When morning came, Gupta awoke feeling warm yet less sick than the previous day. Sadık was awake as well, staring at him before a yawn forced his eyes closed. He rolled onto his back, hand groping on the bedside table for his mask. Gupta frowned and sat up a bit, trying to catch his eyes again. The Turk put the white mask on then frowned at the Egyptian, wondering if he was better.

"Günaydin."

"Sabā in noor." Gupta yawned and looked at the only window in the room. "What time is it?"

'It is…" He looked over at his clock. "Almost eleven."

"Work?" Gupta inquired.

"They don't need me as much as you need me." He replied, pressing their foreheads together. "Still have a fever."

"I'll be fine. I just need to call Heracles." He blushed and moved back a bit, not expecting the sudden contact. "But the idiot forgot his phone here. Do you have Kiku's number?"

"Yeah." He grabbed his cell phone, flipping it open to start calling for the younger man. "Here ya go." He handed it to him then snuggled back into the bed, still not willing to get up.

"Moshi moshi, Sadık." A very groggy Kiku answered.

"Ahlan…" Gupta groaned, feeling envious. "Put Heracles on."

"How do you know he's still here and who is this?" Kiku demanded.

"Mm… Who is it, Kiku?" The drowsy tone of his boyfriend in the background made Gupta grind his teeth, shoving the image of him pressing his nude body against the Japanese man to the back of his mind.

"It's his boyfriend." He managed to answer tersely. "Now put him on." He tried to imagine the look on Kiku's face.

"You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend!" He gasped, his tone expressing hurt which Gupta shared knowing the Greek had told no one about their relationship..

"If I told you, would you have slept with me?" Heracles could be heard asking.

"Herakuresu!" The older man cried out.

"Wait, Kiku! Come back!" Heracles' panicked words sent an unpleasant chill down the Egyptian's spine.

"Heracles." He hissed into the phone until the other heard him and picked up the phone.

"Éla, Gupta…" He sounded upset. "What gives and why weren't you at the party? Don't tell me that Sadık-"

"Don't you dare try blaming anything on Sadık." Curious, the Turk sat back up, intending to eavesdrop. "I was at the party and I was looking for you."

"Why didn't you stay?"

"I threw up so Sadık took me home before I passed out."

"How dare he take advantage of-"

"He would never do any such thing, Heracles." He snapped, his patience for this conversation quickly diminishing.

"Why are you getting so mad? What happened? What did I do?" Heracles began to ask fretfully.

"I've been trying to call you all night because I needed my medicine." Sadık rose a brow at that, unaware that he took medicine regularly.

"Aren't you at your place?"

"No. Sadık took me to your house. So pick up my pills on your way home. Until then, have fun with your geisha." He huffed and slapped the phone shut.

"You okay, Guppy?" Sadık inquired, rubbing his back. "I could go get your meds if-"

"No... but shukn, Sadık. Just go to work. I'll be fine." Gupta gave him a reassuring smile. "Though some breakfast would be appreciated."

"Sure thing. Let me get dressed."

He chuckled, sliding out of bed and going to his dresser. He pulled on his pants while hopping to the door, making the younger man laugh, his stressful phone call becoming a distant memory. Gupta eventually got the strength to get out of the bed, pulling his pants back on. He headed into the bathroom to grab his pills, taking a few with him into the kitchen. There was no telling when Heracles would return.

Sadık was nearly done cooking, taking a break in order to make his coffee. He offered some to Gupta buy the younger shook his head, going to the fridge to look for another drink. His eyes rested on a carton on orange juice which he quickly took, throwing his pills in his mouth before chugging straight from the carton on reflex. Sadık was shocked, to say the least, staring at the younger. Gupta noticed and cursed, pulling the carton from his lips.

"I am sorry." He apologized. "I'm so used to having a carton to myself. I'll finish it off and buy you a new one."

"Nah. It's fine." He chuckled, waving it off. "Let me have a drink though if you're going to finish it off." He took the carton before the other could protest, raising it to his lips.

"Wait! You're going to get sick."

"Nah. A cold's nothing." He took a swig. "Sides... I'm not afraid of your cooties." He chuckled, handing the carton back. "You sure you'll be okay here with Jerkules?"

"Just go to work and I'll call if something happens." The Egyptian sighed, now taking a small sip from the carton, slightly embarrassed by the indirect kiss.

"You better." He ruffled the other's hair. "Breakfast is on the counter. Take care, Guppy." He grabbed his canister of coffee and then left.

