Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:36:16 +1000
From: Daniel M <brisboi82@hotmail.com>
Subject: College - Bruised Love 10

DISCLAIMER:

If you are under the legal age of 18 (or 21, depending on local law) please
discontinue reading. If you are offended by homosexual content and themes,
please do not read further. I accept no responsibilities if the written
text offends as you are reading it of free choice. This work remains solely
my property and may not be reproduced without prior request.

Always remember safe sex is the way to go. Don't pick something up when you
pick him up.

This is purely fictional work, any similarities between characters and
events and any real situation are purely coincidental, unless otherwise
noted.

As a short side note: I just want to say thank you to those who constantly
write in with feedback and to my two Texan boys (they know who they are -
hey, love you both, glad you worked things out). Thank you for your time
J&D - your time has meant everything to me.

FEEDBACK:

brisboi82@hotmail.com

AIM Screen name: AntiChristDM

Story's Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bruised_love_fiction/


The Story:

Bruised Love 10
By
Daniel M


Andrew settled into bed beside Cameron who glanced up from his book.

   "How's Mitch?" Andrew asked. Cameron shrugged, causing Andrew to arch an
eyebrow.

   "Can you vague that up for me?" Andrew asked. Sighing, Cameron closed
the book on his lap and looked at his lover.

   "He's searching his soul and he started asking questions and it made me
really stop and think." Cameron said.

   "Which is why you're reading my human psyche text?" Asked Andrew with a
gentle smile on his face. Cameron poked his tongue at Andrew causing him to
giggle more.

   "I think if you look in chapter six, it explains why the Beta Male can't
mentally mature beyond six years old." Andrew had a dig. Cameron's eyebrow
arched and Andrew wondered if he could move out of the way fast enough if
Cameron decided to clobber him with the thick text.

   "Beta male?" Asked Cameron.

   "Better than the Delta Male isn't it?" Asked Andrew weakly before
Cameron dropped the book on the floor and rolled onto Andrew making his
lover laugh happily.


Mitch was sitting out on the balcony when Andrew emerged from the
bedroom. He glanced at Mitch, then looked at the kitchen, torn between his
urge to say hello and his urge to intake of the life giving brew, better
known at coffee. Sighing, his addiction lost to friendship. Slowly, he made
his way out onto the balcony to find a second mug and plunger full of
coffee.

   "Morning." Said Andrew softly. Mitch looked up briefly then back down at
his book.

   "Hi. Your mug already has sugar in it." He mummbled. Andrew kissed the
top of Mitch's head as he walked by and sat down in the chair next to
Mitch.

   "Well you're cheerful this morning. Didn't you sleep well?" Asked Andrew
carefully. Mitch turned to Andrew, lifted the plunger and then banged his
fist on the table going,

   "Uh Andrew, uh Cameron, uh uh uh, yes oh God yes." After finishing his
skit of the previous night, he clamly replaced the plunger and went back to
staring at the ground. Andrew could feel his face turning bright red.

   "We aren't that loud." Andrew said quietly.

   "Compared to a heavy metal concert, no you're as quiet as mice." Mitch
said sarcastically. Andrew got a look of shock on his face, then started to
laugh. Mitch looked up irritably.

   "What's so funny?" He demanded.

   "That's the first smart arse comment you've made in a while and you
didn't cringe afterwards." Mitch's eyes widened as realisation crept
through them like the first light of dawn and he started to grin broadly.

   "Are you picking on my boyfriend again?" Came Cameron's voice from
behind, startling Mitch and sending him to the ground in the foetal
position.

   "Fuck." Swore Andrew lightly and shot a look at Cameron who looked
ashamed of himself. Andrew got out of his chair and walked over to Mitch,
who shrank at Andrew's touch. Eventually Andrew pulled Mitch back against
him. Mitch wrapped his arms around Andrew's neck and buried his head in
Andrew's shoulder. Andrew glanced at Cameron who sat down next to them and
apologised to Mitch with a contrite look on his face. Mitch slowly pulled
his head out of Andrew's shoulder and looked at Cameron and nodded
accepting the apology. Slowly, the trio stood up and Mitch excused himself
looking at the ground and hurried off to the bathroom. Andrew looked at
Cameron who was watching Mitch move away and smacked him across the back of
the head.

