Mark and Rye

This story is about male/male relationships and may contain graphic descriptions of sexual acts between consenting adults. If it is illegal for you to read this story due to your age or residence please stop now.

This is a work of fiction. It may use names of real locations, places and/or people but only to make the story more accessible to its readers. The use of these names in no way implies or is meant to imply anything about the sexuality, personality or behaviour of the actual person named. Please be clear here - THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION.

This story is the sole property of its author and may not be copied in whole or in part or posted on any website without the express written consent of the author. The author wishes to acknowledge and thank the archivist for Nifty for allowing this story to be published here.

Questions/commentary can be sent to "rye_encoke@hotmail.com" Criticism, both good and bad are appreciated, rants and hate mail are forwarded to the senders email provider and deleted.

Authors Notes: Thanks for the emails, turns out I have a couple of fans...woohoo for me...hope you all enjoy this chapter. Some of you have asked if the character Rye is based on me. Not really, certainly not the good looking wealthy part..hahaha. My personality is closer to the way I portray Bryan, emotions right on the surface, I can cry at the drop of a hat. If you want to know more about me you have to email me and be willing to share about yourself too.

• Plans -

Jill and the guys were just finishing up and were getting ready to go. They had decided against lunch at the clubhouse at the last minute after Jill had suggested lunch in the market instead. The market was a large open air market that held various stalls with food, gifts, crafts and other interesting stuff that the guys seemed interested in seeing.

"Let me call the guys and see what they are doing, maybe we can meet them somewhere." Jill borrowed Shane's cell and dialed the loft.

"Hey Rye, whatcha guys doing?"

"Okay well we are going to the market, the guys need to pick up costumes for friends and family. Wanta meet us there in like an hour for late lunch? Okay seeya then hon," Jill disconnected.

"They just got up and Rye has an errand to run that he needs the guys for. They will meet us at the market in an hour or so. Mark needs to talk to me about something apparently but Rye doesn't know what. Mark mention anything to you guys?"

"Nope," Shane answered and looked at the rest of the guys who also shook their heads no. "Maybe he just wants to know more about Rye or wants help with his performance."

"How come you guys didn't include Mark in your act?" Jill asked.

"Well you can only have four people right, besides Mark will want to do something for Rye. He's okay with it really, he already said he wouldn't have wanted to do it," Kian answered.

"Mark is a little too shy to be doing what we're planning, and when we told him about it he went red and said there was no way he was doing it," Nicky laughed.

"Okay let's go, give me the keys Shane," Jill held out her hand.

Shane just looked at Jill without saying anything. Finally she gave up. "Alright fine, you drive then."

Shane smiled, "Thanks I was planning on it."

"What errands does Rye have?" Kian asked as they piled into the car.

"No idea, he didn't say. He did say that he needed help though. Maybe he is buying a new sofa," Jill rolled her eyes.

"Yeah what is with all the chairs and stuff?" Shane giggled as he remembered the fit of laughter everyone enjoyed that first night in the loft.

"Nothing really. Its just that the loft is so damn big he keeps saying that it just needs another chair or sofa to make it look right. I tease him whenever he buys a new one, but honestly I think he is just trying to make the place seem more like a home," Jill answered.

"Can we all tease him about the chairs or would he get upset?" Kian asked, clearly wanting to get in on the tease-Rye-club.

Jill chuckled evilly, "Oh no please, the more the merrier, just remember if you start you have to take what he dishes out too, and he is good at teasing. He manages to find the thing that will embarrass you most. Fair warning."

"So where is this place we can get our costumes. Considering what we are buying we really need to be discrete about this," Shane changed the subject.

"Oh yeah almost forgot. Turn left at the end of the road and just keep going till you see the Amsterdam Road exit. I will call ahead and see if we can get something arranged." Jill grabbed for a cell phone and dialed.

"Hey Alex its Jill. Not bad and you. Awesome listen I need a favor. Would you be willing to shut down for an hour or so and help some of my friends get fixed up with some costumes. They are kinda high profile and the costumes they need are, well, unusual. Okay thanks, be there in 10." Jill disconnected and Shane turned onto the exit.

"We are gonna kick butt on friends and family night," Nicky giggled.

• Isosceles -

"Okay seeya later Jill." Rye hung up the phone and turned back to the two now awake young men in his bed, Mark's arm laying across Bryan's chest and their legs intertwined.

"Everyone get a good rest?" he asked.

"Yes my love," Mark whispered as he reached across Bryan and ran a finger across Rye's lips.

"Me too," Bryan answered as he stretched then turned and hugged his body close to Rye.

"Now no more of that this morning, or should I say this afternoon, we have an errand to do then we are gonna meet Jill and the guys in the market for some lunch and shopping." Rye tried to sound tough but Bryan's hard cock poking into his own rapidly growing erection was making it difficult.

