Chapter 12

The two large pizzas were polished off in mere seconds. They had been starving. It had taken Becky longer to get Thom out to the furniture store than expect- they had gotten lost. Therefore, the guys were stuck at the house for an hour later than usual, and when they were finally allowed off for the night, they had been famished. Having Andrew deliver a few slices to Thom, who was still at the house, planning a strategy and starting the begins of painting, the rest of them inhaled the gooey cheese pie in Jai's hotel room. With their bellies full and exhaustion from a long day at work setting in, they began to doze off. Ted and Barry were curled around each other on the floor in front of the television, while Carson, Jai and Kyan sprawled across the king size bed.

"What time is it?" Jai mumbled.

Kyan, who was sitting up with his back against the headboard, rolled his eyes to the glowing clock. "9:30."

"God, I'm getting old."

"Tell me about it," Carson said. "My entire body hurts. I thought I was going to die when we moved that bed. It was like a thousand pounds."

"I'd give you a massage, but I'm so tired I don't want to move," Kyan groaned.

"Are Ted and Barry asleep?" Jai said.

"Think so," Carson answered, lifting his head enough to glance over the edge of the bed. "They are too cute."

Kyan refused to examine the couple. As horrible as it sounded, it racked his body with jealousy. "Why can't that be me and Thom?"

"I never want to move," Jai admitted.

"Sounds good," Carson muttered.

Kyan's eyes were unable to stay open, and he succumbed to his fatigue. He could still hear Carson and Jai mumbling back and forth about something, but his mind traveled to what Thom was doing at that exact moment. "I hope he's not too tired. I hope he's not too hungry. Maybe I should call over there and see if he needs anything… I could go down and help."

He heard some laughing and forced an eyelid up. Jai, Carson, Ted and Barry were commenting on something they were watching. Kyan crinkled his forehead. Two seconds ago everyone was asleep. Tossing his eyes to the side, he noticed an hour had passed.

"Oh, god," he groaned, raising his head. "I totally zonked out."

"We all did," Carson said.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "What are you guys watching?"

"Celebrity Poker Showdown," Jai told him. "This was the one I was at."

"We are trying to see if we can see him in the audience," Ted announced.

"Exciting." Kyan reached for his glass of water resting on the nightstand. "Who won?"

"The guy in the glasses. I can't remember his name," Jai said.

"Please tell me you guys didn't watch a rerun of us before this," Kyan said.

"No, but we are seeing the commercials every two seconds," Barry told him.

"They even played the video a few minutes ago," Carson hyped.

"Great," Kyan muttered. "Just great." He placed his glass back. "At least we'll be getting residual checks."

There was a knock at the door.

"If that's Andrew, I swear I'm going to kill him," Carson threatened. "We are all technically off the clock."

Ted hoisted himself off the floor and strolled to the door.

"What's the game called?" Kyan asked, focusing his eyes on the TV for the first time.

"Texas Hold'em," Jai explained. "Each player gets two cards and then five cards are placed face up in the middle of the table as community cards. Whoever has the best hand with the two cards in their hand and any three on the table, wins."

"Are we having a slumber party?"

Kyan's head snapped up at the sound of Thom's voice.

"Hey, Thommy," said Carson, smiling up at him. "How's the house?"

Thom leaned down and kissed the top of Carson's head. "Fabulous."

Kyan rolled his eyes. It was just like the two of them to fight one second and then be best friends again the next. He wished he and Thom could do that.

"Sit down," Jai insisted.

Thom looked as if he had been lounging around the hotel all day- wearing a pair of ragged sweatpants and a t-shirt- rather than slaving over paint colors and designer fabric patterns. He tossed his hotel key on the dresser and looked around.

"There's room on the bed," Carson suggested, sliding closer to Jai.

"I see that," Thom said, nodding.

"Oh, God. Oh, God." Kyan watched him slide onto the mattress.

Within seconds, Thom was laying on his back, draped across Jai and Carson. His head rested on Kyan's thighs.

"Do you mind?" Thom asked him, looking up.

"Of course not," Kyan said. His throat suddenly felt dry.

Thom smiled, then rolled his eyes towards the TV. He asked what they were watching and why they were watching, then proceeded to go into detail about the color scheme he had picked for Travis's house.

Kyan could hardly pay attention. The back of Thom's head seemed to be burning his skin, and very subtly, Thom's pinky started to caress the back of his hand that was resting on the bed. His heart was pounding, and a thin film of sweat coated his skin. He knew it would only be a matter of minutes before his jeans would be feeling uncomfortable.

