Author: Katie
E-mail: [email protected]
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em & I'm not claiming that this happened, only in my mind.
Distribution: Only at Castles in the Sky http://members.tripod.com/katemarie_1
Rating: PG-13
Het/Slash/Both: Slash
Summary: Chuck's confused about what he wants in life.
Note: Thanks as always to AJ for betaing this *G*
Chuck smiles as his best friend passes him carrying his long time lover over his shoulder. Sean pulls to a stop and smiles. "Hey Chuck. Mark and I were heading out for dinner. Wanna join us?"
"Sean put me down right now." Mark says slapping at his lover's butt.
Sean laughs and sets his lover on his feet. "Sorry baby. You said you liked me carrying you around."
Mark smacks him lightly on the back of his head. "Shut up." He turns to Chuck and smiles. "Hey man. Go to lunch with us. We'll invite one of the girls if you'll feel more comfortable."
Chuck shakes his head. "Guys, I would love to go out to lunch with you but I have a meeting with my wife, my lawyer and hers."
Sean frowns. "Oh hell man. I'm sorry. I forgot about her wanting a divorce. How are you holding up?"
Shrugging the older man frowns. "I'm here. Just worried that she's going to try and stop me from seeing my daughter."
Sean frowns. "She won't. She can't. No way. She knows what a good dad you are."
Chuck smiles sadly. "I may be a good dad but the fact that I'm on the road over two hundred and fifty days a year is definitely going to count against me."
Mark steps closer intending to hug his friend but Chuck steps back quickly. "Sorry. I didn't mean anything by it Chuck."
"I know Mark. I'm sorry. I just� I'm a little uncomfortable with any guy hugging me right now."
Mark nods his head. "It's okay man. I understand."
Sean frowns. "I don't. I know you're not homophobic or you wouldn't be friends with us still. So what's the deal?"
Chuck shakes his head. "You know I don't like other guys hugging me anyways. Anything else is fine but I don't like to be hugged unless it's my kid."
Sean rolls his eyes and grabs Mark's hands. "Come on baby. Let's go."
Mark frowns and waves to Chuck as he's pulled away.
Shaking his head, Chuck yells after his friends. "I'm sorry Sean. I didn't mean it that way." He watches sadly as his friend just keeps going, not even turning back to look at him. Gradually he turns and walks in the other direction.
Walking into Vince's office, Chuck smiles at his boss. "Hi Vince. I want to thank you again for letting me use your office for this."
"I understand that you wanted some neutral territory. Chuck if there is anything you need, feel free to ask. I'm here to help you if needed."
Chuck smiles his thanks and Vince makes himself scarce. Not long after his boss leaves, Chuck's wife shows up, lawyer in tow. The curly haired man frowns. "Max is running late. But he should be here soon."
Anne smirks. "Just like his client. Never on time."
Chuck starts to reply but the office door opening up stops him from speaking. His lawyer walks in looking mildly amused. After a few perfunctory greetings are exchanged they all sit down to business. After several minutes of hemming and hawing, Chuck gets fed up.
"This is bullshit. Max, I don't give a flying fuck what she wants. The only thing I want is to be able to see my baby girl. That's all. She can have the rest."
Anne smiles smugly at her soon to be ex husband. "As long as I'm alive you'll never get my daughter."
"Dammit Anne. She's my kid too."
"I don't care. Ever since you started this ridiculous job, we haven't seen you at all. You are supposed to be my husband and her father but you're never around."
Chuck starts to speak but is cut off by his lawyer. "Is that why you have been sleeping with Jack Martin?"
Anne pales and shakes her head. "I don�t know what you're talking about."
Max pulls out a manila envelope out of his briefcase and shows the entire table several pictures of Anne kissing, touching and having sex with a dark haired man. "Does this jog your memory?"
Chuck turns as white as a ghost and frowns. "Why Jack? Why my friend?"
Anne turns to her lawyer for support but he frowns at her. "What do you want to keep these pictures out of the proceedings?"
Max smiles smugly. "All my client wants is his daughter. She can have her car the house and half the alimony she's asking for. Chuck gets his daughter and his bike collection."
The blonde woman shakes her head. "No. He can't have my daughter."
