AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Some of you, in your reviews and PMs, took a guess at who Nasir called at the end of the last chapter, and who would meet Emmett when his plane landed in New York. You are about to find out how right you were.
My beloved sister wrote a good bit of this chapter and we get some insight into Jasper's thoughts here.
And speaking of my sister, she continues to write Errors even now!
Big hugs to my girls, Maureen, Rebecca, Kate and Miss Pauline.
The FF witch hunt appears to be over. I will continue to post here and move to AO3 as and when I have to. When/if I am forced to complete the relocation you can find me at - archiveofourown ~dot~ org. Then just do a search for Jtrue.
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
All character names from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. The similarities end there.
Chapter 42: Time to Talk
Emmett wore snug jeans and a shirt with pearl snaps in place of buttons. His thought when he selected the clothes he would change into when Seth drove him to the airport, was that if Nasir didn't rip his shirt off of him, he would do so himself. It had been too long and he intended to have both of them naked between the time the driver shut their door, and took the wheel. The shirt was western cut and a light plaid of white and pale green which he wore with the sleeves rolled up almost to his elbows.
Emmett was lucky in that on this flight he was seated beside a man who appeared to have a great deal of work to do. The man had the window seat and had his laptop and papers as spread out as much as he possibly could on the workspace the tray table provided. Emmett was less lucky in that he and businessman were seated in 6 E&F. Emmett knew he would be the next to the last person in first class to get off this plane. The fact that he would exit before the vast majority of passengers gave him no comfort at all. His whole body ached to feel Nasir in his arms. Emmett's whole being cried out for it. He needed to hold Nasir with his whole body. Emmett felt like he was deprived of his senses.
And time marched on as his plane flew on. And on, and on. If only Edward were coming with him again this trip. Emmett realized that he was spoiled now. Having a dear friend with him whose situation was just the same had made their last flight not only bearable, but actually enjoyable. Emmett would have put money that they had flown long enough so as to be somewhere over the Urals when they finally began to descend. The businessman next to him only packed himself up when the flight attendant directed him to do so as bags needed to be re-stowed for landing.
By a stroke of good fortune, their little 737-800 was assigned Gate 16 at Terminal 8. This was attached to the main terminal building and would be a very short walk to baggage claim, where the love of his life would be waiting for him. Emmett pulled out his cell while still in the jetbridge, turned it on, and touched the picture of his smiling Arab husband. Just seeing that picture of Nasir always made Emmett smile. A smile that faded when his call went immediately to voicemail. Emmett checked for texts or voicemails and when he found none, began to worry. He was suddenly even more thankful for the short walk to Arrivals. There could be any number of reasons for his call not going through. It wasn't time to panic yet.
Emmett's long stride put him in front of all other passengers and he was the first to reach the escalator down to baggage claim. He took the downward moving steps two at a time and reached the bottom in seconds. Emmett looked around frantically as he strode along with his messenger bag slung over his back.
"Hey, Em," a man stepped casually right in front of Emmett.
"What?" Emmett was disoriented for a second. In his quest for his husband, it took Emmett longer than it should have to recognize the old friend who stood before him. "Jasper! What are you doing here?"
"Nasir sent me," Jasper answered. He wore tight jeans that fit his lean frame beautifully and a full sweater that gave no hint at the trim torso beneath it.
"Why?! What happened?! It's not immigration, is it?" Emmett's fear spilled out of him.
"Em," Jasper grabbed the bigger man's arms, "don't panic. Calm down. His flight got cancelled, that's all. He's still in London."
"He is? Oh, he is? Oh, shit," Emmett's rapidly changing emotions played out across his face. "So, well, fuck."
"He thought you would feel that way and I knew it too," Jasper asserted. "That's why he called me. He didn't want you to land and have no one to meet you. I'm the welcoming committee. C'mon. Limo's right outside."
"Okay," Emmett let Jasper take his hand and lead him out of the building.
Chaiyo waited beside a stretch, black Town Car limousine. "Welcome back, Mr. McCarty," he greeted as he opened the rear door for them.
"Hey, Chaiyo," Emmett patted the shorter man on his back as he let Jasper slide in first. He then followed and slipped the strap of his messenger bag over his head to stow it in the back window. "So, hi, Sugar," Emmett leaned over and pulled Jasper into a hug as Chaiyo shut them in. "Sorry. I know I'm being an ass."
"No you're not," Jasper rubbed Emmett's broad back. "I know how bad you want to see him. Nasir was really upset that he can't come in tonight."
"Was he on the last flight out?" Emmett asked as the big car pulled away from the curb.
"No, but his was delayed so long before it was finally cancelled, that the last fight out had left by then," Jasper conveyed.
"Well, I'm disappointed that my husband isn't here, but it sure is nice to see you," Emmett patted Jasper's knee. "I know you gotta miss Edward like I miss Nasi."
"You can sure as fuck say that again. Skype is not cutting it. I need my man," Jasper stated.
"Fuck knows I do too," Emmett expressed. "Mine, I mean," he amended with a chuckle. "Fuck. I guess we don't need this limo now."
"You weren't planning on waiting until you got home to play, were you?" Jasper gave his lopsided grin.
"There was no way I was gonna be able to wait that long," Emmett shook his head. "Look at all this room. Need your dick sucked?"
"Fuck yeah!" Jasper laughed. "But not by you!"
"At least Nasi's someplace safe. And he got to see Ashok and the guys. And his sister," Emmett relayed.
"Ashok is the kid the guys rescued from Emirates? The one who worked for Nasir's father?" Jasper asked.
"That's him. He's a super sweet kid. You'd love him," Emmett assured.
"He's with Rick now, I'm told," Jasper recalled.
"Oh, that's right!" Emmett remembered. "Rick was once your Rick!"
"That's ancient history, Em. I don't wish him any ill. I only hope now he is with Ashok, he can put H behind him forever, for his own sake and Ashok's," Jasper expressed.
"I hope so too," Emmett well remembered not only what happened when Jasper was with Rick, but how despondent Rick was over H when he met Rick. "Nasi said they seem really happy together."
"Then good for both of them," Jasper gave a firm nod. "I avoided all news of Rick for a long time, because even though what happened was for the best, what he did still stung. Now that I have Edward back, I feel differently. Rick hadn't hurt me deliberately, and if he hadn't done what he had, I might have stayed in England with him, and Edward and I would have never reunited. It all happened for a reason. Maybe for Rick too. Maybe he just needed that time to realize how toxic H is and to be open to love someone else. I just know that it's hard to begrudge anyone love and happiness now that I have Edward, my first and only love."
"That's just how Eddie describes you! I have Nasi, Seth has Garrett, Eddie has you. We all won!" Emmett laughed.
"Seth is the real winner," Jasper assessed. "He gets to sleep next to his husband every night!"
"You can say that again. I miss Nasi so bad I can taste it!" Emmett expressed.
"Taste it, or taste him?" Jasper teased.
"I'll get a good fucking taste of him just as soon as he gets his hairy ass home," Emmett assured.
"Oh, he has a hairy ass does he?" Jasper smirked.
