"I'm here to see Lovino."

"Ve~? So you two are getting along now?" Feliciano smiled.

"Not quite." Gupta admitted. "He still hates me."

"Lovino can't hate though. If Lovi hated you, he wouldn't have looked after your puppy or invited you to his house, zio." He handed him a basket of bread sticks and a glass of water. "He'll be taking his break in a few more minutes."

So Gupta was left at a secluded table, waiting on Lovino to finish for his break. He had started on the third bread stick when the foulmouthed Italian approached him. They left the restaurant in his lovely red convertible, arriving at a house on the outskirts of the town. Gupta was not surprised by the seclusion and followed the resident inside after they had parked. He explained his break was short but Gupta would be welcome in the house until he finishes his shift.

They parted ways after a short tour and Gupta began his search. The guest room was unlike any other guest room-there was no bed or other furniture for guests to enjoy. It had been made into a large display room with items hiding in storage compartments. Clothing was on racks and in dressers but none of them looked very feminine so Gupta moved on. His mother's belongings were not in that room so he went to the basement to look through boxes. He searched for a few hours and came across many oddities and plenty of memories. He put all the photo albums to the side for when he had time, curious about his parents' past. A growl from his stomach finally called for a break in his search so he took up the albums and trudged back up to the kitchen.

He made a snack for himself and curled up on the couch with the first album. It had ancient photos of his father as a kid which he skimmed through with a bored expression. The album ended with his last years as a preteen so he moved on to the next, smaller, album which he could tell belonged to his mom. He took his time through it despite there being few photos. Towards the end there were high school pictures which he searched for the same four people; his parents, Sadık and his wife, and the scary German guy. One photo had just his mother and his lover cooking together and smiling. The Turk looked so much younger than her with a baby-smooth face covered with flour.

He recalled that Sadık was two school years younger than his parents and it showed. He looked scrawny compared to the guys and the girls treated him like their son, doing silly things with him and coddling him. The last photo in the album was another group photo that made Gupta choke on his snack. Sadık was in woman's clothing, pouting at the camera while the others withheld their laughter-his mother was not as successful as the others, her mouth open mid-laugh. Gupta tucked the album into his bag and then left the rest be after checking the time. He had to find his mother's belongings before six.

Back in the basement he continued unpacking the boxes until he found what he had been looking for. He had been looking in the wrong type of boxes; his mother stored her things in three trunks pressed against a lonely wall. He opened two of them easily enough, finding clothes and items from her career, but the third would not open. He frowned and inspected it carefully, deciding that it was locked and would need a key to open it. He stifled his curiosity of the third box and closed the other two so he could bring them upstairs. He would need to have his lover bring the van to carry the trunks.

Once they were dragged into the living room Gupta was exhausted and returned to his family's albums. There was one album styled more like a diary, detailing all of his father's bedroom and courtship experiences. He resisted the urge to burn it, tossing it onto the couch instead. The next album was one he had been waiting for; his parents' wedding and his early childhood. He found a few bath pictures where he was still a toddler sitting in an old fashioned tub with his mother or another man that he realized was not his father, but Sadık. His face felt hot upon realizing his lover had told the truth about bathing together. Actually, his father was absent throughout most of his baby album, only appearing when Heracles and his mother were there.

He felt an ache in his chest and closed the album to add to his bag. He knew his father never spent much time with him. Now he realized why that was-he was more interested in Heracles and his other children out of wedlock. He found their pictures in the last album. His half-sister and her boys-the Vargas brothers-were in there even more than Heracles. Gupta reasoned he spent most of the time with her because of the brothers; her husband had left her, after all and she was able to continue the family line. He had a transmittable disease and Heracles was out of reach…

"Hey zio puttana…" Gupta shut the album quickly and wiped his eyes. "You find what you were looking for?"

"Yes. Thank you, Lovino. I will need to get Sadık over though. The trunks are rather big and heavy." He sent a text to the older man already. "If you don't mind."

