A/N I still don't own Glee, sadly. I own nothing you might recognize, although I don't know what that would be? :)

beautifulartist, I received your review, and flailed! but your private messaging is turned off, so I was unable to reply! Thank you, though, for your kind words!

Thanks for all the kind words and reviews, and for making Crowded House part of your day.

CHAPTER 23

"So tell me something about you that I don't already know?" Nick said, strolling down mostly deserted New York streets with Jeff holding his hand.

"Seriously? After that 13 hour marathon, I doubt there's anything you don't already know!" Jeff laughed.

"Something…..anything. Something out of the ordinary. Something you'd never tell anyone else."

Jeff blushed, thinking of a myriad of things he could say that would be totally embarrassing, but he settled on something a little less intimate.

"I still have my teddy bear from when I was younger…and he sleeps in my bed, although I can't say I still 'hold him' at night or anything. His name's Rudy." Jeff blushed, suddenly finding the sidewalk both interesting and amusing, judging by his smile.

Nick giggled. "Not Teddy?" he grinned. "I have mine too, only it's not a bear, it's a moose with bells on his antlers. I got him for Christmas the year I was 2 and carried him around forever after that. He was supposed to be named 'Christmas Moose' but I couldn't say that, so I called him 'Kissamoose'. To this day, that's still his name." he chuckled.

"I broke my leg in two places playing hockey when I was twelve. My parents were there watching the game. My dad freaked and came flying out onto the ice and fell 4 times just trying to get to me. My mom passed out in the stands when she realized how bad it was." Jeff laughed.

Nick snickered at this and continued with his own story.

"I broke into my neighbor's house when I was 8 and kidnapped their dog. I wanted a dog and my dad wouldn't get us one, so I thought I'd just borrow theirs for a little bit. I figured if it stayed at my house and didn't go home that it obviously liked us better and we could keep it. I think I'd have gotten away with it, but when I went back for his food bowl, I got stuck in the doggie door on a screw and I couldn't get loose. The neighbors found me stuck half in and half out the door when they got hom"

"Did you get grounded?"

"Yeah, for like 3 weeks, and I had to clean up the dog poop for my neighbor for the rest of the summer."

"They made you give the dog back?! Harsh!" Jeff laughed.

They walked in silence for awhile, neither saying anything, just casting glances at one another under fluttering eyelashes and grinning.

"I feel funny….like I need to keep talking to you, but then again, I'm perfectly content not saying anything at all…just being here with you."

"Don't talk because you think you have to. I'm alright just being here with you….finally." Nick blushed.

"It's amazing to me how easily you make me blush, but then I keep catching YOU blushing and it makes me smile." Jeff grinned at him.

They continued walking for a few more blocks and came upon a coffee shop that was still open. It looked fairly clean and there were only a few people inside. "You want to?" Nick motioned with his head, nodding to the shop.

"Sure….lead on!" Jeff nodded.

8888888888888888888888888888 8888888888888888888888

"Hey you…" Blaine grinned into the phone. "I'm on my way, are you still up?"

"Of course, and I'm busy making you a surprise!" Kurt smiled.

"Making? For me?"

"For you….and I'm thankful it's the weekend and nobody is downstairs or they'd all be coming up here and stealing them!"

"You've lost me…" Blaine snickered. "I'm coming around the corner…..opening the front door….and….OH MY GOD, WHAT is that heavenly smell?!" Blaine said, way too loudly for it being almost 3 am.

"I told you I'm making you something!"

"I'm at the door, for the love of God, open it and give me whatever is making that delicious smell!"

As Kurt pulled the door open, he met Blaine's huge smile and Blaine carefully and slowly put his arms around him, so as not to cause Kurt to freak out or panic. He just held him softly for a minute, taking in the scent of cinnamon from the kitchen and Kurt in his arms.

