Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 19:07:29 EDT From: Carter . Subject: Open Arms 8 Open Arms 8 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 illegel 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: I appologize immensely for the delay and hope you enjoy this installment despite it's lateness and shortness. I know i've promised to keep the chapters coming more frequently, but plans don't always work out the way I expect them to. Ideally, now that summer school is over, I would like to be able to do one chapter a day....but whether that's possible is yet to be seen. This chapter is DEDICATED to LUCAS Thompson (author of Because I Love You) because his anticipated chapter 13 touched me in ways that only Nickolas has been able to. It was a work of art and I still can't get over it's emotional impact. Everytime I read it over, I'm moved beyond belief and he makes me want to improve so much yet give up at the same time, just because he's such a genious. He truly is an artist. and to LUCKYLOU (authour of Boy meets BSB) because since the first installment of BMBSB I've followed his story and loved it's inventiveness. Although it's finale killed me inside to read, it was a great end to a phenomenal story and I hope that he never gives up writing. thankyou for the smiles and tears. You are definately one talented individual. Thanks to you know who (my one true ANGEL) for the ultimate inspiration, you make my life worth living. P.S. NICKY FANS UNITE Now on to the story. OPEN ARMS- CHAPTER 8 by Carter ( nicksxtacy@hotmail.com ) Brian proceeded through the front door to Nick's house that Chris had left opened after the pizza had arrived. The past few weeks had been the most stressful time in Brian's life, and he hoped that this would be the climax to Nick's troubles and that they could finally set themselves on the path to recovery. As much as Brian did regret what he did to Nick, he hoped that it would finally help to ease the stress that Nick was going through, now that his secret was out. It had all happened so quickly, that Brian had barely had the chance to actually think about what a major change had occurred in his life. In just a matter of hours, he had learned....well, actually, confirmed that his best friend was gay and he had ended his engagement to LeighAnn. Whether the two events were related or not, Brian had not allowed himself to think. There would be time for that later, he told himself. Once Nick was alright, then all the little details could be sorted out. It would all fall into place. Or at least that's what Brian convinced himself. As he walked through Nick's house, Brian slowed his pace at the sound of someone singing softly. As he entered Nick's kitchen, Brian could see Chris and Nick through the open patio door as Chris rocked a sleeping Nick on the large cushioned love seat swing that Nick's parents had given him as a house warming gift. Once outside, Brian realized that it was Chris who was singing to Nick, and he was singing an all too familiar song. Brian paused before approaching so as to not disturb the moment being shared between Chris and the sleeping Nick. "and when I look into your eyes, I know that it's true. God Must have spent, a little more time on you." When he had finished his quiet serenade, Chris leaned down, to brush Nick's soft hair out of his face and placed a gentle kiss on Nick's forehead. He had longed to be doing this since the day he'd first seen Nick on stage and now it hurt him more than ever to be able to do what he had dreamed of so many times, knowing that Nick's heart was not his. When he looked up he saw Brian gazing back at him and he turned a deep shade of red as he realized that Brian must have heard him singing. He took Brian by the arm and led him back into the house, shutting the glass door behind him so that he and Brian could talk without disturbing the sleeping beauty on the deck. "Uh...Chris, as beautiful as that was, you got the wrong boyband..." Brian tried to laugh in order to ease the tension. "Brian, I think we need to talk." Chris said, while trying to regain his composure. Seeing the object of his affection cry himself to sleep and not being able to do anything about it had taken a toll on the happiness that Chris had been feeling ever since he had received the first call from Brian. "Chris, I'm sorry. I guess I really screwed up badly, didn't I?" Brian bowed his head in shame as he realized that Nick was back in his depression rather than being happy, and now even Chris was visibly depressed, and it was all his fault. "Brian, are you gay?" Chris blurted it out, seeing that there was no other way of getting to the bottom of their troubles. "Chris, I'm engaged to be married... Well.....I was, engaged to be married, to a woman." "You're not answering my question Brian, are you gay?" Chris persisted, raising his voice just a little. "I don't understand what you're getting at Chris...how could i possibly be..." It was a combination of the many emotions he was feeling at that exact moment. Partly due to his frustration with Brian, but also because of his unstable emotions, Chris took a step closer to Brian, put one hand behind his head, and before Brian knew what was happening he felt Chris' lips upon his. Despite his initial shock, Brian accepted the kiss, and while he didn't initiate any part of it, he went wherever Chris was about to take him. Chris didn't waste time in getting Brian to open his mouth as their tongues made contact for the first time. The kiss meant nothing to Chris, but to Brian it caused an adrenaline rush that he had never felt with Leighann or any other woman that he had ever been with. The taste that was Chris was different, sweeter somehow, and while he would have expected it to be rougher, the pace of the kiss, as set by Chris was gentle, slow and tender. Before a minute had passed, Chris pulled away, causally wiping the sides of his mouth with his sleeve and then staring directly at the dumbfounded Brian. "Chris! What was that?" Brian's mind was racing as he unconsciously licked his lips searching for just a slight taste of Chris that may still remain on his lips. He didn't know what to think, what to do. Before anything else, he looked nervously out the glass door, seeing Nick still asleep he felt reassured, not knowing exactly what Nick's reaction would have been to seeing them kiss. "I was trying to help you answer my question. Now. I'll ask once more. Brian, are you gay?" Chris would not let up and he continued to stare into Brian's blue eyes letting the older man know that there was no way to escape the question. " I don't know Chris. I'm so confused. The church says it's wrong, it's a sin..." "Forget the