"I don't. I mean I do." He snapped a bit then looked away. "I don't care… So long as you're gone before that dumbass comes home."

"Your older lover and former caretaker?" He smirked.

"Well then we have something in common after all." He sniffed. "Only difference is that I won't kill Antonio."

Gupta fell silent after that, having no argument for his nephew. The Italian started to do his house chores while they waited for the Turkish man to arrive. A ringing sounded melodically through the house, bringing the occupants to the door. Sadık had come, toting Antonio behind him, much to Lovino's chagrin. Both of the men carried the trunks into the van, finishing off a glass of water. Antonio invited them to stay for dinner which Gupta, receiving a dangerous look from a certain Italian, rejected the offer. He pulled Sadık to the van and they were homeward bound.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" He inquired.

"And more." He confirmed with a small smile. "I found photo albums and I must say you look hot in drag."

"Oh no you didn't…" The Turk groaned.

"Yes, I did." He giggled. "It was cute since you didn't have any body hair back then."

"You said you liked my body hair." He pointed out.

"I do. I love~ it. But you look less manly without it." He kisses the man's stubbly cheek. "So did you think over what we talked about?"

"The kid thing?" He murmured, pulling into the garage. "It's only been a day, Guppy. Give me more time to think please."

"Very well, sorry to be pressuring you." He dipped his head and pressed it against the man's arm. "I found my baby pictures though and noticed you were really cute with a baby me."

"Oh. Did you see the bath pictures too?" He got out and hefted a trunk out of the van. "Your dad wasn't allowed to bathe you after he almost drowned you. He was a horrible first time dad but I guess third time's the charm." He huffed, putting the trunk in the guest room.

"Third time's the charm for what, Pops?" Emil asked from the kitchen. "Hallo, Gupta."

"What are you still doing here?" Sadık continued moving the trunks in. "Don't you have school tomorrow?"

"I'm staying here for a few days. My house is pretty crazy with the new baby." He grumbled.

Gupta nodded and pulled his albums out of his bag. He poured a glass of juice and hovered over them with Emil, inviting him to go through them with him. He flipped straight to Sadık's shame of childhood and they shared a snickering laugh. The man in the photo looked over their shoulders and then groaned again. He scuffed Emil's hair and started on dinner. They continued to go through the albums and then ate together, no conversation interrupting the peace of their meal. Emil volunteered to do the dishes and so the adults went to their bathroom to shower and sleep.

-0-

"Have a good day at school, Sonny. Here's a lunch."

"Call if you need anything but not during class."

"Thanks Pops, Gupta. See you after club." He waved them off and then started his walk to school.

Emil had been living with the couple for a week and a half now, his guardian checking in every two days. He had gotten a call the previous night though, informing him his brother would be coming to America on Thursday. His brother and friend would be unable to stay with the two that had been looking after Emil. Apparently, they had gotten into a disagreement and the couple taking care of the Icelander had children they did not want to involve. So, being the generous man he was, Sadık invited them to stay until they could find a place to live.

"How clean is the basement?" Gupta inquired of his lover, wearing only a house robe. "We might need two beds down there."

"One of them will have to live with the cot or the couch." He replied in his own, open robe, sipping his coffee. "We both have the day off so let's start clearing the basement. We'll need to make room in the attic first though. Maybe consider a garage sale." He rubbed his chin.

"I will get dressed then." He sighed, "Unless we can have another quickie?"

"Sure." The man laughed and pulled a rubber from his robe's pocket. "Meet you in the basement."

He headed downstairs and Gupta groaned at the tease, reluctant to have sex underground. Going up and downstairs with a sore backside would be painful; he grimaced on his way down to where his lover waited. Sadık winked and pulled off his boxers once Gupta was sitting at the edge of the bed, his own robe pooled on the floor. He crawled to straddle his man, pulling him up into a deep kiss. They both reached for the condom simultaneously, the younger getting to it first.