"If I die, right here, right now, I'd die a happy man" Blaine whispered into Kurt's ear. Kurt giggled and stepped back, but when he did, he noticed that they were being watched by a man at the end of the hall. His eyes grew round and he nodded in the direction of the other man, getting Blaine's attention.

"Blaine…..there's…someone…."

"Sebastian, I'm sorry if I woke you…" Blaine began.

Kurt hated him. On sight. The man clearly had no shame. There he stood, in all his nearly naked glory, wearing only a pair of very low slung thin cotton pants he'd probably sleep in...if he slept in anything at all, and...OH GOD, where had THAT come from? His body was perfect. F-ing perfect, and he was devouring Blaine with his eyes.

"Wasn't you that got me up…..this time… Blaine, it was the heavenly smell permeating the entire building. What the hell IS that and where can I get some?" His wording wasn't lost on Blaine, and he shifted toward Kurt subconsciously.

"Sebastian Smythe, this is Kurt Hummel, our new neighbor. Apparently he's a helluva cook / baker, and he's responsible for that heavenly smell." Blaine explained.

Seb moved forward and shook hands with Kurt. Kurt felt the need to instantly recoil, and didn't miss the way Sebastian's eyes barely left Blaine for the split second it took him to glance at Kurt.

"Good to meet you, Kurt. You just move in?"

"Several weeks ago, actually. I don't believe I've seen you before, though. Have you been away?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah….business. I travel to Europe quite frequently for my job. Again, Kurt noticed how Sebastian was eyeing Blaine, and it instantly started his bitch engine.

"Leaving again any time soon?" he smiled, looking friendly and feeling deadly. Blaine looked up at him and nearly burst out laughing, as this was so unlike any part of Kurt he'd seen so far. He oozed pleasantness and politeness, but the underlying emotion was coming out somewhere near a feral growl. Blaine was amused, and somewhat afraid for Seb. He bit his lip and stared at the floor until the urge to smile like a loon passed.

"Mm hmmm…next week, as a matter of fact." Sebastian answered, "but I still have a lot of….things…to do….before I go." He said, once again, raking his eyes over Blaine and giving Kurt a predatory look. Clearly, he was warning Kurt, and clearly, Kurt wasn't impressed.

"I'm sure you do. Well, it's been….entertaining, Mr. Smythe. I'll be seeing you around I suppose." Kurt said, grabbing Blaine's arm and yanking him inside. He tossed a look at Sebastian over his shoulder before closing the door, and Seb grinned back, a snarky little bitchy sneer, and nodded his way in response. His meaning was clear. "Bring it on."

Inside, Kurt went straight to the kitchen and pulled the oven open. He yanked out a tray of the biggest cinnamon rolls Blaine had ever seen and nearly slammed them down on the stove to cool. Blaine stood, uneasy with Kurt's actions and unsure of what to say. The meeting in the hallway had clearly been uncomfortable for Kurt, and it wasn't any picnic for him either.

"Kurt?" No response. "Kurt….look at me?" Blaine said softly.

Kurt looked up at Blaine and the wetness in his eyes didn't go unnoticed.

"Kurt! What's wrong? What did I miss?"

"Him. I don't like him. AT ALL. I don't like the way he smiles like a weasel or a meerkat or something. I don't like him."

"I'm going to go out on a limb here, and ask: Do you not like Sebastian?" Blaine asked with a straight face.

He and Kurt both burst out laughing.

"NO, I don't. Not at all. I don't like the way….I don't….he shouldn't. Aaaghhh!" Kurt yelled, frustrated beyond words. "I don't like how he looks at you like you're something to eat! Oh my GOD, I said that outloud!" Kurt slid down the front of a cabinet, nearly smacking his head on the counter.

"Ok, noted. Speaking of things to eat…Now, can I have one of those or are you going to sit here and watch drool hang out of my mouth a little longer?"

"Huh? OH! Yes, you can have as many as you want. My first thought was to share some with my new neighbor, but I think I'd sooner rot in hell. Here's the icing."

