Monday Afternoon

Cody was in his class during his free period when the intercom in his room crackled and his name was called

"Yea?"

"Can you come to the office please?"

"Yea sure." He put his pen down and left the room. He made it to the office and went inside

"Mr. Rhodes?"

"Yes."

"I'm officer Williams and these are Detectives Mara and Torres." Cody was about to panic thinking that something had happened to John or Randy until Officer William shifted a little to the right and he saw Phil inside the principal's office. "What's going on?"

"We received some things in the mail here at school and we'd like to talk to you about them. Just come into the office with us."

"No Cody." Everyone turned around and saw Randy standing in the doorway

"Ran!" Cody rushed to Randy's side and stood there. "I don't know what's going on but I'm sure it has to do with,"

"I'm sure it does. He's not talking to anyone without his lawyer present…his lawyer that's well aware of the contents of that package."

"Look, I'm not sure of whom you are or why you're here but all we want to do is talk to Mr. Rhodes."

"You're right, you don't know who I am and that's really irrelevant. What does matter is that if you want to talk to him," Randy said gesturing toward Cody. "You can wait until his lawyer is here. If you know what's in that package then you should know he's entitled to representation during questioning."

"I don't need you explaining the law to me."

"Then act like you know it. Do you want to talk with him or not?"

"That's why we're here."

"You're not going to talk to him at his place of work." Randy said taking his phone out and dialing John

"Hey baby."

"Call the lawyer John. These fuckers are up here trying to talk to Cody at the school."

"What?! What the hell's going on?"

"I came up for an impromptu visit and there's a cop and detectives here and they want to talk to him."

"No fucking way. Don't let them talk to him Randy and don't get yourself arrested."

"I'm not and I won't."

"I'm going to call my lawyer and explain then have him call you."

"Okay."

"Don't let,"

"I got it John." John hung up in his ear

"Can we talk to him now?"

"Hell no. You can wait a few minutes until I get a call though." In less than a minute Randy's phone rang. He spoke briefly to the lawyer then handed his phone over to Detective Torres. The detective paced around the small area of the office for about five minutes while he spoke on the phone then disconnected the call and handed the phone back to Randy

"Mr. Rhodes we need to speak with you and Mr. Brooks after work today down at the station. Your lawyer will be present."

"Okay." Cody said nodding

"You," Detective Torres said looking at Randy. "Don't need to be there and I'd prefer it if you weren't."

"Then I'll definitely be there…with bells on." The cop and detectives left and Cody was allowed to go back to his classroom. Randy went with him and Phil followed

"I'm so glad you just showed up Ran." Cody said flopping down in his chair

"Yea, me too." Randy glared at Phil. "Why do you hate me? I haven't done a thing to you."

"Not directly no."

"Guys don't fight please."

"I don't want to fight with Randy."

"I'd advise you not to fight with me." Phil discreetly rolled his eyes

"What are you doing here Ran?"

"I was just coming for a visit then I thought I'd take you to lunch."

"My tummy's upset so I don't know if I can eat right now but I would like to get out of here."

"Okay, we can go." Phil looked around the room

"So, uh, I guess I'll just see you when you come back." He said scratching at the back of his head. Cody looked at Randy who counted from ten to one in his head before speaking

"You're welcome to come with us if you want."

"Oh well if it's not too much,"

"Just come on."

Carmel Café

"Are you sure you don't want anything?"

"No but I'm not sure what I want so I don't know what to order." Cody said looking over the menu

"Well I'm getting the BLTA."

"That sounds good."

"Do you want to share it with me?"

"Okay." Cody said closing his menu and dropping it on the table. "What are you getting Phil?"

"The bleu cheese and roasted pepper flatbread."

"That sounds good too." Cody said lifting Randy's arm and snuggling close to him

"You okay Codes?"

"I don't want to talk to those detectives. I wish that all of this would just go away." Randy pulled him closer and gave him a reassuring squeeze

"You just have to answer a few questions and let the lawyer take care of the rest. You don't have much to say since you have nothing to do with what Phil did before you guys met. All they have are just pictures of you guys together. Completely innocent stuff."

"I know but it's just so," Cody sniffed and wiped his eyes

"Cody, baby, don't cry. It's going to be okay." He wanted Cody to stop crying partly because he hated seeing him cry and partly because he absolutely hated when people cried. Randy just didn't do tears. His or anyone else's

"What if I lose my job Ran?" Randy had no rebuttal. Cody losing his job was a very real possibility and there was nothing Randy could do to stop it. He wanted to tell him not to worry but how could he not? Cody really hadn't done much in his short 22 years except go to school. And with that schooling he became a teacher. A great teacher. It made Randy's heart hurt to think that someone had the power to take that from him

"I want to tell you not to worry and that everything will be okay but I don't know. I mean I hope that it is. They have no reason to fire you." Phil felt sick sitting there and watching. He was to blame for this. In not telling Cody he thought that he was protecting him when really the opposite had happened

"I just want to go home and lay in bed with the blankets over my head."

