Title: Ryan's Books Author: Cae Summary: Completely AU tale of friendships, first-meetings, endings and new beginnings. Pairings: Ryan/Colin, Greg/Jeff, Drew/Chip Disclaimer: I own nothing but the storyline. Author's notes: This is the story that got wiped out. Its all hand-written so i'll be posting chapters as I type them up. I decided to do a preface regarding Ryan's background because its less complicated and easier to read than putting it into the chapters. As I stated, this is completely AU so i've taken a few liberties with ages, birth-places etc. The main characters in this will be: Ryan, Colin, Greg, Drew, Wayne, Brad, Jeff, Chip and Sandi Toksvig. The majority of it is written already in rough drafts, tho i'm still debating whether or not to bring Tony Slattery into it as a love-interest for Greg. I kinda like the idea of those two together. Warnings: Lots of plot ahead and it'll be a while before Ryan and Colin get together. There will be angsty times ahead, mainly for Colin who has a pretty hard time of it. I think that's about it... Preface Ryan Stiles was finally living his dream. He smiled to himself as he stirred his coffee, taking it out to the shop counter and surveying his book store. Finally, at the age of forty he had pretty much all he wanted in life. He owned his house and business outright, thanks largely to a very generous settlement from his grandfather's will. His grandfather had nurtured Ryan's love for the written word since his early childhood. Ryan's American father was a military man and his Canadian mother did her best at raising him and his four brothers basically on her own. Needless to say her time was stretched to capacity and he kind of fell by the wayside, being one of the middle brothers. His grandfather had been his lifeline; sitting with him night after night, teaching him to read, to understand the words he was reading. Ryan could never remember a time when his grandfather had said "I'm too tired" or "I'm too busy"; Ryan would ask and grandpa would smile, stop whatever he was doing and sit with his favourite grandson "When I grow up, I’m gonna own my own book store and have every book in the world and they'll all be free for people to take and there'll be sandwiches" he proudly announced the night of his fifth birthday. "Can I be your first customer?" his grandfather had chuckled. "You can come work for me. I'll pay you a million dollars a week!" His grandfather hadn't lived to see Ryan finally bring his ambition to life. Ryan had nervously come out to his parents at the age of eighteen, only to be ordered out of the house by his outraged father. He'd left the family home in Vancouver, carrying nothing but his favourite book and a hundred dollars, and spent three years drifting from place to place, earning just enough money in each town to move onto the next; finally ending up in San Fransisco. It was there he met an acid-tongued bitchy young 'queen' called Greg Proops. "That's your idea of young and attractive bar staff?" Greg had snorted derisively at the manager of his local gay bar, all the time looking Ryan's bony form up and down, curling his lip in disgust. Smiling brightly at the young man, Ryan slowly and deliberately ran his gaze over the shorter , slender form, stopping briefly to examine the slightly rounded face, black-rimmed spectacles and mousey hair styled into a Quiff. "Why Bob" Ryan grinned at the now nervous manager, "you didn't tell me the cabaret tonight would be a Buddy Holly impersonator." Greg had looked deeply into Ryan's eyes for a few seconds before smirking and nodding. "Can we keep him?" He had been officially taken under Greg's wing from that night onwards as his new friend steered "the apprentice" through his personal list of do's and don'ts regarding the San Fransisco scene. Greg had helped him find his first apartment, Ryan finally having an address for his beloved Grandfather to reply to all the letters he had sent him over the years; even opening up a tentative correspondence with his parents. In turn he'd become a regular 'practice head' for Greg who was training to become a hairdresser, sharing his dream with Ryan to eventually own his own business. That dream had become a painful reality a few months before Ryan's thirtieth birthday. Ryan had woken in a cold sweat one night, trying to fuzzily recall a dream about his grandfather, dread circling inside his stomach like a shark round a slowly sinking boat. A tearful phone call from his mother the next morning had confirmed his fears. His mentor, hero, the man he loved and admired most in the world had succumbed to a heart attack at the age of eighty-six. He'd decided to move back to Vancouver permanently after the funeral, feeling an almost desperate need to keep his parents close. Ryan's grandfather had lived alone during the latter years of his life, subsequently willing his house and most of his life-savings to the young man he had guided; the stipulation being that Ryan would use the money to 'make his dream a reality'. It was this promise that kept Ryan going through the difficult, early years of setting up his business. Greg had joined him a year later, needing a fresh start and moving into one of the spare rooms of his spacious town-house. Dividing the bills had been a tremendous help, for both of them. Ryan would always be grateful to his old friend for sharing those difficult times with him; Greg's enthusiasm for life making even the need to eat cheap noodles and beans on toast for dinner every night seem like an adventure. Greg had been more of a brother to Ryan than his own blood. They had never attempted a romantic relationship, their bond and love running too deeply to even contemplate it. Instead they had been there for each other through countless failed relationships and upheavals. So, ten years on, Ryan Stiles had pretty much everything he wanted in life. Pretty much. Unbeknownst to him however, his mostly-perfect, stable existence was about to be spectacularly turned on its head........... --------------------------------------------- Dust particles danced merrily to an unheard tune, in and out of the shards of sunlight piercing through the front door of the empty bookshop. Some settled on the shelves and counter, as if out of breath and needing a rest. The early morning party was disturbed as a shadow emerged at the glass-panelled door, sending even the most die-hard revellers scurrying into the darkness, accompanied by the sound of a key turning and arguing voices. "I said no Greg" came the deep timber of a tall, slender man, his short sandy hair looking almost black in the darkness and his voice barely heard over the wailing alarm he was now hurrying to switch off. "But Ryan" replied his shorter, bespectacled companion, "we haven't seen him for over a year." "So what? I never liked him that much anyway" Ryan huffed, setting his briefcase on the counter and moving to lift the blinds from the shop front windows. "Only 'cause he used to chase after you like a rabbit on Viagra" Greg chuckled, flicking imaginary dust off of his outrageously orange shirt and switching on the lights. "That and the fact he's a total prick." "That too" Greg grinned shamelessly. "Besides, there'll be free beer." "Oh whoopee" Ryan deadpanned, ducking through a dark blue curtain covering the door to a back room behind the counter. "I just really don't want to spend an evening listening to Alan prattle on about the vast amount of money he made in New York" Ryan continued, getting down on all fours to open the floor safe, "the various 'studs' he bedded..." "Oh, that's another thing" Greg interrupted, wandering into the room and flinching slightly at being confronted by his best friend's khaki-covered wiggling butt, "He's settled down apparently. Met someone while he was away." "Really?" Ryan countered, kicking the carpet back and carrying a float box through to the cash register. "I'll send the poor guy my condolences." Greg rolled his eyes and followed. "Come onnnnnn!" He whined, shoving his hands in the pockets of his dark blue slacks and bouncing on his heels. "The guys are gonna be there." "Specifically?" "Drew, Wayne, Brad....Jeff I think." Ryan sighed, closing the cash register and turning to his friend. "Will you shut up if I say yes?" "Of course" Greg beamed enthusiastically. "Okay fine, I’ll go. Now shoo, I have a busy day and you have a business to run, not that anyone'd notice." "Its fine" Greg tutted, "my first client isn't 'til ten." "Greg.....Wayne and Jeff have to start at eight-thirty." "So?" "You took the keys last night remember?" "Oh crap!" Ryan chuckled as Greg hurried to the door, the bell ringing jauntily as he opened it. "Wanna do lunch today?" "I can't" Ryan sighed, "I've got some applicants to interview." "Still not found someone to replace Marcus?" Greg asked, referring to the mostly vacant possession that was Ryan's previous store assistant. "If I wanted someone to replace him i'd hire an amoeba. I'd actually like to employ someone with more than just the one family brain-cell." "Good luck on that one, we are in Vancouver you know" Greg chuckled, smiling widely at the outraged look he received in return. "Okay, I’ll bring lunch over." Ryan smiled his thanks as Greg stood aside to let some people in, before departing. "Coffee" he decided, after a brief welcome to the potential customers now browsing the various bookshelves in his roomy store. --------------------------------------------------------- Greg hurried across the street, mentally berating himself for not wearing his coat on this chilly autumn morning. A hundred yards away he could see the impatient, huddled forms of his two employees outside 'Cutting it Fine'. Ryan had raised an eyebrow at that when Greg had first suggested it as a business name; but then, as he had pointed out in no uncertain terms, he wasn't about to take any naming advice from someone who had imaginatively titled his book store 'Ryan's Books'. "Sorry guys" Greg shivered, smiling inwardly at the disgruntled frown his assistant manager, Wayne Brady, was shooting at him. Wayne's dark skin was standing out starkly in contrast to the snow-white woollen hat and scarf doing their level best to keep out the morning chill. "No worries" his young stylist Jeff Davis smiled, brushing his dark unruly hair from his eyes only to have it flop resolutely back in place. "Just superglue me to the heater until my fingers thaw out enough for Mrs. Henderson's perm. Wayne smiled sympathetically at Jeff as they entered, the poor young man always got stuck with old Henderson. No one else would go near her as she talked endlessly about nothing in particular and smelled as if she had thirty feral cats living in her corset. ------------------------------------------------------------ It was shortly after twelve-thirty when Greg entered Ryan's shop with two very welcome packages of take-out soup and sandwiches from the local deli. "You are a total saint" Ryan sighed, eagerly opening the fragrant tomato and basil broth and taking a deep sniff. "I’m going for the Nobel peace prize" Greg countered. "So, how goes your search for a star?" His tall friend's emerald eyes regarded him mournfully over the steaming cup of soup. "Abysmal. I've interviewed five people today, one woman could only work three days a week because that's when they let her out of the mental hospital; and by the way was it possible for her to sleep overnight in the back room?" "Oh my..." "Two pimple-faced sixteen year olds who'd never read anything past 'My First book of ABC'." "Oh my squared..." "One guy who spent the entire interview hitting on me." "Was he cute?" "Not even Stevie Wonder's seeing-eye dog would hump that leg." "Damn." "Topping it off was a middle-aged woman who seemed great until I showed her around. She stated categorically that I couldn't expect her to touch any of that "fag literature" as it was against her Christian beliefs." "Uh........did she not see the rainbow on the door?" "Apparently she thought it was just decoration" Ryan smiled bitterly, glaring at his friend who was now laughing heartily. "I'm sorry" Greg giggled, wiping his eyes. "I'd love to have seen the look on your face when she came out with that one." "Oh har de har" Ryan smiled, his bad mood dissolving as usual in the company of his old friend. Both men glanced towards the door as the merry jingling of the bell interrupted their conversation. Greg's eyebrows rose appreciatively at the slim, balding-blonde haired man looking shyly around the shop and checking the folded newspaper in his hands. Overly-large, soulful chocolate eyes met with his for a brief moment before sliding their gaze to his left. "Mmm, quite ni......" Greg started, turning to Ryan, stopping abruptly at the look on his friend's face. Ryan was openly gaping at the newcomer, his green eyes twinkling in a way Greg had never before seen on the tall Canadian. Greg turned back to the approaching stranger, who was smiling and trying futilely to smooth his crumpled blue shirt over his black slacks. 'Interesting.' "Hello" the man uttered softly, reaching the counter. "My name's Colin, I've come about the job advertised in the paper." "Wha......oh.....OH!" Ryan exclaimed, blinking back to reality. "I'm sorry I didn't make an appointment, I’ve only just bought the paper and...." "No problem" Ryan beamed, his face lighting up and his posture automatically straightening. "Would you like to come through?" Colin smiled appreciatively and made his way to the indicated back room through the curtain. Ryan quickly scrabbled around for a pen and notepad, purposefully ignoring his friend's knowing smirk. "Should I call our Christian friend back and tell her to let God know he has a new convert?" Ryan mouthed 'fuck off' before disappearing through the curtain. --------------------------------------------- "Soooo" Greg grinned as he and Ryan walked home in the evening, "how did your interview with the bald and the beautiful go?" "Gregory" Ryan warned, fighting to keep the blush from his cheeks. "Oh come on man! You gotta give me this one! I've never seen you look at anyone like that....ever!" Chuckling loudly at Ryan's soppy grin, Greg shook his head. "Oh my!" "Stop it" Ryan laughed, giving up any pretence of hiding his embarrassment. "Seriously man, your eyes, like, glazed over there for a while." Ryan just smiled enigmatically at his friend and kept walking. Partly because he didn't really know how to put into words what had come over him; and partly because he knew it annoyed the crap out of Greg. Falling into a companionable silence, they crossed the street. Said companionable silence lasted a full two minutes before Greg spoke again; a record for him when he desperately wanted to wheedle something out of someone, Ryan mentally noted. "I just don't get it." "Get what?" "Ryan, for as long as I’ve known you, you've been virtually beating off guys with a stick, women too. Jeez, at Drew's strip bar I sometimes wonder if the dancers are gonna start giving *you* money the way they fawn over you! Hey.....remember that time with Chip" Greg laughed, "when he was trying to undress you and grinding himself into your......." "Does this actually have a point?" Ryan interrupted, a little irritated to note he'd been blushing for the second time in less than ten minutes. "Oh....right, yes" Greg muttered, shaking off the mental recollection." My point is, none of these ultra good-looking, muscled, oiled, gyrating, mostly naked men, waving their crotch into your face did anything for you, yet here you are going all misty-eyed and gaga over some pale bald dude that wanders into your shop!" Ryan sighed, opening the gate and leading them up the path to their front door. "I don't know what it is Greg, I just..........I looked at him and felt weird." "Weird? How romantic" "Shush" Ryan admonished, opening the door. They were immediately assaulted by the twin plaintive meowings of two very disgruntled and hungry Siamese cats. "Hey Bits, hey Bobs" Ryan smiled, stroking the latter under the chin while Greg scooped up its brother. "Well hello my little Bit" Greg cooed, snuggling the purring animal and carrying it through to the kitchen. "So explain 'weird'" he called over his shoulder. Ryan shucked off his coat, hanging it up and grabbing a patiently waiting Bobs before joining his housemate. "I don't know" he sighed. "Like....someone set up camp and lit a fire in my stomach." "That could also be the onset of an ulcer" Greg smirked, lifting the cat dishes from the floor and spooning some food into them. Ryan had to let Bobs go or risk injury from the now scrabbling cat, desperate to get some food. The caterwauling rose a couple of octaves, accompanied by some colourful swearing from Greg when the two cats attempted to get at their food more quickly by scaling the north face of his legs. "Get down for fuck's sake, I’m doing it I’m doing it! jeeze." Ryan chuckled and began preparing the coffee, his thoughts drifting to Colin as he worked on automatic pilot. The truth was, he couldn't as yet adequately describe the sensations that ran through him when he first looked up and saw the man walk into his store. His entire body had tingled as if he'd received a mild electric shock. That initial sensation had settled into a kind of needy warmth as his interview with the shy, quiet man had progressed. He'd found himself reluctant to let Colin leave afterwards, forcefully stopping himself from saying "You're hired, can you start right away?". Ryan had dated....a lot more than he wanted to thanks mostly to Greg and his "but you'll love this guy" premise, repeated frequently over the years; but he'd never felt anything even close to this........whatever the hell it was. Shaking his head and sighing, Ryan wandered through to the lounge, turning on the table lamps that were situated at each end of a three-seater, burgundy sofa. The spicey, pungent smell hit him almost straight away. Ryan quickly scanned the Oakwood floor, checking behind the sofa and then behind the two-seater facing it. He eventually found the culprit, sitting contentedly and mostly dried out behind the television. "Oh Christ! Bits! You shithead" Ryan groused, storming through the hallway to the kitchen and digging into the cleaning cupboard, fishing out a cloth, some bags and a bottle of disinfectant. "I think it’s romantic" Greg grinned, falling back into their previous conversation and following his silently grousing companion back to the lounge. "Good, you clean it up then." "What? Oh...eww, no thank you. I shovelled it in one end; you can deal with the other." "We're gonna have to get that fussy moggy his own litter tray" the taller man grumbled, pulling the TV unit forward and crouching behind it. "You know Bobs would just crap in it to piss him off" Greg countered, wandering out to the hall when the doorbell rang suddenly. He opened the door and immediately looked down into the smiling, slightly dishevelled face of their middle-aged, English neighbour. "Sandi!" Greg grinned. "How are you?" "Hello Greg. I'm alright" Sandi puffed, her face pink and flushed under her wide-brimmed gardening hat. "Postie delivered a parcel for you. It’s a bit big for me to heft over so I thought you could come get it. Hello Ryan!" "Hey Sandi" Ryan beamed, placing a rather smelly bag into the wheelie bin as Greg made an excited 'whoop' and trotted to the next-door garden. "How are you?" "Already answered that one" she replied, waving him off "Greg can fill you in. So what are you boys up to?" " Off out tonight. Alan's back and he's throwing a 'yay! I’m back' type party. Remember him?" "Alan.....is he the short chap with the greasy black hair and the piggy eyes?" "Yup" Ryan laughed, "that about sums him up." "Hmm....never did like him. He reminded me too much of that other chap I didn't like." Ryan blinked at her and leaned against the doorframe. "Sandi" he smiled, "Why are you still here?" "Well, because…” "Greg's already next door." "He is? Lord he moves fast. Didn't even see him go!" Ryan chuckled to himself, watching his neighbour depart with a wave, her muddy gloved fingers still clasping a trowel from her interrupted gardening. He adored Sandi, mad as the proverbial hatter and just about the nicest person he'd ever met. She was an English teacher when he first met her, retiring shortly afterwards declaring "I want to travel the world before I get too old to do so". The day after, she'd booked a ticket to England for a two-week holiday, coming back after four days and announcing "well that was fun, I’ll think I’ll get on with the gardening!". "My easel arrived!" Ryan snapped out of his musings, confronted by the eager, grinning face of his bespectacled housemate, a large flat parcel on the floor in front of him. "You're not taking up painting again are you?" "Yup!" Greg nodded, carrying the package into the house. "But you're crap at it" Ryan smiled, following and shutting the front door. "Stop stifling my creativity" Greg sniffed, placing his precious parcel down and following Ryan into the kitchen. "Right, coffee, cigarette, then we'd better start getting ready." "I don't wanna go" Ryan whined. "I know." "It'll be dull." "I know." "Can I feign a heart-attack after an hour?" "We'll see." --------------------------------------------- Ryan pushed open the small iron gate, leading to an almost psychotically neat garden of a modern townhouse. "Nice" he said dryly, eyeing the perfectly positioned rows of colour co-ordinated flowers in front of the white building and undoing the top buttons of his long trench coat, leaving a glimpse of the maroon shirt he wore underneath. He turned to see Greg unzipping his leather jacket and gleefully using the pristinely painted gate to scuff imaginary mud from his boots. "Naughty" Ryan smiled, looking up at the sound of a beeping car horn. Drew's truck pulled up, the doors opening almost immediately. Wayne exited first, scowling at Chip who was following. "I can't believe you fell asleep and drooled on me" he barked at the bleary eyed dancer. Chip glanced mournfully at his friend's grey silk shirt, the line of wetness glaringly visible even in the darkness. "I'm sorry. I didn't get much sleep last night and I’m tired." "It was only a ten minute car ride for crying out loud!" "Come now girls" Brad chuckled, walking round from the passenger side. He was Drew's bar manager at the strip club and well used to cat-fights breaking out around him. "You can borrow my shirt if you want Wayne." Wayne glanced from Brad's playfully batting eye lashes to his long black shirt. "And what will you wear?" he questioned seductively, sidling up to Brad. "You?" "Jeez you two, I enjoyed that KFC, don't make me waste my money and barf it up" Drew muttered, hefting his stocky frame out of the driver's seat. "The cabaret's arrived I see" Greg laughed. "Where's Jeff?" "I'm here" his stylist called out, popping his head up from the other side of the truck. "I'm just getting the beer out." "Cool." Ryan smirked, noting the relief in Greg's voice and the softness in his eyes when he spied Jeff. "Awww." "What?" "Nothing." Greg eyed Ryan sharply, opening his mouth to say something but cut off by the arrival of Drew. "Hey guys! Is it a garden party or did you two get thrown out already?" The small group moved as one to the front door, Drew ringing the bell. "Ready?" Drew whispered, looking over his shoulder at the sound of approaching footsteps. "3, 2 ,1....." As one their faces broke into almost identical toothy smiles when the door opened. "Guys! Hey!" Alan exclaimed brightly, his crisp white shirt and black fitted pants making him look like the butler rather than the host. "Come on in!" Suitable "wow, long time eh?" type greetings were exchanged, Ryan a little uncomfortable at the exuberant hug he received rather than the handshake offered to everyone else. Following the others into the living room, Ryan's breath caught at the sight of a familiar, anxious looking man smoothing down his pale blue jumper as he looked up in greeting. "Colin?" Warm brown eyes lit up in recognition as they locked with his gaze. "Hey Ryan" Colin smiled. "Guys" Alan interrupted, walking up to the slender Canadian and slipping an arm round his waist. "I'd like you to meet Colin, my new boyfriend." Ryan's face fell, his stomach twisting uncomfortably. "Shit" he whispered. "Hey" Greg grinned, checking his watch "you were a believer for almost eight hours there buddy." With that he clapped Ryan soundly on the back and moved forward to join the others. ----------------------------------------- Shortly after the group's arrival, several guests had turned up, followed by several more. This had continued for a couple of hours, until the party was in full swing. The atmosphere had become claustrophobic to Ryan, exacerbated by the loud pumping music. Brad and Wayne were happily grinding into each other on the makeshift dance floor (all the lounge furniture being removed or shoved to the sides, leaving a large expanse of wood flooring). Chip was almost apoplectic with laughter as he was trying to teach a drunken Drew some stripper moves, his boss enthusiastically attempting each one but invariably ending up on his backside, giggling like an idiot and muttering "I'm too old and fat for this shit". Smiling at his friends' antics, Ryan shook his head and went in search of a more quiet area. The party mood had pretty much left him upon discovering that Colin was the 'mystery guy' Alan had brought back from New York. He couldn't believe it; the first man in years to cause his heart to do something more than roll its eyes in boredom and he's dating that idiot. Ryan had thoroughly enjoyed the job interview with Colin, the unassuming almost shy way he recited his impressive list of credentials, producing an equally impressive resume; the way his chestnut eyes lit up in fascination when Ryan showed him around the store. He was hooked, plain and simple. He was hooked and Colin was dating a man that made Narcissus look humble and had the thinking power of a particularly stupid haddock. Ryan chastised himself mentally, that was unfair...fuck it! No it wasn't. Ryan was decidedly unhappy, and Alan was the sole cause of that. Bastard. Asshole. Complete and utter total fu.... Ryan was shaken from his silent berating by the sound of voices drifting through an