"Icing? Kurt, I could seriously learn to love you if you're going to bake for me like this!" Blaine blurted out without thinking, grabbing the plate and fork laying on the counter. It hit him, then, what he'd said. Looking at Kurt, he realized that it didn't go unnoticed. "I mean…um….icing….who doesn't love...icing, right?" he grinned.

Kurt smiled at him, and blushed, and shoved the bowl of cream cheese frosting over to Blaine.

"It's pretty rich, you'll only need a dollop." Kurt said, lifting a cinnamon roll out of the pan and smearing some icing on it.

Blaine took one bite and let out the most orgasmic groan Kurt had ever heard. Kurt dropped the spoon into the icing bowl and dropped his jaw to the counter. Holy hell, was that noise legal? He immediately had to cross his legs to hide the effects the noise was having on him.

"God, Kurt, these are magnificent!" Blaine moaned in ecstasy, shoving another bite into his mouth. "Still warm, and gooey and soft in the middle, but the top is crunchy...how'd you do that?"

Kurt edged over to the kitchen chairs and sat down, motioning for Blaine to do the same. If he stood there any longer it would be obvious that he was having issues with the way Blaine expressed his enjoyment of the rolls. He sat and watched Blaine shovel cinnamon roll and icing into his mouth like a starving man, still making sounds of appreciation, and still making Kurt uncomfortable in his own pants. He was at a complete loss. He hadn't felt anything like this since Jax. Since the beginning with Jax, actually, because the ending was a nightmare and nothing like this. It was unnerving, and Kurt wore his confusion like a scarlet letter apparently.

"Tell me what's on your mind?" Blaine said, concerned. "Clearly something is eating at you. Can I help?"

"EATING at me? Jesus..." Kurt mumbled under his breath. "Oh, you're certainly not helping any….." Kurt said quietly.

"Hmmm?" Blaine asked, mouth full again. "Ohmuhgoddddddd, Kurt..."

"I don't kn...know if you could help or not. There are just things I need to work out….things that I haven't dealt with in awhile that I need to ….uh...learn how to h...handle….again." Kurt stuttered out, clearly...SO clearly unable to handle what his body was screaming at him.

"Am I doing something to make you uncomfortable?" he asked, clearly concerned.

"No! No Blaine…not….nothing like that. It's just that…I dunno." Kurt cut himself off.

Blaine nodded toward the stove with a hopeful look in his eyes and smiled at Kurt. "May I?"

Kurt was happy that Blaine liked his rolls and smiled back…."of course, here…." He rose to get him another.

"I'm quite capable, Kurt"

"I know, but you're my guest tonight, and I'll do it."

"He set another roll down in front of Blaine and he took another bite, making that obscene noise again.

"MmmmmmmohmygodKurt….." Blaine groaned with his eyes closed. Kurt stood and yanked the half full plate away, tossing it into the sink before he could even think about what he'd done.

"Well for God's sake, Blaine! You could start by not sounding like you're in the throws of passion while eating at my kitchen table!" Kurt blurted out.

Blaine sat there holding his fork in mid-air, confused, and yet the look on Kurt's face was so funny that he giggled a little. Kurt, realizing what he'd done, giggled too.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry Blaine..I….Jesus, I'm a freaking mess!" Kurt yelped.

Blaine stood and took Kurt's hand, leading him into the living area. They sat on the sofa, and Blaine smiled at him. They just sat there for a long moment, not saying anything. Kurt's breathing and demeanor seemed to return to normal and Blaine asked him again.

"Ok, Kurt….so tell me what's going on? And then tell me what I can do to help you with it, ok?" Blaine smiled, scooting over closer to Kurt and taking his hand. Kurt just shook his head, sure that he could not articulate what was on his mind.

"Blaine…I can't. I can't just blurt things out….things that are personal. It's really hard for me to…to talk to anyone…about things. It took me over a year to tell my best friend what actually happened with Jax. I keep a lot of things inside."