   "See, beta male!" Cameron just glared at Andrew who settled down and
poured his coffee.


Andrew was standing behind the counter at work again, counting down the
minutes until his shift ended.

   "Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo." Wailed from the other end of
the counter.

   "Robbing 7eleven while taking drugs and shagging some piece of jail
bait." Andrew replied without lifting his eyes from what he was
doing. Vanessa leant over the counter and kissed him lightly.

   "Why does Cameron put up with you? There is not one romantic bone in
your body, and that's not a bone before you even say it." Vanessa said
cheekily.

   "It's because of my and sparkling wit and irresistable personality."
Andrew grinned back.

   "Sparkling Wit? I've seen stone with more sparkle and Michael Jaskson,
there was a man with irresistable personality."

   "And he had all these really cute signs that said 'you must be this high
to ride Michael'." Andrew said motioning to chest height.

   "You're just jealous that he's popular and you're not." Vanessa argued
back gleefully.

   "Yes, his biggest fans are the day care centres." Andrew threw back.

   "What about all the people he helps. Talking out against racial
segregation." Vanessa shot back.

   "Honey, he's got to chose a race first." Andrew threw back. Vanessa
slumped her head in defeat.

   "I hate you at times, I really do." She said.

   "So Nessa, why are you haunting me today?" Andrew asked.

   "Just thought I'd see how you're goin." She said casually.

   "Heard I came out huh?" Asked Andrew. Vanessa grinned sheepishly.

   "Ok, so I ran into Cam earlier, he told me."

   "All is good, Mom and Dad haven't been in touch, but that's to be
expected." Andrew said. Vanessa's jaw dropped open.

   "No reprimand about Cam having a big mouth?"

   "Of course not, having a big mouth on your lover has definite
advantages." Andrew grinned. Vanessa held up her hand.

   "Nuh uh white boy, this girl no hear that. This girl don't want to hear
that." She said like a day time talk show hooker that just hadn't made
it. Andrew just grinned in reply.

   "You've been awfully quiet of late, what's the deal?" Andrew asked.

   "I've just been busy with work."  She told him. Andrew arched an
eyebrow.

   "Nessa, I've never known you to do more work than diabollically
necessary. What's the truth?"

   "What's a girl to do when her boys hook-up?" She asked. Andrew hung his
head and Vanessa laughed.

   "Oh fuck off. You think that my world stops because you finally got
laid? His name is Marcus. You remember that trade I picked up when you met
Mitch? Well he's been around a bit and has kept me, shall we
say... amused?" Vanessa said winking. Andrew grinned at her.

   "So, how much are you paying his guide dog?"

   "Three back rubs and two behind the ear scratches per visit." Vanessa
shot back. Andrew opened his mouth to reply but Vanessa cut him off.

   "How is Mitch anyways?" She asked. Andrew blinked looking past her.

   "Here." He said surprisedly. Vanessa arched her eyebrow and looked back
over her shoulder. Mitch stood there looking at them, smiling
unsuredly. Andrew felt his hackles instantly rise as hairs raised on the
back of his neck. Vanessa moved quickly to their friend.

   "You alright Mitchy?" She asked. Mitch looked at her and nodded
slowly. She gently guided him up to the counter where Andrew looked at
Mitch.

   "What's up? Why you here on your own?" He asked. Mitch looked about then
at Andrew.

   "A girl turned up at the unit to study and I didn't want to stay
there. Didn't feel right staying there." He said quietly. Andrew nodded and
reached out and rested his hand on Mitch's shoulder and smiled. Mitch
looked up questioningly to be met by a warm smile and smiled back. Andrew's
manager came out and barked at him about wasting time. Andrew smiled
sheepishly and shrugged.


After stopping by the pick up some food for dinner, Mitch and Andrew turned
back towards the apartment.

   "So why didn't you feel comfortable staying at home?" Asked Andrew.

   "Don't know." Mitch said simply.  "I just didn't feel right being
there. She kinda looked at me strange when she walked in." Andrew nodded
and said no more, choosing instead to turn up the CD that was thumping
quietly away in the background.


