Chapter 11

"Holy Shit, look at you," Ted exclaimed, walking into the hotel room that the crew had turned into a dressing/make-up area.

"You like," Carson said, happily, spinning Kyan around. "We bought the jeans yesterday."

"You look damn hot," Ted complimented. "I love the patch on the ass."

"I did that. He was worried that his butt was going to be hanging out."

"It looks fantastic."

"Thanks," Kyan said, smiling. "How's the shirt?"

"Very touchable," Ted said, running his hands up Kyan's arms. "You are going to be wearing this for the next three days?"

"Apparently."

"Thom's going to go insane."

"That's the point," Carson said, grinning.

Ted cleared his throat. "And how are we doing?" he asked Kyan.

"Wonderful," Kyan said, truthfully.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Carson asked. "This man woke up with a whole new attitude!"

Ted raised his eyebrows. "Just like that, huh?"

Carson snapped his fingers. "Just like that."

"Uh, huh." He looked at Kyan. "What are you keeping from us?"

"Nothing," said Kyan, smiling. "I finally got some sleep. I'm feeling good- and it's time to get to work."

"Here, put these on," Carson said, handing Ted an outfit. "And you put these on." He handed Kyan a handful of bracelets. He looked towards the door. "He'll be here any second!"

"I know, I know," Kyan said, lacing up the leather brace.

"Where's Barry?" Carson asked Ted.

"In the room."

"It's too bad he can't come with us," Kyan said.

"I know, but c'est la vie."

"Kyan, you ready for make-up?" Rachel, the make-up supervisor, stood in the doorway to the bathroom.

"Sure thing," he said, strutting towards her.

"You are looking super sexy," she said.

"Talk to Carson."

"Hey, it's all in a day's work," Carson called out.

"Okay, spill it," Ted whispered. "What happened to Kyan last night?"

"I have no earthly idea! He hasn't told me anything," Carson hushed, rolling up Ted's sleeves. "It's like he's a new man."

"You don't think Thom and him… I mean, after all the yelling and screaming yesterday, that they would hop into bed."

"Sweetie, your guess is good as mine! You know angry sex can be the best. Maybe that's what happened…."

"But wouldn't he tell you something like?"

"I thought he would've. And if I find out that's what happened and he's not telling me, I'm going to kill him."

The door swung open.

"Sorry, we are late," Jai said. "We had a field day at the store."

"Oh my god, you guys, I found this amazing chair," Thom rushed. "I'm having it shipped to my house."

"You are kidding me!" Ted said. "We are supposed to be shopping for the straight man, not for ourselves."

"I couldn't resist," Thom said. "I had to have it."

"You should've seen his face," Jai said, laughing. "He was glowing like a little girl."

Carson and Ted exchanged glances.

"But I also got some great inspiration for this guy's house," Thom added, taking the clothes from Carson.

"Where's Kyan?" Jai asked, stripping down.

"In here!" Kyan yelled.

"Make up," Ted explained.

"So, Thom," Carson said, casually. "How was the rest of your night?"

"Fine," Thom answered, sliding on the button down shirt.

"Sleep well?"

"I did alright." He looked at the sleeves. "Am I rolling these up or what?"

"Up," Carson said. "It's a little toasty out there."

"I'm excited," Jai said. "Our first show outside of NYC."

"Jai, tuck the shirt in," Carson demanded.

"I was just getting to that, geez."

"Kyan!" Carson yelled. "How much longer are you in there? We need hair done."

"My magic is almost done, sweetie," Rachel yelled back.

"Always the same story," Kyan said, smiling.

"Good morning, gentlemen!"

"Ugh," Carson groaned, looking up to see Andrew strolling in.

"How's it going in here? We have about thirty minutes before we get you in the SUV."

"Who's driving?" Thom asked.

"Who else?"

Thom sighed. "Me."

"But of course," Carson said, butting his hip against his.

"Do we have a map?" Thom asked.