Her lawyer grabs her hand and pulls her into the corner. "You don't have any power here Anne. You let yourself get caught in another man's bed. You do not have the right to make demands. Ask if he's willing to share custody. Let him take her for holidays and summer vacation so you can have her the rest of the time."
Anne frowns and they head back to the table. "You can have her long weekends, holidays and during the summer."
Chuck frowns as his lawyer shakes his head. "No. Chuck gets full custody."
Chuck shakes his head. "She has to go to school. And don't even suggest it because I refuse to put my baby girl in a boarding school." Chuck is about to continue when the door opens up and Stephanie walks in.
"Oops sorry. Chuck, do you know where my dad went?"
Chuck shakes his head and looks away not wanting his boss's daughter to see how close to crying he is. Steph notices though. "Are you all right Chuck?"
He nods his head and she asks to see him in the hallway. Chuck follows her and before she can ask he explains the whole situation.
Stephanie frowns. "If I told you that Shane and I could teach your daughter would you bring her with?"
"In a heartbeat. But I can't ask you to do that."
"You're not asking. I'm offering. And I know Shane would be more than willing to help."
Chuck nods his thanks. "I'll think about it. She started summer vacation three days ago so� Well, I'll get her for three months at least."
Stephanie nods and places a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
After several more hours of negotiations, all that's left is for Chuck and Anne to sign the papers. She signs huffily not at all happy about having to give up custody and shoves the papers at Chuck who reads over everything one last time before adding his signature.
Anne gets to her feet and stalks out the door while the two lawyers shake hands. Chuck follows his now ex wife. "I'll come by and pick up Veronica in a few minutes. Can you have her ready?"
Anne nods staring down the hall at something. "Do you really want to subject our baby girl to that?"
Chuck follows her gaze and frowns. "Sean and Mark are more stable than anyone else I've ever met. They love each other unconditionally. So yeah. I want Ronnie around them. I want her to know that it is possible to love someone totally and completely without fail."
Anne shakes her head and stalks away. The curly haired man frowns and heads towards the smiling couple. "Mark. Sean."
Both men turn towards their friend, one smiling one scowling.
"Sean, I'm sorry man. I don't hug guys. I'm not comfortable hugging any guy. You know that."
Sean frowns. "I agree that you've never been entirely comfortable being hugged by guys but this is Mark. He's one of the few guys you've never had problems hugging."
Sighing Chuck nods his agreement. "I don't know how to explain it man. This whole thing with Anne has me on edge. She's been trying to accuse me of sleeping around on her when she's the one who is sleeping around."
Sean narrows his eyes. "She's accusing you of fucking one of us isn't she?"
The curly haired man nods his head as he looks away. "She seems to think that just because you and I get along so well that we must be fucking. I admit it bugs me that she thinks I'm gay. But I love you guys and I'm sorry."
Sean nods his head. "I guess if Mark isn't all that bugged by it I can't be either right?"
Mark nods his head and wraps an arm possessively around his lover's waist. "Besides, Sean's mine so you can't have him."
Chuck grins. "If I wanted any guy it sure as hell wouldn't be O'Haire."
Laughing in response Sean puffs out his chest. "Please. I'm too much man for him anyhow."
Mark chuckles and steps away from his lover looking him up and down. "Too much man? Honey we're talking about you not Coach."
Chuck laughs covering his mouth at the glare Sean throws his way.
"Fuck you Jindrak." The older of the two lovers' says huffily.
Mark grins at Chuck and wraps his arms around his lover's waist holding on tight. "You will tonight baby but I think you might freak Chuck out if you took me here."
Laughing Chuck turns around. "Hey I'll catch you guys later. I've gotta go pick up my little girl."
Reaching out and placing a hand on the older man's arm, Mark stops him. "Dinner tonight. The four of us. I promise Sean and I will behave."
Nodding his head Chuck laughs. "I'm coming back to the arena after. We'll decide where then okay?"
Both lover's nod. Sean turns to his younger lover and frowns as they watch the older man walk away. "Ya know if I didn't know better I'd swear he was freaking out about her accusation because he is gay."
"What do you mean?"
"Because of the way he acts. I don't know exactly. I'm probably losing my mind. He just� gives off vibes ya know?"
Nodding his head, Mark smiles at his older lover. "It's his choice though. And if he's scared of being gay or whatever�" He trails off.
