"Fuck!" Shane stared at the computer screen in disbelief.

"What?" Kian asked with a sigh. He’d borrowed his laptop to Shane about 10 minutes and he wondered if he had already managed to mess something up. He should have remembered Shane wasn’t the best with computers.

"Fucking bastards…" Shane muttered under his breath.

Kian got off the bed and walked over to Shane, peering over his shoulder. He was looking at some web site, "The Unforgettable Fire". Shane clicked one of the links and a picture of Shane and Kian together came up. Kian rested his chin on Shane’s shoulder as he scrolled down, a few more pictures of them coming up.

"Someone thinks we’re together."

Kian smiled but it soon developed into a giggle seeing Shane being so grumpy about it. "Read the disclaimer Shane, I’m sure it says it’s all fiction… it did on that Shnicky thing didn’t it?"

Shane shot him an angry look. "Yeah, but this is a slash site Kian… it has loads of stories including us and the other lads getting it on, you know? Disgusting!"

Kian just looked at him for a while. "So what Shane? What’s so disgusting about it? Maybe that’s the sorta stuff they’re into writing and reading about."

Shane looked at Kian with disbelief. "Ki, I’m not gay, I don’t wanna read about me sleeping with you."

"So, don’t read it." Kian said simply as he walked back to his own bed.

"Are you not bothered? I mean, you’re in those stories as well…"

Kian grabbed his jacket and walked towards the door. "Shane, I am gay…" he said before he left. He couldn’t stand the way Shane acted so homophobic.

Shane sat in shock; shocked at the words Kian had just uttered. Kian was gay? His eyes moved back to the computer screen, filled by a picture of them hugging. Slowly his hand found the mouse and he hit the back button. His hand was shaking as he pressed the stories link. Curious as to what they would be like.

An hour later Shane was still engrossed in the stories. They were good, really good. He liked the way they described Kian. He’d read too many fan fictions that described Kian as some slut who’d cheat on all the girls… but this was different. This was true. Most of the stories had captured Kian perfectly, a hard front with a very vulnerable, caring and loving inside. A big mouth and a big heart.

He was starting to feel turned on now. If Kian was gay would he want to try out what was described in those stories? Shane almost choked. What had he just imagined? Kian and him… together. Maybe he was gay too? No, no… actually, why not? Had he ever actually loved a woman? No. But it wasn’t as if he had ever loved a man either. He sighed and went back to reading.

Suddenly, a warm breath fell on Shane’s neck. Startled, he turned his head and found himself looking straight into Kian’s eyes. He looked away and felt his cheeks burning. He’d just been reading something rather intimate. He closed the window and hoped Kian hadn’t been there long enough to read it, cursing himself for being so caught up in the stories he hadn’t noticed Kian coming in.

"I didn’t think you were into reading..?" Kian said finally. He sounded casual, but Shane still knew that Kian had seen what was written in that story."‘Can I check my mail there?" Kian continued as Shane didn’t say anything.

"Yeah, sure," Shane got off the sofa and moved over to his own bed. Kian sat down at the computer.

"So, you must have been reading something interesting the way I slammed that door and you still didn’t hear…" Kian stated as he finished and turned off the computer. He had been well aware of Shane’s eyes burning up his back for the entire time he had gone through the day’s mail.

"Erm… not really." Shane replied, trying to sound casual but well aware that it didn’t work and his cheeks were turning a shade of red again.

"Kian?" he said as Kian put the laptop back into his bag.

"Yeah?" Kian stood up and looked at Shane.

"Are you… really… gay."

"Yeah, I am. Doesn’t really make a difference I’d say but if you don’t wanna share with me anymore I’ll swap back with Nicky. Fine by me, they won’t think twice about it."

Shane shook his head, "No, no, that’s fine."

Kian caught his gaze and smiled cheekily, "If you’d ever feel like trying out what you read about, give me a shout!" he grinned to show it was a joke and then made his way to the bathroom to have a shower.

Shane sat motionless on his bed. He knew Kian had been joking but he still couldn’t help wondering if Kian would like to do that. What had one of those stories referred to it as… sexual healing? He was feeling a bit homesick. Wonder would Kian want to heal him? He had a strange but strong feeling that Kian would be able to make him feel better in an instant.

He was still pondering on it as Kian came out of the shower. He watched Kian as he got dressed, well, put on a pair of boxers and his bathrobe.

Kian looked up at him. "Is something wrong Shane? They were just stories you know, and even though you’re attractive I’m not gonna jump you, you know…?"

Shane smiled vaguely as Kian came over. He looked up at Kian, trying his best at looking sad and needy, "I wanna go home…"

Kian smiled, "Awww… are you homesick baby?" he gave Shane a big hug and kissed his hair jokingly.

