Graham let Xander sleep. It was Saturday. He didn't have to go to work today, and besides, he deserved the sleep. Plus he just looked so innocent lying there sprawled across his bed. Graham was content just to watch him � for a while anyway. He started to play with his hardening cock, just looking at Xander was enough to get him hard. But then he decided he it might be more fun to wait till Xander woke up. He sighed contentedly and then drifted back to sleep himself.

He opened his eyes.

"Morning, sleepy head." Xander grinned down at him, leaning on one elbow.

"Morning, Xand." Graham leaned up and kissed him very gently, letting his head fall back down.

"I thought you initiative types got up at the crack of dawn, and here it is almost eleven �"

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Graham sat up in a panic.

"What?"

"I always shoot hoops with Rye on Saturdays, right after he finishes watching Speed Racer down in the TV room."

"And shooting hoops with Riley is more fun than �" pouted Xander, with more than a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Fuck no! I mean no. I mean ...I'm sorry." Graham sat on the edge of the bed, and put his head in his hands.

Xander sat up and massaged his shoulders. "Like I told you before, tell him when you're ready. I'm cool."

"Yeah?" Graham was uncertain, and he'd admit to being horny, too. But if he didn't meet him downstairs in four minutes, Riley was gonna come looking for him.

"Yeah. Absolutely. I should put in some face time at home, anyway." Xander gave him a light slap on the back. "Run along outside and play with your little friend."

Graham flashed him a grateful grin, and rushed to pull on shorts and T-shirt and pull on his basketball shoes. He didn't want Riley to come looking for him and find out that he wasn't exactly alone.

Basketball under his arm, he darted over to the bed, and kissed Xander. "I'll make it up to you tonight, Xander."

"Believe it, soldier." Xander said in his best attempt at a gruff voice.

Graham broke into a huge grin and stared at Xander sprawled in his bed. He snapped off a perfect salute. "Yes, *sir*!" he whispered, and ran out the door.

Xander got out of bed slowly. He hunted around on the floor and found his clothes. He pulled on last night'spants and T-shirt and jammed his hands through the sleeves of his shirt without bothering to button it.

He headed out. Coming down the stairs he ran into another Lowell House commando guy, who, judging from the look on his face, was wondering what Xander was doing there.

"Uh, have you seen Buffy? Blonde girl, she's Riley's, uh, ..."

The guy grinned. "She took off about an hour ago. Doesn't share Riley's Speed Racer obsession, I guess."

"Thanks, I'll check her place. Later."

"Later."

As Xander rounded the corner of Lowell house, he heard the sound of a ball bouncing on concrete. Xander followed the sound round to the back of Lowell House and saw the two guys playing on a concrete half court.

He watched Graham go up for a shot. Riley had the height advantage, but Graham drove hard, leapt and made it. Xander grinned.

Riley took the ball back, dribbling just for the practice, Graham moved in to guard. Xander watched the man move. Maybe it was the one-on-one aspect of this game, or maybe he was just paying closer attention, but Graham looked better playing basketball than playing Frisbee. Xander shook his head as he realized the frisbee game was only a few days ago, even though it felt like a lifetime. He watched the game.

He was pretty frankly staring at Graham, who was resting a sec, bent over slightly after missing a block, the muscles on his arms tensed and shining with sweat. Xander licked his lips unconsciously.

Xander suddenly realized that he hadn't played basketball (other than the obligatory gym games) in almost three and a half years. He used to play all the time. OK, he and Jesse used to play all the time. They weren't all-stars, but they were decent pick-up players. From the time they were in elementary school, the two spent many afternoons at Jesse's house, around back where Jesse's dad had nailed up a backboard on the side of the garage.

Xander remembered being really jealous when Jesse first told him that his dad had put it up for him. He couldn't imagine his did ever doing anything like that. To be honest, one of the early attractions of shooting hoops with Jesse had been precisely that he wasn't home dealing with his parents.

His mom asked him exactly once where he had spent the afternoon, instead of folowing his established routine of coming straight home and watching TV. He told her he'd been at Jesse's. She'd nodded and turned back to the stove, never bothering to ask what he was doing there, or even who Jesse was. Somewhere in her mind, she knew that mothers were supposed to know where their kids were. Now that she knew, her maternal obligation was fulfilled. He'd gotten the distinct impression that she was just as glad not to have him in the house.

Jesse's mom was different. She brought out glasses of lemonade or Kool-Aid or cokes and jokingly informing the two that it was half time, asking Jesse and Xander what happened at school that day, and chuckling at their smart-ass comments, while they wolfed down their drinks. She would tell them to have fun, and take the empty glasses or bottles back in the kitchen door, throwing her son a grin and a little wave, which always embarrassed him, but which made Xander jealous as hell.

Shit, practically his only happy school memories were of being with Jesse, recounting the stupid answer that some dumb jock had given in history class, or making fun of the cheerleaders, "Cordelia sure had the fashion victim thing going on today."

"Xand, if skunk-skin shoes were in fashion, she'd have six pairs."

Then tossing their bookbags by the back door, Jesse would grab the ball from the back porch and passing it to Xander, the two would play one on one until suppertime.

Playing with Jesse had just been fun. They both played at about the same level: pretty good, not quite good enough to make the team, but good enough to make it fun. Jesse had a jump shot that wasn't bad, and Xander was good at putting the ball in from the side. They were always trading wisecracks. Jesse was the only one who could consistently out wise-crack Xander. With everyone else, it was Xander who played the joker.