Gupta grabbed his breakfast, taking the jug of orange juice with him to the table. Once he had finished the meal he put his dishes in a sink that was starting to overflow. Chores sounded like they would be a good distraction from thinking so he began to wash the dishes, putting ones that had been sitting in the dishwasher away. The layout of the house had not changed too much since he had lived in it so there was no trouble cleaning the rest of the house.

Laundry was just being put into the dryer when the front door opened and Heracles arrived. Gupta moved from the laundry room to the kitchen to finish scrubbing the counters. He appeared to be ignoring the Greek so Heracles approached him, hands in his back pockets.

"You didn't have to clean the house. That's the Turk's job." His comment received a smack from a wet dish towel.

"No. Sadık's job is running the gas station. My job is scanning items at a grocery store.

Your job should be to clean." He chastised the slightly younger man and smacked his arm again with the towel.

"Ouch. Stop doing that." He pouted.

"Then stop sleeping with Kiku." He snapped, putting the towel in the sink. "You nearly killed me with your carelessness."

"Why do I have to stop sleeping with Kiku? You never told me to stop sleeping with other men before him."

"Those other men weren't your closest friend." He blinked then the scowl deepened. "And I should be your closest friend, not Kiku!"

"Gupta, your are… But your never said I couldn't sleep with my friends. You just said I couldn't sleep with people like you…" At the now scathing look from the shorter man he tried to lighten his tone in a joking manner, "And recently, virgins."

"Heracles…" Gupta sighed heavily, leaning back on the counter as vertigo struck. "I'm insecure… When I found out you were sleeping with your best friend… It made me feel like I had no reason to…" He trailed and the Greek pulled him into a tight hug. "I thought I had been replaced."

"It's impossible to replace a person, Gupta." He nuzzled him. "Still feeling sick?"

"A little." He mumbled, playing with a hole in the other's white shirt.

"Well, take it easy then cause I'm going to take you out for Sadık's business dinner this Friday." He pet Gupta, "It's at a nice restaurant and you won't have to pay."

"That sounds nice." He offered a smile and gently pushed Heracles away.

"So where is that damn Turk anyways?"

"He's at work."

The smaller man rolled his eyes and started for the bedrooms. Heracles followed, opening his bedroom door. He looked to Gupta but the other was still walking. Right into Sadık's room. He pouted and followed him, grabbing his arm.

"Why are you going in there?" He puffed his cheeks out in a childish manner.

"Because I love his bed." He pulled his arm free, heading to the plush 'cloud'.

"What? No," whined Heracles, "don't choose the Turk's bed. Silk is overrated." He grabbed the Egyptian's ankle.

"Cut it out." He scolded lightly. "Your bed Is tiny, scratchy, and it smells."

"You don't mean that." He gasped. "'Sides, this bed reeks like that Turk." Gupta ignored him, pulling back the covers. "Turks smell worse then Greeks, right?"

"I think you both smell lovely." He smiled, settling into the bed. "But if you let me rest then I will lie and say you smell better."

"Gup!" Heracles grumbled and placed a chaste kiss to his cheek. "Fine… Hope your dreams of me don't turn into nightmares cause of the Turk!"

"Out." Gupta smiled sleepily, snuggling into the pillow; sleep came moments after the Greek left the room.

~!~

He awoke around lunchtime, feeling normal again as he stretched with a yawn. He made a mental note to ask Sadık where he got his mattress. He had gotten the best rest from his bed than any other he had been in. The smell of food met him after a moment of waking up and he licked his gums, getting out of the bed somewhat reluctantly. He closed the bedroom door behind him on the way back to the kitchen where Heracles made his gyros, a song by Sarbel playing from the kitchen stereo. Gupta smiled and wrapped his arms around his waist from behind but Heracles quickly wiggled free of his hold.

"Sadık called for you." He said, offering him a completed gyro.

"Oh." He nibbled at the food, going to the kitchen phone. "It tastes good." He added as he punched in the numbers of the older man's cell.

"Thank you." He smiled distractedly.

"Sorry I missed your call, Sadık." He leaned on the counter. "I was sleeping." There was a pause and Gupta giggled, covering his mouth. "Yes. Heracles already invited me to that as an apology." He still wore a smile on his face. "Don't get mad at him lest you stress me out."

"What's that Turk saying?" Heracles frowned, grabbing for the phone.

"Okay. See you soon, Sadık." Gupta hung up before the other could take the phone.

"What did that asshole say?" He mumbled rather childishly.

"None of your business." He moved towards the living room. "Except that I will be staying here until that dinner party."

"What? Why?" Heracles scowled and joined him on the couch.

"He was worried about my illness." He murmured quietly, eating his gyro carefully so as not to make a mess.

