A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I'm sorry it took so long to update. I've been a little busy. I'm trying to be better about this again. So, if this generates interest I'll try and post by the weekend.

Thanks again Kate. You are wonderful.

Chapter Sixteen

A few weeks had passed and Rosa had finished moving into Marco's house. Marco was enjoying having Rosa around.

Dylan was almost back to one hundred percent, and was beginning to feel amorous again. His main problem now was no one would leave them alone while at his house. So he began to conjure up a plan to be alone with Marco for an entire night.

Marco was sitting in his sitting room when Rosa bounded into the room. "Whatcha watchin?" asked Rosa.

Marco smiled up at her, "CSI".

"Aren't you supposed to be doing homework?" she asked, trying to sound stern.

"No, I'm already done, Mom!" said Marco.

"Don't be a smart ass," Rosa teased.

"Better to be a smart ass than a dumb ass," retorted Marco.

Rosa stood up, laughing, "I have a date tonight and won't be home until late."

"See you later. Oh, and I hope that's not what you're wearing. You look easy!"

Rosa laughed, "Maybe I want to look easy."

With his laughter following her out, she sashayed out the door.

The moment Marco heard her car start, he was on the phone.

"Hey honey. How are you feeling?" asked Marco.

"Honestly, horny but otherwise, I'm fine," replied Dylan. "What's up?"

"I think I can solve your problem. Rosa went on a date and I'm here all alone. You want to keep me company?" asked Marco slyly.

Dylan grinned broadly, "I'll be there very soon." Dylan said it with such determination that Marco chuckled as they hung up the phones.

Dylan made it to Marco's in 20 minutes. The teens didn't waste any time and headed straight for the bedroom. Clothes went flying, hands started stroking, lips kissing, and two extremely aroused teens finally together after almost 2 months.

Marco sighed as he slid into Dylan. Dylan groaned his satisfaction back at him.

"Not that I don't love you but I missed this." Marco admitted.

"Me too. Now shut up and make love to me." Dylan groaned as he adjusted his position.

Marco chuckled but quickly obeyed Dylan's command.

Marco curled into Dylan's chest once they were satisfied. He lightly began to stroke Dylan's abs, ribs and pecs.

Dylan fairly purred at the attention he was receiving. He wrapped his arms tightly around Marco and purely enjoyed Marco being back in his arms, right where he should be.

Dylan sighed with contentment after a few minutes.

Marco thought he'd hurt Dylan and tried to move off of him but Dylan tightened his hold. "You aren't going anywhere," growled Dylan playfully.

Marco chuckled, "I thought I had hurt you. Sorry for caring." This was laced with sarcasm.

The couple laid together, chatting amicably about nothing of importance for about an hour when Marco started laughing.

"What's so funny?" asked Dylan suspiciously.

Marco started giggling harder, "Well, I feel something stirring once again. I guess your body's trying to tell me that you're fit enough to play again."

Dylan grinned, "I am willing to prove that I want to play again."

Marco's eyebrows shot up as Dylan picked him up and positioned Marco where he wanted him.

It was Dylan who sighed this time at the feeling of sliding slowly into Marco. This is where he wanted and loved to be more than almost anything.

Marco groaned in pleasure as Dylan started a smooth, easy rhythm.

They finished almost simultaneously. Marco got up and walked carefully into the bathroom.

Marco's bedroom door opened and Rosa poked her head in. She looked at Dylan in question, "Okay. I give. Where's my ward?"

Dylan blushed deeply, "Bathroom."

Rosa shook her head in disbelief as she fully entered the room. She looked at Dylan as she crossed to the bathroom door. She knocked lightly, "You might want to put on something before coming out. We need to talk." At least she was laughing about the situation.

Dylan heard Marco curse loudly behind the closed door. He was watching Rosa pacing the length of the room. "Great outfit. How was your date?"

