Part Nine
Title: You Are My Signal Fire (Part 9)
Characters: Andrew Raycroft / Ian White
Word Count: 1809
Rating: PG-13, swearing
Disclaimer: I don’t own these players, nor do I know their sexual preferences. The whole thing is a work of my imagination. The title is part of the lyrics from snow patrol’s song ‘Signal Fire’.
|| Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 6 || Part 7 || Part 8 ||
We are all sitting down to dinner (Chinese take-out) when Kyle and Matt finally came downstairs, they’d spent the whole day up in Matt’s room just talking on his bed. I smiled at them, and they smiled back. They looked like they were truly happy, and I couldn’t help hoping I would find something like that one day.
Carlo looked uncomfortable on the other side of the table, a gash on his left cheekbone where Matty had punched him. It was bruised and the purple shading was starting to spread to his eye. He looked down at his food, pretending it was more interesting.
“So how do you say you got that again?” Jeremy asked, genuinely interested in the mark.
Carlo glared at his food, not even looking up, “I uh...fell down the stairs. One of them was wet and I slipped.”
Matt walked over and tapped him on the shoulder, “Can we talk in the living room for a minute.”
Carlo looked up nervously, “Um…sure?”
They walked off and the rest of us carried on digging into the food, Kyle hungrily filled his plate up to a heaping mass before shovelling his face. I laughed at him as I bit into an egg roll, keeping my eye on Matt and Carlo to make sure a fight didn’t break out. To my surprise, they ended their conversation with a laugh and a big hug. They came back to the table in a better mood and no one talked about it again. Except…
“So Matt, have you heard anything else about your aunt’s condition?” Alex asked.
“My aunt?” He looked confused…”What are…” He was going to give himself away!
“He means your Aunt’s accident,” I interjected, “You know, I was just explaining to them that’s why you were so upset this morning.”
“Oh yeah…uh…false alarm. She’s fine.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the night came to the close, we all sat out around the bon fire, beers in hand, drunk off our asses, singing songs. I felt sorry for the people across the lake who could hear our drunken off-key words to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, Kyle’s choice.
Matt fell backwards out of his chair with a thump, we all laughed at him. Maybe a little too hard, because thinking back on it now it really wasn't that funny. It was Kyle’s turn to look after his man today.
He pushed Matt and his chair upright and then grabbed Matt’s hands and pulled him out of his chair. Giggling Matt leaned into Kyle’s shoulder, Kyle buckled slightly under the sudden added weight but then adjusted.
“I think I’ll take Matty upstairs, he’s had a rough day.”
We nodded and he headed off. As he walked up the hill I noticed Matt was getting a little frisky as his hand came down and grabbed Kyle’s ass. I noticed Alex looking on, a sort of confused look on his face.
As I was afraid he would, he said something, “Anyone ever notice how those two are always going off together…on their own?”
Jeremy looked up, as Kyle and Matt made it to the door, Kyle fumbled with the handle to the door.
Please wait till you get inside…please just wait till the doors are closed. I willed them to hear my thoughts. But it was not to be because as Kyle got the door open, Matt pushed him against the door frame and started making out with him.
“Holy shit! Are you guys seeing this?” Jeremy yelled.
“I fucking knew something was up! They’re always together! This explains so much.” Alex stared on as Kyle finally managed to push Matt in through the door and close it behind them, not having noticed that we were all staring at them.
“I caught Kyle looking at me once in the shower,” Jeremy shuddered, “Makes me sick.”
I frowned, “They’re still the same guys as they were before, this doesn’t change anything.”
Alex nodded, “Yeah, I guess you’re right. This is just going to take some getting used to.
Ian smiled, patting Alex on the back. I was pleased with him too, glad that he was accepting of all of this.
“You know I think I heard them at it the other night, but I just shrugged it off and went to sleep and thought that they were watching porn or something.” Jeremy continued his little rant, “But this…”
“Don’t be an idiot Jeremy. The signs were all there, but you don’t have to worry about them trying to pick you up. They’re pretty serious about each other.” Carlo said the last bit with a touch of disappointment. “Plus you’re not either of their type.”
Ian chuckled, “Your ass isn’t as nice as Kyle’s.”
Jeremy grinned, “Hey my ass is plenty nice, just ask my girlfriend. No but seriously, you guys are all okay with the fact that they’re upstairs right now sucking each other off?”
I rolled my eyes at him, whispering under my breath to Ian, “Stupid immature kid.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing…I just said you’re a retard if you’re going to ruin your friendship with Matt and Kyle because you found out that they’re gay. What’s the big deal anyways?”
“It’s disgusting that’s what.”
“Don’t be so narrow minded. What they do behind closed doors shouldn’t matter to you.”
