I do not own any part of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. All of that greatness is the work of the amazing J R Ward.

As of 5-22-12 the wonderful GothicBelle has beta'ed this for me. Hopefully this is now easier to read.

I hope everyone enjoys.

Chapter Six

"Spill," Butch said closing the underground door to the Pit.

"Goose me first," V said flopping onto the couch. "Bring the bottle."

Butch carried in two glasses and two bottles for the kitchen. He sat beside V and passed him his Goose. "What's wrong with the boys?"

"What changes have you noticed since the Massacre?" V vastly preferred to hear Butch's voice instead of his own.

"Okay, things since the Massacre. John's good now that Xhex is back and Lash is gone. So you want me to start with Blay or Qhuinn?"

Vishous down his glass in one rough gulp and said, "Blaylock."

"One major thing is he quit with the girls at the club. Another major is he's been drawing into himself more and more as time goes by. He doesn't say much at all anymore, let's Qhuinn do most of the talking now. He's smoking more; FYI Qhuinn hates it. When the boy does talk these days he's even more formal than before. He's been doing a lot of serious training lately." Butch sat back still deep in thought.

"You don't miss much, do you, cop? So what's your gut telling you all this means?" V was sure the former cop, his greatest friend, knew the answer. So he waited.

Butch took a long drawl of his scotch and eyed V before answering. "Blay has came to terms with being gay, a fact we've all know for some time. I also know that he is in love with Qhuinn. What I don't get is why he's hooked up with Saxton. I would say to make Qhuinn jealous, but I just can't see Blay hurting anyone like that. How's that?"

"You're damn good you know that Butch. What you don't know, what has stayed locked up between those three males is what happened on that night after the Massacre. The night Qhuinn became John Matthew's ahstrux nohtrum - he outed Blay. He was cruel about it, threw it in Blay's face. Told him he'd never settle with a male, he wanted a family, wants the glymera's acceptance. Basically told the male to fuck off, that he never wanted to see him again."

"That little shithead. I aught to kick his ass into next week. There ain't no damn reason to handle the situation like that," Butch spat out the words with disgust.

"Butch it's…"

"V, man, you know this shit gets under my skin. And it's only gotten worse since meeting you. I don't think it's right to hold someone's sexuality against them. Everyone has the right to love whoever they want. And Blay would never force himself on Qhuinn. That boy is respectful, generous, and kind. Blay is a true male of worth and at such a young age. There's no reason for the boy to be so cruel."

V didn't think Butch had realized that during his little tirade he had placed his hand on V's thigh. "Butch just because you've always taken things in stride with me and have always been understanding doesn't mean everyone can. Butch, you're a very strong male with an excellent heart and a brilliant mind. That's what's always attracted me to you," V placed his hand over Butch's. When the Brother didn't jerk away he continued. "Qhuinn really loves Blay. He was pushing him away to protect him. Qhuinn thought he was going to his death and didn't want Blay following him. And face it, Blay would follow Qhuinn to hell and back. Qhuinn knew how bad it was hurting him to leave Blay behind and knew if Blay actually had to witness his execution and couldn't do anything it would kill him too." V was shocked that Butch was letting him hold his hand; they hardly touch anymore unless they were doing a cleansing.

"So he does love Blay?"

"Yeah, and he's struggling with it. Qhuinn's scared and insecure and doesn't know what he wants. He's young and a little stupid. The problem is he's sending Blay mixed signals. Essentially Qhuinn is sucking Blay further in the whole time he is trying to push him away. You must understand, even if just a little?" V squeezed Butch's hand as he searched the males face.

V hadn't said anything to Butch or Jane, but on occasions like this here tonight on the couch, he still found himself totally attracted to him. Jane was his shellan, his everything and he loved her completely, but he still felt the exact same way about Butch. And right now holding this exquisite male's hand he could completely sympathize with the young Blaylock.

…

Butch looked down and realized he'd been grasping Vishous's thigh for most of the conversation and that the male had been holding that same hand for almost as long.