Rosa laughed as she looked down at her outfit; a black leather miniskirt, a red silk halter top and thigh high leather boots. "Marco said I look easy. My date was less than spectacular. Actually, it wasn't even mediocre."

Dylan watched her every move as he continued his questioning, "So, what made the date so horrible?"

"The guy was more interested in hockey stats than in me. He seems to know who you are, though." Rosa admitted reluctantly.

Dylan looked worried, yet astonished, "How did I come up on your date?"

"He brought you up as a potential star for his favorite college team. I wasn't about to tell him you're dating my cousin." Rosa told him.

Dylan chuckled lightly, "Makes sense to me. So, no second date?"

Rosa laughed, "Surely you jest. I wouldn't repeat this date ever."

Dylan was laughing as Marco exited the bathroom with a towel draped around his waist. Marco looked from Dylan to Rosa and back again, "What did I miss?"

Dylan looked at Marco as he slid back into bed, "Rosa's date was more interested in me than in her."

Rosa burst out laughing at the choice of phrasing for her date.

Marco was sufficiently confused, "How does he know you?"

Rosa thought it best to fill in the blanks, "He doesn't exactly. Just the stats and he's seen him play. I conveniently forgot to mention that Dylan's dating my ward."

Marco finally caught up and started laughing, "And then, you'd never get rid of him."

Rosa groaned, "Ugh! God forbid. I'm seriously considering changing my cell phone number because of this date."

Dylan yawned, "As long as you have a plan."

Marco nodded toward the door, hinting for her to leave.
Rosa slid off the bed, "I guess Dylan's staying then. I'd tell you to behave but I seem to be a little late for that, so I'll leave you with be careful. He's still on the mend." Rosa stated pointing to Dylan.

Marco nodded, "Yes, mama."

Rosa laughed good-naturedly as she shut the door behind her.

Dylan fell asleep rather quickly after cuddling back up with Marco.

Marco watched him sleep. He couldn't help but reflect on the last few months. He'd almost lost him. Not once but twice. The thing that disturbed him the most was it was due to his own choices once. Had he actually chosen to leave, Marco felt he could be declared the dumbest person on the planet, maybe the universe. He settled in to sleep, secure in the knowledge that he'd never leave Dylan.

Marco got up early the next morning to make breakfast.

About 20 minutes after Marco left the bed, Dylan felt the bed dip down again. He figured Marco had returned.

In Dylan's sleep fogged mind, something wasn't exactly right. He couldn't quite figure it out but he felt as though the person in bed with him wasn't Marco. Still, he couldn't bring himself to wake up to figure out who was taking such liberties.

Dylan couldn't quite bring himself to curl away from the warmth the other person was providing either but he didn't cuddle up either.

Marco entered the room a few minutes later and saw Dylan in bed with someone else. After the initial shock wore off, he blurted out, "What in the hell are you doing in bed with my boyfriend?"

Dylan jerked awake and stared at Marco across the room. 'Who is next to me if he's over there?' He looked over and stared in confusion.

The other person started laughing, "Figured I'd start your day off with a shock. Boyfriend here didn't seem to notice it wasn't you."

"I knew something wasn't right but I was still too tired to care." Dylan said in his defense.

"Quick question, why are you here?" asked Marco of his uninvited guest.

He laughed, "Needed to see Dylan."

"Yeah, but couldn't you wait until he got dressed?" inquired Marco.

Their guest smiled, "NO, I prefer him to be naked and vulnerable."

This caught the other two teen completely off guard. Causing one to laugh and the other to stare in shock.

Dylan leaned over and kissed the offender on the cheek, "Chad, I love you. You're priceless."

Chad grinned broadly, "You being naked and you're boyfriend's on the other side of the room, you might want to cease on the kissing." He might get jealous or an interesting show."

Marco rolled his eyes, "Whatever. You staying for breakfast?"

"Yeah sure. Is the hot cousin joining us?" asked Chad curiously.

"No, Rosa had a rough night and will be sleeping in. I should tell Paige." Marco threatened.

