AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Okay, I might be flying under the radar here, though I don't know how. I will continue to post here and on AO3 for as long as I can. When/if I am forced to complete the relocation you can find me at - archiveofourown ~dot~ org. Then just do a search for Jtrue.
Much thanks to both Liz and Kate for their suggestions, guidance and clean up. I send huge smooches to you both.
This book runs more or less concurrently with Enticements & Obstructions by OhJasperMyJasper, and picks up after chapter 13. Events depicted herein are tied into the lives of the central characters from my other book Culture Shock, that take place after chapter 24. If you have not read those, some of what you read here might leave you a bit lost.
As ever, giant hugs to my girls Maureen and Rebecca.
Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions, or Enticements & Obstructions, all by OhJasperMyJasper, should go do so right now. Here is how you find them since the FF witch hunt removed Liz from this site - ohjaspermyjasper ~dot~ blogspot ~dot~ com.
WARNING:
This story is intended for an adult audience! There is crude speech, hate speech and adult sexual subject matter of a homosexual nature. If you are under 18 stop reading now!
AU/AH/OC/Non Magical
All characters from Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling. I just take them out and play with them.
There are actual Arsenal football club players as characters in this book. Real People. Much as I would like to, I do not know them. I do not know anything about them. Their personalities and sexual orientations, as depicted herein, are entirely fictional. I only know their names, what they do and where they come from. Their families, spouses, or children, if any, are entirely fictional and made up by me.
All characters from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. I just play with them too.
Chapter 8: Friends in Need
Viktor led his partner by the hand out onto the patio where a bucket with champagne on ice stood to one side. Two flutes and a cling filmed plate of dark and white chocolate covered strawberries waited on the small table.
"What's this?" Greg observed. "I thought I heard you on the phone."
"Is for you," Viktor gestured.
"What for?" Greg asked.
"Is because," Viktor pulled Greg to him and put his arms around his partner's waist, "tomorrow we go to Varna. It mean so much to me when Helena, and especially you, come home with me. All my family together. It mean very much to me."
"Vik," Greg put a hand to the lightly goateed face, "we're a family. Where you go, we go. The sweetest, most beautiful man, I have," he gave his partner a soft, loving kiss on his lips.
"I open champagne now," Viktor smiled and let go of Greg.
"I'll unwrap the strawberries, shall I?" Greg picked up the plate as Viktor pulled the bottle from it's icy bath. "Oh, I hope that doesn't wake her."
"Oh," Viktor had not considered that. He stepped into the grass and around the dividing wall to the next room. As it was good champagne and very cold, it made only a small pop. Viktor stepped back to the table and poured.
"Vik, dom?" Greg asked.
"No say you not worth it," Viktor shut him up. He handed Greg a flute. "To my family, my partner and our daughter, the reason I am happiest man on planet."
"My very thoughts," Greg said as they clinked their glasses together and took a sip. Viktor took hold of Greg by the back of his neck and pulled him in for sweet and lingering kiss.
"Strawberry?" Greg asked with a smile as Viktor released him.
"I feed you strawberry. Sit down," Viktor picked up one that had been dipped in white chocolate as he knew that to be Greg's favorite and fed it to his seated lover. He took the other chair and they sat together gazing out over the nighttime lawn and forest.
"This was a lovely bit of a surprise, you big, romantic footballer, you," Greg took a sip. Viktor just smiled back. He reached over to hold Greg's hand while they enjoyed the quiet night.
Until Greg's cell rang. He fished it out of his pocket. "Oh, it's Ashok," Greg read the display. He touched the button to answer and put the phone to his ear, "Hi, Ashok."
"Greg?" came the tentative and unmistakable voice.
"It's me, Ashok. Is everything all right?" Greg was concerned by Ashok's tone.
"I do not really know. I am worried, Greg. I am so sorry to bother you. I know you and Helena are with Viktor," Ashok apologized.
