Rating: NC-17 for Darco slash
Summary: The relationship of Marco and Dylan as seen through Dylan's eyes.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. I wish I did. They're yummy.
A/N: These two have inspired the slash monkies of olden times- of Buffy times. Let me know if you like it.

Dedication: Thank you SO much to luvluv for all your help with sparking my muses and your awesome feedback!!!

THANKS TO: BROOKE & ashley for the feedback!!!!

ALSO TO: Diamond, luvluv, Amy, annakas, & Psumathgirl!!

45

The next morning I got a phone call from Paige. Correction- the phone rudely interrupted a dreamless sleep that I was quite enjoying. I had run so fast and skated so much the night previous that I had worn myself out. *That* is why I was quickly becoming the number one power forward- because I trained so hard. It was the only thing that exhausted me so much that I could sleep well.

But the phone's shrill ring stirred me. "What?" I groaned as I answered.

"It's your loving wonderful sister and she needs a ride home please."

"Can't someone else get you a ride?" I asked. "Spinner or Alex or anyone?"

"Sorry, big brother. It's your duty and besides none of them want to buy me breakfast like my hockey star older brother."

"Fine. Be ready in thirty," I snarled and hung it up angrily.

I got up and took a steaming hot shower. My muscles were tense and sore; I hadn't warmed up first and I was paying for it. I took a couple aspirin to help. Then I got dressed and stopped for coffee before driving to my old house- a place in my life, probably *the* only place in my life where I was ever truly happy.

A place I walked away from.

I went in and noticed his car wasn't in the- right- he was going to pick up his incredible lover of a boyfriend.

"Paige, let's go!" I said but she was still in her pajamas on the couch watching TV. "I told you a half hour, Paige. C'mon- let's go. I have things to do."

"Like what? It's Christmas Eve day."

"Shopping and meetings and calls and I don't wanna be stuck here all fuckin' day. Let's *GO*!" I yelled at her. I did NOT want to be in that house when Marco and *it* arrived all giggling and happy and going up to Marco's room. The room that *I* made love to him in for a year. Just thinking about him in that room with someone *else* made me-

"Chill out, Hon. Fine. I'm up, see?" she asked as she stretched slowly and Alex reached out to touch her belly.

"This is a really touching moment between you and your girlfriend but let's *go*."

"Chill out," Alex said, standing. "What's your problem? Got a hot date?! Don't be so fuckin' rude in someone else's house." Then she poked me.

"I don't wanna fuckin' *be* here when Mar-"

"I'm back!" I heard Marco call out.

I stood staring at the couch because I didn't want to turn around and see how gorgeous *it* was up close.

"Okay," Paige smiled and her and Alex grabbed a bag. "See you later, Big Brother."

"Where the fuck are you *going*?!" I nearly growled as they walked past me.

"They're going to your house," I heard him say. "I asked them to stall you."

"What?" I asked and turned around slowly. "Where's…"

"Heading back to New York."

"I don't… understand."

"Oh Dylan, it's… it's always been you," he whispered and I watched in a daze as he closed the gap between us quickly and then his hands were pulling my lips to his and we were kissing. God were we KISSING! I was kissing my Marco and he… pushed his tongue ring against my lips and against my tongue in the most… I don't even know. I couldn't even comprehend what was happening because it was all just a fast blur of emotions and lips that left me breathless and wanting when he finally pulled away.

"God is this… really happening?" I asked softly as I closed my eyes. I could still feel that familiar taste on my lips- Marco taste. He tasted the same- sweet and a little… just Marco. Sweet Marco.

I felt his tongue caress my lips slowly and I captured it to kiss it hotly- suck on it. I loved sucking on his tongue and it made my insides twist in the best way. He was the only man who could ever make me this weak- this hot and this weak.

"Dylan, there's still… stuff to…"

"I know," I whispered but hushed away his words with my mouth on his. I needed his kisses; I was desperate and hungry for them- so desperately hungry for them. I had starved for years and I finally had a Marco buffet in front of me.

"Dylan…" he protested again as I started pulling up his shirt.

"Marco, no," I whispered helplessly. "Please don't turn me away."

"But we-"

"And we will," I said. "Later. Please… God, I need you, Olive."

And I think that cinched it because I heard him whisper 'Hero' as I swept him off his feet and quickly carried him up the stairs to his room. We kept our lips locked somehow as we shed our clothing. I joined him on the bed and immediately began examining his body for changes. He was so much more buff and solid and tanned and just gorgeous than he ever had been. I felt his hands doing the same to me- examining me- feeling the added muscles in my thighs and upper body.

I ran my fingers through his hair as well and pressed my tongue helplessly against his- feeling the metal ball against me. I kissed him passionately as I rubbed on his chest and stroked him- hard and fast and slow too- I was just desperate to feel Marco in my hands again.

I was surprised when he grabbed my arms and flipped us over. He kissed down my throat and I felt the metal ball pressing hotly against my flesh. He dragged his tongue hard down my chest and kissed and sucked on my nipples. It was… stuff Marco had never done before and I nearly came more than once.

I had originally assumed I'd be the one on top but I wasn't so sure that time. It was a different Marco but the same as well. He had me dumbfounded and fascinated all at once.

"What, Hero?" he asked as he took us both in his hands and stroked us together- pressed us against each other.

"God," I groaned loudly and squeezed his thighs hard as his mouth came down on my throat again.

I was in pure unadulterated ecstasy with my Marco on me and I felt him pushing a bottle into my hand- thrusting it into my hand actually. I quickly squeezed some out and my fingers were inside him quicker than either of us could breathe. He moaned and rocked on my fingers as he stroked us both and licked my throat and I couldn't even see. I was blacking out in pleasure and groaning and whimpering and we both came all over each other- over his hands and our stomachs.

I hadn't even gotten inside him yet but we had time. After all, it was Christmas Eve Day and I'd never imagined I'd be spending it with Marco Del Rossi.

46

"*God* you wouldn't… really think… that this would feel… so good," I groaned as I felt him push into me over and over.

"Shhh," he whispered against my skin and I felt his tongue tracing over the back of my neck- pressing that metal against my spine and it set me on fire. I pushed back against him and I don't even know how long he had been moving inside me and I really didn't care. He could do it until New Years if it kept him with me.

