Together Part Eleven

Together, seventh in "Living"

Rating: NC-17 for graphic male-male sex

Disclaimer: The young men who comprise the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and 98 Degrees 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. A bit of thanks goes to Georgina.

Notice: There are six stories that come before this one. Read those first. I'll wait.

Warning: "Together" includes depictions of, discussion of, and references to, consensual incest.

Together we have seen -"The Answer to Our Life"

"Together" Part Eleven:
What can I do to make you mine / Falling so hard, so fast this time -"How Did I Fall in Love with You"

"We're looking for a pixie, Drew said he missed me, we're going on a pixie hunt, let's go lick some pixie cunt. We're looking for a pixie, Drew said he missed me, hello my name is Nick, would you like to suck my dick? We're looking for a pixie-"

"This is the worst song I've ever heard."

"Was I overemoting? Hey, Jimmy, have you seen Brian?"

"White guy, about five seven, blue eyes?"

"Yeah."

"Upstairs."

"Thanks." Nick led Drew to the stairs. In the stairwell, when the door closed behind them, he called out, "Drew stop!"

"What?"

"Drew stop. Like a pit stop, only for Drew time. Or do you like Drew break better? Bathroom break, coffee break, Drew break."

"What do you do during a Drew stop or a Drew break?" Drew asked.

"This." Nick leaned down and kissed Drew, tilting up Drew's face with one hand. He opened Drew's mouth, letting his tongue roam freely inside the hot wet confines. A slow hand was cupping the back of his head, pulling him closer, sliding through his hair. Drew, Drew, he was kissing Drew, Drew was kissing him, after ages and aches he was with Drew again.

But he wasn't with Brian.

Nick lifted his head and watched Drew's eyes flare with want. God damn. He had to get this man into bed fast. He had a little Drew sex time bomb on his hands. After quickly calculating the odds of getting caught if he took Drew right now on the stairs, Nick decided to wait. Holding Drew's hand again, he took the stairs two at a time.

Fourth floor. Nick hummed his new Pixie Song.

"That one verse," Drew said.

"Which one?"

"The one... 'We're going on a pixie hunt.'"

"Yeah?"

"The next line."

"Yes?"

"You're not going to make me say it."

"'Let's go lick some pixie cunt.'"

"Brian doesn't have a..."

"I want to lick him anyway. Guess where."

"Everywhere."

Nick laughed. "Good guess." He heard voices in the lounge and abruptly flattened himself against the wall.

"Nick, what?"

"Found him."

"Aren't you going to go talk to him?"

"You go."

"Go talk to him," Drew urged.

"He's busy."

"They're leaving."

"Is he coming this way?"

"He's staying in there."

"What's he doing?"

"Sitting in the windowsill, looking at the people outside."

"Get the fuck away from the window," Nick whispered, closing his eyes.

"It's okay," Drew said, and stroked his arm. "The security's good out there."

"Is he alone?"

"Yes."

Nick opened his eyes. "Go talk to him."

"You first," Drew said gently.

"I don't want to talk to him."

"Yes, you do."

"He sucks."

"No, he doesn't."

"I hate him."

"You love him."

"He doesn't love me."

"Yes, he does. You know he does. You're his Nick."

"He's too good for me," Nick whispered.

Drew's hands were firm on Nick's chest. "No one is too good for you."

Nick closed his eyes, miserable, not wanting to look at Drew anymore. "You're too good for me but you love me anyway and I'm never letting you go because you're my Drew and you're my chance and I'm keeping you forever. Brian's too good for me and..." His voice broke and he stopped, squeezing his eyes shut tighter, denying the pain.

"Your chance for what? Nick, you said that I'm your chance. What chance?"

"To be happy," he whispered.

There was a long silence.

Nick opened his eyes.

There were tears on Drew's cheeks.

No, no, no, Drew couldn't cry, no Drew tears. Appalled, Nick tried to wipe away the evidence. Drew was looking up at him with wide, wet eyes. This was a very quiet Drew. Nick didn't know what to do. Drew was upset. He needed to fix his Drew. Brian. Nick took Drew's hand one more time and walked into the lounge.

Brian was resting in the broad windowsill, looking out over the crowds. He turned a little, seeing Nick and Drew. He had flawless skin and pretty eyes and beautifully sculpted features.

"Fix my Drew."

A slight frown crossed Brian's face. He held out a hand, and Drew came closer. "What's wrong?"

Drew coughed and wiped away his remaining tears. He sniffed and said, "Nick wants to talk to you."

Nick thought very hard about being invisible.

"About what?" Brian asked, not looking at Nick at all. Maybe he was invisible. Good.

Drew got very close to Brian and whispered something in Brian's ear. Blue eyes closed and Brian inhaled slowly. There was a new look on Brian's face, something deliciously sexual, when Drew stepped back again.

"He was so pretty," Brian said in a soft bedroom voice, his accent sliding in richly out of nowhere. He opened his eyes. "His skin was pale and clear and smooth. His eyes looked so innocent, but then he'd look at me and I knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted me to fuck him. Hard."

Nick was in the Twilight Zone.

"When he got embarrassed, his fair skin turned red, and the heat in his cheeks brought heat to my groin."

Was Brian talking about who Nick thought he was talking about?

"He was never embarrassed about wanting me."

Never.

"His neck was so long and slender, he was so young... He was innocent but he knew what he wanted. He wasn't going to wait until he got older. He knew what he wanted, right then, and he was going to have it."

Brian.

"He was mine from the first second we met. I loved him like he was my best friend, my brother, my family, my own."

Brian's. Always.

"I couldn't get away from him, he caught my heart, we couldn't be separated. I was five years older, and when you're that age, it's a big difference. But it didn't matter. He was my best friend."

Frick.

"Frack."

Brian.

"Nick. I loved him. It was as natural as breathing. As necessary as breath."

Yes.

"He was a boy, and then he was a young man; and now he's all grown up, and I want him more than ever. And I wanted him so badly. That slender teenager who did everything he could to get me into his bed. And when I got there, I knew I could never leave. The greatest pleasure of my life, for the longest time, was the look on Nick's face when he came."

Nick knew that feeling.

Brian looked at something far away. "They said, 'There's a hole in your heart.' I thought, of course there is. Nick has a part of it."

Nick's chest tightened.

"There have been other people in my bed. There was never anyone but Nick in my heart. Until you."

Drew stepped closer as though feeling Brian's magnetic pull.

Brian touched Drew's face. There was no question whether Brian had Drew privileges.

Drew kissed Brian.

"I love you," Brian said.

"Tell me about the shower again," Drew said.

"The water was hot. I was naked."

Nick swallowed.