"I know that Mark. But can't we push him just a little?"
The younger brunette shakes his head. "No baby. If and when he realizes he's gay, then we'll be there for him and help him through it. Until then we'll support his choices."
Sean nods his head and the two lover's head off to find something to do before the show.
Meanwhile
Chuck arrives at his wife's hotel just in time to see her packing her's and their daughter's stuff into the trunk of her rental. "What the hell?"
"Fuck you Chuck. You aren't taking my daughter away from me."
Chuck's little girl opens up the car door and practically flies at her father. He picks her up and hugs her, glaring at Anne. "She's staying with me for the summer. We'll discuss her living with you later." He walks over and grabs his daughter's luggage. "Come on princess. Let's go hang out with the guys."
Veronica smiles at her dad and nods her head. "I've missed you Daddy. Do I really get to spend the summer with you?"
"You sure do Ronnie." He loads his daughter's stuff into his rental car and settles the girl into the back seat. After shutting the door he turns a fierce glare on his ex wife. "Just for that I stunt I should never let you near Ronnie again but I won't make my baby's mom stay away from her. Keep it up though Anne. Just keep it up."
She flops into her rental and watches as her ex husband climbs into his car. "Fuck you Chuck. You'll get what's coming to you. Jack and I will see to that."
Once at the arena, Veronica hops out of the car and rushes over to Shane Helms who is standing there talking to Shannon Moore and Jeff Hardy. Shane turns just in time to catch the small girl who launches herself into his arms. She kisses him and giggles. "Hi Shane."
"Hey Ronnie. Where's your dad baby girl?"
Chuck taps him on the shoulder making Shane jump. "Speak of the devil. Hey Chuck. Have you seen tonight's matches?"
"No why?"
"You and I wrestle each other."
"Really? Find me in a little while and we'll run down the match. Sean and Mark wanted to see my little princess."
Veronica rolls her eyes and smiles up at Shane. "Will you come with us Shane?"
Smiling at the small child, he looks over into her father's smiling brown eyes. "If your dad doesn't mind?"
The older man smiles softly. "Like I could ever say no to my baby girl." Chuck watches as his daughter grabs Shane's hand and starts pulling him towards the arena. He smiles at Shannon and Jeff before following Shane and his daughter. Without realizing what he's doing, Chuck's eyes drop to Shane's ass. He frowns at the tightening in his groin and pulls his eyes away. 'What the fuck! He's�. He's a he. I cannot be getting turned on by a man. This is ridiculous. It's Shane. I know what it is. From behind with that long hair of his, that tight little ass, he looks like a girl to me.' Chuck nods his head having finally convinced himself.
Shane turns and smiles at the older man. "Where would Mark and Sean be?"
"Locker room maybe. Let me go in first and make sure no one's naked or anything." The older man heads into the locker room and frowns at the sight before him.
Mark is pinned to the wall as Sean slides in and out of his ass. "Oh god baby. I'm so�" Mark trails off as he locks eyes with Chuck. "Stop baby."
Sean grunts and shakes his head. "So close Mark."
"Chuck's in the room." Mark whispers effectively making the older man stop.
He pulls out of his lover and turns around smiling. "Hey man. What's up?"
"I�" Chuck shakes his head trying to reason out why he's turned on. "Ronnie is with me. She wants to see you guys."
Mark reaches over and grabs his clothes pulling them on quickly. He smacks his lover on the ass and nods his head in the direction of their clothes. Sean grumbles but does as his lover tells him to. Chuck turns away and steps into the hallway. He meets Shane's dancing chocolate eyes and blushes.
The younger man laughs softly and nods his head understanding. Chuck picks up his daughter and takes her inside the dressing room where Mark and Sean are now sitting playing poker or at least making it look like they are. The younger of the two drops his cards and rushes over to the curly haired man and takes Veronica into his arms. "Hey sweetie. How are you?"
She smiles and begins wriggling. "I'm fine Uncle Mark but put me down."
He frowns and sets her on the ground watching as she runs over to her second favourite "uncle" and jumps into Sean's arms. "Hi Uncle Sean. Guess what?"
"What munchkin?"
"I made the honour roll at school. So you have to pay up."
Chuck frowns and looks at Mark. "What's Ronnie talking about?"