"Come on guys, none of that, Rye is right we have to get going," Mark scolded as he pushed his body into Bryan, his own fully erect cock pressing against Bryan's ass.

"Hey guys I have an idea if ya wanta try it? It would be pretty quick and I think we would all enjoy it," Bryan suggested.

"Okay Bry boy, lets hear what it is," Rye smiled.

"Okay you guys know about 69'ing right. Well we could sorta do that with the three of us, like a triangle." Bryan's face was flushed with excitement as he quickly detailed his plan.

Rye and Mark smiled together and nodded at Bryan. They quickly shifted positions. Rye was sucking Bryan who was sucking Mark who was sucking Rye. The experiment didn't last long but it was intense and very enjoyable.

The guys lay there catching their breath for a few minutes before getting up to get dressed for the day.

"Umm guys?" Bryan asked shyly as he pulled up his boxers.

Rye and Mark turned to look at Bryan.

"This whole morning has been awesome, I mean just wonderful, I love you both so much. I loved what we did and I want to do it more, LOTS more," Bryan said quickly as if scared to admit it.

"Bry boy are you gay?" Rye asked suddenly.

"Yes," Bryan answered without thinking then stopped and his eyes got very large. He sat down on the floor like a little boy and started to cry.

Both Rye and Mark went to him and sat with him, holding him tightly. Nobody spoke for a long time they just all held each other.

"I sort of figured you were when you were so insistent on being in on it when we decided to go further with our sex life," Rye said. "I'm sorry if you didn't want to admit it like this, but there is nothing to be scared of, I mean after all both Mark and I are gay, we aren't going to turn you away, especially after this morning."

"I know, I just didn't want you to think I was trying to be a part of what you guys have. I mean you two are a couple and when it was just sharing with a friend or brother it was okay. But now I'm another gay guy and you won't want to do it anymore." Bryan said it as if he truly believed his own twisted logic.

"Bryan my love," Mark took Bryan's face firmly between his hands, "I have always suspected you were gay or bi and were just waiting for the right time. And to think that now that you have admitted it we would not want to share with you anymore is just, well, silly. We both love you very much and you can continue to be with us as much or as little as you want."

"Really?" Bryan asked, sounding very small and scared as he looked from Rye to Mark, seeing that they both truly meant it.

"When?" he finally asked, excitement back in his eyes and voice.

"That's up to you I suppose. Although I imagine there will be some times when we want it to just be the two of us, I think you could just take it as a given you can be with us unless we say we want to be alone," Rye suggested.

Mark nodded. "But Bry boy, if it does happen that we want to be alone you have to promise that you won't be upset and think it is because you have done something wrong or that we don't want you with us anymore okay?"

"No I understand. I mean you guys wanta try the ass stuff with each other first before you bring me in on it, and you have to decide if you really want to bring someone else in on it too I suppose, I hope you do though cuz I want to do that too and I trust you guys and want it to be with you, and I don't want to be with you all the time either, I mean sometimes I like to be with the other guys too, do you think they will still let me be with them once you tell them I am gay?" Bryan was excited again and was talking quickly, seemingly jumping from one thought to the next without pause, and apparently in a single breath.

"Well first off we aren't going to tell them you are gay. If you want to tell them you can but we won't be doing it," Rye said.

"I probably should tell them though right? I mean isn't it like entrapment or something if I continue to do it with them and they don't know?" Bryan asked quietly.

"Not really," Mark said, "I mean I have always been gay but I never told anyone. You guys all seemed to know and nobody stopped being with me. I think that when it's just us guys it doesn't really matter. We all love each other and we are just helping each other out."

"Will you guys be upset with me or think less of me if I don't tell them right away?" Bryan asked with a tear in his eye.

"Not at all. We are happy you told us, and I am sorry I got you to tell us earlier than you may have wanted. Honestly though I can't think of a good reason not to tell them Bry boy. But it's up to you to tell them in your own time. Now the second thing I want to say is that we all need to get blood tests," Rye said.

"Isn't it a little late for that considering what we just did? But we have those done on a regular basis anyway and I am clean," Mark said.

"Me too," Bryan said, "Actually we all are. You may think that us pop stars get laid every other night but none of us has ever been with another person in that way."

"Well, that's good to know since I just finished taking both your loads down my throat. I am clean too," Rye smiled.

"I really liked what we did today guys and I want to do it lots more. But I don't want to keep the other guys from sharing with you, so for now I will wait for you to invite me. That way the others get their turn and you can control what goes on." Bryan said as he started down the stairs to finish getting dressed.

Rye and Mark just nodded.

"But after the other guys have all had their turn I am gonna be in your bed all the time," Bryan laughed joyously as he skipped down the stairs.