And it was while playing basketball that it first happened. That was when Xander had gist first moment of realization.

He was watching Jesse carefully as his bud took the ball back to the far edge of the driveway, dribbling all the way. Jesse was kind of a goof, walking into people in the halls, banging his head against his locker while distracted by talking to Xander. But when he was playing basketball, all of the sudden he came alive. No longer the awkward gawky kid, he moved with grace and purpose. Xander grew to enjoy just watching him.

Jesse glanced at Xander, who was moving up to guard him. He faked left. It was his favourite move, so Xander was ready for it. But instead of going right, he actually went left, moving fast around Xander. He took four steps around him and went up for a jump shot. It was a beautiful shot, no hoop, nothing but net. He landed and pumped his arm and said "yes!", and grabbed the rebound and turned to Xander to toss it to him. Xander was standing, hands on hips just watching with an admiring smile on his face.

"Nice shot!" He exclaimed, impressed by the shot.

"Thanks." Jesse's grin was genuine, his voice a mixture of pride and surprise, since Xander rarely complimented him on anything. Xander just kept looking at him, realizing that he just plain looked good. Jesse was moving easily from side to side as he slowly dribbled the ball, that grin on his face, his eyes twinkling with pleasure at Xander's compliment. He tossed the ball to Xander.

Xander caught the ball, and took it back to the far edge. He moved up dribbling, but was watching Jesse so intensely that Jesse just snatched the ball from his hands, and turned around, dribbling, his back to Xander as he went to the back of the drive. He looked at Xander then at the hoop, deciding how to play this one.

Jesse charged, Xander took position to block his advance, moving back slightly so as not to foul him. Jesse went up for a shot just as Xander stopped moving back. Jesse came down on him and the two landed in a heap, Jesse on top of a sprawled out Xander, hands on Xander's chest. Xander looked up in panic, because he was suddenly very aware that he was rock hard. And Jesse couldn't miss it since his butt was right on top of his hard-on. Jesse just grinned down at him, and stood up, reached down a hand, Xander took it and Jesse pulled him to his feet. Jesse gave him an embarrassed cockeyed smile.

"Happens to me all the time, too." Jesse whispered softly, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face.

Jesse picked up the ball and tossed it to Xander. "Come on, play."

The very next Saturday, Xander casually mentioned to Jesse as they played that he had found some 'interesting' videos at his Uncle Rory's, and had kind of borrowed them, sort of without asking. Jesse grinned widely, took one last shot, put the ball back on the back porch and yelled to his mom that he'd be home for supper�

And as they sat on the couch in Xander's basement, watching the video, their eyes kept darting furtively at each other as they pulled their hard-ons out and relieved the tension.

"Hey! Xander!" Riley's voice boomed out, startling Xander.

"Hey, Riley!"

"Buffy took off."

Xander approached the court, and said, teasingly, "Yeah, some guy inside gave me the whole scoop on you and Speed Racer."

Riley grinned, and accepted the good natured kidding. "Speed Racer rocks." Riley informed Xander, who grinned at him, and suddenly started finding Riley's Speed Racer obsession oddly endearing.

"Heads up!" Riley tossed Xander the ball. Xander surprised himself by catching it easily.

"Come on, play."

Xander stared at the ball in his hands, a little shocked that Riley was being totally friendly guy to him.

"I'm not in your league, Riley." Xander bounced the ball once and made to pass it back.

"We're just goofing around, nothing serious, come on."

Xander shrugged his shirt off leaving only the T-shirt. He dribbled the ball a few times then looked up at the hoop. He surprised all three of them when he took a shot and made it..

"Nice!" said Graham with a slightly proud smile as he grabbed the rebound.

"You two know each other? Graham, Xander."

The two weren't sure what to do, so they shook hands.

"Hey." "Hey." Both were fighting hard to suppress a grin.

"How about we play 'Defense'?" asked Riley, "two against who ever has the ball, then whoever gets the rebound has the next shot?"

Graham shook his head, "How about me and Xander against you? I'm getting creamed here."

Riley kidded him, "Sure, if ya think it'll take both of you to beat me."

Graham tossed him the ball hard. Riley took it back to the far side of the half court. Graham nodded at Xander who moved up to guard him. Xander realized just how huge Riley was. Riley charged, Xander tried to block him, and instead got pushed back and onto his ass, Riley went up for the shot and made it. Graham moved in on Riley "Easy!"

Riley reached down and helped him up, "You OK, Xand?"

Xander nodded, "Nothing bruised but my ego. Unfortunately, it's used to the battering."

Riley chuckled at that and brushed off Xand's backside, and handed him the ball. Xander took it back, looked at Graham who nodded over to the right. Xand nodded back slightly, he faked right suddenly, catching Riley off-guard, and passed to Graham who put it up, and in. The two high-fived each other, and Graham tossed Riley the ball.

"Have you two played together before?" asked Riley mock accusingly, by way of complement on the play.

"Play." Graham ordered, by way of not answering the question.

This time when Riley moved around Xander, Graham is waiting for him, and Xander moved in the other side, and snatched the ball as Riley moved it away from Graham, he jumped and missed the shot, but Graham grabbed the rebound and the two points.

Another set of high fives. Riley looked at the two. "OK, you two, no more Mr. Nice Guy."

