John Paul liked Dublin. There were plenty of DJ gigs for him, though occasionally paid only in peanuts and beer. He had even begun some classes at Trinity in music production and composition.

But it was being with Craig each day that made John Paul's heart warm. It was the fiery warmth of their youthful romance, minus the pain and lies, and spiced with the daily pleasures of their life together in a new place that belonged just to them.

Well, almost just them. There was also the matter of Craig's roommates, Tony, Ross and Templeton.

"Hey John Paul, you will be around tonight, right?" Tony said, running fingers through his hair to get it sticking up in just that manner that he thought most attractive to the ladies. "You'll DJ for us? You already have all that equipment and stuff, yeah?"

"Yeah. You going to pay me, for all that equipment and stuff?"

"There's peanuts in the pantry," Tony glanced at him. "Besides, you're staying here for free, yeah?"

"I'm paying my share," John Paul gave the money to Craig, when he got it from his gigs. It was not quite an equal share, but he planned to make that up as soon as he got more established in the city. He was already getting double the amount of gigs he had when they first arrived.

"How's that? I haven't seen any quid leave your fingers." Tony picked up a bottle of cologne and sprayed it on his neck, then chest, then armpits. John Paul waved away the cloud of scent with an exaggerated movement.

"Not everyone pays me in peanuts. I give my share to Craig."

"Ah. So lover boy's not completely footing the bill for you, then?"

"Hey," John Paul walked up, taking the cologne in his hand, "At least I got someone and don't need to primp myself up in the hope of getting shagged."

Tony snatched the cologne back, looking at John Paul with an expression that said he was not entirely comfortable with the images conjured by John Paul's words. But then his expression changed to a half smile and he looked back at the mirror.

"How is that, then? The sex? Craig's a handsome guy, and fit. And you're not so bad yourself. I bet it's pretty good."

"What?"

"You know," Tony continued, fiddling with his hair and watching John Paul in the mirror. "Before you showed up, we all thought Craig was straight. He even brought this girl Julie around. Then he drops her and goes home for some funeral, saying he's going to bring back his ex, and you show up." Tony looked him up and down in the mirror. "How come he couldn't get over you? You some kind of sex genius or something?"

John Paul nearly choked on his next breath, but he recovered and shot back, "I could give you a few pointers."

Tony laughed. "You know I'm into birds, though, right?

"Right. But I think you would find many of the techniques are transferable."

"Yeah?" Tony considered for a moment, as though he were legitimately interested in the concept, then looked at John Paul again in the mirror. "I'm serious you know. How's the sex? How's it work?"

John Paul took a breath. This never happened to him in Hollyoaks, straight guys asking him outright about details of gay sex. But Dublin, he had found, was a bit more open minded in this way. He let out the breath, considering his response.

The truth was, the sex, was, well, fantastic. His time with Craig was filled with all of the enthusiasm of the past, but none of the self loathing and doubt that had made Craig retreat in the morning. Waking in the morning with Craig by his side, all of Craig, a committed Craig, an adult Craig who had chosen him and even fought for him, made John Paul marvel anew at his good fortune and thank whatever gods or fates had seen fit to bestow upon him such happiness.

But he could not say all that to Tony. It was much too corny. So instead he said,

"You know, there are websites for that kind of thing."

"Yeah I am really going to run that search. Dear google, please tell me how two men get it on." He laughed. "No. I am interested in the real thing here, not some glossy internet site or blog. Is it mostly touching, getting each other off, or do you do the whole thing?"

"What do you mean the whole thing?"

"The whole thing, you know," Tony puffed out his cheeks, then let out the breath, still looking in the mirror. "Does he properly shag you?"

John Paul was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Tony, this is kinda private."

"He does?" John Paul could not stop the blush that colored his cheeks. It was his curse from being so pale, blushing so easily. Tony nodded, the red cheeks all the answer he needed. "You like it?"

"Of course I do. I'm gay, aren't I? That's what gays do, right, take it up the ass?"

"Hey, I'm not trying to be vulgar. I'm just curious. I don't mind it, didn't we all say we didn't mind it, when you moved in?"

"Yeah and that was great of you and all," John Paul sighed, running a hand through his own hair in an unconscious imitation of Tony's primping. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bite your head off or anything. But it's a bit awkward, you know, talking about it."

"What, you mean with a straight guy? Well that's not so good, is it? We talk about birds all the time and you have to listen to us. I thought, it being the age of equality and all, I would give you a listen."

"I suppose."

"You know, you have been really good for Craig. We could tell, even when you just arrived. He's much less tense than he was. Last year it was like he was gearing up for some sort of high stakes wrestling match, he was so tight. He was nice and all, but you never knew when he might just snap."

"That sounds like Craig. He was like that when we were back in Hollyoaks, too"

"How'd you calm him down?" John Paul let out a sound between a laugh and a sigh.

"It wasn't easy."

"Yeah?"

Tony paused in the mirror, taking his lower lip in his teeth. Though John Paul had made fun of him for his primping, he had to admit Tony was a handsome guy. The hair style suited him, and even the scent he had sprayed so copiously added to his appeal. John Paul did not really think he would have any problems finding birds tonight.

"John Paul, I'm going to ask you something and you don't have to answer if you don't want to." Tony turned away from the mirror, crossing his arms and standing loosely. "Do you ever properly shag Craig?"

John Paul felt his cheeks go suddenly very red, and the anger flaring in his chest felt as warm as the blood in his face. But, though ignited by Tony's comment, the heat of the anger was not aimed at Tony. The truth was John Paul had not properly shagged Craig, and it was starting to cause tension between them. Part of the anger was for himself for wanting it, though Craig had given him so much already. But the bulk of the anger was for Craig for refusing to even discuss it. John Paul looked at Tony, wondering if he somehow knew, then opened his mouth to respond—

"What the hell are you two talking about?" John Paul turned at the familiar voice, quiet but commanding. Craig stood in the door, looking at the both of them with narrowed eyes. As always seeing him made John Paul's heart flutter ridiculously.

"John Paul is going to DJ the party tonight," Tony said nonchalantly, turning back to the mirror.

"That's what you were talking about?" Craig said quietly. Even his voice sent shivers down John Paul's spine, and other places. Whenever he felt this way, he wondered if it was possible to climax just from the sound of someone's voice. The heat of his awakened anger seemed only to magnify the attraction. "John Paul?"

"Yes, among other things," he glanced at Tony. "I better go get my equipment and stuff."

"Yes. You better get your equipment in order."

John Paul glanced at Tony, whose face remained carefully neutral in the glass of the mirror, then turned towards the door. He passed close to Craig on his way, and Craig reached out a hand to grab his arm. The heat from the touch shot through John Paul's body. Really, it was almost not fair Craig could do this to him.

"I'll go with you."

John Paul swallowed and nodded. The look in Craig's eyes told him he had heard a bit more of the conversation with Tony that John Paul would have wanted, and he readied himself for the rebuke he knew was waiting once they got to the top of the stairs. Do you ever property shag Craig? Of course Craig would be angry at the question.

But Tony's question had done one thing. At least, now, Craig would have to discuss it.