open door leading off of the hallway. He recognised Greg's familiar drawl, the sharpness of Jeff's answering inflection and decided to investigate. The door led to a set of carpeted steps which Ryan descended, revealing a roomy den, consisting of two large sofas, a TV and a round wooden coffee table. Greg and Jeff were sitting together on one sofa and, much to Ryan's chagrin; the other was occupied by Alan and Colin. "Ryan!" Alan bellowed a little drunkenly, "Come on down. You getting tired of the noise too?" "A little, yes" Ryan smiled, sinking his long frame into the space next to Greg. "Dunno what got into me telling all these people to come, I just wanted to invite my closest friends" Alan smiled warmly from his seat next to Colin, eyeing the others , his gazing lingering a little longer on Ryan. "Why did you invite us then?" Ryan muttered, almost choking on his beer when Greg poked him reproachfully in his ribs. "I've definitely missed your humour Ryan" Alan chuckled, his smile turning to a frown when Colin picked up a beer bottle, taking a swig. "How many of those have you had?" "Just two" Colin replied, holding the bottle in his lap. "Well don't have any more, you know how many calories that stuff holds and you've already had two slices of pizza." The room fell silent, save for the muffled thumping of the music upstairs, Colin's face colouring red in embarrassment when all eyes turned on him. "Colin is my work in progress" Alan explained, blithely ignorant of the scowls, most prominently Ryan's, now directed towards him. "Work in progress?" Greg questioned in disbelief. "Mhmm. He was.....rather overweight when we met and..." "I wasn't that....." Colin interrupted. "Honey, let me finish" Alan smiled blandly, patting Colin's knee and turning again to the others. "As I said, Colin was a big guy when we met, really let himself go. Since then I’ve made him my own personal makeover project. Doing well too! He's lost fifty pounds, working out at the gym four days a week. I've really transformed him" Alan smiled proudly, reminding the others why they hadn't missed him all that much. "I just wish he'd do something about this" their host sighed dramatically, running his hand over Colin's bald pate. Colin ducked out of the way, batting at the questing fingers. "Maybe a toupee..." "I am *not* wearing a wig" Colin ground out. "A colour change then, maybe a nice red. What do you think Greg?" Greg started, unready for the question as he'd been closely watching Ryan, looking for signs that his visibly pissed-off friend was going to get violent with their host. "Um....no, I think the blonde suits him, a light colour takes emphasis away from the....er..." "Shiny baldness?" Colin supplied, smiling. "Yeah" Greg laughed. "A dark colour like red would just accentuate it, plus it wouldn't suit his pale skin." "Besides, he has a beautifully shaped head" Jeff enthused, studying the blushing man carefully, "it'd be a crying shame to cover that with hair." Ryan and Greg smiled smugly at a now slightly deflated Alan. "Well" he sputtered, rising from the sofa and straightening his shirt, "I'd er.....i'd better go make sure everyone's enjoying themselves; being the host. You coming?" Colin looked up at Alan's outstretched hand, not really wanting to go back to the loud, smoky atmosphere upstairs. "We'll look after him" Ryan interjected, Greg and Jeff nodding in agreement. "Oh.......alright. I'll see you later then" Alan nodded to his lover, turning to the others with a warning look. "Don't let him drink any more beer." After Alan had departed, Ryan got up, grabbing a bottle from a mini cooler situated by the sofa and seating himself next to Colin. "Fancy another one?" he grinned, handing the cold beer over to his companion. "Dear God yes" Colin smiled, accepting the offering. "You know your boyfriend's an asshole" Greg beamed. This surprised a bark of laughter from Colin. "Um.." "Just saying" Greg smirked, settling into the cushions and leaning into Jeff a little. "How did you end up with him anyway?" Ryan inquired, turning his body toward Colin and stretching his long arm across the back of the sofa. "He's, well he's the first actual boyfriend I’ve had really so..." Colin drifted off, noting the surprised looks from the others. "How? I mean you're what?" Jeff asked, leaning forward, causing Greg to almost topple sideways. "Forty-two, well, forty-three soon. I lived in the jolly land of denial for a long time. I was also married for fifteen years." Greg shuddered dramatically and the other two just blinked in surprise. "I met Alan about six months after my divorce. It took me that long to work up the courage and go along to one of the local bars." "So he's pretty much the only experience you've had?" Greg quizzed, mirroring Jeff's pose, his interest peaked. "Pretty much" Colin smiled. "He's not that bad, he has my best interests at heart really." Both Ryan and Greg scoffed at that, but chose to say nothing contradictory as Colin was obviously uncomfortable talking about it. The tone of conversation was in turn confusing Colin. To hear Alan talk of his friends when they were in New York, he'd thought they were all closer than brothers. Colin wasn't sure if this line of questioning wasn't a test of his loyalty, making sure he was good enough to be with their buddy. Alan had talked particularly fondly of Ryan when they were making plans to move, causing Colin to ponder just what level of feeling there was between the two. Surprisingly he had felt no jealousy at the time, making him wonder several times since then whether he had agreed to go with Alan simply because he craved to be back on his home territory. He missed his home country terribly the entire time he was in New York, cursing his wife's career move numerously over the years. Glancing over at Ryan, who was laughing at something Greg had said and Colin had missed when he'd tuned out for a minute, he decided he could fully understand Alan's obviously one-sided affection for this man. Ryan's emerald eyes sparkled, alive with humour, his handsome features breaking into a grin, slender but strong frame shaking as he laughed. Colin sighed audibly, if only he could attract someone like that. "Are you okay?" Snapping out of his thoughts, Colin was a little startled to realise he had unconsciously moved closer to the object of his thoughts. "I'm fine. Sorry, I kinda zoned out there." Ryan smiled affectionately. "So, I’m thinking Monday." "Monday?" "For you, as in starting work." "Eloquently put" Greg grinned. "Oh shut up." Colin sat up abruptly, blinking in shock. "I got the job?" "Yup" "Oh my God thank you!" Ryan chuckled in surprise when Colin tackled him in a grateful hug. "You're welcome" he soothed, squeezing the other man tightly and taking the opportunity to surreptitiously run his large hands over Colin's muscular back and breathing in his scent; something certain parts of his slightly tipsy anatomy found very agreeable. "Well if that isn't an excuse for a celebration" Greg announced, getting up and opening the cooler. "Damn" he pouted, "who took the last beer?" "I'll go get some" Ryan offered, reluctantly removing himself from Colin's embrace and heading up the stairs. ----------------- Ryan nearly jumped out of his skin when a hand landed on his shoulder as he was gathering supplies from the refrigerator in the kitchen. "Alan" he sighed, turning to the grinning features of the last person he wanted to see considering his good mood. "Ryan, can I have a quick word?" Alan asked, looking a little awkward and scratching at his designer stubble covered chin. "I guess. What's up?" "Colin told me it was your place he'd gone to for an interview today." "And.....?" Ryan muttered irritably, the cold bottles beginning to numb his fingers. "Look.....I don't want you to feel as if you have to give him a job. You know, on account of us being friends. We'll both understand completely." Ryan inwardly bristled, staring coldly at the shrew-like features of his 'friend'. "That won't be a problem" he smirked, leaning closely to whisper "I don't like you." With that, Ryan strode out of the kitchen, not interested in staying for a response. He'd made up his mind in that instant. Alan was an egotistical, self-oriented slimy little prick. And Ryan was going to steal Colin away from him. --------------------------------------------- Ryan's first thought upon waking the next morning was 'ouch!', the second being 'where the fuck am I?' closely followed by 'ouch!'. Gingerly prodding at the golden, nylon covered bulge underneath his ear, he came to the fuzzy conclusion that this was definitely not his pillow. The soft object began moving, and apparently had legs attached to it, two to be exact, currently squirming and sliding over the hardwood floor in a vain effort to find a more comfortable position. Ryan's head shot up in shock, closely followed by the rest of his body. "Why was I sleeping on Wayne's ass?" he murmured, blinking the outline of his friend into focus. The question remained unanswered at that moment, his back deciding to vie with his head in the pain stakes and protest vehemently at being forced to sleep on a cold wooden floor all night. Ryan staggered in the direction of the kitchen, hoping that few Tylenol, a gallon or two of water and copious amounts of coffee might bring him out of his shaky state. The first person he registered was Greg, sitting at the kitchen table, cigarette in hand and smiling at him blearily. "It’s alright, only Ryan." The cigarette was gratefully plucked from Greg's unresisting fingers by Colin, who waved too damn cheerfully for a Sunday morning at Ryan before pouring the taller man a coffee. "Alan doesn't approve of him smoking" Greg explained. He need not have bothered; Ryan was currently fixated on the way Colin's long white shirt flowed with his movements, the top few buttons open causing it to fall slightly off of one shoulder. "Breakfast." "You want to eat?" Colin asked innocently, holding forth a steaming cup of coffee, his sudden near proximity bringing Ryan out of his stupor. "Um" Ryan blinked, taking the drink and ignoring Greg's muffled laughter. "Thank you." "You're welcome" Colin smiled, his bare feet padding across the tiled floor as headed for the medicine cabinet. Ryan momentarily thought it was a shame that the shirt covered Colin's backside, it would be nice to see what it looked like in those jeans. His brain reminded him that thinking was painful and he slumped down beside Greg, laying his head on the table and cradling the coffee cup. "Poor Ry-bear" Greg soothed, stroking his friend's hair. "If you call me Ry-bear again I will have to kill you a lot" Ryan grumbled, lifting his head from the table and fixing a stony, if somewhat unfocused glare at his grinning, completely unrepentant housemate. "Here you go" Colin said softly, producing a glass of water and two painkillers. "Marry me" Ryan whispered, chugging both down at almost light speed. Footsteps were heard approaching the open kitchen door and Colin immediately thrust his cigarette into Ryan's fingers. "Wha.....?" "Morning all!" Alan called happily, and far too loudly, striding into the kitchen. "You okay there G-man? You look a bit pale." Greg pulled out of his silent plotting of Alan's demise long enough to answer "'M fine." "Good good. Aww Colin, don't wear that shirt honey, it makes you look fat." Alan tutted, pouring himself a coffee. Colin looked down at his torso a little forlornly before shaking himself with a false smile. "Okay." "Good boy. So, are we the only ones in the land of the living?" "Depends on your definition of 'living'" Greg muttered, keeping an eye on Ryan who was glaring daggers at their esteemed host. "How are you Ryan?" Alan smiled softly, sitting himself opposite. Ryan propped his chin up with one hand, the barest trace of a smirk on his lips as he closely observed the man in front of him. "You know, you really shouldn't wear your hair like that Alan" he said softly, "it kinda makes you look like a greasy shrew with the personality and wit of a plastic spoon." Colin choked on the piece of toast he'd been eating. "Wha..er.." Alan blinked, turning to Greg in hope of an explanation. Greg's wide eyes turned from Ryan to the spluttering man opposite. "Um.....maybe a side-parting and..and... or...some highlights......?" he trailed off, shrugging his shoulders innocently. "You guys!" Alan chuckled "Didn't I tell you how much fun they were sweetie?" he enthused, turning to Colin who was spooning sugar into his freshly poured coffee. "How many sugars are you putting in there?" "I don't like it without sugar." "Colin, Colin, Colin" Alan sighed, shaking his head and taking the coffee from his lover. "You know you're not supposed to have sugar, its part of your diet plan. You start straying from that and you'll get fat again." "But..." "No buts, you know I’m only doing this for your own good honey" Alan smiled, briefly cupping Colin's cheek before pouring the coffee down the sink. "Damn Alan, I could hear you bitching at him from the Garden" Jeff mumbled, shuffling into the room and rubbing his eyes. Words such as 'cute' and adorable' ran through Greg's mind at the crumpled vision, before being overshadowed by an insistent "You slept in the garden?" "Yeah" Jeff grinned sheepishly. "Why?" "No idea. Good morning Colin, you're a breath of fresh air" the young stylist smiled, kissing the stunned man squarely on the lips and heading for the coffee pot. "That's Jeff" Ryan smiled at a rapidly blinking Colin. "Its what he does" Greg confirmed. "I'm cold" Jeff yawned, perching himself on Greg's lap. "That's what you get for sleeping in the garden all night, silly" his boss murmured, hugging him close. "The grass looked soft." "Well, I think I’ll go take a shower" Alan chirped, stretching and scratching at his exposed stomach. He chuckled merrily at the chorus "eeew" and "put it away for Christ’s sake!" "You gonna join me?" he cooed, gracing Colin with his best effort at sultry. Colin looked momentarily panicked, taking an involuntary step backwards. "I...I took one earlier when you um...rolled over in bed and.....er....vomited on me" he finished, looking decidedly embarrassed. "Oh yeah, sorry about that" Alan laughed, "don't forget to change the sheets, they're gonna stink out the bedroom otherwise.” Ryan growled, watching Alan leave, and then turning to Colin. "Seriously, why the hell......?" "Ooookay Captain Hangover, let's get you home eh? The cats' stomachs are going think their throats have been cut" Greg interrupted, reluctantly hoisting Jeff off of his lap. "Greg!" "No Ryan, we need to talk." Ryan wilted under his friend's glare, holding his hands up in surrender. ---------------------------------- The crisp autumn morning proved refreshing for Greg and Ryan as they walked home, both lost in their individual thoughts. Greg knew he had to talk to his friend about the situation and the way he was handling it, but wasn't sure just how to put it into words. Ryan was madder than Hell. Mad at Alan for being......well, Alan; mad at Colin for putting up with the crap his lover doled out and not fighting back and mad at Greg for dragging him away. "Ryan......Ryan!" "What?" "C'mere" Greg sighed, grabbing his sulking companion by the coat sleeve and diverting them into the local park, which was thankfully empty. They sat down on the roundabout, Ryan glaring at his shoes. "Ry, I need you to listen to me, I mean *really* listen. Okay?" The tall man sulked for a second more before sighing resolutely and turning to his best friend. "Good" Greg smiled briefly. "Look, this situation with Colin its.....you're not helping because you don't understand." "Understand what? He lets that dick get away with........" "That's exactly my point Ryan! He's not letting him get away with it; he's simply at the point where he accepts it as normal." "Oh bullshit! How the hell can anyone think of that as normal?" "Christ" Greg sighed. "Look, try and see the bigger picture here. Colin denied his sexuality for the best part of his life, even getting married to hide it away. Alan caught him at probably his most vulnerable time. He was still reeling from the divorce, having to adjust to living on his own again and working up the courage to explore his sexuality for the first time. Now he's pretty much all alone in a new area, surrounded by people that Alan's most likely built up as his closest friends and allies. As far as Colin's concerned he has no one else and certainly no one to turn to. People like Alan are predatory; they go for people they can mold, control. Its not as rare as you think Ryan." Ryan exhaled softly, raising his head and squinting at the bright morning. A couple of chattering birds danced away from a nearby tree and he silently followed their flight before muttering softly "Why Greg? Why do that to someone?" "I don't know" Greg shrugged, taking his pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lighting two and handing one to Ryan. "Probably insecurity. Maybe deep down he thinks that Colin's going to leave him so he has to make him dependant." "He is going to leave him" Ryan uttered determinedly, using his foot to shift the roundabout into a gentle spin. "I'm going to make sure of it." "Not the way you're going about it. Getting angry at him won't help, trust me on this." "I just get so frustrated Greg! Its like....I want to jump inside Colin's body long enough to deck that prick and leave." "You and me both" Greg chuckled, "but, I’m afraid you're gonna have to patient." Ryan suddenly turned to his friend, eyes wide. "You don't think Alan hits him do you? I was watching this programme on domestic violence and..." "Whoa there!...No, I don't think its got to that stage, at least not yet. Colin still has that hint of rebellion about him." Ryan laughed softly, remembering the gleeful way the older man chugged the beer he'd sneaked him. "Yeah." Any amusement left his face as his thoughts turned to darker subjects. "I'd beat the shit out of him if he ever did." "I'd hold him down for you" Ryan smiled at his friend and stubbed his cigarette out on the wet grass. They got up a little stiffly, hands in pockets and resumed the journey home. "So...oh bespectacled oracle, how do we go about operation 'remove the diamond ring from the pile of dog shit'?" "Eloquently put grasshopper" Greg laughed, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "I think we should feed Colin's rebellious streak. Show him what life is like on the outside." "I like" Ryan grinned, linking his arm through Greg's as they walked. "We have to build up his confidence, let him know that he isn't alone and that he does have somewhere to go." "You really are passionate about this aren't you?" Greg smirked, squeezing Ryan a little closer and patting his arm. "Its just...its like a craving. I feel this pull in my stomach when I think about him and it only settles when I’m near him. It physically hurt leaving him today, I just wanted to gather him up and take him home, keep him safe...I even gave him our address and told him come over later so he'd learn the route for Monday morning." "He gonna be walking with us?" "Well, I hope..." Greg smiled, laying his head on Ryan's shoulder as they turned onto their street. "He shoulda met you first." --------------------------------------------- They were dancing. Colin couldn't quite make out where they were, darkness surrounded them on all sides as they glided across the floor. All he knew was that he never wanted to leave, never wanted to stop dancing. Looking up into the twinkling green eyes of his partner, he felt a disjointed recognition, a familiarity that didn't quite reach the surface of his thoughts. It didn't strike him as odd that the rest of the man's features were blurred, just out of his mind's focus; he knew he was dreaming. Those eyes told him not to worry, that everything would be okay; and, just for a little while, he allowed himself to believe it. "I don't want to leave" he whispered, laying his head on the man's shoulder and being held tightly in return. "I don't want you to leave either" Colin looked up into those beautiful eyes again, surprised to see them filled with sadness. "What's wrong?" The tug on his arm from behind came gently at first, becoming more insistent when he ignored it. "No!" Colin yelled, ripped from the arms that were keeping him safe and flying backwards. "No! Help me!" Those sad eyes drifted away into the darkness as Colin drifted toward the light of consciousness. "Oh at last! I was beginning to think you'd lapsed into a coma!" "Wha...?" Colin mumbled, blinking the stern face of his lover into focus. "What time is it?" "Almost three-thirty" Alan replied tightly, "You've been asleep for almost two hours." "Mhmm" Colin grunted, snuggling back into the pillows only to be physically dragged into a sitting position by his clearly upset boyfriend. "We have to talk, so you need to wake up. You embarrassed me last night, and today." Colin just blinked at him in confusion. "Here" Alan sighed, holding forth a cup, the wisps of escaping steam momentarily mesmerising the still half-asleep man. Colin took the beverage eagerly, holding it to his lips and taking a deep breath. That woke him up. "What the Hell is that?" he yelped, thrusting the repulsive smelling liquid away from his face. "Herbal tea, Echinacea and raspberry I think" Alan replied, peering slightly cross-eyed at the cup now under his nose. Colin regarded his lover sceptically, he was sure Alan only bought this crap to appear eclectic, not really having a clue what he was putting into his body or whether it was actually good for him. "It should be classed as an offensive weapon" Colin grumbled, placing the offending cup on his bedside table and rubbing his eyes. "You have to learn not to contradict me in front of my friends" Alan admonished, confusing Colin completely with, to him, the abrupt change in topic. "I what?" "I do these things for your own good you know" Alan continued, now pacing the room, Colin following him with his eyes while his brain attempted to catch up. "I mean, if it wasn't for me God knows where you'd be right now so you think you'd be thankful, but no, instead you contradict me at every turn. I introduce you to my friends, trying to help you fit in...Do you think you don't need me now is that it? You think they'd still be friends with you if you left me? Hmm? You think Ryan would still let you work for him? No...You know why? Because of me!" Colin was beginning to feel more than a little alarmed at his lover's nonsensical rambling and pacing. He looked like a best man practicing his wedding speech and nervous about messing it up. "Alan..." "What?!" Colin's body automatically reacted to the look in Alan's eyes by backing up and standing on the other side of the bed, needing to put a barrier between them. His lover looked as if he was about to snap and beat the crap out of him. "Alan, look...i...I’m sorry, but I don't know what I’m supposed to have done" Colin said deliberately softly, holding his hands out in a manner that he hoped was placating, at the same time ready to be defensive if needed. "Don't give me that shit!" Alan spat, " with your "I wasn't that fat" and "I like sugar in my coffee" even though you knew damn well I was right. How do you think that made me look?" "Well gee Alan, I don't know" Colin replied, his defensive stance being rapidly replaced by 'fuck you' mode. "Maybe it looked like you have a boyfriend and not an adopted child who gets grounded every time he speaks out of turn! It wasn't exactly fun for me having you point out all my flaws to your friends!" "I was trying to help you, you ungrateful son of a bitch! I thought if they knew a little about you, about your struggles, they'd be sympathetic." "There's some bullshit! You were trying to make yourself look good at my expense." Alan gasped, clutching his chest in shock, making Colin think the man needed some serious acting lessons. "How can you say that? Everything I’ve done has been with your best interests in mind!" "Alan, you control me. You won't let me eat what I want, drink what I want..." "And where the hell would you be if I didn't?! I've given you a home, a new life! I dragged you up from nothing, you owe me! Don't you ever forget that!" Colin, sighed, ready to reply, but Alan wasn't yet done with his evisceration. "I mean look at you! You honestly think you can do better than me?! You're a marked improvement on what you were but damn Colin! I've done the best I can with you and you still make me ashamed to be with you!" The silence that followed Alan's outburst was oppressive, both men in shock at what had just been said. "Fuck you" Colin whispered, swallowing the lump in his throat and running out the door. "Colin wait" Alan called, but his lover was already down the stairs and slipping his shoes on. "Where are you going?" The slamming of the front door was all he received in answer. --------------- 'Bastard! Fucking bastard!' Colin stormed internally, wiping the frustrated tears from his eyes as he walked. 'Why do I put up with this crap?' He knew the answer, because Alan was right. He had nowhere else to go, no one else to turn to. Ryan, Greg and the other guys had been very kind to him, Colin thought, but charity and friendship were two completely different things. Colin had encountered the former from time to time, the latter being a mostly sporadic and fleeting part of his life. School and home life had been a double whammy of a nightmare for him and New York wasn't exactly the place to form long-lasting friendships. All the acquaintances he'd made during his marriage had sided with his wife. 'Let's divide our assets. You can take the vase Aunt Edna gave us for Christmas and I’ll take all our friends.' The divorce had taken its toll both emotionally and financially on Colin; the ratty old apartment block he moved into was condemned a few weeks after he'd met Alan, forcing him to move in with his lover for no other reason than he simply had no choice. Through lawyers fees and other costs, he'd not managed to save any money for a deposit on anywhere else. 