Sean laughs and carries the child over to the other men. "I told her that if it's all right with you and she made the honour roll A's and B's or higher at school I'd teach her some martial arts. But only if you okayed it."
Nodding his head Chuck smiles. "Just as long as she promises to not go around beating people up."
Veronica nods her head and smiles sweetly up at Sean. "Guess what else?"
"What?"
"I'm gonna be traveling with you guys for three whole months so you can teach me lotsa stuff."
Sean laughs and hugs the little girl. "Well, we'll see how you like it and then go from there, okay munchkin?" He turns to Chuck and smiles. "Who's gonna watch her while we change for our matches?"
"Uh� I guess I'll have to go bug the women."
"No Daddy. I want to stay with you."
"Sweetie I know you want to out with us but you don't want to see a bunch of naked men running around do you?"
Veronica makes a face and shakes her head before following her dad out of the room to find the women's locker room.
Once they're gone, Mark looks over at Shane and smiles. "So."
"So."
"You like Chuck."
"He's a nice guy. Probably the most understanding straight man I've ever met."
"Not what I meant."
Shane sighs and meets Mark's eyes. "Okay. He's sweet and sexy and if he were gay I'd be on him in a heart beat. But he's straight. With a wife and family no less."
"Well sorta," Mark looks over at Sean who nods his approval. "He's divorced as of today and yeah he has a kid but I don't think he's all that straight. Don't quote me on this but I'd say that he's very attracted to men."
Shane smiles. "When and if he decides to come out? I'll be first in line to help him make the transition. Until then, I stay just friends with him."
Sean smiles as his younger lover nods his head. "We understand. Just don't hesitate when he does come out."
The younger man nods his head and moves over to his locker. He's just finished stripping out of his street clothes when Chuck re enters the room. The older man stops in his tracks and stares at the younger man's lithe naked body. His eyes sweep over Shane's graceful form and he bites the inside of his mouth to keep a groan from slipping out. 'What the FUCK am I thinking? It's not like I've never seen a man, seen Shane naked before so why do I suddenly want to find out how he feels and tastes?' The curly haired man frowns and looks away. He steps towards his locker and changes quickly. 'Fuck I have got to stop thinking this way. If I don't I'm not going to be able to wrestle him.'
Shane finishes getting dressed and looks over at the older man, unaware of his internal struggle and smiles in appreciation at the near naked body.
Unaware he's being watched Chuck turns his back to the rest of the room and beds over grabbing his bag. While he's bent over he pulls off his underwear. He straightens himself up and grabs his jock strap tugging it on. Shane is watching intently and has to fight back a moan at seeing how big the older man is.
Chuck grabs his trunks and pulls them on oblivious to the younger man's stare. He sits down and jumps as Shane settles next to him. "We should probably go over our match."
Swallowing hard, the older man offers a weak smile. "Sure thing."
Frowning the young man places a hand on Chuck's bare thigh. "Are you all right Chuck?"
Jerking away, Chuck grabs a towel and casually places it across his lap before leaning over and tugging on his kneepads, socks and boots. "I'm fine. Let's just go over the match."
Shane frowns and scoots away. "Sorry. Didn't realize you're a� Anyhow, I'm scheduled to win but why don't we just call the match in the ring?"
The older man swears under his breath as Shane gets to his feet and begins to walk away. He reaches out and grabs the younger man's leg. "Shit. Fuck. I'm not homophobic Shane. Fuck. I don't know how to explain this. And we don't have time right now anyways. Come to dinner with the guys, Ronnie and me. Afterwards, I'll get them to take her out for ice cream and we can talk. About the match though, think you can get me up�" He trails off realizing how that can be interpreted. "For the Vertebreaker I mean?"
Smiling Shane shrugs. "I don't know if I can pull of the Vertebreaker on someone your size without killing you."
"Come on. Let's go find one of the gyms and we'll see if you can't get me in the right position." Chuck winces as the double meaning hits him.
They head into the makeshift gym and start going through the motions for the younger man to hit his move. Lifting the much heavier man takes quite an effort but as Chuck drops to his knees after escaping they both grin knowing that Shane will finally be debuting his move. "Great. That's our finish."
Shane nods his head and they head to the gorilla position before starting their match.