"Ok, so I learned this from the guys at work. Don't look at me, and then talk. It's like I'm not here….like I'm on the phone or something." Blaine said, tossing a pillow to Kurt. Kurt pulled his knees up to his chest and set the pillow on them, dropping his head into the pillow.

"You really think this will work?" he said, muffled.

"All we can do is try. What's bothering you? Is it me?"

"No, Blaine, it's not you. It's…..it's not knowing how to deal with you now, after everything that's happened. It's feeling….things….that I'm not used to, again, not knowing what to do with the feelings. It's wanting to rip Sebastian's head off for looking at you like you're a piece of meat. He has no right to do that…no right!" Kurt said, his voice rising. "And I have no right to say if he can look at you like that or not….and I hate it."

"Kurt?" Blaine said, staring at him intently. Kurt looked up briefly.

"Kurt….Sebastian's just one of those guys….one of those guys that sees everyone as some sort of conquest. I've shut him down before and I'll do it again. I'll continue to do so, because he's not my type. I won't lie, he's drop dead gorgeous, you have to admit that. But he's not what I look for, at all. He's very forward, pushy and full of himself. He's vulgar and does things to try to throw people off balance on purpose. And..he's..he's not…um. He's not you, Kurt." Blaine said, softly at the end.

"Blaine….." Kurt whispered back. "So many things…I'm so afraid. I'm afraid I'm feeling things that I shouldn't. After what happened with Jax, it feels wrong. I know this is so cliche', but sometimes I feel like...like what happened with Jax...that it was my fault. That if I'd just given myself to him, that he wouldn't have gone so crazy and what happened...well, it would have never happened. I caused it. If I feel "feelings" again...I don't know if I know what to do with them. I feel guilty for thinking certain things, for enjoying certain things, for wanting certain things. It's not fair!"

"Ok, so tell me about these 'things' and we'll work through them?"

"It's not that easy!" Kurt said, voice rising and dropping his face back into the pillow. "It's not easy to blurt out 'gee Blaine, you make everything south of my waistline go on high alert any time you're within 12 feet of me'…..it's not easy to say 'your voice makes me want to smile until my face cracks and falls off'…it's not easy to admit that I'm totally terrified of falling for you, of getting hurt again, of doing something wrong and running you off…it's not easy to not know what you're thinking and to lay in my bed this afternoon scared to death that you don't feel how I feel….and….and…." By now Kurt was almost yelling, but not in anger, just because he was upset…..somewhat.

"I think that was a fine job of it" Blaine replied. "At least now I know what you're obsessing about."

"Obsessing?!" Kurt laughed. "ME? Obsessing?"

"Kurt, you're adorable."

"I'm a headcase!"

"You're not. You're confused….conflicted maybe. After everything you've gone through, I can totally understand why. I think I'd be the same way."

"You're not just humoring me?"

"I couldn't do that and be a good friend, could I? So, no, I'm not just humoring you, I promise." Blaine said, tilting his head to the side and smiling so big his face hurt.

"SEE! Look at you!" Kurt squealed. "Look at that face! See what it does! It makes me all moony eyed and goofy!" He laughed.

Blaine goes through at least 10 different 'faces' and Kurt finally laughs outloud.

"I like them all….but I like this one best" he said, laying his hand on Blaine's cheek. He leaned in and gave Blaine a soft peck on the cheek making Blaine's face light up again.

Blaine leaned in to kiss him back, putting his hands on Kurt's shoulders and Kurt froze, jerking back from Blaine harshly, panic all over his face. He reared back off of the sofa so fast he fell to the floor on his ass. Scooting back on his hands and feet until he hit the wall, he sat there, terrified not only of the feelings he was going through in his mind now, but of the look he'd seen on Blaine's face when he'd jerked away from him.

