Deleted scenes from the original plot line for LFR

For those of you who are interested, we originally had a different beginning for Let Freedom Ring. Initially Deuce was going to take longer to ponder his feelings for Nick and Livi before he made his decision. D was going to call Nick to tell him he missed him (even though he was still with Livi. I included a copy of this phone call at the bottom). Finally D couldn’t fight his feelings anymore so he breaks up with Livi and goes down to Baltimore for the weekend so she can move her stuff out (because she started to slowly move things in even though he didn’t ask her to). Nick was going to get hurt at work (like he did. I’m not sure why I left that part in the story because it’s sort of irrelevant now, but whatever. lol) so when they saw each other it was a surprise for both of them. Meanwhile, Ty and Zane still knew nothing about what happened between them. 

So, bathroom make out still happened (although some thoughts and words were changed). Then at night, D sneaks down, he and Nick are going at it half naked and don’t hear Zane come down until it’s too late (hence the reference on GR about the ‘couch defiling’ and ‘getting interrupted by someone’). Zane doesn’t say anything, just gets his water and goes back upstairs. Nick flips out, afraid he is going to tell Ty and Ty is going to be pissed. D suggests they just tell Ty and Zane the next day. Nick doesn’t want to because they still haven’t defined what they are to each other and he’s afraid D will change his mind again. They fight, Deuce doesn’t want to stay and lie to his brother and Nick refuses to give in. D storms upstairs.

Next morning Nick goes for a walk to clear his head while Deuce lies to Ty and Zane about a patient emergency and leaves for Philly. When Nick comes back and finds D gone he internally flips out. Later that night he makes a lie of his own and says he needs to go back to Boston early. When they drop him off at the airport he switches flight to Philly to go make up with Deuce. Meanwhile D has been drinking and is drunk when Nick gets there.

They make up and have their talk the next day. Nick agrees to tell Ty but he wants to do it in person and together. They go on to enjoy the next two days until Ty and Zane decide to make a surprise visit to Philly since they have off the 3^rd and 4^th and poor Ty gets an eye full! (The conversation that takes place between the three of them was done by the three RP’s. I’ve included a copy of this as well).

So it’s not completely different, just a bit, a lot of the days and convos have remained the same.

Deleted scene #1

The original “first contact” phone call between Deuce and Nick which we did on Skype. It’s pretty rough. Chrissy didn’t even get a chance to polish and add to Deuce’s parts. (We redid this for two reasons: The first because of the story change and the second because we felt Nick let things go too easily.)

Deuce called Nick, only hanging up when his voice mail picks up- Well, so much for that... -leans against the kitchen counter-

When Nick got out of the shower it was after eleven. He was exhausted, he’d had another hard work out at the gym and it had been a long shift at work, but he knew chances were he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep if he got into bed now. He debated taking a ride down to McFadden’s for a beer or two, but truthfully he wasn’t really in the mood. It was weird, lately when he was alone he wanted company yet when he was around other people he longed for solitude. He wasn’t normally so indecisive or fickle, he knew it was because he was still hurting.  He shook his head, not going there, not thinking about it. After drying off he wrapped the red towel around his waist and ran a comb through his hair. As he entered the cabin to throw on a pair of shorts, deciding to just hang home, he heard his phone chirp indicating he had a missed message or call. He went over to the nightstand and picked it up, surprised when he saw it was a missed call from Deacon. He hadn’t seen D in two weeks, hadn’t had any contact with him at all in almost the same amount of time, what could he want?  Nick sat down on his bed and began bouncing his knee as he stared at his phone. Deacon… was everything ok? Maybe something had happened to Ty? That’s how he’d found out about Ty nearly getting blown up in New York a couple of years ago, Deacon giving him a call to update him. But no, Ty was safe in Baltimore; he’d talked to him just this afternoon. Nick looked at his phone for a few minutes longer before taking in deep breath and sliding his thumb across the screen to return the missed call. His knee bouncing double time as the phone rang.

Deuce: -stares at the phone for a heartbeat or two before he answers- Hello...?

“Hey, is everything ok?” Nick blurted out, God just hearing that, Deacon saying hello made Nick feel all tingly.

Deuce: -can't help but smile when he hears Nick's voice- Everything is fine... why?

“I just assumed...” you’d only call if there was an emergency. Gave up hope it would be for anything else a week ago. Nick shook his head and tried to make his voice sound casual, “Ah...whats up?”

Deuce: -hesitates before sighing softly- “I fucked up, Nick...”

