AN: So amazingly sorry that this has taken over a month to get out… I’ve been so busy, between the play, and school, you’d think that they’d lighten up as I’m a second semester senior… But alas, they don’t. Anyways, here’s this chapter… I can’t decide if I like it or not. But… that’s a moot point, it’s up to you guys to decide to like it or not. Thanks for all the fantastic reviews… so keep up the great work. Thanks.

Michael pulled the kettle off the stove and poured two mugs of hot water to make hot chocolate before walking into the bathroom.

“Here,” his words were soft as he handed a shivering Jase the cup. “Can I ask what inspired you to jump into the unheated pool when it’s only 40 or so degrees out?”

“Boredom?” Jase shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m gonna go get you dry clothes,” Mikey sighed, figuring he could probe Jase for answers at a later date. He walked into Jase’s room, pulling out a pair of flannel pajama pants and a white t-shirt, before throwing them to Jase, who had stripped himself of his soaking wet jeans and shirt already, and was standing, dripping wet, and very naked in the bathroom, a puddle of water gathering at his feet. Michael swallowed hard.

“You want a towel?” Michael asked, handing him one from off the rack.

“Why me?” Jase asked, turning to face Michael, damp hair plastered to his face.

“There’s no good answer to that babe,” Michael said, wrapping the towel around Jase’s now once again trembling frame. “Lets get you dried off, and into warm clothing ok?”

“I need an answer,” Jase pleaded as Michael dried him off, and handed him a pair of pants, which he put on robotically. “Please, Mikey, give me an answer.”

“I can’t,” Michael shook his head, reaching up to push Jase’s wet hair off his face, towel drying it gently.

“Why are you so nice to me?” Asked Jase, his hand coming up to grip Mikey’s, bringing it to a standstill.

“What are friend’s for?” Mikey asked, pushing the t-shirt over Jase’s head, and then drawing the blond’s trembling body into his embrace.

“None of my other friend’s do this for me.”

“I’m sure Darren would,” Mikey spoke carefully, leading Jase into the living room, sitting him down on the couch, and looking him in the eye.

“No, he wouldn’t. All Darren cares about his his damn boyfriend,” Jase’s voice was bitter.

“I thought you liked Kin?” Michael’s eyes furrowed in confusion.

“I do, I’m just jealous, when do I get someone to love me?”

Michael ground his teeth, trying to ignore the warring voice in his head. The rational part of him was telling him to comfort his friend. The less than rational half was telling him to fuck it all, and kiss the hell out of the object of his affections.

“Please, you have more men than any of us,” Michael rolled his eyes.

“But they don’t mean anything,” Jase argued, “I don’t even remember any of their names. It’s not like what Dar has with Kin. Those men are just sex.”

“You’ve never been interested in more than that,” Michael pointed out, “It’s your fault too you know?”

Jase sighed, “I know, and that’s part of the problem,” there was a slight glint in his eye as he continued, “You see, there’s this guy. He’s fucking gorgeous. And I’d love to be with him. But I think I messed up a while ago. I used him, and treated him like he was anyone else,” Michael’s heart was beating at a frantic pace, “But now, with my situation, you see he’s negative. And why would a negative guy, want to mess with someone who was positive. Put themselves in danger like that.”

“Who-“ Michael paused to breath, “Who is this mystery man?”

“I though that would be obvious,” Jase shook his head, his hand coming up to cup Michael’s chin. “He’s you. It’s been you for some time. I’ve just been to scared to come to terms with what being in love means.”

“Love, me?” Michael squeaked slightly.

“Look, I know you don’t feel the same way,” Jase started, backing away, “But I just, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to live-“
“Don’t say that,” Michael cut in, “Medicine’s come a long way.”
“Whatever,” Jase brushed off his comment, “I just wanted you to know. Even if you don’t return the feelings, and now this is awkward. Ok...” He sighed, “I’m going to go now.”

Michael was sitting stunned. He pinched himself once quickly to make sure he wasn’t dreaming again, before grabbing Jase’s arm as he was standing. “Wait.”

“What?” Jase’s expression was annoyed, “I don’t want your pity.”

