Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 19:07:29 EDT
From: Carter . <nicksxtacy@hotmail.com>
Subject: Open Arms 8

Open Arms 8
by Carter (nicksxtacy@hotmail.com)
m/m CELEBRITY/Boy-Bands

Disclaimer: This story is a work of Fiction. It is not meant to reflect the
true sexuality of anyone mentioned within, especially not NICK CARTER ,
Chris Klein, Brian Littrell or any member of the Backstreet Boys or any
other individual mentioned within and is strictly taken from the author's
over-active imagination.  If you are too young or it is illegel for you to
continue, DON'T. The author takes NO responsibility whatsoever for any harm
that is caused to anyone by reading this etc. so if you're not supposed to
be here, GO AWAY, please.


Author's Note:  I appologize immensely for the delay and hope you enjoy this
installment despite it's lateness and shortness.  I know i've promised to
keep the chapters coming more frequently, but plans don't always work out
the way I expect them to. Ideally, now that summer school is over, I would
like to be able to do one chapter a day....but whether that's possible is
yet to be seen.

This chapter is DEDICATED to LUCAS Thompson (author of Because I Love You)
because his anticipated chapter 13 touched me in ways that only Nickolas has
been able to. It was a work of art  and I still can't get over it's
emotional impact. Everytime I read it over, I'm moved beyond belief and he
makes me want to improve so much yet give up at the same time, just because
he's such a genious. He truly is an artist.

and to LUCKYLOU (authour of Boy meets BSB) because since the first
installment of BMBSB I've followed his story and loved it's inventiveness.
Although it's finale killed me inside to read, it was a great end to a
phenomenal story and I hope that he never gives up writing. thankyou for the
smiles and tears. You are definately one talented individual.



Thanks to you know who (my one true ANGEL) for the ultimate inspiration, you
make my life worth living.

P.S. NICKY FANS UNITE

Now on to the story.

OPEN ARMS- CHAPTER 8
by Carter ( nicksxtacy@hotmail.com )

	Brian proceeded through the front door to Nick's house that Chris had left
opened after the pizza had arrived. The past few weeks had been the most
stressful time in Brian's life, and he hoped that this would be the climax
to Nick's troubles and that they could finally set themselves on the path to
recovery. As much as Brian did regret what he did to Nick, he hoped that it
would finally help to ease the stress that Nick was going through, now that
his secret was out. It had all happened so quickly, that Brian had barely
had the chance to actually think about what a major change had occurred in
his life. In just a matter of hours, he had learned....well, actually,
confirmed that his best friend was gay and he had ended his engagement to
LeighAnn. Whether the two events were related or not, Brian had not allowed
himself to think. There would be time for that later, he told himself. Once
Nick was alright, then all the little details could be sorted out. It would
all fall into  place. Or at least that's what Brian convinced himself.

	 As he walked through Nick's house, Brian slowed his pace at the sound of
someone singing softly. As he entered Nick's kitchen, Brian could see Chris
and Nick through the open patio door as Chris rocked a sleeping Nick on the
large cushioned love seat swing that Nick's parents had given him as a house
warming gift. Once outside, Brian realized that it was Chris who was singing
to Nick, and he was singing an all too familiar song.  Brian paused before
approaching so as to not disturb the moment being shared between Chris and
the sleeping Nick.

	"and when I look into your eyes,
	I know that it's true.
	God Must have spent, a little more time on you."

	When he had finished his quiet serenade, Chris leaned down, to brush Nick's
soft hair out of his face and placed a gentle kiss on Nick's forehead. He
had longed to be doing this since the day he'd first seen Nick on stage and
now it hurt him more than ever to be able to do what he had dreamed of so
many times, knowing that Nick's heart was not his. When he looked up he saw
Brian gazing back at him and he turned a deep shade of red as he realized
that Brian must have heard him singing. He took Brian by the arm and led him
back into the house, shutting the glass door behind him so that he and Brian
could talk without disturbing the sleeping beauty on the deck.

	"Uh...Chris, as beautiful as that was, you got the wrong boyband..." Brian
tried to laugh in order to ease the tension.