"You're not bothering us. Don't ever think that. What's going on, Ashok?" Greg pressed.
"It is Rick. He left for work this morning and he said that he was going to see H this afternoon," Ashok began.
"Right. I knew that. Is he not home?" Greg looked to Viktor with a worried expression.
"No," Ashok answered. "I have not heard from him. I asked this morning if I should make dinner for us and he said yes, he would be home at the usual time, but that was hours ago. I thought he might be angry if I called and disturbed him. I just do not know what to do. I do not know if I should be afraid. I thought you might know. Is this normal, Greg?"
"It's not, actually. But let's not panic just yet. I'll give him a ring and see what's holding him up, alright? Keep your phone by you, Ashok," Greg bid.
"I will. I am here at home. I am not going anywhere," Ashok advised.
"Right. I'll ring you back shortly," Greg touched the button to end the call.
"What going on?" Viktor asked.
"That was Ashok, as you clearly heard. Rick is missing in action, it seems," Greg pressed a button and put the phone back up to his ear.
Cedric Diggory was still in the dress shirt and pants he had worn to work. His necktie was pulled completely open and just hung round his neck while his shirt was open several buttons from the neck. He sat at the bar in a narrow, but long little pub directly in the heart of the gay center of London. There was a front bar, where Rick sat with his half-empty glass of beer, a small dance floor and game room and then a second back bar. Rick almost never came here, but preferred the front bar when he did. The whole of the front opened onto Old Compton Street, which was actually quite pleasant this time of year. He might have engaged in people watching with scores of gay men walking by, but he was in no mood for it tonight. This place could get rather crowded on the weekends, but this early on a Thursday there were only a handful of patrons. His mobile sat on the bar beside his glass and he saw it light up as a call came in. A wry smile curled one side of his mouth when he saw who it was. How did he know? Well, how could he not know, really? Rick downed what remained in his glass as he picked up his phone. How many was this now? He had lost count. And he didn't care anyway.
"Yeah?" Rick answered in a flat, disinterested voice.
"Where are you?" Greg asked while he looked at his equally concerned partner.
"Admiral Duncan," Rick answered.
"Why are you at Admiral Duncan?" Greg probed.
"Because I didn't want to run into anyone I knew while I got pissed up," Rick stated.
"Sounds like you're well on your way," Greg observed.
"Then there's one thing I did well tonight," Rick observed wryly.
"Safe to conclude things did not go so well with H, then?" Greg stated.
"Could say that," Rick was brief.
"And would you say that?" Greg pressed.
"I did say that," Rick confirmed.
"What happened?" Greg urged.
"I was going to talk to him. I wanted to talk to him, but I just, I really needed him, you know?" Rick's sorrow was plain in his voice.
"I know," Greg made a resigned face to Viktor.
"I got there half past twelve. It was a bitch of a day at work and I was running late, but I still made it there on time. I skipped lunch," Rick relayed.
"That explains a lot," Greg murmured. If Rick heard the comment, he ignored it.
"I waited for him. I waited and waited. At half past four, I finally decided to go," Rick continued.
"Four hours!" Greg exclaimed.
"I know! I imagined the worst. I finally decided to go home, have dinner, and then do a tour of London hospitals to look for him, or call Ginny, or something. I don't remember now," Rick let out a small belch. "But when I walked out the door, there he was, coming up the street, sweet as you please. Briefcase over his shoulder. Necktie loose the way he does. Sexy as fuck," Rick elaborated.
"Where had he been?" Greg brought Rick back to the point.
"That's what I asked him. Got caught up at work, he said," Rick relayed.
"And he couldn't call in all that time?" Greg asked.
"Exactly what I said. He opened the door and motioned for me to go inside, but I stood my ground," Rick was defiant. "I told him I waited all afternoon for him. My whole bloody life is nothing but waiting for him. He told me to get in the house so we could talk in private. He didn't want to row in front of God and everyone, you see. He didn't want the neighbors to see us together at all. Fancy that! He'd be happiest if he could get me some invisibility cloak or shield or something, so no one would ever fucking see me near him."