Walking in the front door, they were surprised to be greeted by the sight
of dinner cooked and on the table. Andrew walked into the kitchen and saw
Cameron standing at the sink stacking saucepans.  Andrew walked up behind
him and slipped his arms around his waist.

   "Mitch, you know we can't. Andrew'll be home soon." Cameron
whined. Andrew slapped his boyfriend across the back of the head. Andrew
rested his head on Cameron's shoulder.

   "So what'd you do wrong that you're cooking?" Asked Andrew
playfully. Cameron cocked his head to the side and looked at Andrew in
wonderment.

   "What makes you say I've done anything wrong? I just thought it'd be a
nice change from you having to do it all the time." Cameron said. Cameron's
quick defense caused Andrew to look closely at his friend..

   "What have you done?" Andrew asked. Cameron looked at him confused.

   "The only time you have ever defended anything you've done to me is when
it's something that you know I won't like. Every other time you just tell
me to fuck off." Andrew demanded. Cameron wore a wounded look which
gradually changed to a very tired look under Andrew's steady gaze,
Cameron's eyes dropping to the floor.

   "Anna came by earlier." Cameron told him. Andrew's expression became
confused and then recognition glimmered in his eyes.

   "She was the one you were... with... before... oh." Andrew said as his
arms dropped to his sides, defeat pushing his shoulders down. Cameron
looked away then down, finding some interesting patters on the floor
beneath their feet.

   "I'll never win against a woman will I Cam?" Asked Andrew. Cameron
looked up quickly.

   "It's not like that, I didn't plan or intend to..." Cameron began.

   "You still did. You still did, despite what we have, had." Andrew felt
his voice rise and he grasped desperately to bring it back down and level
it out.

   "It's not that Andy. I never did this to hurt anything between us."
Cameron battled desperately to keep his presence of mind. He reached out to
gently grasp Andrew's shoulder. Andrew yanked his shoulder back from
Cameron's grasp lest it burnt him. Cameron's face fell even harder.

   "So'd you get off fucking her in the bed we held each other in last
night. Did it make you blow harder knowing that you can control both sexes
like that?" Andrew spat, his pain and spite mixing into distraught
hate. Cameron looked up at Andrew, tears slipping down over his warmed
cheeks.

   "I never wanted her to touch me Andy. It was only once... once she told
me she was pregnant." Cameron gasped out. Andrew yelped softly as though
stung then stepped back for fear that he may be fall apart purely from
Cameron's presence. Cameron stepped forwards to take Andrew's weight
fearing he would fall and Andrew staggered back violently away from
Cameron. Andrew righted himself, and stared woundedly at Cameron.

   "Then I guess you better fuck her again and make doubly sure it is
yours." Andrew spat venomously.

   "Andy..." Cameron cried painfully.

   "Don't call me that, don't call me... don't even talk to me. I don't
even want to see you right now." Andrew fired. With that, Andrew lurched
out and down to his room.


   "Andy?" Came a voice softly as Andrew threw clothes feverishly into an
overnight bag.

   "Andy, slow down please." Came the voice a little louder, causing Andrew
to register it. Andrew looked up and saw Mitch standing there contritely
looking for an excuse or reason.

   "That's why you came to work isn't it?" Andrew asked mournfully.

   "I came because I knew who she was and didn't want to stay." Mitch said
looking down. Andrew sniffled lightly and went back to his mad packing of
objects. Mitch looked at his friend and then spoke again.

   "Would you like a hand?" He asked, causing Andrew to stop and look up.

   "I'll be ok Mitch, I'm just going to stay in a hotel tonight." Andrew
said.

   "I don't want you to go." Mitch said softly. Andrew looked at his
friend.

   "So come with me." Andrew said easily. Mitch looked at Andrew surprised.

   "Won't that be wrong?" Asked Mitch, Andrew shrugged.

   "So what if it does, who's going to care anymore? Cameron? I hardly
think he's in a position to say anything." Andrew accused lightly.

   "Yes, but it'll still hurt in the morning ... you're talking in anger
Andrew. You're normally so calm and collected." Mitch said quietly.