'And now I’m stuck with it' Colin thought bitterly, wishing he'd had the foresight to grab his jacket on the way out; his cigarettes were in the pocket. Searching his pants pockets vainly, Colin frowned when his hand closed around a crumpled piece of paper. Pulling it out and opening it, he stared at the hastily scrawled address and map Ryan had given to him earlier in the morning. Deciding that working out the route would take his mind away from things and was infinitely better than going home, Colin set off in what he hoped was the right direction. ------------------------- Finding the house had been relatively easy, much to Colin's relief, though he chose not to knock, deciding it would be too much of an imposition on people who were, for all intents and purposes, Alan's friends and not his. 'Nice Colin thought, looking up at the tall building and turning to leave. "Hello there! You're new." Colin turned to see a smiling, diminutive lady, her jolly face mostly shadowed under a white, wide-brimmed hat. He walked the few steps to her fence next to Ryan's gate and smiled in return. "Hello. Yes, I suppose I am." "My name's Sandi." "Hi Sandi, I’m Colin." "Excellent! Hold this would you?" she beamed, thrusting a rose bush at him. "Right...okay" Colin muttered, trying to grab it without impaling his fingers on the thorns. "I need to plant it a little closer to the fence" Sandi continued, her voice slightly muffled as she bent over to dig a hole with her trowel. "Bloody thing's growing like a triffid and I don't have any trellis. Hopefully i can tie it off on the fence post." "Did you know there's a spider on here?" Colin retorted, eyeing the large arachnid that was presently doing its best to pretend it was part of the stems and not something remotely edible. "Yes, that's Harold" Sandi puffed, picking a stone out of the freshly dug hole and chucking it behind her. "Ah" he replied, as if that explained everything. "He eats the aphids" "I thought ladybirds ate aphids." "Usually yes, unless of course they get scared off by a dirty great spider who sets up home in their favourite restaurant" Sandi clarified, grabbing a watering can. ------------------------------- The sunset was beautiful Ryan thought, marvelling at the streaks of orange and gold tumbling across the sky, like fingers reaching out to tap the moon on the shoulder. 'Get ready, its your turn.' Ryan sighed contentedly as long fingers entwined with his and he locked eyes with a man who, in his mind, put the sunset and all its glory to shame. "Colin", he whispered, catching his breath at the bright smile he received in return. They were walking along a beach, the breeze catching Colin's long white shirt, pulling it back and revealing the outline of his torso to Ryan's hungry gaze. He stopped, bringing the shorter man into his arms. "Kiss me" he breathed. "Okay" Colin replied, smiling and smacking Ryan rapidly but softly on the lips. "Um...." ---------------------------------- Greg wandered into the lounge and stopped in his tracks, grinning at the sight before him. Ryan was laid out on the larger couch, mouth open and snoring loudly. Bits was perched on his chest, staring at Ryan's mouth intently. When the tall Canadian breathed out, causing his bottom lip to wobble, bits reached out his paw and batted the snoring man's mouth repeatedly until he breathed in again. "Oh God Bits, you are gonna be in so much trouble if he wakes up." Hearing voices outside, Greg moved to the window and peeked through the net curtain, smiling at the sight of a bewildered looking Colin chatting to their neighbour. "I'd better go save him" he laughed, making his way to the front door. Ryan closed his mouth, much to Bits' chagrin, but the cat's interest was peaked once more at the movement of the sleeping man's nostrils, which were flaring in and out with each breath. A worthy prey begging to be caught, so Bits hunched low, wiggling his bottom in readiness to pounce. ----------------------- "...so I said to her, of course it's going to wilt if you pour cheap whiskey on it" Sandi tutted, grabbing the rose bush from Colin and wedging into its new home. "Hey Colin" Greg grinned, walking up the path. "Is this yours then?" Sandi asked. "Yup, well, technically he belongs to Ryan." "Hi Greg" Colin smiled. "Thought he must be with you two, he has that permanently confused look about him." The conversation was interrupted by a loud scream from the house, followed by a bellowed "Bits! You fucking little..." Greg turned, just in time to see a brown and cream streak of lightning fly past the doorway, rapidly pursued by Ryan, who was holding his abused nose and cursing up a storm. "Oh dear" Greg laughed, "We'd better go inside and save the cat from being stuffed and mounted." Reaching for Colin's hand and pulling him through the open gate, Greg bid farewell to Sandi and went in search of his severely miffed best friend, knowing that the sight of Colin would improve his mood no end. ------ Ryan was bent over the kitchen sink, splashing water on his face when he heard Greg calling his name. "In here Greg! I swear I’m gonna switch the oven on to two-hundred and roast that fucking...Colin!" he finished in surprise at the two standing in the kitchen doorway. "You can try, but i don't think i'd fit" Colin chuckled. "Sorry" Ryan grinned sheepishly in return, grabbing a towel and drying his dripping face. "I'll start some coffee" Greg enthused, transferring Colin's hand from his to Ryan's. "Okay" Ryan smiled, turning to his guest. "I am glad you're here." Colin looked up into now familiar twinkling green eyes, the memory of his dream hitting him full in the face with a realization bat. 'Oh...' --------------------------------------------- Colin hurried along the path; he was running very late this morning. His first day at work for Christ’s sake! It was Alan's fault. After resolutely shoving aside the realisation that he'd had a romantic dream about his new boss, with a promise to the disgruntled thought that he'd deal with it once the shock had abated slightly, Colin had spent a very relaxing and comfortable few hours with Ryan and Greg. The argument with Alan had escalated upon his return home, his partner hitting him with "where the hell have you been?" and "don't you ever walk out on me again" before he'd even closed the front door. It was well past one in the morning by the time Colin had settled to sleep, choosing the couch over sharing a bed with his boyfriend. Needless to say he was not in the mood for 'Bitch-session: part three' when he woke after a restless, uncomfortable sleep. Nevertheless, that's what he got. Alan hadn't been happy with his lover working from the start, stating that he was financially secure to look after them both. But Colin had never been a freeloader in his life and wasn't about to start now, especially if it meant Alan having another hold over him. "Shit!" he muttered, checking his watch and breaking into a run to cover the last few blocks. Alan had whined at him about everything from his clothing choice to the fact he was working at all. He'd had to virtually prize his lover's fingers from his arm at one point, Alan gripping him hard enough to leave bruises in an effort to make him stay. That had unnerved Colin a great deal; he'd bolted out the door at that, not having the time to think about it or anything else apart from 'oh crap I’m gonna get fired on my first day'. A darker part of Colin thought maybe that was Alan's intent. 'If he's gonna start that shit...' "I'm so so sorry" Colin puffed, finally approaching the two patiently waiting figures at the gate. "Hey, hit the brakes" Ryan laughed, slinging his arm easily around Colin's shoulder. "You okay? Did you oversleep?" "No, Al..." Colin started, before abruptly realising that using his boss's friend as an excuse was not going to cast him the most positive light on his first day at work. "Yes" he amended, still catching his breath, "sorry." "No worries" Ryan smiled, sharing a concerned look with Greg as they walked. Neither of them had missed Colin's slip. -------------------------------------------------- The morning had gone well Ryan thought, leaning on the counter and watching Colin, who was half-way up a step-ladder and strategically placing promotional titles on the top of a large wooden book case. Checking quickly that nobody needed his attention, Ryan lost himself in the guilty indulgence of watching the curve of Colin's ass and his long legs, one of which was elevated slightly and pointing backwards as he stretched. The simple black pants he'd chosen fitted him perfectly, the tall man decided, sighing contentedly. The slamming-shut of a book literally three inches from his ear caused Ryan to jump about a foot in the air, landing with his hand over his rapidly beating heart. "Jesus fuck Greg!" he scowled at his laughing housemate, "don't you ever actually work?" "Why yes Ryan" Greg smirked, resting his forearms on the counter, "yes I do. Do you? Or do you just spend your days checking out your employee's ass?" "Har de har. Why are you here?" "It be lunch time my lord. Thought i'd be nice and offer to go get you something." "Its lunch time already?" Ryan blinked, checking his watch. "Yup! One o'clock and all is well!" "I dunno where the time's gone this morning" Ryan sighed, glancing around for his wallet. "Well, you have been up since the crack of dawn" Greg soothed, giving way to a decidedly evil grin and adding "of course, you'd much rather be up at the crack of Colin." Ryan gaped at his friend in utter shock for a split second before picking up his copy of the yellow pages from the counter and hitting Greg squarely over the head with it. "Morning all!" Drew hollered, scaring the wits out of an elderly woman perusing the gardening section as he crashed open the door. "Hey Drew" Ryan smiled. "Drew" Greg nodded, rubbing the top of his head and scowling at Ryan. "How are you both?" Drew grinned as he approached the counter. "I'm fine, though Greg has a bit of a headache." "Sucks man. Want some Advil?" "No, I..." "Oh hey!" Drew interrupted, seeing that Colin was wobbling slightly on his descent, "let me help you." With that, he bustled over and planted his hands firmly on Colin's backside, causing the man to 'meep' slightly and almost lose his balance. "Drew!!" Ryan and Greg admonished in stereo. "What? I'm helping!" "Um…it'd be more helpful if you could take this empty box" Colin tried. Ryan stormed over to the pair, forcibly removing a giggling Drew's hands and taking the proffered box. "Honestly! You're shameless!" "Uh huh" Drew agreed, still smiling widely. "So...lunch?" Greg attempted once more when the three had returned to the counter. "Ooh great! What are we having?" Drew enthused, rubbing his palms together. "Oh no way am I buying you lunch" Greg countered, shaking his head for emphasis. "I'd have to take out a second mortgage just for the sandwich filling." "Oh ha ha" his rotund friend deadpanned, "pass me a needle and thread, I think my sides have split." "Must be all those doughnuts." "I'm so unappreciated" Drew sniffed, laying his head on Colin's shoulder. "I'd appreciate you more if you took your hands off my butt" Colin replied, sympathetically patting Drew on the shoulder. "Damn! Foiled again!" the chubby man laughed, removing his hands and wilting slightly under the stony glare Ryan was sending his way. "At the risk of de ja vu" Ryan sighed, "Why are you here?" "Hmm? Oh, yes...I need you guys to come over to the club on Friday night." Drew smiled, taking off his glasses and wiping the lenses with his shirt tail. Colin inwardly marvelled at how small the man's eyes were without his specs. "You need us to come? Why?" Greg asked suspiciously. "I'm auditioning some new dancers." Drew rolled his eyes at the incredulous looks he received in return. "Oh come on" he tried, putting his glasses back on and blinking his companions into focus for a second, "you guys are my best friends! I value your opinions!" Seeing that he was getting nowhere fast with the suck up, Drew added "Plus there'll be free beer." That got a smile out of Greg. "Wait...proper beer, or that watered-down shit you give to your customers?" "Bottled beer and....hey! I do not water down my draught beer!" Drew finished indignantly. "Who else is going?" Ryan asked, smiling at the elderly woman Colin was currently serving and motioning for his friend to keep his voice down. "Bring who you like" Drew whispered, amending it quickly to "within reason" when he saw the glint in Ryan's eyes and a mental party list forming. "So, are we going?" Greg grinned. "Are you going?" Drew echoed. Ryan shrugged his shoulders thoughtfully, waiting for Colin to finish with the customer. "You want to come along?" he proposed, once the older man had finished. "Me?" Colin laughed, "Oh I can just picture that conversation with Alan." "Alan's already going" Drew piped in, "he said you wouldn't be interested though, reckoned it wasn't your thing." "Well that answers your question" Colin smiled at Ryan, a little sadly. Well... he is going" Greg sniffed haughtily, moving behind the counter to stand beside Colin. "Yup" Ryan smiled, slipping his arm around Colin's shoulder, "he's going with us." Colin blinked in surprise at the two flanking him, looking from one to the other, then finally to Drew. "I'm going with them." "Great" Drew whooped, "I’ll call..." he started, retrieving his cell phone from his jacket pocket. "You tell Chip to keep his hands to himself this time" Ryan interrupted with a warning glare. "Don't worry" Drew winked, "Chip and I are kind of...well..." he finished, looking slightly embarrassed. "What?!" Greg grimaced "Hey! I can get cute guys too you know!" "I know, but...what?!" Drew flipped Greg the bird and wandered away to use his phone. "You do realise I’m going to get into a lot of trouble for this" Colin muttered. "I'm going to get you into a lot more trouble when I get you a burger and fries for lunch" Greg smirked. Colin's eyes widened hungrily. "Oh I can't...he'll kill me...can I?" "What he doesn't know" Greg sing-songed, sauntering to the door. "He can tell if I’ve even looked at a burger, let alone eaten one" Colin sighed. "You know, we have a spare room that's simply begging for a lodger" Ryan intoned, moving to attend to a waif-like young man struggling under the weight of four encyclopaedias. Colin frowned, smiling slightly. "You and Greg confuse me" he chuckled, grabbing a couple of heavy-duty bags from the counter top and readying them as Ryan scanned the first book. "Colin, when are you going to realise that you got this job despite being with Alan, not because of it." --------------------------------------------- Friday Morning: Colin bit back another yawn as he opened a fresh box of new books in the back room. He'd been working only a few days at the book store and he enjoyed it immensely, but it meant coming home to a fresh battle of words with his lover every night. Usually lasting well into the small hours. He was tired, so very tired. "Col?" "Hmm?" Ryan frowned slightly at the half-hearted response. "You zone out there buddy?" Colin looked down at the Stanley knife in his hand, half-poised at the sellotaped seam of a large box. "Oh God, I’m sorry" he smiled up at Ryan, trying and failing to reassure his boss, "I guess I did." Ryan moved to the coffee pot, pouring out a fresh mugful and adding a couple of sugars. "Here" he said gently, handing the drink to Colin and taking the blade. "Is everything okay?" He wanted to say "no", he really did. He wanted to lay his head on Ryan's shoulder and just catch up on a week's worth of sorely missed sleep. "Yeah, just a late night. I'm sorry." "Colin I..." Ryan was interrupted by a loud dinging of the counter bell followed by a shrill "Hello? Anyone there?" "Damn it" he whispered, pulling the curtain closed behind him as he left. Colin mentally shook himself and took a large swig of coffee. "C'mon idiot, pull your socks up or you'll end up out of a job." He knew this couldn't go on though, something had to give; and he'd rather it wasn't his job. It seemed Alan was determined to make his life as miserable as possible and for the life of him Colin couldn't work out why. One minute his lover was yelling about being sick of the sight of him, the next whining because he missed him while he was at work. In-between all this were not-so-subtle questions about whether Ryan ever talked about him to Colin and if so what did he say. 'Maybe its not that I’m working, maybe its who I’m working with' Colin mused, taking another sip. Colin discovered that he was no longer comfortable with the idea of Alan harbouring romantic feelings for Ryan. He wasn't worried about losing the former, but the thought of losing the latter gave him an uneasy sickly feeling in the pit of his stomach. 'Losing what? You don't have anything.' Except the warmth that spread through Colin's body every time Ryan smiled at him; or the excitement he felt walking those first few blocks every morning and knowing he was going to be spending the day in the tall man's company. 'So, I'm living with a guy who doesn't particularly want me, while falling helplessly for another man who wouldn't look at me twice and is also the object of my current lover's affection. Not to mention the fact that he's also my boss. If Alan dumps me and hooks up with Ryan it means I’ll be out of a job and homeless. If I dump Alan and try to hook up with Ryan it means I’ll be out of a job and homeless.' "Well...shit." Colin blinked. "Hey." Colin looked up; suddenly realising he'd been sitting on a box of expensive new editions. "Oh crap! Sorry, hi Jeff" he chuckled, handing the grinning young man his cup and hefting himself into a standing position. "You looked like you were in your own little world there." "Yeah, I guess I was...again" Colin sighed. "I'll be lucky if Ryan doesn't fire me." "Oh I don't think that's going to happen." "So, how come you're here? I thought you worked at Greg's salon." "I do" Jeff smiled, pouring himself a coffee. "You know I don't think i'd still be alive if coffee hadn't been invented" the younger man grinned brightly. "I'm here because its my day off and I need some books....and I was kinda hoping Greg might pop in for his usual lunchtime routine" he finished off shyly. Colin smiled softly. "You like him?" "Yeah. Not that its blatantly obvious or anything!" Jeff rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I'm hopeless." "No you're not. I think its sweet." Jeff grimaced at that. Colin admired the younger man a great deal. He had his own way about him and a look that could carry pretty much any style, Colin wished he was as comfortable in his own skin. Jeff even looked stunning in the scruffy outfit he had donned today; unruly hair that had probably yet to see a comb, the overly-large black sweater, denims with more patches than original fabric and... "You're wearing slippers" Colin laughed. Jeff grinned again, looking down at the blue fuzzy material on his feet and shrugging. "They're comfy." "So, how's your repugnant boyfriend?" Jeff questioned, leaning against the worktop and cradling his coffee. "I can't work out if you guys really dislike him that much or whether you're sneakily trying to see how loyal I am" Colin chuckled. "Oh trust me, its the former." "I dunno." "Colin, look at me" Jeff ordered softly. When he locked his gaze with the slender man's bright hazel eyes, Colin could see the no-nonsense truth of what Jeff was saying. "Trust me on this." Colin had to look away, for some reason he felt as if he was going to burst into tears if he looked at Jeff any longer. "Hey" Jeff whispered, moving forward and placing his hand on Colin's arm. "Its okay, I’m just really tired today." "Come here" Jeff sighed, pulling the older man with him to sit on the floor and leaning against the back wall of the small room. "I have to get back to work" Colin muttered as the younger man pulled him into a tight hug, cradling Colin's head on his bony shoulder. "Its alright, Ryan said you were on a break." "I've been worse than useless today." "Colin, you have to realise something" Jeff voiced quietly, rhythmically stroking Colin's head, "As hard as it probably is for you to believe, you've found your way into our hearts here, mine, Greg's, certainly Ryan's." Colin blinked away threatening moisture from his stinging eyes. "Don't say nice things to me, I’m tired and over-emotional" he chuckled. Jeff kept up his steady mantra and moved his hand to play lightly with the fringe of hair on the back of Colin's neck. "Its true. I personally would thoroughly enjoy five minutes alone with Alan and a baseball bat. Greg...well, let's just say Alan's untimely departure from this planet seems to be his favourite topic of discussion at work" Jeff chuckled. Colin's breathing had become slow and steady, his long eyelashes brushing his cheekbones as he gave in to the tiredness that had been plaguing him all morning. Jeff smiled a little, brushing a small kiss over Colin's temple and laying his head on the other man's. He, Greg and Wayne had talked a lot at work about Colin's predicament and Ryan's feelings, each determining to help in some way, even though they didn't quite know how to go about it. "We'll get you away from him" Jeff promised his sleeping companion. --------------------------------------------- "Hey honey!" Greg called, closing the door behind him. "Hey sweetums" Ryan smiled in return, bagging up a customer's book. The old woman beamed sweetly at Ryan, gracing Greg with a scowl as she passed. "Do you ever get any customers below the age of sixty?" he frowned, glaring at the woman's back. "Shush. You here for lunch?" "Yessum" Greg grinned. "Wait, did you leave Wayne on his own?" "No, I left him bellowing orders at Sally, one of our part-timers. I swear he's reduced her to tears at least twice." "PMS?" "If you mean Pissy Male Stylist, then i'd have to say 'yes'. Where's Colin?" "He's in the back with Jeff. I'm worried about him.” Ryan frowned. "About who? Jeff or Colin...wait, Jeff’s here? Why is Jeff here?" "He came to buy a book, oddly enough." "So what's wrong with Colin?” Greg questioned, craning his neck in a vain effort to get a glimpse into the back room. "I dunno, he seems...washed out. He did mention things being a little tense at home... I have a feeling that's a bit of an understatement though." "You think Alan's giving him a hard time?" "Well, Alan called him earlier and from the expression on Colin's face, I could tell he was getting his ear chewed about something." "Maybe we need to forgo the softly softly approach and just kidnap him" Greg half-joked. "Don't tempt me" Ryan growled. "The poor guy's getting nagged half to death at home, probably thinks he's about to get fired..." Ryan sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Have you mentioned that we have a spare room?" Greg asked, patting his friend's arm gently. "A few times" Ryan laughed. "Perhaps we can persuade him to stay over tonight. Make sure he enjoys himself. Maybe....well...you know, Jeff could come back with us after the club and we can make a night of it." Greg finished quietly, finding his shoes suddenly interesting. "I think that's a great idea" Ryan grinned, his eyes lighting up. "I'll go tell them" Greg replied enthusiastically, making his way round the counter and pulling open the back curtain. He stopped at the doorway, eyes softening at the sight before him. "That's just precious" he whispered, motioning silently for Ryan to join him. Ryan moved to look over his shorter friend's shoulder. Colin and Jeff were curled around each other in a sitting position, leaning against the back wall, both snoring softly. "Ours" Greg beamed quietly, laying his hands on his best friend's arms as they wrapped around him from behind. He felt the movement of Ryan's chin on his shoulder as the taller man agreed. "Ours." --------------------------------------------- "No, that's naughty" Greg scolded, tapping a spoon lightly on Bit's nose when the hungry cat tried to eat his food straight from the can. Both felines were staring at him impatiently, licking their lips and waiting for their dinner. "I want to get a dog." "Why?" Ryan questioned, turning on the coffee pot. "When I bitch at the cats they don't take any notice. They just look at me like I’m an idiot." "Everyone looks at you like you're an idiot" Ryan reasoned, exiting the kitchen and narrowly avoiding a flying spoon full of cat food. "Any more of this and I’ll be in the garden eating worms" Greg muttered, fishing another spoon out of the cutlery draw. The crash and resulting curse from the hallway made Greg wince; he knew he'd forgotten something. "Greg, that fucking easel is a death-trap!" Ryan bellowed, rubbing his throbbing knee. "I know I know" the other man huffed, rushing through to check his newest purchase for injuries. "I keep forgetting to move it to my room." "Next time I collide with it I’m moving the damn thing to the trash." "I'll do it, I’ll do it! Let me go wash my hands." "By the way, what time are we going to the club?" "Oh crap......um....about that..." Ryan's mood was not improved by his friend taking an automatic step backwards, a move Greg always made when he was about impart bad news. "What? Was it cancelled?" He tried hopefully. "Kind of" Greg squeaked, clearing his throat before continuing. "See, Drew called and I forgot to tell you 'cause we got real busy and Jeff came to help after lunch and he was wearing these tight jeans and I kinda got side-tracked and a clump of Mrs. Ellison's hair turned green and..." "Greg!" Ryan interrupted impatiently, "What did you do?" "Well I offered her a discount and she..." "Not with the green woman!" "Oh, right. Um...well...Drew called and said that one of his ex-employees had gone all disgruntled postal worker with a baseball bat. Apparently he totalled most of the liquor, smashed up all the toilets and sinks in the bathroom, caused a flood and smashed a few windows." "Damn" Ryan breathed. "Yeah, so I kinda...well...I sort of agreed that Drew could bring the guys over here and audition them and kinda make a party of it…” Greg trailed off, noting with alarm the dark purple hue Ryan's face had adopted. He was in serious deep shit. Ryan's venomously pissed gaze eyed Greg's easel speculatively before turning back to his cowering housemate and taking a deep breath... ---------------------- Sandi sat on her sofa, shaking her head reproachfully and picking up her tea. "I hope he's going to grease