"Right here." Andrew produced one and handed it to him. "Let's see- we have Kyan slated to sit up front to read you guys the profile."

A still air settled over them.

"Is that a problem?" Andrew asked.

"Actually I would prefer to do that," Carson said. "I've done it the most in the past."

"Hey," Kyan yelled from the bathroom. "I can handle it."

"Andrew, I would really like this job," Carson fought.

"Carson, come on!"

"Andrew," Carson threatened.

"Fine, whatever," Andrew said, making a note on the clipboard and crossing into the bathroom. "Carson in the front seat with the profile. The rest of you guys are in the back."

"As usual," Ted said.

"Why did you do that?" Thom asked Carson as he picked through a few pieces of jewelry.

"Do you really want Kyan sitting next to you like that?" Carson whispered, pretending to help him.

Thom shrugged. "The two of us aren't going to start fighting on camera or anything. We can conduct ourselves professionally."

"I'll believe that when I see it!" Carson growled, then turning to Jai to help him with a belt.

"Is there something going on that I should know about?" Andrew asked. "I'm getting a weird vibe from you guys."

"Everything is fine," Ted said, shoving his foot into the shoes Carson laid out for him.

"Alright," said Kyan, coming out of the bathroom. "Ted, you are up."

"Hello," Jai whistled. "That's a different look."

"Doesn't he look fabulous?" Carson asked, smiling.

Thom swiveled. "Good God," he breathed, running his eyes over Kyan.

"Jai, you ready for hair?" Kyan asked, ignoring the pounding of his heart as Thom studied him.

"Doesn't he look hot?" Carson whispered to Thom once Jai joined Kyan at the table.

"Did you pick those jeans out for him?" Thom asked.

"We bought them yesterday at Saks."

Kyan could hear every word they were saying. They were not used to the close quarters they were housed in.

"He's going to look that way for the next three days!" Thom said.

"Of course! It's what he's wearing for the show."

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Carson grinned. "So you approve?"

"Christ, yes, I approve. Look at him!" He sucked his breath in. "How in god's name am I supposed to work when I have a raging hard on?"

"Come here," Carson coaxed, pulling him to the clothing rack. "Let's find you something just as sexy to torture him, okay?"

"Just… give me a minute," Thom breathed.

Carson raised his eyebrows. "Good god, you work fast."

"Is that suede he's wearing?"

"Yes," Carson said, causally as he pulled a thin, black sweater off the rack.

"My God, I'm not going to make it."

"So, don't," Carson coaxed. "Go over there and make up with him."

"I can't do that," Thom moaned.

"And why not?" He began to undress Thom since the man seemed to have no control over his arms.

"It'll be all about sex. I don't want it to be all about sex."

"Hey," Jai yelled. "We can hear every word you two are saying over there!"

"Oh, Christ," Thom blushed, turning his back to the table.

Carson looked at Kyan, who was smiling like a lunatic. "I told you," he mouthed.

"Give me the sweater," Thom demanded.

"Wait, but this on first," Carson said, handing him a white long sleeve t-shirt.

"You want me to keep these jeans on?"

"Please. Don’t want to get anywhere near… that."

Jai and Kyan started to laugh uncontrollably.

"Okay, okay," said Thom, looking over his shoulder at the two of them. "Can we act like adults?"

"Come here," Kyan said.

Thom looked petrified. "Why?"

He motioned to the table. "Hair?"

"I'm not done getting dressed."

"Maybe if you will help me!" Carson lectured, shoving the sweater over Thom's head.

"My god, Carson, this thing is tight!" Thom muttered from beneath the fabric.

"What is it with you and Kyan and tight clothes? It makes you look hot." He straightened the sweater. "See that, it accents your slim body. You have such a round, full face that people think you are heavier than you are."

"Oh, well, thanks for that observation."

"And since the sweater hits right at your waist…." He grabbed a belt. "Put this on."

Ted re-entered the room. "Who's next?"

"I guess that's me," Jai said, standing.