"Missed you," I added as I felt his hands roaming my back and over my thighs- just anywhere he could touch.

"Shh," he laughed softly and leaned over and licked at my mouth.

The whole experience was surreal. Where I had seen a change from the 18-year-old I'd cheated on to the 19-year-old I'd made up with- this new 23-year-old version of Marco had me completely rethinking my entire existence- my entire self. Thus far he'd been- well I'd only been with him for maybe an hour but thus far? He'd been incredibly demanding- taking exactly what he wanted and leaving me wanting and panting and begging. I'd never stopped to consider how much I'd really enjoy being dominated in this way- by my Sweet Marco.

And unlike the times previous that he'd taken on this role in a very dark and emotional way- that day? He was being playful. It was something completely different and I loved it. It excited me.

"But… you're not… talking," I whimpered as he shoved in me particularly hard. "Ah… god…"

"What is it you want me to say?" he asked and I felt his tongue teasing my lips again. "How about this- gonna come for me, Hero? Huh?"

I nodded and felt his hands under me, stroking me and rubbing on me- joining my hands to bring me off- bring us both off and we both came- together again.

That was the theme. Together again.

He fell half on me- half on my back and the other half was on the bed and he was panting softly and dragging his glorious tongue over my shoulder just… to lick me? Kiss me? I wasn't sure but I liked it.

I was worried though. I was so worried that the playfulness of him meant that it'd always been me and never would be again. All our other reunions had been intense and full of emotion and fear or anxiety- but this was just plain *fun*.

"I want you to say… something…" I confessed after I caught my breath. "Like… this means more than just… a playful romp in the sack with an old lover."

"That what you think?" he asked and I felt him kissing my neck again.

"I… I hope not. I hope that… I don't know what to think. My brain really hasn't turned on since I saw you in New York looking absolutely gorgeous by the way."

"Not so bad yourself, Hercules," he teased and moved off me before nudging me to roll over and face him.

"I haven't really changed. But… I gotta say I'm really digging the red tips and the tongue ring especially."

"I like it too," he smirked, a devious spark in his eye. "I like using it when I'm down on someone too."

That made me groan for two reasons- 1) I wanted to feel that and 2) I didn't want to know anyone *else* had.

"So what… what is this? I… I know it's been a long time, Marco. I know things haven't always been perfect and I lied and I'm sure you're mad or-"

"Dylan," he said, touching my chest softly. "I'm *really* not. I meant it- what I said. I do thank you for what you did. After you left… I couldn't even find the words. I was… to say devastated would be an understatement. I just couldn't handle it. It's like… just when I think I have you, I always seem to lose you."

"I know the feeling," I sighed softly and leaned over and kissed *him* for a change. "I still… I can't wrap my mind around the fact that you knew. You… you've *known* all this time."

"Yeah, and may I say that while it was necessary," he slapped my arm *hard* "you're still a jerk?"

"Um *ouch*," I said and rubbed my arm. "Shit- that hurt."

"I've been taking kick boxing and self-defense classes with Enrique."

"So… I… what about him anyway?"

"I was just… passing time," he shrugged. "Enjoying designer jeans and trips to Cancun or Paris or Rome whenever I wanted…" he laughed softly, "not that I was like… his bitch or anything, he just… he spoils all of his friends. He's got family money and is an investment… something in New York."

"Yeah, okay," I laughed as I ran my hands down his more defined arms. "So… is that over?"

"Yeah, I told him at the airport that I was going to get into it again with my hero. He says thanks for the autograph and wishes us the best."

"The most amicable break-up ever?" I wondered. It sounded way too good to be true.

"Well we weren't in love or anything. We were just… comfort. And now we're done."

"And you can just… walk away from him like that?"

"Yeah," he told me and I felt his hands running over my arms and chest. "For you? Yeah."

"I'm still… with this hockey thing and you're… in New York."

"Hey, I'm small and compact. I travel light- well… not light because I must have all my designer jeans and all my pretty stuff with me, but… but I don't complain a lot."

"So you're… saying we'll work it out?" I asked quietly. "We'll… be together? You're a free agent and I am too?"

"I've never been free, Dylan. I-"

And I can't believe I hadn't seen it or focused on it before that moment. But I looked down at his collarbone and reached out and ran my finger down the chain around his neck. Perhaps I just hadn't noticed because it was always there and just a part of his body. But… "My ring?" I questioned softly.

He was still wearing my promise ring four years after the fact?

"I've always been yours, Dylan. I've just… been waiting for you to come rescue me."

"Oh, Baby," I whispered and pulled him close against me for a deep kiss that *I* controlled. And I left *him* breathless that time. "I'm here now, Marco. I… don't wanna walk away from you anymore. The past four years have *sucked* off the ice. Why do you think I'm so good? I've been practicing so much so I didn't have to be home alone and think about you."

"Well… I was with Enrique because- he knew about the ring. I was up front. When we met and we hit it off- he told me he wasn't looking for commitment. That he was goal oriented and business oriented and he just wanted a boy toy basically. He said he was gay but that didn't really mesh well with his family or his life or his plans. And I told him about you… that I was waiting for you…"

"Waiting for me?"

"I knew you'd come for me, Dylan. I knew… I knew one day… we'd be together again. I've always known. So I told him I was waiting for you but wouldn't pass up a friendship in the meantime. And he said 'that works for me' and we've been together since."

Well… it didn't make me happy that he'd been with someone else, but… being with one person was better than what *I'd* been doing. And if that… *it* hadn't been there- he might have been dating or something- actually *meeting* people.

"What about you? Boyfriend?" he asked.

"Never," I said simply. "One night stands a few, but… no dating, no boyfriends. No one but Marco memories and Marco wishes and random Marco thoughts."

"Random Marco thoughts?" he questioned.

"Yeah- like your random Dylan thoughts. I called mine the RMTs."

He laughed and I touched his face gently.

"So… you've always known?" I asked.

"C'mon, Dylan, there's… there's no comparing anyone to you- not for me anyway. It's always been you and it *will* always be you. And we keep realizing this and then forgetting it for some insane reason."

