Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 03:15:33 -0500
From: Carter <nicksxtacy@sympatico.ca>
Subject: Open Arms: Chapter 12

Open Arms

Chapter 12

m/m : boy bands

Warning: I do not know, nor have I ever known any of the Backstreet Boys or
any other celebrity character contained within this story and thus I do not
mean to imply anything about their sexual orientations, or lives in
general. Any quotations taken from songs are the property of their
respective owners.  This is simply a work coming from my imagination, and
I'd expect it to be taken as such. If you are in any way offended by
homosexual romances and/or sex, or if you are not of legal age to be
reading this, please do not continue.

So now without further ado, I present you with the next chapter of Open
Arms.

-Carter (nicksxtacy@sympatico.ca)

Open Arms: Chapter 12


The reflection stared back at Nick, and he couldn't help but think that he
had done well. His short blond hair was gelled in one of his now-famous
messy styles- the one that looks like it took a well trained hairstylist
hours to individually place every strand of hair perfectly, just for it to
appear that Nick had just rolled out of bed. Nick laughed quietly to
himself at the time he spent trying to achieve that look. But the time had
paid off, not only was his hair perfect, but Nick looked stunning. His
slightly tanned skin even seemed to glow in the light of the bathroom. Nick
was wearing a ribbed black turtleneck sweater with a pair of loose fitting
black slacks. The look was that of a California blond, boy-next-door
crossed with that of a European runway model. And of course, more stunning
that the hair, and the way the outfit caressed Nick's body were the Carter
specialties. His blue-grey eyes shone in anticipation of the exciting night
ahead. As his full, moistened lips gave way to the trademark Carter smirk,
Nick couldn't help but admit that he had come a long way from the skinny
pre-pubescent kid that had first joined the group oh so many years ago. As
Nick stood before the hotel bathroom's mirror, Nick found himself quietly
talking out loud to himself,

" Sure, I may look all grown up now, but when Brian sees me, all he sees is
that 13 year old he met years ago. How am I supposed to make him see beyond
the weak child that he helped to bring up? How do I convince him that I'm a
man. I'm the man meant for him. Frig, how do I convince someone who's not
even gay that what he needs is a man, and that the man he needs is me?
URGH!" Nick was too busy shouting at himself in the mirror that he failed
to notice Chris standing in the doorway to the bathroom.

Chris stood, silently listening to Nick's ramblings watching the beautiful
young man who seemed to have it all, who was yet so deeply in pain. Chris'
soul was torn in two. Half of him wanted to grab Nick right there, kiss him
and convince that he could love him the way Nick so desperately needed to
be loved. But the part of Chris which cared about Nick's friendship as well
as his own feelings told him that he had to trust Brian's judgement and
hope that Brian's plans were going to really make Nick happy this time- and
not be a total disaster like when Brian had the brilliant idea of setting
him and Nick up for their blind date. Although Brian had consulted with
Chris with the planning of tonight, and Chris knew what was to happen,
Chris still didn't know where Brian's heart lay, and whether Brian's
intentions for tonight were anything more than a plot to cheer Nick
up. Regardless, Chris had to trust Brian that tonight should at least be a
great night that Nick would treasure. But what Chris hoped more was that
tonight would be the night that would see some of Nick's dreams come
through. Anyone could see the boy needed something, and if Brian was the
only one who could provide that, then Chris was going to see to it that he
did.

"Ummm, Nick. We've got to get going buddy" Chris was unsuccessful in his
attempt to not startle Nick.

"Oh, Chris, how long have you been standing there? Sorry, I was just
talking to myself" Nick blushed realising that Chris had caught him in the
middle of a heated argument with his reflection.

"Nick, I didn't hear anything I didn't already know. You love Brian, blah
blah blah" Chris tried to keep a joking tone in his voice in order to not
seem insensitive to Nick's feelings but also to avoid getting into a
lengthy discussion with Nick. He grabbed Nick's hand and led him out of the
bathroom and through the suite. "Now let's get going before we're late. The
limo driver's been waiting for almost an hour. I will never understand why
in the world it takes someone as naturally gorgeous as you that long to get
ready?" as soon as Chris said it, he regretted it. He'd let it slip. He'd
tried so hard to just be a good friend to Nick and to try to put his
feelings for the younger man aside. Chris silently prayed that Nick
wouldn't comment. It was all he could do to keep himself from pouring out
his feelings for Nick and begging Nick to give him a chance to prove that
his love could be just as good as Brian's.

"You think I'm gorgeous Chris?" Nick's tone was half mocking, but there was
a hesitation as well in his voice which caused his insecurity to show
through.