8888888888888888888888888888 888888888888888888888888

Nick and Jeff sat inside the coffee shop sharing french fries, talking about everything and nothing, holding hands over the table sometimes, except when Jeff would get animated and talk about something while waving his hands around wildly. Jeff was very intense when he spoke about his job, about the play, about the kids he was working with on the weekends. Nick could tell he was head over heels for the kids and it made him love Jeff all the more. Holy shit…..love? Wait…he couldn't….not so soon, right? The surprise must have shown on his face because Jeff cocked his head to the side and gave him a funny look.

"You look like there should be a little lightbulb above your head or something…or maybe that the lightbulb just burst and there's glass shattering all around? You ok, Nicky?"

"Hmmm? Yeah, oh….I'm….yeah, I'm good. You called me Nicky" he said, grinning wildly.

"I did…..it suits you. You're my Nicky." Jeff smiled back, and Nick's heart warmed just a little bit more toward the beautiful blonde man across from him.

"So I was telling my mom about you..." Jeff started...then trailed off.

"Yeah?" Nick grinned shyly. "And what did she have to say? I'm almost afraid to know...depending on what you told her about me?"

"She um...she said a lot of things, really. I was surprised actually...and I think she was kinda surprised to tell you the truth." Jeff said.

"Why's that? I mean...why ...for both of you?" Nick asked.

"Um..." Jeff blushed. "She uh...she was surprised a little, I guess, because she said she hasn't seen me this..." cough... "happy...about anyone...in a long time...maybe ever." He closed his eyes, smiling madly, and almost embarrassed that he'd said that outloud, right in Nick's face. Suddenly it hit him that it may have been too much...that it might make Nick uncomfortable.

"I probably shouldn't have blurted that out...I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. That's the last thing I want." Jeff sighed. "I just...honesty is a big thing with me, and I'm always completely straightforward. I've been lied to...hurt...more times than I care to count, and I make it a point to be as honest as I possibly can, but I realize sometimes it comes off too bluntly."

"I want you to meet my mom, and my sister...my brothers..." Nick blurted out. "Shit...word vomit. I wasn't expecting that to escape so soon..." he laughed.

"Meet your mom?" Jeff said, doing a happy dance inside his body. "I thought...I thought, with your family..."

"No, mom's different. She's my rock. She knew...about me being gay, before anyone. I didn't have to tell her. She's so perceptive, my mom, I didn't have to say anything. She said she watched my facial expressions when we'd be out. When my brothers were ogling the girl at the check out counter, I was focused on the stock boy." Nick grinned. "We never actually had the conversation...she just came to me one day when I was doing homework. She said she knew there was a dance coming up at school and had I asked anyone? I told her I wasn't going, that it didn't sound like much fun, and she said that she thought I should ask whoever I wanted to go with, and I wouldn't know if I'd have fun until I asked him. I sat there, kinda dumbfounded, and she smiled at me, ran her fingers through my hair and winked...then left my room. I never loved her more than I did in that minute."

"She sounds...she sounds like a great mom."

"The best..." Nick smiled.

"I may have to challenge you on that one." Jeff grinned.

"I'd like to meet her...your mom, as well. Do you think she'd be ok with that?"

"I'm sure she can't wait...and neither can my Gram." Jeff said.

"You're so close to your Gram...I don't even remember my grandparents. You're lucky." Nick said, eyes on Jeff's perfect grin as he put another french fry covered in ketchup in his mouth.

"We can share mine?" Jeff offered.

"Ya know? I think I'd love that, Jeffie" Nick laughed.

The sun was coming up by the time they realized what time it was, and they paid and began walking again.

There was no shortage of things to talk about, and they chatted and giggled and laughed all the way back to Nick's apartment. Standing outside the doors, Nick suddenly looked nervous. The building was massive, at least 40 stories, and the doorman addressed him by name, making Jeff look up in surprise.

"Good morning, Mr. Duval. I didn't see you come in last evening or leave early this morning." He grinned at Nick.