Kian just held Shane a while, and Shane felt safe and tried to figure how to develop this in the direction he wanted. His hand was resting on Kian’s back and he slowly ran it up and down his spine. He watched Kian for a reaction but Kian didn’t move, so he moved one of his hands to the front ad slipped it under Kian’s bathrobe, softly running his fingertips over his chest. Kian shuddered but didn’t say or do anything to stop what was happening.

Shane was unsure of what to do next. The little sexual experience he had was with women. Kian’s lips were close to his face and looked rather inviting, so he decided to plant his own lips on them. Kian seemed shocked at first, but then he slowly started to respond to the kiss. His hands were running over Shane’s back, Shane’s tongue successfully seeking permission to entry, probing in to explore.

The kiss ended and Kian ran his tongue over Shane’s jawbone. It was Shane’s turn to shudder. Kian proceeded with a kiss on his nose, and then he moved his lips to Shane’s ear, nibbling it for a while.

He stopped suddenly and sat back up. "There, feel any better?"

Shane looked disappointed. "Yeah… but that was far from enough."

Kian grinned, "That’s it Filan, you wasted your chance of getting out of it!" He slipped his hands under Shane’s T-shirt and pulled it off him in one motion.

Kian explored Shane’s neck with his lips and tongue. Shane pressed his own body against Kian’s, floating blissfully somewhere between heaven and earth. If he felt this good now, how would he feel when things really started to happen?

Kian removed his mouth and looked intensely at Shane. Shane got the hint and moved his hands to the belt of Kian’s bathrobe, undoing it. He then slipped his hands inside and gently pushed it over Kian’s shoulders, letting it fall off the back of the bed. Kian smiled and placed his hand behind Shane’s neck, bringing Shane’s face to his chest.

Shane took one of Kian’s nipples into the hot cavern of his mouth, and Kian moaned softly. Shane was enjoying this so far; Kian’s gentle but still firm guidance made him feel comfortable and safe.

Kian suddenly pushed Shane backwards and then looked at him for a while. He bent forward to undo Shane’s belt, then removed his trousers. They were both dressed only in boxer shorts, and Kian slowly lay down on top of Shane.

Kian’s mouth was back on Shane’s neck, then his tongue traced its way down his broad chest, stopping at his belly button and dipping into it, ‘causing a moan from Shane. He continued downwards and took down Shane’s boxers with the help of his teeth. Shane was delighted by the action, it turned him on.

Kian gave up with his teeth and removed the boxers with his hands instead. He licked Shane’s thigh, slowly getting closer to his crotch. Shane thrust his hips upwards as he touched it. Kian laughed and removed his mouth, sitting up to look at Shane.

"Hey, that was just getting good!" Shane exclaimed.

Kian grinned, "Yeah, pity ain’t it?"

Shane tried to look mad but he wasn’t in a fit state, practically on his knees for Kian to continue.

"I thought you’d be healed by now…" Kian said softly. Shane blushed, Kian had obviously been well aware of what he’d been asking for.

"Well. You thought wrong," he mumbled.

Kian looked at him a while longer. "Shane, look, I fancy you. I’m just afraid of taking this too far, you know. If I go on I’m soon gonna get to a point where I won’t be able to control myself…"

Shane shrugged, "I don’t mind, I mean, I had my chance, right?"

Kian looked away. "I mind Shane…" he said, suddenly sounding small and lost, "I mind cause all the time I’ve slept with people just for the sex. I can’t do that with you cause of what I feel for you… I want more than just sex…"

Shane sat up and then crawled the little bit over to Kian and embraced him. "Kian… I don’t know what to say…"

Kian shook Shane off him and moved away. "Not much you can say, is there? You felt like playing around a little, I don’t feel like doing it. And, you’ve just found out that one of your friends is gay and fancy you. Maybe you should rush out and swap rooms so you can share with Nicky."

"Kian, I don’t wanna swap rooms with anyone…" He reached out but Kian pulled away again.

"Don’t try to act Shane, it’s no use. I was here to hear and see your disgusted reaction when you found that website. You practically had homophobic stamped in your forehead." Kian was near the point of crying by now.

Shane saw his chance and moved in to take Kian’s hand. Kian was fighting his tears and so didn’t have the strength to pull away again.

"Kian, look at me," he cupped his hand under Kian’s chin and brought it up. His heart ached as he saw the pain in Kian’s eyes, knowing he had caused it. "Kian, reading those stories, I realised how right they were. They said a lot of things about you that I’ve always known, it’s been there and I’ve taken it for granted. But, there were also ones where I loved you… where we were soul mates. And, Ki, they were right, I love you…"

He moved his hand up to Kian’s cheek and stroke it with his thumb. "I. Love. You," he repeated slowly.

A smile was forming on Kian’s lips. "You mean that?"

Shane nodded, "Yes. Did I ever lie to you Kian?"

Kian shook his head and smiled back. "I love you too Shane…" He leant forward and their lips touched, marking the start of something new. And, also the start of what would be a long but very enjoyable night...