Suddenly, something inside of Chris snapped. In hearing the pleading tone
of Nick's voice. After having helped Nick through the process of dealing
with his sexuality for the past few weeks, falling deeper, and deeper in
love with Nick and now having to deal with Nick's low self confidence,
Chris couldn't hold his tongue any longer. Chris stopped dragging Nick, and
spun around, the blonde's hand still clutched in his. Chris wrapped his
free arm around Nick's waist, pulled Nick close to his body and kissed him.

The kiss was not gentle like the kiss that had been shared between Brian
and Chris, but rather it was savage. With Chris initiating the release of
all the lust he had stored inside, and Nick still emotionally and sexually
frustrated, the kiss turned heated in mere seconds as both men lost
themselves in another world for what seemed like several minutes, but was
probably less than one. Finally, Chris pulled back and released Nick's
hand.

"Nick, THAT is the way I feel about you. From the day I saw you in concert,
I've been infatuated with you. I've told you this, and you know it. I've
wanted to kiss you, I've wanted to hold you, and I've wanted to ask you to
be mine. Now I know that it wasn't meant to be. I know that your heart is
Brian's and you feel that no one else could ever own your heart but Brian,
but let me assure you Nickolas, Brian Littrell is not the only person who
is capable of giving you the love you deserve." Chris let all his thoughts
out in one breath, before even realising just exactly what he had said.

"Chris, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I've been so insensitive to your feelings. I'm
sorry that I never really thought about the fact that while I'm wishing
that I could be with Brian that someone may have been wishing for me. This
whole relationship thing Chris, I'm new to it. Apart from a few flings with
girls, which was never much more than casual dating, I don't have much
experience. I don't know what I'm doing."

Chris could sense the feeling of being overwhelmed sweeping over Nick as he
pulled his friend into a tight hug. "Nicky, I adore you and I know you
don't feel the same way about me as I do about you. And I understand
that. And although it hasn't happened yet, Nicky, I will get over you. So I
don't want you to feel bad at all. I promise you sweetheart, it will all
work out in the end. Now I'm not going to tell you again, we have to get
going, we're going to be late!"

Nick smiled as he returned the hug, silently thanking heaven that he had
been given Chris as a guardian angel. Someone gay who understood what he
was going through and with whom he could be emotional and talk about
Brian. He wished he could talk to one of the other guys about it, but
discussing any of this with any of them right now seemed like more than he
could handle. Nick decided to put it out of his mind, and just enjoy his
night with Chris as much as possible. He could deal with Brian and the rest
of the group when he was back in Orlando.

***********************************************

The limo ride went by quickly with Chris and Nick chatting away about the
various guys Chris had dated in and around Hollywood. Nick couldn't believe
some of the names he heard Chris dropping. All along he had felt at such a
loss, being a gay pop star and silently wishing he wasn't the only
one. With Chris opening his eyes to how much their was going on behind what
was visible to the public- and even to the untrained eyes of someone in the
industry who didn't know what they were looking for. The talk did wonders
in reassuring Nick and it made the journey fly by. Before Nick could
realise it, they had pulled up at the back entrance to Madison Square
Gardens. Nick looked to Chris and remembered that this was supposed to be a
surprise. He decided to play along and not ruin Chris' obvious hard work.

"Well, Nicky, we're here!" Chris was trying to contain his happiness at
knowing what tonight held in store for the boy he loved so dearly.


"The Gardens? Chris, what are we doing here. is there like a basketball
game going on tonight or something?" despite his best efforts, Nick
couldn't hold a straight face, and tried desperately to suppress the sly
grin that spread across his face.

"You little Prick! You knew! Why didn't you tell me you knew we were coming
to Mariah's concert so that I could stop sneaking around and trying to be
all secretive? Brian told you didn't he? Loser. he couldn't keep it to
himself!" Chris ranted as if he was angry but the look on his face told
Nick that there was no malice behind his words. But something he said did
catch Nick's attention.


"Brian? What about Bri, did he know about tonight?" As always the mere
mention of Brian sent Nick's mind - and heart- racing.

Chris grinned realising that Nick obviously knew very little about the
plans after all. He just had to do some damage control then Nick wouldn't
suspect a thing.

The two men were escorted out of the limo, through one of the Gardens many
'secret' entrances, through several long halls and to their seats. Chris
checked his watch and noted that the timing had been right. They had just
enough time to get to their seats before Mariah came on, but they had come
late enough to miss the opening act and thus reducing the time in which
someone could realise that Nick was sitting in the audience. As the usher
brought them to their seats, Nick gasped. Although years of star treatment
had led him to become accustomed to preferential treatment, being granted
front row centre seats at Madison Square Gardens for one of Mariah's lone
concerts was a shock. Nick silently wondered how Chris had managed to
arrange it.