"When you get home I'll lay in bed under the blankets with you but until then you have to be strong and stand up straight and go about your day. Stop crying." Cody sniffed again and wiped his eyes

"I really hate this." He said picking up half of Randy's sandwich and taking a bite. "That's good." He said as he dabbed his eyes and chewed. Randy laughed

"Have some more."

"I'm okay."

"You have to eat Cody."

"But,"

"You said that you would share with me. Don't you want to share with me anymore?" Cody took one of the extra plates and put half the sandwich on it after taking another bite. Sometimes Randy had to resort to baby tactics with Cody but he'd do whatever he needed to. "Where's your family Phil?"

"I don't really have family. I have really close friends who took me in when I was younger and I consider them my family more so than my actual biological one but they're back in Chicago. I came here for a fresh start."

"Do you have friends here? Other than Codes I mean."

"I have a few here, yea. I just don't care for too many people." Randy laughed

"If you don't care for too many people what do you do for fun? Hang out with the few friends you have?"

"That or run. I really like running." Randy nodded. He couldn't believe what he was about to do and he might hate himself later but he had to do it

"Well if you happen to run past our house on the weekend feel free to stop and hang out." Phil dropped the glass he was holding but caught and righted it before completely spilling its contents and Cody looked up at Randy in shock. "Only on the weekends though. I don't think I can handle you more than that right now."

"Are you sure Ran? I mean,"

"Don't talk Cody. You'll ruin it."

"Okay."

"Thanks Randy. It'll be nice getting out of my house."

"I'm sure." The men finished their lunch and Randy drove them back to the school

"Will you really cuddle with me when I get home?"

"Mmhm. I'll make dinner when I get home so we can cuddle as long as you want."

"Okay." Cody said almost crawling into Randy's lap to hug him. Randy laughed

"I could get out of the car." Cody shook his head

"I don't want anyone to see me hugging you." He said quietly. Randy's heart broke. Cody was retreating back into his shell. "Is that okay Ran? It's not you,"

"It's fine baby." He kissed Randy and slid back into his seat

"I have to go. Are you going to be there when I talk to the cops?"

"Yea."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you too." Cody opened the door and stepped out

"Thanks for lunch Randy."

"You're welcome."

"I,"

"Get out of my car Phil."

"I'm gone."

….

"Hey." John said walking into the kitchen

"Hey. What are you doing home?"

"I moved a meeting so that I could be there with Cody and I know that you want to be there so I came to pick you up. I have to go back to work afterwards but you can drive Cody and yourself back home in his car."

"I would ask how work was so far but I see that you've been thinking out plans." John laughed

"Shut up. Why are you making dinner so early?"

"Cody wants to bury himself under the blankets when he gets home and I said I'd bury myself with him. I thought I'd make dinner early so we could stay under there as long as he wanted."

"That's awfully nice."

"I know."

"How is he anyway?"

"A mess. I had to baby him so he'd eat lunch and you know I hate that shit."

"I know. That's my department."

"And he's retreating."

"He's what?"

"You know how he was a little uncomfortable being affectionate in public?"

"Yea, I thought he was coming out of that?"

"He was and now he's going back. He all but crawled into my lap in the car to hug me. I thought he was just being his cuddly-self so I said that I could get out of the car and he told me that he didn't want anyone to see us hugging."

"Ah, shit." John cursed. "Now he's going to be looking over his shoulder. He's been violated for lack of a better word."

"I can agree with that."

"I could kill a list of people but I don't know who to start with. Maybe Phil,"

"Oh, speaking of," John eyed Randy. "I kinda invited him over to hang out on the weekends."

"You kinda invited him to hang out on the weekends? How did you kinda do that?"

"Okay so maybe I didn't kinda invite him."

"What did you do that for?"

"He's pathetic and Cody likes him."

"I think I may have just added you to that list." Randy gasped

"You'd kill me John?" John shook his head

"Of course not babe." Randy set the timer on the oven

"This only needs about 35 minutes so that the cheese gets melted all the way through. We can get going after that."

Tampa Police Department

"I want to go in there with him John." Randy said sitting next to John and resting his head on his massive shoulder

"Me too," John replied lacing their fingers together. "But we can't. Cody needs to handle this on his own and Anthony is in there with him so he'll be able to instruct Cody on what to say and do. He'll probably do most of the talking anyway." Randy sighed and John laughed

"What's funny?"