Nick heart rate picked up at the thought of Deacon in trouble, “Yeah? What happened? Are you ok?”

Deuce: “No, I mean, I fucked up with you...”

“Oh...” Nick didn’t know what else to say as he blinked in surprise.

Deuce: “I'm /sorry/...”

“You don't have to apologize.” Nick ran a palm over the terrycloth covering his leg.

Deuce: “No, no I do... I'm so fucking sorry, Nicky...”

“It's...” Nick started, again not sure what the right thing to say here was. He wasn’t mad at Deacon, he was hurt. Reading the few posts that D had made regarding his girl cut deep, but it reaffirmed to Nick that D was happy and made the right choice for him. “You did what you thought was right, D. You followed your heart, I can't fault you for that.”

Deuce: “But it wasn't right...”

Nick shook his head even though Deacon couldn’t see him. He couldn’t keep reassuring D it was okay when Nick himself didn’t agree with the decision and he was still so raw.

Deuce: -is hesitant- “I miss you...”

Nick sucked in a breath and swallowed. What did that mean? ‘Hey, buddy I miss our chats and banter’? Or “Hey Nicky, I miss fucking you, the sex was fantastic’ Or ‘Hey, baby, I miss all of you so much, I dumped the girl and want to be with you? Nick preferred the latter, but his ego might settle for the second.  “I...I'm not sure what to say here…

“You don't have to say anything....I just wanted to apologize...”

“Okay...” Nick ran his fingers threw his wet hair, “I appreciate that. I wasn't mad at you, Deacon.”

Deuce: “I'm an idiot, Nicky...”

“No you're not...” Nick sighed, “you're just...it was a lot to process I'm sure.”

Deuce: “No, no I am. I knew what I wanted... and I was too fucking scared, too much of a coward to do what I wanted”

Nick’s stomach did a flip but he tried not to get his hopes up when he asked, “What was it that you wanted?”

Deuce: -closes his eyes, hoping for the best as he answers-“ You”

Nick’s heart rate increased even harder, the pulse in his throat going so fast he could feel it, but he still wasn’t sure what it was Deacon was getting at, “I...what is it you want me for though, D?”

Deuce: “God, Nicky... there are so many fucking things to say to that.”

Nick couldn’t help but smile a little, “Well, how about you start with the most simple?”

Deuce: “I just want to talk to you...”

“It is good to hear your voice.” Nick had to agree. God, he’d missed hearing it. Yes, he missed Deacon, missed all of him, but just being able to talk to him…”I missed being able to talk to you. I wanted to tell you about school and stuff...little things.”

Deuce: “There have been so many times when I picked up to the phone to call you... but chickened out at the last minute...”

“We said we weren't going be awkward. We were going to stay friends, yeah?” Nick smiled. He’d take what he could get. Pathetic? Maybe. But he felt like he was dying of thirst and if all Deacon could offer him was the bitter taste of friendship, he’d drink it down gratefully.

 “Maybe the space was a dumb idea...it made things weird?”

Deuce: “No more distance...no more not talking, it's driving us both crazy”

“Yeah...agreed. Stupid.” Nick nodded, “We shared too much to go from that to nothing.”

Deuce: -settles back on the couch- “How have you been?”

“Good...work, gym, school.” Nick answered, “Trying to get used to studying again. You?””

Deuce: “The usual... work and more work”

“No play?” Nick forced a laugh. He hoped Deacon wasn’t getting in much play, especially with his girl.

Deuce: “All work and no play.”. -laughs softly-

“Makes Deacon a very dull boy...” Nick laughed.

Deuce: -smiles when he hears Nick laugh- “God, I've missed that...”

“What?” Nick smiled, “The Shining references?”

Deuce: -laughs- “No, you laughing”

Nick’s grin widened at the admission, “It's good to hear your laugh too.”

Deuce: “You been doing okay though? Really? Sleeping and everything?”

“Yeah, yeah...no POW nightmares.” Not really. Other nightmares though, but Nick sure as hell wasn’t bringing any of them up, “Dreaming about forensics and class instead!”

Deuce: “I bet you're doing great...! See? Told you that you could do it!”

“Yeah...the teacher is really cool so, that helps. He's not boring, ya know?”

Deuce: -smiles- “That's good...!”

“So...anything new with you?” Moving someone into your penthouse? Getting engaged? Fucking three times a day like we did?  “Besides working your ass off?”

Deuce: “Not really, no... my life has become nothing but work. Just been trying to stay busy.”