  "Yes, normally I'm calm and collected. Normally, I haven't been stung by
the cheating or pain of finding out that my partner, my lover, my best
friend has turned around and fucked some woman behind my back and got her
knocked up am I?" Andrew hurled all of his pain out. Mitch took a step back
then walked back towards Andrew again.

  "Yes, but you wouldn't be like this if you didn't care."

  "Obviously he doesn't, otherwise it wouldn't have happened that he stuck
his fucking dick in her again this afternoon would it." Andrew spat,
breathing in the vemon and exhaling all the hate. Mitch stood looking at
his friend unabashed.

  "You're only human, no one expects you not to hurt. This will be hurting
him just as much as it's hurting you." Mitch said evenly, trying to weather
his friends violent mood.

   "Well he's doing a fucking ace job of showing it isn't he. He's hiding
down the other end of the unit. Not game enough to bringing his lying,
cheating fucking arse in front of me." Andrew exploded.

   "Would you welcome him if he did?" Asked Mitch quietly.

   "Would you feel alone standing on that limb if he did?" Andrew
spat. Mitch looked down and away then back at his friend.

   "Where I stand makes no difference when it's trying to help those that I
care about." Andrew looked up at Mitch.

   "Who do you care about Mitch? Tell me, who is it... is it me? Is it Cam?
Is it Jay? Time to stand where you want to, take the side that you
want. It's time for you to show who you really are." Andrew hurled his hurt
directly at Mitch who stood there taking the brunt of it.

   "I stand by those who I care about." Said Mitch definantly.

   "That doesn't answer the question any." Andrew pushed. Mitch stood there
glaring back at Andrew.

   "It means I stand by both of you."

   "Not that easy Mitch. THe neutral not taking sides stance doesn't work
at this point." Pushed Andrew.

   "Andrew, that's not fair. I love you both, you both helped me, you both
reached for my hand and grabbed my heart and kept it warm until the
bruising and scarring had healed. I owe you both so much. I can't choose
between you." Mitch cried plaintively. Andrew few a last few objects in the
bag before zipping it up.

   "Are you coming or staying?" Andrew asked. Mitch put his hand out.

   "Let me drive. You're not in a state." Mitch said evenly. Andrew looked
at Mitch evenly then threw the keys at him. Lifting the bag, Andrew stalked
out of the room.


Turning the corner to leave, they found Cameron on the floor, sitting with
his knees to his chest, sobbing lightly. As they approached he looked up
and Andrew averted his eyes to meet the gaze.

   "And..." Cameron began before Andrew cut him off.

   "I don't want to hear your voice at the moment Cameron." Seethed Andrew.
"The rent is paid until the end of the month. You have until then to decide
which one of us is leaving." Andrew informed him without looking.

   "Neither of us do." Tried Cameron. Andrew turned his gaze to view his
broken lover.

   "One of us does, because I can't even stand the sight of you at the
moment. End of the month is in 20 days. Let me know in 14. Cry all you like
Cam, because at the moment I don't care. Go on cry, because at the moment
my pain is greater than yours and I curse you with sharing it." Andrew said
calm and evenly. He then started down and walked out the door. Mitch knelt
beside his friend and rested his hand on Cameron's shoulder who turned his
gaze to look at Mitch. After a few moments, Andrew impatient of waiting,
stormed up snatched the keys from Mitch and walked out the door.

   "Stay here and see if he'll fuck you too." Andrew snarled, slamming the
door behind him.


Inside, Cameron leant against Mitch's shoulder and started to cry. Mitch
wrapped him arms around Cameron's shaking shoulders and rubbed his back
gently. Wondering if this was how he looked with Jay.


In the car Andrew fumbled with his keys into the ignition, eventually
leaning his head against the steering wheel and crying gently. A few
seconds later, he lifted his head off the wheel and turned the key and put
the truck into gear. He slowly reversed out of the space with tears rolling
out of the corners of his eyes.


