John Paul was pulled from his comfortable sleep by hands shaking his shoulders roughly. As he forced his eyelids open he saw the deep brown eyes of Craig looking down at him.

With a casual stretch John Paul reached out his arms and snaked them around Craig's neck to pull that beautiful early morning vision towards him.

Craig succumbed to the warmth of John Paul's sleepy kiss until he remembered the reason he had woken the man in the first place and reluctantly pushed him away.

"I'm late," Craig said with a worried frown, "Call me a taxi… if I'm not at the station in 30 minutes I'll never make it to the airport in time for my flight…"

John Paul sighed as he sat up rubbing his eyes. "What on earth possessed you to come all the way to Chester for just one night?" he asked with a yawn.

Craig paused in the act of frantically pulling his trousers on to throw a seductive smile at John Paul. "YOU possessed me," he said with a wink, "Just a few hours with you was worth the effort… now WHERE is my other shoe?"

John Paul tumbled from his bed and pointed to the corner of his room. "It's there," he said, "Just where you threw it last night…"

Craig laughed as he hobbled over to where his shoe had landed the previous evening. It was true, the decision to book a last minute flight back home just so he could spend one night with John Paul had been a rash and impulsive one, but he didn't regret a single second… or a single penny of it.

His actions with Adam a couple of nights earlier had shaken Craig's faith in himself and in his feelings for John Paul. He couldn't understand how he would want to kiss anyone else if his love was genuine. Hearing that John Paul had been through the same experience was both a trauma and a comfort. The thought of Spike's lips on that mouth again made Craig see red and if he had time he could very well have sought out Spike and let him know just how he felt about that. But at the same time knowing that John Paul could be tempted away in a weakness of alcohol and loneliness made Craig realised that it was not his feelings at fault but the distance between him and the man he loved.

John Paul struggled between getting dressed and balancing his phone under his chin as he called a taxi to come take Craig out of his life again.

"It'll be 10 minutes," he said letting the phone drop to the bed as he pulled his top over his head.

Craig looked at his watch nervously. "It better be," he said, "I won't make it if it's late."

"So you get another flight…"

Craig paused before answering. "I don't think I can afford it," he confessed, "I pretty much spent all my spare cash getting here…"

"Idiot," John Paul said pulling Craig into his arms, partly to have a last hug from the man and partly to hide the tears that were pricking behind his eyes. Craig Dean never ceased to amaze him and that he would spend all the money he had for just one night together made John Paul want to weep with how much he adored his dark haired love.

"Well if you can't get back," John Paul continued as he loosened his hold on Craig, "Then I will just have to keep you here… in my room…"

Craig raised his eyebrows as if considering the proposition. "It's an idea," he chuckled, "But I don't THINK I can get a degree in being your love slave."
"Shame," John Paul shrugged, "You'd certainly pass that one!"

They were still laughing as they made their way down the stairs to await the imminent arrival of the taxi.

"Look I've been thinking," John Paul said taking hold of Craig's hands as they stood by the open door, "About summer…"

"Yeah I can't wait to come back to Chester for a few months…"

"What if you don't?"

Craig frowned. "How d'you mean?"

"If you didn't come back to Chester… if you stayed in Dublin… I mean is that a possibility… you would still have your room in the flat and everything?"

"Well yeah… Adam's staying there for the summer and I'm still paying my share of the rent… but why wouldn't I come home… I thought we'd agreed, so we can finally spend some time together…"

"We did," John Paul said squeezing Craig's hands, "But if you come back to Chester YOU'LL still be at the Dog and I'LL still be here… whereas if I came to Dublin…"

"We could be together ALL the time…"

"Exactly!"

Craig grinned. "I like your thinking… my mum won't like it though."

"Neither will mine," John Paul sighed, "But I think it's time to do what makes US happy… not everyone else."

There was a sudden noise as the taxi beeped its horn making John Paul and Craig jump in surprise.

"Time to go," Craig said sadly touching his lips to John Paul's soft mouth one last time.

"I hate saying goodbye to you," John Paul whispered, "We do it too often…"

As Craig climbed into the taxi he flashed a bright smile at John Paul. "Do it," he said, "Come to Dublin for the summer… you're right… we have to do what makes us happy…"

With that the taxi sped from the kerb taking Craig back to the life he had in another country. But this time as John Paul watched the car disappear around the corner he didn't feel the usual sense of loss… in just a few months time he would be following Craig's path to Dublin where nothing would be able to keep them apart.

---

John Paul smiled at the case in the corner of his room. It had been packed, and then repacked, for the last two weeks and now it was only a matter of days until that case would accompany John Paul to Ireland.