"I'm back at the house at seven," Thom was saying. "I'm never going to get to sleep tonight."

"Don't start beating yourself for leaving," Ted lectured. "You need to get your rest. That's why we have the crew there."

"But it's my project. It's my design. I just left them there."

"Christ, we go through this every show," Carson sighed. "Why would going out of town be any different?"

"Where did you get Jewish guilt?" Barry asked.

"If you feel so bad about being here, then go back," Jai challenged, knowing Thom never would.

"Okay, would any of you sleep with Ben Affleck?" Carson asked, drastically changing the subject.

"He's not my type," Jai said. "When I was there at the game, he was just too…."

"Straight," Ted finished.

"But he's a hottie," Carson panted.

Kyan wanted to scream. The only man he wanted right at that moment was the one whose fingers were waking up every nerve in his body. Thom's pinky was joined by his ring finger, then his middle finger- until his entire hand was covering Kyan's, running tantalizing circles over his skin. Kyan spread his fingers so Thom's could thrust his between them, drawing them in and out, slowly.

Swallowing thickly, Kyan moved his left hand over his thigh. He lowered his eyes to watch as he buried his fingers into Thom's hair. Fear seized his body, thinking Thom would freak out, and he froze for a second, waiting to hear the protests. When they never came, Kyan gently tugged and ran the soft strands through his hand. He was pretty sure he heard Thom groan in satisfaction, and within seconds, Thom's eyes were fluttering close.

"I don’t care if he's straight with a wife and two kids," Carson said, bringing Kyan back to reality. "I'd do him without a second thought."

"But he's straight!" Barry argued.

"What did I just say? I don't care about that. The man is hot! Hello!"

"Especially the way he waves his wand," Jai commented.

"Okay, jackass, it's not a wand- it's a called a lightsaber."

"You are such a geek," Ted teased.

"Hey, I am no Star Wars fan, but oh my god, Ewan McGregor- how can you not think the man is fuckable?" Carson drooled.

"Because he is straight!" Barry stated again.

"Alright, so who would you screw if you could pick anyone in the world?" Carson asked.

"Ted," Barry answered promptly.

"God, that's no answer," Carson groaned.

"Hey!" Ted protested. "That's a wonderful answer."

"He's lying."

"God, Carson," Jai said.

"I'm not lying," Barry said. "I love Ted. I can't imagine being with anyone else."

"Aw, thanks, Babe," Ted said, kissing him.

Carson blanched. "Ugh, I think I'm going to throw up."

"You are terrible," Jai lectured.

"They are so goofy," Thom murmured in his relaxed stupor.

"Yeah," Kyan whispered, looking down at him.

Thom's lips were parted slightly, and his chest rose and fell in a tranquil rhythm. He was falling asleep under Kyan's touch. It reminded Kyan perfectly of that morning in Thom's house, and literally his heart hurt.

"Kiss him."

Thom linked their fingers together, and he squeezed Kyan's hand gently.

"Please, God," Kyan begged. "Let this be for real. Let him trust me again."

"Jai-Jai, I don't see you anywhere," Carson stated. "Are you sure you were there?"

"I'm not that delusional," Jai said, laughing.

"Kiss him now! You'll lose your nerve in a second. You have to kiss him now. There may not be another time to." Kyan glanced over at his friends, who were concentrating on the flickering screen. "Just do it! Lean over- his lips are right there. They are practically calling you..." He swallowed. "Kiss him, you fool! You want it so bad you can fucking taste it!" His tongue darted out to wet his own lips. "Now, okay- on three. One, two, three."

He kept his promise and leaned over. Thom couldn't have not felt the movement, but pretend as if he didn't. Kyan kept his eyes on Thom's, waiting for them to open. When he reached his destination, he stalled. His fear seemed to be overpowering his need.

"Kiss him."

Taking one last look over at his friends to make sure they were not paying attention, he brushed his lips against Thom's. Instantly, Thom's head lifted up, indicating he wanted more. Recognizing the plea, Kyan joined their lips- kissing him softly, longingly, and passionately. He sipped at him, wanting to take his time. Thom shivered when their tongues finally touched, and Kyan caught the moan that rose in his throat. Only a week since their last kiss- it had felt like a lifetime. They nipped at each other, becoming more aggressive as they settled into the familiar feeling.

"Ky," Thom whispered, pushing up into a sitting position so his back and Kyan's neck weren't wrenched.