"Chris, how in the world did you manage to get these seats? I mean they're
incredible!" before Chris could respond, Nick grinned and interrupted him,
"Oh, I get it. so who did you sleep with for these tickets?" The blond
keeled over in hysterics as he laughed as his own joke. Rather than
responding, Chris just sighed and leaned back in his seat, content that
Nick had been too busy taking in the entire scene and mocking him to notice
the empty seat to Chris' left. Turning to his right, and looking at Nick,
he couldn't help but think of how adorable Nick was- still trying to calm
himself down from his laughter at his own joke. And he thought of how lucky
Brian was to have his heart. He just prayed that Brian really did know what
to do with it.

The timing being just right, the final set of lights dimmed and the crowd
quieted awaiting for Mariah to emerge. Suddenly, seemingly from every
angle, Mariah's trademark laugh echoed throughout the auditorium and the
music started. As quickly as the crowd had quieted they rose to their feet
as Mariah graced the stage in a cute little black dress.

"Oh when you walk by every night,

Talking sweet and looking fine

I get kind of hectic inside.

Oh baby, I'm so into you

Darling if you only knew

All the things that flow through my mind."

Nick was like a child at Christmas. His face was aglow with excitement as
he took it all in. He suddenly grabbed Chris' hand and pulled them both to
their feet to join with the energetic crowd at singing and dancing along to
one of Mariah's classics. Although it was lost in the roar of the crowd,
Chris let out a sigh of relief. It looked like everything was going as
planned- and was going to work out. He smiled and let himself get caught up
in Nick's energy and began to sing along as well.

"But it's just a sweet, sweet fantasy baby,

When I close my eyes, you come and take me

On and on and on

It's so deep in my daydreams

But it's just a sweet, sweet fantasy baby."

Chris could see Mariah look over as she passed close by their seats and as
her eyes locked with Chris they exchanged a silent message telling each
other that they were right on schedule.

As the concert progressed, at every break in the concert's momentum, when
Mariah would dash off stage for a quick change in outfit, Nick would pull
Chris into a hug and tell him how much he was enjoying himself. Never
before had Chris felt so right. He had done something to make someone truly
happy and it made him feel incredible. The show progressed with Mariah
alternating between belting out some of her greatest hits which had the
audience reaching for the lighters to wave to the sultry sounds of her
trademark ballads, while others reached for nearby lovers to hold near. As
she sang Hero, Chris placed his arm around Nick's shoulder and pulled the
younger man closer as Nick shed a few stray tears. Knowing the tears were
just those of someone experiencing the power of Mariah's gift, Chris didn't
let it worry him, just drew Nick a little bit closer to his own body
knowing that this would be his last chance in a while to do so.

As the final notes of Hero faded out, Mariah stood centre stage as the lone
spotlight highlighted her slender form clad in an elegant navy blue
dress. Being an entertainer himself, Nick could see in Mariah the sense of
contentment, knowing she had the audience in the palm of her hand as they
sat on the edge of their seats awaiting her next breath, next note, next
move. She waited for the blanket of silence to fall over the crowd- well as
much silence as could be expected at a concert. She gave a timid smile in
Nick's direction and spoke,

"I'd like to thank all of you for coming out tonight. I hope tonight will
be as magical for all of you here tonight as performing my music is for
me. I want to take some time out now, and do something a little
special. I'm going to bring out a friend of mine who's going to help me
with a song that hopefully some of you may remember as being a beautiful
song from a few years ago, and I hope to some of you this song will be the
beginning of something wonderful."

Nick felt it was the perfect set up for "I'll Be There" the song by the
Jackson Five that Mariah had sang at MTV Unplugged with Trey Lorenz. Nick
held his breath, knowing how beautiful this was going to be and how rare it
was for Mariah to be singing this song, seeing as how long ago it had been
when her and Trey had revived the song. Nick couldn't help but let his
thoughts drift back to Brian. As the words from I'll Be There flashed
through his mind, Nick felt a tightening in his heart. Here he was in the
middle of a night he'd remember for the rest of his life, with Chris. Not
that he minded spending it with Chris, but he knew in his heart of hearts,
it was his Angel he wished to be standing near to him, swaying to some of
the most beautiful love songs and witnessing the magic of Mariah's
gift. Nick quickly tuned his attention back to Mariah, waiting for her to
begin the song as he also braced himself for the tears that he knew would
come.