They played for another half an hour or so, Riley actually managing to hold his own against two guys.

Finally, Riley broke it off. "OK, I've had it." He high-fived Xander, "Next time it's you and me against this bozo." He tossed Graham back his ball. Graham bounced it once and did a jump shot. It went in. He pumped his arm, "Yeah!"

Xander was grinning at him, Graham shot him a smile and a look. Xander recognized it as 'that look'. Xander went over and got his shirt off the grass, and tossed it over his shoulder.

"Later Xand!" Riley said over his shoulder as he headed inside. Graham winked at Xander and followed Riley in.

"You two made quite the team out there. Xander has more moves than I thought."

Graham was working hard at suppressing a grin, and failing. He managed a "Yeah." He and Riley slapped hands, and he headed into his room, leaving the door slightly open.

*****
Part 19: Cleaning Up

Graham had pulled off his shirt and shoes and socks, and then his shorts by the time Xander sneaked back into his room, pulling the door closed. He stared at Graham, close to naked, sweat covered, grinning. He swallowed. "First time I've played with a chubb in a while."

Xander blushed. "Same here."

"Kinda noticed, you're wearing boxers, at least I had a jock on."

"I kinda noticed." said Xander looking at the jock Graham was still wearing.

Xander was about to move in on that cue, when there was a knock and Xander quickly slipped behind the door as Riley pushed it open. "Got any shampoo? I'm out."

"Sure," Graham tossed him a bottle from the shelf. Riley caught it one handed.

"Thanks."

Graham nodded.

Riley left, pulling the door shut.

Xander sat on the bed, a bit dejected.

"At least ya didn�t have to hide in the closet." Graham grinned. "Come here."

Xander shook his head, "He'll be back to return the shampoo."

"Yeah � And then the shower'll be free."

Xander looked up at him, eyes twinkling, "I'm liking the way your mind works."

Graham stripped off his jock and tied a towel round his waist, went over to Xander and pulled the T-shirt off of him. Then he leaned down and yanked his shoes and socks off. Then he undid his khakis, unzipping them as he pushed him onto his back. He pulled the pants off and tossed them on the floor. He pulled the boxers off next. He leaned over the now naked Xander, put his hands on either side of his shoulders and kissed him, teasingly. Xander just lay there and let himself be teased.

Graham had to put the towel round his waist again as Riley tried the door handle. Graham jumped up and opened the door.

"Here ya go. Thanks"

"No problem, buddy."

Graham watched Riley go down the hall and into his room.

"Coast's clear."

Xander grabbed a towel, wrapping it round his waist and dashing after Graham to the bathroom. Graham pushed Xander into the stall, turning on the water and kissing him hard. Xander's hands found Graham's shoulders, but Graham was having none of that. He grabbed Xander's wrists and pinned them to the wall above his head. He looked at Xander, Xander grinned at him, and Graham leaned in and kissed Xander as hard as he could.

When they broke, Xander pushed him against the side wall of the shower, the spray hitting Graham's chest. Xander ran his hands over that chest, feeling the hard muscle bombarded by the warm water. He leaned in and licked one nipple and then the other, Graham was moaning and clutching at Xander's head, not controlling him, just holding it.

Graham drew in a sharp intake of breath as Xander made his way down his torso, until he was kneeling in front of him. As the water hit the back of his head, Xander leaned in, and took Graham's hard-on in his mouth, swirling it around, letting some of the torrent of water drip down the shaft and fill his mouth. With his mouth full of warm water, Xander swished Graham's cockhead round in his mouth, teasing it with his tongue. Graham was leaning back, pressing his back against the tile wall, an almost maniacal smile on his face. The water and the tongue and the just wanting this guy so badly was almost overwhelming.

He looked down at Xander, and gently caressed his head and shoulders as he continued to get teased. Graham had never felt anything like that before. "Please .. please" he whispered, and Xander relented, spit the water out, took a breath and took the length of his shaft into his mouth. Graham opened his eyes and looked down at Xander.

He reached down, took hold of Xander under the arms and pulled him up to standing, turning them both around. Graham leaned in, the torrent of water hitting him on the back of the neck, and pinned Xander's biceps to the tile wall as he kissed him, deeply, then moving slowly down, tasting the water as it flowed down his chest, licking one nipple, then the other, running his tongue down to his navel, and then going to his knees, and running his hands over Xander's chest, taking Xanderin his mouth, and slowly, teasingly, ran his tongue round the cockhead.

Xander was moaning softly, letting Graham hold him against the wall, feeling the warm water flow over him, relaxing him, even as Graham's ministrations tensed him. He looked down at the soaking wet head bobbing up and down on his cock.

Riley came back into the bathroom, in his jeans with a towel around his neck, shaving cream and razor in hand, whistling some Backstreet Boys song from the radio. He looked at his face, turning to check out one side then the other, and turned on the tap, wet his hands and began to apply the shaving cream. He then took the razor and slowly began to shave round his left ear.

"Hey Graham!" He yelled over his shoulder. "Wanna go grab some lunch?"

No answer. Riley was kinda surprised that Graham wasn't singing some country song in the shower like he usually did. He continued to shave.

Between the water hitting the top of head, Xander's low moaning and the hands covering his ears as his head got pulled onto Xander's cock, Graham wasn't hearing anything. Besides his attention was elsewhere.

