Let Freedom Ring ~ Day 1

Saturday - 30 June 2012

Nick had nearly missed his flight to Baltimore thanks to two drunk assholes on a traffic stop. As soon as he and Rico had pulled them over, the passenger decided it was a good idea to jump out and act like a belligerent fucktard. While Rico took care of the driver, Nick had gone over to try and get the scrub under control. Unfortunately the fucker was not tamable and didn’t want to listen to reason, swinging his arms and screaming obscenities, so Nick grabbed his arm, trying to get him against the car so he could place him under arrest. Nick’s mind was carelessly already on his weekend so he wasn’t fast enough when the guy spun away, wrenching Nick’s bad shoulder in the process, and reached into the car to pull out a tire iron. He aimed for Nick’s ribs and Nick curled and tightened his muscles to lessen the impact of the blow. It still stung, but he winded up wincing more when his phone went flying and shattered on the ground thinking, Damn, second one in a month.

In the end, seeing red from the pain and loss of yet another phone, he wrestled the dick weed into the back of the squadie as he read him his rights. Rico had insisted he go to the hospital, and despite all of Nick’s protests, that’s where they ended up. Seven x-rays later, and a chat with a doctor who looked younger than him, Nick was informed he didn’t have any fractures but was given a note to take the next five days off. Nick had just enough time to get back to the station and inform the captain as Rico helped him file the incident report, rush home to change and grab his bag where Johnny was already waiting for him, and drive like a bat out of hell to Logan. He reluctantly handed the keys to the GTO over to Johnny with a quick warning that if anything happened to his precious Judge while he was gone he’d die a slow death, and was on his way.

He’d called Ty from Rico’s phone at the hospital to tell him what had happened and inform him he might be late. Luckily though, he made it at the expected time. He paid the taxi driver than slung his duffle over his shoulder before making his way up Ty’s front steps. He knocked on the green door then turned his head and watched as two kids rode by on their bikes. When he heard the door open he looked back and smiled at Zane.

“Hey, man.” He held out his hand and Zane clasped it.

“Hey, Nick. How’re you feeling?” Zane greeted him.

“Sore,” Nick shrugged, “I’ll live. It’s good to see ya, man.”

“You, too.” Zane stepped to the side to let Nick pass the threshold then closed the door behind him. “We were just ordering some food.”

“Good, I’m starving,” Nick entered the living room, “I’ll just take my shit up to the guestroom?”

“Ah, I should probably mention…,” Zane started, but that was all Nick heard because as he looked towards the kitchen when Ty emerged he was stunned by who was behind his best friend. 


Deacon! It was as if time stood still and the room went quiet as Nick’s vision tunneled to include Deacon and only Deacon. D looked up and froze when he spotted Nick and their eyes held. Nick’s heart was doing double time and his mouth went suddenly dry. What was Deacon doing here? He was supposed to be in West Virginia on that camping trip with his childhood best friend. Nick sure as hell wasn’t complaining that D’s plans had apparently changed, and all he wanted to do was cross the room to take D into his arms and squeeze him, kiss and lick him everywhere. Ravage him. He had to curl both of his hands into fists and concentrate on keeping his feet planted to stop himself from doing just that. They still hadn’t quit clarified what their relationship status was, yet though it was unspoken, it was pretty clear that they were together. Still, he was sure Ty and Zane wouldn’t appreciate the reunion show. 


God, D looked fantastic. Thick, shiny brown hair, full lips, perfectly structured face and those amazing hazel eyes. Was it possible he had gotten better looking since Boston? It sure didn’t seem like Nick’s memory, or the few pictures he had had on his now deceased phone, did Deacon enough justice. Even their video chats seemed to lack the depth of D's true beauty and Nick's gut clenched with desire. 

Ty’s face suddenly came into Nick’s field of view causing him to pry his eyes off of Deacon. “Are you just gonna stand there ogling my brother, or are you actually coming in, O?”  He asked with a smirk, breaking Nick’s revelry before giving him a bro hug with an extra hard pat on the back.

Nick! He’d finally gotten here! Deuce peered over Ty’s shoulder in a state of bliss as he stared at the man that he hadn’t laid eyes on in weeks. Their eyes met and it was like everyone else in the room failed to exist as they stared at one another. He took a step toward Nick, almost stumbling over Ty as his brother did the same. He shook his head slightly to clear his thoughts, taking a step back to watch Ty greet his best friend.

“I just ordered the pizza. Made sure we ordered four since the bottomless pit was joining us!” Deuce smiled as he stepped forward once Ty had moved toward the living room. He took a glance around the room, risking the chance of pulling Nick into a bone-crushing hug. “It’s about time you got here.”

Nick grinned and hugged him back just as tight. “What are you doing here? I thought you had that trip this weekend.”

“Alex’s kid got sick. His wife had to work, so he had to cancel.” Deuce’s eyes were shining as he stepped back to put a bit of space between them, unable to stop looking at Nick. “What’s this about you getting hurt, and why did I have to hear about it from Ty?”

“Before you turn that worried face on me, I’m fine. Just some bruised ribs and I pulled my shoulder. Tried to arrest some intoxicated dude with idiot strength. Got him in the end though.” Nick grinned, “Broke my fucking phone too, didn’t have a chance to get a new one before my flight. Ty’s number was the only one I knew by heart since it hasn’t changed in the last decade." Nick shrugged, "Figured you didn't have reception in the mountains anyway but I'd leave you a message when I got here.”

“You’re bad shoulder?” Deuce asked. Nick really needed to have that surgery; it worried Deuce that it was only going to get worse.

“Yeah,” Nick nodded with a smile, “But its fine. Really. Got some good meds to help.”

Deuce looked at him speculatively. Nick always downplayed his pain, but they’d talk about it later. Right now Deuce was just too happy to see him. “Well, you’ll have to memorize my number then, for now on you call me first.” Deuce couldn’t keep the grin off of his face as he pulled him into another hug. “Glad you’re ok.”

“You two are aware we’re in the same room, right?” Ty commented as he exited the kitchen with a beer for Nick before settling on the couch with Zane and switching on the TV.

“How could we forget?” Deuce said with a grin. He turned, planning to go sit in one of the big leather chairs, only to be stopped by Nick reaching out to grab his arm. He turned his head to ask what was going on when Nick moved forward, giving him a quick but hard kiss, pulling away with a smile.

“It’s good to see you,” Nick ginned.

Deuce’s smile grew and Ty let out a loud groan causing Zane to laugh.

Nick ended up sitting in the matching chair to D’s, which was coincidently across the room against the windows, and Nick couldn’t help but assume his best friend had planned it that way. It was okay, Nick got it, it would be really weird if Ty had started dating one of his sisters. Nick shuddered at the thought of having to watch them being intimate in any way, so other than that first kiss he couldn’t resist, he’d respect his best friend’s mental health. For now. Besides, with the way the furniture was set up in a C-shape, couch along the wall, coffee table in front, and each chair on either side of the couch but facing each other, Nick got to watch Deacon all evening.