"Marco?" I asked as I looked him in the eyes as I fingered the ring gently. "I *had* been planning on proposing that Christmas, but… with your parents… I decided to wait until Valentine's Day. And then… I got the offer and…"

"Oh," he nodded. "I'd been wondering about that- from time to time I'd wonder about it. I… I'd wonder about a lot." I felt his hand slip into mine and he interlocked our fingers and held them up above the covers, just looking at them for a few minutes- how amazingily well our fingers fit together. "I'd wonder what you were doing and how your games were going… I kept praying nothing would happen to you."

"And nothing did," I said and laying in bed with him was… amazing and wonderful but also comfortable. It was like… there wasn't four years between the last time we'd been in the bed. And at the same time it was like there were *more* than four years. "We've… probably both changed a lot… in the past four years."

"Yes and no," he replied. "We still feel amazing."

"But you're different. And not just… because of the sexy jewelry or hair but… you're… happier?"

"The past few years have chilled me out a lot, I think. Paige notices it too- I'm much less stressed, which is funny since I'm at Columbia."

"So… what do we… what are we gonna do now, Marco?" I asked him quietly.

"I think you should kiss me and stop thinking too much," he laughed and pulled my lips to his.

And when it came to matters of kissing? I could never argue with Marco Del Rossi.

47

He wanted me to kiss him and kiss him I did. I started kissing him and I couldn't stop. It was like before when I kissed him that time. I was in control and I allowed my hands passage over his newly muscular body. He was incredibly hot and even darker and I couldn't help myself from just taking him.

Of course he was a willing participant and pressed himself against me eagerly and the kisses grew more intense until I felt like I was bursting at the seam. I pushed him onto his back and pulled his legs apart until I could push inside him and it was like being home. Anywhere my Marco was, was home for me. And I especially liked that home underneath me.

"Dyylllaaann," he groaned softly and I covered his mouth with mine as I moved slowly inside him. I didn't want to rush; I wanted to savor every little part of being with him again.

I felt him grabbing my arms tightly and running his hands through my hair and tugging on my shoulder blades as well. I truly loved those reactions of his; they were exactly the same as they always had been. I still affected him intensely until he was begging and whimpering and tugging my hand down to touch him. He was squeezing around me, which was incredibly new and made my eyes nearly pop out of their sockets.

I pressed my mouth to his but we couldn't even kiss- we were moaning too much to kiss. I just felt his hot breath against my mouth and him around me; he was *all* around me- his scent and sounds and body… I was lost in a sea of Sweet Marco and I think he felt the same way because we came together.

Several minutes passed until I was really able to pull away from him and I fell next to him on the bed.

"Mmm… full frontal Dylan," he laughed softly as he slid closer to me and kissed my neck softly.

That made me smile and I took his hand in mine and laced our fingers together over my stomach. "Hope you don't mind I did more than kiss, Del Rossi," I whispered slowly against his ear.

He shrugged away like always. I couldn't help but giggle a little. "Still don't like people whispering in your ear?"

"I just get weird tingles," he said, smacking me softly. "Jerk. And no, I don't mind at all. This is… the best Christmas present I'll get this year, I think."

"I wouldn't bet on that," I said and kissed him again. "Of course now I have to go out and shop for you since I hadn't been planning on this."

"Me neither, but… I'm glad it happened. I… my Christmas isn't gonna suck this year now."

"Suck?" I questioned. "They've sucked in the past?"

"Well yeah, because… you didn't come home. You weren't… I figured if you came home we'd at least fool around, if not get back together."

"I couldn't come. Last year I had a game late and got snowed in. Year before I met Paige at Banting since my parents decided to go *there* for Christmas. And the year before that… I just *couldn't* come home. Ya know… for what it's worth, Marco, I really wish… I wish I had just… waited. I probably woulda been able to play for the Maple Leafs maybe… I-"

"No. You had to do it, Dylan. Don't regret it, okay?"

"I regret leaving *you* the way I did. I regret missing out on the first time you kissed with that tongue ring… I regret missing your graduation."

"Well Ma has it all on tape, I promise. Not the kissing part, but graduation for sure. But seriously, Dylan, we're here, okay? I don't… let's not beat ourselves up over what we both know really needed to happen. I… you said yourself I've chilled out a little more and I needed that. I needed to learn that I can stand on my own and be okay. And you needed to know you could make it and that I *would* be okay."

"I suppose that's true," I agreed. And as we lay wrapped in each other's arms, I really supposed that was true. We both needed that time, just like we needed that year before.

"And besides… now I know that wherever we end up… when you're gone for games and whatnot that I can trust you, for starters. And that I'll be okay for a couple months in between seeing you. Anything after this will be a cakewalk, Dylan, trust me."

"You really have lightened up, *Olive*," I smirked and kissed him softly. I couldn't stop tasting those delectable lips. "Except… you're also darker."

"I've been tanning. I find I get further when I tan and since I've been basically doing it for free-"

"How so?" I wondered.

"I flirt with the guy behind the counter!" he laughed. "He's such a sucker! I either tan for free or for half off."

That made me smile a lot. He certainly had changed, but for the better. Maybe he was right though. Maybe it really had been a necessary break, again.

"I don't want another 'necessary break' though," I informed him. "I'm sick of them. I… I want that ring back, Marco, so I can have it engraved or something and give it to you proper with a real commitment and not just a one day promise."

"Yeah?" he asked, his eyes sparkling. "A proposal?"

"You bet," I winked.

"Well for the record, I'll say yes," he informed me as he started sitting up.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I promised Paige and Alex I'd call when I was sure I had you back."

"So what exactly went on? With them this morning."

"After you left last night, they came up to my room and started singing 'Zero to Hero' again, but… they weren't wrong. Paige wasn't wrong when she was pushing me on the whole… Enrique thing- earlier yesterday, they were grilling me about it."

"I know. I… overheard."

"You mean you were listening in?"

"More like actively spying, but yes; I heard."