"He stepped in behind me. His slender, young body was naked. His penis was soft and very pretty. He kissed me and I said no, and I pushed him away from me. I knew that we shouldn't. Drew, you should have seen him. He looked so hurt, and I knew he wanted me, and I knew I wanted him, and I knew it was wrong but I couldn't stand to turn him away anymore. My pretty, pretty Nick was right there in front of me, getting wet, and his eyes were telling me that he knew we belonged together, and my heart was telling me that we belonged together, and I knew that if we didn't do it that night, we'd do it the next, or the next. I touched his skin, his soft boy skin, and I kissed him, his soft boy lips. I knew he'd kissed before and I knew he'd had sex before, but he was a virgin for me."

Yes.

"His kiss was so sweet in my mouth."

Brian.

"I got on my knees and sucked his pretty boy sex."

God, yes.

"Nick came in my mouth for the very first time." Brian closed his eyes. "I knew I had to do it again."

No one breathed.

Brian looked at Drew. "What was he like in your mouth the first time?"

"I wanted more," Drew said.

"Why?" Brian asked.

"He liked it. I wanted to make him come. He...he comes and...it makes him feel good. I like it when he... Nick turns me on."

"You love him."

"I love him."

"No matter what."

"Forever."

Brian gave Drew a slow, small kiss. A benediction. Then he looked up, looked past Drew to Nick, for the first time. "What do you want?"

Nick felt as though he'd been slapped. His throat didn't work. His vision blurred. He wanted to explain, but there was nothing to explain.

Drew turned and looked at him. He waited, knowing what would come next. Drew would realize, recognize, finally. He'd been expecting this moment, the time when Drew would finally see him for what he was. Especially now, Drew couldn't mistake it any longer. In comparison with the boy in the shower, in comparison with Brian, Nick had nothing to offer.

Drew held out a hand to him. "Come and talk to my Brian, Nick."

Drew's Brian. Brian was Drew's. Could anyone claim Brian? Nick looked at Drew's hand. The left one. Masculine hand, short round fingernails, watch around the wrist. Rings. One ring. Two rings. One for engagement, a promise. One for marriage, a commitment. To Brian. But he'd supplied the rings, and his name was inside the one. A promise, a commitment, put forward by him, facilitated by him, overseen by him, with his own contract tucked neatly inside.

Nick took Drew's hand, let Drew guide him forward. They stood before Brian together.

He looked at Brian.

"Tell him what you were trying to say to me," Drew said.

Nick swallowed. He was not going to cry. He was an adult, and a man. He had balls. "I have balls."

"Not that," Drew said. "The other thing."

He hadn't meant to say that. He tried again. "I'm sorry that I hit you. I'm sorry that I was mean to you. I'm sorry that I was mean to Drew. I know you'd never be with someone else behind his back."

Drew's hand was reassuring. Anchoring. Strengthening. Drew was strong. Drew believed in him.

"I know that I'm not good enough for you, and I know that I don't deserve you," Nick told Brian. "I'm in love with you. I gave you my Drew because I loved you and I loved him and you're both so good I knew there was no one else who'd ever be right for you. You were the two people who meant more to me than anything else, and I knew you belonged together. So I brought you together. And you were in love. And it was..." He stopped, counted to ten, and kept going. "I wanted to keep you together, I wanted to make it real and forever. I couldn't let you lose that. So I got the rings and you proposed and it was right. I did the right thing. It was the best thing I've ever done."

Brian was looking at him.

"Now you're together. And you're in love. And it's right for you, you're good for each other, you're so good together... Drew loves me. He does. Please let him keep loving me. He's all I have."

"You don't have anything else?" Brian asked.

"I'm rich and famous and I have friends, but there's nothing in my life more important than Drew. Please. I love him. He loves me and he thinks I'm a good person. I love you and please, let me keep him. Don't take him away from me."

"You think that I could?"

"Drew loves me. He gets stubborn sometimes, so maybe you couldn't make him stop loving me, but you could take him away from me."

"How?"

"If you made him choose."

"He'd choose me."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Nick went down on his knees, before Brian, holding onto Drew's hand. "Don't make me say it."

"Why, Nick?"

He looked away, ashamed.

"Why would Drew choose me?"

"You belong in heaven and I'm nothing but a whore."

Drew was still holding his hand.

Drew didn't let go.

Brian spoke. "I fell in love with a beautiful boy who was a rich contrast of innocence and knowledge. I am the person I am today in part because of him. I thought that there could be no truer love."

Nick was in pain.

"I was wrong."

He was ready for the killing blow.

"I didn't know what love was, Nick. You showed me. You taught me. Everything I know about love, I learned from you. And I have fallen in love, fully, with the man you are today."

Something inside Nick tore.

Brian slid down from the windowsill, crouched before him, put a hand on his lowered head. "I love you, Nick. You can't stop me. I'll love you and love you and love you until you give in and let me. My love for you is merciless."

No, no. Nick raised his head, met Brian's eyes, gripped Brian's shirt. "You can't."

"I do."

"You can't, you can't!"

"I love you, Nick."

"I'm no good, you're too good, you could have everything."

"I already do."

"I don't have anything to give you! Take Drew, he's almost as perfect as you are."

"I already have Drew. You gave him to me."

"You don't need me. You have him, that's all you can ever need."

"I love you, Nick." Brian kissed his cheek and smoothed his hair. "Try and stop me."

"I hate you." He was pulled into Brian's embrace, his head on Brian's shoulder. "I hate you." Brian sat and held him close, soothing him. "I hate you."

"You don't hate me, Nick. You hate yourself."

Drew was there, leaning over him, one hand rubbing over his back. "Tell me you love me, Nick."

His Drew. "I love you."

"Tell Brian you love him."

No.

"Tell him."

No.

Drew pulled his ear. "Tell him."

No.

Drew kissed his cheek. "Tell him."

No. Nick turned away from Drew.

"Tell him." Drew was poking him, so he burrowed further into Brian. "Tell him." No tickling! "Tell him." Nick hid in Brian's embrace. "Tell him! Tell him! Tell him!" Drew was an irritating little person, and Nick was going to have to punish him. Drew started pulling his hair, and Brian protected him and kissed his hair and kissed his temple and kissed his cheek and kissed his mouth.

Brian was kissing him. Nick forgot what to do. What was this kiss, what was happening? It was new and soft and wet and thrilling. He heard himself make a small sound of shocked excitement. Brian's tongue was touching his tongue. He curled his fingers in Brian's shirt and let Brian kiss him some more.

Chris knocked.

Howie opened the door.

Chris walked into the room.

Howie locked the door.

The tender, hot kiss ended, and Nick was vaguely aware of Drew helping him to his feet. Brian stood, too, and kissed Drew's ear, and said, right to Nick, "Make love to me tonight."

"No," Drew said. "He's making love to me tonight."

"Me," Brian said.

"Me," Drew argued.

"Me."

"Me!"

"Both of us," Brian decided.

"Okay," Drew said. Then, "Me first."

"Me first!"