Butch knew he should remove his hand, but it comforted him. He had thought that after they both were settled with their shellans the stronger of his feeling for Vishous would fade. But they hadn't. 'Fuck, I'm no better that Qhuinn and here I am talkin' trash and ready to lay a smack down on him.' He looked a V's face. "So then what's the thing with Saxton?"

"Saxton was a misstep. Blay was trying to move on. He was trying to do what Qhuinn wanted. Blay would have never taken it as far as he did, but Qhuinn pushed one too many times."

"So Blay and Saxton actually fucked, even after Qhuinn had left his scent all over him?"

"Qhuinn acts like that never happened and Blay's hurt, bad hurt. A male can do some stupid shit when he's hurting."

All this was hitting too close to home for Butch. He moved to pour himself another scotch and realized that at some point he had turned his hand over and now his and V's fingers were laced together. It was a beautiful sight, such a loving gesture. He looked up and his eyes locked with V's. Those diamond eyes with the lovely navy colored rings took his breath away. V was looking at him the way he had in the Brothers Cave all those months ago.

And Butch knew now the same thing he knew then; he could never deny V anything. Just thank the Virgin herself that Vishous didn't know that.

'This is it,' Butch thought as V leaned toward him. Suddenly V was standing, their hands breaking apart. Butch shook his head clear and notice the door opening.

"Hey, Butch," Jane said moving for Vishous. "Your sister is going to be the death of me," she giggled wrapping her arms around her hellern.

V hugged her close and turned with her in his arms. Butch's eyes met his again and saw a hint of guilt. Butch let out a long breath knowing once again he had lucked out and avoided the inevitable.

…

Phury entered the office of the training center and smiled at the sight of Tohr sitting at the desk in that ugly old green monstrosity of a chair. "Tohr, you wanted to speak to me?"

"Yeah, I'm having problems with this new schedule. I know you and Z are great together, but he's been doing really well with Hollywood," Tohr paused like he was searching for the right words.

"I'm proud of him," Phury said. "Tohr you know I can work with anyone. I just want to be out there helping again."

"Wrath wants Blay to go out with me, but it's just not working. Do you mind working with him?"

"Not at all. So Wrath was serious about splitting up the threesome?"

"We want to keep Blay and Qhuinn apart as much as possible without Qhuinn knowing."

"Is this about the bonding scent?" Z had told him that a few day's ago Blay had come down stairs with Qhuinn's bonding scent all over him.

"Some what, we want to keep this as quite as possible?"

"You have my solemn word, what is the problem?" Phury could see the problem having a bonded male in the field with his mate. Boy could really get himself hurt. Bonded males weren't known for their brains.

"Blay asked the King for this."

"Smart male."

…

"Your Majesty, thank you for agreeing to this audience," Saxton said with a bow.

"Let's just get to the point," the King said.

"I want to stay on here."

"No."

"I can be very helpful, my Lord."

"Still, no."

"There is so much I can do for you and the Brotherhood." Saxton was use to having to plead his case and was not going to give up so easily.

"You can do that without living here. I appreciate everything you've done, but you being here is a disaster waiting to happen."

"But I want to help and, on a personal level, I think Blay could really use a friend right now." Sax figured he might as well be level with the male.

"I thought the boy had more to do with this than your eagerness to help the crown. Blay is why you can't be here. V told me about this morning. It's just a piss poor idea." It sounded like the King had already thought this through and was set against him staying.

"But, with all due respect, your Majesty, Blay really needs someone to talk too and who will understand what he's going through."

"I'm not cutting off your contact with him. I agree with you he needs your friendship. But you can't stay here. From what V says you would just cause a bigger rift between them. Blay wants to be separated from Qhuinn. Help with that." Saxton was amazed that the King and the Brothers were that concerned for Blay.

"If this is your order I have no choice." Saxton was not happy, he was positive that he would be more useful here within the mansion.

"Blay has the Brothers here within these walls; he needs a link to the outside world. He's too young to let himself get too deep into all this. He's a great warrior and an asset to the Brotherhood, but if this thing with Qhuinn doesn't work out, he's going to need something more in his life. Help him remember there is life outside these walls."

"Your Majesty, I hope that our people hurry up and come to their senses and realize just how wise you are. It is the greatest honor of my live to serve you." The King of their race could be truly amazing.