Mark smiled and turned to Rye who was also smiling. Mark wrapped his arms around his lover and said, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything, for being with Bryan, for setting him free like that. I had always sorta suspected but was never sure. For telling him he can always be with us. But most of all for loving me," Mark murmured into Rye's neck.

Rye simply held Mark close to him and whispered, "Thank you right back for all the same things. I love you fella."

"Love you too fella."

• Naughty Thoughts -

"What is this place?" Kian asked a little nervously.

"A sex shop, Naughty Thoughts. But we aren't here for that, we are here to see the owner Alex," Jill answered as she walked to the pink door at the back of the store and rang a bell.

After a minute they could here the door being unlocked and it was soon opened by a six foot tall woman with the biggest hair any of the guys had ever seen. Jill moved in and embraced the woman warmly.

"Hiya Alex, me and the guys need to raid your closet," Jill smiled happily.

"Oh honey look what you brought me, three beautiful young boys and my guess is only one of them is totally straight," Alex gushed.

The guys were definitely surprised, on several counts. First off, Alex was a guy, that much was obvious now. Secondly, he or she seemed to think that two of them were gay or bi. Third, they were apparently going to be outfitted for their costumes from Alex's closet.

Alex laughed merrily as the guys just stood there kind of stunned. "Oh come on guys, I was just playing with the straights, come on in and tell me what you need."

All three followed in behind, Kian took a last look around before he closed the door, it almost looked like he was scanning for escape routes.

• Memories -

"Rye what are we doing here?" Mark asked as they came to a stop in front of storage locker 27.

"This is where I keep my past. You guys have taught me a few things in the last couple of days. One of those things is that I can still love people, I can still have a family. When I realized that I also realized that I can still have my old family too. So I want to bring a couple of things from here back home, back where they belong. I need you guys to help me with some of it."

"Okay Rye we'll help, but are you sure you are ready for this, I mean just the other day you had a breakdown after visiting this place?" Bryan asked as he rubbed Rye's shoulder from the back seat.

"Yeah, I'll be fine, I know what things I want and it should be quick," Rye said. "Just keep an eye on me okay guys, this is a big step for me and if I start to lose it you will need to be there to catch me okay?"

"That goes without saying my love," whispered Mark as he leaned over and kissed Rye gently.

"Yeah what he said," Bryan giggled and kissed Rye on the neck.

All three got out of the SUV and went to the locker. This time Rye opened the main door and slid it up to reveal the contents of the locker. Furniture was everywhere, mostly covered with sheets but easily recognizable. Boxes were stacked along the walls and were marked with descriptive words like; study, library, kitchen.

Rye took a deep breath. "Okay I am looking for some specific things. First a large portrait of the family, like the one in the front of the album Jill showed you guys, but this is big, about 4 foot by 6 foot. That should be easy to find. The others things are smaller and are gonna be harder. I am looking for a high back leather arm chair that belonged to my father, a deep oxblood color."

"Those are both pretty big they should both be easy to find, what else?" Bryan asked as they moved into the locker.

"The matching teddy bear to the one I brought with me the other night. A musical carousel that belonged to my sister. A sapphire necklace of my mothers, that could be in a jewelry box somewhere. And...." Rye paused.

"And what else?" Mark stopped and looked at Rye, worry in his eyes.

"My guitar," Rye said quietly. Mark's heart fluttered madly at Rye's words. Rye wanted his music back.

"Okay let's get the big stuff first they should be easiest to find," said Bryan. From one side of the locker he removed a cloth from something leaning against the wall. "Hey see it was easy, I think this is the painting you want Rye."

"Yes thats it, lets move it to the front," Rye smiled as he looked at the portrait of his family. It hurt a bit but not as much as he thought. Not that he didn't still miss them but the pain was blunted by the love he had in his life now.

As he helped Bryan move the painting to the SUV he heard Mark yell out, "Hey here's the chair. Wow it's nice Rye."

Rye walked in to look at his father's chair. "I love this chair. When I was little I used to climb up on the arm and sit there with my dad while he worked. I would color on the paper he gave me and when he finished his work he would look at me very serious and ask me if I was ready to call it a day. When I nodded he would gather up his papers and put them in his briefcase and then he would take the pictures I had drawn and put them in with all his important papers. I always felt so special when he did that."

"That's beautiful Rye. You deserve to have this in your home, and so does your dad, that is the way you should always remember him," Mark said. The two men lifted the chair and carefully moved it to the vehicle.

The other items took longer to find. Eventually Bryan found the teddy bear and the carousel in a box marked 'kids stuff'. After another 10 minutes Rye found a small box marked 'mom' and found the necklace inside along with other valuables. He left the other jewelry behind and took only the necklace.

They were about to give up on the guitar when Rye and Bryan heard Mark from one corner, "Oh no."

They headed back to where he was. On the floor was a guitar case that had been covered with a sheet, several boxes had fallen on it and the case was badly dented. As Mark opened the case they could all see the guitar inside had been smashed.