Nick felt pleasantly dizzy. He went to the sofa and sat. Within seconds, Drew and Brian were fighting each other for lap space. Then he had a cuddly Brian on one side and a cosy Drew on the other, and they started petting each other, and life was very, very good.

JC was asleep. He was naked, sleeping on top of the rumpled sheets like a hedonist. Or a young god.

Justin pushed himself up onto one elbow. He couldn't move too far away without disturbing JC, who always woke up even if Justin just got up to pee. Justin propped his weight on his right arm, then reached across JC's body, his left hand behind JC's back on the mattress. Leaning over JC's side, Justin tried to get a good look at JC's ass. JC's hips were turned away just enough to frustrate Justin's gaze.

Justin's left hand rested on JC's pelvis. He pushed just a little, and JC's hips instinctively followed his touch, tilting as he wanted. Justin leaned over again for another look. Perfect. Oh. Beyond perfect. Justin couldn't resist leaning down and pressing a kiss to the soft flesh of JC's ass. Slow kisses over the tattoo, wet kisses following the rounded curve.

Someone knocked at the door.

Justin looked up and glared. How dare anyone interrupt? No, he was not getting up and leaving JC just to talk to somebody. He was staying right here.

Knock.

Lance. Justin recognized the knock. Shit. He nibbled on his lower lip.

JC sighed and shifted. His hips moved, up a little and then down, and Justin's mouth watered.

"I know you're in there," Lance said.

Justin gave one last kiss. Then another. Then one more. Just one more. He forced himself from the bed, pulling on jeans, opening the door. Then he slammed the door shut and ran back and pulled the covers over JC.

Justin opened the door again.

"Sorry," Lance said. "Thought you guys might want to know there's going to be a major, full-hotel party. Starts in half an hour."

"The whole place?"

"Yeah. So get dressed."

A party sounded good. "Thanks."

"Sure." Lance's gaze drifted over Justin's shoulder, and stopped.

Justin waited. Waited. Smiled. Waited some more.

Justin heard JC, behind him on the bed, move.

Lance's jaw dropped.

Justin coughed.

Lance jerked back to attention, turning bright red. "See you then." He left.

Justin permitted himself a small smirk, locking the door and shedding his jeans. He climbed on top of JC, dropping kisses over JC's spine. "JC, wake up. JC. JC."

"What is it?" JC asked, half asleep.

"JC, I'm hard."

"What do you need, baby?"

"I'm hard, JC," he insisted.

JC rolled over beneath him, eyes opening, mind pushing away sleep. JC looked. "No, you're not."

"I should be. Do something about it."

JC smiled. "Didn't we just make love?"

"There's a party in half an hour. You want me now, or you want to get hot later and drag me off in front of everybody?"

"If the party starts in half an hour, we don't have time to make love," JC said.

Justin loved this man.

A tantalizing red shimmer laced through rich, deep brown. Chris lifted Howie's hair off of Howie's neck, kissed one naked shoulder. Howie leaned back against him, and he kissed Howie's neck, licked at the top of Howie's spine.

"I love you," Howie said. His long lashes were lowered, his voice husky with emotion.

Chris kissed the curve of one shoulderblade.

Nick had been having the time of his life, sitting there with his angels, comfortable and talking and enjoying the luxury of time spent together. Then people invaded, and a party started. What lousy timing. He wanted to kick everybody out. But Drew wouldn't let him, and Brian led them downstairs.

The third floor was jumping. There was rap at one end of the hallway, and Guns 'n' Roses at the other end. Not Nick's favorite combination. To combat the noise, a group of *NSYNC people were shouting Limp Bizkit lyrics.

The second floor was quieter, relatively, but already full of happy people with alcohol. Nick was sure that some of these people were not with any of the bands but were friends, locals, and groupies. Kevin was already making time with a pretty girl who was probably too young for him.

The first floor was bustling. Nick met Justin Jeffre's girlfriend. He hadn't known that Justin had a girlfriend, but damn, she had the prettiest smile. Drew told him that Justin had only met her last week but was already starry-eyed.

"You found your pixie."

Nick turned and grinned at Jeff. "He kissed me."

"Good for him," Jeff said.

Nick remembered something. He pulled Brian closer and said, "I gave Jeff and Nick Drew privileges."

"Drew..." Brian understood. "Are you sure?"

"There's enough of Drew to go around."

Brian kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"And guess what?"

"What?" Brian asked, teasing.

There was a sparkle in Brian's eyes. Nick wanted him. "Jeff gave me Nick privileges."

Brian smiled slowly. He was enjoying this idea.

"Can Brian have Nick privileges, too?" Nick asked Jeff.

Jeff thought about it. "All right. Don't damage the merchandise."

"We'll be good," Nick promised. "Jeff..."

Jeff waited, smiling.

"Jeff, may we please have Jeff privileges, too?"

Jeff's smile increased. "No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Brian, you ask him."

"Have you seen Nick?" Jeff asked, changing the subject. Nick smiled, surprised and pleased. Jeff didn't want Brian to ask. Oh, this was going to be good.

"You lost him?" Drew asked.

"He was around here somewhere," Jeff said.

"Let's go look," Nick said. "I'll go look with Drew. You go look with Brian." He took Drew's hand and started off, leaving Brian and Jeff behind together.

"Sneaky," Drew murmured.

"I'm bad," Nick agreed. "Where should we look for him? Is there a big ugly stupid room around here?"

"When are you ever going to be nice to him?"

"When he learns to sing."

"Nick!"

"Where?"

"I meant you."

"Who?"

"Stop that. Oh." Drew stopped short. Nick stopped, too, trying to figure out what Drew was looking - - oh holy mother of orgasms.

Nick's mind sputtered. His brain was deprived of oxygen because all of his blood was rushing to his groin. He tried to breathe. "Drew, when did your brother start dressing like that?"

"Today. I'm sure I'd remember if he'd done it before."

"Help me get him behind a locked door."

"Okay."

"Or we can do him right here."

"Okay."

Nick saw them and smiled. He was coming in their direction.

Nick was coming, too.

Oh, bad joke. Oh, hello, hello Nick, hello Nick's body. Hello edible collarbone and broad shoulders and muscular this and tight that and sexy sexy gorgeous everything.

"Hi," Nick said to them. "Did you find Brian?"

"There's an emergency," Nick said. "We have to talk to you in private."

"Are you-"

"Private. Where's a room?"

"There's a-"

"Hurry, gotta go."

"Are you-"

"Now!"

Nick, suspicious, looked to Drew for confirmation. "It's urgent," Drew said. Suspicion turned to worry, and Nick started off to find some privacy. They followed, trying to keep their hands to themselves.

The piano room was empty, so they went in there, Nick flipping on the light.

Nick closed the door.

"What's wrong?" Nick asked.

"Jeff's looking for you," Nick said.

Nick waited. That was it. "That's it?"

"Yeah," Drew said. "Jeff's looking for you."

"Then why we are in here?"