"Graham!" Xander groaned, and let go of his head. "Graham!" he warned him again, but Graham kept at it, becoming even a little more eager as Xander approached climax, pinning Xander against the wall with both hands. Xander tensed up and let out a "Oh, fuck!", as he exploded inside Graham's mouth.

Graham was swallowing when the shower curtain was yanked aside. Xander watched with horror as Riley yelled, "Jesus Fucking Christ! What the *fuck* is going on here?"

For a long moment the only sound was that of the water from the shower.

Graham slowly stood up. He turned off the water. He looked straight at Riley, and said slowly and evenly, "Exactly what it looks like."

Graham pushed past Riley, who stepped back. He grabbed a towel from the hook and tossed it to Xander. grabbing the other one to dry off his face.

Riley just stared at his buddy, jaw dropped, unable to utter anything more than one accusing word. "Graham!"

Graham met his gaze with steel eyes. "You've had sex in this shower before, yourself, Rye. Ease up."

Xander carefully examined the tiles on the floor as he dried off, and then cinched the towel around his waist.

Graham ran his towel roughly through his hair and then wrapped it around his waist, and stood facing Riley, hands on hips, water still dripping down his chest and stomach. Defiant, but not belligerent.

Xander stepped out of the stall. He looked at the two guys staring each other down with what Buffy called 'testosterone poisoning'. "Guys.."

Riley looked at Xander with a flash of anger, "You shut your..." Xander looked down at the floor.

"*Ri*!" Graham stopped him with a sharp loud bark, a warning. Riley's head snapped back to Graham, who said angrily but working hard to stay calm, "You got something to say, you fucking say it to me."

Riley looked at Graham's still fierce eyes. Riley looked down. Graham glanced over at Xander, who looked scared and lost. He sighed, stepping over to put an arm across Xander's shoulder and lead him past Riley and out into the hallway. Facing him, he held his shoulders lightly, sighing, "Thanks for the uh, shower." He forced a smile.

Xander nodded once. Graham leaned over and briefly kissed the towel-clad boy, "Let me talk to Rye, OK?"

Xander nodded, "OK."

"I'll call you after."

Another nod. Xander started to give him a kiss back when he saw Riley standing in the doorway. With a gulp, he headed into Graham's room and started pulling his clothes on.

Graham turned to face Riley. He planted his feet. He looked Riley in the eye, and said softly but forcefully, "You *ever* speak to him again like that and I swear to God I'll clean your clock."

Riley looked down at the floor, slightly embarrassed that he had snapped at Xander like that, but still mainly reeling with surprise and anger. Then the implications of what Graham had just said struck him. "You mean you and Xander are �?"

"Yeah," Graham nodded, jaw set, "� me and Xander are ..."

This needed an explanation, and Riley was gonna get one. Riley stared at Graham, "And just when did you decide to change lifestyles on me?"

"Never."

"Huh?"

"No changes here."

Riley stared at him for a long second. "I can't fucking deal with this!" He turned on his heel, long purposeful strides taking him away from the confrontation and back to his room.

Xander came out dressed, and saw Riley stalking away. "You OK, Graham?"

Graham nodded. "You?"

"He scared the shit outta me, but yeah, I'm good."

"Look, I better go talk to him. He always does the stalking off thing when he's pissed off or freaked."

Xand nodded and gave him a fast hug and headed out.

Graham went into his room and hurriedly pulled on sweat pants and a T-shirt and headed down to Riley's room. As he hoped, the door was ajar; Riley hadn't shut him out.

He pushed the door open. Riley was sitting on his bed, staring at the floor. Graham closed the door behind him and pulled the desk chair out, and straddled it, leaning forward against the back of the chair. Riley didn't look up at him. There was a long silence. Riley spoke, "So, what you're telling me is that you're a �" His voice trailed off.

"What? A fag? A poof? A queer? A cock-sucking faggot who likes to take it up the ass?" There was a palpable anger underlying Graham's calm voice.

Riley reacted like he'd been slapped hard. His head snapped up. Yeah, those were the very words going through his mind. His eyes met Graham's. His anger was suddenly mixed with real shame. He couldn't speak.

"Heard'em all before, Ri. More than once. I kinda hoped I'd never hear'em from you, though."

Riley looked back down at the floor, and said softly, "You won't, I promise."

*****
Part 20: Toaster

There was more silence than talk. Riley tried to meet Graham's eyes a number of times, but he kept looking back down at the floor, instead. "Look, Ok. It's just � a little weird. OK?"

"It's not the way I wanted you to find out, Rye. But I'm not sorry you know."

Riley didn't look up, didn�t respond.

Graham sighed and stood up. He went to the door and opened it. He stopped before he took last steps out the door, and turned to look at Riley sitting on the bed, head in his hands, desperately wishing he could say something to make it all right with Riley. But there was no turning back, not for Riley, not for anyone.

Riley looked up and saw the look on Graham's face. Like maybe Graham had just lost his best friend. He knew he had to say something right now. His voiced almost cracked as he said softly, "Hey, Graham?"

"Yeah?" Graham's response was flat, emotionless, resigned to whatever Riley was gonna throw at him.

Riley took a second to find his best friendly voice. "Buy you a beer?"

A hint of a smile, "Yeah. That'd be good."

Riley nodded slowly. "OK, just let me get dressed."

"Rye?"

"Yeah?"

