A/N: I like me some Dwayne/Mike. There's not enough of it out there, in my opinion. Here's the next chapter. R&R. Enjoy!

On the Corner of First and Amistad

Chapter Eight: Confrontation

Weeks had passed since Michael first began his assignment and he could definitely see improvement in Dwayne and his attitude. For one, he wasn't as sad and as guilt ridden as he had been when Michael first arrived. And he had more energy than before. The change was obvious to everyone around them and Michael couldn't help but feel proud that his influence and guidance were getting Dwayne back on track and where he needed to be.

But was it all just because of his guidance and influence, or was there something else there that was helping Dwayne move on? Michael wasn't an idiot; he knew that there were…feelings developing between the two of them. Stirrings, actually; feelings developed after time and they hadn't been in each other's lives for there to be feelings yet. But, whenever Michael's train of thought ended up on what he was experiencing with Dwayne, he couldn't help but think that maybe there was something there aside from just a mild stirring. Shaking his head, Michael wiped down the counter and straightened up the coffee cups.

He was working at the coffee shop and it was almost closing time. They had been pretty busy earlier in his shift, but the business had slowed down and allowed for his mind to wander. And, as it turned out, they wandered back to Dwayne. Always, whenever he had time to think and ponder, his thoughts would turn to Dwayne. It was ridiculous and unprofessional and stupid and childish and…and…and everything he wanted to have. Michael had never had a special someone before he died and he had never had sex either. As a Guard, he was kept pretty busy and he had little time for such follies, which meant that he had remained virtuous for his entire existence. Since he never had sex, he had never missed it, but now… Now his body was waking up and crying out with these cravings that frightened him. It wasn't normal and he wished that they would just disappear.

But they weren't going to disappear. He knew that much and he also knew what his body was craving. However, he refused to even think the words inside of his own mind, and he sure as hell wasn't going to say them out loud. Thinking about it, admitting to it, meant that it was real and he wasn't going to admit that. What he needed to admit to was that he wasn't putting enough focus on his assignment. If he didn't start working harder, then things may go array.

Dwayne was glad to be home. After the long day he had had and that dinner with the company's top investors, he was completely drained. But he wasn't in a bad mood or anything of the sort. Actually, he felt fine, aside from being tired. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that, while driving home, he kept thinking about how he'd finally get to see Mike after going almost all day without seeing him.

Usually, Dwayne tried to go out to lunch with the younger man and Beth, but he had been so swamped with work and phone calls and the like that he had completely skipped out on lunch. The dinner wasn't optional, but he was glad that it was with familiar faces, all of whom had always been nice and understanding. They had been exceptionally so when condolences of his father's passing came up, which was why Dwayne wanted the dinner to be over and done with. It was because of the mention of his father's passing and not his desire to see Mike that made Dwayne want to up and leave the restaurant. However, he stuck it out and it had all ended on a high note.

Unlocking the front door, Dwayne stepped inside and removed his jacket and shoes. The kitchen light was on and he could hear Mike in the kitchen, doing something. A tired smile spread across his face and he made his way towards the kitchen, wondering what the younger man was up to. Mike poked his head through the kitchen doorway and he smiled when he saw Dwayne. That damn smile, coupled with those eyes, made Dwayne want to kiss the younger man, to embrace him and consume him and never let him go. And although he had no intentions of acting on those desires, he wouldn't deny them either.

"Hey. You're home late." Dwayne nodded and walked into the kitchen. There was a bowl of ice cream on the counter and a spoon beside it. Mike was standing by the sink, washing and drying dishes, and when he saw Dwayne eye the bowl, he smiled and nodded.

"I figured you could use a little pick me up after a long day." Dwayne's smile widened.

"Yeah, I could. Thank you. And I had a dinner to go to after work. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I was so busy that I didn't have the time."

"It's okay. I understand. You're the figure head of the company, among other things, so it's only natural that you'll be extremely busy and have a full schedule. Just don't forget to relax and take it easy every once in a while, though." Dwayne picked up the bowl of ice cream and began to eat.

"I suppose… This ice cream is really good." Mike sent him a grin and dried the last of the pots before he dried his hands and hung the towel up.

"Glad to hear. I found an ice cream maker in one of your cupboards and I decided to experiment a little." Dwayne paused and looked at him.

"Experiment?" Mike nodded and his grin widened.

"Yeah. I never made ice cream before and I wasn't sure how it would turn out. It looks like the chocolate turned out fine. I tried some and I thought it was good. What do you think, though?"