"If you get lost, you're supposed to stay in one place," Nick said.

"I was in one place. Now I'm in here with you. How's he supposed to find me with the door closed?"

"It's an experiment," Nick said.

Nick crossed his arms over his chest.

"To see if one mate can locate the other."

"How?" Nick asked, not impressed in the slightest.

"If you start sending out signals, he should be able to find you."

"Signals," Nick repeated.

"Sex signals."

"And how am I supposed to start sending out sex signals?"

"We can help you," Nick said.

Nick's eyes widened and he backed up a little.

"Jeff gave me Nick privileges," Nick said, and stepped forward.

"That doesn't mean you can jump me whenever you want," Nick said.

"I'm going to pet you."

"You are not. Drew, call him off."

"Drew wants to pet you, too. You smell good. Why do you smell good?"

"Jeff bought it for him," Drew said.

"Jeff has good taste in cologne," Nick said. He eyed Nick. "Jeff has good taste in a lot of things."

"Carter, don't you dare," Nick warned.

"Just a little."

Nick backed into the piano. "Drew, do something."

"Hold still," Nick said.

"Wait," Nick said desperately.

"For what?" Nick asked.

"Don't let him watch." Nick swallowed.

"You're kidding," Drew said.

"You're serious," Nick said. "He's serious. Drew, go stand in the corner."

"I am not four years old," Drew said.

"Drew, be a good boy for Nicky and go stand in the corner," Nick coaxed.

Drew put on his stubborn face, glared at them, and went to stand in the corner, facing away from them.

Nick met Nick's eyes. Nick was breathing just a little too fast, and looked nervous. Nick had no idea why, since Nick wasn't new to this whole thing. Anyone who regularly got it on with Jeff shouldn't be afraid of a little kissy kissy.

"Don't be scared."

"I'm not scared."

"It won't hurt a bit."

"I'm not afraid of you."

"Let me touch you."

Nick's eyes darted.

"I want to seduce you."

"Don't you dare."

"Just a little."

"Carter, you already have Brian and Drew eating out of your hand. You're not adding me to the list."

Was that what Nick thought? Wow. He'd had no idea. "But I want a full set. Collect all four. I have Brian and Drew, I'm working on Jeff, now I just need you."

"No way."

"Let me seduce you."

"No."

"Just once."

"No."

"Do you want to see me naked?"

"No!"

"I do," Drew said from the corner.

"I look good naked," Nick said. "Want to see?"

"No!"

"I've seen you naked. I've seen Jeff naked. I want to suck him. Do you suck him?"

"Don't start, Carter."

"You have a pretty cocksucker's mouth. Do you want to suck my cock?"

"No."

"Drew sucks my cock. Drew likes to suck me."

Nick licked his lips, nervous.

Nick went weak in the knees but struggled to maintain his composure. "Are you a good cocksucker?"

"Drew, you say one word, I'll hit you," Nick said.

"He already told me how good you are," Nick said. "Drew thinks you're good. I bet Jeff thinks you're good, too. Are you good, Nick? You like to suck cock?"

"He told you?" Nick demanded.

"You can suck me if you want."

"I don't want!"

"I'll suck you."

"Don't you dare."

"I'm good."

"I doubt that."

"You know what else I'm good at?"

"I don't want to know."

"Everything."

"Carter, would you just do to me what you want to do and leave me alone?"

"Can I?"

"Yes! Just get it over with."

"Can Drew watch?"

"No."

"Damn. But I can...I can have Nick privileges?"

"Yes, yes, just do it."

Nick wanted to shout his triumph, but managed to stay relatively calm while his blood danced in his veins. He had Jeff's permission. He had Nick's permission. He had Brian and Drew's permission. He could pet Nick. "Lick your lips."

"No."

"Just once."

"No."

"I'll lick them for you."

"Back off." Nick licked his lips.

"Slower."

"Carter-"

"Slower."

A slow, broad tongue licked a heart-throbbing path over full lips.

"Show me your dimples."

Nick glared at him first, but displayed deep, sexy dimples on command.

"Pout for me."

"Carter, I'm not-"

"Do it."

Nick looked like he was getting a headache, but pouted as requested.

"Kiss me."

"No."

"Kiss me."

"No."

"Kiss me!"

"I'll do it," Drew volunteered.

"You're not here," Nick said. "Now, you, kiss me."

"No."

"I'll kiss you."

"No!"

"You said I could do what I wanted."

"You're not kissing me."

"You know what?"

"What?"

"I want to have sex with you."

"That's it." Nick stepped forward, into Nick's personal space. "You are not having sex with me and you are not kissing me and you are not doing anything else!" A strong hand pushed Nick back into the wall. "You know what, Carter?"

"Oh my god," Nick said.

"I know what you want."

"Oh my god."

"You want my mouth."

"Oh my..."

"On your dick."

"...god."

"And you know what, Carter?"

"Oh."

"You're going to get it."

"My."

"Tonight."

"God."

"You know what else?"

"What?" Nick asked, sounding as weak as he felt.

"I'm going to let you suck Jeff."

Nick felt dizzy. "You wouldn't."

"I would."

"No."

"Yes." Nick was looking smug. Bastard.

"You'd never let me do that."

"Tonight."

"I don't know how."

"I can show you."

Oh, god... There was a knock at the door. "Go away!" To Nick, he said, "I don't want to."

"You don't want to?" Nick asked him, not believing for a second.

"Nick?" Brian's voice asked.

"I don't want to," Nick repeated quickly.

"You don't want to," Nick said, crossing his arms over his chest. Damn it, he had to know what that looked like. The stupid Neanderthal was doing it on purpose.

The door was opening and Brian asked, "You don't want to what?"

"Nothing," Nick said.

"He doesn't want to suck Jeff's cock," Drew said from the corner.

"You be quiet," Nick said. Bad Drew.

"That's too bad," Jeff said, and closed the door.

Oh...shit.

Nick smirked at him. Smug Neanderthal was going to pay for this. He was surrounded by badness here. Smirking Neanderthal and Jeff and bad Drew. Brian, Brian would save him. He turned to Brian for help.

"Have you been getting in trouble?" Brian asked.

"No," he said. "Nick's being mean to me." He thought quickly. "Jeff gave Brian Nick privileges," he informed the smug Neanderthal.

The smug Neanderthal suddenly looked a whole lot less smug.

"Why is Drew in the corner?" Jeff asked.

"We put him there when we're not using him," Nick said. "How's the party going?"

"It's a little boring," Jeff said. "Do you know any fun party games?"

Jeff's eyes were wicked. Nick liked this. "Pin the Tail on the Neanderthal," he suggested.

"Can we make him stand in the corner?" Nick asked.

"Spin the Bottle," Nick said. "Truth or Dare. Twister. Twenty Questions. Strip."

"Strip?" Nick asked. "Shouldn't that be strip poker or something?"

