26. Skye

"Hey, River?" Skye said, when he got home from work a couple of weeks later. He'd stayed later for parent teacher conferences so he was home a few minutes after River usually was.

"In the kitchen," River called back. "And don't worry, I didn't cook," he added with a smirk when Skye entered.

"Take out," Skye said.

"Yeah, I figured you'd be pretty beat today and I didn't want you to have to cook. And since I've been banned from the kitchen…"

"It's for everyone's safety, angel," Skye said with a grin, stroking River's back and planting a kiss on his temple. "Thank you."

River kissed him and smiled. "How was work?" he asked as he dished their food and handed Skye his plate.

"Good," Skye said, taking a bite of food. "A couple of them came to talk to me at the end of the day, and they had a really sweet idea, but they wanted to run it by me first, and I said I would talk to you."

"Oh," River said, his curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Skye swallowed his food and then spoke again. "They want to throw a wedding reception for us at the school."

River's eyes went wide. "Really? Wow. That's really sweet of them. These are sixth graders?"

Skye nodded. "It was all their idea. They said they ran it by Mr. Richards already, so if we're up for it, they wanna do it. We can invite whoever we want."

River smiled. "Your students really like you, Skye. That's special. You're really making a difference in their lives."

Skye shrugged.

"Come on, Skye, give yourself some credit. They found out you got married and want to give you a party. Students don't do that for just any teacher. You're special."

"Either that or it's an excuse to meet you," Skye said with a grin. "The cute boyfriend with the flowers."

"What?" River said, tilting his head to the side.

"That's how they refer to you."

River chuckled. "Oh, right. Valentine's Day. Well, either way, we're gonna do it, right? I'd like to meet your students. And I'm sure Jenna and Nick would like to come, and we could invite your mom, and Jaden and Chloe. I don't know if they'd be able to make it, but…"

"No, we definitely should," Skye said. "My coworkers too, although I haven't really come out at work yet, River. So far the only ones who know I am gay are Mr. Richardsand this one class. If we announce this, the cat's really gonna be out of the bag."

"Is that okay?" River asked. "I mean, I've been talking about my boyfriend slash husband for months now at work so everyone there already knows, but if you aren't ready, it's a much bigger populace for you, Skye. An entire school. I'd understand. I think your students would too."

Skye took a deep breath and let it out, running his fingers through his hair. "I want to do it, River. For us, and for my students. If I back out because I'm afraid or nervous about what other people will think, then I'm teaching all of the other queer students to do the same thing. And that's not the message that I want to send them. I want them to love who they are, and be proud of who they are. And if this—if we—can help them do that, I think we should."

River smiled and closed the space between them with a kiss. "You're amazing, Skyler Mckenzie," he said. "I love you."

River beamed when they walked into the school gymnasium the following weekend and saw it decorated with balloons and streamers, tables laid out with punch bowls and desserts, and Taylor Swift's Love Story playing in the background.

"Wow, they really went all out," he said, looking around, his hand clasped with Skye's.

They had arrived a few minutes before the rest of the crowd was scheduled to show up and were the only ones there at the moment. And Skye took the opportunity to steal a kiss from his husband.

River blushed and pulled away, smiling when they heard an audible "Aww," from the doorway.

"Are you guys going to be that adorable all night?" Chloe asked, strolling into the room on Jaden's arm.

"Hello to you too, Chloe," Skye said with a wide grin. "I'm really glad you guys made it. Especially on such short notice."

"Of course," Jaden said. "This is a really sweet thing your students are doing for you. And since we didn't get to be at the wedding, which I am not bitter about at all by the way." He slapped his brother on the shoulder.

"Ow," Skye said, rubbing the spot.

River grimaced. "Sorry about that. That was my fault. We had to do things fast with everything we had going on and…"

"River, I'm teasing," Jaden said, giving him a smile. "I understand. Skye's kept us up to date on all of your health issues and it sounds pretty rough, what you've been going through. We're just happy you are doing better. Honestly." He pulled River into a tight hug. "Welcome to the family."

"Thank you," River said, once he could breathe again.

Skye laughed, and Chloe joined him.

