To say that Liam was a little stressed was an understatement. Business at Angelo's wasn't great, which was worrying in itself, so he'd organised this gig to help, but now he was worried about that. And yesterday the cops had hauled Brax in for questioning about the fire. Heath wasn't stressed, he knew the fire had nothing to do with them and he'd spent enough time around cops that it didn't bother him the way it did Liam. Add to all that, that Heath had gotten this ridiculous tattoo, and yeah, life was a kinda stressful at the moment. At a time like this Liam needed someone to talk to and Heath should be his first choice. But was Heath really the best person for it? He could be pretty insensitive and he was the cause of some of Liam's worry, maybe seeing him would make it worse. After all, Heath did have a way of riling him up at the best of times. In the end Liam came to the conclusion that there was no one he'd rather be with than Heath so he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. And this way he'd be put out of his misery sooner rather than later. After all, if he wanted to keep seeing Heath, he'd have to face it eventually...

xxx

The grim look on Murphy's face as he walked into Heath's bedroom was perfect. Sucked in, served him right.

"Hey, can you check this for me," Heath said, referring to the new tattoo on his arse. Liam really, really didn't want to but he was here now, he may as well get it over and done with. Heath pulled his shorts down enough to reveal the dressing, and then twisted round, making sure he could see Murphy's face. Liam peeled the tape off, freaking out the entire time, but the further he peeled the tape back the more bare skin he saw. As Heath watched he saw the dread on Murphy's face transform into confusion and then, yep, there it was, the realisation.

"You lousy prick!" Murphy exclaimed, ripping the rest of the tape off viciously and shoving Heath away from him, "I barely slept last night."

"You shoulda seen your face," Heath laughed as he hitched his shorts up and turned to face his cranky rockstar. Murphy looked at him with delightful anger, he'd really fallen for it. "Did you really think I'd tattoo your face on my arse?"

"I can't believe you did that to me!" Liam said with outrage, but the overwhelming feeling coursing through him was relief. Thank God Heath hadn't ruined himself.

"Maybe next time you'll think twice before you take Brax's side..." Heath gloated.

"You did this to teach me a lesson? You're unbelievable..."

"I think irresistible is the word you're looking for," Heath said, as he pressed himself against Liam. And maddeningly Liam had to admit he was right. It was impossible to stay mad at Heath. Yes he'd been horrible, but damn, he'd just done it in such an adorable way. And the way he was looking at Liam now, all 'I know I was naughty but I also know you adore me too much to care', well it was just too cute. But Liam knew better than to voice any of that, Heath would probably punch him if he dared call him cute.

"So did you really get a new tatt or was it all bullshit?" Liam asked as he slid his hands around Heath's waist.

"I got one."

"Show me."

"Alright," Heath said with a grin, "but you'll have to find it first." That sounded like a challenge Liam was definitely up for. Heath's lack of 'grown-up' clothing worked in Liam's favour, all he had to do was pull Heath's loose singlet off to reveal his tanned torso. Liam took his time tracing the familiar designs on Heath's arms and chest, and ok maybe he didn't have to taste the tatts to know they were the same, but you never know. Heath's stomach was bare and his shorts rode a little higher on his hips than usual, maybe that was a clue. But then, that was what Heath wanted. So Liam resolved to drag this out, take his time, make Heath wait... It was difficult, but Liam could do this, he could win. So before he investigated that enticing possibility Liam circled Heath, checking his back and finding no new ink there, felt the fire build, knowing he'd have to investigate this mystery...lower.

"I know it's not on your arse..." Liam said mischievously, trailing his hand over Heath's butt as he circled around to stand in front of the semi-naked River Boy once more.

"No, it's not..." Heath said huskily, anticipating Murphy's worshipping search techniques applied below his waistline. He needed to piss Murphy off more often if this was the result.

"That doesn't leave many options then does it?" Murphy purred, his mouth only inches from Heath's. Heath thought Murphy meant to kiss him and he leaned in to meet those warm lips but Murphy pulled away with a pleased look, leaving Heath in a daze. He was captivated and a slight shake of his head was all Heath could manage in reply. Murphy ran his hands down Heath's chest, and Heath's skin tingled with the touch. His desire was becoming overwhelming, and then Murphy dropped to his knees. The sight alone nearly brought him undone. Ever so slowly Liam reached out and slipped his fingers under the waistband of Heath's shorts, and he began to pull them down, inch by agonizingly slow inch.

"Ahh, you're nearly there..." Heath ground out, no longer sure what the goal was, only knowing that he needed Murphy to move faster.

"Nearly where?" Murphy asked, looking up at Heath as though he had no idea what Heath was talking about. Looking down at those blue eyes, and seeing that mouth, so close to... Heath lost the capacity to form a sentence.

"Please..." was all he could manage to say.

"Sorry, I didn't quite catch that?" Murphy said, standing once more. No, no, no, that wasn't right, he was too far away now. Heath moved forward, pressing himself against Murphy, needing the contact and Murphy looked at him with a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth and a certain glint in his eye. Wait a minute, Heath knew that look... Murphy was teasing him as payback. Well, Heath wasn't gonna give him the satisfaction.