They relaxed and watched the game, beers all around except iced tea for Zane of course, and Nick had to admit he admired that in the man. Addiction, alcoholism in particular, was something he was intimately familiar with. He’d grown up with a functioning alcoholic; his father always had a beer in his hand if he wasn’t working, but never missed a day at the job.  It wasn’t an easy thing to live with, or fight, and Zane was doing a really admirable job. Nick knew Ty was proud of him too.

While they waited for the pizzas to come, and all while they ate, Nick’s eyes couldn’t stop landing on Deacon, and most times D’s eyes were on him as well. Nick would wink at him, or they’d exchange a quick smile, before going back to what they’d been doing. They still participated in the conversation, still were watching the game and commenting on it, but it was like two magnets drawn together and Nick could feel the pull from across the long narrow room.

Finally Deacon stood and stretched as he went into the kitchen to throw away his paper plate and napkin. “Be back. Gotta use the bathroom.”

“Thanks for the play by play,” Ty commented.

Deacon just shrugged and Nick watched as he made his way to the stairs. His eyes traveled up and down that long lean body, wanting nothing more than to follow Deacon up there. Man, he wanted to pull Deacon into his arms and kiss the living hell out of him, among other things. All of the walls that Nick had carefully constructed around his heart since that fateful phone call were crumbling down quickly in D’s physical presence. Hell, they’d been covered in fissures anyway the last few weeks since Deacon had broken up with his girl and told Nick he wanted to be with him. They’d been texting every day, talked nearly every night if Nick wasn’t on third shift, and had even had phone sex more than a time or two, not to mention the Skype encounters, and there was no sign that Deacon was changing his mind. No indication that he regretted choosing Nick. He’d even told his friends about Nick, which spoke volumes really, and had meant so much to Nick it caused the first major crack in that armor that never really fit right in the first place.

Half way up the staircase D turned his head and looked right at Nick, he raised one eyebrow in a suggestive manner and gave him a little flirtatious smile before continuing up the stairs. What the…did Deacon want him to follow? Yeah, Nick remembered that playful look from their time on the boat; D definitely wanted him to follow. Nick glanced at Ty first who was enthralled with an O’s play on TV, folded slice of pizza half way to his mouth. Nick then looked at Zane and was momentarily startled to see Zane looking back at him. They held eye contact for only a second, Zane giving him a little smirk, before turning his attention back to the game. Did he see the exchange between Nick and Deacon? Probably. It wasn’t like Nick and D’s feelings for each other were a secret anymore, even if they weren’t technically together. Still, being it was his best friend’s brother, his supposedly straight brother until Nick had gotten his hands on him, still felt kind of bizarre. Nick thought a minute about how he was going to make his escape; he looked at the guys again to make sure they weren’t paying attention before making a split second decision and purposely dropped his slice on his shirt.

“Shit!” He exclaimed as he dropped the slice back onto his plate and looked down at himself. Ty and Zane both turned their heads to look at him.

“Clumsy idiot,” Ty snickered before narrowing his eyes, “You better not have gotten anything on my furniture or floors, man!”

“No, just on me.” Nick feint aggravation as he put his plate on the coffee table and made a show of wiping at his tee shirt with a napkin.

“You’re lucky,” Ty turned his attention back to the game.

“I better get changed,” Nick sighed, then turned and had to force himself not to take the steps two at a time to meet up with his lover.

“You didn’t have to ruin your shirt just to get some alone time with my brother, asshole.” Ty called after him, “but if I hear any sex noises I’m coming up shooting.”

Nick laughed at his best friend as he stopped at the closed bathroom door and knocked softly twice before opening it. Deacon was casually leaning against the sink, ankles crossed and arms folded over his chest.

“Took you long enough.” He smirked. God damn D looked delectable. Nick growled softly as he clicked the door closed and went at Deacon, their bodies and lips crashing together as they embraced.  Jesus Nick was so hungry for him, he felt like he’d been living on MRE’s for a year and Deacon was a big juicy steak and potatoes dinner.

Their kisses and groping were desperate and animalist as Nick slid his hands down Deacon’s back and let them rest on his ass, giving it a good squeeze. All of the fears and doubts he had were erased at having Deacon in his arms. At having Deacon’s intoxicating aroma fill his nose. He bent and grabbed the back of Deacon’s legs to lift him onto the sink, ignoring the painful twinge it caused his shoulder and bruised ribs. Deacon immediately wrapped his legs around Nick’s waist and pulled him in closer.

“Fuck,” Nick uttered as their hard cocks ground together. He and Deacon exchanged a quick smile before their mouths met again. God Nick had missed this so much, missed Deacon so much, everything about them fit together so perfectly it was as if Nick had been living as half a man this past month. He pulled their mouths apart to trail tongue and lips down the column of D’s throat.

“Jesus, I missed the way you taste, baby.” He murmured against Deacon’s neck. “Missed you so much…”

“I missed you too, so damn much.” Deacon murmured and ran a hand up the back of Nick’s head then gripped his hair and pulled him into another kiss. Nick slid his hands under D’s shirt and up the warm silken skin of his back. God, Deacon’s kisses were like water, he needed them, needed them to survive.

“Tell me the truth, are you badly hurt?” Deacon uttered against Nick’s lips, “Are you ok?”

Nick shrugged and delved in to deepen the kiss. He didn’t want to talk right now; he just wanted to enjoy having Deacon in his arms. Kissing him, feeling him, touching everything he could get his hands on, something for a time he didn’t think he’d ever experience again. Besides, he really was fine, he’d just gotten banged up a bit; he was more pissed about his phone than anything else.

Deacon let out a low moan, tightening his legs as their tongues slid together. Nick flexed his hips against Deacon’s, causing their cocks to rub together again. “Fuck Nick, I want you so bad.”

Nick licked D’s bottom lip and sucked it into his mouth as he hummed his agreement.  “Let’s go for a walk or something.” He panted between kissed.

Deacon chuckled, “What, are we gonna fuck in an alley?”

“If we have to.” Nick smiled, and then went in for another kiss. Deacon’s hands slipped under Nick’s shirt, his fingers running over the muscles of his abs and chest, grazing his nipples and causing Nick to shiver.

“God, I was going crazy not being able to touch you.” Deacon admitted.

“Me too,” Nick acknowledged, as he trailed his mouth down D’s neck again and Deacon lifted his chin for better access.

“Mmmm,” Deacon hummed happily, then gasped as Nick bit down and sucked. “Fuck, Nicky…”

Damn, he had to have D now or he was going to combust. He snaked his hands between their bodies and undid the button on Deacon’s jeans, intending to release that gorgeous cock so he could suck him off. God, he wanted his cock in his mouth so bad, he wanted to cause D to make those fantastic sounds, he wanted to taste and smell him and have Deacon come in his mouth.

“What the fuck!” Ty’s yell carried up the stairs and caused them both to jump.

“Shit,” Deacon pulled back, “Forgot where we were.”

“I know,” Nick licked his lips, his pulse thundering in his ears. “You do that to me.” He gave D a little smile and Deacon smiled back.