"Yeah, a little. Not overly. Sexy," Emmett evaluated.
"Well, I might point out that you and Edward flew out of here together, two fuckin' weeks ago," Jasper reminded. "So I know precisely how much you miss your man and I also know that come tomorrow, I'll still be missing mine, and you won't."
"Yeah, that sucks," Emmett felt for him. "Say, Nasi's one damn fine top, in case I never mentioned that before. We might could talk him into handling both of us," he ran his hand over Jasper's thigh.
"Fuck you," Jasper laughed and moved Emmett's hand off of his leg.
"No, Sugar, we've known since your Freshman year that's not gonna happen! Nasi will do the fucking," Emmett teased and they both laughed over it. "Say, where are we going anyway? Are we going to the penthouse?"
"I am going home with you," Jasper informed. "I promised Nasir I would keep you company until he arrives."
"Oh, well that's nice. Good," Emmett nodded. "I hate to keep you from your friends though. What did you have planned tonight before I dropped into your lap?"
"Nothing, really. I had a quiet dinner with Dimi while Ross was working," Jasper answered. "Ross' mother made us Greek spaghetti."
"Greek spaghetti?" Emmett had never heard of it. "How does that differ from regular spaghetti?"
"If by regular you mean Italian," Jasper explained, "the difference is that an Italian bolognese has not just meat, but tomatoes and traditional Italian spices. Greek sauce is more meat, less sauce. There are no chunks of tomato. And Greeks use nutmeg and cinnamon. It's really good."
"Sounds good," Emmett agreed. "How is he doing, by the way?"
"Physical therapy wears him out, but he is very much determined," Jasper answered. "He is able to get around the apartment by himself with his crutches. The best part about that is he doesn't need help going to the bathroom anymore. When Ross and I aren't around, he doesn't need his mother's help to take a piss. Or worse, Ross' mom. She had to help him do that one day. He hated that. He let us both have it when we got home. She just gave a shrug. I have a husband, four brothers and three sons. I know what you have in your pants," he mimicked her shaking a finger. "Anyway, at this point he's dying to get out of the house. Anywhere for anything, but it can't be for long. He tires out fast."
"I'd love to meet them sometime," Emmett expressed.
"Yeah, one of these days. They're good guys," Jasper affirmed. "Hey, are you hungry?"
They were both distracted by the ring of Jasper's cell.
"Oh, shit," Jasper recognized the ring and pulled it out of his jeans pocket. "Speak of the devil. Hey, Ross. Everything all right?"
"Jas, I need your help," Ross got straight to the point.
"Sure. Anything. What is it?" Jasper asked as he gave Emmett a concerned look.
"Dimi wants to go out for a drink and he won't take no for an answer," Ross informed. "I need you to talk him out of it. Maybe he'll listen to you. Ready? I'll put him on."
"Can I talk to you first?" Jasper asked.
"What?" Ross was impatient to put this to rest.
"I actually think that's a great idea. I mean, if he just has a soft drink or something non alcoholic," Jasper stated.
"Fuck me! You too?" Ross was clearly frustrated.
"There!" Demetri's voice carried over the phone from the background.
"Go someplace close by, just for a little while," Jasper advised. "It'll do him good to get out of the house and of course he wants it to be with you."
"He's on crutches. What if something happens?" Ross demanded. Ross didn't say what the something was that he feared, but Jasper already knew.
"Call for a cab. He wouldn't be able to walk anyplace, even someplace close," Jasper instructed.
"Let's pick them up," Emmett heard enough of the conversation to get the gist of it. "We have a limo," he gestured to the unused space within the long car.
"Actually, hang tight. We have a limo. We'll pick you up," Jasper directed. "Where did he want to go?"
"Amsterdam Ale House," Ross answered. "It's close and casual."
"Perfect. We're on our way into the city now. Give us twenty minutes-ish," Jasper advised.
"Alright. Call when you pull up. We'll get dressed," Ross agreed.
"See you in a bit," Jasper ended the call. "You don't mind, Em?"
"Not at all," Emmett shook his head. "My husband is in Europe and I'd love to meet them."
"Where are we going?" Chaiyo asked from the wheel. They did not bother to raise the privacy partition and he overheard them.
"Four oh one West End Avenue, please," Jasper answered.
"Yes, Sir," Chaiyo acknowledged.
"Is that okay, Chaiyo? We won't make you late for something else, will we?" Emmett enquired.
"No, Sir. I'm yours till you're done with me," Chaiyo called back.
"Okay, thank you," Emmett was grateful.
"I have to make another call or two, Em," Jasper raised his phone to his ear again.
"Go right ahead," Emmett was easy.
"Hi, Jazzy," Levi answered.
"Hey, Ross is taking Dimi out for a drink," Jasper revealed.
"No shit? Where?" Levi asked.
"Amsterdam Ale House," Jasper answered.
"When?" Levi pressed.
"Twenty minutes. Light up the network," Jasper directed.
"Done," Levi hung up.
"One more," Jasper called up a different number and raised the phone again.
"TV Man!" Felix answered enthusiastically.
"Hi, Felix. I wanted to let you know, Ross is taking Dimi out for a drink to get him out of the house," Jasper informed.
"Oh, yeah? Now? Where?" Felix enquired.
"Amsterdam Ale House," Jasper answered.
"Do I have time to pick them up? Should I call them?" Felix pressed.
"My friend Emmett is back in town and we have a limo. We'll pick them up and meet you there?" Jasper proposed.
"We're on our way. See you there," Felix pledged.
"Okay. Bye," Jasper finished and stuck his cell back in his pocket. "There."
"There," Emmett repeated. "It's early for me yet anyway. And since I won't be getting fucked tonight... Unless you've turned over a new leaf," he grabbed and squeezed Jasper's thigh. "You're thicker than Nasi too. You could give my ass quite a workout," Emmett teased.
"I don't think so!" Jasper laughed with Emmett.
Almost exactly twenty minutes later, Chaiyo pulled to the curb. Emmett didn't wait for Chaiyo and opened his own door. Jasper followed him out onto the wide sidewalk, phone to his ear.
"I see you," Ross answered the phone. "We're on our way," he advised and hung up.
"They're coming down," Jasper stuck his phone back in his pocket.
The building doorman opened and held the plate glass door for them.
"Ross and Demetri are coming down, Bruce," Jasper called.
"Very good, Sir," Bruce answered and maintained his post in the open doorway. Jasper ran up the four steps and inside when he saw them emerge from the elevator. There were another four steps inside and Jasper wanted to be there as Demetri negotiated these, just in case. Emmett waited on the sidewalk under the wide green awning as the trio slowly made their way out to him.
Both Greek men were exceptionally attractive. Ross had darker features with thick black hair and eyebrows to match. He wore snug jeans and a loose pullover shirt with a very wide round neck that bared his collar bones, and gave a peek at his hairy chest. The man who struggled on his crutches, but would accept no help, wore a sweatshirt and basketball shorts, in which his ample Greek manhood swung freely. Demetri's left leg was encased in an ankle and knee brace. While he wore a sandal on his right foot, he had only a white sock on his left. It was hard to tell with the crutches, but it looked like Demetri was a bit taller than Ross and neither were quite as tall as Jasper.