"Tell Paige what?" inquired Paige from the doorway.

"When did you get here?" asked Dylan.

"Came with Chad. I've been in Marco's sitting room but got bored. Please tell me my boyfriend's not in bed with my naked brother?" implored Paige of Marco.

Marco nodded, "Yes, Dylan's naked. Chad won't let him get dressed."

"Wow! That is so wrong on various levels." Paige said, clearly disturbed.

"So, what's up?" asked Marco.

"Dylan." Replied Chad.

"Ugh. More than I needed to know. It really frightens me that you know that," exclaimed Paige.

The three teen boys started laughing at her.

Dylan chuckled, "Okay, whoever doesn't want to see me naked needs to leave. I'm getting up now."

Paige laughed, "Well, that's my cue to leave. Coming, Chad?"

Chad smiled, "No, I wanna see Dylan naked." He waggled his eyebrows at his friend.

Paige raised her eyebrows, "No hun. Wrong Michalchuk."

Marco tried to stifle his laughter as he said, "Can you even fathom how wrong that is and on how many different levels?"

Dylan started laughing so hard his ribs began to hurt again, "Okay. Ouch! Everyone who isn't Marco, OUT!"

Paige and Chad walked out of the room, still laughing and conversing together.

Marco propped a hip against his dresser and watched Dylan carefully slide out of bed. "By the way you're moving, I'd say we overdid it. Are you okay?"

Dylan glanced over at Marco as he withdrew a pair of boxers and jeans from "his drawer". "I'm a little sore but nothing major. Don't look at me like that," as Marco gave him a reproachful yet concerned look.

Marco smiled slightly, "I'm merely concerned. You know how much you mean to me."

Dylan had finished dressing and approached Marco. He placed his hands on either side of Marco's hips, trapping him against the dresser. "I know and I love you too. I also appreciate your concern, however unnecessary. Now, I'm not sure why but I'm starving. Oh wait, I worked off everything I've eaten the last few days."

Marco chuckled lightly at his reference to the prior nights activities.

"Come on and let's get breakfast." Dylan said holding out his hand to Marco.

Marco smiled and took it, pulling Dylan out of the bedroom. They entered the kitchen and found Rosa leaning against the counter, warily eyeing Chad.

"What are you doing up?" asked Marco.

"Couldn't sleep," replied Rosa, still watching Chad.

"Chad, stop staring at my cousin. Rosa, Chad's harmless," said Marco, trying to smooth some ruffled feathers.

"Sorry for staring but you're beautiful." Chad said in way of an apology.

Paige smacked him lightly on the shoulder, "What am I? Chopped liver?"

Chad smiled at her, "No, you're the one I prefer but I couldn't help but appreciate her beauty as well."

Marco and Dylan rolled their eyes at Chad's lame attempt to remove himself from trouble.

Thankfully the phone chose that moment to ring.

Marco answered it and found it was Dylan's mom. "Hi Mrs. Michalchuk. Yes ma'am both of your children are here. Okay, just one second." Marco turned from the phone and held it out to Dylan, "She wants to speak to you."

Dylan winced and grabbed the phone, "Hi, mom. Yes. No. I know. We will. I do. I have. Okay, love you too. Bye Mom."

Dylan hung up the phone and turned to Paige, "You should've left a note when you left. Mom's worried about you. She knew where I was because I told her but you forgot to inform her. Now, we have to head straight home after breakfast and stay there all day."

Paige looked at him with puppy dog eyes, "I'm sorry. You know that we'll be free by 4 if you irritate them enough."

Dylan rolled his eyes, "I can't wait to go to college."

Marco looked away from the display in sadness. He wasn't quite ready to lose Dylan.

Dylan saw the change in Marco and threw him a questioning glance.

Marco shook his head, signaling he didn't want to discuss it and kept cooking.

After breakfast, Chad left to go shopping for Paige's birthday and Rosa went to work.

Dylan and Paige helped Marco clean up the dishes before heading for their house.