"You worry about Cody."

"He just seems so fucking clueless at times. I can't help it."

"It's because you and I both baby him." Randy opened his mouth to retort. "And don't tell me that you don't baby him because you do. He always has his strawberry milk, his little snacks…lunch."

"I baby everyone in the house John and that includes your big ass."

"Yea but Evan and I don't say bajamas and think it's the right word. Also, if Evan or I were in that room right now you wouldn't be as concerned as you are at the moment."

"You and Evan aren't Cody. He's too nice John which is one of the things I love about him but he's always going to be hurt because of it."

"There's nothing we can do about that Ran. We can't change him and frankly I don't want him to change. I love how sweet and good-natured he is."

"So do I John I just kinda wish there was a balance of some sort. A little less sweet and a little more," Randy waved his arms in the air and John laughed

"A little more what? Thug? Did you just wave an imaginary gun?" Randy laughed until he had tears in his eyes

"No John, I did not wave an imaginary gun. Could you imagine Cody with the gun? Tailored eggplant colored slacks and a 9mm." John laughed

"No I cannot imagine him with a gun but the thought is rather funny." John raised their hands that were clasped together and kissed Randy's. "He'll be fine. Between the three of us we'll make sure of it."

"Can you promise me John?"

"I promise baby."

45 minutes later

Cody, Phil and John's lawyer Anthony all filed out of the office. Cody looked absolutely exhausted. He walked over to John and Randy and leaned against John

"Are you okay?" Cody nodded

"I'm ready to go home. Can we go home Ran?"

"Yea." He took Cody's keys from him

"I have to go back to work."

"I know." Cody was about to kiss John then stopped himself. "I'll see you when you get home."

"Alright. Love you."

"Love you too." John watched Cody and Randy leave but waited to speak with Anthony before leaving for work. "What's going on?"

"The video and pictures were sent anonymously to the school, they viewed them and are up in arms about having a teacher on staff that provided sexual favors in exchange for money…and they're wary about having another teacher so close to said teacher."

"So what does this all mean?"

"Us already knowing about the pictures and video is good for Phil and great for Cody."

"Only good for Phil?"

"Afraid so. The fact of the matter is that it is him in the video and no school would want that getting out. He's still somewhat in the clear because he was aware and signed the papers to not have it distributed."

"But because I feel like there's a but coming."

"There have obviously been copies made and none of us know if it'll make it to the Internet or anything. Phil would surely lose his job in that event."

"Oh man."

"Yea."

"I don't want that to happen."

"As long as you're paying me to provide legal counsel for him I'll try my damnedest to see that it doesn't."

"Oh sure, the money is not a problem. What about Cody?"

"As far as I can see Cody's in the clear. They only saw pictures of him with Phil…out in public and not even at night. Whoever is doing this has to know that they don't have anything on Cody. It's all really just a hassle for him at this point."

"And what about the person who's doing this?" John's lawyer smiled

"Oh…they're going to call her in tomorrow." John nodded

"Good deal. Thanks for all your help."

"My pleasure."

Cody's Car

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really Ran. I'm just so tired of it all."

"You know that I'm here for you if you do want to talk right?"

"Yes. You're always there and it's very comforting. You're like my blanket but human." Randy laughed

"Okay…I'll be a human blanket." Randy looked around the car while they were stopped at a light. "Why is your car always a mess? I don't understand." Cody shrugged

"I just throw stuff here and there."

"But I don't get how you accumulate so much in between cleanings."

"I'm amazing that way I guess."

"I can't even respond to that."

….

"Hey Evy." Cody said walking past the man and going straight upstairs. Evan looked at Randy

"How did everything go?" Randy shrugged

"I don't know. He doesn't want to talk about it. I'm sure John talked to Anthony though. I'll talk to him later. What is that I smell? Are you cooking in my kitchen?"

"That was a mouthful. Um, I made garlic bread for the chicken ziti. What's ziti without bread?" Randy eyed him

"You're lucky I find you very cute." Evan smiled and pushed his glasses up

"Are you eating?"

"I probably should. I told Cody that I would cuddle with him but I'm really hungry."

"So eat with me then cuddle with him or do you have to go now?"

"Nah, he's taking a shower right now."

"So eat with me."

"Okay." Randy made plates for he and Evan while Evan perfected his garlic bread. "Is that your specialty?" Randy asked walking up behind him. Evan shuddered at the sound of Randy's voice

"No. I can cook you know. Not as well as you do but I do know how."

"Is that so?"

"That is so. You can ask Cody."

"I believe you. Do you want wine?"

"I'll have some sure." Randy poured them both a conservative glass of wine. The two men chatted about nothing in particular when Evan looked up at Randy. "Do you think Cody's going to be okay?"