"Yeah, well anyway," he said as he stood and went to his suitcase that was sitting on the dresser. "They came up and were asking me what was going on and why was Enrique coming up if you were finally here and they knew I'd been waiting for you to show up… and I just sat and thought it was finally time to make a play for you. And Paige said that you were desperately missing *me* but not wanting to impose and someone had to stop the stupidity, so…"

"And you were always the brain," I told him and groaned softly when I saw what he pulled out of his bag. He pulled the jersey on over his body and came back over to the bed and sat on the end. "Marrrcoo…" I said, reaching for him.

"No. Bad dog," he laughed. "Why do you think I sat up here? I knew what this jersey would do to you."

"Well it's *the* jersey. I'm just glad you didn't shred it when I lied about… cheating."

"Well I thought about it but it's still a good jersey and now I'm glad I didn't." I tried getting up again and he stuck his foot out at me and pushed me back down the bed to keep me away from him. "I gotta call Paige. Oh and by the way, is she a lesbian again? Because she and Alex spent the night together. A*gain*."

"She told me she was dating someone."

"Well whenever she's in town her and Alex hook up, I think. Anyway- I told her I'd call and since I kicked them out of the house…"

He turned as he called Paige and I took it upon myself to carefully get up and climb down to the end of the bed with him so I could slip my hands under the jersey.

"Stooopp," he said and tried to push me away. "You're being very naughty."

"Like I care?" I grinned as I grabbed the phone away from him. "Yes, Paige, this is your older brother," I said when she answered. "Marco will be otherwise engaged for the rest of the day. Alex can come home if she dares but we're not very quiet." Then I closed the phone and dropped it on the floor with our clothes. I didn't want anything to take time away from having him close again.

I pulled his shoulders backward so he laid back on the bed and I looked down at him with a smile. "Remember Part E?" I asked softly and he laughed.

"You just want me down on you so you can feel my tongue ring," he accused.

"Guilty as charged," I smirked as I crawled over him and lifted the jersey off his legs.

And the whole rest of the day was simply perfect. Most of all? It was *fun*. It was… there seemed to be a level of intimacy and understanding that we hadn't previously had. It was like… every time before had been like the be all and end all to life. And while I knew we were *still* each other's everything, we had lives separate from each other. I just knew we'd depend on each other in a completely different way than ever before.

I reloved him that day- fell in love with him again over and over. Every time he touched me or kissed me, I fell in love with him again and I could see in his eyes that he was experiencing the same exact thing.

I knew that I would never ever ever again leave Marco Del Rossi.

48

"Okay, what else of yours could we pierce?" I laughed as we FINALLY started getting dressed after two attempts to shower and dress.

"The tongue was the last thing, thank you very much," he informed me as he pulled on a pair of jeans- designer jeans no doubt.

"So what are you gonna do to get your designer jeans *now*, Marco? Because Enrique *better* not be buying you anymore pretty things."

"Well I'm already working on that," he explained as he started putting some gel in his hair. "See- you're going to sign with a hockey team to make oodles of money and then *you'll* be my sugar daddy. See? It all works out for Marco."

"I'm not going to waste all *my* money on *your* designer jeans," I teased.

"You know you like my ass in my designer jeans."

"Actually I like your ass *out* of your designer jeans," I laughed.

"Well once we're married half of your money is mine anyway, so… you *will* buy me my designer jeans."

I looked up at him to protest and there it was- that look. The look that got me to agree to not put hockey posters in my room and got me to fold napkins his way and only use the cologne he gave me and so many other things that I forgot about but that were equally important.

"Fine," I acquiesced. "What's mine is yours. You've always known that."

"C'mon now, Herc, you gotta help me with the babies."

"Yeah, where *are* they?"

"In the back yard, it's fenced in now," he explained and we got our coats and mittens on and we headed out.

"So seriously, why did you get them?"

"The bed was lonely and cold; they sleep in the bed with me. Of course when I got them, they were puppies and much smaller. Now I need a queen sized bed just to have room for them!" he laughed. "Of course now I'll need a king to fit *your* massive body."

"Massive in a good way I hope," I laughed as the dogs came running to him.

"Massive in the *best* way," he smirked as he fell down in front of them to pet them. I just stood watching. They licked his face and hands and pushed him back so he was laying on the snow and he was laughing with them. God, he was amazing. He was *so* loving.

I always knew that he was a loving person. I think that's why he was devastated each time I left. He loved seriously- VERY seriously and with his entire being. I always felt that. I always felt the tension and intensity in his touch and yes I had felt that the past few days but I think the change that happened was that he had *accepted* it. Over the four years, he'd accepted that he loved completely with his entire heart and soul. He'd accepted it like a blessing instead of fearing it like a curse.

As I stood there watching him and thinking over all the times I'd shared with him, I couldn't think of a time I'd seen him more confident and comfortable in his own skin. He loved fiercely and completely and he was finally taking joy in that love. He was finally able to understand his sensitivity and compassion and I loved him for that; I was proud of him for it.

"Get down here, Dylan," he said and tugged on my jeans. "You gotta… Gretzky's *yours*, okay? Why do you think I named him that? He's been waiting for his daddy."

"Yeah?" I asked and sat down and started petting him.

"Yeah- and you gotta get in with them otherwise they will *not* let you sleep on the bed with me. They never let Enrique sleepover. Gretzky would lay next to me and growl if we tried to move him."

"I love the dog already!" I laughed and tugged on his ears playfully. "Huh? You're a smart doggie, Gretzky." He started licking my face and okay- they were really adorable.

"They go everywhere with me these days, so they have to come to Christmas with us. But they're good puppies, so…" he explained and I pet Hero with him.

"So… what's going to happen?" I asked since he seemed to have things under control. "I mean… I'm going back to Zurich in a week to finish off my season. And then… I don't know where I'll be. When are you done at Columbia?"

"This year actually. I've been on the accelerated program, so I graduate in May. And you obviously have to go back to Zurich, but I'll come to you for my break in March. And I wanna come to your last game over there. I'll take a couple days off classes if I have to."

"Yeah, but where are you planning on living?"

"I can find social work jobs anywhere in the world, Dylan. So I'll go wherever you sign- whichever team will give you the best contract."

"You sure?"

"Absolutely," he nodded and leaned over the dogs to kiss me.

