Chapter Twenty-Three

~ Tawson ~

T he fallout of what happened was still lingering. Tawson made sure that Vic was okay with their family when they came back to the house Saturday. Vic explained that Paxton traded places with their dad to work with them in the barn. They talked a little and Paxton apologized. Then, they sat down and had a conversation with their parents.

Vic recounted the conversation in highlight form. Their parents had a lot of questions, were still concerned about their relationship, but ultimately couldn't stop them. It wasn't what Tawson wanted to hear. He hated that Vic had to have that conversation at all. Tawson could see the tears welling up when Vic told him about explaining how they identified. Their parents had questions about that too, what it meant.

"Those questions weren't mean," Vic explained. "I think they were really trying to understand. Paxton helped me explain it. Mom and Dad made it clear that they weren't upset with me, personally, just the secrets that had been kept. I know they don't approve of us. They just need time to see us together and happy." By the end of the recap, Tawson felt like Vic was trying to convince themselves of that statement.

Xander and Wright talked to them together. Wright sent an invite via text to both of them for Sunday night. After talking about it, they both decided to go and see what Wright had to say. That dinner lasted for nearly three hours.

Wright opened up and told his whole story. He explained how he knew without a doubt that Xander was who he'd end up with pretty early on. Despite the age difference and some people looking at them quizzically when they went out, Wright loved Xander. And that had been more than enough. He ended the conversation by apologizing to Vic for not speaking up when Tracy said something about the age gap.

Now, it was Wednesday and Tawson was doing a couple extra hours of office hours after his classes. He kept the door shut, adding a note on the other side of the door to knock if they were a student. He hadn't heard anything from Meredith. He still had no idea what she hoped to accomplish with showing up the way she did.

His phone vibrated from an incoming text.

I miss you. Wish we could come out altogether.

I know, baby. Maybe one day. I think your family knowing is more than enough right now.

He sent the text back as a knock sounded on his door. Tawson stood up and opened it, expecting a student. He stepped back in surprise when William was on the other side. He held up cups and a bag of greasy fast food. It sounded perfect.

They settled into the chairs and Tawson cleared off his desk before either of them spoke.

"I want to start off with saying I was a grade A jerk," William said. "I literally stand for the LGBTQ+ community. I have built my entire life around it and the one time someone I see like my own family is being forced to confess their gender identity, I do nothing. I have felt terrible about it and I've spoken to Vic. I just came from their apartment where we had a long, emotionally exhausting talk. But I also owe you an apology."

"Why me?" Tawson asked. They split the food between themselves and Tawson bit half a fry.

"Because I respect my tenants and friends," William said. "And I think we were all shocked about the relationship, the fact that you had to relive your past trauma got overlooked."

"Oh." Tawson looked down at the food on his desk. "I'm okay now, though. Vic came up to the house and he helped me through the panic attacks. And I've spoken with Megan since. She's worried about how often I'm having these attacks and triggers so she prescribed me a medication for it."

"Do you need anything else from me? Any resources from the foundation or anything from the friend capacity?"

"If you could get me in touch with a lawyer," Tawson said. "I want to try and file for a restraining order. I had to delete my email address because they keep sending messages from random emails. They sent three before I deleted it. But I don't want them to get a chance to come back."

"Of course," William said. "Did you save the emails before you deleted the account?"

"I did. And I have my mom from back home saying that she's spreading lies. I just don't know how she turned out like this. She is not the woman I fell in love with in college."

"We'll get it sorted," William promised. "I'll have them call you later this week sometime."

"There's one more thing," Tawson said. "I'd been thinking about it for a while but with everything that went down, I'm looking into getting my own place. I have a few open houses that I'm going to for some apartments over the next two weeks. I'll let you know for sure if I'm going to take one of them or not."

"We'll be sad to see you go," William said. He paused to gulp down his drink. "But you should know by now that dating a Lawson means automatic invites to all the events and then some."

"I've noticed," Tawson said with a smile.

They settled into silence while they ate. It wasn't awkward. Tawson thanked William for the food and tried to pay him. He waved it off, though.

"Thank you for coming by," Tawson said. "It means a lot. While the way everyone reacted initially wasn't ideal, I'm happy to see that people are reaching out and apologizing, promising to do better.

"It really hurt Vic. And myself. I spent months telling them everyone would be okay and that they were worried about nothing. They might be known as the one of little words and a bit standoffish, but that was because they were scared. I can promise you that if you take the time to let them get comfortable, they are so funny and kind and wicked smart. They aced all of their midterms."

"Damn, that's impressive." William started gathering their things. "I think we all fell into that ‘younger sibling' vibe with them that we forgot they also grew up as we got older. I did invite both of you out for drinks and dancing with us. We're going the next weekend and would love for both of you to join us."

"We'll talk about it," Tawson said.

"Again, Tawson, I am sorry about how everything was handled. I admire how strong you are with everything you've faced. I forget that we're only a year apart in age. We will do better in the future. The foundation will do better. I'll do better."

Tawson stood and walked to the door with him. They shared a brief hug and a handshake before he walked off. Tawson closed the door once again. His phone was lit up on his desk. Another text from Vic.

Do the offices like yours have cameras inside?

Tawson looked up and around, although he already knew there weren't any. It was why he kept the door open during office hours.

No cameras. We usually just keep our doors open for safety reasons. Why?

There was another knock on his door before he could sit down. He was really popular today.

"Hey." Vic was standing in front of him. He was starting to question if any of his actual students were going be coming to take advantage of the extra help. Not that there was much to do between now and the semester break. "What are you doing here?"