"I hope so Ev."

"Cause like," Evan lowered his voice. "I've known him for basically my whole life and I know that he's not good at, well anything really, except teaching so I want him to teach." Randy shook his head

"I have no control over what's happening but I want the same thing. John wants the same thing and will do whatever it takes to see that Cody continues teaching." Evan sighed

"I think I'm finished." Randy looked at his plate and laughed

"You don't have anything left."

"Yea well I'm not having seconds."

"Gotcha. Let's clean up so I can get upstairs to Cody."

"Okay." The two men cleaned the kitchen and went upstairs Evan going into his room and Randy continuing down the hall. He walked in the room fully expecting Cody to be in bed but saw the bed empty. He rushed over to the bathroom hoping Cody hadn't somehow drowned himself in the shower

"What are you still doing in here?"

"You took so long that I decided to do a mud mask. I didn't want to get in bed without you." Randy held in his laughter as he looked at the green-gray colored goo smeared all over Cody's face. "What were you doing?"

"Evan didn't want to eat alone and I was hungry so we had dinner." Randy said starting the shower

"Oh."

"Just let me take a quick shower then we can get in bed okay?"

"Okay. I have about eight minutes left on my mask."

"I'll be quick." Randy said stepping into the large travertine shower stall. When Randy finished Cody was wiping the mask off

"I need to moisturize."

"And I need to put some clothes on." Randy dressed as Cody moisturized and they met at the bed. Randy pulled the sheets back and watched as Cody crawled in. He groaned looking at the perfectly shaped ass in front of him

"What's the matter?"

"Huh?"

"You groaned."

"Oh, nothing."

"You don't groan for nothing."

"I did that time. Lay down." Randy said sliding in next to Cody who did lie down and turned to face him

"Ran?"

"Hmm?"

"What if,"

"Stop it baby. You can't worry about that or you'll make yourself sick. You barely had lunch and you haven't eaten dinner."

"I already feel sick."

"Do you want me to make you something? Tea maybe?"

"No. Just lay here with me."

"Of course." A phone started to vibrate on the table and Randy turned to get it. "It's you. Your mom."

"Let it go to voicemail. I don't want to talk to her right now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yea. She'd be able to tell that something was wrong and rush over here and I don't want to deal with her or John if she's still here when he gets home." Randy put the phone back on the table and got himself comfortable again. "Did you know that your eyes change shades of blue?"

"Only after someone told me."

"Who?"

"An ex-girlfriend and Steven. He said that he prefers the bright blue over the angry blue-gray."

"I agree with him although the blue-gray is pretty too."

"Well thank you."

"You're welcome."

"They also turn that blue-gray when you're about to dish out some really intense sex." Randy laughed

"Is that so?"

"That's so."

"Your eyes are pretty nice too." Cody laughed

"A lot of people don't like them because they're so blue. In fifth grade Ev got into a fight with a kid who started calling me Creepy Cody." In spite of himself Randy laughed

"That wasn't very nice." Cody shrugged

"Sometimes people aren't nice. I had pretty dark hair so I guess it was a little creepy looking."

"Creepy or not you shouldn't have been teased about it. There was nothing you could do. Besides, dark hair and very blue eyes? Sounds rather dashing to me." Cody laughed

"I was a pretty snazzy ten-year old." Randy smiled and kissed Cody's forehead. In turn Cody tangled his legs with Randy's and buried his face in his chest. "Your heart is pounding."

"You have that effect on me Codes."

"Nah-uh. I don't think anyone has the power to make your heart pound like it is now without exerting you physically."

"John does. He always has."

"But John's not even here."

"He is."

"No he's not Ran. He's still at work or maybe on his way home." Randy just lay there

"You guys awake?" Cody sat straight up in bed and looked toward the doorway. "Did I scare you baby?" He swallowed

"No but Randy just did."

"Huh? What did you do Randy?"

"I didn't do anything." Randy said tugging on Cody's arm. The young man lay back down

"How the hell did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"You know what you just did. That was weird. Did you hear him coming upstairs?"

"Did you hear him coming upstairs?"

"What the hell are the two of you talking about?"

"Ran,"

"Nothing John. How was work?" John looked back and forth then shrugged his shoulders

"Fine I suppose. We're going to New York next weekend. When you and Evan get home from work we're out of here."

"Okay. I'll drive home as fast as I can."

"There's no need for that Jeff Gordon." Randy laughed. "Just drive like you normally would. I've chartered a jet so we'll get there in no time but the opening's that night so Randy,"

"I'll have everyone's clothes ready just let me know what we need to wear."

"A nice suit!" John yelled from inside the bathroom

"Do you think John will let me get a new suit?"

