Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 18:44:52 EDT From: Carter . Subject: Open Arms 10 Open Arms 10 by Carter (nicksxtacy@hotmail.com) m/m CELEBRITY/Boy-Bands Disclaimer: This story is a work of Fiction. It is not meant to reflect the true sexuality of anyone mentioned within, especially not NICK CARTER , Chris Klein, Brian Littrell or any member of the Backstreet Boys or any other individual mentioned within and is strictly taken from the author's over-active imagination. If you are too young or it is illegal for you to continue, DON'T. The author takes NO responsibility whatsoever for any harm that is caused to anyone by reading this etc. so if you're not supposed to be here, GO AWAY, please. Author's Note: Here's chapter 10. I appreciate the feedback that I've been getting and I assure you, what you've been waiting for is coming. Remember, good things come to those who wait.... I'm working on a special surprise just to say thank you to all those who have put up with me and kept reading....it should coincide with the chapter that you've all been waiting for, although I'm not sure when that will be. I'm working really hard, and I'll let you all know when it happens.... Dedicated to my one true ANGEL for the ultimate inspiration, you make my life worth living. "You're the reason I believe in love, and you're the answer to my prayers from up above." Now on to the story. OPEN ARMS- CHAPTER 10 by Carter ( nicksxtacy@hotmail.com ) "All my bags are packed I'm ready to go I'm standing here outside your door..." Nick stood outside of Brian's room door, hesitating before he knocked. For the past few weeks, Brian had been living in Nick's house and had made the room next to Nick's his new home. Both boys were overjoyed at the new living situation. Brian had been able to make up for all the time that had been lost between the two best friends because of Leighann and then Nick's depression. He had been able to get Nick to open up about his sexuality and talk through everything that needed to be said. As much as the weeks had been filled with tears as Nick struggled to come to terms with all the feelings that he had kept hidden for so long, they had also been some of the best times of their lives. Frick and Frack were now closer than ever. There was nothing that wasn't shared between them. With the exception of one thing. Nick had yet to gain the confidence he needed to tell Brian the final part of his secret and because of that there was an uneasiness that continued to eat away at Nick's very being. He hated, now more than ever to be hiding something from Brian. He had been wrong about Brian hating him and leaving him for being gay, but he couldn't convince himself that the same would be true if Brian knew just who Nick wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Brian on the other hand, was more than overjoyed at the closeness that had been reestablished between the two. He found himself thinking on more than one occasion that if he could have possibly known that leaving Leighann would have had such a positive effect on his life he would have done it years earlier. There had always been a fear that by leaving Leighann, he would have been alone. Now that his marriage was canceled, Brian felt at peace. He was closer than ever to Nick. Nick and him were living together and having the time of their lives, and they were also making beautiful music together. Over the course of the three weeks that Brian had been living in Nick's house, him and Nick had written and recorded an astounding 30 songs together. The power in the songs reflected the raw emotions that Nick and Brian had held inside for so long, unable to release them. Being able to talk about their feelings, and express their of love through music, a new sense of peace emanated from each of them. Of course, there were a couple questions still nagging at Brian but he refused to let them dampen his spirits. He had learned to put on a happy face during the years with Leighann, and now he used the same skills to hide his mild confusion. He told himself that with time the answers would come and that once the answers were found, the final pieces would fall into place to show him the direction his life was going to take. For now he concentrated on making himself and Nick as happy as he could and making the best music he knew how to. The overwhelming success of Nick and Brian's recording sessions had prompted Kevin to suggest that Frick and Frack take a break from recording. Working together hadn't felt like work to the two friends, but they agreed that maybe they needed a change of scenery for a little while. Nick had been excited when Chris had suggested that they fly out to New York to visit for a while. When Nick pitched the idea to Brian, the older boy had been less ecstatic about heading to the Big Apple. He told Nick that he wanted to relax, and that since Kevin had offered to lend him the ranch in Kentucky that he would probably head home to Kentucky for a while. Nick had been heartbroken when Brian told him that he wouldn't be joining him in New York. When he accepted Chris' offer, Nick had just assumed that Brian would go along, and as much as he tried to not feel crushed he did. He had grown incredibly dependent on Brian and was hesitant to spend time apart, afraid that the bond they had created would be once again lost. Brian assured him that it was only for a week and that he needed to visit his family since he hadn't talked to them since calling off his wedding to Leighann. "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go I'm standing here outside your door I hate to wake you up to say goodbye..." Nick stood outside of Brian's door and smiled to himself as the familiar