When they were almost done, the doorbell rang. Marco looked at his boyfriend and friend in confusion. "Wonder who that could be?"

"Only one way to find out," said Paige heading for the front door.

Marco started to trail behind her but was stopped when Dylan put a hand on his arm.

"What was the mood shift earlier?" asked Dylan simply.

"The mention of college got me realizing our time is almost up," replied Marco with stark honesty.

Dylan turned away from Marco and the door as he mulled over the implications that this had for him and for Marco. He heard Paige's footsteps on the tile floor but refused to turn around.

Marco looked at Paige in question, "Who was at the door?"

Paige shrugged, "You tell me, he said he was a relative." She pointed over her shoulder at the man walking through the kitchen door.

Marco groaned, "What are you doing here?"

"Came to see my favorite cousin. Where's Rosa?" asked the intruder.

"At work so you can leave now. I know I don't want to see you and I'm sure no one else here does either," exclaimed Marco rudely.

Dylan's back stiffened as the intruder replied, "I wouldn't be so sure of that. Why don't we ask the other people here?"

Dylan's shoulder's slumped, "I know I don't want you here. You really need to leave, Chris."

Chris feigned being hurt, "I'm wounded. I was hoping we could be friends."

Paige was looking between the three boys with complete confusion, "Hi, I'm Paige. How do you know my brother?"

Marco turned to look at her, "Paige, this is my cousin, Chris. He kissed your brother years ago and decided to pursue him at my grandmother's funeral, seeing as how he finally decided he's gay."

"Wow! Bitter much, hun." Paige said with some sarcasm.

"No, disgusted." Marco said as he pulled her from the room, "He doesn't come around for years even though he only lives an hour away. He decides it's time to visit when he finds out I'm dating the one guy that he wants more than anything."

Paige looked taken aback at Marco's verbal tirade. "Marco, get in there and kick your cousin out. He's up to no good being alone with Dylan."

Marco walked back into the kitchen to see Chris kissing Dylan.

Dylan was trapped against the counter, trying to fight off Chris. Normally, he could over power someone of Chris' size and build but with his ribs still hurting after the intense workout from the previous night, it was not a viable option.

Marco put his hand on Chris' shoulder and pulled him away, "Get. Out. Of. My. House. NOW!"

Chris rolled his eyes at Marco, "This isn't over Dylan. I'll see you later."

Paige glared at him as he passed by. She wanted to trip him.

Marco looked at Dylan, "Guess it's time for you to get home. Put some ice on your ribs, please."

Dylan nodded and leaned down to kiss his lover.

Marco tilted his head to receive the kiss and then walked Paige and Dylan to the front door.

"I'll call you later." Dylan said as he crossed the threshold.

Marco smiled sadly at him. "I love you. Drive carefully."

Dylan nodded again and followed Paige to the car.

Marco shut the door and leaned against it. He felt defeated. He felt like he'd been strung through the wringer. His emotional health was teetering on the edge of a very high cliff. He couldn't explain his melancholy but it was very real. He wandered up to his sitting room to ponder all the thoughts that were ricocheting through his brain.

If Dylan chooses a college too far away, we'll have to break up. I can't handle a long distance relationship. He'll have too many temptations and I won't have enough. He'll forget about me. I'll be stuck here and he'll be living his life. This really sucks!

Marco's internal thoughts came to a screeching halt when the phone began to ring. He stared at it in disgust. He shook his head as he looked at the caller id before answering the phone.

"Hey, Dylan."

"Hey. I've got two college meetings tomorrow during school."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I'm kinda nervous."

"You'll do fine."

"Are you mad at me?"

"No."

"You seem snippy."

"No, I'm fine. Just thinking."

"Oh, well then I'll let you go."

"Okay. Love you."

"Love you too, Marco. See you in the morning."

"Yep."

Marco hung up the phone and stared down at it. For some odd reason, it felt like the beginning of the end.

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