"You don't need a new suit because I've seen at least two in the closet that you haven't worn…and they're Armani so I know they weren't cheap."

"A well-dressed man can never have too many suits."

"You don't even wear them you little weasel. Why do you shop so much?"

"I like shopping and I like to look good."

"Which one should I pack?"

"Doesn't matter. I look so handsome in either one." Randy laughed

"I'm going downstairs to get myself something to eat."

"I put the food away but left a plate for you in the microwave. Put your garlic bread in the toaster oven for about five minutes, on warm at 275."

"We have garlic bread?"

"Did you hear anything I said after garlic bread?" John laughed

"Yes." John was about to leave the room but turned back and walked to the bed. "I almost forgot to give you guys' kisses. I'm sorry."

"I should get a bunch."

"Why should you get a bunch?" John asked kissing Cody

"Because I should."

"And Randy shouldn't?"

"No. Ran just told me that he doesn't like kissing you all that much." Randy and John laughed

"For some reason I don't believe that to be true." John said as he leaned down to kiss Randy who pulled him down on top of him. John reached under the blanket and tickled Randy and as he laughed John slipped his tongue inside his mouth. Cody watched as their playful back and forth turned into more. Cody cleared his throat and John looked over

"Don't you have some food to go eat John?"

"I do. I just had to remind Randy of how much he actually loves to kiss me." John stood and adjusted his waning erection. "I'll be back."

"What's Ev up to Ran?"

"He's a little worried about you."

"Did you kiss him so he'd feel better?"

"No. I didn't realize I had magical kisses."

"I think your penis may be more magical though." Randy laughed

"Should I go give him that then?" He said throwing the sheets back and sitting up. Cody reached out and pulled him back down

"No. You stay here." Randy looked at him

"You're strong."

"I know. I may flounce around here at times but I'm still a man and I do workout."

"I think you grabbing me like that turned me on a little. It was hot." Cody laughed

"Then I'll randomly manhandle you sometimes." Randy growled and Cody smiled as he kissed him. "I love you Ran."

"I know."

"How come you don't say it back like John and me?"

"I do when I feel like it."

"Why? It's like you don't want to." Randy shrugged

"That doesn't mean I don't love you. I wouldn't say it if I didn't and I used to say it all the time."

"And you don't now because…"

"Because I found out that the person I love more than anything was cheating on me with two other people. It just really took the sentiment out of saying it." Cody looked up at him

"Ran…John really hurt you didn't he?" Randy shrugged

"It's whatever. I don't want to talk about it."

"No Ran, you're always around to talk or listen to me."

"Because you want to talk but I don't." Never one to be dissuaded Cody pressed on

"Why did you stay with him? You're hot and once people get past your extremely hard candy shell you're nice so you can have anyone you want…what made you stay?"

"Candy shell?"

"Whatever. Just answer me."

"I wanted to. I could get over him cheating but that doesn't mean it didn't change me or make me just a little jaded."

"But I didn't do anything to you so how come you're that way with me?"

"Blame John…everyone suffers."

"That's hardly fair."

"I agree but you felt the way my heart was beating earlier. No one has ever been able to do that and no other person will. Thinking that way may make me seem stupid but I've done a lot dumber things."

"It's not dumb Ran. I think it's really sweet." John walked back in the room with his plate of food and a beer

"Did you make this bread babe?"

"No. Evan did."

"Did he? It's good. I ate two pieces cold while waiting for my other piece." Randy laughed

"You let Evan use your kitchen?"

"I didn't let him. He was already in the process of making it when I got home."

"That smells good."

"Did you eat Cody?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I didn't feel like it."

"Come here." Cody sat up as John put some food on his fork

"It's hot!" John rolled his eyes and blew on the food before offering it to Cody. Randy watched as John alternated between feeding himself and blowing on the fork before feeding Cody. He was such a handful

"More?" John asked. Cody shook his head. "You haven't eaten that much. Have one more bite."

"And then I'm done?"

"And then you're done." Cody took another bite of food. Randy rolled over to check the phone on his night table

Ev: can you come to my room?

Randy: need help reaching something on a high shelf?

Ev: fuck you. What are you doing?

Randy: watching John feed Cody like a baby bird

Ev: gross! He's chewing it up and spitting it in his mouth?! What the hell's going on in there?!

Randy: lol! Bad visual…he's feeding him from his fork

Ev: very bad visual

Randy: what's up? Do you want to sleep in here tonight? You don't have to ask

Ev: I don't want to sleep in there…well maybe later

Randy: later?

Randy waited for Evan to respond but when he didn't Randy realized that he didn't need to

Randy: oh! I'm not denying you but did you try rubbing one out first?

Ev: I've rubbed two out

Randy: two?