it first" she muttered, taking a sip. ----------------------- "Now Ryan..." Greg pleaded, backing away from his fuming friend, and holding his ass protectively, "Let's not be hasty." "Hasty?!" Ryan spat, putting down the easel he'd been brandishing, "You’ve invited Drew, the usual entourage and a bunch of wanna-be strippers to our house for the evening!! Jesus Greg! What are the neighbours gonna think?!" "They'll probably think we're a lot more interesting than we actually are." "Not helping" Ryan sing-songed through gritted teeth. "Look, I’m sorry! Its just.....you know how hard it is to say no to Drew when he starts." "Why our house?" "He said we have more room than his place." "He has more houses!" Ryan retorted, reaching into his pocket for his cigarettes. "What time are they arriving? And just who the hell is arriving?" he finished, automatically lighting two and handing one to a grateful Greg. "Thank you. I think about eight and he's bringing Chip, Wayne and...." "Oh no...He’s not bringing Alan? Tell me he's not bringing that fuckwit to my...." "Guys?" Colin called, making his way down the stairs. "I'm...I’m sorry to interrupt your, erm...well, sorry to interrupt." "That's okay Col, what's up?" Ryan sighed, handing the older man his cigarette and stealing Greg's. "Well, I don't think I’m going to be able to get changed round here." "Why?" Greg asked, un-stealthily removing Ryan's smokes from his friend's pocket. "Alan volunteered to pack me something to wear for tonight and...." Colin winced, holding up a V-necked sweater, beige in colour with a pattern of dark brown diamond shapes dotted along the front. "What the fuck is that?" Ryan blinked. "Something I’m not even prepared to wear when I’m eighty" Colin laughed nervously. Greg disappeared into the kitchen momentarily, returning with a pair of cooking tongs. "Open the door" he instructed, using the tongs to carefully pluck the garment out of Colin's hands. Ryan opened the front door, both he and Greg exhibiting twin looks of disgust as the latter threw Colin's sweater as far up the garden as possible. "Should keep the crows off our seeds if nothing else" he muttered. "Come on Colin, we'll go raid my wardrobe!" Greg grinned, eyeing Colin's body and making mental calculations. "Though you might need to go to Ryan for pants, you got some seriously long legs there." "I can go home and…” Colin started. "No!" Ryan intercepted, a little too loudly. "Um, i mean, we can sort you out. Greg has some nice stuff." "Oh, okay, if you're sure" Colin smiled as Greg began to drag him back up the stairs. "So what time are we going out?" "We…um…so what size shoes do you take?" Ryan chuckled at the seamless change of subject, mentally planning his revenge on Greg and heading for the kitchen's much-needed beer-supply. ------------------------------------- A little while later Ryan checked his watch, seven o clock, plenty of time to get showered and changed before the guys arrived. He'd spent the past hour or so rearranging the furniture in his lounge to make room for....whatever was going to be happening. "What the hell am I doing?" Ryan muttered to himself, placing another kitchen chair to face a now bare expanse of flooring. The coffee table had been moved to the kitchen, along with his favourite fireside rug which he did not want decorated with low-flying baby oil and sweat. The sofas had been shoved to the back wall, accompanied by his six kitchen table chairs. If that wasn't enough room people could either sit on the floor or find a convenient lap. Ryan took a moment to imagine Colin using his lap. "Ryan! We need you!" Greg hollered. "Yes dear" he sighed, rolling his eyes and trudging up the stairs. --------------------------------------------- A hot shower, Ryan decided, was probably very nearly his favourite thing in the entire world. He tilted his head back, relishing in the soothing sensation of the hot water running down his throat and over his smooth, defined chest. After dutifully supplying Colin with a pair of black designer pants, he'd been ushered out of the room by Greg. Ryan had helpfully offered to stay and watch...assist Colin with getting changed, only to be graced with "the look" and forcibly removed. 'Shame' he thought, grabbing the shower gel and lathering up his chest and stomach. A few edible visuals ran through his mind, his hand unconsciously drifting lower as he imagined what Colin would look like naked. 'I know he has chest hair' Ryan mused, rubbing a circular, soapy pattern onto his stomach, the tips of his long fingers brushing lightly against the small thatch of hair below his belly, 'and those endless legs...' The thought trailed off, Ryan's large hands moving to soap up his buttocks, lifting his own long limbs to trail soap down his thighs and calves. The warm sensation spreading through his groin brought reality crashing back and Ryan looked apologetically down at his rapidly stiffening cock. "Later" he promised. There wasn't the time for that now. Ryan sighed heavily, dipping his head down and leaning his hands on the tiled wall, letting the water run freely over his shoulders and down his back. He was sure there was a look of longing in Colin's eyes when he left earlier, so much so that he almost insisted on staying. He shook his head slightly; 'gotta put a stop to that train of thought right now, or i'll never get out of the shower.' His knuckles were almost as white as the tiles when he pushed against them, stretching his back and calf muscles. "God I want him." ------------------ Colin was fairing no better, buttoning up the deep-red shirt Greg had loaned him and staring at his reflection in the bedroom mirror. 'I have to quit thinking about him, this is getting me nowhere.' A memory of Alan's voice rang through his head, one of the many insults hurled at him during their series of arguments. 'Who the hell else would have you?!' Colin sighed, gingerly smoothing back the few stray hairs on the top of his head. "Enough" he growled, frustrated and turned away from the mirror to continue dressing. ----------------------------------------- "They're heeeeeeeeere" Greg sang, peeking through the lounge curtains as two cars pulled up. "I guess it can't be that bad if there's only two" Ryan muttered, looking over his friend's shoulder. "Where's Colin?" "I'm here." Both men turned as Colin came through, desperately looking for somewhere to stub out his cigarette. "Well don't you look nice" Greg grinned, elbowing his openly-gaping housemate. "Thank you" Colin blushed, "You too." "Meh" Greg shrugged, absently smoothing down his midnight-blue shirt. "Seriously, it kinda hi-lights your eyes. " "Why thank you Colin. I'll go let the hoardes in." "You do look good" Ryan smiled, slipping an arm round Colin's shoulders, the silk of the shirt moving under his fingertips. Colin's heart sped up rapidly at the contact, causing him to catch his breath; Ryan's warmth and scent momentarily overwhelmed him and he desperately just wanted to get lost in the sensation, in the feeling of safety that always accompanied Ryan's touches. "You.." the older man began, breaking the contact and turning to face the taller man. "You look..." Colin's gaze swept briefly down the lean body, swathed in a loose green shirt and khaki pants, before returning to meet those sparkling forest eyes he so often fell to in his dreams. "You look really...really... Greg waved at everyone from the open door, turning to glance into the lounge. 'Oh crap!' Ryan and Colin were slowly leaning towards each other, both lost in the moment. 'Oh God they're gonna kiss' Greg's mind shrieked. He looked out of the door again, Drew and Alan were strolling up the path, chatting and laughing. 'I'm so so sorry Ry'...."Hey Guys!" he called through loudly, startling the two who blinked at each other and moved away in embarrassment. "Greg!" Drew called merrily, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "Hey Drew, come on in...Alan" Greg nodded, gracing the other man with no more acknowledgement. He led Drew through to the kitchen, guilt still tickling the back of his mind. "Oh, you have two tables" the portly man frowned, depositing a case of beer down on the larger one. "Hmmm? Oh, that's the coffee table. Ryan was having a panic attack about it getting broken so he moved it here. We made room in the lounge for the..er...dancers." "Oh that's right! I'll go get them." Drew bustled out, Greg following as far as the door then heading for the living room. "So where's the sweater I packed for you?" "Um..." Colin looked at his glaring lover. "It was shite Alan so we chucked it away" Greg shrugged, sending Ryan an apologetic look for earlier. "I went out and bought that specially" Alan pouted. "Which just about sums you up doesn't it" Ryan huffed, moving to help Jeff who was struggling through the door under the weight of two boxes. "What on earth is in this?" the taller man grunted, retrieving the heavy top box. "Oh thank you! I think there's alcohol in that one. No idea what's in mine, Drew just handed them to me and pointed me in this direction." "Jeff!" Greg smiled, grabbing the remaining box. "Oh hey" the young man beamed, eyeing Greg appreciatively. "Nice shirt, really brings out your eyes." Greg looked over his shoulder to a smug-looking Colin,"So i'm told." "Colin!" Jeff enthused, pushing Greg towards the kitchen and kissing his friend. "You look adorable." "Why don't you ever kiss me like that?" Alan frowned from behind his lover. "Well, because....you know...'eww'" Jeff shuddered, grabbing Colin's hand and dragging him off to join the others. "Drew, exactly how much alcohol do you think we're gonna need?" Ryan groused, wondering if his kitchen table would cope under the weight. "Sorry" Drew grinned, setting down another two boxes. "A lot of it is for the club, I didn't want to leave it in the car." "I'm surprised the car made it." "Drew, where do you want these?" Chip called, pointing to five overly-muscled young men in white wife-beaters and jeans. "Damn!" Colin breathed, his wide eyes scanning the group. "I'll see your 'damn' and raise you a 'hell yea'" Jeff sighed. "If you two are quite finished!" The pair reluctantly tore their gaze from the strippers, to be confronted by twin glares from Greg and Ryan, accompanied by an angry-looking Alan. "We're done" Jeff smiled sweetly. -------------------------------- A little while later, the strippers had been allocated the spare room to change in and most of the group had settled in the living room, Chip and Wayne attempting to adjust the equalizer on the sound system while Ryan hovered worriedly. Colin had volunteered to fetch the drinks, desperately needing some breathing and thinking space. 'I very nearly kissed my boss...oh shit!' was the almost constant mantra running through his head. 'What the hell was I thinking?! Obviously I wasn't thinking or I'd never have....I very nearly kissed my boss...oh shit! Shitshitshit!' But Ryan had smelled so nice, and he was so warm and handsome and he was holding Colin so tenderly...'shitshitshit!' It didn't even occur to Colin's panic-stricken mind that Ryan had been about to kiss him too. All he seemed able to focus on was the fact that he'd come a hair's breath away from losing his job. "Idiot" he muttered "Who's an idiot?" Colin glanced up,as Alan wandered in, "no one; here take these would you?" Alan smiled, putting down the bottles Colin had handed him and gathering the other man into his arms. "In a minute, I need some loving." "Alan, not now" Colin pleaded, struggling to get free as his lover tightened the grip around him. "Yes now! I haven't seen you all day." Alan groused, cupping the back of Colin's head and crushing their lips together. "Alanmmph...no, stop it!" Colin shoved the other man hard in the chest, sending Alan stumbling backwards. "I said no!" he growled, wiping his mouth. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Alan stormed, "what, I can't even get a kiss from my own boyfriend now?" "I'm not in the mood okay? Just leave it." "You're never in the mood these days!" "Well i'm sorry, but if you're not throwing insults at me you're whining at me or complaining! It doesn't exactly get me hot and heavy you know!" "Try doing as you're told for once and i'd have nothing to complain about!" Alan raged, stepping closer. "Oh fuck you Alan! I'm not your lap dog! I'm trying to make a life for myself here!" "A life without me? Huh? Is that what you're doing?!" Alan had moved even closer and was now virtually in Colin's face. "If you carry on like this then yes" Colin replied softly, backing away as far as the sink unit would let him. Alan turned his face away for a few seconds, gritting his teeth and closing his eyes. "Look" Colin sighed, dropping his head a little in resignation, "can we not do this right now. Let's just..." He got no further as Alan forcibly back-handed him across the face, knocking the older man sideways. The only thing that stopped Colin crashing to the floor was the kitchen table breaking his fall. "You're right, we'll talk later" Alan said calmly, grabbing the bottles Colin had given him earlier and leaving the room. "Jesus" Colin blinked, staring in shock at the blood that had dripped from his split lip and begun to pool on the table. His shaking body gave way and he crumpled to his knees, holding the edge of the table for support. He was still there when Ryan came in a few minutes later. --------------------------------------------- Colin brought his trembling palms up to his face, wiping the shocked tears from his eyes. He couldn't quite take in what had just happened. Granted, he and Alan had been arguing almost constantly for the past week, but they had never come to blows. Some of the insults Alan hurled at him in the heat of the moment had been nothing short of acidic, but this...this was new. He'd seen moments of restrained violence in Alan's eyes during their arguments, hell he'd even felt the desire to knock his lover's head off a few times. They never had. 'I can't live with this; this is the last straw' Colin thought miserably. He looked down at his shirt, absently grateful that it was the same colour as his blood. Blood. 'my blood. Oh God I can't do this. I have to get out of here. I have to leave before anyone sees me, go home, pack, find somewhere for tonight and figure out what I’m going to do tomorrow.' Part of him wanted to march right into the living room and beat Alan over the head with the nearest chair. But he was still shaky and he knew it wouldn't solve anything. 'Make me feel a whole lot better though' Colin thought darkly. 'Okay Mochrie, get your act together and get the hell out of dodge. They should all be in the living room so...' As if on cue, the music from the other room began booming out of the stereo, obviously welcoming the auditioning strippers if the accompanying laughter and catcalls were anything to go by. Deciding this was the best time to make his exit, Colin made to haul himself upright. "Hey Col, I thought I'd come give you a hand with....." Ryan's voice trailed off, obviously noticing the man he was talking to wasn't actually there. 'Shit!' Colin panicked,' I can't let him see me like this.' He tried huddling back under the table, but his body was too stiff from sitting in the same position for so long to move quickly enough. "Col? Wh....Col?!" The voice was suddenly very close. Colin looked up, meeting the concerned and somewhat alarmed gaze of his boss. "Oh my God!" Ryan blurted, kneeling down to look closely at Colin's face. The older man had a large, rapidly purpling bruise spreading across his left cheek, his lower lip split and swollen. "Fuck Colin! What happened to you?" Colin winced when Ryan's large hand gingerly touched the bruise. "Sorry, still sore" he half-smiled. "Wha...what happened?" "Um…I…um…” Colin's brain had momentarily frozen. He could think of nothing, no excuses, no explanations, the only semi-coherent thought running through his mind was; "I have to leave." "Leave? Colin..." "Ryan, I’m sorry. I have to...I need to leave. I've got to go home and..." Colin's wide, confused eyes locked with Ryan's, causing the taller man's heart to almost break at the turmoil running through them. "Here, let me help you up. I'll get you a drink." Ryan grabbed Colin's upper arms, his back protesting slightly as he lifted the distressed man to his feet and leaned him against the table. "We're gonna have a drink" Ryan soothed, grabbing a couple of tumblers and setting them on the table, "and you're going to tell me what happened" he finished, filling the glasses with whiskey and handing one to Colin. He watched the other man carefully, his thoughts tumbling over one another in an effort to work out what had happened to Colin in such a short space of time. 'Alan didn't say anything when he came back from the kitchen, so either it happened after then, or Alan didn't see him, or...' Colin flinched inwardly a little at the rapid change from 'concerned and worried' to 'icy and very very not happy' in Ryan's eyes. Ryan slammed his glass down on the table and looked back at his friend. "I'm gonna kill him" he stated matter-of-factly, and stormed out. "Oh crap! Ryan wait! Wait!" Colin shouted, scrambling after him. The music was momentarily deafening to the tall man striding into the room, barely registering the mostly unclothed dancers who were fawning over the guests. He didn't even take note of the cries of disappointment when he pulled the plug out of the stereo and turned on the overhead lights. "Ryan? What's going on? Greg questioned, but his friend simply stormed past him to the back of the room. Greg and Jeff stood, looking on in confusion as Ryan reached his target. "You..." he ground out, grabbing Alan by his hair and hauling the startled man off of the couch. Ryan marched him over to the doorway, where Colin had stopped, taking in the scene with wide-eyes and rapid, shocked breaths. "Tell me he didn't do this!" Ryan shouted, shaking Alan as if pointing him out. "I..." Colin started, looking at his lover then back to Ryan. "I can't" he whispered, defeated. That was good enough for Ryan. He growled animalistically, wrenching Alan's head back. "Ryan no! Please! Look he was angry and....." "Yeah? Well so am I!" he bellowed, bringing his fist back and smashing it into Alan's nose. "You like that? Huh? How about this?" he charged, slamming the dazed man face-first into the wall. "That feel good? Does it?! You fucked-up piece of shit!" "Jesus Ryan!" Greg yelled, running to his friend and prizing his hands away from the bleeding man. Alan groaned and slumped to the floor as Greg took a tighter hold of Ryan, holding the taller man back. Drew and Wayne shook of their stunned state, both rushing over to Alan to check he was okay, while Jeff, finally noticing Colin's state, made his way over to his friend. "He still breathing?" Ryan questioned, his own breath coming in rapid bursts. "Yeah" Drew frowned, looking up. "Then let me go Greg, I haven't finished." "Oh no you don't there Tyson" Greg replied, tightening his grip as Ryan struggled. "Did Alan do this to you?" Jeff asked softly, laying a cool palm against Colin's cheek. With the exception of Ryan, who was still glaring daggers at the crumpled man on the floor, all eyes turned to Colin, the purple and yellow bruising standing out in stark contrast to his pale skin. "Whoa" Greg muttered, letting go of Ryan and stepping back, his hands in the air. "Go for it." "No! Ryan, please. Enough" Colin reasoned, finally stepping forward and laying his hand on the taller man's arm. Ryan looked at him for a second, before enveloping him in a tight hug. Colin sank gratefully into the embrace, burying his tear-stained face in the other man's collar. A stunned Drew and Wayne helped Alan unsteadily to his feet. "Alan" Ryan called softly. The bleeding man lifted his head, shivering at the stony glare directed his way. "You're gonna leave right now and if you ever hurt him again, I swear to God I’ll kill you" Ryan warned, bringing his hand up to gently cradle the back of Colin's head. "I swear to God." Alan gulped audibly. Even through his dizzy mind he could see the absolute truth in Ryan's threat. Jeff opened the front door, Greg grabbing Alan's coat. "I would say its been nice having you back" Greg smiled. "But he'd be lying" Jeff finished, slamming the door as Alan walked through, hearing a satisfying yelp and thump from the other side. Greg grinned, grasping Jeff's hand and returning to the lounge. Ryan was holding Colin tightly, brushing feather-light kisses along the shaking man's temple. Drew glanced over to the strippers, who were all huddled fearfully behind Chip. "Well" he chuckled, "congratulations gentlemen. Cowering in a corner is exactly the right thing to do should a fight break out in the club. Feel free to go get dressed and I’ll call you, let you know. 'kay? Chip? You wanna help em out here?" Chip nodded, still a little stunned from the unexpected floor show. and ushered the group out and up the stairs. "I'll go grab a bottle or two" Wayne offered, walking towards the door. "Yeah, grab two for me as well" Drew muttered, staring at Colin. "Man I am so sorry Colin" he sighed, patting him on the back. Colin pulled away from Ryan's warm arms, laughing shakily and wiping his eyes. "Sorry guys, I’m being such a girl." The room momentarily filled with cries of "nonsense" and "don't be so silly" and similar, each overlapping the other. "I think being thumped by your boyfriend and then watching him get his ass kicked in front of a load of strippers gives you sufficient reason to be a basket case" Jeff said softly, running his fingers through the soft fringe of hair at the back of Colin's head. "I think we're all pretty much tuning in to 'what the fuck?' FM" Greg agreed, squeezing Ryan's shoulder. "I'm just glad it didn't happen in my club" Drew laughed, earning a slap from Jeff. "Come on" Ryan smiled and led Colin to sit on the couch, grimacing at the baby oil stains scattered over it. Colin sat leaning slightly into Ryan. "I supposed i'd better work out what I’m going to do now" he muttered. "Well duh! You're going to stay with us." Ryan looked gratefully up at Greg. "I believe I did mention our spare room a couple of times" he smiled, rubbing Colin's back. "A couple of hundred times" Greg mumbled, rolling his eyes. "I don't know how to thank you guys" Colin replied, shaking his head. "You've been so good to me and..." "Colin." Ryan smiled softly as Colin looked at him. "We're only doing it 'cause Greg wants to get into your pants." "Hey!" Greg whined indignantly, gracing a giggling Jeff with a sharp poke to his side. Colin chuckled, looking down at his lap. "Technically they're your pants." "Oh ewww! Enough!" Greg complained, grabbing the bottle of vodka from Wayne as the other man entered, his arms laden with drinks. "Finally!" Drew exclaimed, "Who do you have to beat up to get a drink around here?" --------------------------------------------- "How's he doing?" Greg questioned, when Ryan entered the kitchen. Greg and Jeff were both at the sink, doing the dishes; Jeff washing, Greg drying. "Okay I guess" Ryan sighed, reaching into the fridge for a beer. "I've run him a bath and sorted out a sweater for him. We need to talk about getting his stuff over here." "He's definitely not going back to him?" Jeff asked, drying the soap bubbles from his hands and standing behind Greg. "I'll tie him to his bed if he even tries" Ryan chuckled. "Kinky" Jeff grinned. "Oh shut it" Ryan smiled, his ears beginning to pink in embarrassment. "Okay, i'm gonna go watch the news or something, wind down a bit. Did Drew leave?" "Yup! And we rearranged the lounge back to all its original glory" Greg nodded. "Thanks for that guys, you've been unbelievable." Greg rolled his eyes and shooed Ryan out. "Go on Arnie, and try not to watch anything violent." "Its so sweet the way he came to Colin's rescue like that" Jeff sighed, wrapping his arms around Greg from behind and propping his chin on the older man's shoulder. Greg closed his eyes for a moment, mentally willing his heart to slow down as Jeff's scent and warmth played havoc with his senses. "Um....are you staying over?" "I'd like to" Jeff breathed in his ear, smiling wickedly at the shiver running the length of Greg's body in response. "Come...um....come on then, i'll find you some pyjamas or, something." Greg took Jeff's hand and led him out of the kitchen, almost bumping into Ryan when they reached the bottom of the stairs. "Where are you off to?" Greg asked, frowning slightly in confusion. He'd presumed Ryan would be slumped in front of the TV and dozing off by now. "Colin's been in the bath for a while. I'm just gonna go check on him, he took some pain meds before he went in and....." "Ooooookay Captain Freak-out, slow down there. He only went in a few minutes ago and..." "Ten minutes" Ryan interrupted worriedly. Greg sighed audibly. "Look, we'll check on him, you go try to relax. Okay?" "I'll just wait here til you tell me he's alright" Ryan conceded, biting on his thumb nail. "Fine." Once they arrived upstairs, Greg stopped outside the bathroom door and knocked softly. "Colin?" No reply. He knocked again, a little harder this time. "Are you looking for me?" Both Greg and Jeff turned in surprise, seeing Colin poking his head round the door of the spare room. "Oh...yes, um, Ryan asked us to check on you." Colin smiled sweetly. "I'm okay, the bath was making me a little giddy, so I thought it best to get out." "Cool! Can you do me a favour? Just call down to Ryan, let him know you haven't drowned." "Sure" Colin laughed. "Thank you!" With that, Greg dragged Jeff to his room. He closed the door, leaning his head against it for a moment and smiling at the muffled conversation he could hear from the hallway. "Ryan?" "Yeah?" "I haven't drowned!" "Alrighty!" Greg shook his head, grinning broadly. "Right, let's find you some sleepwear" he decided, turning and gasping a little at Jeff's grinning face, which was now a mere few inches from his own. "Hey" he squeaked, clearing his throat and trying again with a slightly more successful "Hey." "Greg I.." Jeff began, closing his eyes and gathering his nerves. Greg's own gaze had fixated on Jeff's soft lips, currently pouting in a frown of concentration. "I like you Greg....I mean, like