Myra had been upset that her only son was choosing to spend his entire summer break so far from her, but in her usual supportive style she never complained or tried to talk him out of it. She understood that he had to follow his heart and all she could do is hope that this time Craig Dean would manage not to break it.

"I'm sure I've forgotten something…" John Paul said as he looked at the already overstuffed case.

"John Paul," Myra said with a soft laugh, "You're going to Dublin… not another planet… I'm sure they have shops there if you HAVE forgotten anything… although looking at the size of that case I can't see how there can be anything left in this entire house!"

"Well..." John Paul tried to reason as he wrapped his arms around his mother's waist and rested his head on her shoulder, "I'm gonna be gone for ages… I don't know what I might need."

"Don't remind me now long you're gonna be gone," Myra said sadly, "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too," John Paul admitted as he squeezed his mother a little tighter, "But you do understand that I need this time with Craig… we've hardly seen each other since Christmas and those few days I went over there… if we're gonna make this work we really need to have some time together."

"I know," Myra said ruffling John Paul's hair, "But you just tell him… if he hurts my son again he's gonna have the entire McQueen family to answer to!"

John Paul laughed, although he knew that Myra was far from joking. "Thanks mum," he said, "But I really think things are gonna be OK this time."

---

Lugging his heavy case through the airport terminal John Paul looked around with a worried frown. Craig should be here by now. He had sent a text earlier in the day saying he had been able to borrow a car and would pick John Paul up at the airport but there was no sign of him anywhere.

John Paul made his way to the taxi rank and joined the queue as he fished his phone out of his pocket.

Just as he pulled up Craig's name on the screen John Paul heard a car horn and a familiar voice calling his name. He turned as if in slow motion to see Craig's face leaning out of a dark blue car.

John Paul's heart was racing as he walked towards the car. Craig jumped out and opened the boot to throw John Paul's case inside.

As the car boot slammed shut the two young men turned and faced each other. Time seemed to freeze as they stood locked in each other's gaze. The rest of the world became unfocused as John Paul looked into those rich brown eyes, the only thing that he could really see; the only thing sharp and clear to him was the figure of Craig Dean.

"Sorry I'm late," Craig said in a hushed tone, "I got stuck in traffic…"

"You're here now," John Paul replied with a smile that made his eyes shine.

"And so are you," Craig said taking a hesitant step forward, "You're really here."

"There's nowhere else I could be," John Paul answered as a strange nervousness rushed through him.

They stood in silent observation of each other, unable to close the gap between them as if some unseen force was keeping them apart. John Paul felt his palms damp with sweat as he looked into the face of the man he loved. It had taken so much pain and so many tears to bring them to this point in time and the next few weeks would finally let them know if it had been worth all the suffering.

John Paul and Craig had fought to prove that their love could survive being apart and now, away from the safety and support of their friends and families, they had to prove that it could also survive being together.

Craig slowly reached out his hand and curled his fingers into John Paul's. "I feel like I've been waiting a life time for today," he said with an embarrassed chuckle.

"I'd wait an eternity for you Craig," John Paul said with conviction, "And not regret a single second."

Craig felt his cheeks flush at John Paul's words. How had he been lucky enough to find someone who loved him as much as John Paul did? How had he ever been able to doubt what they shared and what they meant to each other? How would he ever survive without John Paul in his life, in his arms, in his bed? Craig held tightly on to John Paul's hand secure in the knowledge that he would never have to find the answer to that last question.

"OY! Are you two gonna stand there all day? There are other people at this airport you know."

John Paul turned his head to see a red-faced man glaring at them, neither of them had realised just how long they had been standing basking in each others presence.

"Sorry," Craig called to the man, "We're just leaving…"

Craig threw a sheepish grin to John Paul as he turned to head back to the drivers seat.

"Craig," John Paul called catching Craig's hand and pulling the man back towards him, "I love you."

John Paul touched his lips softly against Craig's for a second, feeling the familiar thrill run through his body, before letting him go and climbing into the passenger seat.

As Craig pulled the car door closed behind him he smiled at the beautiful man sat next to him, the life time that he had waited seemed an insignificant blink of an eye now that John Paul was with him and he intended to make every second together last as long as he could.

"Here we go then," Craig announced as he put the car in gear and pulled away from the kerb.

"Back home," John Paul said with a smile.

"Not yet," Craig told him, "I thought we'd go somewhere else first…"

"Where?"

Craig laughed as he turned his twinkling eyes to John Paul. "The park of course!"

---

"Craig stop it… we can't… Craig!!" John Paul could hardly get the words out for laughing as Craig grabbed his hand and ran full pelt through the centre of the park pulling John Paul behind him.