"No," Nick said, and looked him over. "Strip."

Nick turned red and backed into the piano again.

Brian smiled. To Jeff, he said, "We haven't had a chance to talk. My room's pretty clean."

"Sure," Jeff said.

Brian headed for the door, Jeff right behind him.

Nick and Nick looked at each other. There was a struggle at the door as they tried to push each other out of the way in their haste to follow Brian and Jeff.

Chris followed the sweet curve of Howie's cock with his tongue. A slow, pleased sigh; Howie's balls were delicate in his hand.

Lance found Joey chatting up a group of fans. He wasn't particularly in a partying mood; his pain over AJ's betrayal had settled into a steady, living hatred, and the shocking disturbance of Justin's most recent display made everything particularly surreal. JC and Justin were a beautiful psychodrama; AJ and Howie were egomaniacs who'd killed something precious and irreplaceable; Chris was-

Kevin ran down the hallway. When a tall, striking, famous person ran through a crowd that had assembled in part to enjoy the company of tall, striking, famous people, it tended to create a stir. Joey said something to make the lovelies laugh, but considering the way things were going these days, Lance was inclined to worry. He followed Kevin's wake.

Lance had been right to worry. He turned, shouted to Joey, "Get Justin!" and rushed in to help Kevin stop JC's murder of AJ.

Brian and Jeff were, of all things, sitting on the coffee table. The pixie had enchanted the sex machine, who was now fascinated putty in pixie hands. While Jeff paid Brian rapt attention, Nick sat on the sofa and observed. He remembered that the Neanderthal was around here somewhere, so he looked for where the big ugly might be lurking.

Nick, it turned out, was standing nearby, talking to Drew. The brothers looked like any two brothers might, easy in each other's company, talking with aimless interest on familiar subjects. Drew smiled, and Nick laughed, and Drew shifted his stance, and Nick's thumbs hooked through back belt loops, and they looked comfortable and happy.

Nick wanted to watch Brian enchant Jeff some more, and he wanted to watch Drew and Nick some more, and he couldn't decide where to look. Thinking about it, he realized that he was on the couch, so there was room for more people. "Drew, come and sit with me."

The Neanderthal made what was, no doubt, a disparaging remark - - if Neanderthals could spell "disparaging" - - not that Nick was sure he could, either - - and Drew gave the Neanderthal a shove and made a teasing comment in return. Then Drew came and sat beside Nick, and, as Nick had predicted, the Neanderthal made a face and joined them.

Nick made a few minor calculations. He hadn't gotten laid since Brian. Brian hadn't gotten laid since him. Drew was a sex time bomb. Jeff was a sex machine. The Neanderthal was easy. That made five people, three of whom had been deprived of their regular, rather rich sex lives, the other two of whom were probably getting it on regularly but always up for more, and were without question interested in Nick's short angels.

This could be good.

This could be very good.

"You're getting that look," Drew said. "Nick, no."

He chuckled and licked Drew's ear.

AJ could hold his own, but JC was wild with fury. It took both Kevin and Lance to hold JC back, at which point AJ went on the offensive. Kevin took the liberty of hitting AJ, who didn't appreciate that move at all. Lance was afraid that this would turn into a free-for-all brawl, and wasn't sure whether Justin's appearance would help matters or worsen them.

He was about to find out.

Justin ran into the room. He looked great, young and confident and sexual. Justin was on top of the world and looked every inch like he belonged there. Taking in the scene, he also began to look troubled. "What - - Joey said - - JC-"

"Get out of here," JC said.

"Afraid to have your baby see you lose?" AJ asked.

"Can you take him out of here?" Kevin asked Justin.

"JC, I told you not to do anything," Justin said. Then his eyes lit with the same shock Lance had seen earlier on JC. "You hit him." He turned to AJ, looking outraged. "You hit JC."

"Oh, god, do something," Joey said, and Lance thought it might have been a prayer.

"You motherfucking-" and Justin went after AJ, who wasn't afraid to give as good as he got, and JC wasn't taking that for one second. It took Kevin, Lance, Joey, and three security guards to break up the fight in front of an interested crowd.

Joey and Lance took JC and Justin in custody. While JC and Justin inspected each other for damage, alternately damning AJ and soothing each other, Joey found the room key in JC's pocket. Lance got the Timberlake Chasezes into their room and locked them in there.

"Let them lick each other's wounds," Joey muttered, and went off to find his admirers.

Drew was red-faced and squirming. Nick hauled his Drew into his lap, ignoring protests, and got a good earlobe nibble going.

"Nick, let go," Drew begged.

"Why?" he asked, wondering what color Drew's underwear was.

"Not in front of them," Drew said, turning his face away as Nick tasted more delicious Drew skin.

"Nobody's paying attention."

There was a sexy shiver. "I don't want to get hard in front of them," Drew whispered.

For one delirious moment, Nick realized that it was about to happen.

Careful to contain his excitement, trying his hardest to be good, Nick licked Drew's ear again and said, "They won't notice."

"Nick-"

"We're invisible."

"We are not," Drew protested.

Stubborn Drew. "We are. Close your eyes and hold onto me."

"Nick-"

"Be a good Drew for Nicky."

Drew clutched at him, and Drew was close and warm in his lap, and Drew's head was tucked under his chin.

"We're invisible," he whispered. "They can't see us. Now let me make you hard."

"Promise."

"They're not even looking."

In a small voice, Drew said, "Okay."

"I love you, baby."

"I'll never let him touch you again."

"Never let anyone hurt you."

"I'll keep you safe."

"You were so brave."

"You were so good, baby."

"The way you stood up for me."

"You always protect me."

"You're beautiful."

"I love you."

"Does that hurt you, baby?"

"Your beautiful face."

"Sshhh, it'll be okay."

"Did he hurt you, baby?"

"Never let anyone hurt you."

Drew's kiss was shy, and he wouldn't stop clutching at Nick anxiously. Not that Nick minded. Nick was careful to hold him safely, touch him reassuringly, and keep kissing him so he'd get distracted and forget about their audience.

Drew's grip began to loosen.

Drew's kiss turned to an invitation.

Drew uncurled, moving, kneeling astride Nick's lap, chest to chest, his kiss more aggressive, his moans soft and arousing.

"Drew."

"Nick."

Drew had to kiss him like this every day. "Tell me you love me."

"I love you."

"Tell me you want me."

"I want you." Drew's kiss left his mouth and aimed for his neck instead.

Nick caught his breath. "Drew."

"Nick," and Drew sucked his skin.

How had he ever gone without this? What had he been thinking, letting Drew go? Pushing Drew away? He loved this, he needed this, this was Drew. Drew warm and sexual in his arms, wanting him and loving him and not afraid to be with him. Drew awakening right before him. Coming alive.

Drew said his name again, rising up and kissing him. He moaned without meaning to, then forgot to hold back and ran his hand down over Drew's ass. Drew made an encouraging noise and moved against him, wanting more of that touch.