"Hey, can I get in on this?" Skye turned to see Grace coming across the floor, and they embraced her in a group hug before she gave Skye a hug and then River, tears in her eyes as she did.

"You have made my son the happiest man in the world," she told River, hands resting on his shoulders once she'd pulled away. "He is so blessed to have you, River. And he needs you just as much as you need him. Remember that, okay?"

River looked a bit overwhelmed, and just nodded as Skye pressed a kiss to his temple, drinking in that watermelon and coconut scent. "She's right, you know," he murmured in his husband's ear, then kissed him again.

More guests started to fill the room in the minutes that followed, including Nick and Jenna. Skye introduced his co-workers to his family and friends, as did River, and Skye introduced each of his students to River as well. Some of River's church acquaintances were also there.

"I've heard a lot about you," River said to Gwen as he shook her hand. "It was really sweet of you guys to do this for us."

Gwen blushed. "Not much trouble, really," she deflected. "The decorations were already here from the seventh grade dance. Just asked them to leave them up and told them we'd do the clean up. We did take care of the refreshments, though, and the awesome music."

River smiled. "Well, we appreciate it," he said.

"So, you guys gonna dance, or what?" Gwen asked.

"Are we supposed to?" Skye asked.

"It's a party, isn't it?"

Skye looked around. "No one else is dancing."

"Then you can start them off. You're the guests of honor after all."

Skye smirked at her. "Fair enough." He held his hand out to River, who blushed and handed Gwen his drink before following Skye out to the center of the room.

Skye slid his arms around River's waist, and River wrapped his arms around Skye's shoulders and they danced to the music, slowly, smiling and gazing into each other's eyes.

For a while it was just them. River pressed his cheek to Skye's as they swayed softly, and when the song ended he moved his face and pressed his lips to Skye's, causing clapping and loud cheers to erupt around them. Skye blushed and smiled and so did River. Then more couples were coming to join them on the dance floor.

Skye watched as Jenna and Nick held each other and moved to the music, smiling and sharing subtle kisses.

"Think they'll be tying the knot, soon?" River said, gazing in the direction of the smitten couple as well.

"Definitely," Skye said, and smiled when Nick glanced their way and winked at him.

When Skye looked back at his husband, River had a tear sliding down his cheek. "Hey, angel, what's wrong?" he asked.

River wiped it away and gave a sad smile. "Just thinking about my Aunt Jodi and wishing she could be here to celebrate with us. God, I miss her so much."

Skye pressed a kiss to River's forehead. "Me, too," he said.

Skye stole a dance with Jenna after that, and then River danced with her while Skye made his way over to the dessert table for some punch.

"Mr. Mckenzie?" Skye turned when he heard his name. Claire's mother stopped in front of him. She looked contemplative, like she wanted to say something but wasn't sure if she should, or how to proceed.

"Yes?" Skye said gently.

"I'm Rebecca Wilson, Claire's mom," she started, as if he were meeting her for the first time. They weren't well acquainted but he recognized her and had spoken with her on occasion.

"Yes, of course," he said. And when she didn't say anything, Skye continued. "She's doing very well in class."

Rebecca smiled softly. "Her grades have actually been improving," she said. "Actually, I wanted to thank you for that."

"Me? I'm afraid I don't understand."

"I've been worried about her," she admitted. "She's been very closed off lately. I could tell something was wrong but she wouldn't talk to me. It was affecting her school work, and her social life, and…" tears were starting to fill her eyes now and she fought them. "I'm sorry," she said, wiping at her eyes. "I don't mean to ruin your evening."

"No, no, it's okay," Skye said. "Is everything okay with Claire?"

Rebecca smiled again and looked at him. "It is now," she said. "She told me about a month ago that she's gay, and it was like this veil came off of her face and she could breathe again. Like she had been holding this piece of herself in for so long, so afraid to tell me. And she's been so much happier since then, so much more alive, so much more herself. She still struggles with what her peers will think, and society, you know, but I'm so glad she said something to me, and I don't think she would have had the courage to do that, if it hadn't been for you. She's told me about your class, and the things you guys talk about in there and just the impact it's had on her, that you've had on her. I just want you to know that you are making a difference in those kids' lives. In Claire's life. So thank you."