“We better get back down there before Ty breaks out his Sig.” Nick said as he disentangled himself from D’s legs and stepped back, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll go change my shirt and be down in a bit.” Nick gripped D’s elbow to help him down from the sink then stepped over and opened the door. “Let’s make sure Ty gets drunk so they go to bed early,” Nick whispered and wiggled his eyebrows. “He’ll maul Zane and they won’t hear a thing.”

Deacon laughed, “Sounds like a good plan.” He gave Nick another lingering kiss before he headed for the stairs and Nick watched him go feeling lighter than he had in a month. D stopped before descending and he and Nick exchanged another smile before he continued down. Nick spun on his heel and jogged up to the third floor to change his shirt.

Deuce grinned as he made his way downstairs, flopping down in the arm chair, well aware of his brothers eyes on him, searching him for any signs of what might have happened upstairs. He smirked over at Ty, holding his arms out to give his brother a good look.

“I’m fully dressed and in one piece. If you think that sex could have happened in that short amount of time we were upstairs, you and Zane must be doing it wrong.”

“Oh, I know you weren’t. If you two even think about having sex in my house I’ll know and I’ll fucking kill you both.” Ty pointed his piece of pizza at Deuce as Nick came down the stairs in a fresh shirt.

“And I know how your threats work, Ty, at least towards me. You’re not allowed to kill me or Ma would kill you.” He grinned as he reached up, grabbing Nick’s arm and tugging him down to sit on the arm of the chair. There was no protest from Nick as he settled onto the small perch, his hand trailing over Deuce’s shoulder to rub the back of his neck as Deuce settled into his chair, leaning his head against Nick’s arm.

Ty grunted, giving them another look before turning his attention back to the game. Deuce smiled as he reached over to squeeze Nick’s leg gently, completely satisfied to be this close to him after being apart for so long. It was hard not to let his hand move higher than where it was on Nick’s knee, but he liked them both being alive and uninjured. He smiled as they settled into the chair together, trying to focus on the game as Nick’s hand start to twirl through the hair on the back of his head.

After the game, some snacks and quite a bit of chatting between the four men, Nick having since moved back into his original chair, Deuce gripped the arm of the chair he was sitting in and pushed himself to his feet.“Okay guys, I’m heading to bed. It’s been a long ass day.”

“We’re right behind you. Had to deal with work and then you two assholes invading our space!” Ty laughed as he got up, dropping the remote to the television into Nick’s lap. “I swear to God, O’Flaherty, your ass better sleep on this couch tonight.” He then turned his attention to Deuce. “The same thing goes for you Deacon Grady, futon only. You may be my baby brother, but I’ll still kick your ass if you even try to get laid tonight.”

Deuce held his hands up in a gesture of innocence. “All I want is to fucking go to sleep.” He looked toward Nick and then back at Zane and Ty. “I’m giving you warning, I’m about to kiss him goodnight and if you don’t want to see it, I suggest you go upstairs now.”

He met Nick’s gaze as they both said their good nights to Zane and Ty, waiting until they were on their way upstairs before Nick stood and they closed the short distance between them. They kissing one another heatedly, finding it very hard to keep things innocent even with the other two men a few feet away. “Night Nicky…”

“Aw, come on baby, stay down here with me for awhile?” Nick’s hands fell to Deuce’s ass, giving it a gentle squeeze as he tugged him closer.

Deuce shook his head slightly before pulling away. “Not tonight… It’s been a long day. I’ll see you in the morning.” He leaned in for another kiss, giving Nick a quick smirk and a wink before making his way to the guest room on the third floor.

Once he was upstairs, he changed into a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt, attentively listening to the sounds coming from Ty and Zane’s room below his. He managed to doze off for a few minutes as he waited for the sounds to die down. He eventually glanced over at the clock, over an hour had passed and the master bedroom was quiet. Maybe it was safe? He quietly crept out of the bedroom, pausing at the top of the stairs and listened carefully. When there was nothing but silence he made his way downstairs, pausing in front of Ty and Zane’s room to make sure the coast was clear. He was a little surprised that his brother hadn’t set up a booby trap as he carefully descended the second staircase and smiled when he saw the flicker of the television and the sight of Nick sitting in the middle of the couch.

Deuce took in the view from the stairs, his eyes running over Nick’s shirtless chest before stepping down the last few stairs and walking over to stand in front of Nick. When Nick opened his mouth to speak, Deuce lifted a hand, putting a finger over his lips and shook his head slightly as he jerked his head toward the stairs. “Shhh…you know they’re both light sleepers.” He whispered softly as he moved forward, straddling Nick’s lap as he pulled him into a long and desperate kiss. Deuce felt Nick’s hands slide under his shirt as his own hands mirrored the movement over Nick’s bare chest, a thumb tracing over one of his nipples.

Nick broke the kiss long enough to pull Deuce’s shirt up and over his head. “Why the hell are you wearing clothes?”

“There’s no way in hell that I was walking downstairs naked!” Deuce laughed softly as he kissed Nick again, his hips grinding against his lovers.  “Mmm God baby, I’ve missed you so fucking much.” He looked down as he ran his fingers through Nick’s hair than griped it with a smile. “And don’t ever threaten to cut this again!”

Nick hummed his agreement to both statements, his hands on Deuce’s hips as he brought them down to grind up against him, “Deacon…” he uttered softly as he tried to tug  the faded pajama pants down to release Deuce’s cock.

Deuce hesitated before shaking his head. “No sex, not tonight… Hell, they don’t have sex at my place so I don’t feel right doing it here… “

“What is that, like some dumb Grady policy you two came up with?” Nick asked as he leaned his head back on the couch to look up at him.

“Not a policy, no,” Deuce shook his head again with a smile. “Just…you know, Ty and his quirks.” Chances were Ty’s couch and futon were lined up perfectly with the floor boards, or a picture frame, or who knew what else Ty’s OCD brain came up with. So he was probably afraid that if they had sex on the furniture they would move it even a miniscule and it would take him over an hour to get it all back just right. Or maybe it was a germaphobe craze? Who knew, but it was one of his brother’s things, and Deuce had to respect it no matter how desperately he didn’t want to at the moment.

“I’d say it was because you boys were raised in an old fashioned way, but I’m leaning towards Ty just wanting to break our balls.” Nick smirked as he glanced at the stairs.

Deuce shrugged, “He didn’t say anything about not making out like teenagers though!” he grinned as he pulled Nick into another kiss. They kissed for awhile, alternating between a tender meeting of lips and tongues sliding together, when Deuce licked the top of Nick’s palate causing him to shutter and pull back from the kiss to speak.

“Come on D, they’ll never know…” Nick tried to convince Deuce to ignore the fact that his brother was just upstairs, his hand snaking between them to rub Deuce’s cock through his pajama pants. “Thought you missed me…” There was a teasing tone to his voice, but his eyes were dark with desire as he pressed open mouthed kisses to Deuce’s neck.

Deuce laughed quietly as he lightly tugged on Nick’s hair. “Come on Nicky, this is Ty we’re talking about. He’d walk downstairs, take one look at the couch, and somehow he’d know.”