"You ready for hair, Ted?" Kyan asked.

Ted motioned to Carson and Thom. "What's going on there?"

"Carson is changing Thom's outfit," Kyan explained.

"What for?"

Kyan smiled slyly.

"Oh, good god," Ted chuckled.

"Hey, guys."

The four of them looked up to see Becky, one of the directors, standing by the door.

"Hey, Bec," Carson said, then tending back to Thom.

"Well, I was coming in here to give you guys a pep talk, but obviously it's already been done." She looked around. "The energy in here is intense!"

Andrew heard her voice and rushed out of the bathroom. "They want to change the opening."

"She knows something is up," Thom whined quietly to Carson.

"How could anyone not know something is going on here?" Carson hissed back. "The five of us have been acting funky since we got to the airport yesterday! I'm surprised no one has mentioned it before now." He wrapped a large watch around Thom's wrist, pushing the black jelly bracelets up.

"Shoes?" Thom asked.

"The ones you have on are fine" He stood back and nodded. "You look good. Damn good." He glanced at Ted and Kyan. "You guys, what do you think?"

Kyan turned, and instantly his throat swelled.

"You look so good," Ted said, smiling up at Thom.

"All you guys look good," Becky approved. "Carson, great job." She checked her watch. "Fifteen minutes, boys… lobby." She left the room, and Andrew stood there looking lost.

Jai strolled out of the bathroom. "Thom, you are next." He raised his eyes. "And you are looking… " He whistled.

"What's Kyan doing?" Thom whispered as he passed Jai.

"Sweating."

Thom smiled as he disappeared.

"Carson, you shit," Kyan growled, tapping Ted on the shoulder to signal he was done. "Sit your ass down!"

"I'm sorry," Carson said, chuckling. "Now maybe you both will grow up!"

"Did Thom say anything to you about something happening between him and Kyan last night?" Ted asked Jai. His voice was hushed to keep Andrew from hearing him.

"No, why?" Jai snapped his head to Kyan. "Did something happen?"

"Good god, nothing happened!" Kyan said. "Can't a guy just be in a good mood?"

"No, not you!" Ted challenged. "Not after the week you've had."

Jai's eyes grew wide. "Oh, my god, what happened last night? Did you two sleep together again?"

"Unfortunately," Carson chimed in. "I don't think so. Not after the way Thom was hyperventilating over here. You don't get all… flustered… like that when you just got some."

Kyan tilted his head to the side.

"But something did happen," Jai pressed.

"You guys need to give it up," Kyan sighed, rubbing his fingers through Carson's hair.

"I just find it very strange," Carson muttered. "One minute you hate him and the next minute…"

"Stop trying to overanalyze it," Kyan demanded.

"Why are you guys being all hush hush?" Andrew asked, coming over to them.

"Do you have to know everything?" Carson said.

"Look, it's my job to make sure you guys still have that chemistry. If things are weaning…"

"Everything is fine," Ted assured him. "There is just a lot more stress because we are in a place none of us know anything about."

Kyan started up the hair dryer to comb Carson's curls out. It was a welcoming sound for everyone.

A few minutes later, Kyan felt Thom walk back into the room. He lifted his eyelids a little to see him leaning against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. Thom was staring at him, and their eyes caught. The corners of Thom's mouth curled up into a subtle smile.

"Carson, are you ready?" Rachel said, leaning her head out of the bathroom.

"Uh, yeah," Kyan stammered, coming out of his trance. "He's all yours." He switched the hair dryer off and quickly sculpted Carson's hair with his fingers.

"Thanks," Carson said, hopping up. He smacked Thom's arm as he walked by. "Your turn."

"Oh, Jai," Ted said, grabbing his friend's arm. "Let's go down to the lobby now. I have some questions I need to ask Becky…."

"Oh, okay," Jai said, catching on. "Me, too."

"Andrew come with us," Ted demanded. "The three of them will be along shortly."

Kyan and Thom didn't move a muscle as Jai and Ted dragged Andrew out of the room. The door latched shut, and Kyan cleared his throat.