John Paul's feet bounced on the soft summer grass as he raced to keep up with Craig, laughter bubbling through him with every step.

"Come on slow coach," Craig teased as he let go of John Paul's hand and raced ahead.

"You're insane," John Paul called after him.

"You wouldn't have me any other way," Craig yelled over his shoulder.

John Paul stood still as he watched the retreating back of Craig with a smile. He had been in Dublin for less than an hour but he felt like he had come home. Of course he knew it wasn't Dublin that made him feel like that, he would have felt the same in whatever city, town or village he landed in as long as Craig Dean was there to take his hand.

Taking a deep breath John Paul filled his lungs with the warm summer air and the scent of the flowers that decorated the borders of the park. But underneath the flowers he could taste another scent, a richer more compelling one and, as he ran his hand through his hair, John Paul caught the scent on his palm and recognised the rich fragrance of Craig on his skin. He breathed it in deeply for a second and closed his eyes as the warmth of that perfume enveloped him. An air of pure contentment filled John Paul as he stood in the centre of the park, oblivious to the world around him as he let the happiness he felt drift though every fibre of his body.

His eyes opened slowly to see the figure of Craig in the distance and, with another laugh of joy, John Paul sprinted to catch up to the man he loved.

"What kept you?" Craig asked with a grin as John Paul approached.

John Paul shook his head and laughed at Craig as he leant against a tree, but not just A tree… THE tree.

"Recognise it?" Craig said as he stroked the bark affectionately.

"I think I can just about recall," John Paul joked.

"Maybe I should remind you then."

Craig took hold of John Paul's shoulders and spun him around until his back came to rest against the solid tree trunk. Their eyes fused together, blue and brown melting into a colour that only they could see.

As Craig's lips touched John Paul's the joy he felt multiplied a hundred fold until he thought his heart would burst it was so full.

"I've missed you so much," Craig whispered, his breath hot against John Paul's face.

"Let's not think about that now," John Paul said as he ran his hand gently over Craig's face and looked deeply into the rich brown eyes that reflected back to him the love he felt, "We're together now and that's all that matters."

"Do you have any idea just how much I want you?" As Craig spoke he leaned his body against John Paul's sending shivers through his body at their closeness.

"I want you too… so much but…"

"Why but?" Craig questioned, "Here and now… it's perfect… just like last time."

John Paul laughed as he gently pushed Craig away, fighting every urge that he had to hold the man close and never let him go.

"The difference is," John Paul explained with a gentle laugh, "Last time it was pouring down with rain and the place was deserted… Just look around Craig… It's a summers afternoon!"

For the first time Craig took a second to pay attention to his surroundings as was surprised to see just how large a percentage of the population of Dublin seemed to have congregated in the park that day.

"Ah good point," Craig conceded reluctantly, "But we are SO coming back here before the end of the summer… even if we have to do it at midnight."

John Paul laughed and brushed a soft kiss across Craig's lips. "It's a date," he agreed.

"I suppose we'd better get back to the flat then," Craig said slipping his hand comfortably into John Paul's as they headed back towards the car.

"Just look at that… it shouldn't be allowed." Craig stopped in his tracks at the voice of a woman behind them and his fingers curled tightly into John Paul's.

"Leave it," John Paul whispered, "It doesn't matter."

Craig turned to face the disapproving speaker. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" he asked looking over the woman who had stopped walking as he turned around. She seemed in her late 40's with dark hair scraped back from her face and she had been addressing the smaller fair-haired man at her side.

"Well it's just not natural is it?" She tried to reason, "Especially not paraded out in public where anyone can see."

Craig knuckles whitened around John Paul's hand.

"Please Craig just walk away."

Craig looked at the woman and her companion with distaste and then, as he noticed the haunted look in the mans eyes and the bitter look in the eyes of what Craig assumed was his wife, Craig's expression turned to sympathy.

Craig cupped John Paul's face gently in his hands and kissed him with a tenderness that made John Paul feel weak.

Turning back to the couple Craig just smiled. "It's called love," he told them, "You should try it… it's wonderful."

Taking back possession of John Paul's hand Craig turned his back on the astonished faces of the couple and, with a wink to John Paul, the pair continued their journey back to the car.

"Craig Dean you really are amazing."

"And don't you forget it!"

---

"Welcome back to Ireland," Adam held out his hand as John Paul bustled through the door dropping his heavy case to the floor.

"Thanks," John Paul replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes talking the hand offered to him for a brief shake before letting it go.

"Here we are then," Craig chimed in with a cheerful smile, "Home sweet home… for the next few weeks anyway."

John Paul looked around the room, breathing in the air that was rich with the aroma of Craig's aftershave and another similar scent, presumably that of Adam's, which lingered subtly underneath.