"You probably wanna finish shaving."

Riley smiled at him.

=========

Xander was alone in his dank basement, fighting off the freaked feelings. Being with Graham felt so right, until he had seen the look of horror and possibly disgust on Riley's face when he'd seen them together. And OK, maybe it was just shock on the guy's face, cause he probably wasn't expecting to find the two of them in the shower, and interrupting anyone like that can sort of set you aback.

Xander realized he was ashamed, as well. He really liked Riley in a lot of ways, figuring he was a serious improvement over Buffy's previous boyfriend, at least as far as Xander was concerned. And, yeah, he wanted Riley's respect, he guessed. And he didn't figure that Riley was gonna have a lot of respect for him after this. Pretty much gonna think of him as one of "those".

But, Riley had never said anything like that. Xander realized that he was allowing his own shame for the whole Jesse thing color his thoughts. He had to admire Graham on that front. No shame in his eyes when Riley stared at him. Graham stared back, while Xander looked at the floor. Graham was embarrassed, sure, but who wouldn't be? But he wasn't ashamed of what he and Xander had been doing.

The phone rang. Xander raced to grab it.

"Yeah? Hey Graham. How'd it go with Rye? � Yeah � yeah. For a beer, huh? � Sure, yeah. I'll meet you two there. When? � OK, OK, yeah, on my way."

He hung up. And heaved a sigh of relief. It obviously hadn't gone too badly with Riley, if the three of them were going for a beer. He knew that it mattered to Graham, quite a lot, in fact. Riley meant a lot to him. The two were the only survivors of their Initiative cohort. Graham needed Riley to understand, or at least to accept it.

He headed out towards The Pub, a little tense, but mainly just pleased that Riley hadn't just blown Graham off, that he wanted to talk about it. He was really happy that Graham wanted him there.

Xander cut across campus. As he passed the student union, a voice rang out,

"Hey, Xander!" Xander looked and grinned as he saw the wiccan duo heading towards him.

"Willow!, Tara!" He trotted over to them and gave them each a hug. "So how go things for my two absolutely favourite witches?"

"Good!" Willow announced, pleased that she could report that. "We've almost gotten this neat transmorphing spell down, it might work on Amy-rat."

Tara nodded eagerly, "But there's this Sumerian part we're having trouble with."

"And you're avoiding our own friendly neighbourhood Sumerian expert because?"

Willow sighed. "Giles isn't too big on us dabbling with the spirits of the past since the whole battle and nightmare thing." Tara nodded in agreement.

"I gotta say that I'm pretty much with the G-man on that one." Xander had to grin at how giggly the two were together.

Tara looked at him and smiled knowingly, "On your way to see someone?"

"Yeah, just heading over to grab a beer with a buddy."

Tara couldn't resist. "A large, reasonably sexy, commando-shaped buddy, by any chance?" She gave Xander a suggestive leer.

Xander blushed completely, and looked down at the ground. Then, head still bowed, he raised his eyes to Tara's. "Were we that obvious?"

"*What?*" Willow looked at Xander in shock.

Tara shook her head, grinning widely, "Well, maybe *he* was. He's got it bad for you, boy."

"*What?*" Willow's head swiveled and she directed her shock at Tara.

Xander grinned back. It was nice to hear that it wasn't just his own hope that made him that made him see that in Graham's eyes. "Ya think? Me too. For him, I mean. I think."

"*WHAT?*" Willow exclaimed even more loudly to them both.

Tara just hugged Xander. "Welcome to the team! You two are just so *cute* together!" She giggled.

Willow put her foot down. She grabbed Xander's arm and pulled him to face her.

"What is going on here?"

Xander, grinning like a fool, "Nothing much, just kind of seeing Graham."

Willow stared at him, and then broke into a squeal of happiness and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the neck. He hugged her back, lifting her off her feet. Tara just beamed. Hmm, she wondered, did she get the toaster from the Movement for this? Probably not, but she did already have one for Willow, and there was no point being greedy.

Willow released him and just stood there grinning at him, "You and a commando-guy, huh?

"Yeah, who'd have thought?" Xander shuffled his feet, grinning.

Willow, remembering Xander as soldier-guy, kidded him, "Well, you both have that uniform thing going on."

Xander started to cough uncontrollably. Tara caught on and laughed out loud. Willow looked puzzled as she patted Xander on the back. Xander recovered, but his face was pretty red.

"I'll explain it to you later, love." Tara whispered to Willow, whose eyes went wide. Tara was unwilling to let it go. Xander's embarassment was just just too delish Suppressing a giggle, she stage whispered devilishly, "They do train them to take orders well, don't they?"

Blushing once again, Xander stammered, protesting, "OK, OK, look, I am not gonna �"

Tara hugged him again, "Don't worry. Have fun, Xander, just have fun. Go run along and give him our love."

Xander smiled at the two giggling girls. "And I had always heard that this coming out thing was hard."

Willow just beamed at him and then suddenly a thought hit her, "Ooh! Let's double date!"

When Xander didn�t respond except to blush again, Tara smiled at her, "Give them a bit of time, love."

Then Willow said to Xander, her face a bit more serious. "We're not jumping out of any airplanes without parachutes, are we, Xander?"

Xander shook his head, only slightly embarrassed. "Graham always has some, ya know, in his room."