After that, we packed the dogs into his car and drove to my parents' house for Christmas and they were so happy to see him back in the house as my boyfriend. Paige and Alex were also extremely happy and so was I. I thought it would actually- *no*. I *knew* it would work. I knew we would make it work, finally.

We very much enjoyed Christmas, even though we had no gifts for each other. Being back together- that was enough of a gift. Hell, that was a miracle.

We got back to Paige and Alex's and they disappeared as did we. I tried not to think too much about my sister in another room having sex and I'm sure she was trying to ignore the fact that her brother was having sex with one of her best friends.

But once we got naked and in bed again? All thoughts fell off and it was just us both again, still reacquainting each other with our new selves.

"Dylan?" I heard after several hours of intense love-making. I could barely move enough to pull away from him after that last time.

"Mmm?" I asked, my eyes semi-closed.

"I *love* you," he said sincerely.

"I'm in love with you too, Sweet Marco of mine. Even though you're a little saucy now too," I giggled through exhaustion.

"I'm so glad you're back," I heard him tell me and it… it made me open my eyes and lift my head sleepily.

The way he said it, it made him sound like the old Marco again- the young boy I'd devirginified in my bedroom and the one that was so scared and when I looked in his eyes, he was right there with me.

"I *am* back," I assured him. "*We* are back, Marco. Forever this time. No more screw ups. No more stupidity. And no more not-Marcos."

"And no more not-Dylans," he said, his fingers running lazily over my chest. "I'm pretty sick of not-Dylans."

"And I'm damn sick of not-Marcos. I… I'm not going to mess this up with you again, Marco. I've been… *so* miserable the past four years. It's like… I've been running myself into the ground training so I didn't have to think about you. I'd see Marco-mirages all the time… I just… you're in my blood. You're a part of me and I'm sick of living with half of myself."

"I feel the same way," he smiled and I saw his eyes close and heard his breathing slow; my baby was asleep. I soon followed him, knowing I'd dream about him. But I'd never again dread another dream starring Marco Del Rossi.

49

"HERC-U-LES! HERC-U-LES!" I heard everyone screaming as we raced around the ice. We'd done it! We DID IT! WE WON! The Continental Cup was OURS! In my last game for the Zurich Lions, we won the Continental Cup against Berlin and EVERYone was shouting my name because *I* scored the last goal that won the game in the last 2 seconds of a tie game.

It was SUCH an incredible feeling! It was indescribable. I couldn't even catch my breath. They whisked us to the cameras and interviewed us all and we took photo after photo. They wanted pictures of me with my coach and the owner. And then we had to toast and get back to the locker rooms.

I got showered and changes and then were more pictures and drinks and toasts. It was an unforgettable night for many reasons. But the game, for as great as it was, paled in comparison to the other event of that night.

After more pictures, the press was called into our press room and I couldn't believe it as they presented us with rings- Continental Cup rings. The owner was *so* sure with the team and Hercules Michalchuk that we wouldn't lose. So the press took pictures of the presentation ceremony and by the time people were actually heading *home*? It was *late* but I was awake.

I emptied out my locker and my teammates said goodbye and hugged me on their way out to their families. I zipped up my bag and carried my jersey out with me- out to the good seats: seats reserved for VIPs and families of players.

"Hey," Marco greeted me. "I was beginning to think you'd been flushed down a toilet or something."

"Yeah, I know- the press pictures and shit and then I had to clean out my locker. I… get to keep my jersey and since you look so damn sexy in them," I laughed.

"Dylan," he said a bit angrily.

"What?" I asked. I hadn't done anything.

"You just fuckin' WON!" he screamed and JUMPED onto me, wrapping his legs around my waist as he kissed me. "You WON! Like… a HUGE championship!"

It was funny that with all the hoopla of press and stuff, it still really hadn't sunk in. But when my baby threw his legs around me and started kissing me wildly, it started to. I had just sent the winning goal in one of the most intense games the continent had seen in a while.

"I tried to get down onto the ice after but it was too much."

"That's okay," I laughed as I fell back against the plexiglas as he held himself tight to me.

"You WON!" he yelled.

"I KNOW!" I yelled back, excitedly.

"I mean… Dylan… this was… I don't think I've ever enjoyed hockey more," he laughed.

"Gee thanks," I giggled a bit as he kissed me more.

"I know, right?" he hopped down off me and pulled my jersey over his head. "Well?"

"It's sexier with no clothes underneath."

"Yeah, well… I didn't get to be down there to hug you after or anything, so… you need a victory lap. Put your damn skates on."

"I *did* a victory lap," I reminded him gently.

"Not with *me*," he commanded and looked at me with the *look*. The Marco Eye. That's what I called it. Marco Eye could get me to agree to a LOT. It got me to agree to let him buy me a pair of designer jeans. It got me to agree to buy him fuckin' expensive shoes from some designer I can't pronounce. And it got me to agree to let him tie me to a bed and drip hot wax on me.

"Fine, fine," I said and sat in a chair and dug out my skates from my bag. Oh yeah- and the Marco Eye got me to let him have my skates specially designed so they now have a Hercules figure on them.

Once my skates were on, I stepped out onto the ice and nearly fell when he pounced on me and rode piggy back as I skated around. "See? I can totally skate!" he cheered. "Go faster, Herc!" he commanded as he sort of bounced excitedly on my back.

"Ya know, you're not exactly *light*, Marco my sweet," I laughed and he slapped me.

"Such a damn jerk you are, Michalchuk. Now go faster or you don't get to see my sexy ass out of these jeans tonight."

Yeah- I went faster and he giggled almost gleefully as we swirled around and I spun a few times.

"We should enter figure skating contests!" he laughed as he spread a leg out to the side and nearly fell off me but I caught him and he flung his arms out dramatically. "See? We could win the Olympics!"

"Except that you can't *skate*, Babe," I reminded him as I came to a stop.

"Oh yeah," he said. I put him on his feet and we locked hands and I started dragging him a little across the ice. "See? I could *learn*, maybe." His feet gave out from under him and I caught him again. "My hero," he sighed and kissed me softly.

It was amazing being there- not because I'd won a competition, but because he was right there with me, cheering me on- *proud* of me. He was having fun and supporting my dream and it meant so much to me.