"Oh." Heracles became quiet at that, almost finished with his own gyro. "What else?"

"He was a bit upset I forgave you so easily." He laughed shortly.

"Well it's none of his damn business."

"He was worried about me."

"So was I."

"Then you should have called me before you spent a wonderful night of passion with Mr. Honda." His tone was harsh but Gupta was not urged to take it back.

The atmosphere grew tense as they continued to eat. Heracles eventually turned the television on in an attempt to get rid of the silence. Maskeli appeared in front of the two men and soon received a hug from the Egyptian. The feline purred and rubbed against his torso, demanding more affection. When Heracles reached over to pet him, his own cat leaped into his lap. He laughed and gave the cat his attention. When they heard a vehicle pull into the driveway Gupta jumped up, sending Maskeli flying. He apologized and hurried to the door, opening it for Sadık and-

"Anput!" Gupta laughed as his dog flew into his arms, knocking him off his feet. "Ouch. Easy girl."

"You okay Guppy?" Sadık hurriedly closed the door behind him, offering him his hand.

"Yeah. I'll be fine." He laughed lightly and allowed the other to yank him to his feet. "How was work?"

"Interesting." He replied, looking over at Heracles. "Kiku's still pretty pissed at you."

"Liar." Heracles scoffed. "Kiku forgave me, just like Gupta did."

The Egyptian sighed, patting the back of Anput's head, leading her to the laundry room with Maskeli close behind him. He closed the door behind himself and the pets just as the yelling escalated. He hummed his mother's tune, continuing about his chore. It was good to be home again.

~!~

On Wednesday night Heracles received a call from Alfred, inviting him out to another party. The Egyptian was helping Sadık make dinner in the kitchen when he walked in, a backpack slung over his shoulder. Gupta blinked, wiping his hands off on a towel before approaching the Greek. Sadık was still cooking but looked over his shoulder, listening.

"Are you leaving already? We were about to finish dinner." Gupta said, hands resting on his hips.

"Yeah. Alfred's just pulling into the subdivision." Heracles pecked the other man's cheek. "Am I allowed to go~?"

"… Fine." He sighed and kissed his chin, then his lips, and finally his cheek. "So long as you come home tomorrow."

"Or don't." Sadık scoffed. "Get your own damn house and we'll send your shit as soon as you give us your address."

"Ignore him." Gupta giggled and pat his cheek lightly before going back to assist Sadık. "Ana bahibbak, Heracles."

The Greek waved him off and disappeared out the door. Sadık eyed Gupta carefully, wondering how he truly felt about Heracles leaving. His face appeared calm enough as he set the table for two, so the Turkish man shrugged and finished the meal he was cooking. They ate their meal in a somewhat comfortable silence however a question was eating away at the older man. He stared hard at the Egyptian across from him, watching as he picked at his leftovers.

"How can you let him go?" He finally demanded, smacking his hand on the table. "How can you let him go to a party after you just found out he cheated on you!"

"What do you mean?" Gupta frowned, appetite lost.

"I didn't want ta be the one to tell ya this, Guppy…" Sadık sighed heavily, "But Heracles has been sleeping with people behind your back since you two started dating." He growled. "And that jus' ain't right!"

"It isn't behind my back." He murmured a bit shamefully.

"What?" Sadık stiffened in shock, uncertain if he'd heard right.

"I allow Heracles to sleep with strangers." He said a bit stronger. "So long as they're just one-night-stands." The look Sadık was giving him made him squirm. "It's not that strange…"

"No. It's just extremely stupid of ya." The Turk frowned. "But I know yer not stupid so tell me what that asshole Greek's been telling ya!"

"He hasn't been telling me anything." He huffed a bit, gathering the dishes on the table as a distraction.

"He's brainwashing you into letting him cheat." Sadık cut the Egyptian off from the sink.

"I haven't been brainwashed." He frowned, feeling his composure slip.

"Why else would anyone let their boyfriend sleep around?" Sadık spat out the word.

"The Ottoman sultans slept with numerous wives." Gupta countered.

"That is unrelated." He huffed, arms crossing. "The women were there for baring children. Last I checked, you guys didn't have kids."

"When a child took over, the others were disposed of. The sultan didn't need more than one wife for that. It was for pleasure and don't try to deny it." He shot back.

"That doesn't make it right." He flushed, "He could give you an STD." Gupta cringed.

"H-He makes sure they're clean." Sadık could see the other's discomfort so he gave a sigh, stopping the conversation.

"It's not my place ta judge." He murmured, patting his shoulder. "I'm sure you have reasons but you deserve better than him."