"You really want my opinion?"

"Well, yeah. I'm not the only one who eats in this house, you know. And I know that you won't lie to me just to make me feel good." Dwayne laughed.

"You're right, Mike. And I must say that this ice cream is pretty good." At that, Mike's eyes lit up and Dwayne's breath hitched. Mike's eyes looked amazing all the time, but when he was happy, excited, or laughing they shone even brighter than ever and made him look angelic. The sight was simply breathtaking.

"Really?"

"Really really. It's creamier and has more taste than store bought ice cream. I really like it." Mike smiled and Dwayne felt his own smile widen. The younger man looked so beautiful, and yet handsome all at once. He wanted to kiss him, to taste him, and to devour him, but he didn't do anything. Instead, he ate his ice cream and washed out the bowl when he was finished.

Afterwards, they sat in the living room, watched some TV, and talked before Mike went upstairs to shower and go to bed. Dwayne remained down stairs for an hour or so more before he too retired for the evening. His shower consisted of what was becoming the norm for him: a jerk off session followed by the actual cleansing of his body from a hard day of work. Prior to meeting Mike, he wasn't like this. Now, his thoughts turned to Mike whenever they had the chance and he found that his body was responding more and more eagerly with each passing day. At times, it would surprise and shock him; after all of the people he loved and loss in such a short amount of time, he was acting like a love struck teenage boy.

Perhaps he was over thinking things. Perhaps he needed to let things run their course. Maybe it was time for him to let things go, to let his guilt and regret go. But Dwayne wasn't sure. He just didn't know if it would be worth it. What if Mike didn't want him back? What if things went sour for them? Could he handle another John? No, he couldn't. But was Mike anything like John? No, he wasn't. Even if things didn't last, Mike would tell him and talk to him about it, right? Right. Or, rather, that's what Dwayne hoped. Even if he wasn't sure what he wanted, Dwayne figured that he'd just go with the flow. What will be, will be and who was he to try and change what was meant to be?

After he was showered and dried, he returned to his room and put on a pair of boxers and sweatpants. Yawning, he rolled is shoulders, trying to ease his body into a state of calm and relaxation. Leaving his room, he returned to the bathroom to brush his teeth quickly before heading downstairs for a glass of water. With his drink in hand, he climbed the stairs and was about to enter his bedroom when Mike came out of the bathroom. He was wearing a white t-shirt and boxers and he looked positively gorgeous. Dwayne stared at the younger man, whose hair was a little messed up, and he felt compelled to touch him, to kiss him, to do something, anything, to him. Mike must have felt his intense gaze on him because he looked up when he was done yawning and smiled sleepily at him.

"Hey, Dwayne." His voice, soft yet hoarse from sleep, called to him and Dwayne felt himself crossing the few feet between them.

"Dwayne?"

Mike's voice held concern and worry for him and Dwayne's heart skipped a beat. At least he knew for certain that Mike cared for him, as a friend if nothing else, and he found that he couldn't stop himself. He backed Mike up against the wall and Dwayne could feel the younger man's body heat radiating from him. Before Mike could open his mouth, Dwayne bent his head and pressed his lips to Mike's. The kiss was intense, full of hidden passion and longing. It didn't last very long and all too soon, they broke apart, both of them surprised and dazed about what had just happened. Dwayne recovered before Mike did and he kissed the smaller man once again, pleased to hear a soft, needy moan escape from Mike.

He felt arms wrap around his neck, bringing him closer and Dwayne's own arms snaked around Mike's waist, pulling him close. His brain was completely focused on the here and now, on Mike and how well his body fit against his own, and on those soft, pouty lips. Dwayne pressed Mike against the wall as they continued to make out, happy to find that Mike was just as eager as he was. Mike broke the kiss and bared his neck to Dwayne, and he took full advantage of it, kissing, nibbling, and marking the untainted skin as his and his alone. However, their heated session didn't late as long as he had hoped, because Mike's grip on his shoulders loosened as he came to his senses and spoke.

"Dwayne…stop…" At that, all movement ceased. Dwayne's heart was thundering loudly in his chest and his dark eyes were blown with lust and surprise. Surprise at being told to stop what he had been doing and that he had actually managed to stop. Reality came crashing in and Dwayne let go of Mike at once.

"I…I'm… I'm sorry." Without another word, he turned and entered his bedroom, closed the door and locked it.