“Are you that blind?” Michael inquired a grin crossing his face. “I’ve wanted you for ages.”

“Ages?” Jase choked, pulling Michael in against him.

“Yeah, some time,” Michael admitted, a slow blush rising on his cheeks.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jase asked, an incredulous smile crossing his handsome face.

“That stupid emotion known as fear.”

“So,” Jase slurred slightly, unable to wipe the silly grin off his face. “Where do we go from here?”

“Hmm,” Michael stepped forwards, molding his smaller frame to Jase’s hard body, and tilting his head upwards, “You tell me.”

“I think,” Jase said, bringing his lips down towards Michael’s, “That it goes something like this,” he let his lips fall onto Michael’s.

Michael let his eyes slid shut, as he felt like screaming in euphoria as the lips he had dreamed of came in touch with his, they were absolutely smooth, flawless, they paused momentarily, before moving, caressing Michael’s lips, a soft tongue delving into Michael’s mouth, who couldn’t help but sigh and fall further into Jase’s embrace.

The stumbled over to the couch, arms wrapped firmly around each other, mouths hell bent on devouring each other.

“Finally,” Michael whispered as they parted momentarily. Jase chuckled and brought their lips back together.

…………………………………

Kinnley wrapped his jacket tightly around his frame, snuggling closer to Darren, as they walked towards Darren’s apartment. It was mid January, and the slightly cool wind was ripping through San Francisco.

“You ok?” Darren inquired, leading Kinnley towards the tall apartment building.

“Fine,” he responded, sighing as the warm air from inside the building hit him.

“You hate it being even slightly cold, don’t you?” Darren laughed as he tugged Kinnley into the elevator.

“Despise it,” Kinnley admitted, grinning as Darren swiftly ordered to be taken to the 10th floor before dragging Kinnley into his arms. “But you’re warm,” he snuggled his head into Darren’s chest.

“Glad to know I have some uses,” Darren laughed lightly, dropping a kiss on the top of Kinnley’s head.

“Well everyone’s put on this earth for something,” Kinnley smirked, “some of us for our brilliance, others… For reasons of comfort.”

“Brat,” Darren hit his shoulder lightly, before pulling him into a kiss as the elevator beeped, and dropped slightly as it stopped on the appropriate floor.
“You love me,” Kinnley smiled, dragging Darren out of the elevator.

“An unfortunate fact,” Darren teased, as he unlocked the apartment door.

“Unfortunate?” Kinnley lifted an eyebrow, and took two steps closer to Darren, pressing himself against the other man’s frame. “How unfortunate?” He leaned up, biting slightly at Darren’s collarbone.

“How about I show you when we get back inside?” Darren pressed a kiss to Kinnley’s lips, which Kinnley immediately deepened, stroking Darren’s tongue lightly with his own. Darren gave a soft sigh, and reached behind him to open the door, pulling Kinnley further into his embrace as they stumbled into the apartment.

Kinnley pushed Darren off momentarily to remove his jacket, his gaze looking over Darren’s shoulder into the living room, where Michael and Jase were undeniable engaged in a very passionate embrace.

“Dar? Since when are Michael and Jase together?” Kinnley whispered.

Darren whirled around, his eyes widening at the site of Michael’s shirt being tossed onto the ground, soon followed by Jase’s. “Since today?” His eyebrows arched in confusion.

“Should we interrupt?” Kinnley snickered, as Darren slid a finger through his beltloop.

“Nah,” Darren shook his head, and led Kinnley slowly towards his room, “Let them have their fun.”

“I can’t believe they finally hooked up,” Kinnley practically squealed once Darren had closed the door to his room behind them.

“Yeah, except that Jase’s HIV positive,” Darren’s tone was pensive.

“Well,” Kinnley shrugged, “You had a relationship with someone who was as well.”

“It’s hard though. I mean, there are some serious challenges.”

“Love conquers all,” Kinnley quipped with sarcasm on his face.

Darren glared slightly, “Take this seriously.”

