A/N: Sorry it took a week to update. I'm working 80 hours again and have another college class. Anyway, hopefully the updates will be quicker.

Thank you to those of you who reviewed; crazyartgyrl, spider-man-fan, iwish81792, mccurdy,adamo4me, rere04, ocdegrassi, and mo-52.

Man Freakzoid: Absolutely lovely to see you again. You are a trip. Thanks for the hint and the laugh.

Krinklecut: Can't have a homicidal krinklecut on my back…my clients would never forgive me. Here's your update.

Crystal: That's a lot of caps. I guess that means you really like it. Thanks.

Kate: Ahh! I can't remember why you think Scott's evil but that's ok. I hadn't intended it that way but whatever. James is awesome. I modeled him after a professor I had a few years ago. I'll make sure to write something for you to squee over soon.

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Chapter Four

Marco entered James' classroom the next morning to find Dylan already there. He had his hip propped against James' table and the two were busy debating a hockey strategy that was mapped out on the board in front of them.

Marco stood quietly and watched the interaction between student and teacher, coach and player, and most of all between two sports fans. They couldn't seem to see eye to eye on anything that was depicted on that board.

He couldn't help it, he started laughing. Quietly at first and then it got louder until the two men knew they weren't alone any longer.

"What's so funny?" asked James.

"This," replied Marco, waving his hand between the two.

James looked at Dylan and raised an eyebrow. Dylan was trying to hold back his laughter but it wasn't working, "I'm lost. Care to clue the teacher in?"

Marco slid into his desk and took a deep breath, "Dylan used to fight with our coach like that in high school. Armstrong would go round for round with him on baseball, hockey, soccer, and even swimming lane rotations. It was hysterical. I see history repeats itself."

Dylan's eyes danced with laughter, "Yes it normally does. The scary thing, I was normally right about our debates."

Marco nodded in affirmation, "He was right, most of the time. That drove Armstrong nuts. Last year, I seemed to channel Dylan during soccer because I started doing it."

Dylan laughed loudly, "I can't believe Marco Del Rossi managed to irritate a teacher. You are the golden boy of schools."

"You'd know, wouldn't you."

James started to feel uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation. "So, are you ready for the first assignment?"

Marco nodded and Dylan groaned.

"You are such a brown-noser. James doesn't really need you to be excited over this, it just gives him a big head," said Dylan jovially.

Marco looked over at where Dylan slid into the desk next to him and then at James, "Excuse me a minute." Marco reached out and hit Dylan on the shoulder, "Shut up. I'm always excited about literature."

Dylan smirked, "Yeah, I remember the day you finished War and Peace for the third time. You don't hear me complaining."

James looked between the two, "Wait a minute, back up…you've read War and Peace three times?"

Marco nodded, "Yeah. It's a great book."

James shook his in amazement, "Do you know it took me three years to read it in college and I haven't had the urge to pick it up again."

Marco laughed, "That's great. I haven't met anyone else who's managed to read it once."

Other students started to pile in the room. James looked up at the students, "Ah a new day. New students to terrorize…"

Marco and Dylan collapsed into giggles and James rubbed his hands together like an evil villain with a plan.

James tried to give them a stern look but it made the two laugh even harder at him. He gave up and started the class with a roll of his eyes.

"Okay class. Your first project is one of my favorites. It's going to take an enormous amount of teamwork and time. In other words, I hope you like your partner because you will be seeing him or her a lot over the next three weeks."

Marco and Dylan looked at each other.

Marco wondered what Dylan was thinking about and Dylan was wondering the same thing.

Marco turned his attention back to James, still thinking of Dylan. How am I supposed to survive the next three weeks working intimately close with Dylan? How can he sit here and stare at me like that and not expect it to affect me? He is just too cute. I can't do this. He's with Scott now. My chance is gone.

With a huge sigh, Marco tuned back into James' description of the project.

Dylan continued to stare at Marco after he turned back to James. I get to work this close with him for three weeks. Late night study sessions in his house. Cuddling close on the couch over a book. He slaps my hands away when they roam like they used to do. I want him so bad I can taste it but he refuses to have anything to do with me. Not that I blame him, I am dating Scott. Scott, sweet, funny, kind, cute…but he's still not Marco.