“Well, that sucks.” Nick couldn’t help but let out a slightly relieved laugh.

Deuce: “Hey, I'm a boring man~” -laughs-

“No, no you’re not.” Nick glided a finger over his eyebrow and remembered how interesting everything D did and said was to him, “Not at all.”

Deuce: “I've been working my ass off, you call that not boring?” -grins-

“Well, now you might be boring, but you weren't in Boston.” Nick couldn’t help but point out, then backtracked, not wanting Deacon to think he was referring to just the sex, “Ah, I mean....not like that. Just in general. I had a good time talking to you.” He laughed, feeling stupid.

Deuce: -laughs- “I think the lack of Nick in my life has made me a dull boy!”

“Mmm, I tend to do that to people.” Nick teased, “Once you've spent any length of time with me everything else pales in comparison.”

Deuce: “Uh-huh~” -smirks- “You're just that good at being entertaining!”

“Glad you noticed.” Nick grinned, “Sooo...is everything else good, though?” Man, he was dying to ask about the girl, if everything was happy on the home front and if Deacon was satisfied with his choice.

Deuce: “Yeah, yeah, things are good! Cat is getting more spoiled every day...!”

“I'm sure.” Nick worried his lip, was Deacon ignoring the obvious for Nick’s sake or his own? “So, you're just hanging home tonight?”

Deuce: “Alone for the moment...~ The quiet is nice!”

For the moment, huh? Nick nodded, “I was just debating going out for a couple of beers. Not sure if I feel like it...”

Deuce: “Nothing wrong with that... I've been spending more than my fair share of time at my local place.”

“Oh,yeah? I didn't know you had a place.” For some reason Nick liked that idea.

Deuce: “Yeah, found it when I was in college and I just kinda stuck around”

Nick smiled, “So it's probably like McFadden's for me. You know everyone that works there and every one that comes in, yeah?”

Deuce: “Yeah, pretty much. I swear there's a barstool with an imprint of my ass on it!” -laughs-

“Lucky—,“ Nick was going to finished that with barstool, because damn Deacon had a fine ass, but thought better of it and changed the subject instead, “Saw you had your car towed last week, huh?”

Deuce: -groans softly- “Fucking parking tickets.”

Nick smiled, “How many did you have? Honestly?”

Deuce: “A lot...”

“How many...?” Nick teased with a bigger smile.

Deuce: “I don't even remember... You try parking around this place!”

“Sure you don't.” Nick smirked, “Excuses, excuses. You should just turn your innocent face on the judge; he'll probably let you off without having to pay.”

Deuce: “Had to pay the fuckers before I could get my car back. Plus towing and storage fees cause it was towed on the weekend!”

Nick laughed, “Sorry, that's not really funny.” He laughed again.

Deuce: “Asshole!” -laughs-

“Well, you should obey the parking laws, baby.” Nick winced at his slip. He shouldn’t be calling Deacon baby anymore.

Deuce: “It's fucking impossible to park in this city!” -has a smile from Nick's baby slip-

“Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all.” Nick was glad D ignored his slip of the tongue, “You have no idea the excuses people give when I pull them over...or for any of the shit they do.”

Deuce: -smirks- “How about the old faithful of "cops don't give pretty girls tickets"?”

“Pfft, nah” Nick scoffed, “I give everybody fucking tickets. I’m an equal opportunist. No one is safe in South Boston from me!”

Deuce: “I'd get out of a ticket~”

“Hell, no.” the little devil on Nick’s shoulder just couldn’t resist, “Your innocent face doesn't work on me, Dr. Grady! I know how bad you can be.” Oh, yeah I do.

Deuce: “I'd flash you a grin and you'd give me a warning as long as I let you drive my car~”

“You're getting narcissistic like your brother.” Nick grinned.

Deuce: “You wouldn't give him a ticket either!”

“Him?! I'd find extra shit to give him tickets for!”

Deuce: “And then he'd find shit to arrest you for!”

Nick snorted, “He'd have to catch me first!”

Deuce: “Zane would arrest you both for driving him crazy!”

“Probably...” Nick nodded then swung his legs up onto the bed and lay back with a groan.

Deuce: -frowns when he hears the groan- “You okay...?”

“Yeah, just getting comfy.” Nick answered, “Been working out extra hard at the gym. Sore.”

Deuce: “You  need to take it easy... How's your shoulder?”

“No way, I'm getting pumped!” Nick laughed, “Its fine.” As fine as it can be, anyway. Fucking fifteen year old injury.