“But it does. It creeps me out.”
I was starting to lose my patience with this kid and his homophobia, “I’m going to bed too. I’ve lost interest in this discussion…or maybe it’s the people in it.” I glared at Jeremy and went up to the cottage.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I lay in my bed in my boxers and a t-shirt just thinking things over. For the first time in a long while I was afraid. Afraid of what the guys would think of me if they found out. Not everyone was as liberal minded as Alex, some were like Jeremy. Would they think of me the same? Would they shut me out? I sighed and closed my eyes, drifting off into an uneasy sleep.
I was awoken about half an hour later by Ian sliding into bed with me, he planted a kiss on my lips. “Sorry, I wanted to leave and come up here with you. But Jeremy’s being a suspicious asshole about everything now. I’m afraid of what he’s going to do tomorrow when Kyle and Matt come down.”
I pushed him away, not looking him in the eye, “Maybe we should cool it for a little while and you should just sleep in your room tonight.”
He laughed, trying to get closer to me but I moved away again, “Oh come on, you have to be joking. You’re not going to be like this just because of Jeremy…he’ll get over it.”
He made another attempt to kiss me but I threw my legs over the side of the bed and sat up facing away from him.
Ian groaned, punching the pillow in frustration, “Don’t be like this!” he repeated.
“I just…I think we need to take a break...”
“Wha-? I don’t…” he didn’t seem able to form a sentence in his confusion. He got off the bed and walked around to the other side staring at me, I refused to look him in the eyes. Kneeling down he grabbed my hands in his and smiled that oh so charming smile. My stomach squirmed, I loved that smile, but I didn’t listen to it.
“I know you don’t understand. But I just…can’t do this right now.”
“Did I do something?”
I shook my head, “No, of course not. You were perfect.”
“Then why? I love you. Please don’t do this.” He looked hurt, “Don’t you love me back?’
Truth was, I really wasn’t sure. “Love is a strong word, I mean we’ve only been together for a week. It’s not something I throw around lightly.”
“Yeah I guess you’re right. We’ve only spent every night we were here together. It meant nothing to me too. I'm glad we've cleared this up, I wouldn't want to get the wrong impression about what was happening between us.” He stood up, dropping my hands. “Good night Andy.”
"Ian wait..." As the door of my room clicked shut, I beat my fist into the pillow. What am I doing? He’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. I can’t screw this up. I slept uneasily that night, alone in my bed, not comforted in the arms of my lover. I guess I had gotten used to him being there, and it made his departure all that more noticeable.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nobody talked much the next day, we were going to be heading out in the afternoon because Maurice had moved up the practice to tomorrow. Great. We were all hungover as hell, and looked a little worse for wear to boot.
Breakfast was quiet. Matt and Kyle hadn’t seemed to notice the way Jeremy hadn’t taken his eyes off of them all meal.
The afternoon was spent lounging around the cottage drinking the left over alcohol, except for me and Matty, the designated drivers, we only had a beer a piece.
When it came time to divide into the two cars, I noticed Ian packing his stuff into Matt’s car. I sighed, that’s fair…he’s mad at me. I’ll call him tonight and try and work things out. I don’t want him to hate me, I don’t think I could bear it.
“You coming with us Jer?” Kyle asked, in a cheerful mood.
“Um…no thanks. I’m not into that sort of thing.” I punched him hard in the shoulder, “I mean, I already said I’d go with Andrew.”
Kyle looked confused, “What is this thing you aren’t into?”
He shuffled his feet, “I know about you and Matt…we all do. We saw you yesterday. And I’m not really comfortable with guy-guy. So I think it’s best we just go in our separate cars. I don’t want to see anything…”
Kyle looked a little angry now, “Jesus man, I’m not going to start fucking him in the back seat with you guys in the car.”
“You sure didn’t seem to mind us watching last night!”
“Dude! We were drunk! We were *all* of us drunk. We slipped up. Shit happens, so get over it!”
“Look just get in the car Jeremy!” I shoved him roughly into the backseat of my Escape and Carlo followed him in as Alex took the front seat. I waved at Kyle as I backed out of the driveway, “See you guys tomorrow at practice!”
Kyle waved, forcing a smile on his face but Ian didn’t even look up, choosing to ignore me instead.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I called his cell when I got home but he seemed to be screening his calls, so I left a message on his phone.
“Hey it’s me. I wish you would just pick up the phone and stop being so childish. Look, I’m sorry. I got a little apprehensive when Jer was getting all upset about Kyle and Matty. I’m a jerk, I know. Just please…can you call me. I already miss-“ the phone cut out. "you" I finished.
“Fucking reception!” I shut my phone with a snap, and pouted on my couch watching tv.