	"Brian, I think we need to talk." Chris said, while trying to regain his
composure. Seeing the object of his affection cry himself to sleep and not
being able to do anything about it had taken a toll on the happiness that
Chris had been feeling ever since he had received the first call from Brian.

	"Chris, I'm sorry. I guess I really screwed up badly, didn't I?" Brian
bowed his head in shame as he realized that Nick was back in his depression
rather than being happy, and now even Chris was visibly depressed, and it
was all his fault.

	"Brian, are you gay?" Chris blurted it out, seeing that there was no other
way of getting to the bottom of their troubles.

	"Chris, I'm engaged to be married... Well.....I was, engaged to be married,
to a woman."

	"You're not answering my question Brian, are you gay?" Chris persisted,
raising his voice just a little.

	"I don't understand what you're getting at Chris...how could i possibly
be..."

	It was a combination of the many emotions he was feeling at that exact
moment. Partly due to his frustration with Brian, but also because of his
unstable emotions, Chris took a step closer to Brian, put one hand behind
his head, and before Brian knew what was happening he felt Chris' lips upon
his. Despite his initial shock, Brian accepted the kiss, and while he didn't
initiate any part of it, he went wherever Chris was about to take him. Chris
didn't waste time in getting Brian to open his mouth as their tongues made
contact for the first time. The kiss meant nothing to Chris, but to Brian it
caused an adrenaline rush that he had never felt with Leighann or any other
woman that he had ever been with. The taste that was Chris was different,
sweeter somehow, and while he would have expected it to be rougher, the pace
of the kiss, as set by Chris was gentle, slow and tender. Before a minute
had passed, Chris pulled away, causally wiping the sides of his mouth with
his sleeve and then staring directly at the dumbfounded Brian.

	"Chris! What was that?" Brian's mind was racing as he unconsciously licked
his lips searching for just a slight taste of Chris that may still remain on
his lips. He didn't know what to think, what to do. Before anything else, he
looked nervously out the glass door, seeing Nick still asleep he felt
reassured, not knowing exactly what Nick's reaction would have been to
seeing them kiss.

	"I was trying to help you answer my question. Now. I'll ask once more.
Brian, are you gay?" Chris would not let up and he continued to stare into
Brian's blue eyes letting the older man know that there was no way to escape
the question.

	" I don't know Chris. I'm so confused. The church says it's wrong, it's a
sin..."

	"Forget the church for just a moment, Brian. I know religion is a deep part
of you, but so is your heart, and if something is in your heart, then how
can it be wrong? You're not a bad person...if you feel it, if it's pure, if
it's a feeling of love, then how can it be wrong?" Chris softened slightly
as he realized how much Brian was suffering. Nick wouldn't have wanted Chris
to be this hard on him, so he relented.

	"Look, Chris, this is a lot to think about right now. I just discovered
that my best friend is gay and I broke up with my fiance. I think I need
some time to just let myself sort through the recent events."


	"Sure, Brian. I understand, but while you're off discovering yourself,
you've got your best friend suffering. You said he was depressed before, but
Brian, look at him. It's obvious that he's in so much pain, and he needs
time too. He's just come out of the closet. and you set him up with me,
before you even talked to him about it. Don't you think his best friend's
reaction would have been more important to him than dinner with me?"

	" I was just trying to help Chris. I was trying to help Nick AND YOU! You
said you were attracted to him, and you really wanted to meet him. I thought
you were a nice guy and would treat Nick well, I don't see where the harm
is."

	"Brian, have you stopped to think that maybe Nick knows who he wants? Maybe
that's why he hasn't come out until now? I hate to say it Brian, but in the
short time that I've known you two, I've noticed the way you talk about
eachother. I see the way he looks at you, and you do the same thing,
sometimes." As Chris spoke his mind, he watched Brian. Sure enough Brian's
gaze was locked on Nick's sleeping figure, the same way any older brother or
best friend would . But there was something more to Brian's look and it told
Chris that there was a lot more to the story than he knew.