"I'm sorry Rye," Bryan said as he put his arm around Rye's shoulder.

"It's okay. I can always get another sometime later," Rye said, but he was clearly upset.

"Let's get everything in the car Rye and go enjoy the rest of the day at the market. Don't let this little setback put a damper on all you have done here today. You are bringing your family back home," Mark said as he closed the lid on the ruined guitar and directed Rye outside.

They got everything loaded and locked the shed. Rye stared at the door for a minute then turned and looked at his lover and his friend and smiled as the weight on his heart lifted. He laughed and clapped his hands together, "Let's go get the rest of the family."

Bryan and Mark were surprised by this sudden change but could see that it was real and not just a cover up. They smiled themselves and got into the SUV. Bryan leaned forward from the back seat and turned on the radio. Mark and Bryan sang along to the songs, purposely off-key, while Rye grinned and laughed at their antics.

• Deep Fried Banana Split -

Shane pulled in and parked in the lot of a small restaurant just across the street from the market. They were just locking up as Rye pulled in. Everyone got out and gathered.

"So how was golf?" Mark asked.

"Considering the nightmare we had to endure to get there it was awesome," Nicky said.

"Oh God you didn't let Jill drive did you?" Rye asked in shock.

"The next person to say anything about my driving loses his balls," Jill crossed her arms angrily and stared them down.

"Who won?" Bryan asked.

The group of golfers all turned to each other and looked rather sheepish.

"Umm... we aren't sure. We were so busy talking, nobody really realized that none of us were keeping score until like the 8th hole," Kian said meekly.

Rye, Mark and Bryan thought this was the funniest thing they had heard and had to hold themselves up while they laughed.

Jill had finally had enough and changed the subject, "So what did you horndogs do this morning, as if we didn't already know?"

The guys stopped laughing and it was their turn to be embarrassed. Rye finally said, "Well since you guys seem to have figured it out already, you are right, we were all together this morning."

"And it was wonderful," Bryan stated defiantly.

"Yes it was," Mark smiled.

"It was beautiful Bry boy," Rye smiled.

Nothing was said for a few minutes, but nobody seemed to be embarrassed by the situation anymore. Rye caught Shane looking at him and he looked back at Shane questioningly. Shane smiled then turned away with a blush. Rye knew who would next be sharing with him and Mark.

"What errand did you have to do Rye?" Jill asked.

"You were right," Shane said looking into the back of the SUV, "It's another chair."

Everyone laughed, even Rye. "No it's not exactly what you think. I went to get some stuff from storage that I wanted to have at home. The boys and I just went to get it was all."

Jill looked at Rye then at Mark who just nodded at her. She went and looked into the back of the SUV herself and when she turned around she had tears in her eyes. She went and hugged Rye tightly and said simply, "I'm so happy for you Rye."

The group moved to the restaurant and entered. They were greeted by an older woman, probably in her 50's, with a name tag that said Betty.

"Jill, Rye how are you, its been ages."

"Fine Betty. How are you and Frank getting on?" Rye hugged the woman warmly.

"Does he know everyone?" Kian whispered to Jill.

Jill smiled and nodded.

"Don't tell me he owns this place too?" Kian whispered to Jill again.

"Nope, he just gave them the interest free loan to build it," Jill responded. Kian just smiled and rolled his eyes.

"These cuties with you Rye?" Betty eyed the five singers.

"Yes they are. Not bad for an old guy eh? Could we get a booth at the back, they are kinda well known. And we'll all have the usual."

Betty led them to the back corner of the restaurant where a large booth would seat them all. As they sat down Betty leaned in to Rye and asked, "And which one is yours?"

The guys were all shocked but Rye just chuckled and leaned over and gave Mark a quick kiss on the cheek. They had all just walked through the restaurant and knew that there were only a few patrons and none were close enough to see the group over the high backs of the booth.

"Well glad to meet you all, and especially you sweetie," she patted Mark's hand affectionately, "I'll be back in a jiff with your lunches."

"Was that wise Rye?" Mark asked, not upset just unsure.

"Sure, nobody could have seen us here with these high backs on the booths, and Betty wouldn't tell a soul even if she knew who you were," Rye answered.

"Okay so what did you get from storage Rye," Nicky asked no longer trying to hide his curiosity.

"Maybe he doesn't want to talk about that Nicky," Shane said quietly.

"No its okay, you guys are gonna help me carry it up to the loft after all. I got the family portrait, same as the picture you saw in Jill's album. I got my fathers chair."

"Tell them the story Rye, it's beautiful," Bryan interrupted.