Cameron clasped at Mitch's back, trying to pull himself inside of Mitch to
hide from the pain that licked at his insides like a fire claiming kindling
and newspaper as it roared into life. Mitch looked at the door wishing he
knew what the next step was and how to help his friend. Slowly, Cameron's
tears faded as Mitch lifted him and guided him to the bedroom, grabbing the
phone and dialling Vanessa's number on the way.


Andrew drove down the street aimlessly. Cars ran by in the other
direction. He could feel the tears gliding over his cheeks leaving a wet
line down his face. He looked at his cell phone as it chirped to
life. Checking the caller ID he picked it up and spoke.

   "Leave me alone Ness." Then wound down the window and dropped the tiny
bit of electronics onto the road below. Andrew felt the tears form faster
and build in his eyes and he started to sob, the impact finally filling
him. A car blew it's horn causing him to look up and swerve to the right to
avoid it. Andrew hit his breaks and pulled the wheel hard and started to
skid.


The phone rang at the apartment and Mitch grabbed it quickly.

   "Vanessa?" He asked anxiously.

   "No Son, this is Constable Patterson. I need a word with a Mr Cameron
Slater." Came a voice over the phone. Mitch looked at Cameron and handed
him the phone shaking.


Around him Andrew could see red and blue lights and hear car horns
blaring. He thought it useless noise and wondered why he wasn't just left
in his own private pain, why others had to intrude on it. He started to
close his eyes as his door was flung open and a young guy lifted Andrew's
head and shone a light into his eyes.

   "Stay with us now ok. C'mon Andrew. You were with me a few seconds a go,
come back and talk. It's Constable Patterson here, your friends are on
their way."

   "Anyone but Cameron." Mumbled Andrew feeling sleepy. Patterson looked
over and called something out to others, only Andrew couldn't really
understand it as he started to drift off.


Vanessa ran into the crowded waiting room her eyes wide and frantic. She
went straight to the nurse's station.

   "I'm here from Andrew Martin." She breathed.

   "Family member?" Asked the nurse eyeing Vanessa suspiciously.

   "I'm here for his partner." She said annoyed. The nurse looked at her
sheet then pointed.

   "Down the hall then left, they're waiting in the corridor." Vanessa
nodded and ran down the hall as fast as she could. Rounding the corner she
saw Cameron huddled against Mitch, crying lightly. Mitch looked up as she
approached.

   "News?" She asked simply.

   "Operating." Mitch said simply. Vanessa lowered herself into a chair
beside Mitch and leant down and kissed Cameron on the top of the forehead.

   "It's ok Baby, he'll pull through and will still love you as much as he
ever did." All her gentle words did were cause Cameron to cry harder.



A few hours later when Cameron had cried himself to sleep, a doctor wearing
green scrubs approached the trio.

   "One of you Cameron Slater?" Asked the doctor. Mitch nudged Cameron
lightly who woke with a start. The doctor looked at Cameron and confirmed
who he was.

   "Well Mr Slater, your partner is alive. He's as close to stable as he
can be." Cameron sagged in his seat. Mitch watched the doctor.

   "The upside is he's woken up a bit. He's still very groggy and makes
fragments of sense. You're welcome to come and also someone Nick was asked
for. Well we think it's Nick anyways."

   "Mitch maybe?" Asked Vanessa. The doctor nodded that it was a
possibility. Cameron and Mitch both stood and followed the doctor to the
room which contained Andrew.

   "He's disorientated and groggy, so this is only a brief visit ok." The
doctor warned. The pair nodded and were led into the room. Mitch went
straight to Andrew's side and took his hand gently. Andrew looked at him
and smiled slightly.

   "Mitch. I'm sorry." Andrew said attempting to squeeze Mitch's
hand. Mitch leant down and kissed Andrew's forehead.

   "Don't be sorry, just get better for me." Mitch said quietly. Cameron
slowly shuffled forwards and came into Andrew's view. Andrew dropped
Mitch's hand and turned his head.

   "Please leave." He whispered and closed his eyes. Mitch kissed Andrew's
temple and spoke softly.

   "We both love you more than you know." He then gently ushered Cameron
from the room and back out into the hall.

---
I did say it covered some ground. I apologise for the delays and give you
the best I can do at this time.

Feedback appreciated as always.
Cheers
Daniel M