Kyan barely knew they had stopped kissing before Thom's lips were on his again. Thom's ripped their fingers apart, and he rested his palm on Kyan's cheek, holding him closer to him. He used his other hand to keep balance over Jai's body that was wedged between them.

"What the hell---" Jai complained, feeling Thom's weight on his calves. He whipped his head around. Being confronted with the image, he let out a strange, squeaking gasp.

"What now?" Carson asked, following his gaze. "Oh, Jesus!" He pulled his legs under him and sat on his knees, stunned at what he was seeing.

"Hello," Ted said, looking over.

"Thank god," Barry said, shaking his head. "Maybe this group will be back to normal."

"They are watching," Thom murmured, softly.

"I don't care," Kyan admitted, licking his lips. He pressed his cheek into Thom's hand. "I don't want to stop kissing you- ever."

"Well, why did you guys stop!" Carson demanded.

"Maybe we should leave them alone," Barry suggested.

"This is my room!" Jai said.

Kyan leaned in for another, but Thom turned away.

"Thom?" Kyan asked, opening his eyes.

"No, they are…" He glanced at Kyan. "This shouldn't happen in front of them."

Kyan raised his hand and peeled Thom's away from his face. He held it. "Come back to my room."

"Do it, Thommy!" Carson rooted.

"Oh, good god," Ted sighed. "He has no tact."

"I---" Thom started.

"Come back to my room," Kyan said again.

"Okay," said Jai, releasing his legs between their bodies. "This is all… over. It's late. I’m tired. You guys don't have to go back to your room, but you can't stay here."

"But this is just getting good," Carson whined, glancing from Jai to Kyan and Thom.

"This is not a television show!" Barry told him, as he and Ted stood up.

"Like hell it isn't!" Carson argued. "I feel like I've been in a soap opera for days now."

"We will see you guys in the morning," Ted said.

"Bye, guys!" Jai called. "Sleep well."

Kyan's eyes shifted to Carson, who was grinning madly, then to Jai, whose face was sternly set. He sighed. It was obvious Thom wasn't going to give him an answer at that second, so he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"Oh, come on!" Carson screamed.

"Just chill out," Thom said, following Kyan's lead. "Jai has every right to ask us to leave. It's late- and we all have to up early."

"I wasn't talking about that," Carson rolled, sliding off the bed. He huffed as he straightened out his clothes. "You guys are no fun."

Kyan looked at Jai sheepishly as Carson stormed out of the room. "Sorry," he muttered.

Jai smiled. "There's nothing to be sorry about." He looked between the two men. "I hope this is the start of you two working things out."

Kyan nodded.

Thom crossed the room and plucked his key off the table. "See you in the morning, pumpkin," he said to Jai, kissing him on the cheek as he headed out of the room.

"Nite," Kyan echoed, pushing himself up and following Thom.

"Goodnight, boys," Jai sang back.

"Carson, Christ," Thom sighed, finding him pacing impatiently in front of the door.

"Car, go away," Kyan said, coming into the hallway.

"You are kidding me!"

"No, I'm not." He paused, watching Carson's face fall. "Please."

Giving up, he nodded. "Have a good night."

"Thanks, bro," Kyan said.

The two of them waited until he was safely behind closed doors. Instantly, Thom was next to Kyan, kissing him hungrily.

Kyan clung to him, gripping his waist, while Thom's hands cupped his chin. He leaned in, pressing his hips into Thom's. Their moans filtered through the long corridor.

"Stay with me tonight," Kyan muttered, inching his lips away.

"I want to."

He kissed him lightly. "Then stay with me."

Thom rested his forehead on Kyan's and inhaled deeply. "Mayb--"

"Thom," he begged.

Their lips met again in heated passion. Their tongues tangled in hopes their bodies would do the same. Breathlessly, they ripped apart- panting, sweating, throbbing.

"Let me grab some stuff from my room first," Thom breathed.

Kyan's heart fluttered.

"God, you are beautiful," Thom groaned before kissing him once more.

Minutes later, Kyan had shed his shirt and was rubbing lotion into his hands, trying to make them as smooth as possible. He scrutinized over his hair, continuously rubbing his fingers though it to get the perfect height. Walking back into the room barefoot, he sprayed a cloud of cologne in the air.

"Okay, Thom, I'm ready," Kyan whispered, hoping his nerves would calm.

He picked up the remote and flipped through the channels, settling on the hotel info station since it was playing soft music. He turned off all the lights except the small lamp on the desk, sat on the bed, and listened for Thom's knock.

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