Rye nodded. "When I was little I used to climb up on the arm of my fathers chair as he worked. He would give me paper to draw on while he worked on his business stuff. When he had finished for the day he would look at me all serious and ask me if I was ready to call it a day. Then he would gather up his papers and put them in his briefcase and then he would take the pictures I had drawn and put them in with all his important papers. I found out years later he actually took those drawings with him to his office and would put them out on his desk while he worked. That is my favourite memory of my dad.

"Everything I got today is part of my favourite memories of each member of my family. My sisters carousel music box, I bought that for her on her birthday. I remember she wanted a pony so bad. I never understood her obsession with horses. Of course my parents said no because she was too small to look after it. So on her 9th birthday I had saved my allowance for 6 months which for a 14 year old boy was pretty impressive, I went to the mall and looked all over for something that had a horse on it. I finally saw that carousel sitting in the window of a gift store. I went in and asked how much it was. I was 22 dollars short. I was so sad, it was the perfect gift and there was no way I could get another 22 dollars in just two days.

"Well the manager of the shop saw me sitting on the bench outside the store looking all sad puppy dog and came out and asked me why I wanted the carousel. I told her about my sister and she said that she had a problem too. She told me that the man who usually cleaned the storage room had quit and the back room was a mess. If I would clean it up she would sell me the carousel for 182 dollars, which was exactly how much I had.

Everyone smiled and laughed.

"I know, now I see what she was doing but back then I thought that it sounded perfectly reasonable so I agreed. She told me to sit there for a few minutes while she finished up something in her office. After about 10 minutes she came back and led me to the back room. It was a disaster. Boxes everywhere, trash on the floor. It looked like a tornado had gone through. Which of course it had, she had spent the last 10 minutes destroying her own back room. It took me hours to clean it up but it was spotless when I finished.

"She had the carousel already wrapped up when I was ready to go. My sister cried when I gave it to her and she hugged me and told me she loved me. That was the first time she had ever said that. Up until then I was always the nosy or bossy big brother, now I was big brother Rye and she loved me.

The group all smiled with tears of joy in their eyes as Rye told them all this happy memory. Betty soon arrived with the meal. Jill dug in right away and the others soon followed suit.

"This is incredible Rye. I thought it was just a hamburger but it's not," Nicky said around a mouthful of food.

"Nope, it's got a sweet barbecue sauce on it and its a spicy pork meat. You think this is special, wait til dessert, deep fried banana split. Yumm," Rye said and licked his lips.

"What else did you pick up?" Kian asked, wanting to hear more of Rye's happy memories.

"I got the mate to the teddy bear I had the other day. They belonged to my brothers and for awhile thats the only way I could tell them apart. The teddy bears were brown and blond and they carried them everywhere for two years. Eventually I figured out how to tell them apart without the bears. When they got older and thought they were too big for teddy bears they threw them out. I saw them in the trash that day and rescued them. I cleaned them and put them in my room. Years later when I went away to school my mom called and said everyone missed me especially the twins. Apparently they had spent the first few nights I was away sleeping in my bed with their bears," Rye smiled again at the happy memory.

"That's a memory for your dad, your sister and your brothers. What memory did you get for your mom?" Shane asked. He too was smiling at how happy Rye was.

"Ah for my mom it was something I picked up that last summer we spent together. Jill helped me pick it out." Jill smiled as Rye took out the beautiful necklace. It was a slender gold chain with a sapphire teardrop on it. "I gave it to my mother that summer, the last weekend before we headed back to school. She cried when I gave it to her. I told her not to cry it was just a necklace. She said she wasn't crying because of the necklace. She said she was crying because she loved me so much and she was so glad that I had finally told them about being gay. She wanted to know if I had anyone special in my life yet. When I told her no, she held me close and told me not to worry, that someday soon I would find that special man who would fill my heart with joy. She said when I found him to never let him go and she told me again how much she loved me and that she could hardly wait to meet the man who would share my love.

Rye looked across at Mark. "I wish she could have met you. But she knew you were coming one day. She didn't know your name but she knew you would love me and make things alright for me. She would have loved you Mark." Mark smiled brightly and a tear fell from his eyelashes.

Rye turned and looked at all his friends, now his family, "She would have loved all of you."

Turning to Jill he held out the necklace to her. "I want you to wear this always Jill, my mother loved you and once told me that you were like a daughter to her. I know she would want you to wear this and so do I."

Jill simply nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Rye handed the necklace across the table to Kian who took it with shaking hands and placed it around Jill's neck and fastened it.

"So that's all the memories I brought back with me. I will set them up around the loft and eventually bring back more stuff, but for now that's enough," Rye said cheerily.

"What no happy memory of the old Rye?" Shane lauged.

"You wanted to bring back your guitar too remember, but it was all smashed," Bryan said as he stuffed a french fry into his mouth.

"You were going to bring your guitar home?" Jill asked with hope in her voice.

"Yeah but like Bry boy said it was all smashed. Doesn't matter I was just going to put it up on the wall or something," Rye said.