song came to his head. He was dreading having to say goodbye but if he didn't do it now he would be late getting to the airport. "But the dawn is breakin', It's early morn The taxi's waitin', He's blowin' his horn Already I'm so lonesome I could cry." Nick knocked quietly on the door at first and then got louder when he didn't get an answer. Finally he heard Brian moan as he opened his eyes and looked at his clock, wondering why Nick would wake him up this early. "Come in Nicky." Brian called sleepily. Nick shuddered at the voice. He couldn't get over how adorable Brian sounded when he first woke up. Nick thought once more about how much he would miss Brian when they were apart. After being together for 24 hours a day for the past three weeks, a week apart as unthinkable to Nick. He couldn't imagine not having Brian be the first and last person he saw everyday. Nick opened the door and stepped into the room. The sight of Brian in his boxers laying on his back caused Nick to sigh and adjust his carry on bag so that he was now holding it in front of himself, so that Brian wouldn't see the reaction that he caused. Brian saw the sadness in Nick's look. He knew it would be hard to go without seeing Nick for a while, but realized that for Nick it would be even harder to be apart. Nick had been very reliant on Brian and Bri knew that Nick was already thinking of being alone. He jumped out of bed and ran over to his friend, wrapping him in his arms. Surprised at Brian's tight hug, Nick let go of his bag, letting it fall to the ground so that he could return Brian's hug. As each boy savored the feel of each other, they couldn't help but feel safe in each other's arms. Brian was also startled as he felt something brush against his lower torso. `Is that what I think it is?' thought Brian as Nick's arousal brushed against his own manhood. Brian felt a stirring in his own groin and pulled away slightly from Nick. He looked into his best friend's blue eyes and lost himself for a moment. "So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go. I'm leavin' on a jet plane I Don't know when I'll be back again Oh, babe, I hate to go." Nick continued the song in his head, thinking just how true all the words were. He wished that he could have Brian kiss him goodbye. As if on cue, Nick saw Brian inch closer. Nick's heart began to race as a million questions came to his mind. `Oh my God, is he gonna kiss me???', Nick was in turmoil as each second seemed to take an hour. As he watched Brian approach in slow motion, Nick felt Brian's hands reach to his shoulders and push him down a little, causing Nick to have to bend his knees. Nick felt Brian's lips touch his forehead as Brian placed a sweet kiss on his best friend's head. Nick felt his heart flutter at the same time as a wave of disappointment washed over him. He felt so loved, yet so needy at the same time. He wished for so much more than what he had with Brian, yet he was so thankful at the same time for the miracle of having Brian in his life. "I know you gotta go Nicky, but I just wanna tell you I'm going to miss you even more than you'll miss me, so you'd better call me every chance you get, ok?" Brian requested while looking deep into Nick's eyes. Nick didn't want to give in to the tears, but had no choice. Brian pulled his friend in closer, sensing Nick's sadness. "Nicky, don't cry. Shhh... It's not for that long, okay? it's just a week. Go, enjoy yourself with Chris, and I'll see you in a week." "I feel like such a fool Bri. I don't even know why I'm crying." Nick tried to sound strong. "You're crying because you're gonna miss me you big lug. Not that I blame you." Both Nick and Brian laughed softly as they pulled out of their hug. Brian grasped both of Nick's hands in his as he continued to stare into the depths of Nick's eyes. "Remember something Nick. You are NEVER alone. I am always just a phone call away. Ok?" " I know Bri." "Look, you'd better be going now, before the taxi driver thinks you've changed your mind." "I'll miss you Brian." "I'll miss you too Nicky. But it's just for one week, and we'll call each other every chance we get." Brian released one of Nick's hands and they each grabbed one of Nick's bags and proceeded to walk down the stairs and towards the door. Before opening the door, Nick hugged Brian one last time and when they released, he picked up his own bags and headed outside to the cab. As the taxi drove off Brian shut the house door, and stood inside leaning against the door. He let a few lone tears slip down his cheek. He missed Nick already. But he was comforted in the fact that, contrary to what Nick thought, it would not be a week until they saw each other again. Brian was heading to Kentucky for two days and then was going to surprise Nick in New York. It was a plan that Brian and Chris had collaborated on secretly. It had been difficult to keep it from Nick, but Brian knew he wanted to do something special for Nick and the trip to New York was sure to be something that they both needed. Brian smiled as he thought of the many things he had planned for the two. With Chris' help, the plan would continue to proceed seamlessly. Nick was in for the trip of a lifetime. Brian pulled out his cell phone, dialed a number and hit send. "Hello?" the woman on the phone questioned. "Hey Miss Thang, how you doing babe?" Brian turned on his southern charm. "Oh, I'm just fine sweety. Is everything set on your end? Does he suspect anything?" " No, everything's perfect. Nicky doesn't suspect a thing..." "Good. We're gonna make magic...." ******************************************* There you have it, chapter 10, I hope you enjoyed it. As always, feedback/suggestions are welcome at nicksxtacy@hotmail.com