Deuce: “Take it easy, Muscle Man!” -laughs

“Gotta look good, I'm a single man.” Nick did a face palm at his ridiculous attempt to make Deacon jealous.

Deuce: “Bet you won't be single for long... you've got a line after you!”

“True...gotta fight 'em off with a stick!”  Not really true, but I only want you regardless, Nick thought.

Deuce: “I saw them watching you when I was in Boston! -when I was happy last-“

Nick smiled sadly, “I was too pre occupied to notice.”

Deuce: “I was watching people watch what was mine” -it slips out before he realizes-

Nick’s mouth went dry. Jesus, D, if that were only true. Nick wished it was, but Deacon made his choice and Nick couldn’t help giving a little reminder, “Ah...so how's your girl?”

Deuce: -smiles sadly- “She's good, thanks...”

Nick nodded and worried his lip some more, “So, you guys are good? She never mentioned the...” Nick motioned to his own neck and long healed love bites.

Deuce: “No, no she didn't...” -We're fighting all the damn time, I can't stop thinking about you, I miss you-

“That's good.” Nick bent up his knees and began to play with a stray thread on his towel.

Deuce: “Sorry... I know you don't like...”

“Nah, it is what it is, yeah? If we're going to be friends...” Nick forces a laugh, he’d have to get used to this, “I mean I would hope I'd be invited to the wedding.”  Or not. What would hurt worse, watching that or not being included? Fuck, either or.

Deuce: “Mmm we'll see...”

Nick’s heart dropped into the pit of his stomach at that answer. What did that mean? Was the engagement coming soon? Nick had a feeling it was and wished he’s never brought the fucking subject up. “Well, I should probably let you go...”

Deuce: -softly- “Yeah... Bet you've got homework you're putting off, huh?”

“No. Not tonight.” Nick’s jaw was tight when he answered, “I was a good boy and finished it already.”

Deuce: -laughs- “I don't believe you~”

“I did!” Nick willed himself to relax and not think about the future, “A few of us got together and worked on it after class.”

Deuce: “Oh yeah...?”

“Yeah. It helps sometimes to hear other people's points of view, ya know.” There were two guys and a girl that he’d hit it off with immediately and they’d headed out for coffee after class, “God, I'm the oldest!”

Deuce: -laughs- “That's because you are old!”

“Shut up!” Nick laughed, “Their cool, though. I'm liking it so far. Made new friends, ya know?”

Deuce: “I'm glad you're enjoying it Nick, I really am”

“Thanks.” Nick looked at his thumb and started to pick at a hang nail feeling suddenly awkward and at a loss for something to say.

Deuce: -sighs softly- “I should let you go...”

“Yeah...I'm...” Nick sighed, “I'm glad you called.”

Deuce: -smiles- “I'm glad I called too...”

Nick had an urge tell Deacon that he missed him but knew he probably shouldn't, “So, we're not going to let things be weird between us anymore, yeah?”

Deuce: “No more weirdness... it's been so weird not being able to talk to you”

“I know!” Nick had to agree, “So many times I wanted to comment on your posts, but...well we said space and I wasn't sure...”

Deuce: “That goes for both of us... and I did a time or two... just not with my name”

“I had a feeling.” Nick smiled, the way it was worded had Deacon written all over it but he wasn’t one hundred percent sure, “That's why I put the thing in the hash tags. Just to see. God, I...” hoped it was you. Hoped you were thinking of me too.

Deuce: “I couldn’t stop myself...”

“I appreciated it.”

Deuce: “What can I say, I missed you”

“I missed talking to you too.” Nick said quietly, unable to bring himself to say the true words. Just missed you. Everything about you...your smile, your face, your touch, your kiss, your smell, your taste, the way you made me feel so…God just being with you.

Deuce: -smiles- “Well, no more of that”

“Sounds good.” Nick answered as he reminded himself, Friends, just friends, “ I might have to dig out the joke book, not sure I remember where I put it!”

Deuce: “Gonna have to make up for lost time with those jokes~”

“I'll see what I can do.” Nick smiled slightly.

Deuce: “You have lots of time to make up for~”

“Two weeks.” Nick answered automatically. Two weeks since you left, since I got to kiss you, touch you. Eleven days since we talked last, since you unwittingly crushed me.

Deuce: “Has it really only been two weeks...”

“Yeah...and about thirteen hours.” Nick had to laugh at his own honesty and what he was revealing, “Give or take.”

Deuce: -laughs softly- “Counting the hours, hmm?”

