Behind The Limelight 45: Just Two Bros In A Bathtub

“I swear to God you both are the best co-actors I could ever ask for,” Tabitha said as she hugged Ashton and Ryker. Her eyes were teary, and so were Ashton’s. “I’m going to miss you.”

“We’ll be seeing plenty of each other, don’t you worry,” Ryker reassured, making Tabitha nod eagerly.

“We better or I’m throwing hands,” Tabby threatened. “We’re on for dinner next weekend too, right? Lee is excited to hang out with you guys again.”

“Definitely,” Ashton said with a smile.

It was a bittersweet day as they wrapped up the shoot. Champagne was popped, there was cake and laughs, and then finally the goodbyes. Ashton had never felt this emotional before with any of his other filming jobs, but this one held a special place in his heart.

It was evident how hard everything was hitting Ashton as he remained quiet throughout the entire car ride back to Ryker’s. He didn’t even complain when the other actor put on a podcast, which he then claimed was boring as he started playing one of Ashton’s playlists instead. Ashton continued behaving indifferently, but Ryker didn’t say anything about it until they reached his house.

Instead of a shower, Ryker insisted on taking a hot bath. Ashton didn’t protest, and soon enough they were both in Ryker’s massive bathtub with a wine glass in their hand. There was space for them to sit next to each other, but Ashton still sat between Ryker’s legs, his back resting on the man’s chest as Ryker wrapped his arms around the brunette.

“What’s on your mind, baby? You’ve been so quiet,” Ryker finally asked.

“It’s nothing, it’s stupid,” Ashton mumbled.

“Talk to me, Ash. Don’t shut down, please.”

“Just a few months ago I was debating whether to accept this role or not. The last thing that I wanted to do was work alongside you but now…now I don’t know what I’d do if I don’t get to see you everyday,” Ashton admitted, his voice low. “I just got you back and I don’t want to lose you again.”

“You won’t lose me, Ash. I promise,” Ryker replied.

“Don’t make this promise, please,” Ashton pleaded, sounding desparate. “Relationships between actors almost never work out. I’m— I’m scared, Ry.”

“There was something that I wanted to talk to you about,” Ryker stated. Ashton tilted his head so that he could glance at the other man. His eyebrows were furrowed, his expression both confused and anxious.

“What is it?”

“Remember how I told you that I came back for you and that I…that I didn’t really miss acting while I was gone?” Ryker questioned.

“Yeah,” Ashton whispered.

“Doing this movie…it made me realize that I was right. I thought being an actor was all I wanted in life but that isn’t the case. I think I want to do something else now. Try out something new,” Ryker said. “I don’t think I’m cut out for this.”

“But you’re an amazing actor!” Ashton retorted.

“Maybe. And being in front of a camera is fun. Bringing a story to life feels…feels great. But all the other parts of this? Constantly being in the public eye? Ridiculous interviews that are scripted and the red carpet and the stupid events and just…all the fake niceties, I can’t do that anymore. I’m already dreading the promotions for this but I know I’ll be fine because I’ll have you with me. But I just can’t do it again,” Ryker finished his rant.

“What are you going to do then?” Ashton asked.

He understood where Ryker was coming from. Being who they were didn’t just mean acting on a set, it meant acting everywhere. Sometimes it made you lose touch with yourself. Ashton had grown into it, it was the only reality he knew. But the case wasn’t the same with Ryker.

“I don’t know,” Ryker shrugged with a small smile on his face. “Maybe I’ll get back to theatre or learn to direct. Or who the fuck knows, maybe I’ll start a restaurant! The possibilities are endless.”

“They are,” Ashton nodded. “And whatever you decide to do, just know that I’ll always support you.”

“I know,” Ryker replied as he kissed Ashton’s temple, intertwining their fingers together. “But anyway, what I want to say is that we’ll make it work. We don’t need to see each other every day, baby. We’ll figure it all out as we go.”

“But what if—”

“No what ifs. I love you, Ash. I love you more than life itself, I have for a decade now and you don’t have to say this back so don’t stress about that,” Ryker paused. “You’re going to have to run and hide if you want to get away from me, okay? Don’t worry about losing me because there’s no way in hell that I’m letting you go under any circumstance.”

If Ashton was to say that Ryker’s words didn’t make his heart skip a beat, then he would be lying. It seemed like the man always knew what to say to make him feel better. It wasn’t just words though, his actions and his embrace reassured how he felt about Ashton.

For once in his life, Ashton wasn’t worried or insecure about what Ryker thought of him. He had always been anxious about others thinking that he was a failure and a good for nothing loser. He knew this was imposter syndrome, but no amount of awareness made it better. Maybe Malcolm was right, maybe Ashton did need professional help.