"Hey, guys," Emmett gave a wave and a smile as they emerged.
"Em, my closest friends, Ross and Dimi," Jasper introduced. "Guys, this is Emmett."
"Hi," Ross immediately offered his hand. "Nice to meet you."
"You guys too," Emmett shook Ross' hand.
"Let's get in the car," Jasper rushed. He could see that Demetri was already winded. The rear door of the limo had been left open and now Chaiyo stood beside it.
"C'mon, Babe," Ross prompted. Demetri maneuvered himself into the open door and turned around. He slipped the crutches out from under his arms and Ross took hold of them. Ross put his free hand on the back of his husband's head, just in case, as Demetri lowered himself into the car.
"I can do it," Demetri protested as Ross attempted to help him swing his legs into the car. Once he did so, Ross slid the crutches into the vehicle.
"Okay?" Ross asked.
"Yeah," Demetri answered, though clearly out of breath.
"We'll get in on the other side," Jasper took Emmett's hand and together they walked around the car. Ross shut Demetri's door and followed them. Emmett followed Jasper to the forward rear facing seat and Ross slid in beside his husband. Chaiyo shut the door and took the wheel.
"You know where the Amsterdam Ale House is?" Jasper asked over his shoulder.
"Sure do," Chaiyo confirmed and put the car in gear.
"Damn!" Demetri lifted his sweatshirt and used it to wipe the perspiration from his brow. "Those fuckin' stairs are murder."
"It's bad enough you have to deal with them when you have appointments, Babe," Ross put his hand on Demetri's thigh. He pulled the shorts leg up so he could rest his hand on Demetri's bare thigh.
"That's the only place I do go," Demetri argued. "I just want to get out of the house for something social."
"Okay. I'm here with you," Ross assured.
"So, how are you guys?" Demetri wanted to shift the attention off of himself. "I guess your guy didn't make it in, Emmett?"
"Nope," Emmett confirmed with a resigned face.
"Where is he?" Ross asked.
"Didn't Jas say London?" Demetri put his hand on the hand that rested on his thigh.
"Yeah," Jasper confirmed. "His flight got cancelled and he's stuck."
"At least I get to spend some time with you guys," Emmett looked on the bright side. "Glad to see you up and about, Dimi. For what it's worth, I'm really sorry about what happened to you guys. I wish I had been there."
"As do we all," Jasper agreed.
"Yeah, it's a bitch, but, you just gotta go on," Demetri squeezed his husband's hand. Ross looked to his man and was again taken by his amazing bravery and perseverance.
It was a quick and easy drive the five short blocks. Chaiyo took 79th to Broadway and that down to 76th. The last block brought them to Amsterdam Avenue, where their destination was on the corner.
A hulking sentinel stood on the curb outside the Amsterdam Ale House, watching the traffic. He knew the one way streets would mean they would approach along 76th. When the stretch limousine pulled up at the left curb, he stepped forward.
"Oh, here's Felix," Ross opened his door and stepped out. "Hey, Felix."
"Ross," Felix bent to give him a hug and kiss. "Where is he?"
"Other side," Ross gestured. Felix immediately marched around the back of the car and opened the passenger side rear door as Jasper and Emmett emerged behind Ross.
"Hi, Felix," Demetri reached out to take Felix's hand.
"Big D! Nice to see you out and about," Felix expressed. He pulled the crutches out of the car and handed them to Ross, who had walked around to join them. They gave Demetri the space and time he needed to get both legs out of the car. Demetri reached out to Felix and Ross, expecting them to take his hands so he could pull himself out and stand. Instead Felix reached in, took hold of Demetri under his arms, and lifted him out of the car as if he weighed nothing.
"I can do it, Felix! I just need a little help," Demetri took his crutches.
"Okay, okay," Felix held up his hands.
"Let's get inside," Ross gestured. He and Felix followed Demetri around the car.
"Hey, TV Man," Felix gave Jasper a tight hug. "Emmett, good to see you," he offered his hand.
"You too, Felix," Emmett took the offered hand only for Felix to pull him into a hug as well. Both men gave each other hard pats on the back. Felix wore tight jeans and a plain white tee shirt that was thin and tight enough that Emmett could see the rings in both his nipples.
"Where's Anton?" Jasper enquired.
"He's right inside," Felix gestured to where Ross held the door for Demetri.
The Amsterdam Ale House, attached to the inexpensive and aged Amsterdam Inn, was a warm, casual place with soft amber lighting. Booths lined two walls, a long bar ran the length of the place and the rest of the space was filled with wooden tables and chairs. On this particular night, nearly half the patrons here were waiting for one man.
A chorus of 'Dimi!' and 'Demetri!' rang out as soon as he crossed the threshold.
"Hey, guys! Wow, everybody's here," Demetri's face lit up.
Anton, Francis and Cam stood among Ross and Demetri's entire crew. Levi stood with the tall and sculpted Greek god Thanos. The more muscular and very nearly as beautiful Yiannis stood with his arm around his lithe Italian boyfriend Lazzaro, who in skinny jeans and tight tank top looked even taller and thinner than he was. The sweetly smiling Reynard stood with an Italian looking man who was not quite Lazzaro's height, but more muscular and not as thin. Beside them stood a shorter Arabic looking younger man and a Chinese man who at 5'11" was oddly tall. All of these men had been to see Demetri both in the hospital and at home, but this was the first time anyone aside from Ross, Jasper, or the parents had seen him out.
"Hi, Dimi," Levi stepped forward. He took his boss' face in his hands and gave him a kiss on his lips. "C'mon. We have a seat saved at the bar right here," Levi directed. They made sure that Demetri would have the shortest possible distance to go once he got inside. The men made room and Demetri maneuvered himself to the bar. Ross took his crutches and stood close by as Demetri slipped up onto his barstool.
"Fuck," Demetri reached for a cocktail napkin to wipe his brow as Ross leaned his crutches on the bar beside him.
"What do you want, Babe?" Ross put his hand on his husband's leg.
"Just get me a diet coke with a lime," Demetri made a face. As badly as he wanted a drink right now, he knew he shouldn't.
Everyone made a point to say hello to Jasper and Emmett as they lined up to give Demetri a hug.
"Hi, Emmett," Reynard batted his eyes at the bigger man. "Where your man at?"
"Hi, Rey-Rey," Emmett smiled. "He's in London."
"London? Like, England London?" Reynard asked.
"That's the one," Emmett confirmed. "I was meant to meet him here in New York tonight, but his flight got cancelled."
"Oh, poor baby," Reynard stepped closer and ran a hand over Emmett's pec. "If you need someplace to keep that big, fat dick warm till he get home, you can put it right in me. Anywhere you want."
"What a sweet offer!" Emmett laughed. "And how do you know I have a big, fat dick anyway?"
"I grabbed it last time, remember?" Reynard reminded.
"You don't know how big or fat it gets," Emmett pointed out.