Startled by Drew's reaction, Nick ended their kiss and opened his eyes. Drew looked at him, very close and kissed-looking, and there was hunger in Drew's eyes. Nick maintained eye contact and quietly put his hand down between Drew's thighs.

Eyes closing, back arching, Drew rose, head tilting back, mouth opening in silent pleasure. Nick squeezed just a little, and Drew made a ragged sound, eyes opening again and finding Nick's gaze. Adjusting his grip to cup Drew better, Nick squeezed again and Drew moaned, doing that sexy arch. Drew was hard. Nick wanted that naked in his hand.

"Let me," and Drew was kissing him again. Drew pried his fingers loose. Mean Drew, depriving him of his toy. Then Drew was kissing him and touching him and rubbing up against him, and Drew was touching him where he was hard, and that felt good, Drew hadn't touched him there in what felt like decades. He was going to come too soon if Drew kept doing that. Time to change tactics.

"Drew."

Drew made a sort of moaning sound and sucked his tongue.

"Let me see you naked."

Drew made that sound again, but didn't seem to be protesting the idea, so Nick got started.

Fingers explored tender bruising.

Kisses soothed bruised knuckles.

Tongues lapped at shallow cuts.

Shoes first, then socks. Next went Drew's shirt. Nick ruffled his hair and kissed his nose and licked his nipple. Drew liked that.

"Your turn," Drew said.

Him? No, no. But Drew started pulling at his clothes, insisting. He gave in, and tried to take off his shoes while Drew kissed him. Once his feet were bare, he kissed Drew some more, flirty kisses, and then let Drew help him out of his own shirt.

"Oh, Nick," and Drew's fingers ran across his shoulders, down his arms. Drew's gaze was admiring, and Drew's fingers were enjoying the feel of him. He could tell. "Oh, Nick, I'm going to miss it, but you look so good, I can't believe it."

"Miss what?" He had to know, exactly.

"The way you used to look."

"My fat?"

"No, Nick, it was...you were so big and... It was solid, it was..."

"I was fat."

"You were not! I've never seen you look fat, and I've seen you naked for years now. Nick, you had a, your body..." Drew was breathing all sexy. "Oh, I wanted you."

"You still want me?"

"Oh, yes," and Drew meant it, and Drew kissed him.

Brian missed it, too. But Brian liked the way he looked now, too. Maybe...they liked him no matter how he looked. Maybe he could be ripped or skinny or overweight or anything, and they'd still want to touch him.

Nick ran his hands over Drew's naked torso. All sleek and well-defined. Drew had the best body ever. Ever ever ever. All sexy and ripped. And tattooed. And scarred, too, which hurt, but it was part of Drew, those scars. He and Brian had talked about that, while they were spending nights without Drew. Brian tried to make him feel safer.

Nick had been told that he felt like sin. And Drew said that Brian felt like heaven, and he could agree with that, one hundred percent. What did Drew feel like? He tried to figure it out, stroking Drew's back, all smooth and pretty. He couldn't see, but he knew that it was pretty. It even felt pretty, against his fingertips. Drew felt pretty? Drew felt sexy. Drew felt good. Drew felt...felt... There was a quiet whisper of Drew's moan, and then Drew's hand was on his nipple, and Nick lost the thread. He'd almost had it. He'd almost captured that feeling of Drew.

Maybe it couldn't be defined in one word.

Wrapping his arms around Drew, Nick pulled Drew up and close, so that Drew was kneeling up again. He tipped his head against the back of the sofa, and Drew looked down into his face with hot eyes, touching him with adoring fingers. Drew breathed his name.

Nick tipped his head down again, putting his hands to Drew's fly, looking at his work. Drew's fingers ran through his hair and he opened Drew's jeans.

Nick took a moment to appreciate this privilege. Drew was kneeling astride his hips, displayed for their audience. He slipped Drew's boxers down, baring the goods. Oh. Sweet. God. It had been too long, far too long, since Nick had been here. "Brian."

Brian was there, helping him, guiding Drew back and down, on the edge of the coffee table. Drew's eyes closed, and they had Drew supported between them. Nick took the time to finish undressing Drew, exposing hard, muscular legs. Drew's knees were up, feet on either side of Nick's hips on the sofa, butt resting on Nick's thighs, head in Brian's lap, Brian and Nick's knees almost meeting beneath his back. Drew kept one hand on his stomach, his other hand reaching up for Brian. "Stay," he whispered.

Brian's thumb brushed Drew's closed eyelids. "Right here," he promised.

Lance's forearm was caught in a vise. "You're going to listen to me."

Angry curses filled Lance's mind. They weren't nearly as angry as AJ's dark eyes. He paused. He had a thing for AJ's eyes. Maybe because they were often hidden, so seeing them was a rare treat. Those thick lashes. There was something very human about AJ's eyes, something vulnerable and wise and real that AJ tried to disguise behind sunglasses and attitude. Seeing AJ's eyes could be unexpectedly intimate.

"You're going to listen," AJ repeated harshly.

"I'm listening," Lance said, and was surprised to hear that he meant it.

AJ dragged him a few feet to the right, away from everyone else, and into a room. AJ's room. He didn't try to escape AJ's grip, although he did wish that AJ weren't holding him this tightly. They were standing close, looking right at each other, and he waited.

"You're my beautiful porn baby."

He was what?

"Nothing, nobody, matters more than you. You're more important than my friends, my family, the Backstreet Boys. You're more important than I am."

That was a huge concession from AJ McLean. Most of all because he could tell that AJ meant it. There was fierce truth here.

"I would die for you."

The part of Lance that was trying to deny the significance of that claim was reminding him that AJ had crossed JC and Justin to defend him, which was proof if anything was. But even humor couldn't keep Lance from realizing that AJ would die for him. Die. For him. Die. For him. Die. There was nothing more than that. It was a commitment so profound as to be incomprehensible.

"I made a promise. To myself. And I will not break it."

Lance's heart was pounding. He was sure that he was dreaming, but everything seemed real, too real to be a fantasy. Too important, too painful.

"I will do anything to keep you with me. You are Lance, you are mine, and you will not be with anyone but me." AJ's grasp bruised. "I will not lose you under any circumstances."

"Why did you sleep with Howie?"

"I made a mistake."

"That's not good enough."

"It won't happen again. I won't risk losing you."

"You've lost me."

"You're lying."

"Let go of me."

"You're mine."

Lance pulled himself free. AJ had broken his heart and probably his arm, too. "You can't own another human being."

"I'm yours."

"You're too proud to let that happen."

"I've swallowed your jism, I can swallow my pride." AJ grabbed him again, this time by the other arm. "Give me a second chance."

"No."

"I deserve it," AJ said, and his voice was too full of emotion to be called desperate.