Characters: Andrew Raycroft / Ian White
Word Count: 1809
Rating: PG-13, swearing
Disclaimer: I don’t own these players, nor do I know their sexual preferences. The whole thing is a work of my imagination. The title is part of the lyrics from snow patrol’s song ‘Signal Fire’.
|| Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 6 || Part 7 || Part 8 ||
We are all sitting down to dinner (Chinese take-out) when Kyle and Matt finally came downstairs, they’d spent the whole day up in Matt’s room just talking on his bed. I smiled at them, and they smiled back. They looked like they were truly happy, and I couldn’t help hoping I would find something like that one day.
Carlo looked uncomfortable on the other side of the table, a gash on his left cheekbone where Matty had punched him. It was bruised and the purple shading was starting to spread to his eye. He looked down at his food, pretending it was more interesting.
“So how do you say you got that again?” Jeremy asked, genuinely interested in the mark.
Carlo glared at his food, not even looking up, “I uh...fell down the stairs. One of them was wet and I slipped.”
Matt walked over and tapped him on the shoulder, “Can we talk in the living room for a minute.”
Carlo looked up nervously, “Um…sure?”
They walked off and the rest of us carried on digging into the food, Kyle hungrily filled his plate up to a heaping mass before shovelling his face. I laughed at him as I bit into an egg roll, keeping my eye on Matt and Carlo to make sure a fight didn’t break out. To my surprise, they ended their conversation with a laugh and a big hug. They came back to the table in a better mood and no one talked about it again. Except…
“So Matt, have you heard anything else about your aunt’s condition?” Alex asked.
“My aunt?” He looked confused…”What are…” He was going to give himself away!
“He means your Aunt’s accident,” I interjected, “You know, I was just explaining to them that’s why you were so upset this morning.”
“Oh yeah…uh…false alarm. She’s fine.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the night came to the close, we all sat out around the bon fire, beers in hand, drunk off our asses, singing songs. I felt sorry for the people across the lake who could hear our drunken off-key words to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, Kyle’s choice.
Matt fell backwards out of his chair with a thump, we all laughed at him. Maybe a little too hard, because thinking back on it now it really wasn't that funny. It was Kyle’s turn to look after his man today.
He pushed Matt and his chair upright and then grabbed Matt’s hands and pulled him out of his chair. Giggling Matt leaned into Kyle’s shoulder, Kyle buckled slightly under the sudden added weight but then adjusted.
“I think I’ll take Matty upstairs, he’s had a rough day.”
We nodded and he headed off. As he walked up the hill I noticed Matt was getting a little frisky as his hand came down and grabbed Kyle’s ass. I noticed Alex looking on, a sort of confused look on his face.
As I was afraid he would, he said something, “Anyone ever notice how those two are always going off together…on their own?”
Jeremy looked up, as Kyle and Matt made it to the door, Kyle fumbled with the handle to the door.
Please wait till you get inside…please just wait till the doors are closed. I willed them to hear my thoughts. But it was not to be because as Kyle got the door open, Matt pushed him against the door frame and started making out with him.
“Holy shit! Are you guys seeing this?” Jeremy yelled.
“I fucking knew something was up! They’re always together! This explains so much.” Alex stared on as Kyle finally managed to push Matt in through the door and close it behind them, not having noticed that we were all staring at them.
“I caught Kyle looking at me once in the shower,” Jeremy shuddered, “Makes me sick.”
I frowned, “They’re still the same guys as they were before, this doesn’t change anything.”
Alex nodded, “Yeah, I guess you’re right. This is just going to take some getting used to.
Ian smiled, patting Alex on the back. I was pleased with him too, glad that he was accepting of all of this.
“You know I think I heard them at it the other night, but I just shrugged it off and went to sleep and thought that they were watching porn or something.” Jeremy continued his little rant, “But this…”
“Don’t be an idiot Jeremy. The signs were all there, but you don’t have to worry about them trying to pick you up. They’re pretty serious about each other.” Carlo said the last bit with a touch of disappointment. “Plus you’re not either of their type.”
Ian chuckled, “Your ass isn’t as nice as Kyle’s.”
Jeremy grinned, “Hey my ass is plenty nice, just ask my girlfriend. No but seriously, you guys are all okay with the fact that they’re upstairs right now sucking each other off?”
I rolled my eyes at him, whispering under my breath to Ian, “Stupid immature kid.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing…I just said you’re a retard if you’re going to ruin your friendship with Matt and Kyle because you found out that they’re gay. What’s the big deal anyways?”
“It’s disgusting that’s what.”
“Don’t be so narrow minded. What they do behind closed doors shouldn’t matter to you.”