He spread the Turk's legs so he could sit between them and opened the little square packet. Strong hands ghosted all over his body –namely his hips and rear, caressing and pinching. He squirmed at the pinching, pouting down at the man as he gripped his erection, stroking until fully erect. The older man merely laughed, cupping the other male's area, making it harder for Gupta to concentrate on putting the condom on his partner. He gave him a warning glare and the hands were removed long enough for the Egyptian to inspect and roll the rubber down his partner's shaft, flicking his scrotum as a small punishment.

The man moaned and lifted his hips, arms stretching so he could grab his love and pull him to rest on his hard on. They kissed again, playing with each other's tongues and members. Sadık grabbed and pulled apart Gupta's lower cheeks, making him flush as he reached back to prepare himself. He fingered himself slowly, purposefully making lewd faces at the action, never breaking eye contact with the man below. Sadık groaned and bucked his hips, grinding on his partner. The other blushed feeling the condom's lubricant smear on his own bare erection.

"Put it in." He breathed, sitting in his lap, hands resting themselves on his hairy pecks.

"Beg me." He returned, teasingly.

"Please put it in me." He blushed, gripping the hair. "Please. Put it in."

"I love you." He smiled and put his tip in place. "Now get ready to moan my name."

He pulled Gupta down while pushing up and in, holding him around the middle. He licked the smooth torso presented to him and thrust himself in deeper. They both moaned and kissed, keeping their hips still as they loved each other. The younger male was the first to become impatient, lifting his hips a bit the moving them back down. His partner let out a moan and laid his head on the pillow, letting him do as he pleased. After a short time Gupta began to have difficulty riding, his breathing heavy with the effort and his arousal.

So, naturally, the dominant one sat up, making the other fall back and almost slide off. He thrust in deep before that could become a problem though, kissing his neck and nipping at a golden earring. They continued the rut, moaning together as their orgasms approached. The larger released first, burying himself in the constricting tunnel that pulsed as Gupta restrained himself. He kissed his lover and placed his hand on his member, urging him to bring him over the edge which he did eagerly and rather quickly. Gupta gave a small moan as he pulled off and lay on his lover, nuzzling into the crook of his neck.

"I love you, Sadık." He murmured to which the Turk nodded, holding the young man closer.

"You planned this, didn't you." He mumbled into his hair. "Now you don't have to do any work."

"Maybe." He smiled and closed his eyes. "But you can nap with me."

-0-

"Hej!" A loud shout made Gupta jump, dropping the box of soda he had been putting away. "Oh. Sorry." He had a very thick accent, wild blond hair, and a large grin but he looked sickly.

"That's okay." He sighed and crouched, picking the soda up and cursing when he saw some had been broken and spilled. " Sadık is going to kill me."

" Sadık? I am looking for him." The man helped pick the cans up.

"He's in the back." Gupta answered. "I'll take you there once this is taken care of."

Gupta was working a shift with his lover and Kiku but the Japanese man had left early. Emil had agreed to cover his shift despite knowing his family was due at the airport later that night. He threw the ruined sodas into the trash and went to wash soda from his hands. The foreigner followed him, clearly lost. He looked around for the mop to clean the spill but when he could not find it in its usual spot he reasoned it was being used in the bathrooms. He went to the women's room and opened the door.

"Emil, there's a soda spill by the freezers." The foreigner was still in the men's room, washing his own hands. "There's also someone wanting to see Sadık so take care of the spill."

"Fine." He grumbled and picked up the bucket.

"Thank you, habibi." He smiled and went back to the foreigner. "Come with me." He took the tall man by the arm and towards the back. " Sadık, there's a man here to see you."

"I wasn't expecting anyone." He replied. "I'm busy right now though. Hold him in the front until I finish here."

"You got behind on paper work again?" Gupta gave an amused smile, "Alright then. We'll wait."