Far from Hollyoaks, far from Chester and far from his family but Craig was right, John Paul had come home. The room seemed unchanged since he last visited and John Paul smiled to see that his photograph still had pride of place on the sideboard.

Craig noticed where John Paul was looking and scooped the picture frame up into his hands.

"I don't really need this around now that I've got the real thing," he joked running his thumb over the glass before replacing it on its usual spot.

"And in 3D as well," John Paul told him with a grin.

"And SUCH 3D," Craig agreed slipping his arm around John Paul's waist and pulling him close for a kiss.

Adam shuffled uncomfortably as he watched Craig's lips touch so gently against John Paul's with a love he could only dream of. As he looked on he remembered vividly the feel of those lips pressed hard against his mouth and the desperate urge he had felt inside to let things go so much further.

Clearing his throat loudly Adam tore his eyes from Craig. "So I was gonna cook us all a nice meal," he announced, "But then I went to the cupboard…"

Craig looked at him with guilt written all over his face. "I didn't get the shopping in did I?" He admitted, "I knew there was something I was forgetting… I just got so excited… so do we have anything that we can make a meal out of?"

"I might be an excellent cook Craig," Adam told him, "But some things are even beyond MY skills…"

Craig shrugged as he looked at John Paul. "Take away?"

"Sounds great," John Paul said.

"Right I'll go and get it… might as well make use of the car while I've got it."

"I'll come with you."

"Nah no need," Craig told John Paul as he opened the front door again, "You might as well stay and unpack… I've cleared plenty of room for you… although," Craig cast his eyes over John Paul's overstuffed case, "It might not be enough after all… I didn't know you planned on bringing that much!"

"Hey!" John Paul objected with a laugh, "I didn't know what I might need… I have to be prepared!"

Craig laughed as he turned to leave. "So what shall I get? Adam the usual?" Adam nodded his agreement, "John Paul?"

"Surprise me," John Paul said.

"I plan to," Craig told him brushing another kiss across his lips as he left the flat, "As often as I can."

---

Adam stood in the doorway of Craig's bedroom watching as John Paul pulled his carefully folded clothes from his case.

"I could help you if you like," Adam offered.

"No you're alright," John Paul replied without raising his eyes.

Adam sighed. He could hardly blame John Paul's attitude towards him but it was far from an ideal situation if they were going to be living together for some weeks.

"Look," Adam began stepping into the room, "I know what I did last time you were here was stupid…"

The glare in John Paul's eyes as he looked up made Adam hesitate.

"Really stupid," he continued licking his lips nervously, "But I didn't mean any harm… I'm just an idiot…"

"Yeah Craig told me."

"And I'll do anything I can to make it up to you… but we're both gonna be here a lot and it would make it easier if we could get along… especially for Craig's sake."

John Paul felt his anger fade with Adam's words… "for Craig's sake"… he knew that Craig would appreciate it if he could forgive and forget Adam's stupid actions and there was very little he wouldn't do for Craig.

"So how about I help you with the unpacking," Adam offered again, "Or…"

"Or?"

"Or you could just leave it and we could have a beer."

John Paul smiled at Adam, the first genuine smile he had shown the man. He noticed how Adam's eyes seemed to shimmer with an iridescent green and his full pink lips curved gently upwards. John Paul remember how Craig had kissed those lips and looked into those eyes and felt an uncomfortable pang of jealousy tinged with a hint of uncertainty as, for a brief second, he wasn't certain which one of them he felt more jealous of.

"A beer sounds good," John Paul agreed closing the lid to his case and following Adam back into the living room.

---

John Paul took the chilled can of lager from Adam and opened it, taking a long drink as he observed Craig's flatmate. There was something about the man that intrigued him. He wasn't sure if it was his startling good looks or another hidden quality that he couldn't quite name but there was certainly something.

"I'm glad we can be mates," Adam said with a smile as he took a drink.

"Don't push your luck," John Paul laughed, "I've only agreed to be civil!"

"Fair enough, but once you really get to know me you'll realise you just cant resist my charms... just ask Craig he..." Adam stopped mid-sentence realising what he had said, "... Not that he... I mean... I don't mean to imply..."

"It's OK," John Paul reassured him, "Craig told me what happened the night he tried to kiss you."

"He did?"

"Of course, why wouldn't he?"

"I don't know, I just thought... well no... good, that's good that he told you."

"In fact, I wanted to say I was really impressed by the way you handled things."

"How d'you mean?"

"Well you know - most straight blokes would freak out if their gay mate tried something like that."

Adam furrowed his brow. "I don't get what you're saying."