you as in, like you." Jeff's shaky breaths ghosted over his own lips as he gazed into the other man's glittering eyes. "Me too" he whispered, cupping Jeff's head and finally bringing their lips together in a soft, needy kiss. Greg sighed into Jeff's mouth when the younger man lapped lightly at his lips, asking for entrance. Their tongues danced, tasting each other hungrily. "I wish i'd eaten some breath mints first" Greg chuckled, nipping at Jeff's lower lip. "You taste delicious" Jeff grinned in response, grabbing Greg's firm butt and pulling the other man roughly against him. "So fucking delicious" he moaned, grinding himself against his lover's answering hardness. "Oh Jesus" Greg shuddered, his tongue plundering Jeff's mouth while his hands snaked down between their bodies, playing lightly with the younger man's flat stomach. Jeff moaned loudly at the touch, pulling his head away to breathe harshly, "Greg.....want you." "Are you sure?" Greg whispered, running his tongue up the long, pale column of neck exposed to him and reaching down to cup Jeff's cloth-covered bulge. The younger man responded by growling and grabbing Greg's shirt collar, kissing him roughly and walking him backwards towards the bed. The back of Greg's knees hit the edge of the mattress and he was pushed down, bouncing slightly upon landing. He scooted back slightly and removed his glasses, watching avidly as Jeff began to unbutton his shirt, gracing Greg's ravenous eyes with a glimpse of his smooth, slightly tanned chest. "We've known each other for years" Jeff smiled, crawling up the length of Greg's body, stopping briefly to drop a kiss on the older man's hard cock, wetting the covering material with his tongue. "I think..." he grinned, sitting up and straddling Greg's hips, "that we can skip the preamble. Don't you?" "That'd be nice" Greg breathed, whimpering slightly when Jeff grabbed the collars if his shirt and ripped it open, sending a few buttons flying in varying directions. "Oh" Jeff sighed, running his flat palms up Greg's smooth chest, dancing his fingers over the rosy nipples, bringing them to hard peaks. "Jeff!" Greg cried, pushing his hips up and nearly unbalancing the other man. "Shhhhh" Jeff whispered, and brought his lips to Greg's chest, mouthing and suckling each nipple in turn until Greg was a writhing, jellified mass underneath him. "Oh God! Naked....want to...need you..." Jeff smiled wickedly and got up to stand by the bed. "Look at me" he whispered, waiting until Greg's gaze was on him before slowly slipping the silk shirt off his shoulders. "You're so gorgeous" Greg sighed, licking his suddenly dry lips and watching Jeff's hands move to his slacks. He had planned on giving Greg a show, a slow seduction. But seeing the older man half naked and flushed, spread out on the bed like a feast before him, threw all good intention out of the window, so Jeff hurriedly pulled his slacks down, taking his boxer briefs with them. His stiff, weeping cock sprang free, pointing greedily at the beautiful man who had made it so eager. "Oh, gimme" Greg enthused, reaching out. "Not yet. Gotta get you naked first" Jeff teased, bracing his hands flat, either side of Greg's hips and bringing his mouth down to the zipper. He grasped the metal between his teeth, slowly lowering the zip before burying his face in the small opening and breathing deeply. Jeff groaned in tandem with Greg, his lover's scent almost bringing him over the edge. He'd waited for this too long...far too long. Finally unhooking the button, Jeff motioned for Greg to elevate his hips so he could remove the older man's trousers completely. Finally, Greg was spread naked and hot before him, body quivering with desire, his thick cock standing proudly to attention, surrounded by a small thatch of light brown hair that Jeff wanted to bury his face in. He practically leapt onto Greg, grinding their hot shafts together and kissing him hungrily. "I want to suck you" Greg breathed into Jeff's mouth, causing the younger man to moan wantonly. "Come here." Greg slid his hands down the sweat-slicked back above him, grabbing Jeff's ass, pulling the cheeks apart and urging his lover to move upwards. Jeff spread his legs, sitting up and crawling on his knees until his straining cock was level with Greg's lips. "Oh God, ohgodohgodohgod!" Jeff sobbed, as the wet heat of Greg's mouth closed around him, sucking softly. His sweaty hands grappled for purchase on the headboard, as he slowly began to fuck that maddening mouth. Greg flicked his tongue deep into the slit at the crown of Jeff's erection, his fingers encouraging the young stylist to part his legs further so they could reach in to circle his tight hole. "Yesss" Jeff hitched, forcing himself not to pump too hard and choke greg, as his lover's long fingers began breaching him. No longer trusting himself, he pulled completely out of Greg's mouth, sliding his wet cock along the other man's cheek and losing himself completely in the sensation of his lover's probing fingers. "More" Jeff whimpered, Greg adding a third finger to stretch him, searching inside and finding the sweet cluster of nerves that would bring stars to the young man's eyes. "Greg!" Jeff screamed, virtually ripping the headboard from the wall as Greg manipulated his sweet spot, tonguing his balls at the same time. He tore himself away, sliding down Greg's slick torso until his mouth found those lips he needed to taste as much as he needed air to breathe. "Condom" "Drawer" came Greg's muffled answer against his lips. Jeff's hand snaked out, opening the bedside draw and blindly fumbling inside, unwilling to leave his lover's mouth long enough to look properly. He found what he was searching for, sitting back on his haunches and slowly grinding his hips so his balls slid teasingly up and down Greg's erection. "Jeff" Greg moaned as the other man shakily opened the foil package. Jeff slid down further, intent on sheathing the condom over Greg's straining cock, but being unable to resist tasting it first. "Oh sweet jesus!" Greg hissed, as Jeff suckled slowly on his tip. "I'm not gonna make it if you keep doing that." "Sorry" his lover grinned shamelessly and rolled the condom slowly over the straining shaft. "Ready?" "Lube" Greg managed to pant out. Jeff tutted impatiently, reaching once again into the drawer and retrieving a small tube. He squeezed a large drop into his palm, reaching behind him and clumsily lubing himself up in his haste. "Fuck it, that'll do" he muttered, chucking the tube aside, "I can't wait any longer." All coherency fled screaming from Greg's mind as Jeff flattened his palms on the glistening chest beneath him and lowered himself carefully. Greg's hands grasped Jeff's shaking thighs, massaging them softly until he was fully sheathed inside the tight, supple body above him. Jeff breathed out slowly, adjusting himself to the welcome invasion before beginning to languidly move up and down, impaling himself further. He fumbled for Greg's hands, lacing their fingers together. "Meet me half-way" he ground out, giving his lover permission to match his thrusts. Greg kissed Jeff's long fingers and began pumping his hips up, meeting his partner's downward thrusts effortlessly. "Harder!" Jeff sobbed, moving his grip to Greg's chest once more and increasing his speed. "Fuck!" Greg yelled, grasping Jeff's weeping cock in his fist and pumping it in time with each thrust. "Oh fuck yeah!" the young stylist screamed, throwing his head back, as his orgasm overtook him and he came, hard, over Greg's chest. The sight of Jeff losing control and the answering tightening of his lover's entrance around his cock was too much for Greg, and he screamed his completion, his hips remaining buried against Jeff until the last, exhausting drop had been spilled. "Oh Jesus Jeff" he laughed breathlessly as his lover collapsed, sated, on top of him. "Can we do that again?" came the muffled question from somewhere in the vicinity of his shoulder. "You'll have to give me a minute." Jeff chuckled throatily, lifting his sweaty brow and kissing Greg softly. ------------------------------------ Ryan glanced up at the ceiling, cursing himself for allocating the bedroom above the lounge to Greg and turning the volume up on the television. "Hey." He glanced up at the smiling face of Colin, who was buried under one of Ryan's long, thick sweaters. "Hey" Ryan grinned, eyeing the slender, pale legs disappearing, mid-thigh, under the hem of the jumper. "I should have sorted you out some sweatpants or something" he apologised. "That's okay" Colin replied, desperately trying, and failing miserably, to stop the v-neck from slipping over his bare shoulder. "I'm hot enough." Ryan's answering "mhmm" was turned almost seamlessly into a cough. "Um, would you like a drink?" "Sure" Colin smiled, sitting on the opposite sofa and curling his legs up beside him. "I wanted to, to thank you, for all you've done for me. I can't tell you how much it means to me that you took my side, stuck up for me..." "Nonsense" Ryan interjected, studiously not checking out the curve of Colin's ass that had been revealed when he sat down. "You're a good guy Col, far too good to put up with the shit that cretin's been throwing at you. Now, what would you like? Coffee? Alcohol?" "Do you have any whiskey?" "Yeah, we have a bottle in the liquor cabinet" Ryan smiled, moving to get up. "Stay put, i'll go make some irish coffee" Colin ordered softly, uncurling his long legs and walking to the kitchen. Ryan's gaze remained glued to his friend's wool-covered swaying ass as it disappeared out the door. "My sweater's never looked so good" he mused quietly. --------------------------------------------- Colin tutted to himself, pulling up the slipping shoulder of Ryan’s sweater for what seemed the tenth time this morning. He was beginning to feel like a child wearing his father’s boots, wandering around looking completely silly, but feeling warm and happy inside. ‘Not that I could have gotten away with that. He’d have beat me with them if he ever caught me wearing his boots.’ ‘Stop it Mochrie, you ass’ he scolded himself. For the past few days he’d been mentally travelling between warm, fuzzy feelings regarding Ryan, and dark, morbid memories of his father. ‘I wonder if this is what manic-depressives feel like?’ he mused, grabbing a mug and waiting impatiently for the coffee to boil. “Morning” came a sleepy voice from behind him. He turned to see the dishevelled, smiling form of Jeff, shuffling into the kitchen and wearing one of Greg’s blue night shirts. “Hey” Colin smiled. “Is the coffee on?” “Been waiting for the damn thing for ten minutes” Colin muttered, “I think its broken.” Jeff frowned and walked up to the machine. “It helps if you turn it on first” he grinned, flipping the switch. Colin sighed and shook his head. “I knew I should have stayed in bed this morning.” "Poor baby. Didn't you get much sleep last night?" Jeff reached out to gently touch the bruising on Colin's cheek. "Not really" he replied softly, leaning slightly into the cool touch. "Mind you, I don't think I'm the only one." Jeff bit his lip, smiling widely. "Why? Was Ryan up all night too?" he tried innocently. "Uh huh. Difficult to sleep when you're worried that Greg's bed is going to come crashing through the ceiling and land on your head." "The first lot of bouncing was all me. He kinda just lay there making funny noises. But the second time.... "Not listening" Colin grimaced, putting his index fingers in his ears. "Fine, I’ll mime it!" Jeff shouted, beginning an impromptu floor display. "Dear God Stop! My eyes, My eyes!!" Colin laughed. The coffee machine decided it was the ideal opportunity to buzz its finale. "Saved by the bell" Colin grinned, gratefully filling his mug. So" Jeff began, pouring a coffee and joining Colin at the table, "what's on the menu for today?" "Work, then I guess I need to go home...go to Alan's and get my stuff together. I need to start apartment searching, maybe I can find a bed-sit that doesn't require a bond. It'll do for the short term until I get properly settled." "I thought you were staying here?" Jeff frowned, cradling his cup. "Well I can't stay here indefinitely." "Why not?" Both men looked over to the doorway, Ryan and Greg were standing there, looking at Colin as if he'd just announced "Hey, I think I’ll go see if I can score some heroin". "Well...its your house" he replied lamely. Ryan rolled his eyes and shared an exasperated look with Greg. "How many times does he have to mention our spare room before it gets into that thick skull of yours, Mochrie?" Greg admonished, walking over to the table while Ryan made a bee-line for the coffee pot, pouring himself and Greg a mug full each. "You tell him baby" Jeff nodded. "I intend to honey" Greg cooed, slipping his arm around his lover's shoulder. "Can you two not do that before breakfast?" Ryan muttered, setting the mugs down and seating himself next to Colin. "You're just jealous" Jeff pouted. "No, I’m just tired" Ryan replied irritably, "thanks to our bespectacled Casanova here." "I heard he spent most of the night just laying there while Jeff did all the work" Colin disclosed, sipping his coffee innocently while Greg sprayed his first mouthful across the table. Ryan barely managed to choke his down while trying not to laugh as Jeff frantically patted his boyfriend's back. "Honey, we need to talk about this 'sharing' issue you have" Greg choked, taking off his glasses and wiping at his eyes. Jeff had the good grace to look suitably chagrined while surreptitiously kicking Colin under the table. "So, are we gonna go get your stuff today?" Ryan questioned, nudging Colin's leg with his socked foot. "Are you sure you're okay with me staying here?" "If you ask me that once more I’ll get Sandi to set her pet spider on you." "Harold" Colin replied distractedly. "Beg your pardon?" Ryan blinked. "Her spider, he's called Harold." "Fine" Ryan sighed, " but getting back to the point..." "Why would anyone call their spider Harold?" "Jeff...." "In fact, why would anyone keep a pet garden spider?" "Jeff...." "In fact..." "JEFF!!" "Wah! What?!" Jeff yelped, leaping about a foot off his chair. "Shut up!" "Oh...right." "So..." Ryan tried again. "It just strikes me as weird, that's all. I mean, something exotic like a tarantula you'd understand. Not that I’d keep one. I had this friend who had one and he woke up one morning to find his hamster gone. Edna, her name was. Which is a really stupid name for a hamster. Why do people call their pets such stupid names? Anyway, he looked for it everywhere, thinking it had run away, 'cause they sometimes do that, but.....Ryan, why are you banging your head on the table?" --------------------- "I'll get it" Ryan called, as the front doorbell chimed merrily. He knew who it would be, he'd called Drew a couple of hours ago and asked him to bring his truck over to help collect Colin's things. "Hey man" Drew smiled, pulling his thick duffel coat a little tighter. "Damn its cold!" "I guess we're officially in winter now" Ryan shrugged, ushering the other man indoors. "I guess" Drew agreed, shucking his coat and heading for the living room. "What is it? November the 30th now?" "Yeah, I’ll have to start thinking of Christmas soon." Drew sat down, chewing thoughtfully on his bottom lip. "I wonder what I did with those Santa thongs from last year?" "They're probably all souvenirs on people's walls by now" Ryan chuckled. "Talking of pervy people, where's Greg?" "He and Jeff offered to open the shop and help out while Col and I get his stuff." "Ah. Yeah, Chip was supposed to come with me today but he said, and I quote, "If you think I’m setting foot in that slimy shithead's house, you've got another thing coming", so I'm on my lonesome." Drew looked up in surprise as a plethora of colourful swear-words and cries of pain echoed through from the kitchen. "What the hell is Colin doing?" "Feeding the cats" Ryan grinned. ------------------------------------ "He'll come home" Alan muttered into the darkness. He hadn't bothered opening the curtains, preferring a depressive atmosphere to aid his brooding. "He has no one else" the dishevelled man continued, sipping at his beer bottle, "he has nowhere else to go. He needs me." A sharp knock at the door had Alan bounding out of his chair. "I knew it!" he crowed quietly, opening the door. "Morning sunshine!" Drew smirked, taking in the unkempt appearance of the shocked man. "Drew, what are you doing here?" "We've come to move Colin out" he replied, barging past. Alan's stunned gaze met Colin's worried eyes for a second until the other man passed him, followed by Ryan. "But...you can't move out" Alan stuttered, closing the door and squinting at the light now filling the lounge, thanks to Drew's enthusiastic curtain-pulling. "I am, Alan. I'm sorry, but last night was the final straw for me" Colin sighed, turning to face his ex-lover, Ryan hovering protectively by his side. "No! I mean, can't we talk at least? I was going to take you out tonight, celebrate your birthday. Please baby..." "Alan stop it. Just...stop. I'm gonna gather up my things and leave. Its over." Colin exited the living room, hotly pursued by Alan, and made his way up the stairs. "Its his birthday?" Drew blinked. "Call Greg, we need cards and presents, stat." Ryan ordered, chucking his phone to Drew and setting off after Colin. He could hear the argument from half-way up the stairs. "How could you do this to me? You leave me! You turn my friends against me!" "You did that Alan, not me" Colin reasoned. "You fucking asshole!" Alan screamed. Ryan swore under his breath and quickened his steps when a resounding 'slap' echoed through the upper hall. He burst into the room, almost tripping over Alan who was sitting on the floor, holding a hand to his bleeding nose and staring in stunned silence at a very angry Colin. "You don't try that shit on me twice" Colin seethed, finally unclenching his fist. Ryan took a moment to smile proudly at his friend, before hauling Alan to his feet and forcibly removing him from the bedroom. "Come on Rocky" he laughed, pulling Colin into a quick hug, "let's get moving. The sooner we're out of here, the better." "I think that's the first time I’ve ever hit anyone." Alan stormed down the stairs, entering the lounge just as Drew was flipping the phone closed. "Damn! What happened to you?" "Colin hit me! Bastard! I can't believe Ryan! He goes postal on me for hitting Colin last night, but doesn't give a shit when that fucker hits me." Drew smiled without sympathy, following the moaning man to kitchen. "He's turning everyone against me, that's what" Alan continued, grabbing a pack of peas from the freezer and holding it to his nose. "That's bullshit" Drew huffed. "I've a good mind to call the cops, charge him with assault." Drew's face lost its usual glint of good humour and he regarded Alan stonily. "I wouldn't recommend that, Al." "Oh not you too?" Alan whined. "Can't you see what he's doing? He's manipulating you all! Turning you all against me and moving himself in! He provoked me last night! Made me lash out!" Drew shook his head, perplexed. "You need therapy man" he sighed, turning to leave. "Wait!" "No!" Drew bit out, facing Alan and pinning him to the spot with a glare that could freeze an active volcano. "You know how many times I’ve heard that shit from abusers? ‘She made me do it' 'he provoked me'. You know, we've known each other a long time and I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt to some extent. But now..." Drew shook his head, leaving the kitchen before he did something he'd regret; well, maybe not 'regret', more 'get arrested for'. ---------------------------------- "Will you quit humming the theme from Mission Impossible?" Greg whispered harshly, poking his head round the front door and adjusting the bag in his arms. "Oh for heaven's sake" Jeff tutted, brushing past. "Hellooooooo! Anyone here?!" he called from the hallway. "Coast is clear" he grinned. "You're about as stealthy as an elephant wearing hobnail boots" Greg muttered, walking through to the kitchen and dumping the bag on the table. "But you love me anyway" Jeff replied, rifling through the bag and pulling out various boxes. "Only 'cause you're cute." "I'll take that" the young man shrugged, kissing his lover quickly. Greg removed a large plate from one of the cupboards, setting on the table as Jeff removed a large box containing a birthday cake. "So what did Ryan get him?" Jeff wanted to know. "More to the point, what did I get him?" "Um, Ryan got him a dark red silk shirt and I think you got him a plasma ball." "Oh yeah" Jeff grinned, carefully removing the cake. Drew said he's gonna get Colin's present on his way home, then he's gonna grab Chip and come over. See if we can have a celebration that doesn't end in fighting." "Is his club still closed then?" "Yeah, won't be open til tomorrow" Greg shrugged. "Ooooh! I'm gonna run home and get my erotic Trivial pursuit!" Jeff enthused, heading for the door. "Okay........wait, what?" "Its ordinary Trivial Pursuit, except I’ve added dares to perform with every wrong question." "Explain." "Okay, you have three bags, one bag contains a body part, one contains an action, like 'kiss' or 'lick' etc and the third you put slips of paper with people's names in. So, if you get a question wrong, I’d fish into one bag and pull out...'lick', then something like 'lips' and then the name of person whose lips you'd have to lick." "I'm dating a pervert!" Greg beamed. "Go me!" Jeff laughed, pulling his lover in for a deep kiss. "You never know, it might kick-start hopeless and hapless" he reasoned, referring to Greg's oblivious housemates. "We can only hope." ---------------------------------- Colin unzipped the suitcase on his bed, his body still dripping slightly from the shower, towel wrapped loosely round his hips. It was such a relief to have his own clothing back! As much as he'd enjoyed wrapping himself up in that huge sweater. It smelled like Ryan. 'Probably smells like me now' he grimaced, making a mental note to wash it before handing it back. He dropped the towel, relishing the freedom of nakedness while he sorted through his clothing, pulling out a threadbare pair of jeans and a pale blue T-shirt. 'I can't believe I hit him. I actually hit someone!' It had been a knee-jerk reaction, seeing the venom in Alan's eyes, the hand reaching back in readiness. He didn't even have time to think, just lashed out. Colin sighed to himself, putting on his top and pulling up his jeans. The button did up easily these days, far too easily for his liking. He looked down, running his hand over his flat belly. Colin used to like his stomach, he always found it kind of comforting to pat, plus it made a damn good beer rest. "I guess Alan was right though" he muttered. Slipping on a pair of socks, he left the bedroom and wandered downstairs. 'A cup of coffee and a nice quiet, relaxing evening' he decided. He realised that wasn't going to happen about a split second after entering the kitchen. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Collllllllinnnnnnnnnnnnn! Happy birthday to you!" Colin blinked, in shock, at the five smiling faces lit up by a cake bearing a dangerous number of candles. "Oh my God" he whispered, covering his gaping mouth with his hand. "You'd better blow these out before they set the fire alarm off" Drew quipped. "I can't believe you did this" Colin gasped, needing two tries to blow out the candles. "Well, its not much" Ryan smiled, "but then someone neglected to mention it was his birthday. "Its on his resume" Greg sing-songed, through a toothy grin. "Shut u-up" Ryan sang back, through decidedly clenched teeth. "Come through to the lounge" Jeff beamed, grabbing Colin's arm and walking him out. "We have presents!" "Guys, you shouldn't have." "Well we did, so shush." Ryan made to follow, stopping briefly to admire Colin's butt in his jeans and cuffing Drew round the head when he caught his friend doing the same thing. Colin was hustled into the living room and deposited on the couch. "This one's from Ryan" Jeff grinned, handing the first gift over. Colin carefully unwrapped it, pulling free an exquisite red-wine coloured silk shirt. "Oh, that's gorgeous! Thank you." "Put it on!" Chip clapped enthusiastically. Colin got up, pulling Ryan into a thank you hug. "You're welcome" Ryan whispered, squeezing Colin a little tighter before letting go. "Yeah, he spent ages picking it out" Greg snarked, while Ryan found something interesting on the ceiling to study. Colin deliberated for a few seconds before shrugging his shoulders and taking off his t-shirt. 'Hello!' Ryan's libido announced, doing a double-take as the furred, strong chest was revealed. Feeling slightly guilty, the tall man averted his eyes, waiting for Colin to don the shirt. "Wow Colin! Hot bod!" Drew grinned. "I dunno why I bother even trying to be discreet" Ryan muttered, wincing sympathetically at the furiously blushing man. "That'll go nicely with the thong you got him" Chip piped up. Colin glanced, shocked, at Drew. "Way to spoil the surprise Charles" the chubby man tutted. ------------------------------ "Wrong!" Jeff declared loudly, "Antonio Meucci invented the telephone. Alexander Graham Bell just stole the idea and patented it." Ryan swore softly, not looking forward to his first dare. So far, he'd seen Greg suck Drew's finger, Chip lick Jeff's ear and drew nibble Chip's toe. Gross! They'd been playing the game for about an hour, the more they drank, the fewer correct questions they answered. "Okay! Are you ready?" "If I have to lick, suck, kiss or go anywhere near anything of Drew's, I quit" Ryan huffed. "Oh hush, you grumpy old fart" Jeff retorted, pulling out the first slip of paper. "You have to kiss..." He pulled out a piece of paper from the second bag. "The belly button" he laughed. "Oh God!" Ryan sighed, putting his head in his hands. "Of...." Jeff smiled widely, drawing out the tension. "Get on with it for Christ's sake!" "...Colin!" Jeff whooped, bouncing slightly in excitement. Ryan blinked a little, processing the words. 