"Should I sit?" Thom asked.

"Yes," said Kyan. He held his breath as Thom approached him, turned then settled into the chair.

"I don't have to tell you that you look good," Thom said.

Kyan rubbed product through his hands. "You…." His voice shook. "You look amazing."

A releasing sigh fell from Thom's lips as Kyan's hands caressed his hair. His eyes fluttered at his touch.

"I heard you at my door last night," Kyan whispered.

Thom shifted a little in his chair. "I wanted you to hear."

"I wanted to let you in."

"I'm glad you didn't," Thom muttered.

"Why?"

"I wouldn't have been able to resist you."

Kyan's stomach flipped over as he worked Thom's hair into soft waves with a little spike. He licked his lips. "Do you want to kiss me?"

Thom gripped the edge of the chair he was sitting in. "Don't make me answer that."

"You want to…"

"I'm mad at you," Thom moaned. "I'm so mad at you."

Kyan's fingers traveled down Thom's neck, tickling his skin. "I want you to kiss me."

"I can't."

"Please," he breathed.

"Kyan."

"Why can't you forgive me?" Kyan asked.

"I told you why." He reached up and rubbed Kyan's arms, feeling the suede under his fingertips.

"If you kiss me, then maybe… Thom."

He dropped his head forward. "I won't use sex to fix this."

"I'm not asking you to," Kyan grasped.

He shook his head. "If I kiss you, that's what I'd be doing."

"Don't… don't think about that." He squatted down so his arms traveled down the front of Thom's chest and his head practically rested on his shoulder. "Look at me."

Thom did, turning his head slightly. "I don’t want to deny you."

"Then don't," Kyan murmured, leaning in.

"But I have to," he groaned.

"Thom," he whimpered.

"If I kiss you how do I know you won't runaway again?" he asked, quietly.

"I promise you."

Thom shook his head. "I…" He looked away. "As much as this kills me to say…."

Kyan dropped his hands from Thom's body and swallowed the lump forming. "Say it."

"I still don't trust you," Thom quivered. "Especially how you ran out of Carson's room last night. You keep running away, Kyan!"

"I know," he mumbled. "I'm… I'm trying though, Thom. Give me a chance."

"I can't," Thom said, sliding off the chair. "As much as I want to, I have to protect myself."

Kyan nodded, unable to say anything. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes and all he could do at that moment was wish for Thom to leave so he wouldn't see him cry.

"I'll see you downstairs," Thom whispered, watching Kyan struggle. Quickly, he turned away and rushed out the door.

"Kyan, what!" Carson exclaimed, seeing his friend sitting on the floor.

"It's alright," Kyan managed. "I'll be alright."

"What did he say to you?"

"How am I supposed to get him to trust me?" Kyan whispered, looking up at Carson. "I can't get close enough to him to get him to trust me again. He won't let me…." He squeezed his eyes shut. "Damn it, Carson. Why did I do this? Why did I have to leave that morning?"

"It'll be okay," Carson boasted. "I swear! He'll come around. He has to- I can see it. Every second you guys get closer to…."

Kyan shook his head.

"Don't give up," Carson whispered, squatting down. "You can't give up. He loves you, Kyan. I know he does!"

"God, I wish I could be as confident as you are about all this."

"You will be," he assured. "You'll see."

"Hey, you guys okay?" asked Rachel, approaching them uneasily.

"Yeah." Carson looked at her. "Don't tell anyone okay."

"Okay. I have no idea what is going on, but I won't say a word." She looked at Kyan sympathetically.

Kyan ran his fingers under his eyes, collecting the unshed tears. "They are waiting for us."

Carson nodded, then help him up. "Fix your hair a little."

"Yeah," he said, then looking in the mirror to scrunch the tips between his fingers.

"Sunglasses?" Carson asked.

"Yeah," he whispered.

Carson handed him a pair and guided him out of the room.