Dylan came back to the real world as James was finishing his instructions on the project.

Marco was smiling his little smile that he used to use when he had a terrific idea for something. The last time Dylan had seen it was the night before graduation when Marco thought of the idea to set Chad up about not graduating. Marco made a fake report card and told him he couldn't graduate, having to repeat his senior year. Chad was devastated at first, then extremely pissed when he found it was a joke and now, it's funny.

James dismissed the class and watched as all but two of his students piled out of the classroom. "Is there something else I can do for you boys?"

Marco looked up, "No, I didn't feel like getting in the middle of the rush to leave the class. I don't know why he's still here." Marco responded pointing at Dylan.

Dylan stood, "I was waiting for Marco. I want to know what his plan is for this project. He's already got something cooking in that brain of his." At James' questioning glance, Dylan continued, "Whenever Marco would get an idea about anything, he'd get this cute, little smile on his face. He had it when you were describing the project."

James nodded his understanding and picked up his briefcase. "That's wonderful and I can't wait to hear it but now I've got to go. Coaches meeting before practice today. See you in thirty on the ice, Dylan."

"Right, Coach." Dylan said smartly, as he mock saluted him.

James laughed his way out of the classroom, followed closely by the two younger men.

Dylan went to hockey practice and Marco went to the gym. Mainly, Marco wanted to work off some of the nervous energy that he felt around Dylan. He knew it was ridiculous to be nervous, after all, it was only Dylan. Dylan, his ex-lover, best friend, the love of his life, and once Marco hoped, husband.

Marco jumped on the treadmill after changing his clothes and began to run furiously. He needed something mindless to help clear these thoughts from his head. He'd run for almost thirty minutes when he noticed someone watching him.

Marco watched the stranger in the mirror for a few minutes while stretching out. The guy in question walked toward Marco with a small grin on his face.

Marco started to tense as the man grew closer.

To put him at ease the guy held out a hand to Marco, "Hi, I'm Braden. I couldn't help but notice you seem a little angry."

Marco smiled, "Marco…not angry. I'm trying to outrun some demons."

Braden got an impish grin with a matching twinkle in his green eyes, "Just a hint," he whispered conspiratorially, "running on that thing doesn't take you anywhere. Your demons can still catch you."

It took Marco a second to laugh. When he started, he couldn't seem to stop. It was just so ridiculous. "Thanks for the advice. I'll remember that next time. So what do you do when your demons come knocking?"

Braden looked thoughtful for a moment, "Hide in the closet?"

"I got rid of the closet a few years ago. I don't intend to go back in," responded Marco honestly. It took a minute to remember what he'd said and then his eyes got really wide. "I…"

Braden waved his hand as he doubled over with laughter, "I didn't know you were gay. I had a suspicion but thanks for confirming it for me."

"I've got to go. I need to…" started a very anxious Marco.

"No, wait. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you. You just turned my closet reference into a joke so quickly that it startled me. For what it's worth, I shed my closet last year," Braden said, in way of an apology.

The more Marco looked at Braden, the more he liked him. The dark black hair, slightly messy with blonde tips and his bright green eyes seemed to suit his pale complexion.

"You want to get changed and grab a cup of coffee?" inquired Braden.

Marco smiled slightly, "Yeah, that sounds good."

The two went and changed, meeting outside the locker room.

"There's this great coffee shop two blocks south of campus. I walk by it when I have to work." Braden said leading the way off campus.

Marco nodded, "The Bean Grind, I drive by it or walk by it every morning. I live just south of it."

"It has the best coffee in town. Great atmosphere, too. As a young gay guy in town, this was my refuge."

Braden and Marco walked to the coffee shop, chatting about the weather and the surrounding area. Braden mentioned he was a waiter at the steakhouse down the street. Marco admitted to never having, nor needing, a job.

After the coffee was ordered and placed in front of them, they chose a cozy corner table near the back. It was a little more secluded and definitely less noisy.

"What brings you to Boston U?" asked Braden.

"A journalism program and an ex-boyfriend," Marco said, cringing.

Braden laughed, "Ex? Not present?"