"I'm sorry, Rick," Greg commiserated.
"Yeah, me too. And I wasn't going to play his game anymore, except then he said we had a half hour and what was the point in wasting it? And I needed to talk to him, you know I did, and you know what about," Rick babbled.
"I know," Greg confirmed.
"So," Rick gave a sigh, "like the good little lap dog that I am, I went back inside."
"And?" Greg prompted.
"He shoved me against the door and tried to kiss me. Maybe I should have let him. I wanted to kiss him. When I first got there I imagined him kissing me exactly like that! But by the time he arrived, I was so upset," Rick explained.
"Sounds like you still are," Greg observed.
"I am. It's true. It's been four weeks, Greg! A bloody month. I miss him so much. I get so little of him anyway, and lately I haven't even gotten that! He said it would be different. He promised! And nothing is different," Rick lamented. "Nothing except Ashy."
"You deserve so much more, Rick. You deserve someone like Ashok. What happened with H?" Greg pressed.
"I said, hang on a minute. I've been here all bloody afternoon. This is really important to me and I wished like bloody hell it was important to you too. I mean, him too. I said you too, to him," Rick stumbled over his words.
"I got that. Go on," Greg urged.
"He said that our meetings are important to him and I said if that was true he would have called. The one time I couldn't get away from work, I bloody damn well called, didn't I? But he just ignored me and asked if I wanted him in my mouth or my arse!" Rick mimicked H's voice.
"Oh, no," Greg got it.
"Right. I told him to go home and plug up one of his wife's holes," Rick snickered
"What did he say to that?"
"He said he wouldn't apologize for wanting to be with me and needing me. And I said I had needs too. I needed to be held, and I needed him to make love to me, and I needed to hear that he loves me. Instead I get treated like some cheap, meaningless rent boy," Rick sounded near tears.
"Rick, I am so sorry," Greg looked to Viktor who read the situation from the sound of his partner's voice and the look on his face.
"Not half as sorry as I was, am, fuck! What was I saying?" Rick asked, momentarily confused.
"You were telling H you had needs too," Greg prompted.
"Yeah, but I could see he didn't want to hear it, so instead of pounding my head against a brick wall, I left."
"And he let you go?"
"He said he wouldn't chase after me anymore. But he will. You know he will," Rick lamented. "He'll lie in wait somewhere, and just when I've finally convinced myself that it's truly over, he'll pounce again. That's what he does. It's like a fucking game for him. I'm tired, Greg. I'm so damn tired of being the fucking mouse."
"You don't have to be, Rick. Take control," Greg urged. "The next time he tries to contact you, just ignore him."
"Oh, that's bloody brilliant! So glad I have you to make that suggestion. It's not like I've ever tried that before," Rick was bitter.
"I know you've tried before, but just because it didn't work then, doesn't mean it won't work now. Things are different. You know they are,"Greg stressed.
"I know, and I'm sorry for snapping at you. It's not your fault I'm so bloody weak. You have always been a good friend. I love you, mate," Rick expressed.
"I love you too. You know we all do. But, Rick, what are you doing at Admiral Duncan? Why didn't you go home?" Greg asked.
"I don't want to go home," Rick stated.
"Why not?" Greg pressed. "You know Ashok is waiting for you."
"Precisely because Ashok is waiting for me," Rick added. "I can't face him after what happened today."
"You're going to have to face him sooner or later," Greg pointed out and heard Rick curse under his breath.
"I was supposed to tell H about us today, to have a decision. He'll want to know one way or another, and what can I do? I can't tell him what happened."
"Why not? You told me easily enough. He's a compassionate kid. He'll understand," Greg encouraged.
"Yeah, I know he will," Rick agreed morosely.
"Rick, what am I missing?" Greg probed.
