Title: Facing Forty
Author: kimberlite
Pairing: Curt/Arthur
Rating: NC-17
Category: BDSM, PWP.
Archive: Please ask first.
Disclaimer: These beautiful boys belong to Todd Haynes, not me.
Thank you: To Alex, as always, for beta.
Summary: Arthur is a terror in the kitchen.
Feedback: Yes, please, to kimberlite@cox.net

Facing Forty

The kitchen was a mess.

Stunned, Curt froze in the doorway, surveying the carnage. Pots and pans littered the counters, coated in unidentifiable goo. Fascinated despite his horror, Curt looked for the agent of this destruction. His face brightened as he stepped into the kitchen and found Arthur, barefoot, in a pair of Curt's old torn-up jeans and a white t-shirt. Arthur was kneeling, trying to wipe something off the floor. Curt
wasn't sure he wanted to identify the substance.

"Hey."

Arthur jumped at the unexpected noise, turning his face up to see Curt. "Oh no, you're not supposed to be home now. Get out, you'll ruin the surprise."

Fascinated, Curt watched as Arthur's face changed from shock to irritation to agitation all in the space of a few seconds. What the hell had Arthur so worked up? "What surprise? Don't tell me you were entertaining a 'friend' and now you're hiding him in here." Curt grinned and waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

If possible, Arthur became even more upset. Rising quickly, he ground out, "How could you even suggest that? It's not even remotely funny, Curt."

Concern shining in his eyes, Curt flowed over to Arthur and touched his face. "Hey, love, I was just kidding. I'm sorry if you didn't think it was funny. Why does it bother you so much?"

Rubbing his face against Curt palm, Arthur said, "I don't like to think of anything coming between us, especially another lover."

Curt expanded the caress, running his fingers through Arthur's dark hair. "And..."

Arthur sighed. "And you've been so quiet recently, so uncharacteristically introverted, that I'm worried you aren't happy with me anymore, that you've found someone else."

Stunned, Curt brought his other hand to Arthur, holding his head firmly. "Stop that. You know that I love you and would never hurt you that way."

"But...you've been different. Something's wrong and I can't tell what it is."

Closing his eyes briefly, Curt said, "If you feel insecure again, or don't understand my behavior, please just ask me. Don't create a doomsday scenario, I hate seeing you in pain."

Liquid hazel met sparkling blue-green as Arthur gazed at his beloved. "Okay, I'm asking. What's going on?"

Smiling, Curt leaned over to lightly kiss Arthur's nose. "What were you trying to make before I came back early and interrupted you?"

Thrown by the question, Arthur answered automatically. "A cake."

"Ah, a cake. Any particular kind of cake, or did you just get hit with the urge to be domestic?" Curt smirked happily, arching an eyebrow as he pointedly surveyed the mess.

Arthur punched Curt in the arm, not too hard but with enough force for him to feel it. "A birthday cake for you. But what does this have to do with your odd behavior?"

Curt looked skeptical. When Arthur didn't seem able to answer his own question, Curt clarified. "A cake for my fortieth birthday..."

Gathering Curt into his arms, Arthur murmured, "Oh, love. Don't tell me you're feeling old." Arthur kissed Curt's lips gently, moving out to his ear, nibbling and sucking.

"Shit, of course I'm feeling old. Since I was fourteen I never believed I would live to be forty. It has a weird significance to it somehow." Curt clung to Arthur, soaking up his warmth and feeling the reassuring regularity of his heartbeats.

Arthur petted and soothed Curt, giving him some time to regroup. "I'm so sorry, love. You are the most vital person I've ever met. It never occurred to me that you might have a problem facing forty. It's just a number."

Pulling back, Curt laughed gruffly. "I know, but somehow it just hit me in the stomach, made me think of all the horribly stupid things I've done. Made me think that I probably shouldn't be alive today."

Smoothing Curt's beautiful hair off his face, Arthur said, "But you were strong enough to get past your childhood, to get off drugs. You chose life. I can't tell you how happy I am that you did."

Nodding, Curt said, "Yeah, I know how lucky I am to be here today, to be with you."

Arthur kissed Curt's cheek. "I can't tell you how much I love you. You are the center of my existence. Without you, life would be meaningless."

"Oh, love..." Curt turned to capture Arthur's lips, gently nipping, then gradually deepening the contact. Their hands moved over each other, stroking firmly, trying to entwine their bodies together into a single being.

The situation rapidly escalated out of control. Arthur pushed Curt back against the counter, following to grind his hips against Curt's, feeling their hard cocks nudge each other insistently. Curt gasped and panted, breaking off the kiss to turn and bend over the counter.