"Why?" Lance asked, and he sounded cruel. He wasn't cruel; AJ had done this to him, and he was only defending himself, trying to keep his abuser at bay.

AJ's hands gripped Lance's face, clamping either side of his jaw, forcing him to register the intensity of the moment, the intensity of AJ. A rough voice, rougher words. "I love you."

Lance held still. Held AJ's gaze. Let AJ hold his heart.

Drew's cock was filling, lifting, in Nick's hand. Nick's other hand ran up the ridges of Drew's abdomen to tease a nipple, and Drew's body rose and fell under that touch. Although the only sound Drew made was a series of half-swallowed whimpers, his body was begging for attention. For release.

Nick had every intention of making love to Drew. But not just yet, not right now. That was for later, when they'd be alone with Brian. Drew would have to wait for that. For the moment, he only wanted to make Drew come.

It didn't take much. Soon Drew was desperate and moaning, and Nick gave him fast, pulling strokes, and long ropes of semen pulsed onto Drew's chest. Shuddering and sweating, Drew turned his head to one side, trying to hide in Brian, ashamed.

Nick hated to see Drew do that, feel shame for being sexual. With his hands supporting Drew's lower back and hips, Nick leaned down and licked Drew clean, tasting Drew's semen, feeling Drew twitch under his attention. When he looked up again, Brian was murmuring something soft, stroking Drew's jaw with gentle fingers. Drew clutched at Brian's jeans.

"No, no," Nick said, and gathered Drew in, Brian lifting Drew to Nick's arms. "You were being good for me. Don't get scared."

"I'm not scared," Drew said, but he was making himself as small as possible, trying to cover his nakedness, and attempting to wrap himself in Nick for protection.

Right. Drew was a macho manly man, and macho manly men didn't get scared. "Let's sit and be quiet."

"Okay."

"I'm going to make you invisible."

"Good," Drew said, clearly wishing that it were true.

"I need to get comfortable. How can I get comfortable? I need a pillow." Nick looked around the sofa, puzzled. "Here's one." He scooted over and settled in cosily against Nick Timmons-Lachey, who no doubt was looking shocked, but Nick didn't care what the Neanderthal thought. This happened to make a very nice pillow. Oh, very nice. Oh, so cosy... Nick made himself comfortable, snuggling in for the long haul, holding his quiet Drew. He sighed, feeling peaceful.

It was going to hurt. It was going to be hard. Lance was going to have to learn to trust and to respect. Maybe it would be easier to say no, to turn away, to cut his losses while the pain was still bearable.

Maybe he was making a mistake.

There was only one way he'd ever know for sure.

He kissed AJ.

Nick was imagining things.

He had his lap, his arms, full of Nick Carter.

Whoa. Uh, a little help here? He looked to Jeff. Jeff gave him the sultry face. Great. He was on his own.

Nick Carter had a faint smile and a faraway look in his eyes. He was also humming something. Drew laughed a little, looking very at home in Nick's embrace.

Nick was looking pretty at home, too. Way to make himself comfortable. Except he happened to be doing it all over Nick.

Nick wasn't sure how he felt about that.

Not to mention that Drew was naked. And had just gotten hot right before their very eyes. Nick had just seen his brother come. He was having trouble getting used to that.

And Nick was half-naked, too. Half-naked right against Nick. Right here. Half-naked right here. The naked part was, um...uh...right here.

Right here where he could touch.

If he wanted.

Not that he wanted to touch Nick.

But, uh... Nick licked his lips, feeling desperate. Something would happen any second now. Jeff would make them get up or someone would knock at the door or the fire alarm would go off. Something. Any second now. Any second.

But seconds passed and nothing much happened, except that Nick finished humming.

Then, without warning, as though being called away by their telepathic commander, Jeff and Brian got up and walked away. Just got up and left. Went into the bathroom and closed the door.

"Bye," Drew murmured sleepily.

"They're going to have sex now," Nick said.

"They are not," Nick said.

"Maybe they just have to pee," Nick said. He chortled.

"Nick," Drew chided.

"They are not - - you're disturbed, Carter."

"You have to be nice to me."

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't."

"Be nice to me or Jeff'll beat you up."

"He will not."

"Be nice to me or I'll get up and leave and you'll be left alone here with Drew. And he's naked."

"Nick," Drew said again.

"I'm just pointing out the obvious," Nick said. "Which I have to do because he's as dumb as a box of rocks. And twice as ugly."

"I am not stupid or ugly," Nick said.

"Says who?"

"I say," Drew said.

"You don't count," Nick said.

"Since when?" Drew asked.

"Since you have bad taste anyway."

"I have great taste."

"You're with Brian."

"That's proof that I have great taste."

"He's a dirty old man."

"But he's really cute," Drew said, sounding admiring and pleased.

"Brian's cute?" Nick asked.

"Yes," Drew confirmed.

"Hey." Nick pinched Nick's thigh. "You think Brian's cute?"

"Stop touching me."

"You think Brian's cute?" Nick asked again.

Nick sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Yes." He might as well admit it.

"I think he's a pixie."

"A pixie."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means Brian's a pixie. Pay attention."

"Brian's a pixie. Jeff's a fuzzy kitten. I'm a Neanderthal box of rocks. What's Drew?"

"Drew's an angel. Brian is, too. And Jeff's a sex machine, remember."

"I'm not going to forget."

Nick chuckled.

"What are you?"

"Me?"

"You."

"I'm Nick."

"I don't think you can pick your own definition," Drew said. "Somebody else has to give it to you. I'm an angel?"

"Yes. You're an angel," Nick said.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I don't think so."

"I can tell."

"Nick, tell him I'm not an angel."

He didn't say anything. Nick's hand slowly moved down his thigh. He could feel it through his jeans. "You're touching me."

"I'm allowed."

"No, you're not."

"Jeff said."

"I decide who touches me, not Jeff."

"You want me to stop?"

Nick didn't say anything.

"You can touch me, too."

"You're nice to touch," Drew murmured.

"Me or him?" Nick asked.

"Yes," Drew said.

"Are you falling asleep?"

"No."

"You can."

"Nick."

"What?" Nick asked, his voice soft. He was touching Drew's hair.

"I'm not wearing any clothes."

"That's okay. You're invisible, remember?"

"Okay." Drew yawned.

"We can sleep here until they finish having sex."

"We can't sleep on Nick."

"Yes, we can. He's too stupid to notice, anyway."

"He's not stupid."

"You like him?"

"Mmm, he's gorgeous."

"Are you asleep?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Are you cold?"

"No. Nick."

"What?"

Drew yawned. "I love you."

Nick kissed the top of Drew's head. "I love you. Go to sleep."

Peace.

Nick swallowed. His hand moved.

Nick's hair had dark roots. It had to be dyed. Nick couldn't be a natural blond. But his eyebrows and eyelashes were light.

Nick leaned forward ever so slightly and checked.