"Have a good day," Rachel said, hopefully.

"Thanks. See ya tonight," Carson called.

"I'm going to act like nothing is wrong," Kyan said, throwing his shoulders back.

"That's exactly what you two should be doing when the cameras are on."

"It's going to be a long day," Kyan groaned.

"Well, at least tomorrow you won't be with him as much."

Kyan grunted.

"Okay, you are all here!" Becky said, once the two of them entered the lobby. "We are going to run over this real quick."

Kyan crossed his arms, hardly listening to the Becky's ramblings. It was the same story every show. Today's taping was of them ransacking the victim's house. At the end, two of them would whisk the victim away, while the makings of the remodeling would start. Usually, Thom would take him shopping for furniture that evening so the following day he could concentrate on the painting and rebuilding of the space, while the rest of the guys took him shopping. The final day would start out with the grooming, and then two of them would bring him back to the house for the reveal. The bulk of the taping would take place that night, after the guys had gone and the victim was left on his own to prepare for his event.

"Jai and Ted," Becky said. "You two will be taking Travis, our straight guy, out of the house. And on Wednesday, Carson and Jai you will be bring him back."

"Great," Kyan muttered.

Carson butted his elbow into Kyan's side.

"And Thom," Becky said. "We have you set to meet with Travis at four at 'Westlake'."

"Okay," he said, nodding. "And who…"

"Andrew will drive you to there," Becky said. "I will make sure Travis gets there."

"The rest of you, once Thom is out of the house with Travis, depending on what is left, which isn't a lot as you know, get to help unload. Kyan, you have the bathroom."

"As usual," Kyan said.

"Once Travis gets dropped back at the hotel, and Thom gets back to the house, you guys are free for the night." She looked at Thom. "But I know you'll stay to the wee hours of the morning."

He grinned. "But of course."

"So, any questions?" Becky asked. When they shook their heads, she sent them over to get microphone packs.

"I can read your mind," Carson whispered to Kyan. "Don't even worry about it."

"How the hell can I not worry about it?"

"Because I'll be there this afternoon! You aren't being left in that house with him alone. Besides, a thousand crew members and camera men are going to be around."

"As soon as you get in the SUV," Becky reminded them once they were ready. "Cameras are rolling."

Kyan took a deep breath and got into the vehicle, sitting behind Thom. Ted was in the middle with Jai on the far side. Carson was handed the portfolio book.

"Do you know where you are going?" Becky asked Thom.

"I think so. Doesn't look too far from here."

"If you get lost just call my cell. We have to book it over to the house to get finished setting up."

Thom nodded, then adjusted the rearview mirror, waiting for the crew to leave before he started the car.

"Okay, let's read this thing," Carson announced, eagerly.

By the time they pulled up to the house, they were all up to speed on what they were going to find. Travis was stuck in the 80s. His hair was pure out of an 80s hair band- permed, fried and teased. He was single, not dating anyone, to which Kyan said the sole purpose was probably because of the hair. The event was going to be a party for his friends and family with hopeful dating prospects. The way the cards fell made the party on New Year's Eve, which was perfect, but Bravo and the rest of the Queer Eye team decided to cut that aspect out of the show because it wouldn't be aired until sometime in February.

"Okay, you have a job to do," Kyan coached himself as the five of them hopped out of the SUV and raced to the door with what seemed like a thousand crew members following them. "Just don't even think about Thom. Don’t even think about him."

It was hard to do with Thom pressing up against him as Carson pounded on the front door. When it opened, the five of them ran in, barreling passed the camera crew that had been set up in the guy's living room. No one could understand a word anyone was saying as they introduced themselves to Travis and started to pick through his house, except for Thom:

"Oh my god! I feel like I've stepped back in time! Is this shag carpet?"

"It is," Travis said, sheepishly.

Each of them was assigned to a cameraman so nothing was missed, and therefore they were free to scatter.

"Thom, look at this stereo!" Jai cried, trying to not laugh out loud. "How old is this?"