'THANK YOU GOD!!" his brain screamed, while his mouth simply smiled and said "okay". Colin laughed tipsily. "I'm glad I took that shower." Ryan's look was decidedly predatory as he advanced, on all fours, across to Colin, his long legs easily missing the board that was placed in the middle. He and Colin were seated opposite each other on the floor, while the others paired up either side of them. "Spread 'em" Ryan smiled, keeping eye contact with his suddenly nervous prey. Colin automatically spread his bent legs, allowing Ryan access. 'Oh God' his mind panicked when Ryan lifted up the bottom of his shirt. He watched, rapt, as the elegant man slowly bent forward, pursing his lips in readiness. Colin had to bite his lip hard, to stop himself from moaning, when Ryan's wet mouth made first contact with his stomach. 'Don't get hard don't get hard don't get hard' his brain mantra'd, while his eyes fluttered closed, intent on enjoying the experience. Ryan only just managed to prevent his tongue from slipping out and delving into that temping button, settling instead for planting soft, open-mouthed kisses on it. He could feel the muscles clenching under his mouth. 'He tastes good, really good. Oh damn! An inch or two lower...' The air around them was practically crackling with tension, Jeff gripping Greg's arm tightly in anticipation. Ryan finished his snack, lifting his body until he was eye-level with Colin, mere inches from his face. They gazed into each other's eyes for a long moment, unconsciously gravitating towards each other as they had once before. The loud clearing of an irritated throat broke the moment and Ryan turned his head, meeting a slightly jealous glare from Chip. "Can we get on with the game please?" Ryan and Colin smiled embarrassed and a little apologetically at each other, before the former retreated to his previous position. Jeff frowned in annoyance at Chip, picking an ice cube out of his glass and throwing it forcefully at the dancer. "Idiot!" "What?" Chip complained, rubbing his, now sore, forehead, oblivious to a flustered Drew, who was surreptitiously placing a cushion in his lap. --------------------------------------------- Ah........Christmas. Ryan loved Christmas. The atmosphere, the decorations, the lights, the carol singing, the chance to possibly get Colin into an elf costume, the chance to possibly get Colin out of said elf costume, the mistletoe, the eggnog, the sound of the shop bell tinkling happily alongside some extremely colourful swearing from Jeff.... Ryan's happy bubble burst abruptly and he turned towards the commotion at the door. "For the love of....its not rocket science!" Jeff bellowed, holding the pointy end of a large Christmas tree and glaring at an unseen person who was obviously in charge of the other end. Greg was making himself busy by holding the door open and doing his best not to laugh. "Okay" came a voice from the wilderness that was the other end of the tree, "so, when you say "to me", does that mean away from me?" "Drew, where the hell did you get this idiot? Carey's camp for the colossally inept?" "Hey! He's not that bad" Drew protested, poking his head in and glaring at Jeff. The intensity was somewhat subdued due to the woolly red hat and earmuffs he was wearing, but the intention was there nonetheless. "I would have roped Chip in, except a certain person refuses point blank to even acknowledge him at the moment." "Pity he's not here" Jeff retorted hotly, "We could stick this tree up his ass and tell him to act like a fairy!" "That wouldn't be too much of a chore for him" Greg muttered, giving way to a grin. "I'm gonna tell him you said that" Drew said primly, flicking an errant spider off of his hat bobble. "Oh please don't" Jeff smiled sweetly, "let me." Eric, the blond stripper that Drew had dragged along, dropped the other end of the tree and joined the others in the doorway. "Can we get on with it please? I have to work tonight." "Its only twelve-fifteen" Jeff muttered, "surely it doesn't take you that long to get ready." "No, but I have to eat first." "......." Jeff blinked. Drew pursed his lips, as if about to reply, but frowned and gave up on the idea. "Come on then Einstein" Jeff sighed, "let's try this again." After a few more minutes of pushing, shoving, swearing and serious questioning of Eric's parentage, the seven-foot pine was finally through the door and being unceremoniously shoved into a bucket of earth by the counter. "You know, I would have been happy with one of those small fake ones you can get from Bob's down the road" Ryan reasoned, taking stock of the impressive tree. He started a little at the three pairs of eyes glaring daggers at him. The fourth pair belonging to Eric, who had no earthly idea what was going on as he was busy pulling pine needles out of his hair. "I'll go put the kettle on" Ryan decided, making a hasty retreat. "Do you have the bag of mistletoe?" Jeff questioned, checking inside Greg's bag. "Yup" his lover grinned. "Where are we going to hang it?" "Um...how about some over the door and some above the counter?" "Okay, I’ll do door, you do counter" Greg smiled, grabbing a sprig and some drawing pins. Jeff climbed onto the counter, Drew hovering worriedly by his legs, and pinned his mistletoe to a beam across the ceiling. Colin came through the front door, lunch bags grasped in each hand, just as Greg was approaching it. "Oh, hey Colin." "Hey Greg" Colin smiled, "I got us all lunch." "Which is why I love you. Give us a budge up will ya?" "Oh, sure" Colin frowned, a little confused. He dropped the bags and cupped his hands for his friend to step into. "There, all done" Greg stated proudly, pulling a little on the plant to make sure it wouldn't fall, then grabbing Colin's shoulder to steady himself on the descent. "Mistletoe" Colin observed, looking up at the sprig. "Mhmm" Greg smiled, planting a kiss on Colin's nose, causing the other man to go slightly cross-eyed. "Thank you" Colin laughed. "Hi, I remember you." Colin glanced round Greg, then up at the tall, muscled blonde approaching. "Oh...hello." "I was one of the dancers auditioning the other night, my name's Eric" he supplied, holding his hand out. Colin took his hand, wincing a little at the firm shake. "I'm..." "Colin, I know" Eric interrupted, smiling. "I remember. I asked Drew how you were, you looked pretty shaken up." "Ah, well, I’m fine, as you can see." Colin was beginning to feel a little self-conscious under the intense scrutiny of the tall dancer. "So..." he smiled nervously, scratching at the back of his neck. "So" Eric echoed, smiling seductively and closing the gap between them. "Care to try out the mistletoe?" Colin managed a blink and a "wh...?" before he was grabbed, dipped and thoroughly kissed. "Okay, who wants what the fuck?!" Ryan snarled, seeing Colin, arms flailing so rapidly he was in danger of taking off, being smooched by Drew's dancer. "Hey!" he shouted, making rapid steps toward the two, "No manhadling of my staff!" *Snort!* "Shut up Greg!" Eric released Colin, who stood gasping in shocked breaths. "I wasn't handling anything!" the young man stated indignantly. "I was just taking advantage of the mistletoe." "What mistletoe?" "This mistletoe!" Drew grinned, spinning Ryan around and pulling his startled friend down for a wet smooch. "Ewww! Ewww! Ewww!" Ryan protested, scrubbing furiously at his lips and tongue with the sleeve of his shirt, much to the amusement of the others. "Anyone else?" Drew questioned, closing his eyes and dramatically pursing his lips, causing everyone to back away a few feet. "Meh! Ya wimps" he grouched, grabbing Eric's arm. "Come on Romeo, let's get you fed and watered. I'll see you guys later" Drew finished, winking laciviously at Ryan. "Thanks for the help Drew" Greg grinned from his hiding place behind Jeff. "Okay" Colin chuckled, handing a grateful Ryan some breath mints, "Lunch?" "I may never eat again" Ryan grumbled through a mouthful of altoids. ------------------------------------------------ Colin and Ryan had decided to stay later than usual, in order to decorate the tree. Greg would be busy getting ready for his date with Jeff and Greg's pre-date panic ritual was always a traumatic experience, so keeping out of the way was beneficial, if not critical, to a person's mental well-being. "Ready?" Colin called, his fingers hovering over the board of main light switches. Ryan plugged the tree lights in and turned to give the thumbs-up. The store was plunged into inky darkness for a second, before the soft, multi-colour twinkling of Christmas lights filled it with a diffused glow. "Aww, now I feel all festive" Colin smiled, coming to stand by Ryan and admiring the lights. "Its snowing" Ryan muttered softly, placing his arm around Colin's shoulder and nodding towards the window. They stood for a moment, just watching the large white flakes flutter slowly down to the ground, as if they had all the time in the world. "Let's walk home in the snow" Colin smiled. Ryan nodded, grabbing his friend’s long, black woollen overcoat and his own dark green wax jacket. He switched off the tree lights, bidding it a silent farewell, before double-checking the rest of the electrics and window locks, then setting the alarm. Colin waited patiently outside, wrapping a dark grey scarf around his neck and putting on the matching gloves. "Ready?" he inquired as Ryan finally exited. "Mhmm, come on" the tall man nodded, grabbing Colin's arm and setting off. The cold white flakes fluttered around them as they walked, contrasting with the blackness of the sky and the myriad colour of festive lights from the various shops and houses surrounding them. Colin glanced across at Ryan, admiring the soft flush in the man's cheeks and his thoughtful expression. "What are you thinking about?" he wondered quietly. "The same thing I’ve been thinking about for the past couple of weeks" Ryan sighed, smiling a little. "What's that?" "Colin" Ryan sighed again, bringing them to a halt on the sidewalk and turning to face his friend. "You know. You have to know. Colin looked up at the slightly taller man, smiling at the large white flakes that had settled in Ryan's hair. He held onto his friend's hands, clasping them loosely. "I know" he whispered, moving forward and touching his cheek to Ryan's, his cold skin warming at the sensation. "I just...I didn't want to hope" Colin murmured, pulling back to look into the handsome face before him. "Col..." Ryan's breath was visible in the cold air, reaching from his mouth to fleetingly caress the face of the man who had unknowingly stolen his senses. Those large, chestnut eyes gazed longingly at him, tiny droplets of snow clinging briefly to the ends of Colin's long lashes, before being blinked away. Ryan's hand found its way to his friend's cheek, the large digits settling around the top of Colin's neck and lightly stroking the fringe of hair there. He brought his head down slowly, finally crushing his cool lips to Colin's warm mouth, in a soft, tender kiss. Colin tasted like the weather,Ryan mused absently, clean and fresh...beautiful. The streets around them were deserted, people having rushed home or deciding to stay in because of the snow. At that moment, as Ryan and Colin kissed for the first time, under the blanketing snow, they were the only two people in the world. --------------------------------------------- "We're going to be late" Jeff huffed, leaning against the wall by the door and glaring up the stairs. "I'll be there in a tick" Greg called, "I just need to find my boots." "You were already wearing boots!" "Yeah, but these ones go better with my blue pants!" "You were wearing black pants when you opened the door." "I'm wearing blue ones now!" Jeff rolled his eyes. "Honey, i've seen you naked and sweaty, which is pretty much how i'm gonna be picturing you all night anyway. Does it really matter what you're wearing?" "Yes!!" "I need a drink" he decided, heading for the kitchen. "I think I have frost-bite" Ryan chuckled as he opened the door. "That was probably me" Colin grinned, closing the door behind him and unbuttoning his coat. He just about managed to hang it up when Ryan pounced, pinning him against the wall. "Your hands are cold" Colin laughed. "Your ass is warm" Ryan murmured, grabbing two handfuls of that tempting butt and latching his mouth onto Colin's neck, Colin sighed happily, hooking his foot round Ryan's calf to pull him in closer. "C'mere" he whispered. "Yes sir sheriff sir" Ryan smiled, swooping in for another kiss. Ryan encouraged Colin's leg to wrap itself further up his own, squeezing the other man's thigh and pushing him almost through the wall in an effort to get closer. "Oh.......OH!!" Their lips came apart with an audible *pop* and they turned toward the interrupting vocal. "Oh my God!" Jeff breathed, his mouth agape, eyes alight with excitement. Colin blushed and buried his head in Ryan's neck, much to the enjoyment of the taller man. "Hi Jeff" Ryan smiled, his voice and body still shaky from the hormones rampaging through him. "You.....he......youheyou" Jeff stuttered, pointing at the two like the Wizard of Oz scarecrow after too many cups of coffee. Colin whimpered from somewhere in the vicinity of Ryan's collar bone and his lover petted him reassuringly. "Yes Jeff, we, he, I......yes." "Oh my fucking God! You guys rock!! Greg!!!!" Jeff bellowed, probably causing a tsunami in Outer Mongolia. "What?" Greg questioned, stopping half-way down the stairs, single red boot in hand, to stare at his two housemates. At least he presumed there were two, it was difficult to tell where one ended and the other began. "Oh" he blinked. "Does this mean we're staying in?" "No!" Ryan instructed, before a slightly bouncing Jeff had a chance to answer. "Best not" Jeff sighed. "They need smooch time" he finished with a mega-watt grin. Colin lifted his head, resting his chin on Ryan's shoulder and frowning at Greg. "Why do you only have one boot?" This successfully diverted Jeff's attention. "Greg, I thought you were looking for your blue boots?" "I was, but these look quite natty don't ya think?" Jeff sighed, shaking his head. "If you keep this up I'm gonna need to go shave again. --------------------------- Several panic attacks and a few threats of impending violence later, Jeff was finally shoving his lover out of the door, stopping briefly to envelope Colin in a bone-crushing hug and requesting a detailed synopsis at some point. Colin closed the door on the still bickering pair and wandered into the kitchen, where Ryan was making some coffee. He took a moment to study the tall man. The long, elegant neck; broad, strong back........'Mine' he thought, still with a sense of wonder. 'Mineminemine! I can just.....walk up to him and kiss him...touch him. I can do that now!' The realisation began creeping up on him, its long fingers pinching his legs and turning them to jelly. "Oh dear, I need to sit down." "You okay?" Ryan asked worriedly, moving rapidly to Colin's side as the other man plonked himself heavily down on the kitchen chair. "I'm fine" Colin smiled, removing Ryan's hand from his forehead and holding it between his own. "Just...you know." Ryan nodded, the spark in Colin's large, brown eyes drawing him in. Oh how he knew! "I'm going to kiss you again." "Yes please." --------------------- "You're humming" Ryan grinned, sidling up to the shop counter as Colin was giving a customer her change. "Well, I spent last evening lounging on a couch and playing tonsil-hockey with a tall, extremely cute man. Can you blame me?" "Spent the night in your own bed though" Ryan huffed good-naturedly, planting a quick kiss to Colin's forehead. "We've only just gotten together, you horn-dog!" "I'm a guy" Ryan shrugged, "it comes with the territory." "That's bullshit" Colin laughed, "incase you hadn't noticed, i'm a guy too." "Oh i'd noticed" Ryan toned, running his index finger lightly down the front of Colin's torso. "Stop it!" Colin hissed, blushing furiously and grabbing Ryan's finger, stopping its descent. "I can't help it! Its alright for you, at least you've been getting some." "True, although that was with Alan." "Point taken" Ryan grimaced, forcefully shoving that image out of his head. "Still, imagine what its like for me. I'm a starving man whose just been given a hotdog!" "Nice metaphor" Colin chuckled. "Okay.....a nice...cute...big hotdog!" "Uh huh." "I'll go grab Greg and get lunch" Ryan sighed. Colin sighed happily, eyes glued to the rythmic sway of Ryan's hips as he walked out the door. "Go me" he muttered quietly. The shop was empty, as was usual at the beginning of the lunch hour, so Colin decided to go straighten and check the books and shelves before the afternoon crowd began. Clucking his tongue in quiet admonishment, Colin plucked a James Herbert paperback out of the romance section and made his way over to the shelves marked 'Sci fi and Horror'. The tinkling of the shop bell brought a smile to Colin's face, thinking his lover had forgotten something, or maybe come back for an illicit kiss or two. He turned, fully expecting to see Ryan. The man standing there, leaning his hand against the closed door and smirking at him, wiped the smile completely off his face. "Alan" Colin breathed, a knot of tension coiling in his stomach at the manic look in his dishevelled ex-lover's staring eyes. "Hey baby" Alan grinned nastily, turning the lock on the door. "Miss me?" --------------------------------------------- Alan took his time to study Colin, raking his gaze over the man's pale blue sweater and jeans. 'He looks good'. He wasn't supposed to look good. Not without Alan. "Why are you here?" Colin asked, thankful that his voice didn't betray the trepidation he felt. "Well" Alan replied, walking slowly towards him, "I was thinking. Christmas, you know, a time for family, for loved ones, forgiveness" he smiled. Colin began to automatically back up as his ex-lover neared, stopping himself at the satisfied glint in Alan's eyes. He didn't want this man thinking he was afraid of him. As for forgiveness.... "Look" Colin began, "if you think I’m going to for..." "So" Alan interrupted, stopping about two feet from Colin and shrugging his shoulders, hands held out in supplication. "I forgive you." "You...I beg your pardon?" Colin frowned. "You forgive me?" His automatic reaction was to laugh at the absurdity of Alan's statement. "You're laughing at me" Alan growled, his eyes darkening. "There's no humour in it, I can assure you" Colin sighed, shaking his head slightly. "You think you don't deserve my forgiveness? Is that it?" "I think...I think that this is pointless, debating this issue with you is pointless." "What?" Alan sneered, walking over to the bookshelf Colin was standing beside. "You think I’m not intellectual enough" he continued, pulling a book from the shelf, thumbing through it briefly before dropping it to the floor. "Don't" Colin started, moving to pick up the book, but thinking better of it when Alan shot him an acidic look. "You think...you think I’m not clever enough for you now? I wouldn't understand ? "Alan carried on, sliding his hand up the side of the heavy oak shelf. "That's not what I meant" Colin sighed, turning away and closing his eyes briefly,trying to gather his thoughts. "Look..." "Shall I tell you what I understand?" Alan whispered, his voice suddenly uncomfortably close, startling the other man. Colin tried to move away, but was hampered by Alan grabbing his shoulders and squeezing them painfully. "Stop it" he ground out, wrenching himself free and turning to face his ex. The manic glint in Alan's eyes was setting off loud, intrusive alarm bells in Colin's mind. He looked dangerous; high...Colin knew he needed to get out of there and fast. "I understand" Alan said calmly, grabbing Colin's arm, as the other man turned towards the door and wrenching him backwards, so that Alan was now between him and the exit. "I understand that I should have disciplined you properly. My own fault" he shrugged, "I gave you too much leeway, too much freedom." Part of Colin wanted to ask Alan where he was going with this, but he was very much afraid of the answer. "So" Alan smiled unpleasantly, holding out his hand for Colin to take. "I'm going to take you home and we're going to start over. Do it properly." "Jesus" Colin whispered, staring blankly at the out-stretched hand. The realisation that he’d just spent the best part of six months living with a complete raving lunatic, was beginning its ascent up his spine. He quickly fished his cell phone out of his pocket, pressing the single button that connected him to Ryan's phone. "Oh no you fucking don't!" Alan yelled, lunging at him. ----------------------------- "So what's Colin having?" Greg asked. He and Ryan were standing in line at the Deli, absently browsing the menu lists that adorned the wall behind the counter. Ryan pouted thoughtfully and shrugged his shoulders. "I'll probably get him…” He was cut off by the vibration of his phone in his pants pocket. "Still not getting any then?" Greg grinned. Ryan graced his housemate with a puzzled frown as he grabbed his phone. "I switched mine to ringtone now, don't need the vibrate." Ryan tutted at Greg's leering look and lightly cuffed his friend around the head. He smiled when he saw the name of the person calling, the smile turning to confusion when he opened the phone and put it to his ear. "Hello?" The commotion at the other end of the line caused Ryan's stomach to twitch nervously. "Colin?" Greg frowned, noting the concern on his friend's face and tried to listen in. "Col? What's...? Ryan broke off abruptly when he heard Colin, in the background, shout "Alan no!", followed by an almighty crash. "Shit!" he hissed, grabbing Greg's arm and rushing out of the shop. --------------------- 'Well this is just great' Colin thought dismally. It was taking all his upper-arm strength to hold up the bookshelf that he was currently underneath. Their struggle had begun when Alan lunged for the phone, sending it flying, before knocking Colin to the ground. A combination of angry adrenalin and whatever the Hell it was Colin was sure Alan had taken, culminated in the man pushing the large book case over with a roar, sending it and its contents crashing down on Colin. The older man's automatic reaction was to reach his arms out to stop himself from getting flattened. His arms were shaking with the effort of holding the heavy object away from his body. It was slightly lighter without all the books, most of which were either on top of, or surrounding Colin's body, but it was still damned heavy. It didn't help matters when Alan jumped on top of the fallen case, crouching down and grinning at the trapped man. "Well well" he laughed, bouncing slightly and enjoying the strained reaction on Colin's sweating face. "You're in a bit of a predicament." "Get the fuck off" Colin bit out. There was no way he was going to win his battle with the book case if that idiot was on top of it. Alan wasn't a heavy man by any means, but the combined weight was excruciating. Alan replied with a smirk, shifting himself to lay down on the case. "You know" he toned softly, leaning over to brace his hands either side of Colin's head and bringing his face close. "Having you helpless and trapped.....kind of a turn-on." "God, you're vile" Colin grimaced, turning his face away from the man's fetid, alcohol ridden breath. "You should be nicer to me if you want my help." "You could help by getting the fuck off!" Colin gasped, his arms were on fire, agony lancing through his back and shoulders. "I could" Alan falsely reasoned, "or I could take advantage of your weakened state and teach you a lesson about crossing me." The dark anger had returned to his eyes, fuelling his lust and repelling any semblance of reasoning he still had. "In fact" Alan breathed, planting a quick, unwelcome kiss on Colin's lips, before standing up again, "that's what I’ll do." The brief, tense silence that followed was broken by a sudden pounding on the shop door. "Colin! Alan open the fucking door! I swear to God, if you've hurt him..." Alan smiled, a mask for his disappointment, as he turned to regard Colin once again. "Here comes the cavalry" he whispered, barely heard above bedlam that was causing the door to rattle in its hinges. --------------- "I think I have a spare set of keys in the salon" Greg huffed, joining Ryan as they, once more, pounded on the door. "Fuck it" Ryan decided, bracing his hands either side of the frame. Greg automatically placed his hands on Ryan's lower back in support as the other man took a hefty kick at the lock, shattering the surrounding wood. They piled in, ignorant to the interested gazes and murmurs of passers-by. "Colin!" Ryan shouted, frantically looking around. "Shit!" Greg muttered, running over to the upturned book case and dishevelled mass of books around it. The two hurried over to Colin, neither noticing as Alan stood from his hiding place behind the counter and sneaked out. Between them they hefted the large case off of a grateful Colin, giving him time to wriggle out from underneath, before lowering it again. "Jesus baby, are you okay?" Ryan breathed, gathering the, now sitting, man into his arms. "Is anything broken?" "No" Colin winced, a little breathless at the pins and needles shooting through his arms in protest. "Well, except maybe the first three volumes of the encyclopaedia" he amended, sinking heavily into Ryan's embrace. Ryan chuckled softly in relief, brushing a kiss on the top of Colin's head. "Where's Alan?" Greg questioned, glancing around at the mess. "No idea. I lost sight of him after he got off the book case." Both Ryan and Greg's faces tightened in anger at the thought of Alan gleefully standing on the wooden shelving with Colin trapped underneath. "Call the police" Ryan instructed, "tell them they'd better get here within ten minutes or I’m gonna go hunt the fucker down." ---------------------------------- The evening sighed slowly into place, contradicting the mayhem of the day. After a brief search, the police had found Alan in a nearby bar and arrested him on charges of assault, possession and criminal damage, among others. Statements were taken, Colin was checked over by a paramedic crew, who deemed him fit and well save for a few cuts and bruises. He was ordered sternly to rest for the remainder of the day. Ryan had helpfully supplied the police with the video from his CCTV camera and enlisted Greg's help in patching the shop