“Sorry,” Kinnley wrapped his arms loosely around Darren’s waist. “I’m sure Michael and Jase know what they’re getting themselves into. They’re responsible,” Darren raised an eyebrow, “Well Mikey is at least.”

“That’s true. I just don’t want Mikey to get hurt.”

“He wont be. Jase loves him right back, you can tell by the way he looks at him.”

“How did you get so perceptive?” Darren asked, pushing locks of thick dark hair away from Kinnley’s eyes.

“I’m a genius,” Kinnley laughed, laying down on the bed and pulling Darren along with him.

“And modest too,” Darren laughed.

“Well duh,” Kinnley crossed his arms loosely around Darren’s neck. “I am the most modest that exists.”

“You’re funny,” said Darren, shaking his head.

“At least I’m amusing,” Kinnley spoke rolling them over so that Darren was on his back.

“What is this?” Darren asked as Kinnley pinned him to the bed, “Some kind of power struggle?”

“If you wanna make it one,” Kinnley, grinned, pressing his weight against Darren’s wrists.

“Hmm,” Darren pursed his lips together, a playful gleam entering his eye, he let out a loud sigh, before tightening his body, and rolling them over and off the bed. The landed on the floor with a loud thud, and Kinnley’s wrists firmly pressed against the floor above his head.

“Strong one are you?” Kinnley’s eyebrows wagged.

“In-fucking-vincible,” Darren responded, his lips brushing across Kinnley’s in a thoughtless, second nature sort of fashion.

“Hmm,” Kinnley squeezed teasingly at Darren’s biceps, “Not bad for a musician.”

Darren laughed softly, “Are you kidding me, carting around a double bass will give you muscles faster than going to the gym four times a week.”

“You still go to the gym four times a week,” Kinnley was quick to point out.

“Shut up,” Darren pouted, resting his arms on Kinnley’s shoulders.

“Make me,” Kinnley taunted, a smirk across his face.

“That,” Darren said, dropping a kiss on Kinnley’s forehead, can definitely be arranged.”

Kinnley’s breath caught as Darren’s lips covered his own, and Darren’s hand slid down his body to close over his jean covered crotch.

“That’ll work nicely,” Kinnley nodded, as they separated momentarily and Darren unzipped his jeans.

“Shut up,” Darren ordered, covering Kinnley’s mouth with his own in a searing embrace.

……………………

“You ok?” Jase inquired, his fingers still laced in Michael’s hair, unwilling to let go.

Michael stretched, “Fantastic,” he said, collapsing on Jase, an easy smile across his face.

“We should talk,” Jase finally said after several moments of silence.

“What about?” Michael wanted to know, his brain still hazy.

“Us,” Jase responded, “We shouldn’t expect this to be easy. I’ve never had a relationship before.”

“It’s never to late,” Michael was quick to point out, his face nuzzled into Jase’s shoulder.

“I know, but you’re going to have to take it slowly with me.”

“A little late for that,” laughed Michael, running a hand over Jase’s nude frame.

“In terms of our relationship,” Jase rolled his eyes, “I don’t know how to be a good boyfriend, you’re going to have to show me, and give me time to learn.”

“Is that,” Michael paused to look up at Jase, his eyes shining slightly, “What we are, boyfriends?”

“I’d like to be,” Jase confirmed, “As long as you’re willing to be patient.”

“I can do that,” Michael grinned.

“And,” Jase’s smile faded. “We have to be careful, because the last thing I want to do is infect you.”

“We will be,” Michael smirked, and dug into Jase’s night side table drawer, pulling out a large box of condoms and holding them up, “These are wonderfully handy.”

“Minx,” Jase laughed, tearing the box from Michael’s hands.

“What?” Michael gave him a wide eyed stare.

“Nothing,” Jase shook his head, and pushed Michael’s hair off of his face. “I fucking love you.”
“Love you more,” Michael laughed, squirming slightly as Jase pushed him into the bed.

“Love you times infinity,” Jase responded, kissing the tip of Michael’s nose.

“Plus one,” Michael said, Jase decided against arguing, and chose to kiss the hell out of the small strawberry blond boy who was moving so tantalizingly beneath him.