"Simon!" Another shout from the front made the man next to him hide behind him. "How does it take twenty minutes to ask for directions!?"

"Big brother!" Gupta and the man made it back to the front of the store in time to see Emil embracing a blond man with cool eyes. "You're early."

"Emil." The man besides Gupta cheered and embraced Emil and his brother. "I missed you."

"Ouch. Crushing."

"Let go, idiot."

"But Lukas~ Vi har vores baby tilbage." The bigger man cooed.

"Hey Sonny, we should get an introduction." Sadık joined them, standing by the Egyptian.

"As soon as I can breathe." He was released suddenly when the large male started choking. "Thank you brother." His brother was choking his friend with his own tie. "Lukas, this is Sadık, my boss and Gupta, his…"

"Lover." Sadık finished with a grin.

"Right. This annoying guy is Simon, my brother's friend."

"Thank you for letting us move in." Lukas bowed his head a bit, dragging Simon's down with him. "However there's something you should know about Simon." He elbowed the man and he winced, standing up straight.

"I um… I am very ill." He said.

"Yes, Emil told us." Gupta smiled, "and we have no issue with it."

"Really?" The man looked relieved.

"We have to stay here a little longer, I'm afraid. We're short staffed since there are employees are on vacation." Sadık apologized. "You can wait in the break room."

Emil escorted them to the back, questioning them about his pet on the way. Gupta returned to the counter to work and Sadık joined him as a family entered. Once their shift was over and Kiku returned, the couple went to retrieve their new housemates. They got into a van and Sadık could not help but notice Emil seemed upset about something. He bit back questions though, focusing on the road. He pulled into the garage and Emil hurried out and inside, followed by his family. Gupta took his partner's hand and they followed, finding that Emil had locked himself in his room.

"What's wrong with Sonny?" The Turk asked the men at the door.

"Um, his puffin back in Iceland was…" Lukas looked at his friend. "Let's just say some natives enjoyed a nice puffin stew." He cringed as a sob sounded.

"He is going to blame us now." Simon sighed.

"It's not your fault." Gupta patted the man's head. "Birds are free creatures." He recalled his blue bird that Sadık had given him as a child. "But as for the stew…?"

"We found him at a meat stand." Lukas explained. "Still had his bowtie on too."

"Poor puffin." Now the older man was crying.

"I'll show you guys where you will sleep." Gupta murmured, heading for the basement. "We only have one bed though."

"That's ok. We will share." Lukas smiled and followed him down. "I didn't want to say this in front of Emil… But Simon here proposed to me before we came."

"What?" Gupta stopped, his eyes wide. "Did you say yes?"

"I admit it's scary but I did. I just hope he lives long enough for us to walk down the aisle." He murmured darkly.

"Don't worry. We'll make sure he stays real healthy here." The Egyptian smiled as the two guests examined their new home. "He'll just follow my diet."

"You have a diet? You're so skinny." Lukas gawked. "It doesn't seem healthy."

"My diet is actually very fattening. It's a healthy fat though. I'm just skinny because my disease makes it hard to gain weight." He fixed his green eyes on the Danish man wandering around. "I have the same think as him." The Dane looked confused by the stare until his fiancé translated for him.

"Really? Ja, we could be bros!" He shouted.

"No thanks. I already have one too many brothers." Gupta grumbled with a light blush, recalling the scare he had upon realizing his ex was related. "If you guys are hungry, we'll be making dinner in a half hour."

"Thank you." Lukas dipped his head in thanks and the host returned it before going back upstairs.

"What did they say about the bed?" Sadık had started cooking early.

"Apparently they're engaged." The Turk did not catch the flicker of sadness that crossed his young lover's face.

"Ah, they're in for a rough life." The man laughed, referring to his own memories of marriage. "So what would you like for dinner?"

"Whatever is fine. I am going to change…" He waved the man off and then left.

-0-

"Namaste, Gupta." Ninad welcomed his friend back into his apartment. "We have quite a lot to catch up on. You've been ignoring me." He teased.

