Chapter One - The Hunt
Chapter One - The Hunt
Lucas and Isaac had always known they were gay. It was never something either of them struggled with, nor was it something they felt the need to hide from each other.
Somewhere along the way, after years of friendship, they'd come to an understanding. If they ever found someone they both liked, someone they both wanted, they'd go after him together.
They called it hunting.
It wasn't exactly a plan they'd sat down and discussed in detail. It was more of an unspoken agreement, born from the fact that neither of them was particularly interested in competing with the other. Besides, finding someone they both liked was hard enough. Why make things complicated by fighting over him?
Of course, neither of them had expected to actually find someone who fit the bill.
Until Evan.
Physically, the two men couldn't have looked more different.
Lucas was the taller of the two, broad-shouldered and muscular, with darker skin, dark brown hair that never seemed to stay in place for long, and tattoos scattered across his arms. The dark ink stood out against his skin, wrapping around his biceps and trailing down his forearms, adding to his already intimidating appearance. He had the kind of build that naturally drew attention, and he knew exactly how to use it to his advantage. Combined with his shameless flirting and easy confidence, Lucas rarely had trouble making himself noticed.
Isaac, on the other hand, was slimmer, with a lean but well-toned build and blond hair that made him stand out in his own way. Where Lucas was bold and impulsive, Isaac tended to be more calculated, preferring to think things through before making a move.
At least, that was the theory.
In practice, when it came to someone they both wanted, Isaac could be just as reckless as his best friend.
—
Lucas was in the middle of his sets when he noticed Isaac staring hard at something across the gym. He had this look on his face, like he was hungry for something he wished he could devour right here at the gym.
“What's with the thirsty look?” he asked, dropping his dumbbells.
“That guy's ass,” Isaac simply said, without offering more information. Quite frankly, he didn't have to.
The second Lucas laid eyes on the guy, he understood.
Oh.
Oh.
The guy was walking on the treadmill, completely oblivious to the attention he was getting. His shorts clung to his ass with every step, and Lucas found himself watching the way they stretched and bounced.
“Jesus Christ,” Lucas muttered.
“Right?” Isaac said, sounding far too pleased with himself.
Lucas barely heard him. “How long have you been staring at him?”
“Long enough.”
“Fucking creep.”
“I'm appreciating the view.”
“Yeah?” Lucas snorted, his eyes still fixed on the treadmill. “Well, move over. You're blocking mine.”
Isaac scoffed but shifted to the side, allowing Lucas a better view.
For a while, neither of them said anything. They just watched the guy walk on the treadmill, both apparently finding the sight more entertaining than their actual workout.
“Okay,” Isaac broke the silence.
“Okay, what?” Lucas looked at him.
“We're talking to him.”
“We are? You don't even know what he looks like.”
“Right. So here's the plan— holy fuck, look.”
Lucas turned just in time to see the guy stepping off the treadmill, and for three seconds, he forgot how to breathe.
The guy, if you could call him that. Somehow boy seemed more suitable, looked no older than twenty. His honey-brown hair fell messily over his forehead with a few faint freckles scattered across his nose and cheeks. His face had a boyish softness to it, made even more obvious by the shy look he always seemed to have, like he wasn't entirely comfortable with being the center of attention. He had the kind of lips that were naturally full without being too thick, soft-looking and almost unfairly kissable.
There was something about him that made him look younger than he probably was. Not childish, just... sweet. A little shy, a little awkward, and completely unaware of how attractive he was.
Isaac and Lucas stood there, mouths hanging open like two idiots, just staring as the guy moved to the lockers.
“Isaac.”
“...yeah?”
“ISAAC.”
“I'm listening, you idiot.”
“I want him.”
Isaac glanced at Lucas, his voice lowered, suddenly too hoarse, “I know. I want him too.”
“Use your brain! What do we do?”
“Why don't you use yours?”
Lucas scoffed, throwing daggers at Isaac with his eyes. “Want me to come up with a plan? Fine.” He then took a big gulp from the water bottle, putting it down after, then brushed through his messy hair, trying to make himself look presentable.
“What are you doing?” Alarm rang in Isaac's head, years of friendship told Isaac that Lucas was about to do something real stupid.
“I'm gonna talk to him.”
“You're gonna scare him off.”
“Not with this charming smile.” Lucas flashed a grin at Isaac before turning and toward the boy.
“Lucas!” Isaac hissed, but Lucas was already strolling across the gym like a man with absolutely nothing to lose.
“Unbelievable.” Isaac muttered. After a moment's hesitation, he quickly followed.
Lucas caught up with the boy just as he prepared to head out.
“Hey.” Lucas said, showing his best friendly-but-flirting smile.
Stopped on the doorway, the boy looked up, confused, “Hey.”