As the opening notes of the song played, Nick felt his heart sink as it
wasn't the opening notes of "I'll Be There" that played but yet those from
another song reminiscent of the 80s. Nick couldn't quite place the tune,
but knew it was a song that he had heard a few times as a child, knowing
that as she began to sing the song would probably come to him. When she
felt the crowd was ready, Mariah casually brushed away the few strands of
hair that had fallen in front of her face and carefully lifted the
microphone from the stand and took a deep breath as she prepared to sing
the song, that she knew would shape the destiny of two people.

"What would you say if I told you

I've always wanted to hold you ?

I don't know what we're afraid of,

Nothing would change if we made love."

Nick's eyes began to tear as he recognised the lines to the song "Friends
and Lovers" by Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson. Although it had never been
a favourite of Nick's he could feel the words puncturing his heart as the
song triggered memories of Brian to flood his mind, and tears to flood his
face. As he turned to bury his face in Chris' shoulder, Chris refused to
let him turn away, and stood behind him, holding his shoulders firmly and
forcing him to look ahead. As the male lead began the notes to the chorus,
Nick- and even Chris, who knew what was going on, gasped quietly as the man
made his way to join Mariah in centre stage while belting out the chorus
with all his heart and soul,

" So I'll be your friend,

And I'll be your lover."

Brian looked directly at Nick as he sang, speaking to Nick's soul in a way
that only he could as he continued the verse with Mariah.

" Cuz I know in our hearts, we agree,

We don't have to be one or the other.

We could be both to each other."

As the Mariah took over and began the next verse, Brian, never having
broken eye contact with Nick mouthed "I love you" to his friend- his soul
mate the one he knew now, more than ever, was the one he could not live
without. The one to whom he had already given his heart and soul, without
even realising it. Not wanting to start to bawl as Nick was visibly doing
in the audience, Brian turned his attention to the breathtaking woman
beside him, as he listened to the words to the song that he had decided
would be the one that would be the beginning of the life that he and Nick
would share together.

"Yes it's a chance that we're taking,

Cuz somebody's heart might be breaking."

Mariah returned the affectionate gaze to Brian as he once again took over
the song, leaving her to bask in the moment and wishing she could bring
Nick up on stage to be right next to Brian. But she knew that as impossible
as it was for them to be physically with each other at this very instant,
after tonight, they were unlikely to ever part. She could see what most
other people could. They were meant for each other. They were the modern
day star crossed lovers. Religion and Society forbid it- but there was no
denying their love was one of the most pure and real. Brian continued to
belt out the lines and Mariah could see it was beginning to be a struggle
for him to keep the tears from falling, but his voice did not falter, yet
maintained it's heart-warming charm.

"But he can't stop what's inside us

Our love for each other will guide us."

Mariah joined Brian once again as their voices melted into one,

" So I'll be your friend,

And I'll be your lover."

Cuz I know in our hearts, we agree,

We don't have to be one or the other.

We could be both to each other."


The two artists joined hands as they both gave their all to give the
audience, and most importantly Nick, the performance of a lifetime.

"I've been through you

You've been through me

Sometimes a friend is the hardest to see

We always know when it's laid on the line,

Nobody else is as easy to find,

So I'll be your friend,

And I'll be your lover.

Cuz I need a friend,

And I'll be your lover

Cuz I know in our hearts we agree

We don't have to be one or the other

We could be both to each other."


The audience exploded from their silence to give a deafening response to
what they had witnessed. There were but a few dry eyes in the house once
the song had finished but every man woman and child applauded, yelled and
cried their appreciation through the tears brought by the raw emotion
exhibited by both artists on stage, who were hugging each other, Mariah
assuring Brian that it had been perfect, and Brian thanking Mariah for
making tonight a reality. As the hug ended, Brian exited the stage as
quickly as he had surfaced, and before Chris could get Nick to stop
shaking, Mariah had launched in to Dreamlover, bringing the crowd back into
a party-like state. In mere seconds, Brian was standing timidly in front of
Nick as they stared at each other, neither one knowing what to say or do,
but looking into one another's eyes, knowing their lives together were
about to begin. Chris moved to the furthest of the three seats, allowing
Brian and Nick to sit down, side by side in their seats, both still too
speechless to utter a word, yet too caught up in the other to break eye
contact. It was as if they were afraid that by speaking or blinking the
other would disappear and the whole thing would have been a dream. Sensing
that even if Nick and Brian wanted to say or do something that they would
be unwilling to given that they were in the middle of Madison Square
Gardens, Chris leaned towards Brian and whispered quickly into his ear. A
smile spread across Brian's face as he turned and thanked Chris for
everything, then grabbed Nick's hand and led him to the door that lead
Backstage, pausing only to slip the extra backstage pass that Mariah had
given him around Nick's neck. Sure, they were the Backstreet Boys and
didn't need the passes, but Brian didn't want to risk killing the night
that was so far perfect. Once they were backstage, and out of the way of
Mariah's crew running around getting set and outfit changes prepared, Brian
and Nick were finally alone. Tucked away, in a corner behind stage left,
that Mariah had reserved for the two men, where they could still see the
show, yet remain undetected and undisturbed, Brian turned to Nick and wiped
the tears that continued to fall from Nick's face. He could see so many
emotions reflected in the blue oceans of Nick's eyes. From pure love and
adoration to fear and confusion. There were no words that could have
reassured Nick and given him the answers to all the questions that were
cluttering his mind, but could not be expressed, so Brian did what Brian
knew was the only thing left to show Nick how he felt.

