed, his hands fisting the sheets as Trey worked him open. The sensation was overwhelming, but in the best way possible, and Zay couldn't stop the moans that escaped his lips. Trey's tongue was relentless, teasing and exploring, and Zay could feel himself melting under the attention.

"Trey, please," Zay whimpered, his voice breaking as he arched his back, pushing himself closer to Trey's mouth. Trey's hands tightened on his hips, holding him in place as he continued, his tongue working Zay open with a mix of precision and dominance.

When Trey finally pulled back, Zay was panting, his body buzzing with need. He turned onto his back, looking up at Trey with a mix of desire and something softer. "I wanna... can I suck you?" he asked, his voice shaky but determined.

Trey's eyes softened, and he nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed. Zay knelt between his legs, his hands trembling slightly as he reached for Trey's waistband. Trey guided him, his voice a low murmur as he talked Zay through it. "Go slow, baby. Just like that. You're doin' good."

Zay took him into his mouth, his eyes locked on Trey's as he started to move. Tears welled up in his eyes as he struggled to take more, his lips stretching around Trey's length. Trey's hand rested gently on the back of Zay's head, guiding him but never pushing too hard. "You're so good, baby," Trey murmured, his voice thick with praise. "You got this."

When Zay pulled back, gasping for air, Trey didn't let him go far. He picked him up, settling back against the headboard with Zay straddling his lap. "You ready?" Trey asked, his hands gripping Zay's hips. Zay nodded, his breath hitching as Trey guided him down, inch by inch.

"Damn, you feel good," Trey groaned, his hands steady as he helped Zay move. "Just like that, baby. Take your time." Zay's movements were tentative at first, but Trey's encouragement and his own growing need pushed him to ride harder, his body adjusting to the rhythm.

When Trey shifted them into missionary, Zay's legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer. Trey moved inside him with a steady, deep pace, his eyes locked on Zay's. "You're mine, Zay," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "Ain't nobody else but you."

Zay's breath hitched, his hands gripping Trey's shoulders as he felt the intensity of their connection. This wasn't just sex-it was love, raw and unfiltered. And as they moved together, the last remnants of the argument melted away, leaving only the two of them and the unspoken promise that they'd always be there for each other.

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