Willow put on her teacher face, "Every boy should have his own supply, young man. Right there in the union, in front of the student welfare office, there's a big bowl of condoms and really cute little packets of the slippery stuff. I want you to go right now and grab yourself a handful. Understand me, young man?".

"Yes, mom." Xander said in a mock put-upon voice.

Tara grinned, "Don't keep the boy waiting too long, Xander."

Xander nodded and headed into the union, a spring in his step. When a cute guy in Student Welfare Office winked at him as he quickly pocketed a couple extra packets of lube, Xander gave him an only slightly embarrassed smile in return.

*****
Part 21: Who's your Buddy?

Sitting in the pub, Riley was staring at Graham. 'OK,' he thought, your bud, your comrade in arms, turns out to be a ... ok ease up Riley. He's still Graham, the dude who covered your ass... Ok, that came out way wrong, he's the guy who's saved your butt more than once, who's been there for you, no questions asked. He was on your side when Forrest gave ya shit about Buffy: he's your best friend.'

Graham was aware of being stared at, but figured that Riley needed some adjustment time.

"You always been..." Riley stumbled for the right word.

"... that way?" finished Graham with a slight smile. A nod "Yup."

"How 'bout that night in Tijuana?"

"We just talked. She appreciated having the time off."

"Ya coulda told me, ya know. It's not like I'm this big bigot or something."

"Not the point. You were my squad leader. If I told you, regulations required you to report me. Get me kicked out."

"I wouldn't have reported you."

Graham raised an eyebrow questioningly.

Riley looked down. "So if you didn't tell me, I didn't have to decide."

Graham nodded.

Riley nodded back, "Got it."

Riley looked at Graham, and his curiosity got the better of him. He gave Graham a bit of a smile, "You ever been with anybody I know?"

Graham thought back to that night when Buffy had joined the initiative for training, and had pretty thoroughly trounced them all. Graham still remembered how impressed he had been at her skill. She had been awesome. They all headed out for a beer afterwards at this bar Buffy liked. The Bronze had been a little too juvenile for Graham's tastes, but he had scoped out one cute guy there. Unfortunately, Xander had taken off before Graham had had a chance to talk to him. Forrest was pretty pissed off about something, probably Buffy. Forrest had always resented her.

Graham had figured that Forest must have more caveman-like ideas about women than he let on. Forrest never exactly said anything, but Graham thought maybe he resented Buffy, resented her for doing their job fighting the HSTs, showing up Forrest and the rest of the guys.

Anyway, they had all gotten called away to hunt this Polgara demon, but after that was over, Forrest insisted on going for the beer they'd missed earlier. Forrest was grumbling that Riley wasn't with 'em. Graham joked that it looked like Riley had better things to do than have a beer with the guys. Forrest kind of snarled at that, so Graham let it drop. Graham suggested they go back to the Bronze, thinking that maybe that cute guy would be there still. Forrest refused absolutely. "No way. No *slayer* bar."

At the bar where the Initiative types hung out, Graham bought the first pitcher. Forrest got up and came back with eight shots, and they proceeded to shoot the hard stuff and chase it with the beers.

Some of the Latino Initiative guys had taken control of the bar's sound system and were blasting Latin dance music and drinking and talking loudly and having a great time. Graham recognized the song as one he had kept hearing when he was in Panama, recovering from his Andean captivity. Latin hit of the year, he guessed. He kind of half listened to it. When the chorus came on, Graham found himself understanding that, just from his Spanish for Commando-guys lessons:

//umm, chocolate-y, chocolate-y, chocolate-y, choco - Wow!//
//umm, cinnamon-y, cinnamon-y, cinnamon-y, cina - Wow!//

Graham clicked that they were singing about checking out the talent in a bar, looking at the chocolate-y Black ones and cinnamon-coloured Brown ones. American songs never had lyrics like that. Graham grinned and looked at Forrest and thought to himself, 'chocolate-y'.

After a couple of pitchers, plus another round of shots, both guys were pretty tanked. They hadn't gotten to the bar until pretty late, so they weren't there long before they closed the place down. They walked back towards Lowell house. Or rather they pretty much stumbled back. Forrest put his arm over Graham's shoulder in drunk-friendly kind of way. "You're my man, ain't ya, Graham?"

"You bet, Forrest."

"You don't wanna be with some slayer-girl insteada with your friend, do ya?"

Graham answered that one honestly "No, Forrest, rather be with my buddy."

"That's 'cause you all right, Graham."

"Thanks, Forrest. You, too."

"Yeah!" Forrest answered with drunken enthusiasm, and gave him a real bear hug. Graham knew it didn't mean anything, but being held by a guy that close, and getting hugged and all, and being that drunk, well, it was all having an effect.

Graham helped Forrest into his room, and onto his bed. Forrest sat there, pretty out of it. He tried to take off his boots, but kept missing the laces, so Graham chuckled and sat on the floor and helped him off with the boots. leaning on Forest's knee for support. Graham then sort of stared at Forest's crotch as Forrest undid his belt and pants and started to pull them off. He started to fall forward onto Graham. Graham caught him by the waist and helped him to sit back down on the bed, feeling a frisson of sexual tension as he held Forrest's muscular torso.

Forrest was wearing boxers, and his chub was peeking out through the flap. Graham stared at it for a second, and before he even thought about it, he leaned over and licked it.