"You're right. Prove me wrong," Reynard was quick. "I love suckin white boy dick! Especially hung white boy dick. Emmett gotta take me to the bathroom!" he grabbed Emmett's hand and pulled, but Emmett didn't move. "Oh, shit!" Reynard leaned and pulled harder while Emmett just laughed.
"Is this boy misbehaving?!" Felix used a deliberately gruff voice and grabbed Reynard by the back of his neck to pull him close.
"Hoo! Felix, I love when you manhandle me!" Reynard ran both hands over Felix's chest. "Anton, please say you'll share."
"Little boy, you couldn't handle this," Anton cocked a thumb at his grinning giant.
"I could die tryin," Reynard was game.
"Em, what do you want to drink?" Jasper asked. "This place has a big draft selection and even more bottles."
"Spaten for sure, if they have it," Emmett answered.
"Ya know, I don't think they do. I don't remember seeing it on the menu. Let me grab one," Jasper stepped to a nearby empty table and picked up the legal sized laminated menu. "They have an amber ale called Magic Hat on tap that I really like," he commented as Emmett read over the menu.
"An ale?" Emmett turned up his nose.
"This is an ale house. It's from Vermont. It's good," Jasper endorsed.
"Vermont?" Emmett turned up his nose again.
"When did you get to be such a beer snob anyway? I don't remember you being this way in college," Jasper complained goodnaturedly.
"I was young and jobless. I didn't have any money back then," Emmett answered. "Now it's different. I only drink good beer. There's just one pretty simple rule to remember, Jas. If it they haven't been making it in Munich for at least five hundred years, it's not beer."
"I'll try to remember that," Jasper was sarcastic.
"Actually, I might grab a burger or something too," Emmett rubbed his stomach. "I had the club on the plane, but that was lunch."
"They do a good burger here. And they have a buffalo burger," Jasper pointed out.
"Oh, I'll get that. Knowing Seth has given me an appreciation of buffalo. And I'll get you a magic box, if that's what you want," Emmett patted Jasper's shoulder patronizingly.
"Magic hat!" Jasper corrected as Emmett moved to the bar. Emmett chuckled. He had done that deliberately. It only took him a moment to order.
"Here you go," Emmett handed Jasper his frosty mug.
"Thank you. What did you chose?" Jasper asked.
"Ayinger Celebrator doppelbock," Emmett held up his bottle. "It's like an optimator."
"I don't know what that is. Is it from Munich?" Jasper gestured with his mug.
"Bavaria," Emmett answered.
"Oh, I see. And have they been making it for five hundred years?" Jasper pressed.
"More like two hundred I think. They're new at it," Emmett gave a grin.
"Are you sure that's even beer?" Jasper teased.
"Damn sure tastes like beer," Emmett took a gulp.
"Emmett's back in town," Levi stepped over to them, his own mug in hand.
"Hi, Levi," Emmett gave him a one armed hug.
"I thought I'd see Nasir with you. He working late?" Levi surmised.
"He's in Europe," Emmett answered.
"Nasir's flight got cancelled so he sent me to pick Em up," Jasper added. "He sorta sent a fox to guard the henhouse," he added with his lopsided grin.
"He sent a hen to pick up the fox," Emmett countered with a light smack on Jasper's butt.
"Oh, I see how it is," Levi teased. "While the cats are away...," he turned and took a drink of his ale. "Say, did Emmett meet all the guys?"
"No, he couldn't have. Hey, guys," Jasper called. "I want you to meet an old and dear college friend of mine from Seattle. This is Emmett. Em, Mike, Ben and Faraz," he introduced the Chinese, Italian and Arab men in order.
"Hi, guys," Emmett shook their hands.
"Faraz, Emmett's husband is Arabic also," Jasper pointed out.
"Oh, I thought that was a pretty cool name," Emmett smiled. "Where are you from, Faraz?"
"Egypt," Faraz answered.
"Oh, wow. That's a fascinating place. So much history!" Emmett enthused. "I'd love to visit someday."
"I don't remember much. I was little when we came to America," Faraz spoke without a hint of an accent. "Where is your guy from?"
"His name is Nasir and he's from the United Arab Emirates," Emmett answered.
"Ah," Faraz nodded. "He is Bedouin."
"Well, he's not, actually," Emmett disagreed.
"He is from the Gulf. My father says all men from the Gulf are Bedouin. Or at least, they talk like they are," Faraz was more specific.
"Oh, I get it," Emmett nodded. "They speak Arabic differently? I guess that makes sense. English is spoken differently across this country."
"And he is from there? Is he a citizen?" Faraz asked.
"He's not. He has a Green Card though," Emmett answered. "Are you a citizen?"
"I am," Faraz nodded. "Does his family know about you?"
"Huh. Yes they do," Emmett confirmed. "Suffice it to say, we are his family now," he put his arm around Jasper's shoulders.
"My family is not happy about me either. When I told them, my father threw me out. That was two years ago," Faraz relayed.
"My family are jerks too," Mike spoke up. "Faraz is my best friend. We went to the same high school. When he told me his dad was throwing him out, it was easy to make a decision. We already worked for Ross and Dimi, so we had jobs that pay pretty good. We crashed at Ben's parents' until we could get a place of our own."
"My parents have no problem with me," Ben commented.
"Oh, I wonder why that is?" Mike asked with attitude.
"Ben is our token straight," Levi informed.
"Someone has to take care of the ladies," Ben gave a sigh.
"I'm not so sure he's all that straight," Faraz doubted. "You should have seen him come downstairs in the mornings, huge in his tighty whities. Oh, my God, you guys, I'm so hard," he mimicked Ben.
"Thick, Italian, straight meat? You know you wanted it," Ben boasted.
"You were practically begging us to suck your dick," Mike poked him in the chest.
"Letting a guy suck my dick makes the guy suckin' gay, not me," Ben pointed out.
"Where were his parents?" Jasper asked.
"This was after they left for work," Faraz answered. He looked Ben over carefully. "We should have blown you at least once."
"Too late now," Ben gave a sigh.
"Oh? Is someone else here blowing you now?" Faraz demanded.
Though they tried to be subtle, Levi and Reynard both slowly turned away from the group while taking a swig of their beers and pretending to look around. The answer to Faraz's question could not have been more obvious.
"Oh, my God," Ben looked up at the ceiling. He knew he was busted and all of them burst out laughing.
"How many of the crew have you not slept with?" Jasper asked Levi.
"Let's be very clear," Ben pointed. "I did not sleep with him. I just let him give me a BJ. That is not the same thing."
"I do need to make sure Ross and Dimi's crew is healthy," Levi rationalized.
"And if they taste good?" Jasper quipped.
"Gay guys give really good head," Ben evaluated. "The girls I've been with, if they'll do anything with it at all, are dealing with something they'd clearly rather not be. You guys are," he paused to search for just the right word, "enthusiastic about it. You go to fucking town! You let me come in your mouth and you swallow that shit. That's nice once in awhile."
"That's not true of all women, though, Ben," Emmett pointed out. "My best friend's sister loves dick. She likes to say, 'real women suck dick.'"
"I ain't met the right woman yet then," Ben shook his head.