After the match is over, the younger man waits impatiently for Chuck to get to the back. He immediately pounces. "Are you okay man?"
Chuck nods his head and smiles at the younger man. "Hell of a match Shane."
"You too man." Shane looks up at the older man debating the wisdom of his line of thinking. 'Should I kiss him? What if he kills me for it? What if he enjoys it? Fuck it.' Throwing caution to the wind, the younger man jumps into the taller man's arms and kisses him passionately.
Startled, Chuck kisses him back at first but then realizes what he's doing and pushes him away in shock. "What the fuck was that man?"
Looking down at the floor, Shane fights back tears. "I'm sorry man. I am so sorry. I know you don't� That you aren't� I'm sorry. I just got swept up in the moment and I was happy that you were okay and that we'd had such an awesome match. I am so sorry Chuck. Please don't hate me."
Chuck sighs realizing that he had enjoyed the kiss. He reaches down and pulls the younger man to his feet. "Fuck. Shane, just don't do it again okay?"
Shane nods his head still not looking at the man he's in love with.
"Let's go get changed and find my daughter and the brats." He says feeling guilty. 'Damn why do I feel so guilty? Why did I enjoy it so much? Maybe Shane is just the person to help me figure this out. I mean I'm apparently attracted to him and I'm guessing that kiss was more than just the moment for him� But on the other hand do I really want to admit to thinking I'm gay? Shit. I don't know what to do now.'
Shane watches as the older man obviously struggles with himself and places a warm friendly hand on the older man's shoulder. "Chuck you have every right to be pissed. I am so sorry. I promise I'll never kiss you again. I should never have forced myself on you."
"I'm not pissed. To tell the truth I� You have no reason to feel guilty Shane. Damn. It's just� I don't know how to explain what I'm feeling. I don't even know if I know what I'm feeling." Chuck turns so that he's facing the younger man. "I enjoyed it. I liked having you kiss me. I'm tempted to ask you to kiss me again."
Staring in shock, the younger man gasps when Chuck brushes his thumb across his cheek. "Chuck� I�" He trails off as the older man closes his mouth over his. The kiss is slow and sweet and tentative. They pull apart gasping for air. Shane leans against a nearby wall and smiles almost shyly at the older man. "Chuck� that was� beautiful."
Chuck is frowning and taking deep breaths. He nods his head and looks down the hall.
After dinner, Mark and Sean make their way with Veronica to a local ice cream parlour while Chuck and Shane head back to the hotel.
Settling down in the older man's room, the two brunettes look at one another before Chuck starts speaking. "I don't know what's going on with me. I am not gay. Women turn me on, not men. I never should have kissed you Shane. I'm sorry man. It was a mistake."
Frowning Shane nods his head. "It's okay Chuck. I� I understand."
"No you don't." Chuck says his voice taking on a desperate note. "Shane fuck. You turn me on. But I'm not� I don't� Men aren't my thing. I have never in my life been interested in any man. Ever."
"Chuck. It's okay. When and if you figure out what's going on, I'll be waiting. Until then, just know that I care about you. I am hurt but I'll live." The young man leans over and kisses the older man's cheek. "Goodnight Chuck. Don�t avoid me because of this. Our friendship means way too much to me."
Watching the younger man leave makes the tall brunette inexplicably sad. "Fuck." He exclaims before throwing himself back on the bed. He falls asleep dreaming of the younger man.
SIX MONTHS LATER
Chuck looks up from the dinner table where he's doing his taxes to see his ex wife and ex best friend standing in front of him both armed. "I'm taking my daughter back and you can't stop me Chuck."
"She's not here Anne. She's at my parents house. Now why don�t both of you calm down?" While Chuck is talking he manages to dial O'Haire's phone number with shaky hands on his cell phone. Once he's sure someone has picked up he shoves the phone under the table hoping it will muffle any yelling from the other end while allowing Sean to hear everything that's happening.
"You fucking bastard. You had no right to steal my baby away from me."
"Anne this isn't my fault. Put the gun down." Watching his ex makes him nervous but seeing her shaking finger on the trigger worries him more. "Fuck. Anne you don't want to do this. Yes you'll take her away from me but you'll also end up in jail. You don't want this to happen. Please Anne stop this."
"You're the sick fuck who's been fucking men. I just want my daughter back."