And minutes, “Yeah, well, been celibate since so...” He tried to add a teasing tone to dampen his earlier admission.

Deuce: “You need to get laid before you explode!” -laughs softly-

“Yeah, well I'm working on it.” Not really, but he added some truth in, “Probably could have gotten laid last night but...trying to take it slow. I've turned over a new leaf!”

Deuce: “You should! Live the single life!” -tries to keep his tone teasing-

Fuck, that hurt that D wanted him to move on, but if that’s what he wanted to hear, “Yeah, definitely. There's a guy in class, Dean, he's the one I went out with last night. We're going to go fishing next Sunday. So...we'll see. Might get to share a shower after.” He couldn’t help that petty dig.

Deuce: -his stomach clenches at the thought of someone else fishing with him- “Not in your shower...”

“Oh, I can make it work. I'm flexible and he's shorter.” Nick went on.  He really didn’t have an interest in fucking Dean, not really, he just didn’t want D to know he was hurting and maybe he wanted Deacon to hurt a little too, right or wrong.

Deuce: -hates the idea of Nick with someone else- “Oh no, that shower isn't big enough for anything but showering”

“We both fit in there.” Nick reminded him.

Deuce: “Barely...!”-laughs softly-

“Mmmm...” Nick closed his eyes and thought about that morning. How they had made love before the shower and couldn't help the sigh that escaped.

Deuce: -softly, able to know what he's thinking- “I think about it too...”

Nick blinked the memory away as he opened his eyes, “Only fondly, I hope.”

Deuce: “Of course...”

“Good...I know things got kind of...intense.” Nick laughed a little, “At least for me.”

Deuce: “Me too... it was...” -sighs softly-

“I hope I didn’t...push myself on you too much.” It was something that had been nagging Nick. Maybe he’d come on too strong? Made things more than what they were and scared D off, “I hope I didn’t...I don't know...”

Deuce: “No, no... I was the one that kissed you, remember?”

“I'd like to think it was mutual.”  Nick smiled at the recollection, “I just...I mean I hope you didn't do anything because you felt like you had to...that you regret now.”

Deuce: “No regrets Nick... none at all”

“Good, I'm glad.” Nick was flooded with relief, “I was worried.”

Deuce: “Don't worry about me...” -the only regret I have is not picking you-

“Well, too late for that. You're under my skin now.” Nick frowned; maybe he shouldn't have said that.

Deuce: -laughs softly- “Looks like I'm on your list, hmm?”

“You've been in my list for awhile, Deacon.”

Deuce: “And you've been on mine...”

“Our lists are probably pretty similar. I've just got a few more on mine.” Nick grunted as he tugged his towel from underneath of him and tossed it towards hamper.

Deuce: -smiles a little- “Oh yeah~?”

“Well, I have the rest of Sidewinder. Even Owen, the dickhead.” Nick snorted.

Deuce: “He'll come around”

“Maybe...he's a fucking Yankee fan, so if I had to lose anyone!” Nick chuckled.

Deuce: -laughs- “You'll forgive him for that~”

“Let's just say, Owen and I...” How did Nick explain the love hate relationship he and Owen had had from the start? “We love each other but we haven't always liked each other. Of all of the guys, we've always had our... differences.”

Deuce: “Oh no...? What was the rift between you two?”

“You know how there are just some people you don't click with?” Nick shrugged as he slid between the sheets, “That's us. We knew we'd die for each other but at the same time we wanted to kill each other a lot of the time. He always had to question everybody...a know it all, ya know? Anyway, the Yankee thing was just the icing on the cake. When I found out, I was like 'figures'.” He laughed.

Deuce: -laughs softly- “Sounds like you two kept things interesting!”

“Hmmm...I don’t know if I’d call it that,“ Nick scratched his chest, “Think I'm staying in bed at this point!”

Deuce: -laughs- “You and me both...!”

“Are you in bed?”

Deuce: “Been stretched out here for a while, actually”

“Oh, yeah?” Nick couldn’t help but tease, “What are you wearing?”

Deuce: -laughs softly- “Phillies pajama pants and a t-shirt~”

“Wow,” Nick laughed, “You have gotten boring since you left Boston!”

Deuce: “What? It's fucking cold!”

“Cold here too, but I'm still sleeping naked.” Nick smirked.

Deuce: “that's cause you're insane!”

“Bet if you were here, you'd be sleeping naked too.” Oh yeah, Nick liked that mental image.

