Bear Out by Jade Buchanan

“I’m not sitting in the middle.” Christopher crossed his arms and glared at the man standing in front of him.

“Well, I’m not sitting in the middle,” Robin replied.

Theo sighed. “I’ll sit in the middle.”

Christopher ignored him. “I wanted the window seat.”

“Well, your name is already on the ticket, and I don’t want to switch with you!” Robin rejoined hotly.

Theo reached out and grabbed both of his mates by the backs of their necks. “I’m sitting in the middle.”

Robin turned with a grin. “Really?”

Christopher practically bounced in place. “Oh, that’s awesome. Why are you sitting in the middle?”

He didn’t figure that really needed an explanation, but they were both staring at him with questioning looks so he might as well give it to them. “Because you already said you wanted a window seat, and Robin can’t stay still for longer than an hour, so he’s sitting in the aisle.”

Theo was immediately surrounded in a mate sandwich. There may have been squealing involved, but he just ignored that since it wasn’t coming from him. This was a pretty important trip for them. The first of many, he hoped.

“So, where exactly are we going again?” Robin asked.

Christopher turned with an exaggerated slow motion. “Scot. Land.”

“Smartass. I know that. I mean where?”

“You didn’t read the itinerary?”

“You probably have it memorized.”

Theo laughed. Christopher probably did have it memorized. He shook his head when Christopher started to pull out the precious itinerary from his laptop bag. “We start in Edinburgh, then north to Orkney and the Shetlands. Across the North Sea to Norway, and then all the way up until we hit Svalbard.”

He couldn’t wait. It had been his present to his mates, and he figured all three of them could appreciate a summer vacation that included hats and mittens. Theo wasn’t exactly the sitting-on-the-beach type of vacationer.

Besides, now was the perfect time to start creating some memories to last them a lifetime, considering they were stuck with him, whether they liked it or not. Lucky for Theo, they seemed to like being mated to him. He wasn’t going to take them for granted, though. He was bound and determined to shower his mates with as much love and attention as they deserved.

This trip to the Norwegian Arctic was one he was really looking forward to. He only hoped they got to see polar bears up close and personal. He wanted his mates to have fun, and that was one thing Christopher hadn’t stopped yapping about since he’d read the itinerary a few weeks ago when Theo had told them about the trip.

They just had to survive the trip over there first. Christopher probably wouldn’t be a problem. Theo’s little mate was currently gazing up at him with a lovely grin on his elfin face. Christopher’s ever-present green metal frames did nothing to hide his beautiful hazel eyes. A shock of curly brown hair completed his innocent, intellectual appearance.

Robin, on the other hand, was trouble with a capital T. Taller and more muscular than Christopher, there was nothing innocent or elfin about him. He had closely cropped brown hair and nutty brown eyes. His sinful mouth was currently pursed as he hid a grin of his own while he read over the itinerary Christopher had handed him. Theo didn’t want to know what that was all about.

All right, actually he did want to know. Robin could always be counted on to get Theo hot and bothered quicker than anything else with that naughty mouth of his. The man didn’t know when to stop sometimes, but Theo loved him.

“What?” Theo asked.

“Apparently this cruise won’t give us a bear-antee that we’ll see polar bears. We have to do one of the other ones to get that.”

Theo frowned at Robin. “So?”

“Well… I was just wondering what my chances are of seeing a polar bear? Maybe in the water? All big and hairy and wet…” Christopher started to giggle.

Rolling his eyes, Theo decided that didn’t require an answer. “Come on, they’re calling our flight now.”

The three of them piled into the line with the rest of the crowd who had been squeezed into the tiny area they’d been standing in. Theo never could figure out why they didn’t have enough seats in the waiting area when they knew darned well how many people were going to be on the plane. It made absolutely no sense.

“Our adventure begins,” Christopher whispered, as they shuffled forward one step.

Theo reached back a hand and clasped Christopher’s outstretched palm.

Robin turned around and faced Theo and Christopher. “This is going to be fun.”

* * *

Chris bounced in his seat, not sure where to turn and look. He didn’t want to miss a thing. He couldn’t believe they were in Edinburgh of all places. He’d only ever been inside North America before, so this was something extraordinary — especially since he got to share it with his mates.

Theo was currently leaning forward, engaged in a heated discussion with their cab driver about hockey. The cabbie kept calling it ice hockey, which made Chris smile every time he heard it. They’d already covered rugby and football — both the American and soccer versions — and Chris gave a fleeting thought to what sport Theo and the driver would talk about next.

He couldn’t get enough of the accent. He almost wanted to just sit back and listen. Which, come to think of it, was kind of what he was doing right now. Robin had already put his earphones in and was snoozing on the other side of Chris, so it wasn’t as if he could talk to him.

Chris figured he should get a medal for not elbowing Rob awake. He was cutting him some slack considering Rob had barely slept on the plane. Chris, on the other hand, had put his head down on Theo’s shoulder about two seconds into the flight, and about five seconds after that he’d been down for the count.