church for just a moment, Brian. I know religion is a deep part of you, but so is your heart, and if something is in your heart, then how can it be wrong? You're not a bad person...if you feel it, if it's pure, if it's a feeling of love, then how can it be wrong?" Chris softened slightly as he realized how much Brian was suffering. Nick wouldn't have wanted Chris to be this hard on him, so he relented. "Look, Chris, this is a lot to think about right now. I just discovered that my best friend is gay and I broke up with my fiance. I think I need some time to just let myself sort through the recent events." "Sure, Brian. I understand, but while you're off discovering yourself, you've got your best friend suffering. You said he was depressed before, but Brian, look at him. It's obvious that he's in so much pain, and he needs time too. He's just come out of the closet. and you set him up with me, before you even talked to him about it. Don't you think his best friend's reaction would have been more important to him than dinner with me?" " I was just trying to help Chris. I was trying to help Nick AND YOU! You said you were attracted to him, and you really wanted to meet him. I thought you were a nice guy and would treat Nick well, I don't see where the harm is." "Brian, have you stopped to think that maybe Nick knows who he wants? Maybe that's why he hasn't come out until now? I hate to say it Brian, but in the short time that I've known you two, I've noticed the way you talk about eachother. I see the way he looks at you, and you do the same thing, sometimes." As Chris spoke his mind, he watched Brian. Sure enough Brian's gaze was locked on Nick's sleeping figure, the same way any older brother or best friend would . But there was something more to Brian's look and it told Chris that there was a lot more to the story than he knew. "Chris , you don't understand what a situation I've been put in. And I think for me to deal with all this I need to sit and think all of this through and talk to Nick. Part of me wants to wake him up right now and scream at him for confusing me, while part of me wants to kiss him and take all his pain away. But that part scared me Chris, because I don't think I'm gay . I love Nickolas because he's my little brother. And because of that I don't want to see him hurt. It kills me to see him in so much pain." Brian gave in as the tears that brimmed his eyes spilled down his cheeks. Within a second, Chris pulled Brian into his arms and let Brian cry on his shoulder, all the while, watching Nick's sleeping figure through the glass. After the sobs had subsided, Chris could sense Brian giggle slightly. "What are you laughing at little man?" Chris asked softly. " I was just wondering if you were gonna kiss me again." Brian backed away from Chris, with his trademark goofy grin. "You're such a loser. I try to be nice and you make fun of me...i'll show you..." Chris chased Brian around Nick's kitchen table but instead of following Brian all the way around, he stopped near the kitchen door. "Brian, I thank you for a wonderful night, but I think my work here is done." Chris said with a grin, "There's a couple pizzas on the counter and your best friend is sound asleep, I trust that if I leave you two alone, it would be best. You guys really need to sort things out. You're both confused and have been through alot in the past few days. I don't want to be an interferance." "Chris, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for screwing up so badly, I just hope you don't hate us. At least don't hate Nickolas. He had nothing to do with it. I set you both up, without realising that either of you would get hurt. I thought I was doing what was best for everyone. I understand if you don't want to talk to me anymore, but I'd hate for Nick to lose a friend or potential boyfriend because I screwed things up." Brian tried his best to sum up his thoughts so that Chris wouldn't leave thinking that both he and Nick were complete jerks. Despite his efforts to hide it, Brian could tell Chris was heartbroken and Bri felt horrible. "Brian, I don't hate either one of you. And believe me, I would like nothing more than for Nick and I to be friends. And you too. So don't think I hate you...and besides...how could I hate someone with lips that taste so good?" Chris joked, "No really Bri. I just want to give you two a chance to sort things out before i get involved. I don't want Nick to feel pressured. Please, dont' let him feel badly because of all this. He can always call me. Anytime he needs anything. Both of you. Don't ever hesitate to call." With that final thought, Chris walked towards Nick's front door, with Brian following behind. Before he could leave, Chris turned to say one last thing to Brian. "Bri, I hope you realise Nickolas is one special guy. He's very special. Be careful with his heart. He deserves only the best and he's in so much pain. Please treat him right." Before Brian could respond, Chris was out the front door, shutting it behind him. Brian proceeded to lock it and then jogged back to the kitchen to check on his best friend. He grabbed a blanket from a nearby closet and stepped outside. As he approached the sleeping figure of his friend, Brian felt a shiver run through his body. He knew it wasn't from the cold, but hesitated to admit what it was. As he sat down on the bench, laying Nick's head on his lap, Brian spread the blanket over Nick's sleeping body and thought of how many times he'd been in this position in the past few weeks. "We cuddle more than Leighann and I ever did" Brian giggled to himself. With that he looked down at the engagement ring that Leighann had placed on his ring finger. Brian pulled it off, and without thinking sent it flying towards the ocean. It never did quite make it to the water, but fell softly on the beach. Within seconds it was buried beneath layers of sand and Brian breathed a sigh of relief. It was time to move on. To help Nick and to deal with his own issues that he'd avoided for so long. As sleep came over Brian he brushed his fingers through Nick's hair. The barely audible sigh escaped both of their lips at the same time as Chris' words echoed through Brian's mind. "Nickolas is one special guy. He's very special. Be careful with his heart. Please treat him right. Nickolas is one special guy. He's very special....very special.....special......" Brian's lips mouthed the words, but no sound escaped, as he plunged deeper into his sleep. "I KNOW" There you have it, chapter 8....long overdo, I know. As always, questions, comments, suggestions, complaints etc. are appreciated more than you know. Feedback fuels the writer's spirit. nicksxtacy@hotmail.com : please use it. Carter