Brothers or Boyfriends: Chapter 10

Kenneth kissed Cristoff goodbye and headed out the door as though it was any other work day. His stomach was topped off with eggs, sausage, and a gainer shake. He wore a snug black tee tucked into cargo pants that propped up his muffin top and accentuated his posterior. With every step his body jiggled joyously. He greeted the morning air with excitement and headed straight for his favorite coffee shop.

After ordering a massive caramel frappuccino with a slice of coffee cake and a slice of lemon cake, he found a seat. He set up his laptop and scooted his chair in until his belly pressed against the wooden edge of the table. He loved how he was able to do this now. Looking around, he was the third fattest guy in the room but he stood out as the most buff. He felt like a king as he munched on his treats and tried to stay busy to pass the time.

Finally, it was twelve o’clock. He packed up his belongings, ordered another frappuccino for the road, and walked a few blocks to the bookstore. It was a surprisingly warm day and he found himself sweating and his legs slightly chafing, a new experience, when he arrived. There was a line down the block for entrance and although he probably could have cut everyone, he waited patiently.

The sun beat down overhead and Kenneth found himself regretting the choice of a black shirt. He felt the sweat from his armpits collect in the fold his love handles created at his side. A bit lower he had full blown swamp ass and was surely sweating through his underwear. Cristoff would surely be suspicious when Kenneth returned home looking damp and sunkissed. Kenneth hated lying, but he had no choice. Cristoff would never have been okay with this. Nervousness swept over Kenneth causing him to belch into his fist and then fish out a protein bar that he demolished in seconds.

After about ten minutes he showed his ticket at the entrance and stepped inside to lovely air conditioning. He grabbed a free cup of tea and glimpsed Jude from across the room. Jude was talking to someone, likely his manager, from inside a mostly obscured storage room. Kenneth felt butterflies in his stomach. He took a deep breath and found a seat.

The chairs were those collapsable plastic ones he associated with school assemblies. He hadn’t sat in one in ages and was startled by the degree to which it creaked and flexed under his weight. He now understood how a larger guy could crush such a chair. Thankfully, he wasn’t that big, yet. Eventually all the seats were taken by annoyingly disheveled fans of Jude’s and the lights slightly dimmed.

Jude emerged from the stock room to much applause. Kenneth’s eyes drank up every inch. He wore a snug navy tee with an unbuttoned cardigan draped over it. The lines of the cardigan accentuated the degree to which his belly pushed forward before him and hung over the waistband of his crisp denim pants. Jude looked more put together than usual and Kenneth could tell he felt a bit restricted, literally and metaphorically, by the clothing.

Kenneth tried to discern whether Jude had put on weight but it was hard to tell. The curve of his overhang seemed more pronounced but it might have been wishful thinking. It subtly wobbled with each step he took forward. He took a seat on a rather uncomfortable looking stool set before a microphone. His gut pushed forward and formed a drooping oval atop his lap. He smiled and thanked the audience. His scruffy face and cherubic cheeks looked charming as ever. Kenneth wanted to kiss him so badly.

Just before Jude cracked the book open to begin reading, he locked eyes with Kenneth. There was a subtle glint of surprise in his eyes, and as he looked down at the book in his hand he fought back a grin. Kenneth’s heart skipped a beat.

The reading was followed by a Q&A that Jude handled with aplomb. He was a natural in front of an audience. Afterwards, a line formed for the book signing which Kenneth joined near the end. Kenneth was bursting with nervousness every step closer to Jude. He hoped he would be warmly received. He hoped his attendance didn’t seem creepy. As he got closer to the front of the line he caught Jude glancing at him between chatting with fans. Finally, he was next in line, and as he stepped up to the booth he could’ve exploded with desire.

Jude looked him up and down smiling from ear to ear.

“Well look at you,” he said suggestively. “I’m so happy to see you here.”

“Couldn’t miss it,” Kenneth blushed and held out his book for signature. “You were great.”

“Thank you,” he paused while writing a long note inside the book and handing it back to Kenneth. “I should be done here pretty soon, around one. Let’s grab a bite after?”

“I’d love to.”

They shared a prolonged and heavy eye contact before Kenneth scurried off. Outside, he cracked the book and read Jude’s note. It was incredibly sweet and made Jude want to jump up and down like a teenage girl. He felt ridiculous but he couldn’t help it.

Twenty minutes later Jude exited the shop and gave Kenneth a massive bear hug, pulling him in tight and nuzzling his scruff against Kenneth’s neck. His body felt warm and soft just as Kenneth remembered, and the smell of his musky beard had Kenneth unknowingly leaking precum. They held this position for several seconds and it took Kenneth’s every restraint not to fondle Jude’s belly or cock, or at least squeeze one of his bulbous love handles. When Jude finally pulled back he held Kenneth’s belly in both hands and gave it a pat. He was clearly taking stock of Kenneth’s growth since they last saw each other several months ago. It almost seemed as though he was proud.

“You must be hungry,” Jude grinned. “I sure am.”

“Always.”

“I know a great spot around the corner. They have the best cheesecake in town.”