Copyright April 8-10, 2001 by Matthew Haldeman-Time

Rating: PG-13

Pairing (so to speak): Nick Carter/Drew Lachey/Brian Littrell

Disclaimer: The young men who comprise 98 Degrees and the Backstreet Boys are their own people.  The author has not met anyone here described, nor does the author mean to suggest that these people act this way in real life.  This writing is a work of fiction.  I make no money from this venture.

Dedication: This slashfic is for Ewan McGregor and the Savage Garden slashers.

Wherein Nick can't sleep, Drew gets cuddled, and Brian's romantic.

Notice: In hindsight, this story is unadulterated sap, but it's short, so try to bear with me.

        Drew pushed his face into his pillow.  "No."

        "I can't sleep," Nick said.

        "I can."

        "When's Brian coming home?"

        Was this what it was like having children?  They annoyed you and asked questions when they knew the answers?  "Tomorrow."

        "Stupid Brian.  He's been gone for years."

        "Three days," Drew corrected, trying to sleep.  Nick couldn't possibly miss Brian after only three days.  Only three days.  A short time.  A very short time.  They were adults.  They weren't so infatuated with each other that a three-day separation, three brief days, a short time...  He missed Brian.  He wanted Brian to come home.  Come home and smile and kiss him and tease Nick and just be home.  Be home.  Be Brian.  At home.  Now.

        "I bet he's never coming back."

        "Tomorrow."  Brian would be home tomorrow.  If he fell asleep, he could wake up and it would be tomorrow and Brian would come home.

        "I bet he forgot about us."

        Drew gave a mental snort.  "Not likely," he muttered into his pillow.  Forget about them?  Who could forget Nick?

        There was a silence.  Nick was about to get to the point.  "He's okay to sleep with.  He doesn't take up much room and he cuddles okay.  Ciuddling him is different from cuddling you.  Feels different.  Different technique."

        Drew decided to give up on pretending to sleep, rolling over and opening his eyes.  "You have specialized cuddling techniques?"

        "Yeah.  You don't?  Think about it.  When you snuggle me or snuggle Brian, you do it differently.  Let me show you.  Here is how I snuggle with my Drew in bed.  I wrap my Drew in a blanket of me.  I put his sexy Drew ass right back against me, my thighs hugging his thighs, my arms all holding him nice and cosy.  I tuck my little Drew under my chin.  Then I cuddle."

        He couldn't be mad about that "little Drew" crack when Nick was snuggling with him like this.

        "Cuddle cuddle cuddle.  Cuddle cuddle cuddle."

        "How do you do it with Brian?"

        "Here.  I put one arm around his waist.  One leg goes between his.  One hand holds the necessaries.  And his head goes right here so I can nuzzle his hair."

        "Oh."

        "It's different, to cuddle Drew or to cuddle Brian."

        It felt different.  His usual cuddle was protective.  This Brian cuddle was more of a cuddle for an equal, maybe.  But not quite...

        "There are variations.  Depending on if we're spooning or facing each other, in bed or sitting.  But this is the basic cuddle."

        "Do you miss cuddling Brian?"

        "It's only been three days."

        "Three days and three nights without cuddling Brian.  And he hasn't been here to get cosy with you."  Drew wriggled and turned, facing Nick.  "I like how he is with you.  When he holds you and touches you.  And puts little kisses down your cheek."

        "Brian's romantic."

        Drew's touch skimmed Nick's cheek.  "I like how he is with me, too."

        "He snuggles up and then he pets you.  It's so cute.  It makes me horny."

        Drew wrapped an arm around Nick's shoulders and rested his cheek on Nick's arm.  "What time is he coming home?"

        Nick kissed his forehead.  "After dinner."

        "That's late.  Can we go and fetch him?"

        "No.  He'll be home soon."

        Drew sighed.  "Give me a good Drew cuddle."

        "Okay.  Cuddle cuddle cuddle."

        Drew snuggled up close to Nick.  "Thank you."

        "You're welcome.  Go to sleep."