"Thank you for your concern, Sadık. Heracles and I have talked and..." he set the dishes in the sink. "I'm grateful to him for being the only one willing to love me..."

Sadık started at that, staring at the other while he cleaned the dishes. He wondered why Gupta would think only Heracles would love him. He felt his fish clench, cursing the Greek. Sadık feared the worst-that his son was attacking Gupta's self esteem. He bit his lip and stood close to the smaller man.

"I love you, Guppy." His convicting tone caused Gupta to drop the dish he was scrubbing in shock.

"I am touched you love me as a son when Heracles and I are not even married." He quickly recovered.

"... I don't think I meant it in that way." Sadık murmured, slightly shaken himself.

"You're straight and nineteen years my senior." The Egyptian turned off the sink. "Not to mention my boyfriend's father. I believe you do not mean it in he way we are thinking."

"How do you figure me straight?" Sadık chuckles, attempting to lighten the mood. "Same way I figure you gay?"

"Meaning?" Gupta turned and held his breath, pressed atainst the older man.

"Jus' 'cause I had a wife doesn't mean I'm completely straight just like you having a boyfriend doesn't make you completely gay. Have you ever even considered dating a woman before my ungrateful son?" He began to lecture.

"For your information, I have." He puffed defensively. "However a guy like me can't afford to be picky. Heracles asked me so I accepted and I wouldn't have it any other way." He was blushing deeply as he continued. "Now what about you? I have never considered you as anything but straight. You had a kid and you only flirt with women so tell me... Why are you challenging your sexuality now?"

"Maybe cause you're beautiful enough to turn any man gay." He sputtered. "Besides... after Helen's death I haven't been able to love any woman." He confessed. "But..." He was growing to regret his confession. "Yer not a woman..."

"... I think we should go to bed, Sadık." Gupta was at a loss for words, confused by the warmth he felt after hearing the older man's confession.

"Y-Yeah. Good idea." Sadık muttered, vigorously rubbing his red face with his hand.

They stepped away from each other, both feeling rather awkward. Sadık was the first to leave the kitchen, cursing himself for his lack of tact. Gupta was left in the kitchen to dwell on what he heard. Had Sadık been sincere or was it just an attempt to make him feel better? Either way, he had found the whole thing as heartwarming as it was shocking. He did not want to be unloyal to Heracles however, as he pondered, he began to question his feelings for the Turk. Perhaps it would not be too harmful to just experiment. After all, Heracles was experimenting so why could not the Egyptian?

It was that thought process that led him down the hallway to gently knock on Sadık's bedroom door. The Turk jumped, pulling his pants back on in order to answer, unable to meet the dull forest green eyes. The owner of said eyes said nothing, brushing past him until he reached the bed. Sadık tilted his head in question.

"... Your bed is still better than his." He smiled.

"Uh... Yer willing to share a bed? After..." He trailed, closing the door and approaching the bed.

"I trust you not to act on what you said. If you even meant a word of it. I am willing to forget if you are." He ran his hand over the silky blankets.

"Yeah. Sure. O' course." Sadık grinned and slid into the bed. "Tonight never happened."

"Correct." Gupta's heart clenched a bit at how eager the other was to forget but returned the smile, pulling up the covers.

The next morning Heracles came home to find his father and boyfriend sitting at the kitchen table in awkward silence. Gupta was quick to greet the Greek, wrapping his arms around his waist. Heracles returned it and looked at Sadık. The Turkish Nan refused to meet his eyes, looking away with a fairly guilt expression. Suspicion came to Heracles as he joined them at the table. Gupta smiled fondly at him though he appeared rather distracted, inquiring about his night.

"It was fine." He replied with a shrug.

"Oh... shall we go to the bedroom then?" Gupta was used to that response being Heracles' way of saying his sexual appetite went unsatisfactory so he would be left to finish what his partners could not.

"Nah. Not in the mood. Went to bed early." He sighed.

"Wait... what? You didn't sleep with anyone last night?" Sadık's eyes went wide under his mask.

"No. Did you?" He snapped back.

"No!" He answered quickly, face red. "And it's none of your business."

"So what did you do?" Gupta asked before Heracles could repeat his father's last sentence.

"I talked with Kiku until Alfred stole him away. Walked in on the Romanian and his lover... then I rescued Kiku before Alfred could molest him. I drove Kiku home and spent the night."

"In his bed?" The Turk scowled.

"No." Heracles glared.

"Bull shit. You expect us to believe you spent a night alone with Kiku without sleeping with him?" The other opened his mouth to answer but Sadık cut him off, "And then you deny Gupy's offer for sex?"