Rye's words felt false to Jill, she knew he had been going to take it to play again. She would bet though that he had taken it being smashed as a sign or something. Well, she would not push it, but the fact that he was moving on so fast gave her hope.

Someone else though had heard the falseness of his words. Mark had been there and had seen Rye's eyes light up as he looked at the guitar case. He had seen a sparkle in his eyes like Jill had once described. He had also seen that sparkle fade again when the damage had been revealed. Mark however was going to push it, and he was going to need Jill to put his little plan into action.

"Ready for dessert dears?" Betty appeared at the table with a tray of banana splits.

"Yes please," both Nicky and Bryan said eyeing the treats.

The deserts were incredible. The bananas were rolled in crushed nuts and deep fried, creating a sort of shell around the outside. The bananas were hot and melted the ice cream around them. The chocolate, butterscotch and strawberry sauces were also served warm. It was a truly decadent desert and everyone enjoyed it.

After everyone had finished, Rye paid the bill and they stepped outside.

"Okay, so lets split up so nobody gets recognized. Who is going with who?" Shane asked.

"Me and Jill are together?" Mark said quickly.

"How bout you and me Rye?" Kian smiled. Rye nodded and put his arm around Kian's shoulder.

"Okay that leaves Bry boy and Nicky with me," Shane said, already picking up on Bryan's new nickname, "Let's meet back in what?"

"An hour and a half?" suggested Jill.

"Okay then. Let's synchronize watches." Rye leaned forward in best spy fashion and waited for the others to do the same.

Everyone laughed and leaned forward participating in the joke.

"And mark." Rye pressed something on his watch that beeped then grabbed Kian and ran into the market like they were all being chased by secret agents. The rest just laughed and moved into the market.

• Kian and Rye -

"So we looking for anything in particular Kian?"

"Well I was going to look for something for Jill," Kian said with just a touch of bitterness in his voice.

"Was? You're not now? What's wrong Kian you sound pissed."

Kian looked at Rye and couldn't maintain his calmness.

"It's just you Rye. I mean its not your fault and I don't blame you at all, but how can anything I do for Jill now compare to you giving her your mother's necklace. No matter what I do I will always be second best. I can't compete with you, I don't want to compete with you but...I just don't know what to do. This is all new to me and I just feel inadequate I guess. I mean Jill loves you and you know each other so well and here I am stumbling along and....." Kian let out a loud sigh and just let his arms fall to his sides in defeat.

"Whoa thats a lot of information all at once. Let's go sit down in here." Rye directed Kian to a stall advertising specialty coffees. Rye ordered two house specials when the waitress came.

"Okay first, I don't ever want to hear you say that you feel inadequate. We are not competing with each other. Its true what Jill and I have is very special but its been built up over years and through a life altering trauma. What you have with Jill is also very special but you have only been at it for a couple of days. You are also very special to me and it hurts me to think that I make you feel inadequate. You are wonderful and I count myself lucky to have you as my friend." Rye spoke quietly but with conviction.

"Jill said basically the same thing, but it's hard to not feel that way around you. You are so incredible Rye, the things you do for people. How you make people feel so loved. I just have never met anyone like you, and I just feel so lost," Kian confessed.

"Ah my sweet sweet boy. Don't you know there is no such thing as first place and second place with me and Jill. We are all equal. We give and take and live together in joy and love," Rye spoke softly.

Kian lowered his head and spoke softly, "I'm sorry Rye, but I am jealous of you. Please don't hate me because I am not strong but I love Jill and I am scared she won't love me back because I can't measure up to you. And now you are part of my family, you are friends with my brothers and they love you. You aren't breaking us apart but you are a part of us so quickly and so easily, and it's not as easy for me to fit into your world, into Jill's world. You didn't have to work at it, you were just accepted. I know it's not your fault, I mean I accept you too. How could I not you are wonderful. I love you, and that scares me too.

Rye's heart was nearly broken as Kian confessed his fears and thoughts. Rye shook his head slowly. "Kian please look at me." Slowly Kian raised his eyes and looked at Rye. "I love you. I am so honored by your friendship and so proud of you. It takes such a strong heart to tell someone your fears, and an even stronger heart to confess to jealousy. Please believe me when I say that you have nothing to fear from me. Jill and I are friends, best friends, but she is an independant woman and makes her own decisions. Even if I wanted to stop her from being with you I couldn't, and Kian I don't want her to stop. I don't know how to convince you more than my words but I love you both and want you both to be happy with each other. How about instead of competing with me you use me, its true I know Jill better than you so who better to help you."

Kian had been looking into Rye's eyes the whole time and saw the hurt he had caused his friend and also saw the truth of his words.

"Rye I am so sorry I hurt you, I didn't mean to. See I do everything wrong. I am hopeless," Kian's eyes dropped.