"You are as astute as ever, Terrance, and I'll thank you to keep that information to yourself if you please." Nick grinned back at him.

"You….you live HERE?" Jeff sputtered. "Playing guitar must pay a helluva lot better than I ever knew…..and that tip you left the waitress….does she know your name, too?" he snickered.

"Yeah….about that….I've been wanting to run some things by you…" Nick said, hesitantly. "Come on up?"

Jeff inclined his head towards the door and they climbed the few steps up to the front of the building.

"Terrance, this beautiful specimen of manhood on my arm is Jeffrey Sterling. Jeff, this is Terrance. He's one of a kind, and he doesn't miss a single thing unless I ask him to." He said, swatting at Terrance's arm playfully.

"It's good to meet you, Terrance" Jeff beamed.

"Likewise, Mr. Sterling. It's a pleasure to have you with us this fine morning, sir." Terrance said, grinning at Nick with raised eyebrows. "It's a pleasure to see Mr. Duval with...a guest."

Nick didn't miss the 'fine morning' aspect of the comment, giving Terrance a quick wink and a wide eyed smile behind Jeff's back. Terrance gave him a thumbs up and smiled back.

"Good day, Mr. Duval. Have a pleasant visit, Mr. Sterling."

Nick had to turn a key when he pushed the button for the 48th floor. "Penthouse" it was labeled, which Jeff found hilarious when he thought of the magazine of the same name. They rode the elevator up in silence, Jeff grinning but keeping his eyes on the floor. Nick was nervous. He had never, in all of his adult life, brought a guy home with him to his apartment. He'd gone home with men before, but he never brought anyone to his own space. He was an intensely private man, and nobody had earned access to his private life thus far. This felt both odd and exhilarating at once.

On the 48th floor, the elevator stopped and they stepped out, Nick grabbing Jeff's hand again and leading him down the hallway. He unlocked the door and turned to look at Jeff. Jeff was looking around the hallway, uncertain, and Nick was suddenly quite nervous. This was new territory to him. He pushed open the door and held out his arm, ushering Jeff inside.

Jeff was stunned into silence and just stood there gawking awkwardly. He stood wide eyed, glancing around at everything and suddenly turned to Nick with an unreadable expression on his face.

"There's more to you than meets the eye, isn't there? What have you not told me, Nicky?" Nick's air whooshed out of his lungs with a breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding. This was it, the moment of truth.

"I um…..I play guitar at Dive Deeper at night. You know this. I also…..I work for my dad's company during the day."

"And what, exactly, does your dad do that you can work for him and afford THIS at the ripe old age of 26? Is that too personal?" Jeff asked, seriously.

"He's um….well, technically, he's a lawyer. His company, however, is many things….so many things I doubt I could even put them into a category as one….job?" Nick answered. "He wears many hats…" Nick trailed off, so uncertain of what to tell Jeff...how much to tell Jeff, for he would not lie to him.

"And your brothers…they work for him as well?"

"Yes, all of us do, except my mom, but I….I'm here for a reason…in New York. Jeff…my dad…he's different. He's….not like me. Or rather, I'm not like him...at all. We have completely opposite ideas of how a business should be run; of what's ok, what's acceptable, what's 'right' for that matter. My dad isn't a 'bad' man, but he's….intense. When he wants something, he gets it. No questions asked. He has people who see to that. I don't operate that way." Nick said, every feature of his face serious now.

"What do you mean by 'intense'?" Jeff asked.

"He….I….Jeff I'm…can we sit down?"

They sat on a huge, soft leather sofa in a rich, dark caramel brown that Jeff sunk into and let out a contented sigh. "THIS is magnificent…" he said lowly, staring out over the sunrise coming up over New York. Nick smiled at him, then out the window at the view. "It is….."

"Ok, so spill. Your dad's a mafia boss, isn't he?" Jeff deadpanned. Nick nearly choked on his own tongue. If only Jeff knew.

