The Gift of Love... A New Tale of the Magi By Billy Burrew
Disclaimer: As usual, I would like to comment that this story is purely fictional and that it is no reflection on the sexual orientation of any of the members of NSYNC, Backstreet Boys or their estranged manager, Lou Pearlman. Please read this and enjoy it for what I intended it to be, an entertaining story. There is not a lot of sex, tho there are some adult situations. Please be forewarned. Remember, in the words of Peter Vincent, the Vampire Slayer in Fright Night, "Forewarned is Forearmed!" -Billy B
Chapter XI: A Walk In The Park
The guys all nodded then Kevin looked at Patrick and smiled. "Thank you Patrick. Thanks for being there for Nick and getting him to tell us. We know your name, but who are you and how did you get mixed up with these boneheads?"
Patrick smiled and retold his story to the guys. As he finished, he noticed that not one face was devoid of tears. Even AJ was wiping the tears from behind his sunglasses.
"So you see...I owe these boneheads my life. Everyday that I am alive....I thank god for them. You guys too!", Patrick said as he gestured to Nick, Kevin and the guys, "In my wildest dreams I never thought I'd ever meet you all too!"
"Well", Brian smiled as he and the guys grabbed hold of Patrick and gave him a group hug, "I don't think it'd be cool for these guys to have made two great friends like you two, then keep you under wraps and not share you with us. Let's all hang out together today and cut loose with Patrick and Mike."
All the guys nodded and Patrick smiled. "And the magazines said you guys don't get along! You guys just never get the chance. I'm sure that you all would become great friends if you just hung out together."
The guys smiled and then continued their day of fun at the park. Surprisingly, there were no incidents with the public, mostly owed to the fact that the park was not too busy and that the guys disguises of baseball caps and sunglasses finally seemed to work. They all traveled together in a pack of twelve, riding the rides, and having a good time. As evening fell, Patrick and Mike and all the guys decided to go out to the Hard Rock Caf^Â for dinner. Kevin called ahead and chatted with the manager and made reservations for the group of twelve, discussing security issues with him and getting them a secluded booth. Kevin then called the Backstreet Boys security people and told them to dispatch a few guys to meet them at the Hard Rock Caf^Â at 6 pm.
The guys walked over the Hard Rock Caf^Â and were met outside by their security personnel and the restaurant manager, who immediately showed them into the restaurant to their booth. The dinner than followed was fun, with the manager passing out complimentary merchandise to everyone. Patrick sat between Lance and Nick and Mike sat between JC and Kevin. The guys engaged in a lively chat that was as much a surprise to all of them as it was to Patrick and Mike. At the end of the dinner, JC and Kevin grabbed for the check and they immediately began to playfully argue over who got to pay. Nick turned to Patrick and grinned as he stood up and grabbed the check from in front of them and ran over to the waitress and gave her his credit card. JC and Kevin, their argument prematurely ended, looked and each other and laughed.
Nick got up and grabbed Patrick, excusing the two of them as they headed off to the bathroom. As the door to the bathroom closed Nick smiled at Patrick and gave him a hug.
"I wanted to get a moment alone to thank you for today.", Nick said, "I don't think I would have ever told the guys what had happened if I had never met you. I was just so scared...I feel so dirty, so used...."
Patrick grabbed Nicks hands and squeezed them, "No....don't think like that...if you do, he wins. Don't internalize your hate for Lou by feeling like that about yourself, place that hate squarely on Lou's shoulders, where it belongs."
Nick nodded, "I'll try...."
"Try?", Patrick said in his best Yoda voice, "There is no try. You do or you do not."
Nick looked up and laughed. Patrick grinned and pulled Nick into another hug, then pulled back slightly and kissed him lightly on the lips. Nick smiled and returned the kiss.
"Too bad you're taken, man", Nick smiled, "or I'd be all over you."
Patrick sighed, "Thanks Nick. But what about you and Brian?"
Nick shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, "I guess we're friends. When he wants more, he just turns on the charm and gets it. I just kinda feel like a toy. I love it when he and I are together, but I want to be together as a couple, not just as a one-nighter when he feels like it."
"Well...", Patrick replied, "He is really cute, but not that irresistable."
Nick looked at Patrick for a second, "We'll see...I think he's got the hots for you too!"