"About 20 years," Travis answered.

"God, it's all horrible!" Thom exclaimed.

"Travis, come here!" Ted was yelling from the kitchen.

"Where's the bathroom?" Kyan asked.

"Upstairs."

"Come on," Carson said, grabbing Kyan's hand.

The two of them bounced up the steps. Ted's, Thom's and Jai's repeated horrors followed them.

"What the hell…," Carson said, slamming his shoulder into the door that refused to open.

"Oh, my…" Kyan hissed, entering the bathroom. "Aquanet! Carson, come here!"

Carson fell into the bedroom once he got the door open. "There are clothes everywhere! Nothing is hanging up. Oh my god, are these dirty or clean!"

"Car!"

"What!" he yelled. "I'm knee deep in clothes!"

Kyan picked up the can of hairspray and ran. Thom was coming up the stairs- his face was twisted into fear.

"Look at what I found," Kyan announced at him.

"Oh my god- no," Thom said, grabbing the can from him. "Is there more?"

"I don't know."

Thom pushed Kyan back into the bathroom. "Quick we have to save the ozone layer!"

The two of them started rummaging through the cabinets.

"I'm in shock," Kyan said as they pulled out can after can. "I can't even… I don't even…"

"This bathroom is disgusting," Thom said. "Look at this floor."

"Can someone help me!" Carson yelled from the other room.

Kyan, armed with toxic alcohol, jumped over Thom and sprinted down the hall. He found Carson practically buried beneath the pile of stuff that had fallen from the top shelf of the closet.

"I just know something is living in here," Carson whined.

"Thom is going to freak," Kyan grunted, digging Carson out.

"Get Travis in here," Carson demanded. "This is ridiculous!"

"Oh, but look at this," Kyan said, flashing the can.

"No! You are kidding me," he screeched.

"And there's about ten more cans in there!"

"Go get that boy right now!"

Kyan raced out, practically running right into Thom.

"Is that the bedroom?" he asked.

"You don't want to go in there," Kyan warned.

That peaked Thom's interest, and he moved by Kyan, who promptly swatted his butt with the hairspray can. As soon as he started down the steps, he heard Thom screaming.

"Travis, what is this?" Kyan asked, finding him, Jai and Ted in the kitchen.

The living room was already trashed. Videos, CDs, DVDs, books, and random pieces of clothing were thrown everywhere. Thom had already tossed a chair or two out the window into the front lawn.

"No, you didn't!" Jai said, seeing what Kyan was holding.

"Ten cans! Ten!" Kyan lectured.

"How do you think my hair gets to this perfection?" Travis asked.

Ted groaned.

"We will get to this later," Kyan promised. "You are wanted upstairs."

They all watched Travis disappear.

"Don't go near the fridge," Ted said.

"There's this lovely odor coming from that area," Jai informed him.

"And who is going to clean that?" Kyan asked.

Suddenly, a waterfall of clothes tumbled passed the window.

"Thom," Jai and Ted said together without blinking an eyelash at the fact that more clothes were falling from the sky.

Kyan grabbed a trash bag. "I'm getting rid of all this stuff." He shook the Aquanet can. "I can't believe I've been holding it for this long."

"…not a damn stitch of decent clothing." Carson was saying as Kyan got to the top of the steps.

"Oh, good," Thom said, looking over his shoulder as Kyan ascended. "Here."

Kyan held the bag as he dropped an armful of stuff into it.

"Help me do this," Thom pleaded, digging through the linen closet. "Oh, and we have to take that shower curtain down. It's covered in mold."

"Oh my god, I need gloves," Kyan gagged as they pulled stained sheets out of the closet. He was smiling as he said it though. Being so close to Thom was the only thing he wanted to be interested in at that point, and he knew with the cameras rolling, nothing was off limits, and Thom could do nothing about it.

"We need another bag," Thom said. "I'll get one. You start on the bathroom. I'll be right back."