"Kian," Rye's voice was angry now, "Stop this now. You may have hurt me initially but only because you are confused about this whole relationship. But now you are slipping into self-pity and that is not an attractive quality. Do you really think so little of Jill that you think you have to win her with gifts or by trying to outdo her best friend? If so then maybe you aren't the man for her. That's not the man she fell in love with, that's not the man I count as one of my closest friends. That man is strong and smart and loving, a man that both her and I can respect. Now which man are you going to be?

Kian had been shocked by the change in Rye. Rye's eyes were still honest but now there was something else there, he saw real anger. Kian realized that he really could lose Rye and Jill right now, this was a turning point for Kian and he had to conciously make a decision. Kian stared into Rye's eyes for a long time, thinking about his words and taking from Rye the strength he needed. Rye was right this was not the way he was, he had let his own doubts cloud his thinking. Rye was not his rival, he was his friend and confidant.

Rye watched Kian as he digested what he had just said. He hoped that Kian was not too upset with him but he needed a friend to kick his ass into gear. He had fallen into a cycle of self-doubt and pity and it was not healthy. He watched Kian's eyes go through several emotions and finally saw the light come back into his eyes, Kian was back.

"You're right of course." Kian took a deep breath and released his fears, "Thank you for setting me straight Rye."

Rye's eyes softened and he breathed a sigh of relief, he would not lose a friend today. "I was so scared when I said those things," Rye said.

Rye left some money on the table as the two men got up and left. Kian turned to Rye and put his hand on Rye's arm.

"Rye I want to thank you for what you did here today, but you said you were scared. Why?"

"Scared I might lose a friend I care for when I said all that stuff."

"But it was all true," Kian argued.

"Sometimes people won't accept the truth."

"So you took the chance of losing my friendship to tell me the truth?" Kian sounded surprised.

"Of course."

Kian shook his head. "Rye what you did has only made me love you more. I don't know how I ever managed to become your friend but I thank God for you in my life. I will never let you down again," he put his hand up to stop any protest, "even if you don't feel that way, I feel like I let you down. There is a line from a Jack Nicholson movie and it sounded corny to me in the movie but I can't think of anything more appropriate at this point. You make me want to be a better man Rye."

Rye swallowed hard, "Thank you Kian."

"Now help me find a present for Jill, not because I am trying to buy her love, because I love her."

"Alright my boy, let's take a look around."

The two men threw their arms around each other and walked the market looking for something for Jill. Eventually with Rye's help Kian had chosen a small gift that Rye assured him Jill would love. Rye was happy that his friendship seemed stronger with Kian now. As for Kian he felt like he had just been through the emotional equivalent of world war three but he had come out the other side better for the battle. He knew now that Rye was a friend he could trust and that he did not have to compete with or try to be like Rye. All in all it was a good day.

Kian's cell rang and he answered. After talking a bit he hung up. "Jill and Mark are going to be late they said they will meet us back at the loft." Kian suddenly had a glimmer in his eye and Rye just put it off to the fact that he had been speaking to Jill.

"Let's go find the guys at the car, Jill said she will call them and let them know to meet us," Kian said.

Kian's mind was reeling from the news, and he could barely control his emotions at what was going to take place very soon.

• Jill and Mark -

"Okay out with it Mark, did you three do it this morning," Jill asked wickedly.

Mark blushed brightly but said nothing.

"Aha I knew it. The blush tells all." Jill threw her arms around Mark and hugged him tightly. "God I love you Mark."

Mark smiled and wrapped his arms around Jill's waist. "I love you too Jill. Yes we did, and it was wonderful."

"Have you decided what you are going to do after the tour is over?" Jill asked, suddenly changing topics.

"Not really. I am coming back to stay with Rye. I think the guys will find a place here so we can all be together. We want to write some of our own songs. I want them to be close to me. I have to stay with Rye but I don't want to lose my friends either, I think it may be hard for me for awhile." Mark's smile faded a bit.

"Why not all stay with Rye?"

"I think they would like to, but I don't know if Rye would want that, and I wouldn't want to ask in case he said yes just to please me," Mark answered.

"Well let's not worry about it now. But for the record in case we are taking bets. I think it will be Rye to ask the guys to stay with him and my guess is he is going to do something typically Rye to ensure they do."

"If he asked I am sure they would say yes. It's true you know that we all love him and you?" Mark said this obviously wanting to make sure that Jill really believed it.

"I know Mark and we both love all of you. It's like I said on the night this whole thing started. Some people are fated to be together. At first I thought it was just you and Rye, but now I see that it's all of us. I jokingly said we had all played a part in one of God's twisted little miracles. Thing is I truly believe it now. We are meant to be together us seven and I doubt that now that God has put us together even he could take us apart. How else can you explain how close we have all become so quickly?"