"Jeff, I'm kind of terrified to tell you how close you actually are to the truth."

"WHAT?" Jeff asked excitedly, fear obvious in his voice.

"When I said my dad is intense, I meant it. Jeff, if he turned to someone in his office….if he said 'Dominic, Joe Schmoe is making me a little nervous with this project….', then by all means, Joe should be scared. Joe should be terrified actually. He's a very powerful man, my father. But again, I'm here, away from them, so far away from the 'true' business, that I barely exist on it's radar. My little slice of the pie up here…..drop in the bucket. I run this facility, I do it well, I make money, I pass it along, I get his pat on the head, we move on. God, Jeff, say something!"

"I'm afraid to, sort of…." Jeff whispered. "Nick….how….um…and you… Jeez, I've lost all ability to communicate now." Jeff sighed. "Can we talk about something else for a few minutes. I'm pretty sure my chest is about to explode and I don't want that to happen on your beautiful rug here." Jeff tried to grin.

"You're the only person I've ever had here." Nick said quietly, staring at the floor.

"What? Seriously?…no."

"Yeah…..ok, my mom's been here a few times, and Bailey a couple of times, but besides the two of them, I don't let anyone in. Nobody. Nobody has been important enough to me. Until now. Please don't shut down on me, Jeff. I don't think I could stand it." Nick said, pain obvious in his voice.

"Ya know what? I have no plan to shut down on you. I like you. I'm here with YOU, not your dad, not his company, not his henchmen. You. But Nicky? I can't keep my eyes open anymore. Can we take a nap or something?"

"Absolutely….I didn't want to suggest that… I didn't want you to think I was trying to….to get you…to um….yeah." Nick blushed again, hiding his eyes shyly. "Ok…..let me give you the tour and you can tell me where you will feel most comfortable resting, yes?"

"Sounds good." Jeff muttered, grinning.

"Ok, so through here is the kitchen…..back here, behind the kitchen we have the den, and this is where I work when I do work at home, which isn't often because it's kinda too quiet to work here. Down here is the hallway that swings you back around to the living room that we were in or if you curve around here, the stairs go up to the other three bedrooms upstairs...which are currently beautifully furnished with top of the line furniture which has never been used or slept on." He laughed nervously. Jeff raised his eyebrows in awe.

"Over here is a bathroom….down here is the guest room. My music stuff is all in this room…" he began, until Jeff sauntered in and grabbed a guitar Nick seldom used. He wasn't all that good on the bass yet. Jeff, however, picked it up and rambled off notes like a pro and Nick stood transfixed, staring in awe at the beautiful man before him. When Jeff looked up he found Nick gaping at him.

"Did I not mention I play bass?" he said bashfully.

"No, it seems you failed to mention that little detail. That was SICK!" Nick said, laughing. Jeff just blushed again.

"Ok, lead on" Jeff said, setting the guitar down in its rack.

"This is my room…." Nick said, standing back and letting Jeff enter the room first.

"Ho-ly shit, man…" Jeff breathed out. "What the actual hell do you DO in here besides sleep?" Jeff said, turning in circles taking in the whole room. The bedroom was almost bigger than Jeff and David's whole apartment.

The space was done in navy and beige with cream accents. It was as masculine as anything he'd ever seen, but it was quite obvious there had been a woman in here with influence over some of the finer points...plants...artwork...accessories...linens. Two of the 'walls' were floor to ceiling windows. There was a huge, wooden cabinet that probably held folded clothing across from the doorway. He saw a sofa and a chaise lounge near the windows that looked out over a park. The view was nothing short of stunning. A fireplace in the corner had the most beautiful carved mantle he'd ever seen. Across from the end of the bed, hanging on the wall, was a massive t.v. Beams in the ceiling drew the eye up to a point where a fabulous chandelier hung over the bed. The art on the walls was clearly expensive, and Jeff took his time examining each piece thoroughly, even reaching out to touch the pieces if he was able to.