"No, Olive, you're *my* hero," I told him and pulled him against me in the middle of the ice. "You… I had… I… Marco, I *love* you, okay? I love you more than anything and now that I can love you *and* hockey- that I can have both… I was once empty and now my cup is running over."

"You have a cup?" he laughed.

"I'm trying to be serious here."

"Sorry," he said and pulled in his smile and tried to mask it and be all serious and that face made *me* laugh. "Dylan, I'm trying to be serious here," he scolded me.

"Fine. Whatever. I had a bunch of ideas about this moment, but… here it is," I said and got down on my knee and all of a sudden, he *was* serious. "Marco Del Rossi, I need you in my life so I know where up is, okay? I need you in my life so I know where the ice is. I need you because without you… a puck is just meaningless. Without you, the hockey stick is worthless. Without you, I have nowhere to skate. You… you make the game mean something- you make my *life* mean something. Will you… marry me?" I asked and held up my Continental Cup ring.

"Oh my god," he gasped. "Dylan… it's… your ring."

"It means nothing if you're not with me- the two most important things in my life. It's… it means more than you know that you're here with me tonight, Marco. And I'd be honored to share *all* my successes- all my wins *and* losses. It's like… with you… I haven't just *won* a game- it's a shutout in the championship game."

"Oh, Baby," he whispered and he was crying by now.

He leaned down and kissed me so slowly, running that little metal ball over my lips and on my tongue because he knew it turned me on.

"I'm… waiting for an answer," I reminded him.

"Yes, you jerk," he laughed and shoved me before pulling me against him and I wrapped my arms around my waist and hugged his torso, as I was still on my knees. "*Yes*. Yes, Dylan. I'll marry you."

I got up after a minute and slid the ring on his finger- it was a bit big, but… "AAAAHHH!" he screamed and launched himself onto me again and I just held him close to me as we hugged and I skated.

I just skated like I'd never skated before. I skated for Marco Del Rossi.

50

"Aww, poor baby, are you okay?" he asked and I turned to see him walking over to Hero. "Aww, is my little baby sad? Huh? Did Daddy yell at you?"

"You treat those dogs better than *me* sometimes," I laughed as I carried another box to the kitchen.

"Yeah, well… sometimes they're *better* than you."

"Well there's doggie style and there's doggie style," I grinned as I yanked his hips back against mine.

"You're sick, you really are."

"Well you're the one that's going to be stuck with me," I reminded him.

"Mmm… don't remind me. Tell me again why I agreed to that? I think I was delirious from waiting all NIGHT for my boyfriend to come out of the damn locker room with his shit so I could hug him. I was over tired."

"Oh shut up," I said and hit his ass as he went back to the van for another box. "Tell him, Gretzky- tell him to shut up." Gretzky just looked at me and then put his head back down.

I looked around the kitchen and it was really a *beautiful* house. Our realtor had found us a really nice house in a nice neighborhood with a lawn and yard in the back as well. And Marco and I were moving in together- again. Only this time? We were setting up our home. We were creating the home we'd live in while I played for the Detroit Red Wings and he'd work as a director for the Planned Parenthood facilities in the city- advocating for gay rights.

I had a glorious two months off before the team would start massive amounts of training. So our wedding was planned for that time, as well as a honeymoon to Italy of course.

The deal I had received from the Red Wings was considerable, especially since I was now a Continental Cup winner. My hockey career was truly… some days I didn't even understand it until I'd turn on ESPN and see my face there. The Red Wings hoped with me as center forward and two other new players to flank me on offense that we'd be Stanely Cup hopefuls. They hoped that this season or next we'd be able to make it to the championship. I was certainly ready to give it my all and Marco was incredibly supportive of it. He encouraged me to sign with the Red Wings. The Rangers were offering a lot too, but he said to take the team that I thought had more of a chance of getting me another championship ring because he wanted it. He said 'I need more bling'.

"So I talked to Paige and she said that everything is working out," he said as he came back in with a couple boxes. I kept hoping he would carry them faster and work up a sweat. Sweaty Marco was always way hotter than regular Marco. "She said she's got things under control with the plans."

"Great. That's good to know. I've been nervous about it. I just… want it to happen."

"It will. Do you have your tux?" he asked. "Because if it's not Marco approved and fashionable…"

"Well you're not allowed to see it before the ceremony," I told him. "I mean… let's not chance fate."

"Okay, that's a deal," he smiled and pet Hero a little. "When will the fencing guys be putting in our fence in the back yard and are they cute?"

"Um… you're not looking at cute guys again, Marco. We've talked about this now, Baby."

"Well if they're cute and they're all… bending over… I can't help but sneak a peak."

I swatted him a bit and pulled him out on the porch with me. "So… are you happy? Here? With the house?" I asked honestly as I wrapped my arms around his waist. I wanted to be sure he was happy with our decision- or rather *my* decision that he made me make with the Marco Eye.

"Yes- I'm very happy with the house, Dylan. I think… Detroit feels right for us right now. I think it'll be good. I have a great job- I think I'll like it. Plus… it's a two hour flight to Degrassi, so if you're going to be gone for the weekend, I can always fly home. Or drive… and they offered you a shit load of money…"

"And I do like buying my fiancé pretty things," I grinned and he leaned his head back on my shoulder.

"Mmm… and your fiancé likes receiving pretty things, so… no argument there."

"Of course not," I laughed and kissed his neck softly.

"Hey, Dylan… while you were away this past weekend… meeting the agent and getting the rest of my stuff, I did something for you- in the basement."

"Oh yeah?" I wondered. I mean… I had wanted to put a gym down there since it was a beautiful refinished basement.

"C'mon," he grinned and grabbed my hand and pulled me down there. "Actually, I did a lot."

He turned on the light and I looked around and it was- "This is amazing," I whispered. A huge red wing, Detroit's emblem, was painted on one wall. There were Red Wing flags hanging up and a Red Wing clock and lamp and stools. I glanced behind the little bar that was down there to see a bunch of Red Wing shot glasses. There was even a little cushy chair that was Red Wing. "Marco… this is gorgeous."