Forrest moaned, "Oh yeah, feels good ..." He fell back onto the bed. Graham didn't need more of an invitation than that. He positioned himself on his knees between Forest's legs and took his buddy's cock in his mouth. Forrest moaned drunkenly. Graham licked it, feeling it harden, and running his tongue around the cockhead as the foreskin retracted as Forrest got harder.

Graham spent serious time with just the head in his mouth, making Forrest moan and groan. He unzipped his own trousers and pulled out his own cock, jerking off as he sucked Forrest. Forest's cock was beautiful. Dark and thick and very hard. He held it firmly by the base, two fingers resting on Forest's torso. Graham really got into it, trying to take it down his throat, twisting his head so he could taste more of it. Forrest started getting into it, too, putting one hand on Graham's head, not really pushing or anything, but holding it in a firm grip.

The chant at the end that Latin pop song kept going through Graham's head: "No pare!, sigue, sigue!" 'Don't stop! Go on, Go on! 'And Graham just let that endlessly repeated chant go through his head as he rhythmically moved his head up and down on Forrest. Forrest started to moan a bit more loudly, and then the slurred words became clearer, "That's it, man, suck it. Suck my dick. Oh yeah! You been wanting it, I seen you wanting it. Ahh, ahh *fuck* c'mon, baby, yeah, so *good*...Come on, man. Do it! Yeah! Do it, Riley."

Graham stopped short at Riley's name. Not the big ego boost here. Forrest grabbed his head with both hands and pulled his mouth back onto his cock.

"C'mon, Riley, you been wanting it, so *suck* it. Come on, man, do it. Aw, *Fuck* You suckin it so *good*. Yeah! C'mon, Riley-boy."

It didn't take Forrest much longer to come. Graham ended up swallowing, even though it left a bitter taste in his mouth. Playing tough guy with a stranger in some alley was one thing, but having a buddy think he was somebody else ... that just hurt. After he had come, Forrest pretty much lay there, eyes closed, mumbling, "Yeah Riley, yeah. come on, man ... aw, yeah." Graham lifted Forest's legs and put them on the bed. He didn't really want to get in bed with the guy, and get called "Riley" again. So he zipped up his pants, and headed back to his own room.

Lying in bed, Graham stared at the ceiling and realized that Forrest's resentment towards Buffy had nothing to do with male chauvenism, and everyting to do with Riley. He found himself hoping that Forrest wouldn't remember anything. Forrest never seemed to, and Graham certainly never brought it up.

Graham looked across the table at Riley. Nope, that was a story that Riley Finn, Iowa farm boy, was *not* ready to hear. So Graham just shook his head and repeated Riley's question, "Anybody you know? Not really."

"There's a big enough loophole there to drive a tank through."

Graham grinned and nodded.

"Cause if they're still in the service..."

Graham nodded.

Riley nodded back. "Got it."

"Look, before Xander it was just some guy I'd pick up or who'd pick me up. Never twice with the same guy."

"Wham ban, thank you man." Riley grinned, pleased at his own joke.

"Yup."

Graham grinned big time over Riley's shoulder. "Those days are over, though."

Riley looked over his shoulder. Xander walked over, grabbed a clean glass off the bar, and scooted in beside Graham. "Hey, Riley"

Graham had somehow neglected to tell him that Xander would be joining them. At least Xander didn't seem to be holding his outburst against him. "Hey, Xander."

They didn't even touch each other, but Riley saw the looks that passed between them. He wasn't sure he was ready to be sitting in a bar with Graham and his ... boyfriend? And he still had that image of them in the shower ... together.

"Nice. You're gonna push me, aren't ya?"

Graham smiled slightly and nodded at Riley, as he squeezed Xander's knee under the table and poured him a glass of beer.

Riley stood up. Torn between needing a minute to get used to this, and not wanting it to be so obvious that he wasn't completely blas� about the two of them being a couple. "Gotta see a man about a dog."

Graham nodded. Riley headed towards the back of the bar.

"Hey, stud," Graham said, smiling at Xander.

"Hey yourself, soldier-boy. Tara and Willow say 'Hi' by the way." He gave Graham a meaningful grin.

"Told 'em?"

"Tara kinda had it figured out."

"Yeah, I got that impression at the Espresso Pump the other day."

"But, yeah, told 'em. They were extremely, uh, supportive." Xander grinned. "Willow wants us to double date!"

Graham chuckled at that, the silly happiness contagious.

Xand couldn't help himself. He gave Graham's arm a bit of a caress, just in time to see this frat guy staring at them and giving them a bit of sneer. But the fratboy walked by before Xander could think of anything to say. He shrugged it off.

Turning back to Graham, Xander asked more seriously, "So how freaked is Riley?"

"Pretty freaked, but he's the one who invited me for a beer."

"Good sign. He's a good guy. Just takes a little getting used to. And I don't think finding us the shower really gave him the time to, uh, process..."

Graham grinned and nodded. "Especially since when he saw us I was ... on my knees."

"Would it have been easier for him to take if he'd caught us a couple of minutes earlier?

Graham nodded, "Probably. He could understand it if I was just getting off."

"He's clueless, isn't he?"

Graham chuckled and nodded.

"Who's clueless?" Riley asked, sitting back down, wanting to be in on the joke.

Xander flushed, and quickly got up. Great! Insult the boyfriend's best friend. Nice move. Very smooth, Xander, very suave, very... "My turn. Gotta go ... to the bathroom."