Ev: two

Randy: give me a minute

Randy opened his night table drawer and rummaged around

"What are you doing?" John asked looking over

"I'm going to Evan's room."

"Can I watch?" They both looked at Cody

"How do you know I'm not going for intellectually stimulating conversation?"

"Because you're rooting around in that drawer and I know you're not looking for a book."

"You're right, I'm not." Randy said standing

"Is that a no to me watching?"

"You're staying here with me. You can't watch them every time."

"John's spoken Codes."

"Randy?" He turned toward John

"Yea?"

"Make me proud." Both John and Randy started to laugh

"I'll do my best." Randy said leaving the room and going down the hall. He reached Evan's room and let himself in. "Why's the light off? Ambiance?"

"I only use my light when I'm getting dressed or reading smartass."

"You've got an awfully smart mouth for someone who wants something from me." Randy said pulling the sheets back and climbing into the bed. Evan laughed

"Like that's going to stop you from giving it to me."

"You're absolutely right…it won't." Randy said leaning down and kissing Evan. Evan immediately submitted to the bigger man and let him take over. Randy felt Evan grasping at his shorts and raised his hips so that he could take them off. He groaned as he felt Evan's small but powerful hand grip his member and stroke it firmly. Randy pulled away and began to quickly undress Evan. "Why are you dressed?" He asked out-of-breath

"Was I supposed to be naked?"

"Yes!" Randy hissed as he roughly pulled Evan's pants off. He stopped and Evan looked at him

"What's the matter?"

"You smell really good." Evan started to laugh. "I know that's weird or whatever but I guess I just never noticed."

"Um, it's Nivea for men and Nivea lotion if you were wondering." Randy nodded

"I like it."

"Fantastic now can we,"

"Oh yea, of course." Randy said spreading Evan's legs and nestling between them as he kissed him all over. John and Cody both heard Evan's initial gasp and moan

"Point of entry?" Cody nodded

"Point of entry." He confirmed with John. Back in Evan's room Randy pulled Evan close lifting his hips in the process and thrust in and out slowly

"Randy."

"What?"

"Faster."

"I know what you like but just let me do my thing."

"But – oh god."

"You were saying?"

"I'll keep calm and you carry on." Randy laughed as he leaned down thrusting harder as he did so. Evan wrapped his legs around him so Randy pushed even deeper and relished in the sounds Evan made. Evan used a hand to wrap around the back of Randy's neck and brought him down for a sloppy and noisy kiss. Evan pulled away and flipped them over sinking down onto Randy before the other man had a chance to protest. He used his leg strength to lift himself up and down impaling himself on Randy

"Holy shit." Randy breathed. "That feels so good."

"Yea?"

"Yes." Randy said meeting the downward motion of Evan's hips

"Oh fuck!" Evan yelled as Randy hit his spot repeatedly. He grabbed his cock with one hand while the other dug into Randy's chest. Randy gripped Evan's waist and watched the other man jerk his cock and cum all over his stomach. Randy flipped them back over and pounded into Evan for as long as he could until he came too. They both lay on the bed breathing heavily and exhausted. As Randy's brain started to clear he reached for his shorts and went in the pocket. Shit

"Ev?"

"Yea?"

"We, um, we didn't use anything."

"What?"

"I guess I was so caught up I just never put it on."

"Randy!"

"Well you didn't remind me! Besides, it's not like you're going to get pregnant."

"That's not the point." Randy froze

"Do you have something I should be worried about?"

"No because I've never done it without one."

"You what? Never?"

"No."

"I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry. I don't have anything but if you want to go get tested I won't be offended at all. I didn't mean to, I don't know, ruin you for lack of a better word."

"Is that what I am now? Ruined?"

"I don't know what word to use. I feel like shit and my vocabulary is failing me at the moment."

"It's okay."

"No it's not. I'm so sorry."

"Randy," Evan said grasping the other man's hand in the dark. "I said that it was okay. I guess I'm happy it was you."

"I still feel terrible but if you're okay with it then I'll eventually come to terms with what I did." Evan laughed

"For God's sake Randy, you're talking as if you got me drunk and took my virginity." Randy laughed

"I suppose I am being quite dramatic."

"Just a little."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes…and look at it this way, now you don't have to buy condoms and you can save the money." Randy laughed

"Way to be positive."

"Randy?"

"Yea?"

"Wanna go again?" John and Cody listened to Randy and Evan for the next hour or so

"John?"

"Yes?"

"I should be in there."

"Conducting? What do they need you for?"

"I don't mean for them. I want to see myself. You know how hot they are in front of us so just imagine how they are when it's just the two of them."