"Well you know," John Paul explained, "A lot of straight blokes assume any gay guy is after them already... so when Craig kissed you..."

"No I understand that," Adam said, "But what I don't get is why you think I'm straight."

John Paul looked at the green-eyed man in surprise. "Well Craig said..." he paused to think, what exactly HAD Craig said about his flatmates sexuality and more importantly what hadn't he said, was he hiding something? "He definitely said something about girlfriends."

"Well yeah," Adam agreed, "I have girlfriends... but I also have boyfriends... I'm bi John Paul."

"OH!" John Paul replied, "I didn't know, Craig never said..."

"I don't know why, unless," Adam let out a laugh and covered his mouth with his hand, "Unless he doesn't realise... I mean I never actually made a big deal of it and..." he laughed again, "Since I've been living with Craig I think I've only ever pulled women! Oh my god no wonder he thought I was being so cool about that kiss!"

John Paul joined Adam's laughter with a sense of relief as he realised that Craig hadn't been keeping this fact from him.

"Hey I'd better make sure you don't try to steal Craig off me," John Paul joked.

Adam took a long drink from his can to hide his discomfort before answering. "I don't think I could if I wanted to," he said, "I don't think anyone could get between you two."

John Paul grinned. "You really think?" he asked.

"I know," Adam insisted, "I've seen the way Craig looks at you… and the way he talks about you… I swear that night he kissed me he'd been talking non-stop about you for hours!"

"Sorry," John Paul said with an uneasy smile.

"Yeah," Adam continued, "By the end of the night I could have told people how many eyelashes you had he went on about your eyes that much…"

"Really?" John Paul felt his cheeks growing warmer with Adam's words.

"Really," Adam confirmed leaning forward and burning the gaze from his bright green eyes into the soft blue of John Paul's, "But I suppose I can understand it… you DO have gorgeous eyes!"

John Paul laughed a little uncomfortably and turned his attention to his drink in order to hide his embarrassment.

"They're not a patch on Craig's," John Paul said.

"Yeah," Adam agreed, "Craig's got good eyes too… and not a bad kisser too I suppose."

Adam held his breath wondering if maybe he had just pushed the conversation too far and watched John Paul's expression carefully to judge the man's reaction.

"Not bad!" John Paul exclaimed with mock indignation, "He's amazing… he was obviously not trying very hard!"

"Well he was really drunk… are you gonna let me try again?"

"Not a chance in hell," John Paul laughed.

The two men were still laughing as Craig struggled to open the door, his hands laden with carrier bags full of assorted take-away boxes.

"Nice to see you two are getting along," he said pleased to see that John Paul had found a way to get past Adam's past behaviour.

Adam looked a John Paul and winked. "Turns out we've got more in common than we expected."

---

Once the food had been consumed and the dishes cleared away, at John Paul's insistence, the three men fell lazily onto the sofa and Craig grabbed for the TV remote control.

Flipping quickly through the channels he stopped on a "B" movie with a triumphant grin.

John Paul sighed. "Your taste in films never does improve does it?" he asked with a laugh.

"Hey!" Craig objected, "This film's a classic… come on Adam back me up here."

"Sorry mate," Adam shrugged, "I'm with John Paul on this one… you watch some serious rubbish!"

"Fine," said Craig with mock indignation as he threw the remote to Adam, "YOU pick something then!"

Adam took the remote and browsed through the channels until he found a comedy that got an approving nod from John Paul at which the remote was discarded as they settle back to watch.

John Paul felt a slight unease sat between his boyfriend and the strangely attractive Adam but as the humour of the show took him over he felt himself relax.

Craig's hand rested casually on John Paul's thigh and he squeezed it on occasion as he leant forward in laughter.

John Paul tilted his head to one side until it came to rest against Craig's. He had never felt so comfortable or relaxed in such a long time and he knew without a doubt that coming to Ireland had been the right decision.

As the credits began to roll Craig stretched out his arms and yawned loudly, a little too loudly.

"What a day," he said yawning again, "It's really taken it out of me."

Adam laughed. "Craig if you want to rush your boyfriend off to your room you really DON'T have to fake tiredness, I'm not your mother!"

Craig grinned with a touch of embarrassment before looking at John Paul and raising his eyebrows in question. John Paul's wide smile was answer enough and Craig got to his feet holding out his hand for his boyfriend to join him.

"Oh and you two," Adam called at their departing backs, "Keep the noise down in there… there are some things I don't need to hear!"

Once the door to the living room had closed Adam let his smile fade from his lips as he sank his face into his hands with a sigh.

Not for the first time he wondered if he should find somewhere else to live, somewhere that didn't have Craig there every day. But that would only leave him with the problem of explaining to Craig his reason for leaving and he wasn't ready for that conversation. Not yet, maybe not ever.