Nick groaned as he leaned his head against Deuce’s. “I fucking hate it when you Grady boys are right.” 

“We’re always right,” Deuce grinned, “Well, at least I am.”

Nick rubbed Deuce’s cock again and Deuce couldn’t help but rock into it. God, he wanted Nick so bad.

“Let me suck you off…” Nick pleaded, his voice low with desire and sending a thrill down Deuce’s spine.

“That’s still sex, babe.” He smiled.

“Not according to Bill Clinton.” Nick added hopefully and Deuce let out a burst of too loud laughter. They both glanced at the stairs as they covered their mouths and chuckled.

“Fine,” Nick groaned and tightened his arms around Deuce, shifting them both until they were stretched out on the couch with Deuce lying on Nick. “Making out like teenagers with their parents upstairs it is then.”

Deuce smiled down at him, overjoyed to be in Nick’s arms again. In a way it felt like forever since they’d been like this, then again it was so comfortable and familiar it was like they’d never been apart.

They resumed their kisses, not too passionately, both trying their best to ignore the fact that they were hard as hell and couldn’t do anything about it.  Deuce broke their mouths apart to trail his lips down Nick’s neck and felt, as well as heard, Nick’s hum of approval. Nick tasted so good, smelled so good, Deuce was surprised how much he missed those things as well. Sure, he’d liked the way women he’d dated smelled before, but nothing like this. This was almost intoxicating. Addicting even.

Over forty minutes later it was getting too intense and they knew they had to stop or risk painful blue balls, so they decided to cuddle down and watch TV. Deuce turned his head to kiss the underside of Nick’s jaw as the throw on the back of the couch was pulled over them.

“Fuck him if he complains. All we’re doing is cuddling and watching Kitchen Nightmares repeats.” Nick smiled as he hugged Deuce close, playing with his hair the way that Deuce usually played with his as Deuce rested his head on Nick’s chest.

Deuce hummed softly as he closed his eyes, the steady beating of Nick’s heart as well as the comfort of being in his arms taking no time to lull Deuce off to sleep.

Nick's songs of the day

"You and Me" ~ Lifehouse

"Edge of Glory" ~ Lady Gaga

Pictures of Ty's place

The bathroom *eyebrow wiggle*

Video Chats Are Awesome!

Deuce answered with a grin as he finished his beer, “Hey.”

"Hey," Nick was smiling from ear to ear. "So everything went really well."

Deuce smiled big at that, “Oh yeah~?” he asked as he carried the dishes from his late-night dinner to the kitchen.

"Yeah," Nick slid the Tupperware from Gran's into the fridge and leaned against the counter, "She said all that was important was that I was happy, and she's never seen me look so healthy and happy...then she grabbed my face in her hands and told me she loved me...looked me right in the eyes."

"That's so amazing, baby..." Deuce smiled as he leaned against the kitchen counter. "I had my fingers crossed for you all afternoon"

"I told her all about you," Nick just couldn't stop smiling as he made his way into the Salon, "she's pretty impressed I snagged a doctor!"

Deuce groaned softly, his voice teasing. "You told her I was a shrink? God help us all!"

"Yeah...she might expect a family discount now," Nick's smile turned warm as he sat down on the couch, "she's really looking forward to meeting you."

"I want to meet her too... I'll fly up to Boston for a weekend; take you both out to dinner. Sound good?"

"Sounds great, but she'll insist on cooking for you instead," Nick watched as he ran his fingers over the edge of the coffee table, "I suggest you don't argue."

Deuce laughed softly as he rubbed the bandages on his chest. "Sounds like Ma. You come to visit her and she insists on being the one doing the cooking!"

"Right," Nick sat back, "You won't be sorry, either. Just like your mom, the woman can cook."

"Ma swears that everyone that comes to see her needs to be fattened up!" Deuce grinned as he scooped up the kitten, cuddling him to his chest. "You should go visit Ma again... I think she just might have liked you back then!"

"I think she did too...although she might not anymore." Nick smiled, "Being you can’t get me pregnant."

Deuce is quiet for a moment or two before completely cracking up. "Oh God, can you see you pregnant?!"

"I'd rock a pregnant belly!" Nick teasingly protested, "I'd milk it too. Let people carry shit for me and all."

"Uh-huh. You'd be complaining about losing those amazing stomach muscles!" Deuce laughed as he moved out to the couch to sit.

"I'd work my ass off until they came back," Nick shrugged, "but I'd get to eat for two!"

Deuce groaned softly. "You already eat for two!"

"How did I know you were going to say that?" Nick laughed, "Have some cravings like a pregnant lady too."

"And just what are you craving right now? Carved up doctor?"

"Mmmm..." Nick licked his lips with a smile as he rested his head back "Not carved up, no."

“Gonna have to wait a while then. Little knives were carving me up a few hours ago." Deuce laughed softly as he leaned back against the couch. "Is it July yet?"

"Wait...what?" Nick furrowed his brows in concern, "Did you get hurt?"

"Kitten claws are incredibly sharp... and fuck, you should see my chest right now."

"Aw man, that sucks," Nick winced in sympathy, "Wish I could lick it and make it better."

"It was storming like hell earlier and he got scared... and thanks to the big ass windows I have, he couldn't find a place to hide. So he tried to hide under my shirt..."

"Another check in the "dogs are better" list." Nick teased.

"Hey, he's a baby! He was scared!" Deuce laughed quietly. "But I could use a big strong cop to protect me from the storms."

"Wish I could be there, D. There's so much I want to say..." Nick bit at his thumb nail lightly, "Did we say three weeks? That's entirely too long."

"I know, you and me both. God, Nicky, I just want..."

Nick smiled, "Let's save it for face to face, yeah? Because I really need to see your eyes and I'm gonna really want to kiss you."

"God, Nick. The moment I see you, it's all over. I don't fucking care that we're meeting at the airport. I'm gonna kiss the hell out of you."

"Not going to protest!" Nick sat up to fluff some throw pillows behind him and relaxed back, "should we do a whole chick flick reunion? You can jump into my arms and I'll spin you around?"

Deuce laughed softly as he propped his feet up on the coffee table. "I dunno. Might be a little much for the middle of the airport!" He's teasing, of course.

Nick laughed, swinging his legs up onto the couch, "God Deacon, I'm going to eat you alive."

"Now,now, Nick, have to wait until we get home for that one!"

"Don't know if I'll be able to, D," Nick was only half teasing, "Might throw you over my shoulder and carry you right into the nearest men's room.”

"Fuck no. Can you imagine how fucking dirty those bathrooms are?! If I have to get a room at the hotel nearest to the airport, I'll fucking do it!"

"We'll touch as little surface as possible. Just bend me over in the stall and hold onto me..." Nick hissed as he rubbed his cock through his shorts, "Shit, I don't know what I miss more, having your cock inside of me or fucking your tight ass."

Deuce moaned softly as he shifted on the couch. "Fuck baby I just want to touch you everywhere. Want to touch and kiss and lick you all over...."

"Mmmm, me too..." Nick closed his eyes and pictured Deuce than shot up and stood, "I hooked my camera up this morning!"