Deuce: -laughs softly- “You wouldn't let me sleep any other way”

“Mmm, true.” Nick licked his lips, “Shame to cover you up, D.” Yeah, Deacon was entirely too gorgeous to be hidden.

Deuce: “As I remember, I wasn't a fan of covering you up either”

“Only with...” your body. Nick laughed then growled. Talking about naked Deacon, about being naked together, was giving Nick a chubby. Not a good idea when they were supposed to be just friends. “I better let you go before I start saying shit I shouldn't!”

Deuce: -laughs softly- “You have no brain to mouth filter when you're tired”

“I'm flattered you think I have one when I'm awake!” Nick laughed.

Deuce: “You're more aware of it at least!”

“Maybe...”

Deuce: “Get some sleep, Nicky.. you sound tired”

“Yeah, ok.” Nick said, though he hadn’t had a descent night’s sleep since D left Boston, “You too.”

Deuce; “We won't go so long without talking next time, yeah?”

“Yeah...that sounds good.” Real good. “Good night, Deacon”

Deuce: -smiles as he snuggles under the blankets- “Night Nicky, sleep good”

“D?” Nick just could never seem to let Deacon hang up before he spilled an admission.

Deuce: “yeah...?”

“I'm really glad you called. I...” He hesitated, “I missed you too…Sleep good.”

Deuce: “I'm glad I called too... I'll call later, okay? Night”

“Ok...good night.” And here we are once again. Nick thought Not really wanting to hang up though we should.

Deuce: “Good night…” -hesitates before hanging up, a slight smile on his face- “Miss you”

Nick grinned and couldn’t help but add, “GYB, baby.”

Deuce: “You too... I've always got your back” -smiles, feeling happier than he has in days-

Nick’s smile widened, “Ok, good night, for real. I'll talk to you soon.”

Deuce: -laughs softly- “yeah sleep before we're both zombies in the morning”

“Bye, Deacon.”  I love you, you’ll probably never know, but I God damn I do.

Deuce: “Bye Nicky...” -hangs up with a sigh- Wish you were here

Deleted scene #2

Here is the original way Ty found out about Deuce and Nick. This was done by the three of us on Skype. Again, it’s pretty rough (especially the end). This was to take place at night on day 4 just before ‘going to bed’.

Deuce finally shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it to the floor not breaking the kiss as Nick lay down and pulled D on top of him. He spread his legs to give D room to settle in as their tongues moved together.

“Sweet mother of Christ what are you two doing!?!” Ty yelled from the bedroom door causing them both to jump.

“Fuuuuck.” Deacon’s body was rigid as he slid to the side half off of Nick to face the doorway reluctantly.

“Explanations, both of you.” Ty’s hazel eyes were ablaze with fury, his hand flying up to motion towards the bed, “What the fuck is this?!”

Deuce face flushed with the deepest blush he’d had in years, “Uh, well... remember that trip to Boston...?”

 Ty crossed his arms over his chest as his nostrils flared, “Uh huh.”

“Don't be pissed.” Nick added.

Deuce turned his head to mutter against Nick’s shoulder, “We've been fucking since then...” then risked a peak at Ty.

Ty’s face was set in that stern big brother look, “And you didn't tell me?!”

“I...we're...” Nick stuttered, “I wanted to wait, to make sure...”

“…didn't want to piss you off before we had to.” Deuce finished for him.

“Right,” Nick nodded.

Deuce nudged Nick away so that he could sit up and actually talk to his brother, “Ty…”

“I'm pissed off now.” Ty pointed out, “You should have told me damn it. Christ, Deacon, I'm your brother. I didn't even know you swing this way.”

“I didn't really know I did either!” Deuce accredited.

“We should have told you, “Nick agreed as he stood, “Deacon wanted to…”

Ty eerily channeled Mara's ‘I'm seriously disappointed in you’ voice, “Bull! Christ Deacon!”

“Ty, just chill, ok?” Nick said unhelpfully.

“I love him!” Deuce blurted out.

Nick stared at D a minute then looks at Ty, “I love him too, man.”

Ty just stared at them for a minute like a deer in headlights, “Are you shitting me.... you have to be shitting me...”

Deuce looked over at his brother, “I'm serious, Ty.”

“Ooooookay,”  Ty needed to sit down, this wasn’t processing. He glanced at the bed Nope, not sitting there.

Deuce ran his fingers through his hair and his stomach flip-flopped as he watches his brother.

Nick looked at D and shrugged, then tlited his head towards Ty and made a making a ‘what do we do now?’ face.