But he never did. Travis was sent in to get the standard lecture about skin care, and then Kyan was left to hear Carson screaming in disbelief. He moped as he tossed the hairspray out of the bathroom. A few cans toppled down the steps.

"Are you even believing this?" Carson asked, holding up a Hypercolor t-shirt.

"Oh my god, how old is that thing?" He took it. "Does it even work anymore?" He pressed his hands into the shirt.

"What's up with you and Thom?" Carson mouthed.

Kyan glanced at the camera behind Carson's shoulder and knew there was another one mounted above the shower.

"Thom was supposed to bring me another bag," he announced.

"Ah, trash bags, what a good idea," Carson said, ripping the shirt out of Kyan's hands. "I'll be back."

"Car!" Kyan pushed himself off the floor and ran after him.

"Travis," Carson said, sternly. "What is this? How come this is still in your closet?"

"What is it?" asked Ted.

"One of those Hypercolor t-shirts."

Jai dropped what he was doing: helping Thom push the couch out the door and ran over to where Carson. "Does it still work?" he asked, excitedly.

"There's Kyan's handprint to prove it."

"Amazing," Jai said, taking it from Carson.

"You will not be bringing that back with you," Carson told him.

"Hello!" Thom yelled. "You just left me here."

"Wow, now you know what it feels like," Kyan said.

Carson and Ted froze for a half a second.

"Exc---" Thom started, but then stopped, knowing the conversation was not about to
revolve around him bring a bag up. He climbed over the couch, letting the crew pull it out of the house, walked passed Kyan and went into the kitchen.

"Oh, this isn't good," Kyan thought. "Not good. Not good." He left Carson, Ted, and Jai to finish hounding Travis and slowly followed Thom.

There was tension in the room. Both of them tried to ignore it.

"I have to get another bag," Kyan said.

Thom moved out of his way, pulling down all the plastic cups he was finding in the cupboards. "I'll never understand why straight men drink out of plastic cups," he said.

For the first time since he started the show, Kyan wished the cameras were not there. He desperately wanted to apologize to Thom, but couldn't without it looking out of context.

"Are you going to take down that shower curtain?" Thom asked as Kyan started to leave.

"I was planning on it," he said.

"Need some help?"

"Come on," Kyan said, smiling. "Does he really want to be around me as much as I want to be around him even though we supposedly can't stand each other?"

"Where are you two going?" Carson asked, as they started to climb the stairs.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Thom said, grinning.

"Travis, come here," Jai said, pulling the man to the side. "We need have a chat about this party we are throwing for you tonight."

It was another thing they always had to keep in mind: acting as if the big event was going to happen that night and not two days from now.

Kyan stepped into the tub, thankful he had his boots on. It was positively black with mold. The two of them started to pull at the plastic.

"Oh, god, it's still wet," Thom groaned, as he got splattered with water. "And it smells!"

Kyan started laughing, and as he did he didn't yank on the curtain with enough strength, throwing Thom off. He toppled to the ground, falling on his butt.

"Oh! Are you okay?" Kyan asked, doubling over.

"Sometimes I wonder why I even bother," Thom grunted.

"Come on," Kyan said, holding out his hand.

Thom took it and pulled himself up. He kicked the curtain out of the bathroom as he rubbed his backside.

"Thank you for torturing me," Kyan thought, watching Thom. He bit his bottom lip. "Christ, I wish those were my hands. It feels like it's been years since I've touched him."

Thom looked over his shoulder. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Kyan muttered, stepping out of the tub. "Just trying to keep my erection from being broadcast to the world."

"Kyan, Carson, Ted, Thom!" yelled Jai from downstairs.

"Oh, here we go," Thom sighed.

Kyan closed his eyes for a second to regain control of his body. He was about to be left alone with Thom and Carson. His only hope was that they would all be too busy emptying the house to be concerned with the sexual tension that was slowly increasing.

After a few words of encouragement, Ted and Jai were pushing Travis out of the house. Just as Carson started to close the door behind them, Kyan felt Thom's hands on his shoulders. His back straightened, and all his muscles flexed.