"Nothing. It's just...," Rick struggled to explain. "Right now he looks at me the way Vik looks at you or Vince looks at Dre, like I'm the bee's bollocks, I mean the dog's knees, I mean..."
"I know what you mean," Greg cut in. "Why do you think that will change if you tell him what happened?"
"Because then he'll see me for the whipped arsehole I am, and he'll start looking at me the way you all do. Don't you think I know that every time any of you look at me you think 'that poor, miserable bastard'?" Rick challenged. "It'll kill me to see that look in his eyes."
Greg took a deep breath and thought about how to answer. "If he looks at you like that tonight, it will be because of what you've done to yourself, not because of what happened with H. And my guess is he won't even do that. He'll be too worried about you and too eager to make you better to bother judging you. He cares about you, Rick, a lot, and nothing that happened today is going to change that. He's already frantic with worry. He made dinner for you and grew concerned when you didn't get home when you said you would. He finally called me because he didn't know what else to do."
"Oh, shit. I forgot about that," Rick admitted. "I didn't mean to make him worry. So sweet, Ashok is. And kind, and so beautiful," he began to ramble.
"Then what are you doing crying into your beer?" Greg demanded.
"You have to ask? It tears me up, Greg. Ashy is so sexy and sweet, all I want is to show him all the different ways I can make him feel good. But I still love H. and I don't want to be unfaithful to him, at least not any more than I already have been, not without telling him," I corrected. "I owe it to him to let him know, give him a chance..." Rick tried to explain.
"A chance for what?" Greg cut him off. "You know how I feel about that, Rick. H is certainly not faithful to you. You didn't bear his children. And it isn't like he even feels badly about it. Just expects you to tolerate it, doesn't he?"
"That's my life right there. The man I love treats me like something he stepped in and the guy staying with me treats me like a bloody king when I have nothing to offer him. I don't know what to do, Greg," Rick confessed.
"Rick!" Greg sat forward in his chair as he stressed his point. "Go home! Let Ashok take care of you. You know he wants to. Wait a minute. How pissed are you?"
"I'm pretty arseholed, mate," Rick admitted.
"If I were in the country, I would collect you myself," Greg thought out loud.
"Bloody hell! I completely forgot. How is Viktor?" Rick asked.
Greg looked at his lover, "He feels good all over."
"Ha!" Rick slapped the bar with his open palm hard enough that Greg could hear it over the phone. "I'll just bet he does. You are so funny, Greg."
"Rick, I'm going to call Vince. Will you stay there until he comes to collect you?" Greg asked.
"The only way I'm getting off this stool by myself now is if I fall off," Rick stated.
"Right then. I'll ring you right back," Greg lowered his phone and ended the call.
"He not okay," Viktor concluded.
"He most surely is not. Bloody H," Greg scolled through his numbers and put his phone back to his ear again.
"I like to smack H good," Viktor confessed.
Vincent Crabbe wore a plain white tee shirt and denim shorts. He sat in the spacious living room of the three bedroom flat that he shared with his partner. Their flat was on the top floor of the building that Vince managed and Dré's parents owned. It was a five story building and there was nearly always something that needed his attention, day or night. Their home was decorated in a modern style with white fabrics and blonde woods. Malfoy Manor was all dark and Gothic and old world, and Dré wanted his home with Vince to be as unlike the home in which he grew up as it could possibly be. For his part, Vince didn't care. He was easy. If it made Dré happy, then Vince was happy. He sat now on an armless sofa eating Chinese take out right out of the trays with chop sticks. They had a great Chinese place only a few streets away and Vince got take away from them every chance he could. He sat in dim light with not a single lamp on in the flat. The wall mounted flat screen was on, but the majority of what light there was shone in from outside. It was never fully dark in their home. A surprising amount of illumination reflected off the Thames. The living room walls were glass, floor to ceiling, with a panoramic view of the river on which their building sat. The only thing Vince loved more than walking around their flat naked with all the open glass, was seeing Dré do it. When his cell buzzed in his pocket he imagined a clogged toilet or blocked drain needed his attention. He was pleasantly surprised to find it was a friend.