Skye had to hold back his own tears now. "Claire's a very special girl," he said. "And she's very lucky to have you for a mother."

Rebecca smiled at that. "Well, you and your husband are adorable together. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Skye said. He watched as she walked away, before wiping away the tear that slid down his cheek.

"Hey," he heard River say, and turned to see his husband standing next to him. "You okay?"

Skye smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine, angel," he said. He took River's hand, interlocking their fingers together.

"Your students have some sort of game planned."

"Oh?"

"I didn't get all of the details but I think it involves us doing a lot of kissing when other people sing songs or recite poems with the word love in it."

Skye grinned. "I'll go for that."

It may have been Jaden and Chloe that spearheaded the majority of the songs and poems, which was unfortunate, mainly because Jaden could not sing.

But that was okay, because Skye and River could kiss. And kiss they did.

Skye was lying in bed with a book that night when River climbed in and scooted close to him, a grin on his face and his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. Skye forgot all about his book when River's lips brushed against his jaw, and then down his neck. He chuckled.

"You want something, angel?" he asked. River hummed and Skye jerked when his husband slid his hand into his pants and cupped his hardening cock. He couldn"t help the moan that escaped him.

"I don't think I can go all the way tonight, but I would really like to try something we haven't yet," River murmured in his ear.

Skye nodded. "Anything. I'll do anything." He gripped River's face and brought his lips to his, kissing him tenderly.

Then River was sliding down his body and pulling his pants and underwear off, tossing them to the floor. Skye's cock grew hard in an instant as River nuzzled it, breathing him in, before peppering it with soft kisses. He gasped, and his cock jerked, his breath picking up and a loud moan escaping him when River licked a stripe from his sack to the tip of his cock. "Shit, Riv." His head fell back on the pillow. "That feels good."

River reached over and grabbed the bottle of lube from the nightstand before squirting some on his fingers. Skye was expecting River to stroke his cock, but River surprised him by saying, "Spread your legs for me, baby."

Skye's heart beat wildly and he felt tears stinging his eyes.

"You okay?" River asked, when Skye didn't move.

"You've never called me that before," Skye said. River smiled and leaned forward, kissing him again.

"Baby," he whispered against his lips. "I want my fingers inside you, driving you crazy. I want to feel your ass clenching against me when you come."

"Shit." Skye shivered, and spread his legs wide, giving River a perfect view of his hole. He hadn"t bottomed in years, but like he said, he would do anything for River, to be close to River. His cock was aching now, with the need to feel River inside him. "Fuck me with your fingers, angel."

River grinned and slid his lube coated fingers over Skye's pucker, using his other hand to keep Skye's legs apart. Skye jerked and his breath hitched. "Fuck," he gasped. River circled his hole, making him whimper and moan.

"Love the sounds you make," River said, and Skye gasped again when River's finger slid inside him. "Mmm, especially that one."

"Fuck, Riv," Skye cried as he felt his husband's finger moving inside him, driving him crazy, before a second finger entered him, causing his muscles to tighten and his back to arch off the bed. He bit his lip to keep from moaning too loudly but that all went to hell when River pegged his prostate. "Shit, Riv!"

"I want to hear you, baby," River encouraged. "Don't hide from me. You're so fucking sexy."

Why did hearing River curse during sex make Skye even harder? His cock jerked against his stomach, precum leaking out in droves as River pegged his prostate again and again, making him squirm and whimper underneath him.

"Fuck, Riv…I can't," he gasped. "I need to come."

He let out a shout when River leaned over and took his cock in his mouth, sucking on the engorged tip, slipping his tongue into the slit. "Fuck!" He came then, without warning, his ass clamping around River's fingers buried inside him and his cock pulsing his release inside River's mouth, spilling out and sliding down his husband's chin and onto his stomach.

"Shit, I'm sorry," he said, gasping as River gagged slightly and popped off of him.

River just grinned and wiped the cum from his lips and chin before licking it off of his fingers.

"Fuck, that's hot," Skye whispered, his voice hoarse. "Come here."

River climbed up his body and kissed him. And Skye was crying and laughing and kissing River over and over and over again.