Things were just a tad bit different with Ryker. Even though Ashton was still stressed about the future and where it would lead the two of them, at least he was sure that Ryker loved him and that he…well, he was pretty certain that he loved Ryker too. This gave him hope. Hope that they’ll find a way.

“Sounds kinda obsessive but cool bro,” Ashton muttered jokingly. He yelped as Ryker pinched his waist, before turning around to glare at the man. “Ouch!”

“I’m not your bro. I’m your…” Ryker trailed off.

“Boyfriend,” Ashton said.

“So we’re boyfriends now, huh?” Ryker asked with a sly smirk, though Ashton could literally feel the dark haired man’s chest beating rapidly.

“We’re boyfriends,” Ashton stated. “But we’re also bros.”

“Choose one. Boyfriend or bro,” Ryker retorted. Ashton hummed loudly, acting as if he was actually contemplating about it.

“Bro…friends. We’re brofriends.”

“I’m breaking up with you,” Ryker said.

“Damn, that was quick,” Ashton whistled. “What happened to never letting me go? All men do is lie.”

“That was before you straight homie-d me,” Ryker spoke.

“Fine,” Ashton sighed dramatically. “Boyfriends it is, my homo homie.”

“Good,” Ryker kissed the top of Ashton’s head. Ashton turned back, pecking Ryker’s lips before getting more comfortable in his position and resting his head on the other man’s shoulder.

It felt so good to be this close to him, and Ashton could feel his tensions melting away slowly as he relaxed. They enjoyed the silence for a few minutes, until Ashton spoke up.

“Now that we’ve, you know, given a label and everything, what are your thoughts on going public?” Ashton asked.

“I don’t mind it either way. I’m good with coming out, but I’m also fine with keeping it to ourselves for the time being,” Ryker answered. “But not forever, though. I want to hold your hand and kiss you wherever and whenever I want one day. I respect it if you want to keep it on the down low for now, of course.”

“Okay,” Ashton paused. “Being with you feels natural but I’m still getting used to all of this. It’s so new and I…I need time. I can’t deal with public scrutiny just yet.”

“That’s fair,” Ryker nodded. He kept his hand on Ashton’s thigh, squeezing it reassuringly.

Now that all the serious conversations were out of the way, and Ryker’s hand was already on Ashton’s thigh and so dangerously close to his dick… Ashton’s focus shifted South. He readjusted slightly so that his ass was pressed against Ryker’s groin. Ryker inhaled sharply upon the touch, his grip tightening on Ashton’s leg before he started sliding it up.

It didn’t take long for both of them to get erect, and Ashton grinded his ass against Ryker’s hard-on as Ryker stroked his dick. Their motions were slow, they were teasing each other and themselves, no matter how much the both of them wanted to fuck right there and then.

Ryker rubbed his hand up and down Ashton’s chest and abdomen. He was tweaking, massaging and pulling the other man’s hard buds as he felt every inch of his bare skin. He increased his pace, jacking off Ashton’s dick faster as Ashton moaned out loud. The brunette tilted his head, his lips crashing with Ryker’s as they made out.

Within the next ten minutes, they were out of the tub and on Ryker’s bed. They didn’t even bother drying themselves as they kissed, taking turns straddling and pressing down the other in a playful fight for dominance. They soon changed their position again, now sixty-nining as they sucked each other’s dicks.

Ryker moved down, his tongue moving in and out of Ashton’s hole. Ashton decided to return the favor, he took a page or two out of Ryker’s book as he began rimming him. Ryker was taken aback at first, but the pleasured groan that left his lips and the way he almost hungrily went back to tongue-fucking his boyfriend indicated that he was enjoying it.

They made out again, both their fingers playing with each other’s holes. Upon Ashton’s request, Ryker had acquired a few toys. That was how he ended up fucking Ashton with a plug inserted inside him at the same time. Ashton had taken his sweet time doing it too, loving the way Ryker reacted to the penetration. He kept whispering in Ryker’s ear how he would be fucking him soon someday, before he sank down on Ryker’s dick.

Ashton was on all fours now as Ryker pounded him from behind. His fingers were gripping Ashton’s hips tightly, making the porcelain skin turn a dark shade of pink. Ashton was meeting Ryker’s thrusts as he moved his ass, almost as if he was desperate for Ryker’s dick.

“So tight… You’re so fucking sexy, Ash.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, right there!”

“I would be inside you forever if I could be…”

Ryker’s sheets were ruined from water, sweat and cum, and the two had to sleep in the guest room that night.

Worth it, though.

***