He slumped back against the sofa and let his head fall back. When had this gotten so complicated? When had he first looked at that dark haired man from Chester and seen more than just a friend?

Craig had been in such a mess over his ruined relationship with John Paul when they first met that Adam had been there as his support, offering understanding and encouragement where he could. It was Adam who had helped Craig make his plans to see John Paul again last Christmas and find out if there was anything between them left to salvage. It was Adam that had helped celebrate when Craig had come back with the news that John Paul still loved him and they were together again.

Yet somewhere between that day and this one Adam's feelings had changed.

At some point Adam had found himself watching Craig without realising he was doing it. He would daydream about how it would feel to kiss those soft full lips, to have Craig in his arms and to hold him through the night after making love to him.

At first he just put it down to a passing crush, he'd had them before and they soon passed. But as the days, the weeks and then the months went by he realised that rather than fade away to a pleasant memory the feelings he had were getting stronger.

Adam heard soft laughter coming from the direction of Craig's bedroom and quickly turned up the volume on the TV.

Why did John Paul have to be such a nice guy? Why couldn't he have been someone that Adam could hate? But he wasn't. Under different circumstances Adam could have easily seen himself falling for those stunning blue eyes, if his heart hadn't already been captured by the lure of the deep brown ones.

Even Adam's halfhearted attempt at sabotage during John Paul's first visit to Ireland had only proved to him just how strong the relationship between those two men was. How could he ever get between that? And how could he even try when he saw just how happy Craig was?

Adam felt a weariness wash over him. He desperately needed to sleep, to take away the thoughts of Craig and John Paul, to find some peace in the darkness. But the last thing he could face was his bedroom. The room next door to Craig's. The room where only a wall would separate him from the man he had fallen for. Where he would know that on the other side of that wall Craig was making love to the only man he was ever going to want.

With a defeated sigh Adam let his body collapse full length onto the sofa and closed his eyes.

The TV continued to flicker its images onto his closed eyelids and the sound became a welcome drone in his ears as he felt the welcoming arms of sleep begin to take him. As his consciousness began to leave him Adam's thoughts turned to Craig. He could see those brown eyes before him, looking into his. Craig's lips were parted slightly as he spoke words that Adam couldn't quite hear. Then those lips were against his kissing him, wanting him. The weight of Craig's body pressing him against the wall as Adam's senses reeled at the kiss he had dreamed of for so long.

And just like every other time Adam heard his own words "You really don't want to do this Craig" as he pushed away the man. He couldn't help but wonder if things would have been different if he had taken what he wanted from Craig that night. Would satisfying his desire have freed him from this torment? Or would it more likely have caused him greater grief, as Craig would surely have regretted his actions, and their friendship would have been permanently scarred.

With sleep finally sweeping Adam into peace as soft smile played on his lips as the memory of Craig's kiss lingered quietly in his mind.

---

John Paul ran his fingertips lightly over the soft tanned skin of Craig's bare arm as it rested on the duvet. His eyes followed the path of his hand before returning to look back into the beautiful brown gaze that was observing him.

He wasn't sure how long they had been lying like this, in a gentle silence, just taking the time to enjoy being together. It could have been a minute or an hour or even an eternity. Time had lost all meaning as John Paul and Craig lay together in perfect contentment.

All to often their time together had been rushed and desperate. Grabbing moments where and when they could and fighting against what sometimes seemed impossible odds to find time to be together. But at last in Ireland things were different. There was nobody around to disapprove or to judge them, there was no fear of getting caught and there was no need to worry that their time would be cut short. There was just the two of them and they had all the time in the world, all the time they needed just to enjoy being who they were.

"I never…" Craig spoke but then lowered his gaze without finishing his thought.

"What?" John Paul prompted as he touched his hand against the smoothness of Craig's cheek.

"It's just… I never… I mean..." Craig took a moment to stare into the hypnotic blue of John Paul's eyes that were shining brightly in the half-light of the room. "I never knew this was how it would feel."

"What?"

"I thought I knew what love felt like before with…" Craig paused and they both knew it was Sarah's name that was meant to fill that gap. "But now… with you… it's different… it's more… Oh I don't know what it is I'm trying to say."

John Paul smiled as he touched his lips softly against Craig's. "It's like I didn't even know half of me was missing until I found you," he said quietly.

Craig nodded. "That's it exactly," he said, "And I just can't imagine my life without you in it."

"That's just as well," John Paul told him, "Coz you're not getting rid of me this time!"

They both laughed as their fingers entwined above the warmth of the bed covers.

"I wonder if things would have been different if I hadn't set that fire alarm off?" John Paul mused.

