"Forevermore studio."

"I thought ya might be there."

"Hey." Scott smiled. "What's up, monk?"

"Just callin' to see whatcha wanted for dinner." Jeff replied.

"Stir fry sounds good."

"Chicken or beef?"

"Chicken." Scott said. "What's wrong?"

"Who said anythin' was wrong? Jeff asked as he cradled the phone on his shoulder and pulled some vegetables out of the refrigerator.

"You haven't been yourself since your party."

"I'm fine."

"You keep saying that." Scott sighed. "I just wish your actions would back up your words."

"What do ya want me to do?"

"I don't want you to do anything, Jeff." Scott whispered. "I'm just worried."

"Well stop." Jeff snapped. "I said I'm fine. If ya don't wanna believe me, that's your own fuckin' problem."

"Whoa, where the hell did that come from?"

"I'm tired of you treatin' me like your kid instead of your husband."

"All I've done is take care of you and now you want to throw it in my face?"

"I ain't throwin' a goddamn thing in your face."

Scott sighed heavily. "Look, a customer just walked in. We'll finish this conversation later."

"Whatever." Jeff replied. "Bye."

"Bye."

--

"How are things at home?" Moore whispered.

"Awful." Nero frowned and leaned back against the older boy.

"I'm sorry, Kid."

"S'ok. I keep hopin' they'll get better."

"They will." Moore reassured him. "Just give it some time."

Nero nodded. "Mo?"

"Yeah?"

"Wanna go skinny dippin'?" Nero grinned.

"I knew you wanted to come to our place for a reason."

"Well, pretty soon, it'll be turnin' cold and we won't be able to go swimmin' for a while."

"Good point." Moore smiled and kissed Nero's head. "Come on. Last one in the lake has to wear a kilt next time we fuck."

--

"What are you doin' here?"

"I told you I'd be back."

"Since when do you keep your promises?" Jeff snorted.

"I've changed." Mark replied. "I told you that, too."

"Yeah well, ya also talk a lot of bullshit."

"Sometimes." Mark said with a small smirk. "Can I come in or will the hubby get pissed?"

"Scotty ain't home yet."

"I'll take that as an invitation."

"Ya always gotta have your way, dontcha?" Jeff sighed as Mark walked in.

"Yep."

"Bastard."

"I know."

"What do you want Mark?"

"You."

Jeff swallowed hard as his heartbeat quickened and his knees weakened.

Mark kicked the front door closed then locked it before stalking over to Jeff. He dove his hands into the younger man's hair and pulled him into a fierce, passionate kiss.

Jeff struggled at first, trying to break free from Mark's hold, but his willpower couldn't stand up to pure lust.

"Need you, Kid." Mark breathed and licked the weak spot beneath Jeff's ear.

"Need you too, MD." Jeff whimpered softly.

Mark hooked his thumbs in Jeff's belt loops and pulled him closer. He nipped at Jeff's lips before kissing even more passionately than before.

Jeff kissed him back eagerly then groaned when the phone rang. He slowly broke the kiss and looked over at the phone. "I have to get that."

"Let the machine pick it up." Mark whispered hoarsely.

The message on the machine played then the machine beeped. "Jeff? Jeff, it's me. I'm working late tonight. I'll see you in a few hours."

Jeff sighed softly and rested his head on Mark's chest.

"You okay, Kid?"

"Uh huh." Jeff murmured and licked Mark's neck.

"Good." Mark breathed and pulled open Jeff's pants.

"Mark..."

"What? Don't you want me? This?"

"Yes." Jeff whispered. "I shouldn't but I do."

"Then don't fight me." Mark whispered as he backed Jeff against the wall and pushed his pants down.

--

"When will I see you again?" Jeff whispered.

"Whenever you want." Mark whispered. "You have my cell number."

Jeff nodded and gave Mark a soft kiss. "You better go."

"Yeah, I better."

"Bye MD."

"Bye Kid." Mark replied and stepped outside. He headed to his bike then watched as Jeff stood in the picture window.

Jeff smiled sadly and waved before disappearing.

Mark smirked as he started his bike. Getting Jeff back might not be so hard after all.

--

"We're closed."

"That's not what the fuckin' sign says."

Scott put down his sketch pad and slowly turned around.

"What's a matter? Not happy to see me?"

"I...uh..."

"Guess being married to that fraggle for twenty years has killed your fuckin' brain cells...the ones you had, anyway."

"Fuck you." Scott laughed.

"Sure."

"Asshole."

"Prick."

"Shithead."

"Oh, great comeback."

"Yeah well, I'm a little out of practice." Scott smirked.

"I see that."

"Jim..."

"I know, Scotty." Jim whispered.

Scott closed the gap between them and brought a shaky hand up to the familiar blond hair, now tinged with gray.

Jim slid an arm around Scott's waist as a faint smile played across his lips.

"What are you doing here?" Scott whispered.

"I read about the art exhibition in the paper."

"The...but I only advertised...since when do you live in Cameron?"

"Since the man I love moved here."

"What?"

Scott stood there in shock.

"When they let you go, I felt like something inside of me died. I wandered around for the first six months like a fuckin' lost puppy. I finally decided to work things out with Lori...you know, for the kids' sakes but that didn't stop these damn feelings. It didn't stop me from loving you and missing you like a fuckin' idiot."

"So now you're a fucking idiot for loving and missing me, prick?" Scott smirked.

"That's right, dickhead."

"You still haven't explained what you're doing here."

"I was getting to that, asshole."

Scott laughed and placed his hand firmly against Jim's chest.

"I got tired of living for everyone else. I decided it was time to start living my fuckin' life again."

"By looking for me?"

Jim nodded. "I've known where you were for a while. Tommy's been keeping me up to date. I finally got the balls to come see you after I read that ad in the paper about the exhibition."

"He never mentioned anything."

"I asked him not to."

"So he's your bitch, now?" Scott grinned.

"After all these years, you should know that you're my only bitch, Scotty." Jim replied and returned the grin.

"Who spread that fucking rumor?" Scott snorted.

"Rumor, my ass...actually..."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't." Jim whispered. "You fuckin' love me. No matter what you say or do, your eyes never lie."

Scott's eyes turned a dark shade as he looked up and their eyes met.

Jim leaned down and traced Scott's lips with his tongue. He then slowly and methodically licked each of Scott's lips before sliding his tongue in the warm, familiar recesses of his old lover's mouth.

A soft growl escaped from the back of Scott's throat as he let his body melt against Jim's. It'd been too long since he'd felt Jim's lips seared against his own, Jim's hands in his loose curls, and most of all, Jim's heartbeat against his chest.

Jim slowly broke the heated kiss then smiled when Scott leaned up and kissed him again.

"Let's get out of here." Scott breathed.

"It's about fuckin' time you suggested that." Jim smiled. "Let's go to my place and catch up. I live about an hour away."

Scott nodded. "Let me grab my keys and lock up."

"You leavin' your car here?"

"Depends." Scott grinned. "How many beers have you had today?"

"Screw you."

"Later, asshole."

Jim laughed. "Leave your car here and I'll drop you off wherever later on."

"Okay." Scott smiled and slipped on his jacket. "Let's go."

*~*End*~*

Read Story #6 Drifting in the Bedtime series