Nick felt Brian's hand on his cheek, wiping away the tears then lightly
tracing the side of his face and then the gentlest touch of Brian's
fingertips just barely brushing across his lips, causing Nick to stop
breathing as his body trembled slightly under the touch of his
Angel. Before he could realise it was really happening, he felt the touch
of Brian's fingertips on his lips being replaced with the feel of Brian's
lips on his. The kiss began tenderly, with Brian just letting the softness
of Nick's full lips register as he carefully wrapped his arms around Nick's
waist and pulled Nick as close as possible. Initiating the next move, Nick
began to tenderly nibble on Brian's lower lip, lightly running the tip of
his tongue over the older man's lips as he wrapped his arms loosely around
Brian's neck. Brian gave in to the passion he felt and parted his lips,
allowing Nick's tongue to slip into his mouth, and moaning at the rush of
adrenaline and lust that engulfed him as he tasted the smooth sweetness
that was Nick. The friends' tongues intertwined for the first time, yet to
both men, it felt as if they had been born to be connected as one.

Seconds turned into minutes, and as if on queue, both men pulled away and
each released a sigh. Years of unrequited and repressed feelings had
manifested themselves in that kiss and there was only one thing left to be
said as they remained in their embrace, each with a serene smile plastered
on his face. Before the words could escape, they turned to watch Mariah,
still in each others arms, as a familiar tune began to play and Mariah
began to sing the words that Nick had lived by for so long,

"Lying Beside you, here in the dark

Feeling your heart beat with mine

Softly you whisper, you're so sincere

How could our love be so blind

We sailed on together

We drifted apart

And here you are by my side

So now I come to you, with open arms

Nothing to hide, believe what I say

So here I am,

With open arms

Hoping you'll see, what your love means to me

Open Arms...


Living without you, living alone

This empty house seems so cold

Wanting to hold you, wanting you near

How much I wanted you home


But now that you've come back

Turned night into day

And I need you to stay

So now I come to you, with open arms

Nothing to hide, believe what I say

So here I am,

With open arms

Hoping you'll see, what your love means to me

Open Arms.."

Neither man had released his hold on the other and as the closing notes
came to an end, they turned once again to face each other and at the same
time each leaned in to plant yet another tender kiss on each others'
lips. Rather than backing away completely, they let their foreheads rest
against one-another's and just stared into each other's eyes, searching
desperately for the answers to the dozens of questions dancing through each
of their minds.

Nick felt like he was in a dream as he felt Brian release his arms from
around Nick's waist, and clutched Nick's hand tightly with
his. Instinctively their fingers intertwined as Nick let himself be led
where Brian was taking him. Still neither man had spoken, but yet it had
all been said. They both knew that when the time was right the words would
find them; it had been too long and too difficult a road to get to this
point, and neither one was about to step on the breaks now that they had
passed through the rough spots. Brian led Nick back through the maze of
halls until they found themselves outside the stadium and being escorted to
their waiting limo. Immediately, Brian settled back against the comfortable
leather seats of the limo, and pulled Nick close as they huddled in a
corner of the seat, protected from the prying eyes of the public and the
driver by the tinted glass. As the limo got on it's way back to the hotel,
it gave them the time that they needed to get some of the words out of the
way. Once again the boys found themselves staring into each other eyes
relishing in the knowledge that they each held the key to the other's
soul. Nick was the first to speak, needing more to break the silence than
anything else.

"Brian, I don't want to believe this is happening, because I'm so terrified
that I'll wake up and you'll be gone, but at least before I wake up from
this beautiful dream, let me tell you just how perfect tonight was, and I
thank you for in a matter of hours making me the happiest man of the face
of this earth. Even if this never happens again, I'll live forever with the
memories of tonight. And for that, Thank You."