"Ello, Greg. Thought you were in Austria," Vince greeted.
"Hi, Vince. I am. Listen, we have a situation. Rick is at Admiral Duncan," Greg informed.
"What's he doing there?" Vince asked.
"Drowning his sorrows and they are well and truly drowned at this point," Greg explained.
"What happened? Where's Ashok?" Vince was immediately concerned.
"Ashok is at home waiting for him," Greg answered.
"Don't tell me. H strikes again," Vince rightly concluded.
"Indeed," Greg confirmed.
"How bad is he? Do you need me to collect him, take him home?" Vince was ever ready to help. He walked to the kitchen with his tray in one hand and cell in the other.
"Exactly why I'm ringing," Greg stated.
"On me way. I'll take the car. At this hour I can probably be there in fifteen minutes or less," Vince deposited his take out in the fridge and headed for the door.
"Thanks, Vince. You're a mate. Apologies to Dré and, if it's at all possible, Vince, could you go alone?" Greg requested.
"No choice in the matter. Dré's not even home. Command performance tonight for the Shadow Home Secretary. Something about the campaign, though why I don't know. It's still years away, innit? Anyway, I'll ring you when I've got him. Cheers," Vince said and rang off.
"He will get him?" Viktor asked.
"He will. At least that's handled," Greg called Rick's number again.
"Greg! It's nice here. I wish you could come have a drink with me," Rick greeted.
"Rick, listen. Vince is coming to collect you. He'll be there in just a few minutes," Greg informed.
"That's fine then. Gives me time for one more," Rick concluded.
"Rick, is the barman nearby? Could I possibly have a word with him?" Greg asked.
"Ere! Oy!" Rick called to get the bartender's attention. "Hi," Rick smiled as the good looking man in a tight uniform tee shirt walked over to him. "Could I get another pint, please? And this is my very good friend Greg," Rick offered his cell. "He would like to speak to you."
The bartender looked at Rick suspiciously for a moment and then took the phone. "Yes?"
"Oh, hello there. Is this the barman?" Greg asked. "What is your name?"
"Yes, this is Drake," the bartender answered.
"Drake, my friend Rick, whose phone you now hold, has had a really frightful day of it and I'm very much afraid he's gotten himself quite pissed," Greg began.
"Yeah, looks like it," Drake agreed.
"Another of our friends is on his way to collect him right now. I just need for Rick to sit right there at your bar and wait for him. Won't be fifteen minutes. Maybe you could just serve him a coffee at this point?" Greg asked.
"Break up with his bloke?" Drake enquired.
"Something rather like that," Greg admitted.
"I'll take care of him. Gone through that m'self," Drake assured.
"Thank you, Drake. You're a good chap. Fancy tickets to an Arsenal match?" Greg offered. He reached to take Viktor's hand. "I'm what you could call very intimate with one of the Gunners and I would be happy to drop off tickets to their season opener when I get back in the country."
"What was your name again?" Drake asked.
"Greg," he answered.
"Greg, you don't at all have to do that, but I would love tickets to a match. My boyfriend is mad for the Gunners," Drake revealed.
"I might could even arrange a visit to the locker room," Greg offered. He wouldn't take just anyone into the locker room with his press credentials, but if Drake and boyfriend seemed like good people, he would do it for them.
"That would be just brilliant!" Drake enthused. "Johnny'd love that!"
"I won't be back for about a week, but can I find you there at the Admiral?" Greg asked.
"I'm here most nights," Drake confirmed. "And when I'm not, they know how to reach me."
"Thanks for looking after our friend, Drake," Greg expressed again.
"Seems like a decent bloke, your Rick," Drake watched Rick pour the rest of his pitcher into his glass, down it in one gulp, and push the pitcher toward the edge of the bar with a wink and a nod. "I'll hand the phone back to him now."