"You'll see her. I swear to you I won't keep our baby from you."
Anne lowers the gun slightly but a sound to her right causes the gun to jerk and she pulls the trigger.
A FEW HOURS LATER
Mark reaches out stopping his lover's pacing. "Sean babe I know you're worried but Chuck'll be fine."
"He was shot for fucks sake. He won't be fine."
"Actually Sean. I am fine."
Both men turn and stare startled to see their friend standing there. "Chuck?" Mark asks not believing his eyes.
He smiles softly. "I'm fine guys. Yeah I was shot but it was my shoulder and the bullet went through. It's all good except I won't be able to wrestle for a couple of months."
"What are you going to do man?"
"I don't know. Talk to Vince. See if there's anything I can do to help backstage. I can't be away from everyone." Chuck says knowing that deep down he doesn't want to be separated from Shane for long.
Mark and Sean look knowingly at one another before turning back to their friend. "Come on. Let's get you home."
Chuck nods his head and allows the two lovers to help him out to their truck. "First can we stop by the pharmacy and get my scrip filled? And then I need to stop by the cop shop so I can fill out a report."
"Are you pressing charges?" Mark asks as he holds open the door.
"I don't know. I mean I know I should but I can't do that to Ronnie. I'll wait and see what charges are going to be pressed without me having to do anything and then decide from there."
Sean nods his head and opens the door for his lover. Before Chuck can climb in through the door Mark had been holding open he finds himself locked in a tight but careful embrace. "Don't ever fucking scare me like that again man."
Nodding his head, Chuck hugs him back as well as he can. "I swear man. I won't go getting shot ever again."
The friends smile at one another while Mark climbs into the back seat. They head for the pharmacy where the curly haired man runs in and picks up his prescription. He frowns as he climbs back into the truck. "What's wrong?" Sean asks his long time friend.
"I just hate the thought of painkillers. I mean first of all how many guys have been hooked on these fucking things? Also I have a child to look after. I can't be half drugged and look after her." He shakes his head and they start on their way. They reach the police station quickly and Chuck runs inside to avoid the rain that has just started to fall.
He comes back out about an hour later. "Well?" Mark says from the backseat.
"Apparently after I was shot and Sean called the cops, she was shot by Jack. He says it was in self defense but� Well the cops are charging him with murder." Chuck says his face not revealing his feelings.
Sean looks over as he pulls out of the station. "You okay man?"
"I think so. I didn't love her. I don't know that I ever did. The only good thing that came from my marriage to her was Ronnie. But I don't want my baby growing up without her mom. I just don�t know man."
Mark leans forward and hugs the older man tightly. "We'll help you. The women will help you. Chuck you're our family. We'll be there for you no matter what."
He nods his head tears threatening. "I know that man. I just� Fuck. I can't believe she's dead. How the fuck am I going to tell Ronnie this?"
"We'll help." Sean says reaching over and patting his long time friend on the knee. "Somehow we'll help."
Finally they reach Chuck's parents house. Sitting on the front steps waiting are Mike Sanders his lover, Trish Stratus, Shane Helms, Veronica and Chucks parents. He climbs slowly out of the truck and winces as his daughter rushes him and launches herself into his arms.
"Daddy are you okay now?"
Biting his lower lip to keep from screaming in pain, Chuck nods his head. With a groan he speaks softly. "I'm fine baby."
His parents approach and hug him carefully. His mom offers to cook everyone lunch but Chuck declines, wanting nothing more than to get back to his own house and into bed. "Thanks anyhow mom. I'm a little tired so I'm going to have Sean and Mark drive me home."
She nods and leans forward kissing his cheek softly. "Take care of yourself baby."
He smiles. "I will mom."
Mike approaches slowly his arm around Trish's shoulder. She pipes up before Mike can speak. "I'm glad you're okay Chuck."
He smiles at her. "Thanks Trish. So am I." He and Mike hug.
Mike pulls back and frowns at the older man tears becoming evident in the shorter man's eyes. "You ever do this to us again man, I'll kill ya." He smiles and fights back the tears.
Laughing Chuck nods his head. "Trust me. I don't plan on this ever happening again."
He turns to face the young brunette who's staring up at him carefully. "Glad you're okay."