"Okay, let's get to work, people," Carson pumped as he turned around. He raised his eyebrows in surprise at seeing Thom's fingers loosely wrapped around Kyan's neck.

"We need to change first," Thom said, casually.

"Clothes are in the van," Andrew stated.

"Hey, Thom, we need to do a paint run…."

Kyan cringed when his hands fell from him. Thom moved into the living room to discuss his design ideas with his crew. Without even realizing it he started to follow, finding it an incredible turn on to see Thom at work.

"You aren't going anywhere until you change," Carson lectured, grabbing his arm.

"But…"

"But nothing, Kyan. Everything and everyone will still be here when we get back."

Depressed, Kyan slumped behind Carson until they were ushered through the crew to the van. Once outside, they shed their mic-packs.

"Thom is following you around like a little lost puppy dog," Carson insisted.

"More like the other way around," Kyan said.

"Look, he'll be gone in about an hour to meet Travis, then you probably won't have to see him until the reveal day. You should be happy about that."

"Happy? Carson! I can't stand being away from him!"

"I don’t understand why! The two of you can't have a decent conversation. You want to be around someone that's going to make you feel miserable."

"That's just it; he doesn’t make me feel miserable. I make myself feel miserable about the whole situation, but back there," he gestured to the house, "it was a like a dream come true. We were talking and laughing and---"

"Putting up a front because sound and cameras were picking up every little thing," Carson pointed out.

Kyan sighed. "Okay, that's true, but I know he's coming around. Did you see how he put his hands on my shoulder? He didn't have to do that."

Carson handed him his grubby clothes and then took his. Together they walked back to the house where wardrobe had been set up.

"I can't handle this for two weeks, Carson," Kyan stressed.

"Yeah, join the damn club! Ted, Jai and I are about ready to tear our hair out." He stifled a yawn. "I don't understand why he's being so closed off. So, you walked out on him, blah, blah, blah, it's over, and it's obvious you are trying to make things work for you two and for him to give no pull; he's crazy. He's giving up the best thing that's happened to him. And quite frankly, I'm tried of feeling sorry for him."

They rounded the corner to find Thom standing feet away from them. Stopping dead in his tracks, Carson gasped.

"Good," said Thom, forcing a smile. "You two are back. We need help getting the bed outside."

"You should change first," Kyan said, weakly, hoping that what Carson had been venting about would have no effect on Thom as far as them trying to work things out.

Thom narrowed his eyes at Carson. "What I'm wearing is fine. I'm not painting today."

"Oh, don't look at me like that," Carson said.

"This is not the time or the place to be announcing to the whole crew what is going on between me and Kyan," Thom hissed, stepping up to the two of them.

"I wasn't talking about you and Kyan. I was just talking about you, and how selfish you are being!" Carson argued.

"What I do and how I feel has nothing to do with you," Thom said. "You need to stay out of it."

"And that's not going to happen until you take your head out of your ass and talk to this man!" He motioned to Kyan. "You are crushing him every second with your brush offs and unforgiving tactics. I'm the one he comes crying to."

"Were you or weren't you not there last night when he sprint from your hotel room! How can you say that I'm the one brushing him off?"

"Oh, my god, you two have to stop!" Kyan interrupted. "Christ, we are all going in circles!"

"Hey, you guys coming or what?" asked a crew member, who stuck his head into the narrow hallway they were standing in.

"Do you have a mic on?" Carson asked Thom instantly.

"No, I took it off." He swiveled on the ball of his foot and marched towards the bedroom.

"Why do you do this?" Kyan bombarded Carson.

"I didn't do a damn thing."

"He's upset."

"So, what."

"We have two more days left in this house. We have two weeks left of this trip!"

"He needs some sense knocked into him."

"I hate you," Kyan chanted as he followed Carson down the hall. "I hate you. I hate you. I hate you."

"Keep saying that and you might start believing it."

"I hate you."

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