"He seems nice," Rick spoke into the phone.
"He does rather," Greg agreed.
"I'm just going to wait for Vince, right?" Rick asked.
"You do that, Rick. Would you like me to stay on the phone until he gets there?" Greg offered with a shrug to Viktor.
"No," Rick shook his head. "Thanks, Drake. Hang on a minute. He gave me a coffee. Did you do that?"
"I did," Greg confirmed. "Might be the best thing for you just now."
"S'okay. Got more at home. God, I could do with a piddle. Ashok's waiting for me at home, you know. Sweet little Ashok. I need to get something in my stomach," Rick rambled.
"There's food waiting for you at home too, Rick," Greg reminded.
"Did Ashok make something? I think he said he would. Yeah, I remember now. He's a bloody good cook, isn't he? He takes such good care of me. All I want to do is take care of him, but he takes care of me too. I want to go to all of Viktor's matches this year. I don't want to miss even one and I don't bloody care if H comes or not. He probably won't, anyway. His wife never lets him out of the house, does she? Wanker. He can just bugger off. Christ I need a piss," Rick let his thoughts fall out of his mind and into the phone.
Vince and Dré were the only members of their circle of friends who owned a vehicle. Their own property was about the only place in London they could park it and so it often stayed put. Dré might have taken it tonight, but his father sent a car to fetch him. Lucius Malfoy's son would depart his home when he decided it was time and not before. At times like this, when his mother would be on his father's side as this had to do with the party, it was just easier for Dré to comply and so he had gone willingly. Vince drove the black Renault Clio GT out onto Grosvenor Road, which turned into Abington, Millibank and Whitehall as he passed through the government quarter and the Houses of Parliament. At the big roundabout before Trafalgar Square he took Cockspur Street and jogged over to Whitcomb, which was a one way street that would take him exactly where he needed to be. Just past Shaftesbury Avenue he came to the head of Old Compton Street in the heart of gay Soho, which was yet another one way street. Vince turned right onto Old Compton and immediately started looking for a place to park, even illegally, for the few minutes it would take. Admiral Duncan was in the first block and Vince found a tiny space that was even difficult for his small car to fit into in the next block. It didn't take him a minute to walk back to the Admiral and in through the front of the pub, which was open wide to the street. On the very first stool at the front bar, Vince found his quarry blathering into his cell.
"Rick, mate, pissed up, are we?" Vince stepped up beside his seated friend an put a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey! It's Vince!" Rick set his cell down on the bar and wrapped his arms around Vince, pressing the side of his face to Vince's chest as he did so.
"Happy to see you too, mate," Vince rubbed Rick's back. He gestured to the bartender who walked over to them, "Are we settled up?"
"All set," Drake nodded.
"Oh, this is my good friend Drake," Rick put a hand on Vince's chest. He shook his head. "I mean, this is my good friend Vince, and this is my good friend Drake."
"That's right, Ricky boy," Vince picked up the forgotten phone from the bar. He could see there was still an active call. "Greg?"
"Yes, Vince, it's me. I heard all that. I see you've got him," Greg was relieved.
"I've got him. He's done himself in alright. I'll pour his pissed arse home," Vince rubbed the drunk man's back while Rick's head rested on his chest.
"I'll call Ashok. Thanks again, Vince," Greg expressed.
"I'd do it for any one of you and I know you'd do it for me. Night, Greg. Give Viktor a smack on his arse," Vince instructed.
Greg looked to Viktor as he laughed.
"What?" Viktor asked.
"Vince told me to smack your arse," Greg answered. "I'll be sure to do that," he said into the phone. "Night, Vince."
Vince put Rick's cell into his own pocket and proceeded to lift Rick off his stool. "C'mon then, mate. Let's get you home."
"Hold up," Rick leaned heavily on Vince once on his feet. "I need to point Percy something terrible."