It took Ty a few minutes before he was able to speak, “Are you.... are you sure about this. I mean really fucking sure.” He addressed his brother.

Deuce was nervous about Ty's reaction, wanting his approval, “I've never been more sure about anything... I know it sounds insane Ty, but...”

“I'm 100% sure, brother.” Nick interjected even though Ty wasn’t acknowledging him at the moment. “I'd sell the boat and quit the force if Deacon wanted me to.”

Ty took in a deep breath, “You know I'm pissed right now.... but do you actually know why?”

“What?”Deuce stared at Nick a minute shocked at his words and reached over to squeeze his hand before looking over at Ty to answering him, “Because I didn't tell you... I let you find out this way...”

“Exactly!” Ty exclaimed, “Christ Deacon you're smart, you knew I'd blow up if you hid shit like this! Why in the world didn't you tell me!? Even a ‘Hey, Bro, so, don't get mad, but I think may have a thing for your best friend’ It's not like I didn't already know that Nick had a crush on you.” That Ty had thought he'd nipped in the bud.

“Because I was scared, okay?” Deuce answered, “I was freaking out and trying to figure out what the hell I was feeling and it was confusing and scaring the hell out of me and...”

“And... you didn't think I would support you?” Ty cut him off, “That I would be there to try to help you?!” the hurt was evident in Ty’s voice.

“Don't blame him, man. Blame me.” Nick interjected, “He wanted to tell you sooner, but I wanted to prove to you first that we were serious. I didn't want to piss you off for nothing...”

“Lotta good that did, Nick.” Ty directed to his best friend.

“You're barely around anymore! I'm lucky to get a fucking five minute phone call with you and when I do go visit, you're both gone most of the day at work...” Deuce cut in “ I know it's not your fault... but I didn't want to add this to the other stuff you're dealing with.” He sighed, “And Nick asked me to wait, so.... I'm sorry, Ty.”

“You know damn well that I'll always pick up if you call me! Family first, man. You of all people should know that.” Ty said, “You know that whenever I have a problem you're the first person I call, because you're my brother and I trust you.” Ty rubbed his temples vigorously.

Deuce sighed softly, “I fucked up, Ty... I know that.”

“No shit.” Ty mumbled.

 “What do you want me to say, Ty...?” Deuce flapped his hands in the air.

“I don't. Fucking. Know. Listen I'm not pissed that you're together. It's...weird... but that’s…” Ty shook his head and started over, “I'm upset that you hid this from me for weeks. Christ, D, I told you about Zane the day after I met him, and I told you we hooked up just as soon.  I feel like.... like you don't trust me.”  He turned to Nick, letting him know he wasn't off the hook.

“Well...we haven't been together the whole time.” Nick clarified, trying to take some of the sting away “We were together in Boston then didn't see each other again until your place a couple of days ago...” he glanced at Deuce.

“And you! Jesus Nick, I don't even know where to start with you.” Ty shook his head, “But I'm going to save the ‘You hurt him and I'll blank you’ speech for a night when I'm less likely to threaten you with death and dismemberment and actually mean it.”

Deuce feels like shit right about now, “I'm sorry, Ty...”

“I'll never hurt him, Ty.”  Nick looked his best friend in the eye, “I swear to you. He's it for me, man.”

“I'll believe that shit when I see it, Nick.” Ty scoffed, “In the 20 years I've known you I've never once known you to hold down a relationship. You hurt him, and they'll never find all the pieces of you.” So much for not threatening him.

“I'd die for him, yeah?” Nick continued, “He's my Zane, you feel me? Wasn't too long ago you didn't know anything about a relationship either.”

Deuce got to his feet and walked over to Ty to look his brother in the eye,”I love him, Ty... I've never felt this way before... you know how you meet someone and you just know?”

Damn, Deuce had him there. He felt that for Zane.  Christ now Ty felt like a complete dick, “Yeah...”

Deuce squeezed his shoulder, his voice soft, “I should have told you.”

Nick nodded.

Ty sighed, “If only to have saved me from walking in on that.”

Deuce grinned a bit, “Five minutes later and you would have walked in on something else entirely.”

Nick covered his mouth and stifled a laugh.

  Ty glared at them both, “And you'd be paying for my therapy bills!”

“I don't charge family, remember?”Deuce smiled at him, “And you'd never trust anyone else.”

“Different kinda therapy.” Ty glowered.

“Brain bleaching?” Nick suggested.

“Projectiles and explosions.” Ty clarified.