Deuce grinned at that thought. "Oh yeah? It is it working? I'll have to go grab my computer."

"Let's find out," Nick jogged down to his cabin where he'd left his laptop on the bed.

"I hope so! God, I want to see you..." Deuce made his way to his office and sat down at his desk as he lifted the lid on his laptop, quickly switching it out of sleep mode.

Nick plopped down on his bed and ran his finger over the mouse pad to wake the computer up and logged onto the Skype account he created earlier, "Ok, I'm logged on, now what?"

"Hold on a second... your computer should be ringing."

"Yeah I hear it..."

"Then answer it Nicky!" Deuce couldn't help but tease him as he watched the computer carefully, waiting to see if it'd work.

"Just hit the button...?" Nick clicked on the answer button, staring at the screen speculatively.

Deuce grinned when he saw Nick, pushing his glasses up his nose as he leaned back in his chair. "Well hi there sexy."

"Hey, baby! This is cool." Nick smiled big and settled back against the headboard, pulling his computer into his lap, "Damn, and you have the nerd glasses on...you're killing me."

"And you're in bed, that's just being a fucking tease!" Deuce couldn't keep the smile off of his face as he watched the computer. "And you get a view of my office~"

"I'm having all kinds of doctor fantasies right now, you have no idea!" Nick smiled warmly at the image in front of him. Man, he wished he could reach through the screen and touch Deacon. He looked so fucking good, "God, you're a sight for sore eyes..."

"You just like it ‘cause I'm half naked!" Deuce teased as he ran his eyes over Nick. "God, you look amazing."

Nick smiled big, "Yeah, we need to fuck in your office with you in nothing but a tie and your glasses..." He nodded, than added as the vision became clear, "and dress socks.”

Deuce groaned softly, shifting in his chair. "God, just that mental image... You need to be here. Now."

Nick stacked two pillows on top of each other and set the computer on top. He stripped off his shirt and laid down on his side to face the computer, Bent his elbow and rested his head in his palm, "They totally need to invent that molecule travel, like on Star Trek. I could be there in minutes."

"Oh fuck yeah... you'd be right here on my desk." Deuce reached out to touch the screen. "You're making me want to get more comfortable."

"Well then get more comfortable..." Nick adjusted a little closer, "Jesus, I never wanted to kiss someone so badly."

"In that case, we're moving!" Deuce laughed as he got to his feet, picking the computer up before turning off the light, moving through the penthouse

Nick laughed, "That's right, baby. Whisk me away to the bedroom."

Deuce laughed when Winchester started to meow at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. "You got someone's attention."

"I hope it’s you!" Nick teased.

"More like the meowing kitten!" Deuce grinned as he turned the computer around to face the room. "Meet the bedroom, where all the magic happens."

"Hey, no magic until I get there." Nick laughed, "Then we'll put David Blain to shame up in that bitch!"

"We're going to kill my bed, aren't we?" Deuce laughed as he set the computer down on the bed before crawling in himself.

 "Oh, yeah..." Nick winked, "and any other flat surface I can get you on."

"The counter, the couch, the gym, the hot tub... so many options!"

"Mmmm...and so little time."

 Deuce smirked at the computer. "What? You think I'm going to let you leave when you get here?"

"Oh?" Nick smiled and sat up crossed leg in front of the computer, tilting the screen back so he can see, "You're going to kidnap me? Should I bring my cuffs?"

"All I have to say is that the moment you step in the door, you're not going to be allowed to leave. Ever." Deuce smirked at the screen as he stretched out on the bed, scratching at the bandages on his chest.

"Aw, baby...your chest." Nick touched screen, wishing he could feel D’s skin.

 "I need someone to kiss it and make it better." Deuce smiled toward the screen, gently peeling back the tape holding the bandage in place. "See! I'll live. Looks awful, though."

"Aw, man..." Nick winced and hissed, "Little fucker..." he licked his lips "wish I could kiss it...kiss all of you. God, I miss the way you taste..."

"Just a few more weeks, baby...then you’re all mine"

"I can't wait...seems so far away."

Deuce smiled sadly. "I know... but it's the only time our work schedules were together..."

"Yeah…," Nick nodded, damn be wanted Deacon."Let me see you...are you hard?"

Deuce smirked slightly as he looked over. "What do you think? There's a sexy man talking to me right now."

"Please," Nick laid back down on his side, "stand up and take your pants off..."

"Only because you said please." Deuce smiled at him as he got to his feet, making sure he was in full view of the computer as he slid his pajama pants down.

"Fuck, baby..." Nick licked his lips and snaked his hands inside his shorts, "You're so gorgeous...I want to watch you touch yourself..."

"Gotta show me the goods, baby… let me see that body of yours." Deuce licked his lips as he slowly trailed his fingers over his own cock, his eyes never leaving the screen.

Nick hurriedly scooted off of the bed with a smile, positioned the computer to point at him and stood in front. He undid the button and zipper on his cargo shorts and slid them down, kicking them away. "Good?" He asked as he slowly started to stroke himself.

Deuce moaned as he stroked himself. "Oh yeah, that's just perfect..."

"I'm gonna sit on the bed, just a sec..." Nick put the computer on a pillow in the middle of the bed then sat with his back against the head board, spreading his legs, "How's that? Can you see everything?"

"God yeah I can..." Deuce bit his lip as he watched Nick, arching his hips as he strokes himself. "Can't wait to fucking touch you."

"Had a dream I was sucking you off last night," Nick couldn't take his eyes off of D, that long perfect cock sliding in his fist, as he leaned over and squirted some lotion into his hand and started to jerk himself, "Came in my sleep...haven't had a wet dream since I was fourteen…"

"That's fucking sexy, Nick... been thinking about you all the damn time. Can't get you off of my fucking mind. I wake up hard as fucking hell in the mornings from dreaming about you."

"Yeah? I like that." Nick pinched one of his nipples as he increased his strokes, "we'll fuck every morning when I'm there...Jesus baby, look at you...Stroking that gorgeous fucking cock for me..."

"Morning, noon and night... we're not fucking leaving the bed!" Deuce’s head fell back as he closed his eyes, moaning Nick's name softly. "Can feel you here touching me... feel you sucking my cock."

Nick leaned forward a little to get a better view, "Mmmm, I love your cock. Love the feel of it in my mouth...I'm sucking hard on the head...I can taste you already. Fuck...taking that cock down my throat."

"Oh fuck, baby..." Deuce shifted slightly, thrusting into his tight fist, lifting his head to meet Nick's eyes on the screen. "Fucking love how your mouth feels around me, love watching you swallow all of me."

"Yeah...I can take all of that big cock..." Nick squeezed his balls as he worked his cock faster thinking about it, "In my mouth and my ass..."

"Love fucking you... so damn tight, and those noises you make? God..." Deuce moaned as he moved his hand faster, his body on edge. "Close baby... "

"Oh, yeah, come for me, Deacon...wanna watch you," Nick groaned, close himself, "Feels so good when you fuck me. You make me come so hard..."