door together so they were able to close and padlock it overnight. Greg, Jeff and Ryan had fussed maddeningly over Colin, ushering him home and into a hot bath. He now lay, relaxed, sleepy and snuggled in Ryan's large blue bathrobe, on the long couch in the living room. Bits was purring happily on his chest and Ryan was sitting on the opposite sofa, casting Colin worried looks. "Hey" Colin called softly. Ryan smiled, relaxing a little. "Hey" he replied in a whisper. "You okay?" "No.” "Come here." Ryan got up, his back protesting slightly because of the earlier abuse, and made his way over to Colin, kneeling at the side of the couch. They said nothing for a minute, just gazing into each other's eyes, both trying to reassure Ryan that his lover was safe and well. "When I got that call" the tall man began, moving his face closer to Colin's and stroking his cheek, "I don't think I’ve ever been so scared in my entire life. I thought...I thought I’d get there and you'd be gone or…” Ryan broke off, unable and unwilling to finish the sentence. "I'm here though" Colin whispered. "I'm here." Bits scampered out of the way, jumping off of the sofa with an indignant huff as Ryan leaned in. Their lips met softly, brushing against each other with reassuring touches. Ryan swept his tongue lightly over Colin's bottom lip. "Knock knock" he smiled against his lover's mouth. "Come in" Colin whispered, opening his mouth and sighing happily as Ryan's tongue entered, sliding against his own in a slow dance. They contented themselves with kissing for a while, deepening the embrace with wordless tones of building passion. Ryan ran his large, flat palm down Colin's torso, losing himself in the feel of the smooth, heated skin and soft chest hairs. "Please" Colin whimpered against his lips, as Ryan's questing fingers moved lower, opening the robe slightly on their descent. Ryan moaned appreciatively, his kiss becoming more forceful as he neared his goal. A twin clearing of throats in the doorway had the effectiveness of a cold water dousing and they broke apart, glaring at a grinning Greg and slack-jawed Jeff. "We bring coffee, cookies and annoying interruptions" Greg smiled, holding up his laden tray and walking in. Colin sighed heavily, pulling his robe closed and sitting up, giving Ryan room to settle beside him. "You guys are hot!" Jeff enthused, sitting with Greg on the opposite couch. Greg rolled his eyes and stuffed a cookie into his lover's open mouth. "Just in case he asks to join you" he dead-panned. --------------------------------------------- "Aww, bless him" Jeff cooed, laying his head on Greg's shoulder and watching Colin sleep. They had been talking for the best part of an hour, Colin finally flagging out and laying down, propping his feet up on Ryan's lap. Ryan smiled at the sleeping form, playing absently with Colin's toes. The other man shifted in his sleep, sighing and bending his knee. His robe slipped, falling open to slide down the outside of his thigh. Ryan coughed slightly, his eyes riveted to Colin's exposed stomached and relaxed cock. "Um, guys" he murmured, his voice deep and throaty with awakening desire. "Not to be rude...or not actually caring if i'm rude..." "I know, I know. Fuck off to bed so you can jump your boyfriend's bones" Greg grinned. Ryan's hand automatically reached out to cover Colin's crotch, which would no longer be hidden now the others were standing. He felt the stirring underneath his hands and closed his eyes briefly, unable to resist a light caress. "Oh" Jeff gulped, staring flushed and wide-eyed at the two on the sofa, before turning to his lover. "I hope you're not tired." "Night" Greg smiled happily as Jeff dragged him forcefully out the door. Ryan only absently noticed their departure, his hungry eyes busily raking over the partly exposed body before him. Unable to stop himself, he leaned forward, bringing his mouth to Colin's raised knee and sucking on it gently. Colin radiated warmth, the scent of the bath oil and his own natural musk permeating around him and bringing Ryan to an almost painful arousal. Leaning further, Ryan's hand moved from Colin's now hard cock and began softly stroking the man's inner thighs, his lips planting wet kisses on a trail to the treasure he most wanted to taste. "Am I going to be the only one naked here?" Colin murmured sleepily, smiling up at his lover. "Technically, you're not naked yet" Ryan grinned in response. Colin took the ties of his robe and unfastened them, exposing his body fully to Ryan's hungry gaze. "Now I am" he whispered a little self-consciously. "Jesus Col" Ryan breathed. His little brain-goblins were running around, slamming into each other as each one frantically tried to file a thought process in order, while his dick tried to burrow its way out of his trousers. "Uh uh" Colin admonished, when Ryan reached for him. "You're still dressed." "But" Ryan whined, before giving in and standing. Colin stretched languidly, arching his back and staring expectantly at Ryan. "Fuck...that....fuck" Ryan moaned, rapidly undoing his shirt buttons. Colin sat up, his right leg bent at the knee, the other stretched out in front of him. The robe fell off of his shoulders, pooling around his wrists as he eagerly gazed at Ryan's slowly exposed body. "Oh God Ry" he breathed, staring like a starving man at his lover's smooth, lightly muscled chest and stomach. His gaze followed a thin line of light hair that travelled down from Ryan's belly button, disappearing out of sight where it met the top of his pants. Ryan shakily undid his belt, his eyes never leaving Colin's body as he unzipped and unbuttoned his slacks, stepping out of them as soon as they hit the floor. His red boxer shorts in hot pursuit. Colin's mouth was open and gaping at the long, lean, smooth form before him. Ryan's long, wet cock stood out proudly, begging for Colin's touch and attention, both of which he intended to give in abundance. "Like?" Ryan asked, suddenly a little shy under the scrutiny. "Love" Colin moaned in appreciation, lunging forward and attaching his mouth to Ryan's stomach. Ryan hissed in pleasure, cupping the back of Colin's head and urging him on as the man's wet tongue mapped out his stomach muscles. Colin was losing himself completely in the taste and scent of the slender body. His hands snaked round to caress Ryan's ass, his mouth descending. He gazed up at Ryan, locking eyes with the man as he slowly ran his tongue up Ryan's length, circling the leaking tip and suckling it softly. "Colin" Ryan whimpered, digging his fingers painfully into his lover's shoulders. Colin hummed appreciatively, running an index finger from the base of Ryan's ass and over his tight scrotum before cupping and massaging the heavy balls. 'He tastes so good' Colin sighed mentally, circling the crown with his tongue once more, before lowering his mouth further to take in more of his lover's hot shaft. The salty, slightly bitter liquid seeping from the tip urged him further and he sucked noisily and hungrily, head bobbing with the movement and his left hand continually massaging Ryan's balls. Ryan was losing composure rapidly, fighting the urge to thrust into Colin's hot, wet mouth that was driving him crazy. The combination of Colin's hungry sucking and the man's fingers alternately fondling his balls and stroking his ass, was slowly bringing him over the edge and he didn't want it to end too soon. "Col" he moaned, pulling himself away and forcefully shoving the other man to lay flat on the sofa. He wasted no time in joining his lover, covering Colin's body with his own, nestling in-between the man's slightly spread legs, relishing the skin on skin contact. Colin's loud moan was swallowed by Ryan's open mouth as he kissed his lover brutally, sucking hard on Colin's tongue. His hands slid down to Colin's thighs, hooking underneath and raising the man's legs so his knees were bent. Ryan grunted his out of control passion into Colin's neck, biting and sucking a red mark on the smooth, pale column and pivoting his hips rhythmically and forcefully, grinding their hard, weeping cocks together. "Please" Colin moaned, not knowing or caring what he was pleading for, just getting lost in the fire that was burning his entire body at Ryan's touch. "Oh I will" Ryan growled, moving down to Colin's chest and biting his stiff nipple. Colin yelped, his dick jumping eagerly at the combined pain and pleasure that he didn't have time to register as Ryan was continuing his descent, biting maddeningly at Colin's torso before plunging his tongue deeply into his lover's belly button, satisfying a craving he'd felt since the night they'd played that game. The mantra of his name on Colin's lips was spurring Ryan on, like an enthusiastic crowd at a football game. Sliding his hands further up Colin's smooth back, he lifted the man's bottom half into the air, diving down to bite and lick at Colin's ass. "Jesus Ryan!" Colin screamed, when his lover's long fingers parted his buttocks and a hot tongue licked a path around the exposed pucker. He closed his eyes tightly, bending his legs further to give Ryan more access and virtually pushing himself into the man's face. Ryan grunted in satisfaction, running his flat palm heavily over Colin's swollen sac and covering his long, stiff erection. He continued his frenzied biting and lapping at the small, circular entrance, feeling it relax slightly under his ministrations. He moved his mouth upwards, briefly caressing Colin's balls with his nose before sucking each one into his mouth. Colin was going insane at the heated sensations travelling his squirming body. He thought he was going to explode when Ryan's tongue licked a slow, hot line up his shaft, gathering the seeping liquid from the crown. "You taste so fucking good" Ryan murmured, opening his mouth and sucking in his lover's hard cock. "Ryan....oh God yes" Colin whimpered, plunging his hands into Ryan's hair and forcing himself deeper. Ryan sucked hard and fast, desperate to taste more but not wanting it to end. His long fingers once again parted Colin's buttocks, briefly circling the, now wet, opening. He looked up as the first finger entered up to the knuckle, reassuring himself that Colin wasn't in any pain. The other man simply moaned loudly and parted his legs further in answer. The sight of Colin's flushed, sweating, writhing body was the most erotic thing he had ever seen, Ryan decided. He lowered his mouth again, continuing to finger and stretch his lover as he sucked greedily on Colin's hot shaft. "Ry, i'm gonna" Colin moaned, thrusting mindlessly up into Ryan's eager mouth. Ryan's answering, muffled moan vibrated through Colin's cock and he came violently, arching painfully off the sofa as his lover drank him dry. "Jesus" he whispered, gasping heavily and collapsing back onto the couch. Ryan smiled in appreciation, planting wet, open-mouthed kisses across Colin's stomach and chest. Colin grabbed his lover's head, bringing him down for a deep, bruising kiss, tasting himself on Ryan's tongue. "I want to be inside you" Ryan whispered harshly. "How do you want me?" Colin questioned, smiling seductively. Ryan chuckled and raised his eyebrows, his lust-fuelled mind unable to form a coherent response. Colin pushed him off, shucking his tangled robe completely as he stood. He carefully moved the potted plant from the middle of the coffee table, and layed himself flat, face-down over the glass surface, wiggling his ass slightly in invitation. Ryan whimpered at the sight, dropping to his knees behind Colin and massaging the man's cheeks with his large, shaking hands. "Now Ryan" Colin growled, impatient for his lover to fill him. "You don't have to tell me twice" Ryan groaned, parting Colin's firm buttocks and positioning himself. He entered slowly, wanting to give Colin time to adjust and fighting the almost overwhelming urge to thrust harshly. Colin growled once more and pushed himself back until Ryan was fully sheathed, losing his breath slightly at the intense pain. Oh but it felt so fucking good. "Col! Jesus Christ Col! Are you okay?" Ryan moaned, almost losing it completely in the tight heat surrounding him. "I will be once you start moving" Colin ground out. Needing no more encouragement, Ryan layed his palm flat between Colin's shoulder blades and began thrusting. "So fucking tight" he groaned, looking down and whimpering at the sight of his cock moving rapidly in and out of Colin's sweet ass. "Fuck......Colin......love you" he whispered, losing his rhythmn a little as he reached closer to orgasm. "Faster" Colin panted, bracing himself and pushing back into Ryan. Faster is what he got, Ryan began pummeling harder, digging his long fingers painfully into his lovers hips. "Col.....i'm.......Colin!" he screamed, shoving the other man nearly clean off of the table at his final thrust, his warm seed shooting out at bullet-speed. Ryan collapsed, spent, over his lovers back, breathlessly planting small kisses along Colin's shoulders and neck. "Glad this table's sturdy" Colin chuckled, his face flush and sweaty from the exertion. Ryan grinned, easing himself out carefully and standing. "Come here" he sighed, grabbing Colin's hand and bringing him up into a tight embrace. "Col....you are so damned sexy" he groaned, kissing the man softly in a silent thank you. "Heal thyself" Colin smiled, biting lightly at Ryan's bottom lip. They collapsed once more on to the sofa, Colin on top of Ryan, and lost themselves in deep kisses and light caresses for a while. "I mean it Col" Ryan said suddenly, cradling his lover's head and gazing deeply into his eyes. "I love you." "I love you too baby" Colin whispered, answering Ryan's smile against his lips. --------------------------------------------- Colin leaned on the counter, propping his chin up with his palm and peering myopically at the small gathering of customers littered around the store. He'd slept fewer than three hours the night before, due partly to Ryan's libido and partly to his libido doing a happy dance every time Ryan rolled on top of him and uttered "ready to go again?" He smiled at the memory, absently rubbing at his sore eyes and continuing his vigil. 'I'm so tired I could probably sleep standing up' he thought. He blinked again, his eyes closing for a few seconds longer to try and alleviate a little of the soreness. "Col? Colin!" "Hmmm?" Colin blinked the fuzzy outline of a grinning Drew into focus, frowning a little at the 'I put out for Twinkies' logo on the man's T-shirt. "Oh, hey Drew" he smiled lazily, righting himself with a stretch. "You look kinda cute when you're sleepy." "You look kinda cute when i'm sleepy too." Drew chuckled, briefly scanning the store, before turning his attention back to Colin. "Ryan about?" "Yeah, he's out the back, quietly yelling at some poor woman who sent us three boxes of the wrong books." As if on cue, Ryan stormed out of the back room, inventory in hand and a few colourful expletives on his lips. "Stupid fucking waste of space.......oh, hi Drew." "Hey Ryan" Drew grinned. "Having a bad day are we?" "Just the usual chaos when you put a blonde in charge of filling out an inventory." "Hey!" Colin frowned, poking a sharp finger into his lover's arm. "Honey, you don't have enough hair to qualify as a blonde" Ryan soothed, inwardly wincing at the absolutely outraged look on Colin's face. "Hoo boy! You's in trouble now!" Drew laughed, stepping back a little. "Oh crap, I'm sorry Col. A combination of no sleep and dumbass secretaries has fucked my brain." "I suggest you relish it. It's the only thing on you that's gonna get fucked in the near future!" Colin huffed, marching into the back room to declare his love for the coffee machine. "Need any help in extracting your foot from your mouth?" Drew smiled. "Fuck!" Ryan sighed. "Drew, get your ass behind here and watch the shop for a minute would you?" "Yes sir!" Drew saluted merrily. Colin's back was turned to him as Ryan entered the room, closing the curtain behind him. He crept up behind his lover, sliding his arms around Colin's torso and kissing his neck lightly. "I'm sorry" he muttered, laying his chin on Colin's shoulder. "So you should be, you grumpy shit." "My mouth doesn't seem to be listening to my brain at all today" Ryan sighed, pulling the collar of Colin's shirt aside and nibbling at the exposed shoulder. "Yeah well" Colin began, tilting his head to give Ryan access to his neck, "I've had enough bald quips to last me a lifetime thank you very much." A worrying thought suddenly beat Ryan over the head with an idiot-club and he turned Colin to face him. "I'm not like Alan. I know what I said was stupid and hurtful, but..." "Woah!" Colin toned, covering Ryan's mouth with his fingers. "I know that. I'd never think that. Not ever." Ryan breathed a heavy sigh of relief and touched his forehead to his lover's. "I'd die if I ever made you feel like that." "Ry" Colin said softly, cupping the taller man's face and leaning back a little to make eye-contact. "We can't do this if you're going to be walking on eggshells around me. All couples argue, stupid things gets said. You can't be freaking out every time we fight, okay?" "Kay." "Don't ever compare yourself to Alan. For a start you're a lot easier on the eye" Colin grinned. "Plus you have that big ole nose, those big ole feet and that big ole..." Ryan cut him with a kiss, chuckling into his mouth. "You wanna see if we can get it bigger?" He whispered, cupping Colin's ass and pushing him against the cabinet. "We can't" Colin giggled, making no move to stop him, instead snaking his arms around Ryan's neck. "Drew's just the other side of the curtain." "So? It'll probably give him wet dreams for months." "Oh great! Way to break the mood Stiles!" "Let's see if I can get it back" Ryan breathed, his lips maintaining contact with Colin's body as he sank slowly to his knees. --------------------------------------- "Hey Drew, did I accidentally walk into the club?" Greg frowned, entering the shop. "No, those two are having make-up sex in the back room." "They're what?" "Sssh! I'm trying to listen." "Why Drew!" Greg began loudly, "You wouldn't be listening in on their love-making would you?!" Drew winced, covering his face with his hands and cursing Greg's parents. "You are a sick-minded individual" Ryan chuckled as he opened the curtain. "Where's Colin? In a post-orgasmic puddle on the floor?" Greg smirked. "Making coffee" Ryan groused. "He wouldn't let me into his pants." "I have absolutely no intention of being a character in one of Drew's sub-concsious porn movies, thank you very much!" Colin shouted from the back room. "Bit late for that" Drew muttered, earning a sharp look from Ryan. "I beg your pardon?" "Um...I was wondering if you guys wanted to come over to the club tomorrow night?" "Why? What's happening?" Greg inquired, trying desperately not to laugh at the daggers Ryan was glaring at Drew. "Fancy dress night!" Drew announced brightly. "As opposed to the usual fancy undressing?" "Well, the strippers will be dressed...for a few minutes at least. Anyway, it's Christmas! Almost...and...yeah. So, are you coming?" Drew finished, looking hopefully at Greg and determinedly not looking at Ryan. Greg took a few seconds before shrugging, "Yeah, why not." "Hey! Who appointed you Mr. Decision-maker?" Ryan huffed. "Oh come on! It's Christmas and we both have boyfriends. What's not to celebrate?" "I suppose" Ryan mumbled, still not entirely convinced. "You gonna come Col?" *Snort!" "Gregory..." "Sorry." "Come where?" Colin asked innocently, bringing through four cups of coffee. *Snort!* "Greg, for fuck's sake!" "Sorry, sorry!" Greg grinned, biting hard on his lower lip. "So where are we coming? Er..going?" "Oh Jesus! I'm just gonna hide behind a bookshelf and die." Greg chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm gonna bleach your damn brain out!" Ryan admonished, turning sharply to Drew. "And you keep your mental hands off!" "Off of what?" Colin cut in. "And where are we going?" "I can't control my dreams you know!" Drew protested. "Besides, Chip does it about you." "I did not need to know that Drew." "Does what?" Colin frowned. "Like it's a big fat secret!" Drew pouted indignantly. "Is everyone deliberately trying to confuse me?" Colin grumbled. "Oh Colin, it's simple" Greg smiled, snaking an arm around his friend's shoulders. "There's a fancy dress party at the strip club tomorrow, we're going. Drew dreams about you naked, Ryan's pissed. Chip dreams about Ryan naked, Ryan's pissed. Excellent coffee by the way." "....." Colin blinked, turning and heading back into the office. --------------------------------------------- "I don't wanna!" Greg whined, being virtually dragged along the street by Ryan. "Quit ya bitching" Ryan grinned, "We need costumes." "But he's scary." "Oh he is not." "He is! You know he has the hots for me. Freaks me out! Plus that accent is so fake." "It's not fake, he just emphasises it a little for effect." "The only effect it has on me is nausea" Greg grumbled. "Look, it's either this or you go naked." "Can I put in a vote for naked?" Jeff piped up from behind them, causing Colin to giggle beside him. "Not in this weather, thank you very much! I'll be half the man I used to be." -------------------------- "Morning Gabriel" Ryan smiled, holding the door open for the others to come in behind him. Colin smiled in greeting at the flamboyantly dressed, middle-aged French man who ran the costume hire shop. "Ah, Ryan!" Gabriel beamed, kissing the air beside the taller man's cheek. " And 'ow are you today?" "In need of your services. We all have a party to go to tonight and need to look our best." "So naturally, you come 'ere no?" He smiled, smoothing the collar of his bright yellow shirt and winking lasciviously at Greg. Greg winced through a smile in return and wandered off to look through the racks of clothing. "Feel free to browse. I 'ave...lots" Gabriel waved them off absent-mindedly, going in pursuit of Greg who had disappeared down one of the makeshift aisles. "I'd better go play chaperone" Ryan sighed. "Alone at last" Jeff breathed, gathering Colin in his arms. "Let's shop!" He grabbed his friend's hand and they trotted off down a different aisle. "How about this?" Colin asked brightly, holding a furry bear costume up in front of him. "It's not very sexy" Jeff grimaced. "I can't really pull off 'sexy' Jeff" Colin sighed, putting the outfit back and searching through some more. "Bullshit! You're seriously sexy. I'd totally tongue you under different circumstances. Ooh, what about this?" Jeff enthused, holding aloft a period Greek soldier's uniform. "It's a little on the short side." "The problem being?" "Draughty?" Jeff sighed, rolling his eyes. "You are completely trying this on." "But..." Colin attempted as his friend pushed him and the outfit toward the changing rooms. He was pulled to a sudden halt, accompanied by an awe-struck "oh!" from Jeff. "What?" "Look at that!" Jeff sighed dreamily. He followed Jeff's line of sight to a plush -velvet, black and red Dracula costume, complete with long, silky cape, hanging on the wall by the shop counter. "Nice." "Mine!" Jeff decided, pulling it down and ushering Colin into the changing area. -------------------------- "So...are you going to this party by yourself?" Gabriel asked, looking coyly at Greg and holding a Superman costume up against him. "No" Greg muttered, pushing the outfit aside. "I'm going with my boyfriend." "There's a shame!" Gabriel sighed dramatically. "Whad'ya think?" Greg turned, eyes widening slightly as he took in the crisp, white naval officer's uniform and peaked cap, currently being modelled by his best friend. "Oh.....hello!" "Does it fit okay?" Ryan asked, a little self-consciously. "Like a dream!" Gabriel cut in, clapping his hands together and circling the tall man, like a shark eyeing up its prey. "You 'ave a little fluff there." Ryan lurched forward at the feel of Gabriel's hand smoothing over his butt. "Hey!" "Fluff." The Frenchman smiled innocently. "I think I’ll just buy a cowboy hat and go as Clint Eastwood." Greg muttered in defeat, flicking idly through some more costumes. "There must be something here you like" Ryan groaned. "What about this?" Greg eyed the long, white piece of material sceptically. "You want me to wear a toga?" "Chiton" Gabriel corrected. "Yeah, it looks like its been shit on" Greg agreed, returning to his search. "Oh, by jove I think we've got it!" He grinned, holding up a pirate costume, complete with dreadlocks and tri-cornered hat. "Excellent." Ryan chuckled. "I am thinking that this is a party I would like to attend" Gabriel nodded; eyeing the leather trousers and letting his imagination run wild. "Looks like I’m in for a jolly rodgering" Jeff grinned, walking towards them. "Oh Ryan! Don't you look handsome?" "Thank you." Ryan replied quietly, blushing a little. "Bite me!" Greg sighed, looking his lover up and down, his gaze lingering on the tight, velvet pants. "Later darlink." "Where's Col?" "He's round the corner, bitching at his sandals." "Sandals?" Ryan frowned. "Who's he going as? Jesus?" Greg chuckled. "Finally managed to get the damn things to stay up above my knees. This skirt is way too short though." Colin groused, rounding the corner and tugging errantly at the leather material riding up his thighs. A soft growl made him glance up, his gaze immediately finding Ryan. "Wow! You look incredible Ry....Ry?" Ryan's hungry stare was busy taking a leisurely tour of Colin's long legs, following the criss-cross pattern of leather straps up to mid-thigh and continuing up over the short skirt and breast-plate. Colin started a little when Ryan growled again, noting the other man's flaring nostrils and wild eyes. "Oh Dear" he gulped, "I'm in trouble." He back up a few steps, before deciding to turn tail and run back to the dressing rooms. "Hold this!" Ryan muttered, handing his hat to Greg and running after his lover. "No no no!" Gabriel panicked, setting off after them. "This is a respectable shop; there will be no 'anky panky! Please extract yourself from his person at once!" "So, are you gonna get some fangs to go with that?" Greg toned, bouncing happily beside Jeff. "Of course." "Yess!" He hissed. --------------------------------------------- "Bleh!" Greg announced to the