Shocked by what he was hearing, Brian couldn't help but smile at Nick's
naivety and he realised just how wounded Nick had been so many times, that
Nick's reluctance to open his heart to being hurt again was completely
understandable. Brian knew, it was now or never that he needed to ease
Nick's heart, so that he could successfully eliminate the pain and fear
that Nick had felt for so long; yet the words just would not come to
him. He inched close to Nick and placed a light kiss on Nick's cheek then
stayed close, so that there were but a few inches separating the two men.

"Nick, I'm not going anywhere. When you wake up tomorrow, I'll be by your
side. And when you wake up a week from now, I'll be right there beside you,
and if for some reason I'm ever not physically right by your side, I'll
always be a phone call away, and I will ALWAYS from this day forward and
forever be yours and only yours."

"But Brian, what about." Nick began, not wanting to believe the words he
was hearing.

"No Nick. Forget about that. I know what I'm doing. I know this is what I
want, and I know now that this is what I've always wanted. LeighAnn was but
a big mistake; and as for the religious part of it- well, I've done a lot
of soul searching- and I don't see how my Church, that preaches love and
peace, could object to love. To me, God is love and what you and I share
Nickolas, is far more genuine than what I have ever felt for any woman- or
for anyone. If this is wrong Nick, then I don't want to be right." Brian
spoke the truth of his heart, and he knew that it was up to Nick, but he
would not give up, they had both fought way too hard to reach this point
for them to ever give it up.

Too overwhelmed by his happiness, Nick decided not to press the issue any
further. He had all he'd ever wanted and there was no reason to push it
away. They had a lifetime to sort through the various complications, and
tonight was their night. To be Nick and Brian, best friends, lovers, soul
mates. Before they knew it, they were back at the Plaza Hotel, and Nick was
following Brian into the elevator. As Nick went to push the button for the
floor he and Chris had been staying on, Brian stopped him, instead hitting
the button for the top floor of the building. When the door opened, Brian
led Nick to the door of the suite that he had arranged for tonight. As he
opened the door, he stood away from the doorway letting Nick enter before
him.

"Oh Brian.." it was barely above a whisper, but Brian took it as a sign
that once again his plans had paid off and that everything was
perfect. Brian followed Nick into the room, and even he gasped at the sight
of the honeymoon suite. The hotel had set it up exactly as Brian had asked
them to, but even he had not expected the dramatic effect in the room. As
both men walked slowly further into the room, what seemed like a thousand
little white candles lit the room from tables, ledges, windowsills and
practically every solid surface throughout the main room of the suite. The
faint smell of vanilla permeated throughout the suite, creating an instant
sense of warmth and comfort.

"Brian, I love it, I love everything about it. It's perfect."

"No, you're perfect baby," Brian said seductively, suddenly realised that
for the first time that night, him and Nick were completely alone. Ensuring
the door was locked, Brian once again took Nick's hand, and gently led Nick
to the bedroom where they were greeted with a large, circular bed covered
in white satin sheets, sprinkled with red rose petals. Before Nick could
react, or anticipate what was to come, Brian had made his way to the night
stand and pressed play on the awaiting CD player.

"Ooh thinking about all our younger years

There was only you and me

We were young and wild and free

Now nothing can take you away from me"

Bryan Adams' tune filtered softly through the room, setting the mood
perfectly for the two star-crossed lovers. Nick felt himself being pulled
into Brian's arms and felt Bri's arms wrap around his waist as they had in
his most precious fantasies. Their lips connected once again, neither
wasting their time but needing to taste the other, to feel his tongue
massaging that of his best friend. Brian marvelled at how silky Nick's
tongue felt and tried to desperately pull Nick even closer than he was so
that every possible inch of him was pressed against Nick's front.

"We've been down that road before

But that's over now

You keep me coming back for more"

Nick placed his left hand behind Brian's head intertwining his slender
fingers in Brian's curly hair, trying to experience every single sensation
he had dreamed about, wanting to know just how good it felt for real. With
his left hand still playing with Brian's hair, his right hand tenderly
stroked Brian's cheek . Nick could feel Brian shudder slightly as he
lightly grazed over Brian's soft cheek with his fingertips. It was then
Nick's turn to moan into his kiss as he felt one of Brian's hands come to a
rest on the wonderfully round mound of Nick's butt.

"Baby you're all I want

When you're lying here in my arms

I'm finding it hard to believe

We're in heaven"

Feeling the light touch on his ass, Nick gently pulled away from his kiss
with Brian and searched Brian's eyes for the permission to take their love
just a little bit further.