"That's okay," Reynard slid up to Ben and tucked himself into the bigger man's side. "In the meantime you got us."
"Especially you. You can curl my fucking toes! In case any of you didn't know, Rey-Rey gives un-fucking-believably good head."
"But don't nobody take his word for it!" Reynard was quick and caused a general laugh as he pointed around the group.
Emmett's burger was delivered and he wolfed it down like a starving man. Demetri had two diet cokes with limes before he ran out of gas. Ross was supportive and stood by his husband the entire time. He made a point of not nagging that it was time to go, but let Demetri set the pace.
Demetri looked up at his husband with tired eyes. "I need to go home," he tried not to sound as weary as he was.
"Okay, Babe. All you gotta do is say," Ross set his half full mug on the bar, perfectly prepared to relinquish it.
"Take me home," Demetri put his arms around Ross and rested his head on his husband's shoulder.
"Of course I will," Ross rubbed the back of Demetri's head. "You did good for your first time out."
"No I didn't," Demetri countered.
"Yes you did," Ross insisted. He grabbed the crutches and put them in place. "Here you go."
Demetri slid off his barstool and onto his crutches in one smooth motion.
"Guys," Ross called. "We're gonna call it a night."
Jasper and Emmett immediately set down their mug and bottle and joined the group in crowding around them. Felix was the first outside. This was a safe neighborhood, but he was determined to make damn sure of it and watch over them as they got into their limo. Chaiyo jumped out and opened the rear doors when he saw the group emerge. Demetri didn't complain this time as Felix and Ross helped him into the back of the long car. He was just too tired.
"Bye," Emmett raised a hand in a high wave. "Nice to meet some of you and see the rest."
"Night," chorused many.
"You guys gonna be okay at the other end?" Felix asked.
"Absolutely," Emmett assured. Felix gave Emmett and friendly pat on the back. Emmett's presence was the only thing that could put him even a little at ease.
"Call me when you're in and safe," Felix commanded and waited for a promise to do so before he closed their door.
"Back where we picked them up, please, Chaiyo," Jasper instructed over his shoulder.
"Yes, Sir," Chaiyo put the car in gear and immediately turned left onto one way Amsterdam.
"I know it was exhausting, but I think it's great that you came out this evening, Dimi," Jasper stated.
"It makes me mad that just walking into a place and sitting on my ass at the bar is so goddamn tiring," Demetri expressed.
"Baby steps," Jasper advised.
"Fucking baby steps," Demetri shook his head. He gave a weary sigh and looked to his husband. "I just want to get in bed right now and I want you to hold me."
"You know you don't have to ask," Ross took his husband's hand.
It only took a few minutes and they pulled up in front of their building at 79th on West End Avenue. Ross jumped out and Jasper and Emmett followed. It took Demetri longer to get his legs out of the car this time, but they let him do it. Ross and Jasper each took a hand and pulled him to his feet. Demetri leaned on the car for a moment before taking his crutches. They moved with him as he crossed the wide sidewalk.
"Oh, boy. Fucking stairs," Demetri was not looking forward to this.
"Put your arms around our shoulders," Jasper directed. "We'll lift you up."
"Will it hurt you if I carry you?" Emmett offered with his arms in position. Demetri looked at the almost Felix sized man. It would not cause any physical pain to be carried by Emmett. It would, in fact, be quickest and easiest, but he didn't really want a man he barely knew, no matter how long Jasper had know him, to carry him at all.
"Get under my arms," Demetri decided. Jasper took the crutches and handed them to Emmett as he and Ross moved into position at Demetri's sides. The doorman held the door as they walked him up the steps, into the building and up the second set of four steps to the elevator.
"Thank you," Demetri sounded as defeated as he felt as he took his crutches from Emmett.
"You know we're here for you and how much we love you," Jasper gave Demetri a kiss on his lips. "I'm going to spend the night with Emmett. I'll see you guys tomorrow after Nasir's plane gets in," he moved to Ross and gave him a kiss on his lips as well.
"Okay, goodnight," Ross bid as the elevator door slid open.
"Night, guys. So great to meet you," Emmett gave a wave.
"You too. Take care of our boy," Ross gestured.
"I will!" Emmett laughed. He put his arm around Jasper's shoulders as they walked back out to the limo.
"Okay, now we're going home, Chaiyo," Emmett informed as they slid into the car.
"I'll cut through the park," Chaiyo stated as he shut their door.
"It was really nice to meet them and see all the guys. They're great fun. I'm just sorry Nasi missed it," Emmett expressed.
"That's what he gets for loitering around London," Jasper teased.
Chaiyo circled down to 78th, over to Broadway, and then up to 81st Street. Then he turned right onto 81st and this took them straight into Central Park.
"Is the park a little eerie at night?" Emmett asked. The only illumination among the thick canopy of trees was the old fashioned gaslamp looking streetlights.
"I don't come in it at night anymore. Even when I did, it was on the very edges close to the street, if I needed to make a call or something," Jasper stated.
The road they were on became the 79th Street Transverse Road and delivered them into the Upper East Side a mere three blocks from Emmett and Nasir's building.
"Is this alright, or would you like me to circle around?" Chaiyo asked as they pulled up to the curb on 78th at the side of the building.
"This is fine, Chaiyo," Emmett pulled his messenger bag from the back window. "Do you need me to sign anything?"
"Would you please?" Chaiyo grabbed his clipboard.
"Sure," Emmett didn't wait and opened his own door. He pulled out his wallet as Chaiyo joined them on the curb.
"You guys have a great rest of your night," Chaiyo bid while Emmett signed.
"You too," Emmett attached at hundred dollar bill to the clipboard and handed it back.
"Thank you very much, Mr. McCarty," Chaiyo offered his hand.
"Thanks for indulging us," Emmett returned as they shook.
"You guys are a pleasure," Chaiyo shook Jasper's hand as well.
"Okay, get outta here before the meat eaters decide we want Asian," Emmett teased.
"Uh, oh!" Chaiyo pretended to be afraid and jogged back around the car. "Goodnight!" he waved and ducked in behind the wheel.
"What was that?!" Jasper was not in on the secret.
"Didn't we tell you about that?" Emmett asked as they began to walk around the corner. "He drove us all over town shopping one day. We tried to buy him lunch and discovered that he's vegetarian, which, of course, led to jokes about us being meat eaters. When we got back here, he asked to use the bathroom. Of course, we said yes. He helped us carry everything up and left the bathroom door wide open when he took a piss. We naturally commented on that and because one of the things we bought that day was a new wok, he said that he saw the wok, and knew us meat eaters liked Asian."
"Oh!" Jasper laughed. "He's pretty funny."
"Yeah, we love him. He's even more fun than Bobby, our regular driver in Seattle. Good evening," Emmett greeted the night time doorman.
"Evening, Sirs," the man recognized Emmett and gave no challenge. Emmett led the way to the elevator and touched the call button.
"Too bad our building isn't like yours. Not one step," Jasper noted.
"Yeah," Emmett stepped into the lift first and touched the button for the top floor. He fished his keys out of his messenger bag as they ascended and was ready when they stepped out into the small elevator lobby. They paused only long enough to kick off their shoes.