Deuce moaned loudly, his knees going a little weak as he lets go, his eyes never leaving the computer, moaning Nick's name as he came. "Oh... oh fuck, Nicky..."

"Oh, yeah...fuck." Nick moaned and stroked faster "so good..." His body tightened up as he came, pulsing jets landing on his chest and abs.

"Oh fuck, watching you come is sexy as hell..."

Nick rubbed his over sensitive dick and shivered "Well, I seem to do it a lot when we're together." he grinned.

Deuce grined back at him, sinking down onto the bed. "You do it so much cause it's the sexiest thing I've ever seen!"

Nick laughed and pulled some tissues out of the box on the end table, wiping himself. "You see my Deacon shrine necessities" He motioned with his hand like a game show hostess at the end table where the lotion and tissues were, "This and my phone, all I need."

Deuce laughed as he cleaned himself up with a dirty t-shirt, stretching out on the bed. "I need to stop using my shirts to clean up with!"

"Kleenex" Nick smiled, "I bought the economy pack! I got tired of having to wash my sheets every other day."

"I'll have to go shopping then." Deuce grinned as he curled his arm under his head, turning onto his side to watch Nick. "Maybe we need to take stock in the company if we're going to be apart!"

"Yeah..." Nick relaxed on his side and pulled the computer closer, "well...better than phone sex, but not as good as the real thing." He smiled, "I'm so fucking horny for you Deacon, it's crazy!"

"Just a few weeks and then you're going to be all mine." Deuce smiled back.

“I’ll put it on the schedule when I go in tonight and book the flight when I get home in the morning.” Nick said as his stomach did a little flip flop. He couldn’t wait to see Deacon in person, to clarify where they stood. It was pretty obvious that they were into each other and didn’t plan on seeing anyone else, but it would be nice to confirm it. Even nicer to kiss D, have sex with him…make love, knowing that there was no one else. That Deacon was his.

“Sounds good.” Deuce’s smile was as warm as he felt on the inside at the thought of being with Nick again. No guilt this time, no doubts or fears, just the two of them being able to fully enjoy each other in all ways.

“I should get a shower and start getting ready for my shift,” Nick said after glancing at the clock on his computer. After the emotional afternoon of coming out to Gran, and after having video chat sex with Deacon, the last thing Nick felt like doing was going to work. “I wanna eat some more of Gran’s Sheppard’s Pie before I go.”

“Figures your hungry again,” Deuce laughed, “food is like your post coital cigarette!”

“Hey, this was totally unexpected; I was planning on eating anyway.” Nick grinned. Unexpected, but fucking awesome! Being able to see Deacon naked and pleasuring himself? Actually, just being able to see D at all was incredible.

“Okay, call me in the morning when you’re done your shift, yeah?” Deuce requested. He hated when Nick worked overnights. He worried about him anyway when he was on the job, but for some reason third shift bothered him the most.

“Yeah, definitely,” Nick tilted his head to the side, drinking every inch of Deacon in he could see. “I’ll text if it’s quiet and not too late. You know how I get when I’m bored.”

“Oh, I know,” Deuce grinned. Nick text him at least one joke, random facts and whatever weird shit he encountered throughout the day. Now he knew what his brother’s inbox must have looked like all of this time, not that Deuce minded at all. He smiled every time he received one. “And it doesn’t matter what time it is. I don’t sleep much when I know you’re working anyway.”

“I’ll be fine, D, you don’t need to worry.“ Nick’s heart swelled, even though he didn’t want Deacon to worry, it still felt really nice when he did.

“Yeah well, too bad, I’m going to worry. You're on my list, remember?” Deuce smiled, “Go eat and get ready for work. I should make you call me back when you’re in your uniform!”

“Then I’ll be late for work because we know that’ll lead to round two!” Nick laughed.

“True…” Deuce smirked, “I really think you should pack it for your visit.”

“We’ll see…” Nick winked. Yeah, that bad cop/naughty doctor fantasy was definitely going to happen one day. “I’ll call you in the AM.”

“Ok, Nicky, I’ll talk to you then.” Deuce’s eyes moved around the screen, making a mental image of Nick to hold him over.

“Bye, baby.” Nick smiled.

“Bye…” Deuce clicked on the end call tab with a sigh. Three weeks couldn’t come fast enough.

Philadelphia Freedom (phone call)

Deuce glanced at the clock on the microwave, biting his lower lip as he walked across the room to where his phone was charging, unhooking it from the computer before sliding his thumb across the screen. He stared at Nick's name for a few seconds before touching it and putting the phone to his ear. "Please don't be at work."

Nick had gotten home from work about a half hour ago. He took a shower and had been lounging on the couch since in a pair of basketball shorts and a tee watching TV. He wasn't stressing at all over the fact that D was supposed to be breaking up with his girl tonight. Nope. Not at all. When his cell rang, his stomach did a little flip flop when he saw the picture of Deacon and him kissing pop up. He took in a deep breath and tried to act casual, "Hello?"

The smile that crossed Deuce's face at the sound of Nick's voice was completely unplanned, but the fact that just Nick's voice could make him feel like that was completely amazing. "Hey..."

"Hey," Nick couldn't help but smile nervously, "How's it going?" - Did you dump her?

"Things are good." The thought of teasing Nick and dragging it out crossed his mind, but tonight of all nights teasing would just be cruel. "You're talking to a single man."

 "Oh, yeah?" Nick's smile grew automatically, "How'd that go?"

"It was..." Deuce trailed off, not quite sure how to explain how the afternoon had gone. "I think she was expecting something else… She had wedding and bridal stuff on the brain and when I sat her down and she saw I was nervous…I think she got her hopes up."

"Shit...that must have been...damn." Nick surprisingly felt a pang of sympathy for the girl. Thinking Deacon was going to ask her to marry him only to be told things were over and, Oh by the way, those love bites I got in Boston? Yeah, they were from a guy. Must have been hard to take. Nick lost D once, but only after a long weekend, not two years. He could imagine the pain she must be feeling. Yet…Deacon was potentially his for the asking now, so he couldn’t bring himself to feel that bad.

"I don't think she believed me at first... she just looked so damn shocked. Then she told me she knew about the cheating and that I was already forgiven for it... But, I did find out something interesting from her once she was able to speak."

"What's that?" Nick asked.

Deuce laughed softly as he leaned against the kitchen counter. "I've been talking in my sleep... saying the name 'Nicky'.  She thought it was a woman..."

Nick's smile grew, "That's interesting."  He said, while inside he was doing a little Snoopy dance. So he really had been on Deacon’s mind, Nick could only imagine what he was dreaming about.

"She kinda stormed out when I told her that Nicky wasn't a woman... I've never seen her so pissed off."

"I bet, must have been quite a shock to her." Nick played with the hem of his shorts, "So before she stormed out, did you...like how do you know things are over? She might come back..."

Deuce shook his head slightly. "Even if she tries to come back, it's not going to do her any good. I told her that it was over. That I wasn't happy... that there was someone else."

Nick nodded. Damn he couldn't stop that fucking smile from returning. "So it's over? For good?"