“But it does. It creeps me out.”
I was starting to lose my patience with this kid and his homophobia, “I’m going to bed too. I’ve lost interest in this discussion…or maybe it’s the people in it.” I glared at Jeremy and went up to the cottage.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I lay in my bed in my boxers and a t-shirt just thinking things over. For the first time in a long while I was afraid. Afraid of what the guys would think of me if they found out. Not everyone was as liberal minded as Alex, some were like Jeremy. Would they think of me the same? Would they shut me out? I sighed and closed my eyes, drifting off into an uneasy sleep.
I was awoken about half an hour later by Ian sliding into bed with me, he planted a kiss on my lips. “Sorry, I wanted to leave and come up here with you. But Jeremy’s being a suspicious asshole about everything now. I’m afraid of what he’s going to do tomorrow when Kyle and Matt come down.”
I pushed him away, not looking him in the eye, “Maybe we should cool it for a little while and you should just sleep in your room tonight.”
He laughed, trying to get closer to me but I moved away again, “Oh come on, you have to be joking. You’re not going to be like this just because of Jeremy…he’ll get over it.”
He made another attempt to kiss me but I threw my legs over the side of the bed and sat up facing away from him.
Ian groaned, punching the pillow in frustration, “Don’t be like this!” he repeated.
“I just…I think we need to take a break...”
“Wha-? I don’t…” he didn’t seem able to form a sentence in his confusion. He got off the bed and walked around to the other side staring at me, I refused to look him in the eyes. Kneeling down he grabbed my hands in his and smiled that oh so charming smile. My stomach squirmed, I loved that smile, but I didn’t listen to it.
“I know you don’t understand. But I just…can’t do this right now.”
“Did I do something?”
I shook my head, “No, of course not. You were perfect.”
“Then why? I love you. Please don’t do this.” He looked hurt, “Don’t you love me back?’
Truth was, I really wasn’t sure. “Love is a strong word, I mean we’ve only been together for a week. It’s not something I throw around lightly.”
“Yeah I guess you’re right. We’ve only spent every night we were here together. It meant nothing to me too. I'm glad we've cleared this up, I wouldn't want to get the wrong impression about what was happening between us.” He stood up, dropping my hands. “Good night Andy.”
"Ian wait..." As the door of my room clicked shut, I beat my fist into the pillow. What am I doing? He’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. I can’t screw this up. I slept uneasily that night, alone in my bed, not comforted in the arms of my lover. I guess I had gotten used to him being there, and it made his departure all that more noticeable.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nobody talked much the next day, we were going to be heading out in the afternoon because Maurice had moved up the practice to tomorrow. Great. We were all hungover as hell, and looked a little worse for wear to boot.
Breakfast was quiet. Matt and Kyle hadn’t seemed to notice the way Jeremy hadn’t taken his eyes off of them all meal.
The afternoon was spent lounging around the cottage drinking the left over alcohol, except for me and Matty, the designated drivers, we only had a beer a piece.
When it came time to divide into the two cars, I noticed Ian packing his stuff into Matt’s car. I sighed, that’s fair…he’s mad at me. I’ll call him tonight and try and work things out. I don’t want him to hate me, I don’t think I could bear it.
“You coming with us Jer?” Kyle asked, in a cheerful mood.
“Um…no thanks. I’m not into that sort of thing.” I punched him hard in the shoulder, “I mean, I already said I’d go with Andrew.”
Kyle looked confused, “What is this thing you aren’t into?”
He shuffled his feet, “I know about you and Matt…we all do. We saw you yesterday. And I’m not really comfortable with guy-guy. So I think it’s best we just go in our separate cars. I don’t want to see anything…”
Kyle looked a little angry now, “Jesus man, I’m not going to start fucking him in the back seat with you guys in the car.”
“You sure didn’t seem to mind us watching last night!”
“Dude! We were drunk! We were *all* of us drunk. We slipped up. Shit happens, so get over it!”
“Look just get in the car Jeremy!” I shoved him roughly into the backseat of my Escape and Carlo followed him in as Alex took the front seat. I waved at Kyle as I backed out of the driveway, “See you guys tomorrow at practice!”
Kyle waved, forcing a smile on his face but Ian didn’t even look up, choosing to ignore me instead.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I called his cell when I got home but he seemed to be screening his calls, so I left a message on his phone.
“Hey it’s me. I wish you would just pick up the phone and stop being so childish. Look, I’m sorry. I got a little apprehensive when Jer was getting all upset about Kyle and Matty. I’m a jerk, I know. Just please…can you call me. I already miss-“ the phone cut out. "you" I finished.
“Fucking reception!” I shut my phone with a snap, and pouted on my couch watching tv.