"Here we go," Emmett unlocked and opened the wide front door. "And now we gotta find some lights."
Jasper felt on the wall for switches and turned on the chandelier that hung over the table set into the round stairway going down to the bedrooms.
"Good work, Jas. I didn't even know that was that switch," Emmett slipped his bag off and set it, and his keys on the large round table. "Nasi said the painters were here. Wanna check it out?"
"Sure," Jasper followed Emmett down the stairs. Emmett knew where these lights were and flipped them on as they went.
"Oh, fuck!" Emmett was surprised when he arrived in the master bedroom and discovered all the furniture they ordered in place as well.
"What?" Jasper was alarmed until he saw around Emmett. "Oh, Em. This is really nice."
The enormous carved wood and tufted black leather headboard was exactly where it should be. The short, custom footboard was obscured by a long bench with arms that was upholstered to match the wing chair that stood in the corner beside a floor standing lamp. Matching lamps rested on the dark marble topped night stands that flanked the head of the bed. A long, high dresser was topped with matching marble and two identical gentleman's chests stood at opposite sides of the room.
"This had to be expensive," Jasper assessed.
"It was. It came from that place near you actually. At 79th and Broadway," Emmett informed.
"Oh, Cutter and Longfield? That's one of the nicest places in the city," Jasper stated.
"This room is so much nicer with the lighter walls," Emmett looked around. "And check out the plantation shutters!" he crossed to one of the windows. "I love these," Emmett closed the first set and walked to the other window to do the same.
"This is just a really beautiful bedroom now. You should move to New York," Jasper suggested.
"Yeah!" Emmett laughed. "Hey, I wonder if the office furniture is here too?" he walked to the connecting door to the study, opened it and walked through.
The matching mahogany desks and tall, round backed oxblood leather chairs were in exactly the right position. Nasir would take the one with his back to the windows and Emmett would have his back to the wall beyond which was the hallway.
"Perfect!" Emmett was thrilled now the furniture was in the room. "This is way nicer than we have at home. I wonder what Nasi did with the old desk and chair."
"This is super nice, Em," Jasper agreed.
"Hey, wanna help me make the bed?" Emmett asked.
"Sure," Jasper agreed.
"We have all the bedding stashed in my closet," Emmett led the way back into the master bedroom and the passage that led into the master bath. He opened one of the walk in closet doors and pulled out multiple bags.
"Did you wash the sheets?" Jasper asked.
"Yep. Already did that," Emmett started upending bags to dump out the contents. With two working it took little time to put on the mattress pad and fitted sheet. Atop that they layered a top sheet and light blanket. Then finally the duvet and multiple pillows provided the final touch.
"There. Beautiful," Jasper endorsed.
"And I'm gonna claim the dresser right now," Emmett pulled his pfennig out of his pocket and placed atop the dresser on what would be his side. "Okay, how about a beer? Know what I have upstairs in the fridge?"
"Oh, do let me guess. Good beer?" Jasper jested.
"Yeah, and Killian's Red," Emmett led the way out of the bedroom and toward the stairs. "You can have whichever you like."
"Aren't you a gracious host," Jasper scoffed as he followed. They walked up the stairs, through the dining room and butler's pantry into the breakfast room and kitchen. Jasper took a seat at the round glass table while Emmett went to the fridge. Emmett noted while he popped the tops on an Spaten Optimator and a Killian's Irish Red, that Jasper sat in his chair staring out into the darkness through the breakfast room windows. He carried the beers to the breakfast room.
"Where are ya?" Emmett asked softly as he placed Jasper's bottle in front of him and sat down.
"Oh, sorry, Em," Jasper grasped his bottle. "I guess I zoned out for a minute there."
"What's on your mind?" Emmett took a swig of his beer. "Worried about your friend?"
"What? Oh, no. It's just something you said got me thinking," Jasper began.
"What did I said?" Emmett was deliberately silly.
"At the bar, the fox and the henhouse thing," Jasper listed. "And the things you said in the limo, really got me thinking. Let's just say, you're the only man who ever made me wish I was a top."
Emmett's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I have to admit, I did not expect to hear that," he gave one very long nod.
"Oh!" Jasper laughed. "That's not what I meant! Sorry, Em. Clearly I need to think a little more before I speak. I very much believe we were always meant to be friends, but a part of me wishes it took us a little longer to figure that out. I think it would have taken longer if I had been willing to do more than I was when we were together."
"Sooo," Emmett tried not to be uncomfortable with his second oldest friend in the world, "you regret that we didn't sleep together?"
"No," Jasper shook his head. Then he nodded. "Yes, but not for the reason you think. Really, it's stupid. I mean, even as I'm saying it, I realize how stupid and selfish it sounds."
"I'm a little confused," Emmett admitted.
"Sorry," Jasper took a swig of his beer. "I know I'm not making any sense."
"Don't be sorry. Just try again," Emmett suggested.
"Okay," Jasper let go of his bottle and put his hands flat on the table. "The fox and the henhouse thing took me back to when I came out to Edward and moved in with you and Seth, and we tried dating."
"Yeah?" Emmett prompted.
"I do believe that had we taken things further than we did, we still would have ended up as friends," Jasper was clear. "I mean, look at you and Nasir. You're meant for each other."
"Like you and Edward," Emmett tipped his beer bottle.
"Yes," Jasper nodded. "I do very much believe that Edward and I were meant for each other. What you said in the car about giving your ass a workout, got me thinking. I now wish I had been willing to do that, or at least try. I mean, experimented some more with you. Not because I missed out on some prime McCarty tail."
Emmett gave a pouty sad puppy dog face and made Jasper laugh.
"The point of it is, if you and I had been an item longer, I might not have gotten together with Rick that New Year's Eve," Jasper explained. "Then I wouldn't have made that stupid resolution, and I might have never called James."
"Sugar," Emmett reached to put a hand on Jasper's.
"If I had no experience with James," Jasper continued undeterred, "I might not have imagined Edward to be something he quite clearly wasn't. Then I wouldn't have left Seattle and everything could have turned out so very differently."
"I know it seems like there was a lot of wasted time," Emmett spoke gently, "but without that time, you and Edward would not have grown into the men you are today."
"I know we wouldn't be the same as we are if I had stayed with him," Jasper conceded, "but maybe if I hadn't run so far away! Maybe if I had just switched schools, or gone to Portland, or something."
"What difference would that have made?" Emmett asked.
"I guess because moving here was so difficult," Jasper thought about it. "I had to work really hard to make a new life for myself away from everything and almost everyone that I knew. But I did it. And now I love it. I have my father, my friends, my job. Hell, now I even have you and Nasir."
"The only thing missing is Edward," Emmett could relate. "I totally know how that feels. That's what Seattle is for me. If only Nasi could be home all the time like he used to be, my life would be perfect."
"I don't want to move, Emmett," Jasper hung his head as he got to the real crux of the matter. "I love him. I do, with all my heart. I always have. I want to be with him. When we're not together, I miss him so bad it hurts, but I don't want to leave New York. And I could never, would never ask him to move. He has every bit as much and more that ties him to Seattle. His job, his mountain, his family, you guys, Rainbow Beginnings," he listed. "Everything he loves is there. I could never ask him to give all that up."