"Yeah, it's over Nick. I told you I'd call when it was over and here I am." Deuce couldn't stop smiling as he moved across the room.

Nick cleared his throat. "How are you feeling? I mean, that couldn't have been easy."

"I'm not going to lie to you Nick, it wasn't easy... I mean, we were together for two years, you know? But..."

"So...you feel like you made the right decision, though? No doubts?" Nick knew the trepidation was evident in his voice, but at that point he didn’t have the resolve to hide it.

"No doubts. It feels like this weight has been lifted." Deuce settled in on the couch, smiling when Winchester hopped up next to him.

"That's good then."  Nick chewed his lip. "I mean it sucks you had to go through that, and for her, but...yeah, if your gut is telling you it was the right thing, than that’s good."

"I should have listened to my gut a while ago..."

"Well...if I was a woman you might have. I get what a shock that is..." Nick sighed, "I've liked guys since I was about fourteen and I’ve fought it a long time. Hell, I'm still adjusting to the fact that I'm more gay than bi...It's a big deal, D."

Deuce sighed softly as he propped his feet up onto the coffee table. "Do you know how many times I've told patients that it's perfectly normal and nothing to be ashamed of? And then I..."

"Easy to say, but not always easy to take our own advice." Nick got up to get another water out of the fridge, "I mean I never thought any less of gay men, definitely didn't think any less of Ty when he came out. If anything I think he’s even braver...but admitting that to myself...it's something I've struggled with a long time. Probably not until we..." hooked up. Had time together. The way I feel for you makes me brave. He set his water down and leaned against the counter, "I think I've finally come to accept that part of me."

Deuce smiled softly at that. "Oh yeah? That's good, Nick."

"All I'm saying is, it took me over twenty years. So...take your time with it."

"I know it's not going to be something I'm comfortable with overnight... but I do know what I want."

Nick couldn't help but smile again. Deacon sounded determined and confident, and damn all Nick wanted to do was catch the red eye to Philly and have D in his arms, but he wouldn't be able to take in if in a week or two Deacon had a freak out about the whole thing and changed his mind, "I need you to be sure. You should take some time..."

Deuce nodded. "I know you're worried Nick. Worried that she's going to come back to me and that I'm going to give in to her and that I'm going to hurt you again."

"Yeah, but not just that..." Nick sighed as he sat back down on his couch with his bottled water, "All of your friends, your family...hell, my friends and family. And we live so far apart...I just...if we're going to do this we need to do it right, yeah?" Nick had done a lot of thinking the past two weeks. Not just lamenting on what happened with D, but also about his choices in life. He planned on coming out to his family and friends. Not tomorrow, but soon…ish.

"I know... but, the important family of mine know. My parents, God, Dad is going to have a stroke." Deuce chuckled softly. "I'll shove Ty between us."

Nick smiled sadly, "But see, that’s the shit I want you to sleep on...take some time with. I don't want you to wake up in a day or a week like 'what the fuck did I do'...you're close with you family." If Deacon’s dad turned his back on him, he’d be crushed. It bothered the hell out of Ty, but Ty was made of a tougher skin than D and Nick hated to see him go through that. Besides the fact that if he wasn’t one hundred percent sure about things he might wind up resenting Nick in the long run.

"That's not going to happen. I'll admit it, this whole thing scares me, but it's a good kind of scared if that makes any sense..."

Nick nodded, "Oh, that makes perfect sense."

"So I'm not the only one that's scared as hell right now?"

"Of course I'm scared," Nick admitted, and he figured if D could make a big move tonight so could he, "You make me feel...vulnerable Deacon. I'm not used to feeling that way. But you also make me feel other things too. Good things."

Deuce smiled as he reached for the bottle of beer on the table, taking a long drink. "I know the feeling, Nick. It's like you can see something in me that no one has seen before."

"I get that" Nick agreed, and thought your eyes. Those damn eyes see right into my fucking soul. It felt entirely too long since Nick had gotten to look into them. "Man, I can't believe it's only been two weeks since you've left."

"Feels like so much longer, doesn't it?" Deuce smiled as he ran his finger around the opening of the bottle. "I know we need to sit and have a serious talk about everything, but I don't want to do it over the phone."

"Yeah, I agree." Nick took a long swallow from his water. "Plus it'll give us some time, ya know? Get to know each other a little bit more with clothes on!" Nick Laughed. "Figure out where we stand."

Deuce laughed softly and teased, "Clothes on? Where's the fun in that?"

Nick laughed again. "True. That's why it’s good we're not in the same state. We have time to get reacquainted, yeah? Make sure this is what we want...without the distractions. Because I know once I lay eyes on you..." Nick shook his head, "totally distracted!"  And I would  lose my resolve to take things slow.

"I think we may need supervision the first time we see one another!" Deuce laughed as he finished off the bottle and got to his feet to make his way into the kitchen. "I think it's the only way we're going to keep things g-rated!"

"Yeah, we'll go right to triple X." Nick smiled fondly remembering how they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other once they’d gotten started. He set his feet on the coffee table and crossed his ankles feeling lighter than he had in two weeks, "I think the time will be good for us though. Like...you can court me!" He laughed.

Deuce smirked as he let his accent slip into his voice. "Why, Nick O'Flaherty, do you want me to woo you?"

Nick licked his lips and grinned, the gravelly drawl in D's voice sending a shiver down his spine, and tried to put on a southern accent of his own, "Why yes Deacon Grady. I am a nice catholic boy after all."

“Oh, I don't know, my Mama warned me about you Catholic boys." Deuce couldn't keep the grin off of his face as he tossed the bottle into the trash.

"Lies, all lies, I'm perfectly innocent." Nick chuckled as he rested his head against the couch, "You gotta prove to me you're worthy to have my heart and get into my pants...well, back into my pants!"

Deuce smirked again as he pulled a can of Mountain Dew out of the refrigerator. "Two beers and a big bag of cheetos?"

"Maybe...for the pants part anyway." Nick teased, "Might take a bit more for the heart...like laughing at all of my jokes and possibly eating raw shellfish."

"Uh-huh... and just what do I get out of this deal?" God, Deuce had missed this. Missed being able to just let go, to talk to and tease Nick

"You get me!" Nick smiled wide, "I'm a lot to handle!"

Deuce hummed softly. "Not sure you're worth eating raw shellfish for…"

Nick taped his empty bottle of water on his leg. Damn, he missed D. It was so good to talk to him again like this. "I'll just have to find another southern gentleman to sweep me off of my feet then."

“Good luck with that. It's the Grady genes. You won't find them anywhere else but the mountains of West Virginia!" Deuce laughed as he leaned against the counter again.

"Fucking Grady's..." Nick teasingly grumbled. "I'll stay right here in Southie where I'm safe, thanks."

"Oh no. I know where you dock your boat. You're not safe!"

“Gonna sneak attack me?" Nick raised a brow.

"I just might. Ty has taught me some things... even a gimp can sneak up on someone with the right training."

"I'm Recon, there is no sneaking up on me, baby." Nick winced at his slip. It was just too easy with Deacon. Too easy to get lost in him...to fall for him.