Arthur adjusted to the new position, humping Curt and snaking his hand down the front of Curt's jeans. Even thus distracted, Curt couldn't help seeing the remains of the cake on the counter. Trying not to sound too judgmental, Curt moaned, "How the hell did you make such a mess making a cake from a box?"

Miffed, Arthur pulled back. "Well, at least I tried. If you hadn't interrupted me, I might actually have gotten it into the oven."

Laughing quietly, Curt scooped up a finger-full of vanilla batter and smeared it down Arthur's cheek. "I'll give you points for effort, cupcake." Before Arthur could respond, Curt pulled Arthur's t-shirt over his head, tossing it carelessly to the floor.

Curt's eyes gleamed with mischief as he gathered more batter and painted it onto the other side of Arthur's face and then moved down to cover Arthur's nipples. Momentarily immobilized by Curt's actions, Arthur finally managed to choke out, "Don't call me cupcake."

Laughing uproariously, Curt held Arthur steady by the upper arm as he added batter stripes along Arthur's ribs. "Well if you don't like that, I guess I can consider this war paint and call you --"

"No -- no nicknames. I can't stand cutesy nicknames and you know it!" Arthur tried to sound firm and not succumb to the enticing feel of Curt's slippery fingers tracing over his back.

When Curt bent down to suck a nipple, Arthur jerked at the flood of sensation flowing through him. "Mm, you taste good, batter-boy."

Not wanting to discourage Curt, but unwilling to let the use of such a horrible nickname go by unchallenged, Arthur dragged Curt's shirt up, forcing Curt to lift his arms. Pulling the shirt to Curt's head, he left it tangled there.

Curt managed to free himself, but Arthur had armed himself with batter and launched a frontal assault, the goal, conquering Curt's navel. Giggling in an embarrassingly high-pitched tone, Curt tried to wiggle free of Arthur's hands and tongue.

Curt slowed his frantic motions as Arthur unzipped his jeans, dropping them to the floor and exposing his erection. "Hand me the chocolate batter, your cock is anything but vanilla."

Resistance was futile. Curt handed Arthur a small bowl and he carefully and thoroughly covered Curt's cock with the batter. Stepping back to assess the situation, Arthur proceeded to create an alternating pattern of chocolate and vanilla over Curt's chest.

Curt peered at his chest. "I look like a fucking cheetah. I didn't know you were into beastiality, Tarzan."

Arthur lightly slapped Curt's cheek, splattering batter carelessly. "If I hear one more atrocious nickname, I'm going to gag you. Your sense of humor is frightening."

Looking pointedly at his chocolate-covered cock, Curt said, "If you would just suck me, I'd be too busy screaming to call you anything."

Grinning wickedly, Arthur dropped to his knees before Curt. "What an excellent idea." Arthur licked and sucked Curt's cock, enjoying the flavor of chocolate tinted with the unique taste of his lover.

Feeling Curt approach orgasm, Arthur backed off. Rising, he pressed himself chest to chest with Curt, transferring batter between them. Kissing Curt's eyelids, Arthur moaned, "I want you so bad, Curt."

Totally captivated, Curt responded to the subtle demand. "You can have anything you want from me." Giving Arthur a meaningful look, he repeated, "Anything."

Arthur stood quivering before Curt for a moment, trying to control his breathing. Curt had just given him permission to fulfill a fantasy they had talked about and prepared for but never completed fully. "I want you on the table."

Nodding, Curt stepped out of the confinement of the jeans around his ankles and padded over to the table. Arthur quickly stripped off his jeans then looked around the counter top. He knew it was here somewhere. He finally located the container of Crisco that was supposed to be used to make frosting. Smiling, Arthur grabbed it and moved to the table.

Curt sat on the edge of the rectangular wooden table, legs dangling, leaning back on his arms, watching Arthur's every move. Arthur moved between Curt's legs, touching his face. "I love you, Curt. If at any time you want to stop, just
tell me, and we stop."

"I won't want to, but thanks. Love you too, sprinkles."

Arthur stepped back. "I told you I'd gag you if you did that again." He began looking around for something suitable.

Curt grinned angelically. "You can't gag me -- you just told me I could tell you if I needed to stop."

Considering Curt's words, Arthur picked up a spatula and wiped it on a dishtowel. "Okay, I won't gag you, but I will punish you for pushing your luck with the nicknames."
Gesturing with the spatula, Arthur instructed, "Turn over."