"I come with official ranch business," Vic said. "Do you mind if I come in?"

"Sure?" Tawson tilted his head but stepped back and let Vic inside. If it was something they needed to talk about, they would most likely need privacy. "What's up? William just came by here and we talked for a bit."

"He said he was going to do that after leaving my place. I was hoping I gave you two enough time, but I sort of hung out in the hallway for a few minutes. That isn't why I'm here though." Tawson could see Vic's eyes darting around in the corners of the room. After seeing whatever it was, they smiled and moved closer to Tawson. "Hi, lover."

"Hi, Princess."

"Mmm, I love when you call me that." Vic pushed his sweater up and guided Tawson's hand to their skin. "Professor Lancaster."

"Fuck," Tawson said. They were really about to do this. They hadn't had sex since everything that happened on Friday. Vic seemed to have that exact idea though. Tawson didn't put up much of a contest. "I love when you call me that."

Vic was wearing a lacy bralette style top under the sweater. Tawson double checked the door was locked before raising Vic's arms and taking the sweater off completely. "Is this the one I got you?"

"It is," Vic said and smiled. "I love it so much. But, Professor, what are you going to do about it?"

"I want to ravish you, take my time, make love to you for hours." Tawson whispered the words against Vic's ear and smiled when they shivered. "And then I want tell you how much I love you and how beautiful you are while I come across your ass again."

"Fuck my plans to seduce you," Vic said with a small laugh. "I want to do that now. I have an extra little surprise for you too, but you need to find it first."

"Can I get a hint?"

"You have to remove more of my clothes." Vic smiled. It wasn't really a hint and Tawson felt like he knew what it was. Vic had said more than once they loved the zero to a hundred quick fucks they do just as much as the sweet and intimate. And being in his office when he was supposed to be seeing students, this would definitely be a quick fuck. "I also have lube and a condom in my back pocket. "

"You're the best, you know that?" Tawson crowded Vic against the nearest thing, which happened to be his well-timed, recently cleared off desk. Tawson slipped the two foil packets out of their pant pocket before undoing them and ridding Vic of clothes. The matching lacy underwear was beautiful against Vic's skin. The bands laying against their hips, the way the fabric cupped their cock and balls, lifting them inside the pouch sewn into the inside of the underwear. It only accentuated Vic's bulge as they grew harder.

"I could say the same to you," Vic whispered. They kissed, rushed and heated. Tawson's hands were everywhere on Vic's body, not sure what to feel first. Trying to find what this surprise was. His hands snaked into the back of Vic's underwear, squeezing their ass and rocking his own hips against them. "Fuck. Oh, fuckfuckfuck."

"You okay?" Tawson pulled back and Vic nodded quickly. Their lips were curled in and one hand was over their groin.

"Remind me next time I'm wearing a plug to not rock back and forth on it."

"A- A plug?" The idea was in the back of his mind as what the surprise could be, but with confirmation, Tawson had to see it now. He scooted Vic off the edge of the desk and spun them, forcing their chest against the wood. Without preamble, Tawson pulled the almost frilly piece of clothing down their thighs and spread their cheeks.

A silver heart shape met his stare. And fuck, it looked amazing buried in his partner's ass. Tawson groaned, palming at his own dick to relieve some of the pressure. "Can I?" he asked just loud enough for Vic to hear.

"Please, Tawson. Do whatever you want."

With permission, Tawson wrapped his fingers around the base and pulled. Not enough to pull it out of Vic's ass, but to tease them. The long, drawn out moan told Tawson that Vic was enjoying it. He repeated it over and over. With his position kneeled behind Vic, he could see their bare toes curled against the floor. Their thighs quivering. Hands with white knuckles gripped tightly around the edge of the desk.

Finally, Tawson pulled the plug out, careful to go slow and not hurt Vic. There was a sigh of relief from Vic and they seemed to relax onto the desk. But Tawson couldn't have that. Their hole was stretched, just there, asking to be played with. In the back of his mind, he knew they needed to make this fast. The chance of someone knocking on the door at any second spurred him on.

But he had to taste. He was addicted to Vic, to all of them. He loved how much Vic loved his mouth on them.

"Oh shit." Their whole body tensed back up out of surprise. "Tawson, please. I've been wearing that plug for the better part of an hour. I need you. I need your cock."

Tawson swiped his tongue over Vic's hole, burying his face between their spread cheeks. He speared his tongue in and out, in and out. Licking, kissing, sucking. Until Vic's whole body spasmed and they let out a long moan. Tawson pulled back and, there, between Vic's legs, was cum dripping down the front of his desk. He realized too late that Vic had moved one hand to stroke their cock while Tawson was on his knees.

The sight, though, was enough for Tawson. Vic didn't move but their eyes tracked Tawson's every motion. He undid his belt, popped the button on his slacks. He pulled them down only far enough to release his aching dick. It stood straight out, the head an angry red from being neglected for the last five minutes. He was about to stroke himself, to come on Vic's back, but Vic had other plans.

"Fuck me," Vic whispered. "Please Tawson. That's what I came for."

"Are you sure?" Tawson didn't want to push them too far. They nodded eagerly though and turned around to face Tawson. Vic had the condom in hand already. They reassured Tawson twice more that it wouldn't be too much. Once with words and the other by rolling the condom onto his cock for him.

"Now, Professor." Vic's voice turned flirty again. They blinked their eyes slowly. "Show me how much you love me."