"Not everything he loves is there," Emmett stated pointedly.
"No, I know. I know he loves me," Jasper nodded, "but I can't ask him to make that big of a sacrifice."
"Maybe you don't have to ask," Emmett spoke quietly.
"I don't know if I could accept that," Jasper shook his head. "I mean, how could I possibly stand in for all he would be leaving behind?"
Emmett have a slow nod. No one could have understood Jasper better. "I don't pretend to have any answers. In the end, you and Edward have to come up with those yourself."
Jasper slowly nodded his resigned agreement.
"I guess if there's a silver lining to Nasi being stuck in London, it's that we got this time to talk," Emmett mused. "We wouldn't have otherwise. And I think it's good for you to talk this out with someone who knows both you and Edward, and who wants to see you together."
"He told you about Ross and Dimi," Jasper concluded. "Well, thanks for not saying anything tonight."
"He told me about Lance too," Emmett informed. "Don't be mad at him. That's what friends do. They talk things out. Especially when they're feeling vulnerable and need advice."
"I don't want him to feel vulnerable," Jasper shook his head. "I wouldn't have told him any of that, but he asked about meeting Ross and Dimi, and I didn't want to lie. As for Lance, that was just bad timing. Had we left Industry when you and Nasir did, that whole fiasco would have been avoided."
"Not avoided, just postponed," Emmett pointed out. "That would have all come out sooner or later. Maybe it's better this way. Holding stuff back can be just as damaging. Look what happened when Nasi didn't warn me about the whole arranged marriage business."
"Yeah," Jasper nodded and took a swig of his Killian's.
"Have you and Edward talked about this distance thing at all?" Emmett enquired.
"You know, not really," Jasper was honest. "I mean, we've talked about how hard it is to be so far apart and how much we miss each other. We're both aware of what our options are, but we haven't really discussed them. When Edward came out with you he joked that it was a reconnaissance trip, to see what New York was like and to see if he could live here. I don't think he was really serious."
"Why not?" Emmett pressed.
"I don't know," Jasper gave a shrug.
"Nasi moved to Seattle without ever having seen it at all," Emmett stated. "And that was after we spent just a few nights together in Vegas."
"Really? He just picked up everything and moved, that quickly?" Jasper asked.
"Well, to be fair, he didn't have a permanent place or anything to move really," Emmett clarified. "He had been living on the road since his job required so much travel. He just moved into a hotel in Seattle and based himself there. But, still..."
"That's a little different, Em," Jasper observed. "It's not like he had a house that he loved, family close by and a job that could only be done on site, and left it all anyway to be with you. I don't want to marginalize what he did at all, but that's not as big a sacrifice."
"No, but look what he's done since then. Nasi gave up everything for me. He gave up his job, his family, even his homeland," Emmett pointed out.
"Obviously, he made a huge sacrifice in the end. You both did, really," Jasper evaluated, "being forced to live apart now, but that was after you had been living together for a long time. He knows what he is getting in return. Edward and I know a lot more about each other than most people just starting a relationship, but the things we know happened a long time ago and so much has changed since then."
"So get to know each other better again, just like any new couple," Emmett suggested.
"Em, it's not that easy. Most new couples get to see each other at least every weekend, if not more often. They have time to get to know each other. Edward and I don't have that," Jasper lamented. "We see each other once a month, if we're lucky. When I do see him, all I want to do is take him to bed."
"I see Nasi every weekend, or, usually anyway, and I feel exactly the same way," Emmett agreed. "When he gets here tomorrow, I'm gonna jump on him."
"But, Em, you and Nasir aren't trying to fit in time to introduce each other to the important people in your lives," Jasper made a fist on the table. "You don't have to navigate landmines left over from your past," he leaned back in his chair in obvious frustration. Jasper took a swig of his beer before he continued. "It's almost impossible to do all that when we see each other as infrequently as we do. And for one of us to make a decision to move across the country is just a huge gamble. The stakes are so high. I mean, if Nasir hadn't been able, or willing, to move to Seattle, if you'd only been able to see him once a month, if the only way for you to be with him was to move to another city, would you be together now?"
Surprise was clear on Emmett's face. He had never considered such a thing, and didn't want to now. "Probably not," Emmett finally admitted, though he very much did not like his answer. "A huge part of what makes my husband so perfect, is how much he loves Seth and Garrett. He and Garrett are every bit as close now as Seth and I are. That would never have happened if he was only in Seattle a few days a month. And I would never move away from Seth."
"You see why this is so hard, Em? You see why I can't ask Edward to move here?" Jasper asked.
"Jas, you are not just some guy Edward met," Emmett made his point. "You're the one he has wanted to be with all his life. Seth and I knew from the moment we met you two that he wanted you, before he figured out either one of you was gay. I didn't need Seth's Sight to tell me that. It was obvious. Wanting to be with you has been the one constant in his whole life. That has never changed. He isn't making a leap into the unknown."
"But, Em...," Jasper tried to protest.
"Yes, I know he doesn't know everything," Emmett held up a hand and charge ahead, "but he knows enough. It's his risk to take. I'm not saying you should ask him to move, but if he offers, you definitely shouldn't try to dissuade him. Especially since being here is important to you. That you are here is important to me too. Who else is gonna meet my husband for a drink during the week?" he gave a dimpled grin as he tried to make light. "I mean, there are alternatives, but I don't like any of them."
Jasper gave the smile Emmett was trying to elicit. "Am I being really selfish, Em? I love Edward and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I very much wish I had spent more of my life already with him. I feel like it shouldn't matter where we are. It shouldn't be a big deal to give up a job for him. It's just that I've worked so hard to get where I am, and I'm on track for a good promotion. I can probably find a job in Seattle, but it would be a huge setback for my career. In my industry, here or LA is where the action is."
Emmett considered a moment. "I don't think you're being selfish. I think you're being cautious. You haven't had as much time as Edward to get used to the idea of being with him, much less sacrificing something you've worked so hard for to be with him. I know it's not easy to give up your dreams. When Nasi first told me about the marriage his father arranged, back when the possibility of outright refused hadn't even occurred to him, my dream was falling apart too. I've always tried to be the kind of man my family and friends could look up to and be proud of, but how proud could my mother be of a son who was sleeping with a married man, regardless of the reasons behind that marriage? How proud could I be of myself? And how happy could I be having to share the man I love?" he shook his head. "I love him with all my heart and for his sake I was willing to consider the idea, but even as we travelled to see his future bride, I wasn't sure I could do it. Maybe I'm the one who is selfish, but I'm glad he didn't go through with that marriage, even with everything that it cost him. I'm glad the only one who gets to call him husband is me."
"Oh, Em, I don't think that's selfish at all," Jasper smiled. "I'm glad you're the only one who can call him husband too," he leaned forward again and took Emmett's hand on the table.