"The tattoo, you were almost there, you loser..." Crap, too far, judging by the look on Murphy's face and the way he was pulling away. Heath really needed to learn when to keep his mouth shut. Last time he'd called Murphy a loser he'd sooked off up the coast. "Liam, wait. Look, here it is," Heath said quickly, stopping Murphy in his tracks. Heath pushed his waistband down just enough to reveal the fresh ink. With the sound of his own name echoing in his head, Liam came back to study Heath's new tattoo. On the soft skin just below Heath's right hip bone were words, Latin words. They were slightly raised and the skin around them was a little red but they were plenty clear enough to read.

"In vino veritas..." Liam whispered, as he traced his finger lightly beneath them.

"See? I knew you'd like it when you saw it," Heath grinned.

"I..." Liam was speechless. Heath had been right, it was romantic. He hadn't thought Heath had it in him to be this thoughtful. It was...well, it was perfect and words escaped him.

Heath had been hopeful at first but Murphy's extended silence began to worry him. Had he fucked this up? Was it too corny? He liked it because it was a secret just the two of them could share.

"Our first kiss, remember? A bottle of wine and...and how I really felt about you..." The uncertainty in Heath's voice snapped Liam's thoughts back into focus. He took Heath's face in his hands.

"I'll never forget it as long as I live." It was impossible to say who started what happened next, both of them probably, and it didn't matter anyway. What mattered was that they ended up naked on the bed together, completely absorbed in the moment. Liam pressed Heath into the mattress desperately, his hand sliding underneath Heath, making his intention clear. He wanted Heath, in every way, and it had never felt more right. His hand slid across the smooth skin, he felt Heath's hands pressing feverishly against his chest, their mouths locked together, it was perfect...except, now Heath was pushing him away...

"Not a fucking chance Murphy," Heath said with a breathy laugh, as he pushed Liam off himself. It was a horrible, wretched feeling, made worse by Heath's apparent amusement. "There's no way I'm letting you top." Heath's abrupt halting of their proceedings took Liam completely by surprise. He was so caught up in it all he hadn't stopped to think that Heath might not let him do this. And why did Heath find it so funny? It was amazing how quickly the heat of desire was being replaced with flames of anger...again.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Liam asked indignantly, offended by Heath's implication. Why shouldn't he top? He was just as much a man as Heath was... but Heath was still grinning at him, in a way that said he thought Liam was missing something totally clear. But for the life of him Liam couldn't see it...

"You are so the bitch in this relationship," Heath said, as though that fact should be blindingly obvious.

"I am not jerk!" Liam shot back, his anger and embarrassment reducing him to child-like taunts.

"Ha! There you go, that proves it," Heath said triumphantly. Whatever retort was on the tip of Liam's tongue died when his phone rang. He answered it so he wouldn't say something he'd regret. It was Jess.

"Yeah," Liam answered, harsher than he meant to. Heath watched as Murphy's face grew more solemn, the news on the other end didn't appear to be something he wanted to hear. "Dude, can't you figure something out? It's all organised, the promo and everything...c'mon, you can't do this to me...alright fine. Thanks for nothing." Murphy ended the call.

"What was all that about?" Heath asked, his teasing forgotten for the moment. He was the only one that was allowed to upset his Murphy. He'd bash the shit out of whoever was on the other end of that phone if he had to.

"Jess's cancelled. Who the fuck am I gonna find to play with such short notice and at that price?" Shit, this was a disaster. He'd gone and let Brax down after promising he wouldn't. Liam was ready to properly freak out, when a smile crept onto Heath's face. Yep, he shoulda known it would be too much to expect Heath to support him. "This is in no way funny," Liam stated.

"Well, it kinda is dumbass," Heath said, his smile widening. "I thought it was something bad. I was ready to belt the crap outta someone for you. But this is easy fixed. All we need is a muso..."

"I know..." Liam said with frustration, racking his brain for a last minute replacement.

"...I don't know where we could possibly find one," Heath finished with a pointed look. Why was Heath looking at him like that? They needed a musician, a musician like him...oh.

"What? Me? Na, no way. I couldn't do it. I'm way out of practice," Liam insisted but Heath just held that steady smile at him. "No."

"C'mon Murphy, it can't be that hard. Whatda ya need to practice for? You're a rocker aren't you? All ya gotta do is a bit of squawking and strum a few chords."

"There's a bit more to it than that," Liam said, offended that Heath thought that's all there was to his music.

"Whatever. It just sounds like an excuse to me. What are ya? Chicken shit?" It was blunt, but it was true. Liam had nothing.

"Maybe, so what?"

"So, I'm pretty sure I don't wanna date a chickenshit..." Liam was stunned. Did Heath just say he'd dump him if he didn't play this gig? "Geez Murphy, I was only joking," Heath said, taking in the shocked look on Murphy's face, maybe he should try to be a little more understanding about this. "Seriously though, you could do it if you wanted to," Heath said moving closer to Murphy, wanting him to know he was here for him.

"And what exactly are you basing that on?" Liam asked doubtfully, trying not to let the sight of naked-Heath sitting on the bed, with a sheet pooled around his waist and belief in his eyes distract him. He kinda did wanna play this gig but his confidence was shot to shit after his last attempt at cutting a record. But what other option did he have?

"I dunno," Heath shrugged, "just that I think you could do anything if you wanted to..." Liam gave him a wry look, hadn't he just failed at doing something he'd wanted to do? "Well except that," Heath grinned.

AN: Well holy shit, wasn't that a rollercoaster ride? Thanks for reading :)