He’d never had any problems sleeping on a plane. Rob was the one who always had an issue with that. It was like his mind wouldn’t shut off if he was in an airplane. Good thing they had their own TV screens, so Rob could watch as many movies as he wanted.

Chris wasn’t sure what Theo had done, but he hadn’t moved much. At least, he hadn’t woken Chris up.

Turning in his direction, Chris studied the big man. He towered over both Chris and Rob at six and a half feet. His Inuvialuit features set him apart from the majority of people they’d seen in their journeys so far, and it was something Chris loved to study.

Theo was a beautiful man. He’d garnered his share of attention as they’d walked through the Frankfurt airport, and Chris figured it was because of how noble and striking he looked.

At least, that was what Chris thought when he saw him, so he just assumed everyone else felt the same way. He didn’t mind showing off his mates. He was definitely a lucky man to be graced with both Theo and Rob. They seemed to find him attractive in return, so it was all good.

Even better, he realized they were soon going to be at their hotel room. He couldn’t wait to get his mates alone in a room. It was difficult sometimes, being out in public with two men. He’d always been aware of it when it was just Rob and him, but it was worse now since he had to watch himself even more. He had a deep-seated need to touch his men. This need grew stronger the longer he was apart from them. He wanted to touch, needed to stroke their skin and press his lips against theirs. Only, he realized he couldn’t.

He couldn’t even do it with just one of them, because that wasn’t fair to the other. Some of the places they were visiting might not be as openly friendly, and he honestly didn’t know what to expect. Sure, there were Pride events in Oslo, but that didn’t mean much more than that there was a gay community. Plus, they were going to be stuck on a ship with a hundred people for fifteen days before they arrived in Oslo.

This night in Edinburgh was going to be special. A night where he could just lie down with the two men he loved more than anything in the world and touch as much as he wanted.

“All right, I’m going to have to let you off here since this is a one-way street. Just go down the block there, and the hotel is on the right. Hope you enjoy your stay.”

Chris elbowed Rob awake. Rob glared at him in return.

“Come on. I can’t wait to explore. Look at these buildings and that castle!”

Rob craned his neck to look out the window. “Pretty spectacular. We want to drop our stuff and walk around now?”

Chris bit his lip. “Or maybe a quick ‘nap’ first?”

“I don’t know. I’m kind of hungry,” Rob answered.

He refrained from rolling his eyes. He wasn’t sure if Rob was just tired, but that had gone entirely over his head.

Getting out of the cab, he let Theo take care of paying the driver since they were supposed to be taking turns. So far, only Theo had had a turn, but Chris figured at some point they would just tie him down so he couldn’t reach for his wallet first. In the meantime, it made Theo feel better to pay so Chris was letting him get away with it.

Plus, it was kind of a test to see whether Rob would explode first.

“So, what should we do?” Theo asked, as they pulled their suitcases up the street.

Chris hummed. “Whatever you guys want to do is fine with me.”

“I need a shower. And a nap. And sex. Lots of sex.” Rob turned to grin wickedly at them.

“Great minds and all that. I was just thinking the same thing,” Chris said.

Theo nodded. “Let me check us in since it’s in my name, and you two can wait in the lobby for me.”

“Did you get one room?” He wasn’t sure they’d let you do that with three adults. Weren’t the rooms supposed to be smaller over here?

“Booked a king bed. Figured you two could squish together. It’s going to be roomy compared to when we get on the ship and our twin beds.”

“Whoa. Hold on.” Rob stopped dead. “Twin beds? As in separate beds?”

Chris rolled his eyes. “You didn’t do more than glance at the itinerary, did you? I even gave it to you to read on the plane.”

“I read the parts about where we’re going, not where we’re staying. I totally did not sign up for twin beds. Do you know when the last time I slept alone was?”

“That time when I went to Saskatoon for work, and you had to stay in Calgary to work on a different project. You bitched and complained so much they swore they wouldn’t separate us overnight again.”

Rob threw up his hands. “Exactly! That was years ago. Years!”

“You’ll live.” Chris realized Theo had kept on walking, so he tried to get Rob started walking again.

His frustrating mate wouldn’t budge an inch. “Humph.”

Trying to hide his smile, Chris tilted his head. “Okay. I’ll make it up to you, then. Deal?”

Rob shrugged. “What sort of making it up?”

“Whatever you want.”

“Whatever I want?”

“Promise.”

“That’s a pretty open offer.”

“I trust you. Besides, Theo will protect me.” Chris let out a peal of laughter when Rob mock-swiped at him. “Last one to check in doesn’t get sexual favors tonight.”

“No fair!”

He managed to beat Rob into the hotel by a fraction of an inch, but it was close.

“Welcome to Edinburgh, gentlemen. May I take your bags?”

Chris eyed the older man standing in front of him. Man, he loved the accent. “No, thank you. We’re fine.”