"And love is all that I need

And I found it there in your heart

It isn't too hard to see

We're in heaven"

Brian's eyes gave Nick all the reassurance he needed and the whimper that
escaped Brian's lips let Nick know that if he didn't make a move, Brian
certainly would. Nick brought his hands up to the older man's shirt collar,
and slowly began to undo the buttons of Brian's light blue shirt. As each
button gave way, Nick's heartbeat jumped to a new high. Inch by inch, the
revelation of Brian's smooth, hairless chest caused Nick's already
hardening member to grow, causing Nick a discomfort that he knew would
finally be relieved in a way it had never been before.

"Ooh once in your life you find someone

Who will turn your world around

Bring you up when you're feeling down"

Brian looked down and watched as Nick tenderly finished unbuttoning his
shirt and gently let it fall to the floor. Catching Nick off guard, the
smaller man pushed Nick backwards onto the bed and straddled Nick's waist,
his clothed butt sensing Nick's arousal despite the layers of fabric
separating it from him and it only turned Brian on more. Brian lifted Nick
torso off the bed so that he could pull Nick's sweater up and off of him
leaving Nick's defined chest in sight. Brian had of course seen Nick's body
many times before, but it wasn't until tonight that he was able to touch it
the way he was. He brought his lips to his best friend's navel and nibbled
tenderly on the soft skin before licking a trail up to Nick's left nipple
which he managed to have hard in a matter of seconds. Next his attention
turned to Nick's right nipple and he lightly bit down, causing Nick to
throw his head back and let out a monstrous groan, filled with need and
desire.


"Yeah, nothing could change what you mean to me

Oh there's lots that I could say

But just hold me now

'Cause our love will light the way"

Seeing Nick's reaction, Brian paid extra attention to Nick's nipples until
he could hear Nick panting his name over and over. Not wanting to risk
sending Nick over the edge, Brian relented his assault on Nick's chest and
moved lower down to the prominent bulge that was straining against the
material of his black pants. As Brian found himself at eye level with the
mound, he gave into temptation and quickly undid Nick's belt and pants,
sliding the pants off in one swift move, leaving Nick on the satin sheets
in just a pair of black CK boxer briefs. The sight before him caused his
own erection to strain painfully against his own pants. Brian discarded his
own pants quickly so that he and Nick were just as equally exposed and then
returned to his position straddling Nick's waist looking down at the
flushed face of the blond God before him.


"Baby you're all I want

When you're lying here in my arms

I'm finding it hard to believe

We're in heaven"

Nick stared at Brian above him and forced himself to blink repeatedly, just
making sure that his senses were not deceiving him and that the object of
his affection was now on top of him in nothing but a pair of silk
boxers. It felt real, it looked real and more than anything, those kisses
tasted real. Nick felt his eyes suddenly fill with tears as he realised
that there was something missing- yet it was something that he did not miss
at all. That feeling of loneliness, of incompleteness that had been
plaguing him through good times and bad was suddenly gone; and Nick assured
himself that he would never do anything to make Brian leave- and allow
those feeling to return.



"And love is all that I need

And I found it there in your heart

It isn't too hard to see

We're in heaven"

As quickly as Nick's tears fell Brian had licked them up tenderly with the
tip of his tongue. He buried his head in Nick's neck and proceeded to suck,
nibble and lick greedily causing Nick to giggle uncontrollably at the
stimulus to his over-sensitive neck. Nickolas grinned as he realised just
how well Brian knew him. Even having never been intimate before, Brian knew
just what to do to drive him wild. Nick decided it was his turn to take the
lead, and in one swift movement he rolled both him and Brian over, so that
he was now above Brian looking down at his lover before him. Nick began by
kissing Brian fully and allowing their newly acquainted tongues to continue
learning every inch of the other's mouth. Enjoying the warmth of Brian's
mouth, Nick couldn't help but wonder at the what the sensation would be
having Brian's mouth caressing his pulsing penis.

"I've been waiting for so long

For something to arrive

For love to come along

Now our dreams are coming true

Through the good times and the bad

I'll be standing there by you"

Nick broke from the kiss and moved lower down his angel's body, pausing
only to trace over Brian's hardening nipples and rock-hard abs with his
tongue. Longing to taste what else Brian had to offer, Nick continued on
his trek and soon found himself confronted with Brian's length tenting his
midnight blue silk boxers. Both Nick and Brian released a sigh in unison as
Nick reached his destination and placed his hot mouth over the head of
Brian's still covered penis. Within seconds of Nick licking through the
boxers, Brian was breathlessly panting and thrusting his hips off the bed
hoping to experience more of the heat that was his Frack. Nick remained
level with Brian's cock but looked up and met his friend's eyes. The look
that greeted him was that of desperation.