"No, and doesn't look like a future either." Marco admitted reluctantly.

Braden raised his eyebrows in interest, "So, you're flying solo. Interesting prospect, since I am too. Want to see a movie sometime? Like tonight?"

Marco looked at him questioningly, "You move quickly. Yeah, I'd like that." Marco nodded with assuredness.

Braden cracked a grin, "Good. Meet me here at 6, then? We can go to see whatever you want and then maybe grab a late dinner. I really want to go home and take a shower if I'm going to be sitting next to you in the dark for two hours."

Marco smiled, "See you here at 6."

The two separated company in front of the coffee shop. Marco walked back to his house, while Braden walked to his dorm.

Marco felt kind of excited, nauseous, and worried all rolled into a huge ball. It was his first date since Dylan. He was a nervous wreck. He changed clothes five times, fixed his hair six times and even debated over which cologne to put on.

At quarter to six, Marco jumped into his convertible and drove the five blocks north to the coffee shop. He parked out front and found Braden waiting for him at an outside table.

"I was beginning to think you were standing me up. Nice car, by the way."

Marco made a show of looking at his watch. "It's not even 6 yet. Thanks, it was a Christmas present from my parents."

"Is there anything you want to see?" asked Braden.

Marco nodded as he led his way to the car, "I will see almost anything."

Braden smiled, "How about White Noise? I heard it was really freaky."

Marco grinned slightly, "Sure. Fair warning, horror flicks freak me out. I might end up in your lap before the night is over."

"Looks like this is going to be a better first date than I originally expected," said Braden with a wry smile.

Marco smiled at him as he started the car and headed for the cinema. Marco paid for the tickets and Braden for the soda and popcorn.

They sat in one of the last rows and were whispering back and forth until the lights dimmed.

Braden braved a hand on Marco's knee within the first ten minutes of the movie.

Marco smiled over at him and put his hand on top of Braden's.

Braden leaned over and whispered in Marco's ear after the first time he jumped, "Know what I love about AMC theaters? The armrests fold up."

Marco smiled and moved to let Braden push it back. He cuddled up next to Braden and watched the movie again.

They finished the movie with Marco's head buried in Braden's neck.

Braden smiled as the lights slowly came back on, "I thinks it's okay now. The bad movie is gone." He stroked a hand down Marco's hair.

Marco sat up and grinned sheepishly. "I'm a wimp. These things scare the living daylights out of me but I can't say no to a cute guy and a terrifying movie."

The two exited the theater together, holding hands. Neither realized they had taken such a familiarity until they went to separate.

Marco blushed lightly and looked at Braden shyly as the look was returned.

Braden shook his head, "I can't help it. It's going to happen sooner or later." Braden pulled Marco to him and leaned his head down. He placed a gentle kiss on his lips and pulled away.

Marco, visibly swayed, shook his head to clear it. He smiled at the taller boy, "I'm not that hungry. How about we get some more coffee?"

Braden nodded and walked around the hood of Marco's car to get in the passenger seat.

Marco had to park a block away from the shop but the two didn't seem to mind. It gave them more time alone, in the dark, and a reason to hold hands longer. Braden even stole a few kisses while walking.

Marco opened the door to the coffee shop and watched as Braden walked inside. He looked around as he came in and noticed the place was packed.

Braden held out his hand and pulled Marco up to the counter to order.

Marco felt someone staring at him as he waited for his coffee. He turned and looked around the shop again. In the corner, he saw Scott and Dylan. Dylan was staring at him intently. Marco noted he seemed angry or maybe hurt.

Scott saw Marco and waved him over. Braden noticed the gesture, "Friends of yours?"

Marco nodded, "Classmates and project partners. Looks like I should go say hello."

They threaded their way through the maze of tables and stopped next to Dylan and Scott.

"Hi, Dylan, Scott. This is Braden. Braden, Dylan and Scott." Marco said making all necessary introductions.

Scott stood up, "Please sit with us. The place is so crowded I don't think you'll find anywhere else."

Braden nodded his agreement and sat down. Marco reluctantly followed his lead and sat next to Dylan.

Dylan couldn't tear his eyes off of Marco holding Braden's hand.

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