Title: "Romeo & Juliet Were Italians" (2/6)
Author/pseudonym:  Mistress Marilyn camelotslash-2 at qwest.net
Fandom:   'Magnum P.I.'
Pairing:  Thomas Magnum/Rick Wright
Rating:   NC-17, although there may be parts without graphic sex
Date:    Written in the early 1980s
Archive:  Yes, contact me first
Series:   Six-part novel
Category: Slash
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Donald P. Bellisario and Glen A. Larson, not to me. Just borrowing them and speculating on their fictional lives.
Summary:  Magnum and Rick become lovers and deal with the outcome, including the reaction of their friends and their own feelings. This story was evidently set during the first season of 'Magnum P.I.' and references many characters from that series.
Warnings: Explicit m/m sex and some violence.

Part Two

"Oh, Thomas. God, that's good."

Magnum, sprawled across the bottom of the bed, looked up at Rick with a smile that curled the corners of his thick mustache. "I thought you kind of liked it," he said.

"No kidding."

Magnum returned his attention to Rick's crotch. He let out a rush of air that he knew would feel warm and moist on Rick's testicles. Then he jogged the tender sac gently with his tongue, watching the brown skin pull tight with excitement.

"Take it easy," he said gently. He heard Rick sigh in answer.

Leaning on his elbows, Magnum pulled his upper body over Rick. He lowered his face to just above the spot on Rick's abdomen where his reddened erection rested. Studying the organ carefully as he moved, he ran his tongue up the shaft, barely touching the sensitive skin. He flicked gently at the ridge, then ran his tongue lightly into the tiny slit on the end. He was enjoying watching the reaction to all of this; the pulsing and sometimes nearly indiscernible jumping of the bloated erection fascinated him. Above him he could hear Rick's breathing and sighing orchestrating his movements. He felt Rick's fingers tangling in his hair, tugging a little. He continued.

"God, Thomas. That's maddening. You're drivin' me crazy."

"Sit up, Rick. Sit on the edge of the bed."

"Huh?"

Magnum helped Rick up, rolling off the bed himself, pulling Rick's legs over the side. He settled on his knees and looked up at Rick. "Come right over to the edge," he said.

Rick did as he was told, shaking his head at Magnum. The left corner of his mouth turned up as he realized what Magnum planned to do.

"Hold on to my shoulders," Magnum instructed, "and don't lean back."

"Okay, Thomas."

Magnum eased himself as close as possible to the bed, still resting on his knees. Then he lowered his lips over Rick's penis, carefully taking the head in his mouth.

Rick's fingers dug into Magnum's shoulders, but he was barely aware of them. He concentrated on the feeling of Rick's erection, poking against the tender skin of his palate. He drew his mouth away, slowly, looking down at the penis with interest; then he closed his mouth over it again, this time sucking gently.

Magnum's hands went around Rick, burrowing into the mattress to grasp Rick's buttocks. He began to squeeze them, in time to the suction of his mouth on Rick's penis. Now he could feel the pressure of Rick's fingers, but he ignored it, concentrating only on what he was doing, completely absorbed. He began to pull Rick's pelvis toward him, then guide it back, pushing from behind with his strong hands that controlled Rick's buttocks. After a moment Rick took over, moving in time to Magnum's rhythm. Magnum relaxed his hands and concentrated on his mouth, creating a small tunnel of suction as Rick moved in and out. Rick's penis was slippery and very warm in Magnum's mouth. Magnum enjoyed the sensation of holding and sucking it with his lips and inner cheeks, only regretting that he was unable to discern the organ's throbbing and twitching because of the speed of the motions.

Rick pushed deeper into Magnum's mouth as he grew more excited, the large head nearly triggering Magnum's gag reflex several times. Magnum concentrated on relaxing his throat while placing his right hand on Rick's penis to slightly control his thrusts. He didn't want to impede Rick, but the head of his erection was large, and Magnum did not want to choke when Rick finally let go. Rick eased up slightly, but Magnum's left hand, which still rested on Rick's buttocks, felt little rivers of perspiration run between Rick's round cheeks to the sheet.

"Thomas ... Thomas, I'm so close -" Rick's words broke off in a gasp.

Magnum, unable to reply or to look straight up at Rick, tried to nod. The ridiculous futility of his effort nearly brought on the giggles, which he was too busy to indulge in. He wondered if Rick, in his excitement, had noticed, but doubted it. He imagined Rick's eyes would be closed now, his face red. He wished he could look at it, but he continued to concentrate solely on Rick's penis, sucking harder when Rick pushed in.