room, before plonking himself prostrate onto the sofa, face buried in Ryan's lap. "I hope you're not wearing make-up" Ryan worried, bringing his hand up to play with the fake dreadlocks sticking out from under Greg's headscarf. "'Mnot." "Tired dear?" Ryan chuckled. Greg's arm lifted casually, pointing an accusing finger at Jeff, who was busy fixing his false fangs on. "All his fault." Jeff simply rolled his eyes and continued to hold his fang in place, waiting for the putty to set. "Well, I'm ready." Colin announced, wandering into the living room and fiddling with his breast-plate. "Though this armour is chafing like a bitch." He glanced over at Ryan and Greg, the former meeting his eyes with a smile, the latter mumbling something incoherent into his friend's lap. "Is it wrong of me to find that slightly erotic?" Colin wondered, turning to Jeff. "Absolutely!" Jeff grinned, his one long fang looking grotesquely out of place. "We're both going to Hell" He finished with a wink, packing the second tooth and holding it in place. "What are you wearing under that skirt?" Ryan muttered, trying to duck his head low enough to peek. "Jeff leant me one of his thongs." "Shit!" Greg yelped, abruptly sitting upright. "Give a guy some warning will ya? He nearly had my damn eye out." "Oh fuck you!" Ryan chuckled. The 'beep' of a car horn outside brought everyone to attention. "Cab's here. We all ready?" Ryan announced, donning his hat. Everyone nodded and made for the door, Jeff picking furiously at escapee putty that had laid claim to his front teeth. -------------------------- "Damn this music's loud!" Greg yelled, as they entered the club. "What?" Jeff winced. "I said....never mind." Ryan nervously averted his eyes from the many appreciative looks he was getting as they made their way to the bar. He'd decided upon the outfit purely with the intention of turning Colin on; a decision he was now regretting. Colin, in turn, was beaming with pride at the adoring looks many of the party-goers were giving his lover. He was alternating between looking around the club and checking out Ryan's ass in the fitted white pants. "You look so handsome" Colin smiled, slipping his arm around Ryan's waist and gleefully noting the varying looks of disappointment on a few of the surrounding faces. Ryan blushed a little, pulling Colin in for a quick kiss to try and cover it. "What'll it be gentlemen?" Asked a six-foot smurf, leaning on the beer taps. "Hey Guys! You made it!" The four turned as one and as one took a recoiling step away from the vision in front of them. A proudly smiling Drew stood before them, wearing nothing but a red thong, matching bow-tie and knee-high boots. "Drew, what...?" Greg blinked. "I mean...Drew, what...?" "Great huh?" The plump man grinned. "Look at this!" He pulled out a small, black box that had been tucked into the side-string of his underwear and flicked a switch on it, bringing his thong and tie to life with a plethora of multi-coloured lights. Each one chasing the other, as if trying to escape. "Oh..." Ryan breathed. "My..." Colin winced. "Fucking..." Jeff blinked. "God!" Greg sobbed. "Yeah? You think that's good, wait til you see the back!" Drew announced brightly, turning away from them and wiggling his butt. "Oh Jesus!" Ryan cried, covering his eyes. Both Colin and Jeff looked as if they were about to burst into tears. "That reminds me, I forgot to feed the cats." Greg took an automatic step back from the four questioning looks now pointed in his direction. "Oh leave me alone! My brain panicked!" He yelped, turning to the bar and ordering a double shot of industrial-strength detergent. -------------------------------- After receiving their drinks, Drew led the group over to a circular table he had reserved for them, in front of the main stage. "So, what colour?" Ryan grinned, leaning back in his chair. "What colour is what?" Colin frowned, turning his face towards his lover. Ryan looked pointedly at Colin's lap, before sweeping his gaze up to lock once more with his eyes. Colin smiled involuntarily, a slight blush staining his usually pale cheeks. "I'm not telling you." "Why not?" "Because I know what you're like and I don't particularly want to either be arrested for indecent behaviour, or put on a floor show. Ryan's eyes went wide with realisation. "Oh my God! Are they white?" Colin simply groaned, bringing his hands up to cover his face and giving Ryan a warning glare. "Let me see!" "No!" Colin squeaked, batting away his lover's questing fingers. "Oh come onnnn! Just a quick peek." "No! Stop it" the older man laughed, hitching his chair back. "What are they doing?" Greg questioned, leaning back in his chair to get a better look. "Ryan's white underwear fetish" Jeff chuckled. "You leant Colin your white thong?" "Mhmm." "I'm gonna need to soundproof the walls and post warning leaflets around the neighbourhood." Ryan was gleefully hitching up Colin's 'skirt' when a tap on his shoulder caught his attention. "Hey Ryan!" Chip grinned. Ryan blinked slowly at the red body in front of him, looking up into an equally red face, topped off with a black, hand-drawn, goatee adorning his face and a pair of glowing red horns on top of his head. "So what have you come as?" he deadpanned. "Cool huh!" Chip enthused, wiggling his nylon tail that had been sown onto the back of his thong. "Was there a thong sale or something?" Jeff frowned. "It’s a strip club honey. Thongs are pretty much the standard dress code" Greg supplied, eyeing Chip with the same suspicion as his lover. "And the military get free lap dances tonight" Chip announced, looking lustily into Ryan's eyes. "So I’ll see you later sailor." The dancer surprised Ryan by ducking down and kissing him quickly, before bouncing off backstage. Ryan turned in his seat, gulping slightly at the metaphorical daggers that Greg and Jeff were glaring after the retreating Chip. Colin was merely sipping his drink and regarding his lap quietly. "Col? I'm not..." The DJ decided to crank up the music at that moment and announce the evening's entertainment, introducing the dancers onto the stage, one by one. "Let's hear it for Daniel! Or should I say...Count Dracula! Mwahahaha!" The DJ crooned in accompaniment to the cloaked figure, dramatically posing on stage. Jeff pursed his lips thoughtfully as the stripper flung open his cape, revealing an oily, overly muscled body to the appreciative audience. "Not a candle" Greg murmured in his ear. "Bite your tongue" Jeff smiled. "I'd rather you did it." Greg's breath was ghosting across Jeff's ear, sending a delicious shiver down the young man's spine. Giving his lover no warning, he turned in his seat and grabbed Greg's face, crushing their lips together. "Mmm, pointy" Greg chuckled, his laugh turning into a soft moan of pleasure when Jeff ran his fangs down the older man's neck. "Can you wear the cape to bed tonight?" "Col?" Ryan tried again, scooting his chair back a little so he was next to the other man. He lifted Colin's chin, forcing eye-contact. "Just you" he mouthed. "I know" Colin mouthed back, shrugging into a smile. Ryan returned the sad smile, leaning forward to rest his lips against his lover's forehead, once again inwardly cursing Alan and the damage he'd done. "Even if it takes the rest of my life to do it, I'll prove to you that you are the rest of my life," he whispered, even though Colin couldn’t hear him. --------------------------------------------- "I swear, if one more fucking idiot asks me to bite him..." Jeff grumbled, setting a fresh batch of drinks down on their table. "Tell me about it" Ryan sympathised. "Just going to the bathroom is like running the gauntlet out there. I swear Drew's been spiking the alcohol with Viagra." "Some guy just tried to put his hand up my skirt!" Colin interjected, handing everyone their requested packets of peanuts. "How girly did that sound?" Jeff grinned. "Fuck off" Colin chuckled. "Who tried to grope you?" Ryan demanded hotly. "I dunno. Some middle-aged fat guy in a loud shirt." "Well that certainly narrows it down" Greg mumbled through a mouth full of peanuts. "Yeah" Colin laughed, "Which bee stung you? Oh, the one with wings and yellow and black stripes." "So, did we miss anything exciting?" Jeff asked, eyeing the temporarily empty stage. "Not really. Muscled guy with a thong and about three bottles of baby oil spread over his torso," Ryan shrugged. "Kinda gets samey after a while," Greg tutted. "Okay!" Drew announced loudly, his microphone turned up to full volume, immediately directing everyone's attention to the stage. "Dear God! It looks even worse from this angle," Greg grimaced softly. "Four of our very sexy dancers here are gonna be let loose amongst you! They're going to each bring an audience member on stage and we're gonna have a little contest! We like to call this one 'Bump and Grind!" Drew continued, laughing merrily at the rowdy crowd. "The four chosen will each have a turn to show off their dancing skills, aided and coached by our dancers of course. The winners will be decided by audience applause and they’ll receive one of these!" With that, Drew held up a gaudy G-string, fronted by a 3-D Santa face. He held it up to the microphone and pressed a small switch, letting loose a tinny rendition of 'Jingle Bells'. "Huh? Whad’ya think? A prize worth winning?!" The audience agreed enthusiastically and Drew set forth his small army of strippers. "Come on then sailor-boy!" Chip grinned, grabbing Ryan's hands and trying to drag him upright. "Oh no, definitely not!" Ryan protested, yanking his arms back. "Don't be a spoilsport!" Chip pouted, "It'll be fun." "Nope, not happening!" "I can make it worth your while" the younger man answered seductively, straddling Ryan's legs and circling his hips slowly. "Stop that right now Chip!" Ryan panicked, placing his palms flat on Chip's chest, with the intention of pushing the dancer away. Chip simply clasped the other man's hands and slid them down his torso, his hips continuing their grinding. "Ack! Stop it!" Ryan argued, trying to retrieve his hands. Chip had a better grip than he anticipated, however, and he ended up with a lap full of grinding Beelzebub. "Hell yeah!" Chip whooped, lunging in for a kiss. Ryan growled and stood abruptly, toppling the other man off of his lap. "For crying out loud Chip! What part of 'no' are you having trouble grasping?!" Ryan roared. "Not to mention my boyfriend is sitting right th.....where's Colin?" he blinked, staring at the empty chair beside him. Jeff silently inclined his head towards the stage, where Colin was being virtually carried to the middle by Eric. An equally unenthusiastic Greg was also being dragged onto the stage by another stripper. Ryan dismissed Chip completely, biting his lip in a grin and seating himself beside Jeff, never once taking his eyes off the stage. Eric momentarily lost his grip and Colin made a break for it, almost reaching the steps before the large man grabbed him from behind, hoisting him into the air, much to the amusement of the crowd. Once the contestants had been lined up, Drew approached them, microphone in hand. "So, what's your name?" he grinned at Colin, who paused in trying to prise Eric's death grip from around his waist and shot Drew a panicked look. "Wh....um..." Colin replied meekly. "Aww, he can't even remember his name" Drew laughed. "As long as he remembers mine" Eric joined in, nibbling on the struggling man's earlobe. "Eww, get off!" Colin protested, beating furiously at Eric's arms. Ryan growled softly, moving to stand up. "Down boy" Jeff grinned, pushing the taller man back into his seat. "Greg's up there with him, he'll be fine." Ryan swore vehemently in answer, relaxing into his seat and glaring at the stage. "And what's your name my good man?" Drew inquired, reaching the end of the line and pointing the microphone at Greg. "Archibald Fucknut!" Greg announced proudly, pulling the mic back towards him when Drew made to back away. "The third" he amended seriously. "Okay gentlemen" Drew chuckled, "we're going to pair you up. Select your partner." Greg quickly elbowed the middle two aside and stood in front of Colin. "You can let him go now" he grinned nastily at Eric, who immediately dropped his captive and backed away. "I think he bruised a rib" Colin complained, rubbing his side. "He's gonna get more than a bruised rib if Ryan gets hold of him" Greg grinned. "So can we escape now?" "Nope." Colin's hopeful expression dropped forlornly. "It'll be cool, just follow my lead." "I can't Greg! I'll look stupid." "Oh you will not!" "I will!" "Okay, are you ready?!" "Yup!" Greg grinned, Colin announcing a firm "no" at the same time. "Excellent!" Drew continued, ignoring Colin completely." Eric and Chip will dance first, show you what to do, then the stage is yours!" The crowd clapped enthusiastically as the beginning strains of The Scissor Sisters filled the room and the two dancers began grinding into each other. "Oh lordy" Colin gulped, backing into Greg. "We'll make 'em look like amateurs." Chip and Eric finished the lesson, bowing theatrically to the rapturous applause. "I can't remember a damn thing they did" Colin whimpered, as Drew led the contestants back to the middle of the stage. "We'll wing it." "Okay! First up are Archibald and the man with no name! Take it away guys." The music began again and Greg immediately backed Colin into the pole. "Trust me" he winked, rolling his hips into Colin's pelvis and raising their linked hands above his head. "You gotta move your hips" Greg hissed, swinging round to face the audience and placing Colin in front of him. "I've got to what?" "Move your hips" Greg chuckled, gripping Colin's pelvis and rotating his hips. "Like this." "I can't do that!" "Imagine Ryan's on top of you." "I'll imagine no such thing while I’m wearing this outfit in public!" Greg sighed and grabbed Colin's hands, placing them on his own leather-clad butt. "Look at them." Colin followed Greg's softly spoken directions and glanced down to where Jeff and Ryan were sitting, slack-jawed, eyes wide, following their every move. Ryan's mouth opened even wider as Greg slid his hands up Colin's thighs, granting the audience a brief glimpse of the man's underwear before swinging him around to face him. "See?" "Fine" Colin sighed, hooking his leg up around Greg's lower back and sliding his arm's around his friend's neck, "but if people start laughing at me, I’m putting salt in your coffee tomorrow morning." "Jesus fuck!" Jeff whispered, his eyes glued to the grinding couple onstage. "Uh huh" Ryan nodded, his gaze following Colin's path as the older man shimmied down the length of Greg's body. "You may have to help me back up" Colin laughed, looking up at his friend. They were saved by the bell, however, when Drew chose that moment to announce the end of their part in the competition. "Let's hear it for our first couple!" Drew yelled, trying desperately to be heard over the roaring crowd. "Man oh man! Anyone got an ice bucket i can borrow?" he laughed, cursing himself for his choice in 'dress'. Greg and Colin linked hands, bowing to the audience. "I don't think I’ve ever been so embarrassed in my life!" Colin chuckled. "Where did they go?" Greg frowned, noticing the empty seats where their lovers had been. "I don't....oh" Colin gulped. Both Jeff and Ryan were making their way across the stage, each wearing a look of identical determination. Jeff said nothing, simply hoisting Greg over his shoulder and marching them off of the stage. "Great party Drew" Ryan smiled, grabbing Colin's hand and dragging him away. "Wait! I wanna see if we've won!" "Oh, I'll show you what you've won" Ryan growled, picking up the pace. ------------------------------------------- "See you when we come up for air!" Jeff called, barrelling through the front door and up the stairs, Greg in tow. "Whatever" Ryan mumbled, slamming his lover against the wall and moving in for a kiss. --------------------------------- Greg was literally thrown on to the bed, bouncing slightly upon landing, before being covered by his hungry lover. "Off" Jeff growled, ripping the cloth shirt open and descending on Greg's torso. "Jesus Jeff!" Greg gasped, watching his lover move lower. The younger man ripped open the front seam in Greg's pants, salivating as the other man's hard cock sprang free. "Supper time" he whispered, licking his lips. ----------------------------------------- "How the fuck do you get this thing off?" Ryan huffed, searching desperately for a clasp on Colin's breast-plate. "Shouldn't we go upstairs first?" Colin panted, biting at the other man's lip. "Aha!" Ryan grinned as the armour pinged open. "Good idea" he said, sweeping Colin up into his arms. "Ry! Your back!" Colin worried, as his lover made to carry him upstairs. "It'll be fi...whoa!" Ryan shouted, losing his balance and sending them crashing to the floor. "Ow, my back" Colin groaned from underneath the tall man. "Oh crap! Are you okay?" "I'm fine" Colin laughed. "I can make you feel better" Ryan whispered seductively, sliding a large hand down his lover's body. "OW! FUCKING OWOWOWOWOW! JEFF!!!" The two sat up abruptly, their startled gazes directed towards the stairs. "Oh dear" Colin said softly, biting his lip. "I think Jeff forgot to take his fangs out." --------------------------------------------- "Okay, I’m off to get some lunch. Want me to bring you something back?" Greg smiled, running his hand lightly down Jeff's back. "Yes please" Jeff sighed, glaring at the coffee pot and mentally willing it to boil faster. "Preferably chocolate. That woman is driving me crazy." Greg leant back a little, peering through the kitchen door at a young blonde woman, who was pouting at her reflection in the salon mirror and re-applying her lip gloss. "I think she likes you" Greg chuckled. Jeff grimaced and shuddered theatrically. "Aww honey" Greg soothed, standing closely behind his lover and slipping his arms around the younger man's waist. "You're a good looking guy; you're bound to attract the young girlies." Jeff relaxed into the touch, linking their hands and briefly closing his eyes. "Don't care. They can fu…” "Oh, Jeffrey! Can you put sweet and low in mine? I have to watch my figure you know." "I swear, if she calls me Jeffrey once more, I'm gonna put cyanide in her damn coffee." "I'll leave you to it then" Greg grinned, earning a scowl from the young stylist. "Go on then, abandon me in my hour of need!" Greg shook his head, smiling as he kissed his grumpy lover goodbye. Jeff stirred his client's coffee and pasted on his "no, seriously, you're not pissing me off to the point where I want to kill you and chop you up into a million pieces" smile. "Here you are Miss Langley" he offered, placing the small white cup down on the shelf in front of the young woman's chair. "It's Hannah" she chastised, gracing Jeff with a coy smile. "Is it?" Jeff retorted flatly, applying some mental re-gluing to his smile and beginning the arduous task of removing the large curlers from his client's long hair. "So...Jeffery..." "It's Jeff." "I prefer Jeffery." "It's still Jeff." "So, Jeffery..." *Sigh* "I was wondering...would you like to come out for a drink with me sometime?" "What?" Jeff blinked, completely unprepared for the bold question. "You know, a date." the young woman beamed at his reflection. "Um....that'd be no" Jeff replied firmly, brushing out the long locks. "Why? Don't you like women?" "Not in the way you'd like me to like them, no." "Oh" she pouted prettily, crossing her arms and glaring at the mirror. Jeff continued his work in blessed silence for a few minutes, until the scorned woman could hold her tongue no longer. "But if you were....would I be your type?" "Not really" Jeff shrugged. "Why not?" "I prefer brunettes." "Brunettes?" "Yeah, like Lucy Lawless or Sigourney Weaver." "I thought you said you didn't find women attractive?" the girl frowned. "I didn't say that..." Jeff began. "So you do find women attractive?" "Well, yes. But not..." "I see! So it's just me you don't like?" "What? No! I didn't say that!" "So what are you saying?" his client questioned, looking increasingly affronted. "I'm saying that I can admire a woman aesthetically, just not sexually." "But you don't admire me aesthetically?" "Wh...um..." Jeff grimaced, realising he'd unwittingly fallen into a no-win situation. "You think I'm ugly?" the young woman whined softly, tears beginning to sting her eyes. "No! I didn't...I mean I....See this is why I'm gay!" Jeff huffed, placing his fists on his hips and tapping his foot. -------------------------------------- "Okay, well thank you officer. I appreciate the call. Bye." "What was that all about?" Colin asked softly, handing Ryan a coffee. Ryan turned away from the phone and gratefully took the drink. "Apparently, Fucknut made bail. The arresting officer called to let us know." "Well, that doesn't surprise me" Colin sighed, leaning against the counter and cradling his coffee cup in both hands. "His family is very wealthy; they can pretty much afford the best of everything, lawyers included." "They'll need it to pay for his funeral if he shows his face round here again." "He won't" Colin smiled, stroking his thumb lightly down Ryan's cheek. "He's not that stupid." Ryan raised a sceptical eyebrow, but chose to say nothing. "Hey people!" Greg called cheerfully, inching his way round the oblivious, rotund chippy who was busy replacing the shop door. "Don't mind me" he muttered, sucking in his stomach and praying that the man didn't move backwards. "Hey Greg" Ryan smiled. "Must be lunch time." "Lunch?" the carpenter noted, checking his watch. "Back in an hour then!" "Well....shit" Greg blinked at the now empty doorway. "So what are we having?" Ryan asked, putting on his jacket and checking the pockets for his wallet. "Something very stodgy and greasy for me" Colin replied. "I think I lost about thirty pounds in the bedroom last night." "Well that was your own fault." "my fault?" Colin frowned indignantly. "As I recall, it was you who decided, at three am, to don your jacket and hat, and sit your naked ass on my crotch while announcing 'I'm ready to sail the good ship Mochrie'!" Ryan bit his lip, grinning through a blush that was spreading across his cheeks and down his neck. "Okay...I'm looking for a book titled 'Too Much Information'.” Greg winced. "We're definitely not gonna get our deposits back on those costumes" Ryan chuckled, kissing Colin briefly before joining Greg. "Or what's left of them" his friend retorted. ----------------------------- Greg pulled two bottles of beer out of the fridge, popping the caps and wandering through the open back door. Ryan was crouching down in front of their large, cast iron Chiminea, placing another log into the flames. "That should keep it going for a while" he muttered, wiping his hands down his denim-clad legs. Greg sat himself down on one of the wooden patio chairs, placing the beers down on the table and picking up his cigarette packet. "Think it's gonna snow again?" Ryan asked, taking an offered smoke and relaxing into another chair. "Dunno" Greg shrugged, taking his beer from the table that was separating them. "Cold enough." he shivered, pulling at his thick black sweater. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, looking out at the large garden, visible by the softly flickering outdoor candles. "It's been a fucking weird few weeks" Greg laughed softly, briefly dislodging his glasses as he ran a palm over his tired eyes. "Yeah" Ryan sighed happily, looking up at the sky and taking a long drag of his cigarette. A large full moon was looking down on them, affording them brief periods of extra light in-between the ominous clouds periodically rolling past. "That cloud kinda looks like a penis" Ryan frowned. "It does not!" "It does! In fact, it looks a little like your ex-boyfriend's." Greg peered myopically up at the sky, scrutinizing the cloud in question as it danced past the moon. "Damn, it does....hey! How do you know what his dick looked like?" "Kinda hard to miss it, seeing it was sticking so prominently out of his forehead" Ryan chuckled. "True enough" Greg agreed, settling back into his chair and closing his eyes. "Still, we got it right this time, eh?" "We sure did" Ryan smiled goofily. They shared a smile, clinking their bottles together across the table. "Where is Jeff anyway?" Ryan asked, after taking a sip. "Gone home to get some clothes and take a bath." "Col still asleep?" "Yeah. I checked on him before coming out. He's sprawled out on the sofa with the cats." "They're such whores" Ryan smiled. "So, you happy?" Greg asked sleepily, reaching a hand across the table. "Yeah" his friend sighed, linking his long fingers with Greg's. "You?" The bespectacled man nodded in satisfaction, closing his eyes once more and sinking into the warmth of the crackling fire. ------------------------------------ Colin perched himself on the kitchen table, placing his freshly brewed coffee to the side of him and lighting a cigarette. The snow had begun falling steadily. half-way through the night and Colin lost himself in the flurrying patterns outside the window of the darkened kitchen. "Watcha doing?" Came a sleepy voice from the doorway. "I'm sorry Ry. Did I wake you?" "No" Ryan smiled, moving to stand between his lover's thighs and playing idly with the collar of Colin's white shirt. "I'm watching the snow" the older man whispered, smiling up at his lover. Ryan turned his head briefly towards the window and the white waterfall outside. "S'nice" he muttered, looking back at Colin. "It's beautiful" Colin sighed dreamily. "I can think of better things to look at" Ryan shrugged, stealing Colin's cigarette and taking a quick drag before stubbing it out in a small glass ashtray. "Oh really?" his lover grinned. "Hell yeah" Ryan sighed, as he ran his large hands up Colin's bare thighs and moved in for a kiss. Colin smiled inwardly as he was pushed back to lay flat on the kitchen table, Ryan deepening the kiss and following him down. So much had changed for him in such a short amount of time and he expected a lot more to come. And, as Ryan's long fingers crept up the insides of his shaking thighs, Colin decided that the rest of his life was most definitely something he looked forward to. ---------------------------------------------