The man held out his hand. “Do you trust me, sir?”

Chris laughed. “Sure.”

“Then let me help you with your bag. You can check in at the counter to your right, and I’ll bring you up when you have your room.”

“Oh, our friend is already checking in.”

“Ah, excellent. He told me to look out for you. He should be finished in a moment and we can be on our way.”

True to his word, the man had them riding up in the elevator a few minutes later. Chris followed him down the hall and into a large room. After waiting for the man to finish giving instructions on the layout of the room and the hotel, Chris thanked him profusely and waved goodbye.

This was a great room. The bed dominated everything, and was covered in blindingly white sheets and pillows. Two chairs were set up under a bank of windows opposite the doorway. The requisite small desk and TV completed the décor, along with a few pictures on the wall, of course. These looked like they must be views of the city itself. Neat.

“I love it here, already. Don’t you just want to keep him up here talking for the rest of the night?” Chris bounced on the large bed, testing it out. He took off his shoes and socks and threw them to the side of the bed.

Rob and Theo exchanged glances. “No,” they said in unison.

Theo bent over to pick up Chris’ shoes and place them beside his and Rob’s near the door. Rob leaned back against the desk and stared intently at Chris.

Chris laughed. “Well, what shall we do to occupy ourselves instead?”

“I think I can come up with a few ideas. Why don’t you keep him warm, Rob, and I’ll check out the rest of the room.”

Rob immediately pounced. Chris gasped into Rob’s mouth as the warm weight of his mate pushed him down into the soft mattress. He wrapped his arms around Rob, gratified to feel him along his body. It was pure torture not being able to touch these men. Their two plane rides and the stop in between were too damned long.

He just didn’t know if he’d ever be able to ignore the dictates of society while they were in public. It was one thing to flirt while they were out at a restaurant in a dark corner, but he didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable by thrusting their relationship in strangers’ faces.

It served to make him appreciate moments like this even more.

Theo finally came down beside the two of them and wrapped one large arm around Rob’s back. He leaned over and nuzzled his way into the kiss. Chris moaned and slid over to accept more of Theo’s weight.

Rob pulled back to start stripping them of their clothes. He was taking his time with it, letting his hands move over every inch of exposed skin as it was revealed. Tees and jeans were lovingly peeled off and discarded. Chris had to smile when he realized Rob hadn’t been wearing any underwear. He didn’t think he’d have been able to keep his hands to himself if he’d known that little tidbit. His own briefs joined Theo’s boxers on the floor and then they were all nude.

Oh, Chris loved the sight of his two men. Acres of tanned muscular skin on display with just the right amount of hair to make things all interesting. All his. No one else could touch these two but him. He loved being naked in front of them, too. He undulated against the bed, glorying in the feel of the soft cotton beneath him and nothing but air above. The heat in their gazes let him know they were appreciating the view as much as he was. There was no city skyline that could compete for his attention, no matter how exotic a locale it was.

As if he were a mind reader, Theo licked a path up Chris’ neck to nibble on his earlobe. “Did you know we have a view of Edinburgh Castle from our windows?”

Chris jerked up with a gasp. “Really?”

“I’m going to take you out tomorrow, and we can explore as much of it as you want.”

“All day?” he moaned.

“All day, whatever you want to do. I’ve even got plans to take Rob out to the Scotch Whisky Experience. There’s a tour. And a tasting after.”

“If you two would stop chit chatting, we could have our very own tasting right now.”

Chris and Theo shared an intimate smile before Chris lay back down again. “Do your worst.”

“Seriously? Don’t tempt me.” Rob pouted. “It would serve you right if I did my worst. Lucky for you, I have high standards of my own.”

“I bet I know what will get the hitch in your giddy up going again. Come on… I promised you could do whatever you wanted, didn’t I?”

“That’s a dangerous proposition,” Theo said. He reached out to steal a kiss from Rob. “I think baby is feeling a little naughty, but just doesn’t want to say it.”

“I think you might be right.” Rob nodded briefly before sitting back on his heels. “What do you think we should do to him?”

Chris bit his lip.

“I think you should lie on your back. You’re tired and deserve a bit of rest,” Theo said.

Oh, he liked where this was going. Chris shuffled over in bed, watching while Rob turned down the covers and got himself situated.

“You brought the lube, didn’t you?” Theo asked suddenly.

“Are you kidding? We’re here for three weeks. I was afraid we’d run out so I brought several bottles of lube.”

Chris thought his eyes might just bug out. Several? Jeez. Only Rob would do that. They couldn’t possibly use that much lube. Could they? No, there was no way. Although, it certainly did give him ideas. They were on holiday, after all. It meant they could do whatever they wanted.

“Don’t worry. We’ll still get lots of sightseeing done. After we appreciate the hills and valleys on display in the room, we can tour and then come back and have some more fun.” Theo grinned at him, before leaning forward for another long, lingering kiss.