"Jesus, Nick, is this a –"

"Um….yeah…it's….Jeff….…..it was a gift, from my parents when I graduated from college…it's really not my taste, actually, but….." Nick stumbled over his own words, clearly embarrassed by the obviously expensive painting. He moved his hand up to scratch the back of his neck, uncomfortable, the other hand still in his pants pocket.

"Nicky, when guys graduate from college, they get a trip, or a party or….or a car or something. In my case, I got a notice from the bank about student loans." He laughed. "Normal people don't get multimillion dollar Monet paintings!"

"I'm sure it isn't worth that much, Jeff..." Nick began.

"Yeah...babe, it is. Believe me. I was an art and theater major, remember?" Jeff teased.

"Let's move on, shall we?" Nick said, clearly uncomfortable. Jeff just shook his head, still wide eyed. "Over there is the ensuite bath…..there's probably…somewhere in there….in a drawer…..new toothbrush…whatever. You're welcome to ….yeah….really nerve wracking here, Jeff. Say something?" Nick stuttered out.

Jeff just grinned and walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, sinking down into the softest mattress he'd ever felt. He let out a moan that was clearly his way of saying he could truly get used to this mattress and layed back on the bed. Nick stood stock still, unable to believe the noises that were coming from Jeff, and equally unable to control things that were going on in his briefs. Jeff was sprawled out on his back, arms raised above his head, eyes closed. Nick was near to hyperventilating, his eyes wanting to roll back in his head or droop closed…he wasn't sure which. He knew his mouth was hanging open, and he was pretty sure at some point he'd started to outright drool over the beauty that was splayed out before him on his bed.

"Jeff…" he whined, voice wrecked and catching so it sounded like he was going through puberty again.

"Mmmhmmmmmmm?" Jeff said, tiredly.

"Do you….I can….if you…." He began.

"Spit it out, Nicky. I'm too tired to sit up and decipher it" Jeff laughed.

"You can stay here. I'll um….I'll just…the sofa will be fine if…"

"Nope….." Jeff said, patting the bed beside him. "Share? Is that weird for you? I can take the sofa…" Jeff started to say.

"No! No, not weird at all. Ok, if you're….yeah." Nick sat on the bed, stiffly, then sort of fell over on his side, afraid to get too near to Jeff.

"Mr. Duval, you're much more articulate via text message." Jeff laughed.

Nick's eyes were fixed on Jeff's belly button, which was showing from under his shirt. The shirt had risen up when Jeff raised his hands over his head and stretched out, groaning with fatigue.

"It's hard to put words together when your mind is jumbled with lust, Jeffie" Nick whispered, wanting nothing more at that moment then to lean down and ...and...oh God, no. Not yet. Get a grip on yourself, Nick!

"Lust, is it? Well, we'll just have to do something about that, won't we?" Jeff said, rolling over toward Nick. He lifted his hand to run his long fingers through Nick's hair, and smiled, eyes closed. He pulled Nick in for a soft kiss, their noses touching, and smiled into the kiss. The softness gave way to hungry kisses, lips searching, tasting, licking... small moans of pleasure sneaking out now and then. Jeff's fingers were on Nick's face, his jaw, back into his hair.

"Jesus….you're perfect, Nicky….just wanna taste you….more….." Jeff mumbled.

Nick pulled back and knew his heart rate was probably dangerously high. Jeff, on the other hand, looked almost sated, although he knew from the bulge still in his jeans that he wasn't….not yet.

"Jeffie? How 'bout a nap?"

"Hmmm? No…..wanna…..taste you….touch you…."he whispered, clearly half asleep already.

"After you get some sleep, maybe?" Nick offered, almost unable to speak. .

"Mmm hmmmm…...m'kay." Jeff sighed, drifting off. Nick snickered, pulled a light blanket over the two of them and after watching Jeff sleep for a few minutes, he drifted off with him.