"Team pride. *And*," he grinned, "check it out!" He opened the closet down here and it was stocked with jerseys and sweatshirts and sweatpants- all Red Wing wear. Even the couch in front of a huge big screen TV had a Red Wings blanket and two pillows. "Now I'll admit, blue really suits your eyes, but I'm digging the red too."

"This is really…" I couldn't even believe he'd done all that for me. It must have been a ton of work and how did he even *do* it in a weekend? It just… it was amazing.

"Oh it gets better." He walked over and opened the door to the other part of the basement that was walled off. I walked inside and there were tons of posters of hockey greats. I walked over to a china cabinet type thing and inside were some medals and ribbons I'd won in high school and my trophy from the Continental Cup. And on that wall with the cabinet, there were pictures of *me*- play pictures, press pictures… One of me shooting the winning goal in Zurich.

And in the center of the room was all the gym equipment I could possibly ever need.

"This is really amazing, Marco. You… did this for me?"

"Well… you need some inspiration. And when you're out on the road, I can see me and the babies down here curled up on the couch watching Daddy on the big screen on ESPN. See? We can still have your hockey taste, but with my decorating style, it'll work for us."

"I *love* it, Marco. This is… amazing. I… feel like I should give you a*nother* championship ring."

"Oh you will," he laughed. "You *better*."

"How about a wedding band?" I grinned as I kissed him softly as I lifted him up and carried him to the couch.

"That works too. God, a week and a half- can you believe it? In a week and a half we'll be back in Toronto and we'll be getting married."

"You… you heard from your dad yet?" I asked, holding him tightly in my lap.

"No. I… know Mom is coming. She's still working on him. She's not sure though. I mean… c'mon… what father wouldn't want to brag that his son-in-law is a world famous hockey player? That his son-in-law is Dylan Hercules Michalchuk?!"

"Probably the same father who doesn't want to think about his precious son being defiled by said Hercules," I reminded him. "Speaking of defiling…" I started pulling his shirt out of his jeans.

"But unpacking…"

"Can wait. We need to christen the room. I mean… c'mon catholic boy," I teased him and he kissed me back and we made love on the couch surrounded in red- my team. My NHL team. My Marco and my team. Our wedding… everything was coming along. Everything was falling into place just as it should.

My Marco… my sweet Olive… what can I really say about him? What could I ever say about him?

He's my lover. My friend. My soul mate.

He's the ice to my rink. The puck to my stick. The blood to my heart. The soul to my breath.

He's the necessary part of me. The *only* part of me that makes any sense- that makes life worth living.

I'll never in a million years ever give him up.

I'll never treasure anything more than I treasure Marco Del Rossi.

Epilogue

"Oh my god, Dylan," I whisper as he licks slowly up my spine. Shit- he is the end of me sometimes.

"*Husband*," he corrects, whispering in my ear and giving me those tingles.

"Huuusssbaaannd," I groan as he pushes into me achingly slowly. I rest my forehead on the bed and feel his chest close to my back, his warm skin. Every time we're together is amazing, seriously. I hope when we're ninety that we still curl up together and enjoy being close.

"My sweet Olive," he whispers in my ear and I try to shrug a little to get him away from my ear because it tickles and tingles, but he doesn't care. "Gorgeous and perfect and now mine for*ever*."

"Mmmmmm," is my response because I can't say anything else, not when he's deep inside me like this, not when his breath is on my neck and his hands are pinning my wrists to the bed, not when I'm completely at his mercy.

"Say it, Marco," he says. "Say you're mine."

"Mmmhmm," I nod in agreement. I feel him start moving in me and my mind just loses all sense of reason and understanding. The world falls away and all I feel is him, all I know is him and the constant rhythm of my lover and now husband.

"*Marco*," he warns and tightens his grip on my wrists.

"Yours," I whisper. I can't do anything else but that seems to appease him and he moves faster, moving us toward our climax and I still can't believe we're married! We did it!

He moves my wrists so he can hold them with one hand and I feel his other hand creeping around to stroke me and how does he even DO this?! Balance himself so he can still move and keep me pinned down *and* touch me? He *is* Hercules, that's the only explanation. He's a god. He's *my* god.

"Fuck, Dylannn," I whimper and try to trash around a little- get away from him because he's causing me *too* much pleasure. I mean shit. "Heeerrrooo," I protest again and that makes him move faster, harder, pushing so far into me it's like he's *part* of me and I see stars as I feel him coming and I come too, over his hand, over these expensive sheets.

He's so possessive. He's gotten possessive since those four years we spent apart. Or maybe he always was but now he knows I'm into it too. But he doesn't release my wrists, he doesn't move, his hand is still on me, holding me. He hasn't pulled away at *all*. He's still inside. He likes it that way. It's like… he wants me to know even if he's not in me, even if it's not sex- he's still very much.

He licks up my spine slowly and nibbles on my ear.

"You are mine, Olive," he whispers. "But… I'm also yours."

I turn my head so he can kiss me, his tongue pressing against mine, looking for the metal. I know. I never dreamed in a million years that a tongue ring would turn him on *this* much. He seeks it out now- when we kiss, when I'm on him or in him… it's incredibly hot for both of us.

He finally pulls away slowly and I'm sad to feel him release me. He may be a brute and massive man, but he's *my* brute. He lays close to me though and I slide so I'm closer, so we can still feel the heat from our sex and smell each other.

"Mmm," he smiles dopily.

"You're a jerk," I inform him and he just laughs. "I'm serious. I was trying to *read* before you mauled me."

"Well… you were reading slow," he shrugs. "And we're on our honeymoon, okay? I'm supposed to be able to maul you."

"Well that's true, but… it was a beautiful ceremony, wasn't it?" I ask, thinking back to how moved I was- I mean practically in tears- when my father showed up. We were walking down the aisle when I saw him out of the corner of my eye, slipping in the back. And he stayed for the reception. Granted, he didn't say a whole lot, but he was *there* for me and that gives me hope that one day he might publicly accept Dylan as part of the family.

"It was. I think my favorite part was taking off your tux in the reception hall bathroom before the reception started," he grins.