"Do it, Thomas! God ... yes!" Rick cried out and burrowed into Magnum's mouth, fluid spurting from his penis. Magnum pulled quickly back, just a little, to allow room for the thick ejaculate. He swallowed as fast as he could, still sucking between swallows, managing somehow not to choke. He felt pleased as the orgasm died down, the warm semen coming in tinier and tinier eruptions, until Rick's penis had completely relaxed. He had managed the whole thing very well, he felt -- better than ever before. And this was only the third time that he had sucked Rick off!

He released Rick's penis somewhat regretfully, reaching a hand up to wipe away the semen that had managed to escape out of the corners of his mouth. He rubbed his wet mustache thoughtfully, wondering what added sensation it had caused. Rick groaned and flopped back on the bed, kicking out with his feet. Magnum smiled down at him and removed his left hand from beneath Rick's buttocks. He settled back on his haunches.

"How can you be so damn good at that?" he heard Rick say softly. "Jesus."

Magnum stood up, easing the stiffness out of his legs. He stretched out beside Rick, reaching out to ruffle his friend's thick, damp hair. "I'm glad you liked it," he said.

Rick looked over at him. "You get better and better at that, Thomas. You know?"

Magnum didn't answer; he hardly wanted to tell Rick that he had been thinking exactly the same thing.

"I'm 35 years old, Thomas. I never thought I'd find my best sex at 35."

"Maybe you haven't found it yet."

Rick smiled. "Nobody could be any better than you."

"Well, you said that I got better and better. Maybe I haven't reached my prime yet."

Rick laughed. "I hope not, then! If it gets too much better, though, I'll probably have a coronary before I can enjoy it."

"We better get you in better shape. I'll kill you if you die on me now."

The two men exploded in giggles. Magnum reached over and kissed Rick, his tongue lingering between Rick's lips. Rick pulled away and sighed. "No wonder women like to give me head," he said. "My come tastes so damn good."

Magnum giggled again, shrilly, loud laughter breaking in occasionally. Rick smiled, watching Magnum. "Nobody laughs like you," he commented.

"Except you," Magnum said, gasping.

"Yeah."

"So women like to give you head, huh? Just women?"

"Maybe I should rephrase that."

Magnum glanced toward the bedroom door, a slight noise distracting him. Jonathan Higgins, the caretaker of the Robin Masters estate, stood just inside the open doorway. His face had gone blank with shock.

"Higgins!" Magnum sat up and looked over Rick's supine body to the stiff form of the small Englishman. "Don't you ever knock?"

"Well, really Magnum, I ... I did knock. No one answered."

Rick rolled over toward Magnum, shielding his nudity with his hand. Magnum watched him, imagining the nice view of Rick's full buttocks that Higgins was now seeing. He smiled slightly, enjoying the situation.

"Jesus Christ," Rick said. "This is all I need!" He started to grope to his feet, but Magnum pulled him forcibly back, his hand digging into Rick's flesh.

"Cut it out, Rick," he ordered.

Higgins backed out of the room, his face a blank mask. Magnum called to him. "Wait a minute, Higgins. It's all right."

"All right? What the hell do you mean, 'all right!'" Rick struggled against Magnum's grip.

"Magnum, I'd really rather speak to you later. I shouldn't have barged in. I only thought that you and Rick might be inebriated, or some such thing, since I noticed his car outside and it's so late in the day. I mean, he hasn't called in sick."

"You nosey old bastard!" Rick said. "You got a lotta nerve checking up on me!"

"Rick, shut up! I mean it!" Magnum pushed Rick aside and crawled off the bed. He pulled on his shorts and threw Rick's to him. "Higgins," he said, without looking at the man, "I'm sorry you had to come in like that. We didn't hear any knocking. We were busy."

"Well, really Magnum, I'm sure that's none of my business. I'll go now."

Magnum sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "Let's not be children, okay? Rick and I were involved, but we were finished. It's no problem. It's not like you haven't seen hundreds of naked men after all those years in the service! It's nobody's fault."

Rick sat glaring at Higgins and Magnum in turn, his shorts bunched over his crotch. Magnum glanced at him, his eyebrows coming together. He turned back to Higgins.

"I think you should go now, Higgins. Rick and I need to discuss something. I'll come over to the main house in a few minutes."

"As you wish," Higgins said stiffly. He exited without another word.

"Well," Rick began, slapping his thigh; "there goes my job -- and maybe my chance of ever working on this island again! Higgins will get me, Thomas! He'll tell the board and get me fired on some morals clause; then he'll blackball me so I can never work again. It's all over!"

"Knock it off! Just be quiet, Rick! What the hell's wrong with you? Higgins may not approve of your lifestyle, but he's too much of a gentleman to carry tales to the board. I just don't believe he'd ever do that!"