	"Chris , you don't understand what a situation I've been put in.  And I
think for me to deal with all this I need to sit and think all of this
through and talk to Nick. Part of me wants to wake him up right now and
scream at him for confusing me, while part of me wants to kiss him  and take
all his pain away. But that part scared me Chris, because  I don't think I'm
gay . I love Nickolas because he's my little brother.  And because of that I
don't want to see him hurt. It kills me to see him in so much pain." Brian
gave in as the tears that brimmed his eyes spilled down his cheeks.

	Within a second, Chris pulled Brian  into his arms and let Brian cry on his
shoulder, all the while, watching Nick's sleeping figure through the glass.
After the sobs had subsided, Chris could sense Brian giggle slightly.

	"What are you laughing at little man?" Chris asked softly.

	" I was just wondering if you were gonna kiss me again." Brian backed away
from Chris, with his trademark goofy grin.

	"You're such a loser. I try to be nice and you make fun of me...i'll show
you..." Chris chased Brian around Nick's kitchen table but instead of
following Brian all the way around, he stopped near the kitchen door.

	"Brian, I thank you for a wonderful night, but I think my work here is
done." Chris said with a grin, "There's a couple pizzas on the counter and
your best friend is sound asleep, I trust that if I leave you two alone, it
would be best. You guys really need to sort things out. You're both confused
and have been through alot in the past few days. I don't want to be an
interferance."

	"Chris, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for screwing up so badly, I just hope
you don't hate us. At least don't hate Nickolas. He had nothing to do with
it. I set you both up, without realising that either of you would get hurt.
I thought I was doing what was best for everyone.  I understand if you don't
want to talk to me anymore, but I'd hate for Nick to lose a friend or
potential boyfriend because I screwed things up." Brian tried his best to
sum up his thoughts so that Chris wouldn't leave thinking that both he and
Nick were complete jerks. Despite his efforts to hide it, Brian could tell
Chris was heartbroken and Bri felt horrible.

	"Brian, I don't hate either one of you. And believe me, I would like
nothing more than for Nick and I to be friends. And you too. So don't think
I hate you...and besides...how could I hate someone with lips that taste so
good?" Chris joked, "No really Bri. I just want to give you two a chance to
sort things out before i get involved. I don't want Nick to feel pressured.
Please, dont' let him feel badly because of all this. He can always call me.
Anytime he needs anything. Both of you. Don't ever hesitate to call." With
that final thought, Chris walked towards Nick's front door, with Brian
following behind. Before he could leave, Chris turned to say one last thing
to Brian.

	"Bri, I hope you realise Nickolas is one special guy. He's very special. Be
careful with his heart. He deserves only the best and he's in so much pain.
Please treat him right."

	Before Brian could respond, Chris was out the front door, shutting it
behind him. Brian proceeded to lock it and then jogged back to the kitchen
to check on his best friend. He grabbed a blanket from a nearby closet and
stepped outside. As he approached the sleeping figure of his friend, Brian
felt a shiver run through his body. He knew it wasn't from the cold, but
hesitated to admit what it was. As he sat down on the bench, laying Nick's
head on his lap, Brian spread the blanket over Nick's sleeping body and
thought of how many times he'd been in this position in the past few weeks.
"We cuddle more than Leighann and I ever did" Brian giggled to himself. With
that he looked down at the engagement ring that Leighann had placed on his
ring finger. Brian pulled it off, and without thinking sent it flying
towards the ocean. It never did quite make it to the water, but fell softly
on the beach. Within seconds it was buried beneath layers of sand and Brian
breathed a sigh of relief. It was time to move on. To help Nick and to deal
with his own issues that he'd avoided for so long.

	As sleep came over Brian he brushed his fingers through Nick's hair. The
barely audible sigh escaped both of their lips at the same time as Chris'
words echoed through Brian's mind.

	"Nickolas is one special guy. He's very special. Be careful with his heart.
  Please treat him right. Nickolas is one special guy. He's very
special....very special.....special......"

	Brian's lips mouthed the words, but no sound escaped, as he plunged deeper
into his sleep.

	"I KNOW"


	There you have it, chapter 8....long overdo, I know.
	As always, questions, comments, suggestions, complaints etc. are
appreciated more than you know. Feedback fuels the writer's spirit.
nicksxtacy@hotmail.com : please use it.

	Carter