Nick smiled and walked over to Ty. He put his hand out to shake, “I'm sorry. I should have told you. But I do love him. I'll treat him right.”

Ty grabbed Nick's hand and shook it, “You better, dammit.”

“I've already told him that if he doesn't, I'm telling you exactly where he is.” Deuce teased.

Nick wrapped his other arm around to hug Ty and squeezed him.

“Oooof!” Ty let out a loud huff, “Get offa me you big lug!”

Nick laughed and gave him one more squeeze before releasing him, “Now...what he fuck are you doing here?” He asked with a big grin.

“Surprise visit of course!” Ty answered with a shifty look.

“I know that look...” Deuce narrowed his eyes at his brother, “and I don't believe it for a second!”

Nick groaned, “Please don't tell me you have antique dealers with you!”

“No!” Ty shook his head, “No, not this time.”

“Oh thank god...” Deuce sighed, “Don't think I could handle being almost killed right now!”

Nick laughed at Deuce’s words.

“Though a certain Blonde hit man commandeered my house...again” Ty confessed, “and I just can't be there right now. So I grabbed Zane for a two day vacation.”

“At least you guys get the spare room this time and not the air mattress!” Deuce smirked.

“Zane's here?” Nick asked, peering around Ty into the hallway.

“In the living room.” Ty nodded.

“Probably spoiling my cat...” Deuce pointed out.

Nick smiled and wiggled his eyebrows at Deuce, “Maybe they can cat sit.”

“Not happening.” Ty said sternly.

“Behave yourself, Nick.” Deuce smiled, “No sex with brothers in the house.”

“What!?” Nick’s eyes went wide, “ They do it to you alla time!”

“On that note!” Ty smiled evilly, “Nick sleeps on the air mattress in the guest room with us.”

“Fuck no!” Deuce and Nick exclaimed at the same time.

 “I will not wake up to you too pounding away. This is just insurance.” Ty ridiculed, “Other options, I sleep in here, or I call Ma and tell her she's never having Grandbabies.”

“We'll be good, “ Nick promised.

“I hear so much as the mattress squeak and I'm busting in shootin'.” Ty warned.

“Then we'll fuck on the floor!” Nick laughed.

Deuce smirked, “Like Ty and Zane did back home.”

“We did no such thing!” Ty said as if he’d taken offense.

“Uh-huh... then what was all that noise I had to explain to Ma, hmm?” Deuce raised his brows.

“Fighting over who actually had to sleep on the floor.” Ty’s lips quirked.

“Uh-huh...” Deuce nodded with his I don’t believe you face.

“Bite me, Deacon!” Ty narrowed his eyes at him.

“Did that fight include a sword duel?” Nick asked.

“Fuck off, O.” Ty turned his glare on his best friend.

“A pretty aggressive sword fight from the sound of things.” Deuce nodded.

“Christ I hate you both.” Ty sighed.

Nick and Deuce laughed as Ty spun on his heel and left the room to presumably go to find Zane.

“You love us!” Deuce yelled after him, “Well, at least you love me!”

“Nope can't hear you,” Ty’s voice floated back to them.

“Thanks, baby,” Nick said quietly to Deuce.

Deuce went over to give Nick a tight hug and Nick squeezed him back. They kept their arms around each other as they pulled back.

“That... went better than expected, actually...” Deuce  looked relieved.

Nick nodded his agreement, “Unless he's still in shock.”

“I think he's okay… I hope...” Deuce went over to the closet and grabbed a tee shirt to throw on.

“Why are you getting dressed?” Nick blinked at him.

“Not sitting around shirtless while we're with Ty and Zane!” Deuce answered.

Nick shrugged, hating to see Deuce cover his skin, “Not like they haven't seen you shirtless before...”

“That, and I can't keep my hands to myself when you're half naked.” Deuce laughed.

“Good point!” Nick laughed he picks up his shirt and put it on.

“I'm always right...”

Nick: mmmhmm...just think about something boring to talk about so they fall asleep soon.*wink*

Deuce: I was serious. Brother in the house. No sex.

Nick* groans* You're killing me, you know this right? What happened to we have all night we're not gonna get interrupted?

 Deuce: I think I jinxed us...

Nick: Mmmhmm...if they're staying more than one night we're going to a hotel for at least an hour a day

Deuce: We could send them to pick up dinner and get in something quick~

Nick: *winks* I like how you think...*glances at door*guess we should...

Deuce: yeah, come on... -takes his hand and leads him out to the living room-