"Sadık!" The Egyptian choked on his drink, his face scarlet.

"I'm not that desperate for sex." Heracles scoffed.

"Why you little-"

"He didn't mean it like that, Sadık." Gupta hurriedly got between the two, placing his hand on the Turk's chest to stop him from lunging at Heracles. "Save the fighting for afer the dinner... when I am home."

After being assured the two were not going to rip each other's throat out he settled back down in his seat to tinish his breakfast. When they had all finished he had offered to clean up. However Sadık shot the offer down, taking the dishes instead. Gupta thanked him then followed his boyfriend into the living room. He sank onto the couch, Anput jumping onto his lap while Heracles went to pick a DVD for them to watch. Three were placed on the coffee table before him; Aristocats, The Lion King, and Aladdin.

Gupta pointed to the last, earning a pout from the feline loving Greek. He put the movie on and then cuddled up with the other, ignoring Anput's growling. Her owner sighed and set her on the floor, pressing himself against the Greek. In the kitchen Sadık finished cleaning, entering the living room as the opening song ended. Heracles flipped him off behind Gupta's back, pulling a Greek flag blanket around them. Sadık returned the rude gesture before sinking into the arm chair to keep an eye on them and the movie.

Heracles began to nod off before they reached the middle of the movie. An occasional teasing caress from Gupta would jar him awake though. Each time Sadık had to bite back a snarl or crude remark. When the caresses finally stopped, he was able to tear his gaze from the couple to focus on the movie that now had Gupta's full attention. Only when he heard snoring did he look back over at the couch. He slinked over to sit on Gupta's other side, smirking at the sleeping Greek.

"You seem used to this." He noted as slim fingers made their way through wavy brown hair in a rather mechanical way.

"Yes. He sleeps often." Gupta puller his gaze from the television to look at the man. Unless..."

"... cats are involved?" He finished with a light laugh. "He's still such a kid..." He murmured thoughtfully, staring at his son.

"Isn't it most parents' wish for their children to remain as such?"

"Mm... I suppose. But jus' look at what he watches." He nodded towards the television.

"I thought that these movies were yours." Gupta giggled quietly.

"Ah, yer a sharp one, Guppy." The older man smiled, enjoying the sound or the other man's laugh. "You'd probably make one hell of a parent." He frowned sadly. "Unlike myself..."

"... I love kids." He murmured sadly, looking at Anput as she dozed in front of him with Maskeli. "I've always wanted a family of my own."

"Then dump the Greek and find a woman with some nice hips ta settle down with."

"We've been over this, Sadık... no woman... and no babies." He returned his attention to the screen, hoping to now tune the other out.

"Why not? Ya infertile or somethin'?"

"Or something..."

"So how about adoption then?"

"Adoption..." Gupta pondered for a moment before sighing sadly. "No. It wouldn't work."

"Because of Heracles? Screw 'im. You can raise a kid on your own. So long as you don't make he same mistakes I did... which you won't. 'Cause, like I said, you'd be one hell of a dad."

"No. I wouldn't." Gupta began to think of his mother as she lay on her reath bed and how he had felt...

"Yes, you would. If ya want a kid then get one!"

"Can we please just drop this?" His lip trembled.

"Mama..." The Greek's sleepy whine distracted them. "Mama..." Sadık sighed, reaching over to pat his son's head.

"Still such a mama's boy."

"What's wrong with that?" Gupta sniffed.

"Huh? Hey, are you crying?" Sadık stiffened, staring at the younger with wide eyes.

"Way to go old man..." Heracles mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. "What did you say to him?" He held his boyfriend close, petting him.

"This is your fault." He snapped, denying that he would ever hurt Gupta. "Ya brat." He gripped his shirt in a fist, glaring.

"I was sleeping, asshole!" Heracles shouted. "Let go of my shirt with your dirty hands."

"What was that!"

Gupta's sobbing quieted as he watched the two of them bicker. It was humorous and comforting that the two cared for him yet showed it by childishly playing the blame game. At the sound of his laugter, the bickering men sprang apart, crossing their arms and pouting.

"What's so funny?" They demanded.

"I love you guys." He simply smiled.


We're almost to the good part~ So close... Then the story really begins.

Thanks to Hetaoni for the review~ All you that are reading this, feel free to follow Hetaoni's example. Why not take a guess at Egypt's condition? Or ask some (civil) questions? Or just give a little "Sweet..." comment or something. xD It would make my day, truly.

Whelp, anyways... I've been writing a lot of this on my phone so please excuse little mistakes. If there are too many for you guys to handle, review about them or something and I'll start reviewing these chapters twice before uploading.