He headed across the bar. Graham watched him. Riley watched Graham watching him. Graham took a swig of beer and noticed Riley had been watching him, and blushed.

"You *really* like him, don't you?"

"Yeah." Almost wistful, almost embarrassed, slightly surprised at himself.

Riley shook his head with a confused smile, looking at Graham "Who'd have figured?"

"Bout me, or about me and Xander?"

"You. Both."

Graham nods. "Yeah. You really didn't have a clue 'bout me?"

"No. I mean ... no. All this time? Since we first met?"

Graham grinned and nodded. "Remember that beach party on South Padre Island during Initiative training in Texas?"

"Sure."

"Remember the guy you said looked like that Dallas Cowboy rookie?"

"Yeah."

"It was him."

"Yeah?" A beat as it sinks in. "*Yeah?*"

"Yeah." Graham kinda smirked as he nodded.

"OK, Graham, I'm impressed." Riley lifted his glass for a toast.

All of the sudden Graham was on his feet. Riley whipped his head around. There were these six fratboys are standing in Xander's way.

"Why don't you go to fag bar with your faggot friends? This is a normal place"

"We're just having a beer. We're not bothering you."

Graham went over and stood at Xander's side, and just a little behind him. Graham had on a complete stone face. The fratboys were a little less aggressive but not my much. Xander really liked it that Graham was backing him up. He liked it even more that he was not moving up front to protect him, like he thought Xander was some wuss.

"Why do you guys have to come to this place?"

"Clearly, it's not for the sparkling wit of the clientele."

"So, why doncha just get the fuck outa here?"

Xander clenched his fists, slowly planting his feet.

Graham put a hand on Xander's shoulder to hold him back. He wanted them to start it if it was gonna happen.

"Shit, look at that, can't keep their faggot hands off each other!"

Six against two. The fratboys didn't think the odds were too bad. Neither did Graham.

"What's going on here, Private?" Riley's voice boomed.

"Nothing, sir" Graham answered, his voice perfectly calm, never taking his eyes off of the head fratboy. He saw the fratboys rethinking as Riley made the military thing clear, and as Riley towered over them. Graham looked at the head fratboy, and asked "Right?", letting him know this was his last chance to back down or it was brawl time.

"Right, right," the head fratboy said. "Nothing."

Riley folded his arms in front of his chest, letting them see his tensed biceps clearly. "Good, then why don't you boys go back to your table."

They scowled a bit, but backed down. One of 'em murmured, 'faggots!' as they turned tail.

The three headed back to their booth, and took their seats again.

Graham just looked down, obviously one pissed off ex-commando guy.

Riley looked at Graham, "That happen a lot?" Graham didn't respond. He just continued to stare hard at the table.

Xander realized that years of being roughed up for his lunch money had prepared him for this. This must have been a first for jock-boy Graham.

Xander shook his head. He was sheepish. "No, we're usually pretty careful about the PDA." He turned to Graham, and whispered, "Sorry, Graham. My bad."

Graham couldn't even look Xander in the eye. Then came barely a whisper through clenched teeth. Angry. Slowly. "You. Didn't do. Anything. Wrong."

Then Graham banged his fist on the table with real violence. "Shit!" The pitcher and glasses jumped.

Riley was the voice of reason was trying to calm his bud down. "Easy, Graham. They backed down. They're not gonna try anything, now. It's over."

Graham looked up at Riley. Riley was shocked by the pain in his buddy's eyes. "No it isn't. This shit ... it's never fucking over. They just keep coming out the woodwork."

"What, ya wanna go pound 'em? Cause I'm there with you."

"Fuck, yes! I mean, no, what's the point? I don't fucking know." Graham shook his head, then held it between his hands, head bowed, elbows on the table.

Xander said, "Let's just get outa here."

"Then they win." Riley replied. Graham looked up and nodded at Xander, face serious.

Xander got the point. He nodded. The tension was still thick.

Xander looked at Riley and nodded, "Thanks for stepping in..."

Riley was genuinely surprised at Xander's thanks, and a little hurt. "I can't believe that you even *think* I wouldn't step in!"

"It wasn't your fight, Riley. Besides, now they're gonna think, you know..."

"It *was* my fight, how can you say that? and besides ... Huh? What are they gonna think?"

Graham looked up at Riley, "That you're a ... that you're like me."

"... like us," corrected Xander.

Riley took a swig of beer. He put on a mock serious face and scowled..

"Hell, half of campus already thinks I'm a lesbian."

There is a moment's silence as Graham stared at Riley and then just lost it, cracking up.

"*What?*" demanded Xander, and he started to crack up, too.

"I was being tall guy, helping the Lesbian Alliance put up their banner when Buffy walked by. And she looked at the banner and then at me and asked if I had anything I wanted to tell her. So I just came right out and told her, 'Yes I *am* a lesbian.' She took it pretty well."

Graham was doubled over with laughter. The change from pure anger to laughter was almost too much to take. He was convulsing.

Xander still chuckling, grinned at Riley, and raised a glass, "You're one helluva lesbian, Riley Finn."

They clinked glasses, chuckling as Graham slowly recovered, looked up, saw Riley grinning, and cracked up all over again.

The fratboys were glowering at the laughing threesome. They looked pissed off that those faggots were laughing ... at them, maybe. Xander saw them and, with a grin, raised his glass in a mocking toast to them.

*****