"But if you were in there it wouldn't be just the two of them." Cody sat there thinking about what John just said

"Oh yea." He laughed while John shook his head. They looked toward the door as it opened and Randy walked through

"Why are you guys staring at me?"

"Cody probably wants to sniff you but I'm looking because I thought you were a gentleman." John said as he watched Randy dropped the condom packets back in the drawer

"What are you talking about?"

"You just slob him down and then leave?"

"He's getting a shower John and now I'm going to get a shower…Cody don't you even think about sniffing me." Cody huffed

"I don't want to. John was attempting to be funny. You know how he is." Randy laughed as John glared

"Aww, you made a joke Codes. That was so cute…and funny." Cody smiled. Randy went to the bathroom and shut the door behind him. John waited about a minute or two before following. Randy looked in the mirror as he was brushing his teeth and saw John standing there. "Yes?" He questioned as he spat into the sink and rinsed his mouth

"You put the condoms back."

"What?"

"I saw you put them back in the drawer. Were those extra or did you not use them?" Randy sighed and turned toward the shower

"I didn't use them."

"Randy!"

"What?"

"What do you mean,"

"Lower your voice John." John took a deep breath and started again

"What do you mean you didn't use them?"

"I was in the moment and forgot the first time,"

"And the second?" John interrupted

"If I didn't use it the first time then what does it matter?" John crossed his arms and Randy knew to tread lightly because John was getting mad. Randy shook his head and tried again. "When I realized that I'd forgotten I told Evan. He was alarmed but not because it's gross or anything but because he'd never, in his life, had done it without one."

"Never?" John asked incredulously

"No. I felt like shit but he told me not to."

"Never?"

"No John. I even said that if he wanted to get tested that I wouldn't be offended."

"He's so responsible."

"Yea I know." Randy said stepping into the shower. "That's why I felt so bad. Not that I was just going around and sticking my dick in everything without protection but I have done it numerous times without it…with you and Cody of course."

"You used condoms with Steven?" Randy looked sharply at John

"You really need to let that go. We did most of the time."

"Most of the time?"

"Sometimes we were too fucked up to even care." John shook his head. "Do not fucking look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"All judgmental and shit…and fuck you for even judging me."

"I am not judging you Randy."

"Yes you are." John hesitated

"Okay, I am. I'm sorry." Randy shook his head as he lathered himself angrily

"Get out of here John."

"Randy I,"

"Leave me alone." John sighed and left the bathroom. Randy finished his shower and just as he walked out Evan was walking into the room. He went over to his side of the bed and reached into the top drawer of his table. He popped a Klonopin and took a swig of water from a bottle sitting there

"What's that?"

"Nothing. Get in bed." Evan pulled the blankets back and crawled in. Randy went to the closet and dressed. "I'll be back." He said leaving the room

"Okay – what just happened here?" Evan asked no one in particular

"I have no idea Evy."

"I mean he was fine when he left my room."

"And he was fine when he came back here and went to take a shower. John?"

"What?"

"Never mind…by that tone I assume you said something to him in the bathroom and it made him mad."

"What the hell did he just take?"

"You're going to have to talk to Randy about that Evan."

"Well where did he go?"

"Somewhere to clear his head I guess."

"You're not worried?"

"We are but it's best to just leave Ran be when he's like this. There's nothing we can do." Evan picked up his phone

Ev: are you okay?

Randy: I'm fine. Just give me 20 minutes or so. I'll be back

Ev: what did you take? Is it legal?

Randy: yes and I'll talk to you about it later

Ev: okay

"Is he talking to you?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell him that I'm sorry?"

"He said that he'll be back in 20 minutes but I'll tell him."

"What did you do John?"

"Nothing Cody."

Ev: John wanted me to tell you that he's sorry

Randy: thank you for giving me the message but John shouldn't be including you in this

Ev: I agree since I don't know what the hell is going on. Does it have anything to do with me?

Randy: no

Ev: are you sure? Should I go back to my room?

Randy: I'm sure and no. I can't drive and text Ev

Ev: oh yea. Sorry

"Well you had to do something for him to leave. Me and Ev didn't and you're apologizing."

"Cody let it go before I say something that hurts your feelings."

"All I'm saying is that you,"

"Would you shut the fuck up?"

"And there that is." Evan mumbled

Ev: I know you can't text and drive so you don't have to respond but can you get back here sooner rather than later? It's getting very uncomfortable

Randy: what?

Ev: you know how persistent Cody is and John just told him to shut the fuck up

Randy: I just pulled into the garage. Be up in a minute

Ev: take the stairs two at a time

Randy walked into the room and looked at everyone in bed but his eyes stayed on John

"Couldn't just let me leave the house until my medicine kicked in could you?"