"You saved me from a good kicking that day," Craig told him, "And you've been looking after me ever since."

"And I always will," John Paul promised.

"I thought you were a bit odd at first!"

"I just thought you were cute."

"Even back then?"

"Even back then… I just wasn't ready to understand why."

"And now?"

John Paul laughed. "Oh I still think you're cute," he said with a grin, "and incredibly sexy!"

"Sexy eh?" Craig said raising his eyebrows.

"Incredibly sexy," John Paul corrected.

"Nah I don't think you mean that," Craig said with a mock pout.

"No?"

"No, you really need to prove it to me."

"And how should I do that?" John Paul asked as he moved his body closer to Craig's until he could feel the heat radiating from the other mans skin.

"I'm sure you can think of something," Craig replied as he slipped his hand behind John Paul's neck and pulled him close kissing the beautiful lips that he had been watching all evening.

Craig's kiss began softly, exploring John Paul's full lips with the tip of his tongue, tasting him and savouring every inch of that delicate flesh. As John Paul's lips parted allowing Craig access their kiss deepened, their bodies pressed tightly together as their combined need grew.

"What have you done to me?" Craig panted as the incredible desire in him grew.

"I haven't done anything," John Paul laughed softly as he covered Craig's mouth in tiny kisses.

"You have," Craig told him taking John Paul's face in his hands and looking into the intense depths of his eyes, "You've change my life… completely."

"For the better?"

"Definitely," Craig confirmed, "I think I've been waiting my whole life for you to show me who I am."

John Paul ran this thumb over the curve of Craig's lips. "You're the man I love," he said simply.

"I love you too," Craig smiled pulling John Paul closer to him, feeling the hardness of John Paul pressing into him, "And I want you… so much…"

As their mouths pressed firmly together again Craig slid his hand slowly down John Paul's side, over his hip and across his belly until it reached his cock making John Paul gasp quietly as his touch.

"Craig…" John Paul's voice was hushed as Craig's fingers curled tightly around him sending tremors though his body.

Craig's lips covered John Paul's as his hand began to caress the length of his cock and he felt the vibrations of John Paul's soft moans in his mouth as he grew harder at Craig's insistent touch.

John Paul's fingers gripped tightly onto Craig's body, holding onto him with desperate need as the touch of Craig's hands sent his passion soaring.

Holding Craig's shoulders John Paul pushed the man onto his back. He paused for a moment to look into the rich brown eyes below him, they shone with a mixture of love and lust that made John Paul's heart race and his cock throb hard in Craig's firm grip.

John Paul lowered his mouth to Craig's, kissing it briefly before running a trail of kisses over his throat and chest, pausing to nibble gently on his nipples and then continuing downwards to the increased sounds of Craig's moans.

Craig gasped loudly as he felt the heat from John Paul's breath brush over his cock making it jump in its eagerness for attention, but the touch of John Paul's lips passed over it all too briefly as they moved to Craig's thighs, his teeth biting gently into the soft flesh and his tongue trailing in circles over the skin.

"God John Paul…" Craig whimpered as his cock ached for the feel of John Paul's soft lips and the enveloping heat of his mouth.

John Paul teased at Craig's skin a little longer before letting the tip of his tongue run along the underside of Craig's cock all the way to its head and then down again, his warm tongue lapping seductively at Craig's scrotum making him whimper even louder.

After covering Craig's cock in kisses John Paul pressed his lips to its very tip, tasting the droplets of precum that he found there before letting his mouth open slowly and easing Craig's cock inside.

Craig's eyes were closed tightly and his back arched as his cock sank into the rich heat of John Paul's mouth. John Paul's tongue ran over it as he sucked the hard flesh deeper into him, moving his lips slowly over the length of Craig's cock, taking him inside as deeply as he could before pulling back until only the very tip of his cock was covered by his mouth.

John Paul kneaded the flesh of Craig's thighs as he continued to suck deeply on the pulsing cock in his mouth, the sounds of Craig's sighs and moans were an erotic orchestra to his ears making his own cock throb heavily with desire.

Craig's breathing began to shake as John Paul pleasured his body so expertly that he felt certain that his lust would explode from him at any second.

Without warning John Paul released Craig's cock from his mouth, turning his face to look up at Craig with a smile playing across the lips that had been causing so much excitement.

John Paul moved his way up Craig's body and then rested one hand on either side of him touching his lips against Craig's before whispering quietly into his ear.

"I want you so much Craig," he said, his breath hot against Craig's neck, "I've never wanted anyone this much before… I can hardly stand how much I want to feel you inside me."