"Thanks Shane. Mind if I ask why you're here?" Chuck says happier than he would have thought possible to see the young North Carolinian.
"Charles!" His mother says. "He's your friend and he's has a right to be here."
"Mom� I was just wondering why he's here. Yeah he's my friend but we've haven't been talking much lately."
Shane looks down at the ground and kicks at the dirt. "I'm sorry Chuck. I heard about what had happened to you and I was worried. I know I've been avoiding you and I'm sorry. Mike and Trish said I could come up here with them but I'll leave if you want me to."
Chuck shakes his head and smiles softly. "Come on back to my place with all of us. You and I need to talk."
Shane nods his head and climbs into Mike and Trish's rental car while Veronica jumps into Sean and Mark's truck. Chuck's dad throws her bags into the back while Chuck's mom hugs him one last time. "Be careful Chuck."
He nods his head and hugs his dad before climbing in. "See you guys in a while." He smiles softly waving as they disappear from sight. He turns to Sean and Mark and smiles at his daughter who has fallen asleep. "How do I tell Shane that I think I'm gay and I think I'm in love him?"
Mark smiles softly at his lover. "Tell him just like that Chuck."
Chuck laughs and nods his head. "Okay. I guess I can manage that." He smiles and sighs happily as they pull into his driveway. He frowns as he looks at his daughter. "Should we wake her?"
"Nah." Sean says grinning. "I can carry her inside."
Chuck nods his thanks and grab one of her bags while Mark grabs the other. "What the hell does she need two bags to go to her grandparents house for one day for?"
"Hell if I know man. She's female. I think that's answer enough." Chuck says grinning. He watches with a smile as Mike pulls up and runs around the car opening the door for his lover.
Trish steps from the car shaking her head. "What a dork." She says turning around to help Shane from the backseat.
He grins at her and straightens himself out. "Damn that's a small backseat." Mike nods his head and grins innocently. Trish turns and catches the smile and smacks him lightly.
Shane laughs and follows the two lovers to the front deck where Chuck is fighting with the lock. Shane scoots around everyone and gently takes the keys from his friend's hands. He smiles up into chocolate eyes and unlocks the door pushing it open and stepping back as Sean walks through with Chuck's daughter. Mike grabs Ronnie's bag from Chuck and tugs Trish inside while Mark follows with the last bag.
Chuck grabs Shane's arm and pulls him towards the swing. "Have a seat. Might as well talk now while Ronnie's asleep. Shane I� I don�t know how else to say this so I'm just going to spit it out. I think I'm gay. I also think I'm in love with you." He watches the younger man's face waiting to see his reaction.
Shane schools his features so that they don't reflect his happiness. "Chuck, I don't want you to say or do anything that you're not ready for."
"Getting shot puts things in serious perspective." Chuck takes a deep breath and sits down next to the younger man. "You know the first person who's face I though of when I woke up after being shot was you. I haven't been able to sleep at night for the past six months for wanting to feel you next to me." He closes his eyes and leans back against the back of the swing. "I haven't felt this way about anyone ever. Every thought I have seems to be about you. All I want is you. Everything I do I wonder what you're reaction to it would be. Fuck. I don't know what that makes me. But I do know it means I'm in love with you Shane. I don't know what to do about it. I don't know what to think about it but I know I'm love with you."
Shane bites his lip not wanting to get his hopes up. "Chuck if you're sure�" He's cut off by the older man pressing him against the seat and staring into his eyes.
They stay like that, just staring at one another for several minutes. Finally Chuck moves and covers the younger mans mouth cautiously. The kiss is like their second, slow sweet and tentative. Shane moans into the older man's mouth pressing his hips upwards forcing their erections to meet.
Chuck gasps and pulls back. "I don't know if I'm ready for that yet Shane."
Shane laughs softly gasping for air. "It's okay. We don't have to do anything you're not ready for. But fuck I love the way your mouth feels against me."
Smiling at the younger man, Chuck runs his fingers through Shane's hair. "Your mouth ain't that bad either baby."
Shane grins and pushes against Chuck's chest forcing them both into a sitting position. "I've been in love with you for just about forever now Chuck."
Chuck smiles softly and wraps his good arm around the younger man's shoulders. "I love you too Shane." They kiss softly again and sit on the front porch cuddling for a while.
THE END