I'm sorry that I have taken so long to get this here. There've been alot of things that I've had to deal with at the moment that have taken up far too much of my time than they deserve. VaelynPhi@AOL.com

 

Les Amours d'Astre
(Et Le Gardien Du Brume)

Between the Shadows

Chapter Six

Aaron and Jason cleaned up, although Brian wouldn't allow them to shower together, as they had a deadline to meet. Nick and Brian went next to the room next door, where the rest of the guys were due to arrive.

Brian took the time to assure himself that Nick was quite okay with the situation, and to also assure himself that what he was doing was not a disaster in the making. Of course, the lack of disaster had him more on edge than any catastrophe could ever place him. Nick explained that it didn't really matter to him; a friend was a friend, no matter sexuality. Nick took the chance to let his already fragile maturity lapse and reminded Brian that Aaron and Jason were, at least, getting some 'action;' something which both he and Brian had lacked for a good while. It was a relief to Brian that Nick was so mellow and calm; he didn't want to think about what would happen when the others arrived.

Aaron and Jason managed to minimize their distractions by cleaning up the pile of junk that Brian had bought earlier. As soon as the two had established themselves in the second room along with Nick, and Brian-who couldn't bring himself to sit down, there was a knock at the door. Nick turned the knob-just barely-and AJ burst through, bouncing like he was in a club. Of course, he might as well have been, since he was wearing a walkman and headphones. Kevin came walking in behind him, looking through a cracked door to make sure it was safe. AJ sat down without saying a word, encased in his own private disco. Brian peeked out from the bedroom of the large suite, painfully noticing that someone had arrived. Kevin immediately went over to him.

"So, what's up?" He whispered, " You sounded a little down on the phone. You okay?" Brian realized he did appear a little grim, and so he chipped up.

"Yeah, I'm great! When is everyone else going to arrive?"

"Everyone else? The only person not here is Howie!"

Brian checked his calculations, thinking at first that there were only three BBs present, then realizing that he happened to be one too.

"Oh, yeah… Brian looked around to make sure he wasn't dreaming or drunk, then sat down. Uh, meet…"

"Aaron," Aaron stood up and shook Kevin's hand as he offered it, interrupting Brian, "And this is my, um… Jason." He pointed over to his lover. AJ's eyebrows peaked for a moment, he waved, and then he returned to his disco world.

"Nice to meet you guys." Kevin looked around as if something was up, but then shrugged to himself. "I'm going down to get the rest of our stuff brought up." Kevin looked back at Brian for a moment before he closed the door behind him.

"So, do you think he realized anything?" Nick asked Brian as he stood up. Brian shrugged. AJ took off his headphones and turned off the radio.

"So, you two are… together." He smiled when the four turned to him.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anybody if you don't want me to."

"Good god, you sure know how to give someone a heart attack!" Brian sighed heavily. "I'm gonna go get something to drink!"

"Nice meeting you." Jason waved at AJ as he and Aaron ran into the kitchen with Brian.

"Close call, maybe?" Aaron asked as they entered.

"Maybe not. I should have known that AJ wouldn't have any problem with this… He's probably wondering about me, though."

"What do you mean, about you? Oh, if you are or aren't, um, well, yeah."

"Exactly. I wonder if Kevin will be able to tell as well as AJ did, though. If he can, I hope he's as liberal."

Brian walked back into the small living room of the suite, noticing that AJ and Kevin were talking quietly. Kevin walked over to Brian as soon as he noticed him.

"Um, I just wanted to let you know that I'm behind you all the way."

"Oh god, you didn't tell him, too?!"

"What?" AJ looked around, wondering what he'd done. Aaron and Jason came in just as Brian was rolling his eyes and falling back on the bed.

Kevin turned around to the two, caught off guard. "Oh, uh, hello!"

He ran through them, into the kitchen, quickly. Jason and Aaron looked first at each other then at Brian, then Nick, then AJ.

"What was that all about?" Aaron asked.

"Well, let's just put it this way: there's only one Backstreet Boy that doesn't know about you two, now. And he's not here."

As Brian said that, there came a knock at the door. AJ turned and opened. Howie walked in carrying two large suitcases, a duffel bag, backpack, and some type of carrying case. "Hey, guys, what's up?" He noticed Aaron and Jason standing by the kitchen door. "Hi." He then also noticed that everyone was staring at him. "What's wrong? Noone's died or anything? Where's Kevin?"


Well, that's it for this chapter. I'm trying to get Chapter Seven written, though, as I'm sure you're aware, it'll probably be a while before it gets here. Les Amours d'Astre: At Http://members.Xoom.com/Mithrael/LADA/Les Amours d'Astre.html and Nifty. VaelynPhi@AOL.com