"Yeah, quickies are fun," I laugh a little and kiss him. "Seriously, I think my favorite part was- I mean I loved the vows we wrote, but my favorite part was putting on the rings, making it really official."

"I liked that part too," he smiles and kisses me again.

"Now… can I finish reading?" I ask and turn over so he call pull my back against him and wrap his arms around my stomach. I grab the book and I have one more part to go.

"Here, let *me* read," he says and rests his chin on my shoulder. "My Marco… my sweet Olive… what can I really say about him? What could I ever say about him? He's my lover. My friend. My soul mate. He's the ice to my rink. The puck to my stick. The blood to my heart. The soul to my breath. He's the necessary part of me. The *only* part of me that makes any sense- that makes life worth living. I'll never in a million years ever give him up. I'll never treasure anything more than I treasure Marco Del Rossi."

God, hearing those words… again- his vows to me is just incredible. This whole *book* is a vow to me.

"Dylan, when did you *write* this?"

"I worked on it while you were sleeping these past few weeks," he smirks and kisses me and I'm still just…

Dylan? He often surprises me. A lot. He's such a lug but he's incredibly romantic when he wants to be. He's simply incredible. And he's… he's my everything.

"No, but seriously, when did you do this?"

"I… I started it while I was in Zurich- it was how I coped with not having you, Olive."

My heart *melts* when he calls me Olive. I just… my heart melts when he calls me a lot, but especially that. That and Sweet Marco really just send a shiver down my spine in the best ways.

I close the cover and just stare at the pages- all bound together. I still can't believe he did this for me.

"Did you like it? I mean… as far as wedding presents, it's not lavish or anything, but-"

"Are you kidding me, Dylan? It's… damn right heroic," I grin. He's my hero in every way. "God it's one of the most… it's… the most beautiful thing I've ever got from anyone."

I think to those four years when I didn't have him? And I nearly die at the thought that I went four years without having him. I glance down at my hands, holding the bound pages with the title on the front: Never. I didn't even know he could write! I can't believe he like… he wrote me a *book* for a wedding gift. And what did I get him? I got him some stupid engraved box type thing for his championship ring. I mean… I spent a lot of money on it and it's pretty; it's a small glass and wooden box with an engraved metal plaque on it. But still… he wrote me a *novel*.

"I started it as a journal- a way to keep track of my random Marco thoughts, but… it turned into the story of us. I wanted you to have it, Marco. It's everywhere we've been."

"But what about the wedding? Will you add to it? About our wedding?" I ask as I place it on the table and roll back over into his arms. His arms are the most comforting things I've ever felt in my life, I swear.

"If you want, there's definitely room for an epilogue. You know I'll do anything for you, Marco," he whispers as he brushes his lips over my collarbone. That is my *weak* spot and he knows it. He'll lightly brush his finger over my collarbone sometimes when I'm sleeping because he knows it'll wake me up and I'll be in the mood for sex. Of course when *I* want sex all I have to do is drag my tongue up his throat or up his neck or arm or cheek- anywhere really.

"Yeaaaah… I know," I tell him because I truly do. I think even though those years were so hard for us, again we needed them. Just like I'd needed senior year without him, I'd needed a few years to really just find myself.

Paige says I lightened up more and after reading Dylan's thoughts on it? I mean… he's so insightful. He just reads me so well, knows me so well. I hope I know him just the same.

"Seriously, Dylan," I say and push his face back a little so he can't kiss me more. "This was *so* beautiful. I mean… you can write and seeing… I mean hearing it from your perspective… it was… I wish I'd gotten you something better for a present."

"Marco, I love the box, really. It means a lot."

"Yeah, but… it's not personal. It's not something you get your new husband."

"Okay, then can I request something?" he asks as pushes my hand away so he can kiss my neck. I do love the feel of him pressed against me like this. I thought we were finished with the night of the wedding sex, but clearly he has other ideas. Perhaps he wants to go *six* times to beat out our previous record of five.

"What?" I ask, sliding my hands down his body- his extremely well toned body. I mean… he was always athletic looking but in the past four years he got *ripped*. His thighs especially are rock hard- solid steel- but he needs powerful legs to skate so fast. And his upper body as well- his arms… they are a work of art. And his abs? He does a hundred crunches every day. And yes, he does this all for skating but I'm the one who truly benefits from it.

"After the honeymoon… when we get home, will you reread each chapter… maybe a chapter a night and tell me *your* version of it? What *you* were thinking and feeling?"

See? Romantic to the core. "Yes, Hero- I will do that."

"Don't call me that, Marco. I'm no one's hero."

"You're *mine*," I tell him. It's what I always say to him when he says 'don't call me that. I'm no one's hero'. And I don't say 'you're mine' to be cute or amusing, I say it because it's really true.

He helped me accept who I am so long ago- when the world didn't make any sense, Dylan was there. And when I was hurting and alone and my father turned his back on me, Dylan was there. And when I was trying to navigate my way through my first semester of classes, Dylan was there. And when I needed to stand on my own two feet and really learn who I was? Dylan was there, doing what needed to be done.

Even when he wasn't with me? He was *al*ways with me. He was always in my heart and in my soul- informing everything I do.

"So, Mr. Michalchuk, what are we gonna do now?" he asks me, kissing my lips softly, slowly.

"Well, Mr. Del Rossi, I think I'm going to make love with my new husband again," I grin as I pull him closer for a much deeper kiss. I love kissing him and I love using my tongue ring to drive him *wild*. I never dreamed it would be this much *fun* when I got it done. I never dreamed a lot.

I never dreamed that I could love someone so much that I could lose myself in his eyes. I never dreamed I'd look into someone's eyes and lose myself and yet find myself too. But that's what happens every time I look into his baby blues. They're so piercing and every time I catch his gaze, I can see how he sees me. Now, because of the book, I can see that even more.

I had never really stopped to consider just how he feels about me. Granted, I knew he loved me and I knew I was his everything, but until you really hear it described like this- in so many words, you never quite understand. It's an amazing gift he's given me and not just the book.

He gave me my life.

I never imagined feeling like this- so connected to someone. I never believed intimacy would be mine to have.

I never believed in anything until I fell in love with Dylan Michalchuk.