"Hmmm...I noticed.", Patrick smiled, "Though the only thing he and I are gonna have together is a little chat about his relationship with you. I've taken a shine to you Nick and I think Brian needs to wise up and see what he has looking him in the face...before its gone."
Nick looked at Patrick and smiled, "Thanks Patrick...I owe you."
"Nothing.", Patrick said softly as he gave Nick a hug, "There's nothing I wouldn't do for someone I care for...and I do care for you."
Patrick and Nick rejoined the others and they guys made their way back through the park. Patrick chatted with Lance and Mike for a while until he spied Brian staring raptly at him. Patrick slowed his pace and fell to the back of the group and a second later he smiled as he heard Brian fall into step beside him. Patrick smiled and looked over at Brian.
"Having fun?", Brian asked with a shy grin.
"Yeah I am." Patrick smiled, "How are you doing?"
"Pretty good...now that we've met.", Brian chuckled slyly.
"Brian...whoa!", Patrick laughed, "Man...you move fast!"
Brian looked at Patrick and smiled a wolfish smile.
"You're really cute, you know that?", Patrick said as he looked at Brian.
Brian blushed and put his arm around Patrick's waist, pulling him close.
"But I know that you're with Nick.", Patrick said quickly, "Unless I am mistaken."
Brian's face twitched slightly, "He and I are best friends...with benefits...That's all."
"Oh really?", Patrick sighed, "I guess that's all for the best, tho."
"Why is that?", Brian asked suddenly.
"Well..", Patrick said deviously, "He and I had talked about the relationship between the two of you earlier when he was talking about his new crush. This guy sounds like a total hottie...and I told Nick to go after him, if all you were to each other was friends with benefits."
Brian's face fell as he looked ahead at the group for Nick.
Patrick smirked slightly and decided to take it a step further, "I've only known him a little while, but I know that a guy like Nick only comes along once in a lifetime. I'm glad he'll be happy....aren't you?
"Yeah.", Brian said so sadly and quietly that Patrick could hardly hear, "He deserves to be happy...he's been through so much."
"You love him, huh?", Patrick said quietly after a few seconds.
"Yeah, I do. I've been too chickenshit to tell him, tho. I've been so busy telling everyone that we're just friends and covering up what we have that I never thought he'd move on to someone else.", Brian said as tears began to fall down his face.
"I think maybe if you sit him down and tell him how you really feel, and apologize for making him feel like some outlet that you use and toss aside til the next time you feel an urge you might stand a chance with him.", Patrick replied, then sped up, leaving Brian to walk with his thoughts and regrets.
Patrick walked up behind Nick and Justin, who were laughing as they walked and put his arms around the both of them.
"Patrick!", Justin giggled, "Where'd you get off to?"
"I was having a little talk with Brian", Patrick said quietly to Nick. "I think maybe you two should go get a soda or something."
Nick's eyes lit up and he smiled as he gave Patrick a quick hug.
Justin looked at Patrick and smiled, "You're too much. You are like a living episode of "Touched By An Angel". You go around helping people and righting wrongs."
Patrick giggled, "Yeah...that's me. Touched By An Angel with only half the schmaltz."
Justin and Patrick giggled for a few minutes and then Patrick steered Justin towards Lance.
"Speaking of that...why don't you talk with Lance, Curly.", Patrick said as Mike, JC, Lance and Kevin walked over to where Patrick and Justin was standing. Patrick sat down on a bench and Kevin sat down beside him. JC and Mike decided to grab some sodas for the four of them.
"Thanks", Kevin said suddenly.
"For?", Patrick asked, looking over at the dark-haired singer.
"For talking with Brian.", Kevin said with a smile. "He's been denying what was between him and Nick for a long time. What did you say that made the difference?"
"Well Kevin", Patrick grinned, "The best way to show someone that they're not seeing something that is right under their nose is to show then that it might get take it away." Kevin blinked and arched his eyebrows, not understanding what Patrick was saying.
"I told him that Nick may have found a hot new prospect who made him very happy.", Patrick finished with a small smile.
"Oh...god!", Kevin smiled as he shook his head, "It was that easy?"
"Once he realized that Nick might not be around for him anymore, Brian wised up pretty quick.", Patrick said with a grin.
"I should have thought of that ages ago!", Kevin said with a grin.