"Sorry. I've been busy." Gupta apologized with a smile. "I have a lot to tell."

"Good. I don't." He laughed and pulled him to his couch. "Have some pauwa." He motioned to the flat rice on his coffee table.

"Thank you." He smiled and ate a bit before sighing. "I am sorry but I have not been able to talk to anyone about my relationship since Heracles started school." He had already filled his friend in on that drama. "So I'd like to start talking now."

"Of course. I do not mind. We have plenty of time." He ate some of his snack as well. "Is it trouble in bed or just general trouble?"

"I never have any bed trouble." He blushed. "Neither of us like anything perverted." He confessed. "Neither did Heracles. Kiku said he's surprisingly boring in bed."

"Maybe we should have invited Kiku to join our night if you continue talking about his love life." He joked.

"Perhaps we should." He laughed and then stopped. "But it is not a physical relationship problem. Those can easily be remedied."

"Alright friend, what is wrong?"

"Well, we recently took in a family; Emil's brother Lukas and his… friend… Simon." He began. "Turns out that they're more than friends; they're engaged. Simon also has HIV but he's further in his relationship than I am." He complained. "They knew each other as long as I've known Sadık and have dated for a shorter amount of time."

"You envy them." Ninad stated knowingly. "You want Sadık to propose to you… But he's been through that before so he probably doesn't believe in remarrying. Especially not with a guy." Just like that, he had completely deflated the Egyptian. "But marriage shouldn't be that important, right? I mean… it's mostly a legal or religious thing."

"If I had not known that other men in my situation could be married, it would never have bothered me." He paused. "Then there are times when I think back to when I was with Heracles." He blushed. "We would dream about getting married and I would dream about having kids. Granted, he was a horrible husband and father in those dreams, but I still wanted it." He took tea as it was offered. "Now that I'm with Sadık I'm dreaming again but this time they're much happier and warmer. It makes me sick waking up, knowing it was just a dream. "

"Aren't both of you Muslim?" The thought randomly occurred to the Hindu man.

"I read the Qur'an but no, I never really experienced the religion." He replied. " Sadık might have though." He frowned at that. "Do you think that's why he hasn't proposed?"

"Gupta, you've only been dating for two years." He pointed out. "Just give him more time before freaking out. Besides, your fellow housemates probably became engaged early because both of them are still young and afraid of dying alone." He gripped his friend's hand. "You are not afraid of death though and Sadık is not young."

"I never thought of it in that way." He pondered for several minutes, munching on more of the pauwa. "That's not our only problem though. Since I started dating Heracles, I have wanted a kid." He pointed out. "But Sadık says he's too old for one."

"Well maybe he is. Just wait for him to die and get a kid when he's gone." This comment earned a punch from the normally peaceful man. "Ouch, I was joking!"

"It wasn't funny! Lovino's already said I'm going to be his death." He scowled. "It's just a physical desire for a kid. The biological clock."

"I think that's a woman's excuse." He chuckled. "But if you really want a kid, then get one. Adopt under his nose. That's pretty much what he did with that Emil kid."

"What?" Gupta looked stunned as the realization dawned on him. "You're right! He has adopted Emil… Just not legally… They call each other sonny and pops all the time. You don't think he did that for me, do you?"

"Well if he did then he's trying to avoid the problem. He probably expects you to occupy yourself with the kid and stop harassing him with questions of a child of your own. You should definitely confront him about it." He sipped his tea. "Make it a public spectacle too."

"I don't know about making it public… but I will confront him before that dinner party tomorrow." He decided.

"Good. Now, how about we change to lighter subjects?"

Getting ready to register for college and doing it all in a week. I am a horrible procrastinator. I wrote a few chapters of this ahead of time though. Hope you can enjoy them. I will update again July 16th. I think I can end this fic in a few more chapters... I dunno... I suck at ending things.