"Let's make a quick stop in the loo then," Vince held Rick up with a firm arm around him as they headed deeper into the bar. There were bathrooms off the game room that each had two urinals and one stall. Vince steered Rick into the first bathroom and up to a urinal.
"Can you get Percy out yourself?" Vince asked. He stood up close behind Rick with his hands on the taller man's hips to steady him. Rick giggled at the thought of Vince pulling his dick out for him.
"Wouldn't Dré love you helping me with that?" Rick laughed. "I think I can manage," he unzipped, pulled himself out and rolled his foreskin back. Rick gave a most satisfied sigh as he let go with a heavy stream.
"Jesus, mate, you did have to meet the pan," Vince said after a full minute. When Rick finished at last he shook himself off and put his dick back in his pants.
"I feel so much better," Rick confessed as he turned around and draped himself on Vince.
"Time to get on home, then," Vince shifted his friend to one side and walked him out of the bathroom and out onto the street.
Ashok tried three times to watch something on the television. Three times a programme came and went while he stared at it and saw or heard nothing of it at all. He took up pacing again. He had allowed himself to become a nervous wreck. Ashok had become very attached to Rick, probably more than he should have, but he couldn't help it. It was not just that Rick was powerfully sexy, there was that, but Rick had a quiet strength, a confidence and caring, a gentle kindness that Ashok found immensely comforting. Now Rick was missing and he did not at all know what to make of it. He could easily have called Rick's cell, of course, but he knew Rick was with H. Rick had explained about H and the last thing Ashok would ever want to do would be to intrude upon that. His cell rang and he snatched it up from the coffee table.
"Greg! Did you find him? Is he okay?" Ashok fired his questions.
"I did find him and he is rather not okay. Vince has him and is bringing him home now," Greg informed.
"Is he hurt?!" Ashok asked alarmed.
"Nothing like that. He's had rather a day of it and gone and gotten himself quite pissed. You'll have your hands full with him tonight, I'm afraid," Greg explained.
"I hope I did not upset him," Ashok was concerned.
"No, Ashok. Listen to me. Don't think like that. You are the only bright spot in his life, truth be told," Greg added.
"He is for me too," Ashok spoke quietly, mostly to himself. "You all are, but he is especially so."
"I'm sorry things are the way they are, Ashok. You are both good men and deserve to be happy. Vince should be there shortly. If you need anything at all tonight, you call me or call Vince, right?" Greg instructed.
"I will, Greg. Thank you for finding him and getting him home," Ashok expressed.
"All I did was call him. I know you didn't want to do that and I know why. Put a pot of coffee on. Try to get some food in him and keep him up for a while so he doesn't get the spins and get sick," Greg advised.
"I will take care of him, Greg. Thank you so much," Ashok was most relieved.
"No, thank you, Ashok. All our lives are the richer for having you in them, especially his. Have as good a night as you can. We're here if you need us," Greg assured.
"Good night, Greg. Have a good time with your family. Say hello to Viktor and give Helena a big hug from me," Ashok offered.
"I will. Good night, Ashok," Greg ended the call and set his cell down on the table. "Jesus."
"Ashok seem like good boy. I want even more to meet him now," Viktor expressed.
"He is that, Vik. He is that," Greg nodded and took a sip from his flute.
"Maybe you like smack my arse now like Vince say?" Viktor gave his partner a leer.
"Not while you have those pants on," Greg smiled.
"Maybe then you help me take them off?" Viktor added.
"Now you're talking, Gunner," Greg drained his glass and set it down as he rose. Viktor took his hand, paused to pick up Greg's cell, and together they walked back into their hotel room.
They were awakened the next morning by a little body crawling over theirs, as usual. While it was not this way at home, Greg's side of the bed was the side toward her in this hotel room and Helena woke him first.
"Mmm," Greg moaned as his daughter climbed up on him.
"Wake up, Daddy," Helena patted Greg's chest.
"Come then, my girl," Greg held up the sheet and moved to make room for her to snuggle in between her fathers, which she most happily did. "There," he tucked her in with them.