"And I was taught by Recon and I'm damn good with a bat!" Deuce grinned at Nick's slip, the word "baby" humming along his brain.

"I have at least one weapon on every level of the boat. Plus, I know your weak spots..." Nick smirked. Yup, armpits, flank, junction of hip to groin, behind his ear, among other places…

"Just one? I think you're getting a little too trusting in your old age." Deuce couldn't help but tease him.

"I said at least one! Besides, my whole body is a lethal weapon.” Nick tossed his empty bottle into the recycle bin and went out onto the side deck.

"Oh, I know one part of you that's a lethal weapon."

Nick smiled as he rested his hand on the railing and looked out at the harbor. It was a beautiful night. He took in a deep breath and let it out, deciding to take a chance, "I'm glad you called, Deacon"

Deuce smiled at that as he leaned his head back. "I'm glad I called too, Nick. I've missed you."

"Me too...even just this. Talking and being stupid." Nick smiled. Funny how the weather reflected things. Raining before D left. Lots of rain since. Tonight? Clear and warm with a nice breeze. "I missed my friend if nothing else."

"I just missed everything. Being able to groan at your bad jokes, call you if I'm having a shitty day..."

"Yeah..." Nick watched as he ran his thumb along the railing, "Let's build on that, ok? Take it slow?"

"I can live with that... I think that's what we need."

"Me too. Individually and as...together." Nick stopped himself from using the word couple, it sounded too intimate right now even if that’s what he truly wanted.

Deuce smiled. He liked the sound of together. "I still want to see you in person... can you get off work sometime?"

"Not for awhile..." Nick scratched the back of his neck "Most of the guys like to do their family vacays in the summer and I cover a lot of shifts. I do have off a few days around the fourth, but I told Ty I’d come down…I'll have to check the calendar. Why, when were you thinking?"

"Anytime, really... I haven't taken an actual vacation from work since the disaster that was Zane's introduction to the Mountains."

"Oh, hell, you’re definitely due for a real vacation then.” Nick snorted, ”Kidnapping and mountain lion attacks that lead to your brother nearly dying sure as hell don't count!"

"I think it's a requirement for vacations to hate anyone with the last name of Grady!"

"Nah, Ty and I have had some good ones.” And some fucking insane ones too, but always a good time in the end. “Maybe I break the curse when I’m there."

"Anything has to be better than the last two vacations I've had..."

"Why? What happened on the one before that?" Nick asked hesitantly. Had it been with his girl?

"I ended up with food poisoning."

"Oh God! That suuucks.” Nick winced in sympathy, “Early on in the trip or at the end?"

"Second day we got there... ate in the restaurant attached to the hotel. I was sick for fucking days."

"Oh, man! Basically ruined the whole trip, huh?"

"Oh yeah... and of course the assholes left my sick ass in the cabin and went off and had fun without me!"

"Who, Ty?" Nick laughed

Deuce laughed as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Sounds like something he'd do, doesn't it?"

"Totally. He did it to me when I got sick in Tibet. Left me in the shithole hotel with a bucket, a pitcher of water and damp towel while he went off with some chicks for a three-way, or some shit. .." Nick shook his head and smiled at the awful memory, "Only time I ever had food poisoning. God I wanted to die."

Deuce burst into laughter at the mental image of that. "Sounds like Ty..! But no, I was with some friends from high school. Total assholes!"

“Bastards...the older the friend is, the more of an asshole they become." Nick had to chuckle because it was true in a way, but only in the best way possible because the familiarity was so strong. "Yeah, he patted me on the head, told me it would pass, and then I heard him whistling down the hall when he left. Uh, I wanted to beat his ass."

"Of course you did! At least Ty gave you a bucket. I had to crawl from the bedroom to the bathroom ‘cause I just didn't have the energy to get to my feet. I never want food poisoning again. Took a couple weeks to feel human again."

"Yeah, it sucks, man." Nick agreed and turned back to go inside, "My last few vacations have been action packed, I wouldn't mind just being a vegetable on an island next time. I mean, maybe a day or two of like scuba or something, but for the most part just chill."

"That sounds fucking amazing, actually. No phones, no computers, just warmth and nature and no people."

"Well, there might be people. I live on a yacht but I can't afford a private island!" Nick teased. "But yeah, no distractions and private enough I could swim naked in the ocean at night.”

"Sounds like more fun than my hot tub at night." Deuce laughed as he walked down the hall into the bedroom.

"Oh? You skinny dip in your hot tub?" Nick’s interest was piqued at the confession as he headed down stairs.

"Not like anyone is going to see me! And it feels damn good on my leg."

Nick licked his lips at the image. Naked, wet Deacon in a hot tub at night… "I like hot tubs." Nick informed him as he entered the master cabin and plopped down on his bed.

"You're just going to have to come to Philly then, aren't you?" Deuce kicked his shoes off, leaving them by the door as he walked across the room.

"Yeah...so we were saying...ah, do you want me to call you after work tomorrow and tell you what’s free on the calendar? Maybe I can come down…" Yeah, damn it, Nick was anxious to be near D, to have that talk and take it from there. 

"Yeah, that sounds good..." Deuce walked across the room, sitting down on the bed. "My schedule is more flexible than yours. Let me know when you can get off and I'll see what I can do on my end."

"Ok," Nick nodded as he pulled off his tee shirt, "Like I said, it might not be until a month or so...but yeah, I'd like it if we could get together."

"That works for me... wish it could be sooner, but I know it's a hard time to try to get off from work."

"Yeah. It's probably better for us anyway...in the long run. Make sure this isn't just physical with us, ya know?"  I know. Gotta be sure you do.

"I know, Nick. It's more than just physical for me. I know it might be hard to believe, but...I don't want anyone else."

"Good..." Nick smiled as he slid his shorts off and kicked them towards the hamper before lying down. "You must be exhausted. Long day."

"It's always a long day..." Deuce tugged his shirt off, finally starting to strip for bed.

"Emotionally draining, I meant.” Nick corrected himself.

"It's just been a really long few days..."

"Weird couple of weeks," Nick acknowledged.

"That's for sure..." Deuce finally kicked his pants off before crawling into bed.

"Going to bed?" Nick asked because he could hear the rustling of the blankets.

"Maybe... just getting more comfortable"

Nick closed his eyes and imagined Deacon in bed.  "Me too...does that cat sleep with you?"

Deuce laughed softly as the kitten curled up on his chest. "He's making himself comfortable as we speak!"

"Hmmm..." lucky cat "Well, I'll let you guys get comfy. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Get some sleep, Nick. You need it."

"I do, yeah." Nick nodded, he barely slept at all last night, his brain was in overdrive wandering if Deacon was actually going to go through with the break up. "Sleep good, ok."

"You too, Nick. We'll talk tomorrow, okay?"

"Sounds good.” Nick smiled, “Good night, D."

"Good night, Nicky... "

Nick's songs of the day

"Falling Slowly" ~ Lee Dewyze and Crystal Bowersox 

"Maybe" ~ Kelly Clarkson

I seem to use KC a lot. She has some powerful lyrics though, man.