Curt started to protest, but one look from Arthur stilled him. He hopped off and turned himself over the table on his stomach. He felt the smooth touch of Arthur's hand over his ass, and then the sharp smack of the spatula as it impacted his skin. Involuntarily, Curt yelped. Arthur delivered a handful of swats, just enough to add a nice flush to Curt's skin.

"Will you resist using stupid nicknames?" Arthur added a final stinging slap for emphasis.

Uninjured and incredibly turned on, Curt agreed submissively, "Yes."

"Good, remember this." Arthur tossed the spatula aside and leaned down to lick Curt's ass. The warm skin was nicely sensitized by the spanking, and Curt squirmed with pleasure as Arthur worked his way over the lush curves.

Spreading his legs, Curt moaned, "Fuck me with your tongue."

Arthur licked down the crack of Curt's ass until he reached Curt's anus. He swirled his tongue around the outside for a moment before thrusting in and out. Gasping, Curt clutched the edges of the table until his knuckles turned white. Finally he couldn't take any more and had to make Arthur stop.

Arthur placed a final kiss on the small of Curt's back. Reaching for the Crisco, Arthur coated his finger and worked it into Curt. Taking deep breaths, Curt relaxed as Arthur added two then three fingers. Curling his fingers, Arthur brushed against Curt's prostate, intensifying his arousal.

Removing his fingers, Arthur added a generous amount of Crisco. Curt stayed relaxed, and it was easy to push the three slippery fingers back in. Arthur added the fourth finger, gently pushing in and out, moving more deeply with each thrust. "You doing okay?" Arthur panted, watching Curt's face for signs of distress.

"Yeah. Just make sure to use lots of lube, more than you think you'll need." Curt's voice wasn't any calmer than Arthur's.

With his free hand, Arthur added more Crisco, coating his thumb and hand up past his wrist. Arthur was terrified of hurting Curt, but he was also so turned on by the sight of Curt bent over the table, opened and exposed to him, that he couldn't stop.

Wanting to give Arthur this surrender, Curt took more deep breaths, focusing on the incredible feeling of fullness. Relaxing completely, Curt was ready. "Do it, Arthur."

Tucking his thumb, Arthur pushed his hand forward carefully. With an instinct he hadn't known he possessed, Arthur gently slid his hand inside Curt, collapsing his fingers into a fist. Curt moaned as Arthur penetrated him. Stilling inside Curt, Arthur gasped, "Okay?"

Curt managed to speak. "Fucking fantastic. Give me more."

Reassured, Arthur began to move in and out, fucking Curt with his fist. He varied the rhythm and depth of penetration, pushing Curt beyond normal pleasure. It was incredible, unlike anything Arthur had felt before. He was in control, powerful in a primal, indescribable way. And Curt was completely vulnerable, giving everything.

Arthur was so caught up in watching Curt that it took a moment to understand what he was saying. "Touch yourself, love. I'm so close. I want us to come together."

Abruptly reminded of his own body, Arthur touched himself, sliding his cock into his fist, mimicking the rhythm of his other hand, deep within Curt. It didn't take much before he was on the edge.

Wanting to be sure Curt climaxed first, Arthur rotated his fist, adding further stimulation. "Come for me, Curt-love. Let me feel you."

Curt convulsed, crying out his pleasure and shooting his seed onto the table and his stomach. Arthur came too, drenching Curt's ass and thighs with his semen. They remained frozen together as their breathing slowed. Finally Arthur slowly and carefully removed his hand.

Boneless and exhausted, Curt lay on the table until Arthur returned from washing his hands. Arthur murmured, "You were beautiful, love, just perfect. Thank you." He ran a damp towel over Curt, cleaning up semen and excess Crisco.

Arthur helped Curt stand, steadying him when he swayed. Supported by the loving embrace, Curt buried his head in the hollow of Arthur's shoulder. Arthur stroked his back, murmuring words of love and praise.

When Arthur realized Curt was sobbing quietly, he pulled back in alarm. "What's wrong, Curt? Did I hurt you?" Arthur tried not to panic.

Curt shook his head. "No, you didn't hurt me. It was just so intense."

Sighing in relief, Arthur traced a tear with his finger. "Yeah, it was intense. You were so gorgeous, so open to me. God, I love you."

Laughing quietly, Curt growled, "Love you, too. Love dominating you. Love submitting to you. Love cooking with you. Love growing old with you."

Arthur groaned, resting his forehead against Curt's. "You say the most inflammatory things. I thought you understood that you aren't old and that I can't cook."

Kissing Arthur gently, Curt said, "I do believe you, love." Looking around the kitchen, Curt laughed. "I definitely believe you."