"Hmm?" Viktor began to rouse. He felt her snuggle up to him.
"Morning, Tatee," Helena stretched to kiss him.
"Morning, Princess. I love wake up with my family," Viktor put his arms around both of them.
"Me too," Helena turned to give Greg the same kiss she gave Viktor.
"Me three," Greg cuddled them and they were still. All three of them were on the verge of falling back to sleep when the hotel phone rang to deliver their wake up call. Greg answered the bedside phone, listened to the automated recording first in German and repeated in English, and hung up.
"Time to get up," Greg sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Both men had worn their boxers to bed last night. "I'll ring for a pot of coffee again, shall I?"
"Da, do," Viktor agreed. Greg did so and rose from the bed. Viktor smiled as he noticed that his partner's boxers were still a little tented from the morning wood that would have been in his mouth right now, had they been alone.
"Now, little miss, what would you like to wear to go to grandmummy's house?" Greg asked as he opened their suitcase.
"I can't wait to see grandmummy! I want to wear my yellow dress," Helena declared. "The one she sent me!
"Yellow dress special to wear to church with baba," Viktor reminded.
"Can I wear my yellow shirt then?" Helena asked.
"Of course you can," Greg pulled it out and set it on her bed. "Come help daddy pack, Lene. You don't want to forget anything," he bid.
"We help daddy pack and get juice," Viktor sat himself and his daughter up in the bed. He rose the normal way while she scampered off the end of the bed. Helena set about gathering up her toys while Viktor poured three glasses of orange juice.
"Come get juice," Viktor called. Helena skipped her way over to him and took her glass. She wandered back over to her toys, humming contentedly to herself as she went. Viktor stepped over to Greg with a glass in each hand.
"Thank you," Greg took his juice.
"Pleasure is mine," Viktor casually brushed the back of his hand against the protrusion in the front of Greg's boxers.
"Behave," Greg smiled.
"I am behave. Is cock in my mouth?" Viktor whispered. Greg only chuckled as Viktor walked away. Greg too found it difficult to think about anything other than falling to his knees as soon as he and Viktor got in the shower. But this morning, in addition to an impatient child at the door, they also had time constraints.
The elaborate breakfast buffet helped them speed through the Sun restaurant. After breakfast, Greg went to the front desk to check out while Viktor and Helena went to fetch their bags. Helena of course, was no more help than wearing her own little backpack, while Viktor pulled along the big suitcase with his duffel on top of it, and Greg's carry on bag over his shoulder. They all met out in front of the hotel as agreed. The Rosicky family's bags were loaded onto a separate van that would take them to the train station.
"Viktor, have fun with your family," Anezka gave him a hug.
"Same to you," Viktor moved from her to give her husband a hearty clap on the back.
"Greg, enjoy Varna," Baruska embraced him.
"Enjoy Karel. But keep him wrapped up and don't do anything I wouldn't do," Greg whispered to her. She giggled and moved to Viktor. Helena had a hug for Eliska and Damek. Andrey, Lukasz and Kieran emerged from the hotel together and said their good byes to the Rosickys as well.
"Bye," Greg waved as they climbed aboard their shuttle. "Safe trip."
"Helena, will you sit by me on the drive to the airport?" Kieran bent down to ask her with an excited face.
"I will!" Helena was all for that.
"If it's okay with your dads," Kieran amended.
"Of course is okay," Viktor stated. Greg bristled slightly at this. He had no objection whatever, but it would have been nice to be consulted. Gretchen quickly had all their luggage loaded. She closed the back doors and opened the side.
"We are ready to go, ja?" Gretchen asked. In answer the passengers began to climb aboard. Kieran took the second row and Helena and Lukasz followed. Kieran was quick to move the little girl across him to give her the window and to be beside Lukasz himself. Greg, Viktor and Andrey took the first row. Gretchen took the wheel and they were off.