Sorry about the short chapter. Finals, writer's block, the change in storylines on Gaia, and the obnoxious thing called life keeps getting in the way of me writing. Not to mention I'm never in the write state of mind when I want to write. Many apologies on the delay in the update, and I hope it was worth the wait. If it doesn't sound like my style, that's mainly because I was having mental constipation and had to force this chapter out.

Chapter 12: Little Secrets

The Marketplace was bustling with thousands of users preparing for Christmas days away, searching for questing items for friends, family, or themselves at discount prices. And even the NPCs of Gaia managed to escape their stores and storylines for a day of shopping. Well...almost all the NPCs.

Ian sighed miserably, letting himself lay miserably on his miserable counter in his miserable store. The year just hadn't been his year, and the past month had made him want to close up shop and become a poll whore at the forums. Poll whores have respect, he thought. And they're practically invisible. Like me. They have no worries and make a killing! And I'm sure poll whores don't have yaoi triable problems.

He didn't sit up as the bells of the door jingled at someone's entry. Ian heard Rufus leap from his spot, purring on the visitor's shoulder as a hand petted him. "Ian?"

The shopkeeper sat up quickly. "Gino!" He looked surprised. "You're here!"

Gino smiled. "Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well..." Ian's face saddened. "I figured I'd be the last person you'd want to see because of what I did..."

The blonde shook his head, smiling still. "Ian...I told you I love you...I'd always love you...even if you did something horrible to me, I'd always love you."

"Gino..." Ian looked stunned. "I don't know what to say..."

He gathered Ian's hands in his, amber eyes pleading. "Say you still love me," Gino begged. "Say you never meant to hurt me...and that you love me for who I am."

Ian kissed perfect lips and smiled at Gino. "Gino...I love you with all my heart and soul..." His eyes betrayed his sadness.

"But you also love Liam..." Gino said, smile unwavering. Ian gave him a surprised look. The blonde laughed a bit. "Ian, I feel the same. I love you so much...but I love Liam as well..." He smiled softly, his fingers grazing over the back of Ian's hand. "Both of you have saved me...You brought me passion and love...He gave me strength and tenderness..." He shook his head. "It would shatter my soul to have to choose between you two."

"Gino..." Ian pulled him into a loving embrace. He sighed at the almost forgotten feel of the blonde's body against his, even in this innocent way. Gino smiled to himself as well at the hug, pressing the brunette's shoulders to pull him closer. "Do you forgive me...for what I've done?"

"Of course I forgive you," Gino whispered. He laugheda bit, and Ian felt Gino's blush against his neck. "To be honest...I liked it..."

Ian blushed and gave Gino a surprised look. "Y-you did?"

The blonde nodded, smiling shyly. "I felt so...real...so alive...It was...indescribable..." He shook his head. "If given the chance to turn back time and avoid that night, I wouldn't...because I feel it's brought us closer..."

Smiling, Ian kissed Gino's cheek. "Next time, I'll take my time and experiment."

This made Gino giggle and blush darken. Their eyes emt, and the two smiled, thinking the same thought. Together, they leaned in and came together in a warm, gentle kiss. Neither moved to break it or deepen it, enjoying the simple sweetness of the gesture. Ian placed a hand on Gino's neck, stroking the warm skin with a thumb as the kiss continued. Gino's arms held Ian's torso, clinging to him for dear life.

Again the door bells jingled the warning of an observer, but neither took heed. "Okay you two...I'm giving you a five-second warning before I jump in and start getting all touchy-feely-horney on you two." The kiss broke with a laugh from both sides as they turned to face Liam, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. The Aekean went to the two and gave each a kiss on the cheek. "And how are my two little hearts?"

"Dying of boredom," Ian replied, letting go of Gino. "Or, at least, I was before you two got here."

Gino smiled at Liam. "Actually, I'm glad you're here. I wanted to invite you two to a small Christmas party at the mansion. It'll just be us and the other shopkeepers."

Liam pouted. "Aw...do the others have to be there? I was hoping to spend Christmas Eve with only my two loves." He winked at that.

"I don't know..." Ian looked a little concerned. "The last time Gino tried to throw a party, he almost got killed."

"Please?" Gino clasped his hands together and gave the brunette the biggest, wateriest set of amber puppy-eyes he could muster. "It's for Christmas."

Ian felt his will start to slip away at Gino's sudden innocence that screamed, "Screw me now!" The brunette sighed. "Fine..." He smiled. "But only because I feel it'll be safe enough."

Gino smiled and faced Liam. "And you?"

Liam winked. "As long as there's mistletoe."

"Well duh," Gino replied, rolling his eyes. "Why wouldn't there be?"

The Aekean shrugged. "Just making sure."

Nodding, Gino turned to leave. "Alright. I better get going. I still have decorating and preparing to do."

"Later," Ian and Liam called to him. The two watched him go and sighed.

"So..." Liam broke the growing silence. "If we were to ever have a threesome, he'd be between us getting everything?"

Ian laughed a bit, blushing brightly. "I'd much rather have you to myself, but if I have to, I'll share."

"Oh really?" The Aekean asked, suddenly intrigued. "I thought you wouldn't be able to choose and that you love us both equally?"

The brunette guiltily sighed, his gaze going to the counter. "After thinking about it and seeing you two...I realize I can't be equal...I lvoe you more than Gino...You were the one who has been with me the longest, eenw hen you were giving me a hard time before I learned everything. You opened my eyes to true love, to the true power of human emotion...to true passion and devotion..." Ian sighed. "Yes, I love Gino...but not the same way I love you..."

So the tripod has become unbalanced...Liam thought with a smile as he leaned close to Ian. "Truth be told..." The Aekean whispered. "I prefer you over Gino the same way." Ian blushed at Liam's words, and the technician continued speaking. "Gino is young, reckless, still experimenting with his life and love. But you...you are knowing, experienced, matured into an adult..."

Ian found himself concentrating on Liam's lips, soaking in all of his words and what they meant. "But..." Conscience over-ruled growing desire. "Gino...He'll be crushed by this..."

Liam smiled and kissed Ian's lips so lightly, the touch left behind a tingling ghost. "Let's keep this our little secret, then," the Aekean purred.

---

Gino sighed as he looked at the distant ocean in thought, waiting for his guests to arrive. He wore a normal sweater and jeans, slippers covering his feet. The Gambino knew his guests would be casual too, and hoped for a peaceful, noneventful party. He closed his eyes, the moon glowing over the winter world.

"You look troubled," Liam said as he hugged Gino from behind. He smiled when Gino held his arms closer. "What's wrong?"

"Just thinking..." Gino answered with a second sigh. "I just...feel bad..."

"Why?" Liam placed his chin on Gino's shoulder.

"Because...I think..." Gino's voice became a whisper. "I think...I love you more than Ian..." He shook his head. "I mean...You took my first real kiss...You were there for me when I tried suicide...You...haven't hurt me..."

"Shh...It's okay..." Liam kissed his cheek. "And to be honest...I love you more than Ian..."

Gino turned in Liam's arms, hope in his pretty amber eyes. "You...do?" He suddenly looked sad. "But...Ian..."

Liam smiled and kissed Gino's lips, leaving the blonde gasping when he was finished. "Then...this will be our little secret..."