"Baby you're all I want

When you're lying here in my arms

I'm finding it hard to believe

We're in heaven"

Nick quickly but carefully pulled Brian's boxers off, releasing the
remaining element of his beauty to Nick's view. So many times Nick had seen
flashes of 'little Bri' aroused and pumping in and out of LeighAnn, but now
'little Bri' was all his to do with as he pleased. Nick began by lightly
flicking his tongue over the very tip of Brian's organ causing a cry to
escape from Brian's lips that, had they not been in a penthouse honeymoon
suite, would have echoed through out the halls of the hotel. Nick grinned
at the pleasure he was bringing to his lover and quickly engulfed the
entire head with his full lips, allowing Brian to finally experience the
kind of attention that he could have never gotten from his ex-fiancée.

"And love is all that I need

And I found it there in your heart

It isn't too hard to see

We're in heaven"

Brian tried to resist the temptation to grab Nick's head and push him
further onto his dick- so he instead placed his left arm behind his head to
allow himself a better view of Nick, and placed his right band lightly on
Nick's head to toy with Nick's hair but also to provide encouragement for
his buddy to take him further into his mouth. Nick was in love with Brian's
penis. The taste of Bri's juice was intoxicating as was the texture of his
penis. The head was the size of a golf ball but was smoother and softer
than anything Nick could compare it to. The long shaft pulsed as Nick felt
the veins with his tongue- each little touch of the tongue eliciting a new
moan from Brian. Nick gave up on trying to take the entire length into his
month and instead wrapped his right hand around Brian's base and pumped at
the same rhythm as he bobbed up on and down on the head, lightly running
his tongue around the circumference of the top causing Brian's cries to
reach a new volume. A symphony of sounds were coming from Brian as he
experienced true pleasure for the first time. The loving care Nick took as
he tongued his cock was something that no woman had ever shown to
Brian. Before he knew it, Brian felt himself pass just beyond the point of
no return and he roughly pulled Nick, by the hair, upwards so that their
lips could meet.

Nick locked lips with Brian, allowing Brian to taste traces of himself in
Nick's mouth as Nick wrapped his right hand tightly around Brian's dick and
pumped furiously until Brian released himself from the kiss and slammed his
head back into the mattress screaming Nick's name. Nick watched as spurt
after spurt of Brian's cum landed on his chest , Brian's eyes clenched shut
and bit down on his bottom lip. After the fifth or sixth load, Nick
replaced his mouth over Brian's now purple cock head to swallow the last 3
spurts of cum.

Once Brian had calmed down and his prick had started to soften, Nick
released it from his mouth and travelled back up Brian's body, stopping to
clean the drops of cum from Brian's body with his tongue. When they were
once again face to face, Brian opened his eyes to stare deep within Nick's
and kissed the younger boy for what seemed like the hundreth time that
night. Brian was amazed at what a sensation it was to taste himself in
Nick's mouth yet he had to pull from the kiss, still trying to recover from
the most powerful orgasm he had ever experienced.

"Nick, I. I've never felt anything like that before. It was incredible."

"Shhh.. Bri, you ain't seen nothing yet.." Nick said it with a grin that
caused Brian's exhausted prick to twitch one more time.

"It's my turn to please you now Nick" Brian said as his breathing started
to return to normal and he gripped Nick's cotton covered dick as he tried
to hide a slight yawn.

"Brian, you're exhausted and we've had an eventful day- and that's putting
it mildly. We have a life time ahead of us, there's no need to rush." Nick
knew that Brian was tired and didn't want to over exhaust him, there would
be a lot of talking to be done the next day.

"Thank you Nick. But I won't forget that I owe you one"

"As long as I have your heart Brian.."

"You always have Nick - it's just that neither you nor I knew you did."

Nick melted at Brian's words and looked to the foot of the bed for the
blanket. He unfolded the blanket then placed it over both himself and his
lover and he gently pecked Brian's lips, not wanting to go for more than a
few minutes without having felt Brian's lips beneath his own. He placed his
head against Brian's chest and as Brian wrapped his arms loosely around the
man he would never ever want to let go of. Both men fell quickly into a
rhythmic pattern of breathing and within minutes they were asleep. Right
before slumber took them from the conscious world, the last thought in each
of their minds were the echoing lines of the song that had been the basis
of it all. As they drifted to sleep the words continued to play through
their minds,

"So here I am

With Open Arms

Hoping you'll see

What your love means to me

Open Arms."


To be continued

************************************

Wow, I can't believe after having started this story over a year ago, that
I've finally gotten to this part. Feedback fuels the writer's soul so
please send any comments, questions etc to nicksxtacy@sympatico.ca.