"Randy,"

"I really don't need you to say anything. You don't have anything to say as far as I'm concerned." Randy stripped off his t-shirt and shorts. "Are you okay Codes?" Cody nodded

"Yea." He said quietly

"Ev?"

"I'm fine." Randy leaned over Evan and gave Cody a kiss before getting into bed. The four men lay there for what felt like forever before anyone fell asleep

Next Morning

John woke up from his terrible night of sleep. He felt exhausted like he'd been up for, at the very least, three days. He stared at the ceiling before getting up and walking to Randy's side of the bed. John saw Evan curled against one side of Randy and Cody curled against the other. He wanted to wake Randy and apologize but he couldn't with these two wrapped around him. As if Cody read his mind he rolled over away from Randy and settled back into the sheets

"Randy." John said tapping his arm. He opened his eyes and looked at John

"What?"

"I need to talk to you."

"You've got some nerve waking me up."

"Please." Randy sighed and maneuvered around Evan to get out of bed. They walked to the other side of the room. Randy rubbed his eyes waiting for John to get on with it. "I'm so sorry about last night. I've never looked at you like you were," He paused and Randy narrowed his eyes

"Like what? Like I was a fucking junkie." Maybe it was the lack of sleep or irritation carrying over from the night before but John was getting angry. "You are simultaneously the nicest person and the biggest piece of shit I know. I'm amazed."

"Then leave." Randy looked at John with fiery eyes and John shook his head. "Oh my god. I didn't mean that." He reached out but Randy snatched his arm away. "You know I didn't mean that."

"That's probably the most hurtful thing anyone has ever said to me. Two words John…and probably because they came from you, the person who means the most to me."

"I didn't mean it Randy."

"I'm going to take a deep breath and count to ten and then I'll try to forget you ever said that because if I don't, I'll leave you. And I don't mean for a day or a few weeks. I'll pack my shit and leave you forever and I know that I'll be a miserable and intolerable prick but I've been a miserable and intolerable prick before and survived." Cody's alarm went off and Randy turned away from John and went over to the bed

"Cody," He said leaning over. "Get up baby." Cody groaned

"Do I have to Ran? I took a shower last night so I'm not dirty."

"That's up to you. Do you want me to set your snooze?"

"Yea."

"Can you get up by yourself in 15 minutes?"

"Yea."

"No you can't. I'll be back." Cody smiled

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Randy went to the bathroom to brush his teeth, ignored John who was in there then left. He had a while before he needed to start breakfast so he went to a guest room and just sat at the foot of the bed on the floor. Randy sat there fighting with himself but try as he might he just couldn't stop the hot tears as they ran down his face

"Randy?" He quickly turned his head toward the windows and wiped his face

"Yea?" Evan sat on the floor next to him

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"He didn't mean it."

"What?"

"I heard you and John this morning." He said resting his head on Randy's shoulder. "John didn't mean it so please don't leave."

"Are you telling me that he didn't mean it because you don't want me to leave or because you actually believe that he didn't?"

"I'm telling you that because I believe that he didn't. If I thought he did I'd never tell you not to leave and risk you being mistreated like that in the future. I just feel in my heart that it slipped. John was a mess when you left before."

"I can't put his feelings before mine anymore Evan. I did it when I first moved in here and couldn't stand being around Cody. I stayed because I love John and I knew that he was in love with both of us and wanted both of us here. I did all of that shit for him. I sacrificed how I felt for him and this is what I get. He tells me to leave."

"But he,"

"Didn't mean it. I get it but that doesn't make it any less hurtful. I spent a lot of my life not being such a nice guy Evan but never with John. I mean I may give him shit occasionally but I give everyone shit. I never wanted to change or be better until I met John."

"What was wrong with you before?"

"I was on drugs when I met John and he sent me to rehab."

"Oh. Is that what you took last night?"

"No that was a Klonopin…completely legal and prescribed to me."

"You can get high on those Randy."

"This is why I asked my doctor for the lowest dose. Those things are only a smidge above being placebos."

"Oh. Okay."

"I hate taking them you know?"

"So don't take them. If the dosage is that low then you probably don't need them. It's all in your head." Randy shook his head

"I take them when I have to."

"Well what are you going to do? I heard you say that if you count to ten you'll try to forget or something like that. Did it work?"

"I don't know Ev. He cheated and I forgave him for that. I don't know if I can do it again."

TBC

A/N: Oh hey guys, I feel like we're close enough now that I can let you in on a little secret: I don't like odd numbers and I have 25 stories. Now, I could delete one or any of you could drop an idea in the comments, but I would prefer the idea be dropped in a PM. I'd really appreciate it if you did, if not, I just might hold chapter 25 hostage…oh yes, it's complete. Thanks! : )