Craig pulled John Paul's body down on top of him, the hardness of their cocks pressing together under his weight as Craig slipped his tongue into John Paul's open mouth, tasting every inch of him.

John Paul pushed himself upright until he was sat straddling Craig's thighs, he ran his hand over Craig's cock, pressing it hard against his own, feeling them both throb excitedly in his grip.

"Have you got any…?"

Craig's head indicated the bedside cabinet. John Paul leaned over and slid the drawer open, laughing at what he saw inside.

"Was there a special offer?" he asked pulling out a bottle of lube that had been nestled amongst several others in the drawer.

"Well you're gonna be here a long time," Craig reasoned, "I wanted to be prepared!"

"And we don't want to let them go to waste!" John Paul laughed as he flipped the bottle's lid and poured some of its cool oily contents on the head of Craig's cock.

Craig's gasped as he felt the liquid drip down the length of his cock. John Paul's hand gripped the slippery erection, spreading the oil smoothly over its entirety, coating it completely as it pulsed urgently against his palm.

Raising himself to his knees John Paul moved forwards a few inches and, still holding firmly onto Craig's cock, he lowered him slowly until he felt the head of the oiled cock pressing against his entrance.

He never took his eyes from Craig's as he eased himself downwards, his body slowly opening to Craig's cock as it pushed inside him. Craig resisted the urge to push upwards, to drive himself deep inside, as the slow tantalising decent of John Paul's body hot and tight around him was more exquisite that he could have ever imagined.

John Paul let a small moan escape from his lips as he felt Craig's cock sinking deeply inside him. The familiar pleasure of his body being filled in such a way seemed multiplied as he finally came to rest against Craig's lap, the hardness of Craig's cock fully engulfed inside him.

"Oh god John Paul…" Craig could find no words to explain what he was feeling as the intensity of being so deep inside this amazing man was more than he could ever explain or even understand himself.

John Paul lifted himself again. His movements still slow and deliberate as he began to rise and fall, his body holding Craig's cock tightly whilst yielding to its insistent presence.

Craig sank his fingers into John Paul's hips, raising himself up to meet the descent of John Paul's body and pushing himself in deeper with each meeting.

As he continued to move up and down the length of Craig's cock John Paul leaned forward to press his mouth against Craig's lips, kissing him deeply and pushing his tongue into the welcome of Craig's mouth.

Craig wrapped his arms around John Paul's back, gripping at his buttocks as they rose and fell against him and allowed himself to be pulled upright as John Paul leant back snaking his arms around Craig and pressing their bodies hard together, trapping his cock between them.

John Paul began to move faster against Craig, the friction of their bodies rubbing delightfully against his cock as he moved and the sensation of Craig buried deep inside him making his body shake with desire.

Craig held his lover close as he thrust deep inside him. Until John Paul he had never know how intense sex could be or how perfect it could feel. Until John Paul it had only ever been sex but now he had learned the difference between having sex and making love and it was something he never intended to live without again.

John Paul could already feel the pressure building inside him at the thrust of Craig's cock and the force of their bodies rubbing against his own. As if on cue Craig pushed his hand between them, holding firmly onto John Paul's cock and stroking it in time with the rise and fall of his body.

Resting his head against Craig's shoulder John Paul let the sensations of his flesh wash over him. With each thrust Craig's cock brushed against that spot deep inside that sent sparks shooting through John Paul's body and at the same time Craig's hand caressed his cock with such perfection that he could not resist its demands.

"Oh god Craig I…" John Paul's words were lost as he moaned with pleasure, his cock throbbing in Craig's hand as it begged for release.

Craig whispered John Paul's name over and over as he felt his own climax rising inside him with a force no one else had ever been able to bring out of him.

John Paul's fingers grabbed at Craig back as his moans grew, his body trembling until he could hold back no longer and with a cry he gave in to his need, his cock spilling hotly over Craig's tight grip and covering both their bodies as he came, so hard that he thought he might never stop.

The contractions of John Paul's body around Craig's cock as he came made Craig whimper in pleasure. As he felt John Paul's orgasm subside Craig released his cock and wrapped both arms tightly around his back, urging his movements harder and faster until, thrusting himself hard into John Paul, Craig released his lust crying out as he came deep inside the body of the man he adored.

Slowly the motion of their bodies came to a rest, their heads leaning together and their brows damp with perspiration.

"God that was amazing," Craig gasped lifting his face to look at John Paul's.

"I love you so much Craig Dean," John Paul told him with tears in his eyes, "Don't you ever forget that."

"You just make sure you're always around to remind me," Craig replied brushing away a tear that had tumbled down John Paul's cheek, "Coz I don't think I could cope without you anymore."

"Always," John Paul promised kissing his lover gently, "For the rest of my life."