"What are you looking at?" Nick asked without turning his head. He was angled across Nick's chest, his head by Nick's left shoulder. Nick's fingertips brushed the curve of Nick's jawline, and one blue eye peered up at him. The faint stubble looked more blond than brown. "Drew, your brother's attacking me."

"It's about time," Drew said.

Nick smiled up at Nick.

Nick withdrew his hand.

The smile dimmed.

Nick touched the blond hair that rested against his shoulder.

So soft...

So pretty...

He took a surreptitious sniff.

The blond strands were thicker than he'd anticipated. So soft. Longer than Jeff's hair, it could twine around his fingers a little. He liked that.

"Nick, are you okay?" Drew asked. "You're not breathing, and your heart's - - oh." Drew, who'd raised himself up to check on Nick, became still. He watched. "It's okay. He won't hurt you."

Nick's eyes closed.

What pretty lashes. With a gentle touch, Nick ran a fingertip along the edge of one fringe.

"He's beautiful," Drew said.

"Yes," Nick heard himself say. He traced an eyebrow. What smooth skin. Nick was young. Young and beautiful. Healthy and sexual and innocent and hurt and...and...and...

His nose was mostly straight, ending in round curves. There was a cute little divot between his nose and his upper lip. Oh, such soft, soft lips... Pink, and inviting... Nick's thumb eased the lower lip down just a tiny bit so he could see even white teeth. Teeth parted just enough for Nick to glimpse a wet, pink tongue.

"Do you want to kiss him?" Drew asked.

Yes.

Pale skin. Smooth cheeks. Just the faint beginnings of golden stubble. Nick's jaw was a clean oval, inviting Nick's fingers down to that long neck. Drew had sucked right there...

"Sshhh," Drew whispered. "It's okay."

And there, the broad expanse of smooth, pale skin. Nick had a solid build, strong, sure. And, oh, so soft... Nick's hand couldn't believe what it was feeling. He'd never imagined.

A nipple, tight and pink and intimate.

"It's okay," Drew said again, in a soothing voice, as though to a shy animal.

Jeff was all muscle, tight and hard, silky and bulky. Drew was sleek and muscular. Nick, Nick was something else altogether. So different...so new...

Nick had to look. He slid his hand over Nick's right arm, feeling skin and muscle, admiring tattoos. Then he lifted Nick's arm, peeking underneath.

Blond.

He frowned and brought Nick's hand closer. Remarkable. Even Nick's hands were...were... He was possessed by a strong urge to put Nick's fingers in his mouth. Resisting the urge, he had to admit that those were some suckable knuckles.

"Are you boys getting along?" Jeff asked.

"Nick?" Brian asked.

"He's okay," Drew said. "Open your eyes, Nick."

Without warning, Nick was up and off of the sofa and on the other side of the coffee table. "We're just doing a hygiene check. Did I brush my teeth and put on deodorant. I'm gonna go check out the party."

"Like that?" Jeff asked.

"What's wrong with-"

"Your shirt," Brian said in a kind voice.

"Oh." Nick blushed. Nick never blushed. It was stunningly attractive on him. "Drew, give me my shirt."

"I think I'd like to find my shirt," Drew said, picking clothes up from the floor and piling them in his lap.

Nick looked good half-naked. He had a good body, a nice build.

"Nick, sit down," Brian said.

"I'll keep the lecherous Neanderthal away from you," Jeff said.

"We're missing the party," Nick said.

"We can have fun here," Jeff said.

"There's no fun here," Nick said. "Drew and Brian aren't fun at all. They're boring. Gotta go."

"Don't you leave me here naked with them," Drew warned.

"Get dressed and come with me and let's get out of here before they start doing something," Nick said.

"Doing something like what?" Nick asked. "You're the one who started the floor show." Shit. He shouldn't have said that.

"He did it for you," Drew said.

"He did not," Nick said. Then his mind replayed what Drew had said. What? No. Nick would never... He looked at Nick. Oh. Oh, shit. Something in his brain said, "Oh, that's right, he's in love with you."

Idiot, idiot, idiot. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Box of rocks was too high an estimation.

And Nick knew that he was in love with Drew, knew that he wanted to be with Drew, knew that he and Drew couldn't be together the way that they wanted. So Nick let him be with Drew vicariously, letting him witness Drew and still keep his hands clean.

"I didn't do anything for him," Nick said, but he was hurt, and he was lying, and even Nick could see it.

Nick lifted Nick's shirt from Drew's lap. Stood. Walked around the table. Walked around behind Nick. Helped Nick into it, arms in sleeves; turned Nick around, tugged it over naked shoulders, buttoned it over Nick's chest. Clothe the naked. Give him some dignity and respect and protection. Shield his vulnerability. It was a metaphor so multi-layered that even a guy as dumb as a box of rocks could see it. And that was why he did it. Because if he saw it, then Nick would recognize it, too. And he wanted that. He wanted Nick to realize his respect. He did respect Nick. He had to. There was no way around it.

He didn't touch any more. He didn't try to kiss. He dressed Nick and moved away again. Because Nick was not a slut, and not someone that could be fondled at will. He'd never touch Brian without permission, and he wouldn't touch Nick, either.

Drew was dressed, and the five of them were standing around the table, looking at each other.

"Uh, hi," Drew said. "My name's Drew, and I'm a Nickaholic. I'm addicted to tall, handsome men named Nick. I've been an addict for years now. First it was just one, but now it's two, and I think I'm on the verge of even trying two at once."

"My name's Jeff, and I'm a Nickaholic, too," Jeff said.

"Hi, Jeff," Drew said.

"I'm addicted. I have to have some Nick. Day in, day out. Every night. It's gotten so bad it's affecting my sex life. I'm even moving onto mini-Nicks."

Drew smacked him.

"My name's Brian, and I'm a Nickaholic."

"Hi, Brian," Drew and Jeff chorused.

"I've been a Nick addict for, oh, a long time now. I've been addicted since the first time I met one. I live and work and sleep and eat and spend all of my time, awake and asleep, with him. I always want him with me, and when he's not, I just don't feel like myself anymore. And now there's another one, and I think I'm addicted to him, too."

"The three of you are nuts," Nick said.

"Copycats," Nick accused.

"That was a memorable moment," Brian said. "How's your Drewaholic group going?"

"What time is it?" Nick asked.

Drew checked his watch. "Wow. Late. How long have we been here?"

"Time for bed," Nick decided. He took Nick's hand.

He was holding Nick's hand. And Nick was taking him towards the bed. That was the bed. Nick stopped and pushed and he sat. Then they were there, and they were on the bed, and he was on his back, and Nick was crawling on top of him.

"I have Nick privileges."

"Jeff," Nick said.

"He won't come and rescue you," Nick said. "It's just you and me now."

"Drew."

"Why don't you call for Brian? I know you want us both."

Oh, no.

matthew@matthewtime.com
"Together" Part Twelve
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