Rick stood up, his shorts dropping to the floor. "Well, you don't know Higgins very well when it comes to me, Thomas! He really can't stand me. He'd love an excuse to get me out of the Club!"

"You're wrong, Rick. You didn't see Higgins' face when you collapsed last year on your terrace. He was really worried about you -- he really cared. Sure, he likes to give you a hard time. He gives me one, too. But when it really comes down to it, Higgins is our friend. He won't do anything to hurt you -- or me. And he knows you're a good manager. He won't get you kicked out of the Club."

Rick studied the floor, silently. Magnum moved over to him, draping Rick's small shoulder with his arm. "It's okay," he said. "Really, you'll see." He bent down and kissed Rick, who was unresponsive. "Come on, let's lie down for a minute," Magnum urged.

Rick sighed and sank down on the bed. Magnum curled around him, kissing the birthmark on Rick's lower back lightly. He breathed heavily into Rick's soft skin. "I won't let anybody hurt you, Rick."

"Oh, Thomas. Shit."

"Believe me. I meant what I said yesterday. I love you. Nobody hurts you if I can help it."

"Thomas, did you ever think that maybe you wouldn't be able to help it?"

Magnum leaned his chin on Rick's shoulder. "No," he said softly, after a second. "Not possible."

"Oh, Thomas, God." Rick leaned his head far back to look into Magnum's face. "You big lug."

"Let go, Rick. Why can't you give in, just a little?"

"I don't know. It's hard."

"I'll go talk to Higgins. I'm sure it'll be okay. You take a shower."

Magnum slid off the bed, reaching for his jeans. He pulled on a shirt, aware that Higgins didn't approve of his parading around bare-chested. "I'll be right back. Wait for me."

"Okay, okay. I'll be here."

Magnum ran back for a quick kiss, satisfied to leave Rick finally smiling. "Love ya'!" he called out as he trotted from the bedroom. His heart felt as light as his feet as he ascended the stairs.

*  *  *  *  *

Higgins was seated at his desk when Magnum walked in. He barely glanced up, continuing to sort through a pile of papers. Magnum moved to the desk, standing with his hands crossed in front of him until Higgins finally spoke.

Higgins looked up, peering at Magnum through his glasses. "Well, Magnum?" he said.

"Uh, Higgins, Rick is worried about what you might think -- about the two of us."

"Really?" Higgins removed his glasses, setting them carefully on the desk. "I can hardly believe that Rick would care what I think -- about anything."

"You know why he does, Higgins. He's afraid of what you might do."

"Do? Do about what?"

"Well, he thinks you're going to tell the board about us, and maybe get him fired for misconduct." Magnum gave a little laugh, to indicate his opinion of Rick's fears.

"Really? My God, that man amazes me! What sort of gossip monger does he take me for? As if I would bother the board with such a ... a sordid matter. I've never complained about his constant string of women, who are usually of questionable breeding and habits --"

"Higgins."

"-- Why should I suddenly object to Rick's moral instability after over eighteen months of having been subjected to his peccadilloes --"

"Higgins!"

"-- One might even say that his settling on one partner is a step up, regardless of whom he chooses --"

"Higgins, that's enough!"

Higgins looked up at Magnum, his eyebrows raised. "Magnum, what are you so upset about?"

"Look, Higgins. I just got through telling Rick that you were our friend! I don't have to stand here and listen to this!"

"Listen to what, Magnum?"

"Listen to you calling what Rick and I have 'sordid!' There's not a damn thing about it that's sordid! It's the best thing that's happened to either of us in years -- maybe in forever, damn it!"

"Magnum, Magnum. Calm yourself, man. I am your friend. I was not trying to aggravate you by my comments, believe me. I really was not attempting to belittle your relationship with Rick."

Magnum hesitated. "Well ... it sounded a little like you were. To tell you the truth, Higgins, I guess I expected a little flak."

"Now that you mention it, I was more than a little surprised to find you and Rick in such a situation. Not necessarily because of your gender, but because of your personalities. You must admit, Magnum, that you and Rick have not been the best of friends these past months."

Magnum sighed and sat down in a large chair facing Higgins. "There were a few rough moments."

"That business with the Randolph woman, for instance. Rick was quite unbalanced about that."

"Like I said --"

"There were many times when he seemed very unfriendly toward you."

"I know, but --"

"I can't help but be curious about how this love affair began. I suppose one could chalk it up to chemistry. Occasionally feelings of antipathy are in reality manifestations of deeper, more basic primal drives. It often occurs that two people -- of whatever sexes -- will actually be repelled by someone who later will draw them. It's a bit like magnets, you know."