“I'm Lucas, you?”
“...Evan.” The boy, Evan, looked at Lucas with uncertainty in his eyes.
“Well Evan, are you, by any chance, g—”
Lucas was stopped with a hand clapped around his mouth, startling Evan.
“Hey. Sorry about that. I'm Isaac. How are you?” Isaac extended his left hand for a handshake, while his right hand stayed firmly pressed on Lucas's face.
Evan hesitated before shaking Isaac's hand. He then quickly pulled away, looking ready to bolt any second.
“Sorry if we frightened you. My friend here says everything without consulting his brain.” Ignoring Lucas's muffled complaint, Isaac continued. “We were just wondering if you work out here often, cause we've been searching for another workout buddy forever, and we have to ask you before you leave.”
Evan considered for a while, looking between Isaac and Lucas before answering, “Um… thanks, but—”
Lucas licked Isaac's hand, making him flinch away with disgust on his face. “Come on cutie, we basically live here. You can't find other workout buddies like us that actually know this stuff.” he said hastily, stepping closer to Evan.
The two of them watched as Evan's face and neck visibly turned pink after hearing Lucas calling him cutie.
“Um… I—”
“He's right Evan. We know our stuff, and we can definitely help you.” Isaac added, taking another step toward Evan. “How about we discuss this over coffee? We know a place. Right, Lucas?”
Isaac threw Lucas a look. Their eyes met for a brief second before Lucas put on a knowing smirk.
He threw an arm over Evan's shoulder, pulling him toward the exit.
“That's right. Best coffee in this neighborhood. Come on cutie, our treat.”
“Wait!” Evan tried to free himself from the embrace, but Lucas got his iron grip tightly locked on.
“Guys! I—” Evan tried to say something, but once again was quickly cut off.
“You're not in a hurry, are you, cutie?” Lucas said.
“Stop calling him cutie. You're scaring him.” Isaac said, secretly moving to Evan's other side to flank him.
“I'm not scaring him. Am I scaring you, cutie?” Lucas flashed Evan his most charming smile.
“I—, no, I mean—”
“See? He's not scared.” Lucas shrugged.
“If he's not scared then why is he all red?”
Both men's attention shifted to Evan, whose face was indeed turning from pink to a dark pink shade.
“Um… guys, can I just—” Evan tried to say something, yet he was once again interrupted.
“Wait. Hold on. I haven't even asked you the most important question yet.”
“Lucas, don't you dare—”
“Are you gay?”
Evan's eyes widened.
Isaac gasped dramatically. “Lucas! You can't just ask him that!”
“Why not? You were gonna ask him the same thing!”
“Yeah, but I was gonna be smooth about it.”
“You? Smooth?”
“Excuse me, I have plenty of game.”
“Then why are you still single?”
“WHY ARE YOU STILL SINGLE?”
A soft laugh escaped Evan.
Both men fell silent before they turned to look at him.
Evan immediately froze under their attention, his smile fading into an awkward little expression as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, looking down. “You two are just… funny.”
Lucas grinned. “See? He likes us.”
“I don't think that's what he meant,” Isaac said.
“Whatever. I'll take it.”
Evan let out another quiet laugh, and this time, neither of them missed it.
“So,” Isaac said, giving Evan his most charming smile, “how about that coffee?”
Evan looked between them. “With… both of you?”
“Obviously,” Lucas said, as if it were the most ridiculous question he'd ever heard. “We're a package deal.”
Isaac sighed. “Don't listen to him. He's usually less embarrassing than this.”
“Liar. You love me.”
“Unfortunately.”
Evan smiled, shaking his head a little. “Guys, I'd love to, but I actually have classes later.”
“That's fine. We can move this date to your dorm room.” Lucas said, not ready to let Evan slip through his fingers. “Just tell us where you live, we'll bring dinner after your class is over. How does that sound?”
“Dude, you don't think this is too fast?”
Lucas looked at Isaac like he'd just said something stupid. “What? We're just bringing him dinner.”
“To his dorm room.”
“Yeah? And?”
“We met him, like, five minutes ago!”
“Exactly. And in those five minutes, we've already established that we're charming, good-looking, and excellent workout buddies.”
Isaac stared at him. “We established none of those things.”
“Speak for yourself.” Lucas turned back to Evan with a grin. “So, what do you think, cutie?”
Looking back and forth between the two of them, Evan knew there was no way he could escape them without agreeing to the date.
“Okay, sounds good.” He smiled shyly at them.
“Awesome!” Lucas finally let go of Evan's shoulder, only to let him reach for his phone.
They exchanged numbers, and Evan was finally allowed to leave.
“You know he didn't answer, right?” Lucas said, watching Evan's figure slowly disappear into the distance.
“He didn't have to, you idiot.”