"You know, Sugar," Emmett entwined his fingers with Jasper's, "all the things that Edward has back in Seattle do mean a lot to him, but in many ways they've always just been substitutes for you. He needed to focus on others so that he didn't have too much time to dwell on the missing chunk of his heart and soul. I'm not saying that a decision to leave everything behind would be easy for him, but when he came back from his summer in Stehekin last year, Seth thought Edward was considering doing exactly that. Seth was very worried about him. You know when Seth is worried there's a damn good reason. If he didn't have the carrot of his wedding and the possibility of a reunion with you, he was sure Edward would just vanish without a word one day, and never be heard from again. Eddie and I never talked about that, but I could see that he was more and more unhappy. Of course, that's all changed now!" he squeezed Jasper's hand. "He's happier now than any of us have ever seen him. Even when he's mopey because he's missing you, he's happy. You know what I mean?"
"I do. It's the same for me. My dad said the same thing," Jasper smiled.
"Now you just need to get on a regular visiting schedule, like Nasi and I do," Emmett advised. "I hate that you're not going to be there for Seth and Garrett's party next weekend."
"My job isn't always predictable, Em. The morning thing is five days a week, but I edit specials too," Jasper explained. "And sometimes I fill in on weekends. I really wanted to be there for Seth's party, but I couldn't get the all clear from work. I've taken a lot of weekends off since June and I haven't been working extra hours because of Dimi. I'm getting the feeling that the important people are starting to notice."
"I guess I never realized how lucky I am to have pretty normal hours," Emmett admitted. "My boss is even cool enough to let me work extra hours during the week so I can leave early on Fridays to come here."
"You are lucky," Jasper agreed. "And we are very lucky that Edward's boss has been as flexible as he has. It's even harder for him to take weekends off."
"You guys really do have scheduling challenges, don't you," Emmett realized aloud. "Roger is a good guy and Edward has worked more than his fair share of weekends and holidays, not to mention that whole summer away in the deep wilderness. If anyone has earned flexibility in that park, it's him."
"He works every weekend we're not together," Jasper stated. "And he works long hours when he does. Like tomorrow. He'll be at that park at sun up and he'll still be there doing campfire talks at night. I feel bad that he works so hard because of me."
"Don't, Sugar," Emmett patted Jasper's hand. "You have nothing to feel bad about. You know Edward only works because he wants to. He loves his job and working the long hours keeps his mind off missing you. It's the best thing for him and he knows it. We had a guys day last weekend and we made Eddie take us on a hike."
"Oh, Edward told me about that," Jasper nodded. "He loved that, just by the way. Though, he did say Seth didn't have as good a time as he thought he would."
"Seth had a good time," Emmett assured. "It's just those woods up there he doesn't like."
"He doesn't like the woods?" Jasper didn't understand that.
"Deep, dark, thick woods freak him out," Emmett elaborated. "He's a plains Indian. His people don't do woods, as he often pointed out that day. And he made the mistake of admitting that he was afraid a bear would get him. Roberto couldn't leave that alone. I think I see a bear. Over there, is that a bear? You guys hear that? I think it's a bear," he mimicked. "Eddie finally had to give a talk on bears."
"I fear for Roberto," Jasper smiled.
"You know how Seth is. He'll serve that dish cold," Emmett stated.
Jasper thought a moment and shook his head with a chuckle.
"What?" Emmett was not expecting this response.
"I still can't believe you call Edward, Eddie, and to his face! No one in Forks would have ever done that and lived to tell about it," Jasper asserted.
"I have special dispensation," Emmett stated imperiously. "I insisted on it actually. Your boyfriend would never admit it, but he needed to be somebody's Eddie. Now he can be your Eddie."
"No," Jasper shook his head. "That wouldn't feel right. He's my tiger."
"Oh, yeah? He's a tiger in bed?" Emmett grinned. "Good for him. Good for you," he touched the neck of his bottle to Jasper's. "And I'll bet you're a voracious little bottom too. C'mon, admit it," Emmett bumped Jasper's foot with his. "You know you are."
"I would never admit to that," Jasper pretended to be coy. "I might use the word wanton."
"Huh! Yeah, me too," Emmett laughed. Jasper did his best to stifle a yawn, but fell far short of doing so.
"I think," Emmett drained the last of his bottle, "that it's time to turn in."
"I wouldn't say no to that," Jasper finished his as well. Emmett took both bottles to the sink to rinse them out before placing them in the recycle container. Jasper rose from his chair finally as Emmett turned out the lights.
"C'mon, Sugar," Emmett put his arm around Jasper's shoulders. "Let me take you to bed."
"Where am I sleeping?" Jasper asked. "Should I take the Thompson Clearwater suite?"
"I was thinking of joining you in there," Emmett admitted. "I don't want to sleep in the new bed without Nasi and, if you'll forgive me saying so, I don't want to sleep with anyone but him in that bed either."
"I totally understand, Em," Jasper held the bigger man around his waist as they descended the stairs together.
"And then we can cuddle. Do us both good," Emmett assessed.
"It's a deal," Jasper was already on board. They walked through the several turns of the lower floor hallway to the second master bedroom at the end.
"Check out what I wore for Nasi so I wouldn't lose any buttons," Emmett ripped the snaps of his shirt open.
"Oh!" Jasper laughed. "Well, that went to waste," he pulled his sweater off over his head. "Say, um, I didn't bring anything with me, so..."
"I'll get us some boxers," Emmett walked out to retrieve them from his closet. Once in his closet, Emmett shed his shirt the rest of the way and took off his jeans. He put on a pair of boxers and grabbed a second pair for his guest before he headed back to join him.
Jasper took off his jeans while he waited. He folded them and his sweater, and placed them on the dresser. Emmett found him naked when he returned.
"Put these on, you sexy bitch!" Emmett threw the boxers at Jasper.
"Thank you, Em," Jasper caught them and turned his back to put them on. He slowly bent low to step into them.
"If you had the power to turn me suddenly into a top, you'd be in big trouble right now," Emmett advised as he pulled down the bed. Jasper laughed and pulled the sleepwear quickly up into place before he moved to the bed. Emmett turned out the light and walked around the bed to his side to join Jasper.
"C'mere. Roll over," Emmett directed. Jasper rolled onto his side and moved back to tuck himself into the bigger man's body.
"There we go," Emmett put his arm around Jasper and spooned him tightly. "Mmm. Just like old times."
"Some of them anyway," Jasper conceded.
"Actually, if I remember rightly," Emmett slipped his hand down Jasper's smooth torso. "The last time we slept together like this, I went to sleep with your dick in my hand."
"Oh no you don't," Jasper grabbed Emmett's wrist and pulled his hand back up.
"Okay. Have it your way," Emmett snuggled into Jasper's back.
"Night, Em," Jasper bid.
"Night, Jas," Emmett echoed.
"And thank you," Jasper added.
"For what?" Emmett asked.
"The talk,' Jasper answered.
"I'm sorry Nasi couldn't get home, but I am glad we got to have this time to ourselves. It's nice," Emmett expressed.
"Yeah," Jasper agreed. Emmett gave Jasper a kiss on his bare shoulder and closed his eyes. Soon both men were sound asleep.