Magnum sat listening to Higgins run on, deciding not to interrupt for once. He actually found himself agreeing with Higgins, interested in what he had to say. He and Rick had suffered an up and down relationship in the past few months, with the slightest things setting off sparks. Rick had become increasingly critical of Magnum's life style, and his chronic lack of funds. It was not entirely balanced by the times that Rick would grab Magnum's checks and tear them up. Magnum had become confused, afraid of where his relationship with Rick would end up. He had kept himself from worrying too much by reminding himself of the rough times that Rick had recently had in his romantic life. Still, he had never dreamed where the situation would take them; the night Rick had come to cook him dinner he had been merely happy that they were getting along well. Now he wondered exactly how long Rick had thought about the possibility of a physical relationship. Certainly before it came about, Magnum thought. But why then was Rick so standoffish? Everything pointed to Rick being far ahead of Magnum in recognizing the attraction and the deep affection. Why did he deny his feelings?

"Magnum. I say, Magnum! Are you listening?"

"What, Higgins? I kind of drifted off there."

"Yes, I noticed. Ah well, no harm done. I was merely saying that no doubt Rick made the first move."

Had he? Hadn't Magnum been the one to give the first real kiss? Magnum remembered how Rick had been teasing him before they actually ended up in 'the clinch.' Rick had set up the entire evening: the food, wine, and beer. It had surely been Rick who had initiated the first, leading physical contact. Higgins was right.

"Yes. I guess he did."

"It's none of my business, of course, but ..."

Magnum looked up. "What? Go ahead."

"Is there some difficulty? Rick does not seem exactly sure of the situation."

Magnum let out his breath loudly. "Rick is afraid, that's all. It's a big commitment for him to make. He's used to falling in and out of love every few weeks, or just hitting one night stands all the time. I think he's afraid of how serious I am."

"You're that serious, lad?"

Magnum nodded decisively. "Yes. I'm serious. I love Rick, and I intend to prove it to him. I think ... maybe he wants this more than me, in a way."

Higgins stood up. "You're probably right, lad. Well, let's have a drink to it, anyway."

Magnum smiled as Higgins poured two whiskeys. A wave of fondness for the little man filled him. It hadn't really been difficult at all to talk to Higgins about his feelings for Rick. It hadn't been difficult to tell T.C. Magnum sat, watching Higgins' approach with the glass, thinking that there was no one in the world he could imagine being really difficult. With the possible exception of Rick.

"To the Regiment!" Higgins toasted, taking a small swallow.

"To the Regiment," Magnum echoed.

Higgins voice softened. "And to you and Rick, God help you. May everything go well."

"To Rick and me."

The two men downed their drinks. Magnum stood up with a sigh. "Thanks, Higgins. I'll tell Rick to stop worrying."

"Do so. Then invite him over for a drink, why don't you?"

Magnum grinned, unable to resist the impulse to touch Higgins' shoulder.

Higgins grimaced a little, a smile too evident beneath his expression. "Well," he said dryly, "I should have expected you to show some change in tendencies."

Magnum laughed. "That's what I get, I guess. It's my own fault."

"For the record, Magnum. I really think that Rick's a lucky man. I hope he realizes what he's getting."

Magnum looked at Higgins in silence, his mouth slightly open. For a moment he didn't know what to say. He was afraid of becoming too familiar, of perhaps overplaying his role with Higgins.

"I'm sure he doesn't," Higgins continued, saving the moment. "One shouldn't expect too much."

Magnum smiled a very small smile. "I think I'm getting a hell of a lot, too." His voice became a little choked. Annoyed with himself, he moved to the door.

"Perhaps," Higgins answered.

Magnum hurried from the room, afraid to stay any longer. Hell, he thought, I'll be crying like a baby in a minute. Maybe this is having some sort of an effect on my masculinity. As if you care, he told himself. Where the hell had he filed his definition of a man? What did it matter?

I can't wait to be with Rick again, he thought. I can't wait to take him to Higgins and hold him in front of the man and show my possession. It was no wonder he hadn't minded Higgins' interruption in the guesthouse. He actually wanted the man to see! He wished the whole damn world could see. But since that was impossible, he would have to make due with his close friends.

He wished for a moment that he could sit and brag about his developing skill at oral sex. It was something he was very proud of. He shook his head a little at himself, rounding the corner toward the guesthouse. He had never before in his life wanted to talk about his own sexual skill. Had he ever been this sure of it before?

He looked up at the terrace of the guesthouse. Rick stood, leaning over the railing, looking down at him. He smiled up at him, imagining Rick on a balcony for a brief, fanciful moment. The afternoon sun shone in Rick's hair, making it almost blonde. He looked beautiful.

"Hi!" Magnum called. "I'm back!"

End Part Two