"You know if Rye offers to let us stay, the guys are going to think they are being pests and will not stay even though they want to," Mark said.

"Yeah I know, but like I said lets not worry about it, I have seen this kind of thing before with Rye. Trust me he will do something spectacular and they won't be able to say no," Jill smiled brightly.

"I hope so."

"So changing the subject... what are you going to do for friends and family night, any ideas?" Jill asked.

"Well I wanted to sing something to Rye but I don't know if I should with all those people there," Mark answered.

"I know something that will help you out big time," Jill smiled like the proverbial cat who swallowed the golden bird.

"Well spill it girl," Mark almost shouted.

"I know what his favourite song is and it just happens to be right up your alley," Jill teased.

"Okay tell it now or I will steal Kian away to share with me and Rye and you will never get him back," Mark threatened.

"Ha okay okay, his favourite song is..." Jill paused waiting for Mark to react.

"Jill!" Mark shouted.

"Danny Boy," Jill crowed triumphantly.

Marks eyes lit up. "Seriously? That's my mum's favourite song too."

"Yes. It's perfect. You could sing the song directly to him and nobody would be the wiser. Nobody but me knows it's his favourite and it's not a love song in the traditional sense. You can sing it acapella right?" Jill asked.

"Yeah but what difference would that make?" Mark asked back.

"He can listen to the emotion in your voice as you sing it. It will be like you are reaching out and touching his heart. It will melt him, especially if a certain best friend is standing right next to him to let him know his boyfriend is singing this song especially for him," Jill said with a wink.

Mark grabbed Jill in a hug and spun her around, "Jill I love you that is going to be perfect."

"Oh God Mark, are you sure you are only for the boys, cuz honey you could rock my world," Jill said sexily, but her eyes betrayed her and Mark knew she was playing.

"Sorry hon, but I have a brother who I think is madly in love with you," Mark offered.

"Yeah and I am head over heels for him," Jill smiled. "So what was it you wanted to talk to me about today Mark?" Jill could change topics on a dime.

"Oh well it sorta surprised me because of what happened today. I had this idea that I was going to try and get Rye to play a song for me at friends and family. Then we went to the locker and it turns out he was looking for his guitar. I don't care what he said at the restaurant, he wasn't going there to get it to hang on a wall, he was going to get it to play," Mark said firmly.

"You sensed that too? I agree. I also agree that he is doing this because of you," Jill said.

Mark's eyes looked worried.

"No Mark, not for you, because of you. He is not trying to please you by doing something he is not ready for. He now has joy and happiness in his life. The only thing that is missing now is his music, and he wants it back."

"I agree. So the part I needed help with is done, he already wants to play again. Now though I need different help. His guitar is smashed and I think that he may have seen that as an omen or something and I think he is going to use that to delay getting back to his music," Mark explained.

Jill nodded agreement.

"So what I need is for you to help me find a suitable guitar that I can give to him. I think my giving him a guitar will outweigh any omen he sees in the broken one," Mark smiled at his logic.

Jill also smiled. "My God you are bright too. I though cute and bright didn't go together."

"Really? I will have to ask Kian what he thinks about your little observation," Mark arched one eyebrow.

Jill actually blushed, "Umm, I don't think that will be necessary Mark."

Mark laughed, "God Jill you are so cute when you blush, you realize it is now my life's mission to make you blush at every opportunity."

Caught with her own threat Jill could do nothing but roll her eyes and throw up her hands. "Come on I know just the place to find what we are looking for."

They walked to the end of the market and turned onto a small narrow street not really made for cars. They walked about a block until they came to an old building with a sign out front that said "Lazlo's Fine Instruments".

"Don't tell me another of Rye's friends owns a music store?" Mark asked.

"Nope. A former teacher actually," Jill said as she pushed the door open and entered the store.

The number of instruments was amazing. Everything from an old player piano to violins. Flutes, clarinets and other instruments filled display cases and lined the walls. Behind a counter a very elderly gentleman stood holding a saxophone in his hands.

"One minute please," he said without looking up as he continued to work on the instrument.

"Take your time Maestro, but I would think that when your favourite girlfriend enters your store you would drop everything to greet her," Jill teased as she walked to the old man.

"Oh my God Jill, it has been so long. What brings you here?" the Maestro asked as he swept her into an embrace.

"Something special Maestro. Something special." Jill sighed and turned to Mark. "This beautiful young man has won the heart of my best friend and wants to buy him a gift."

"He wants to buy Rye a gift, here?" the Maestro obviously knew that Rye had given up his music and was surprised.

"Yes. Today he went to get his old guitar but it was smashed and so I want to buy him another one. I want to see that light in his eyes again like today," Mark said completely nonplussed at Jill's introduction of him and clearly getting used to telling Rye's friends that they were together. Briefly he felt a twinge of sadness or maybe envy that he could not do the same with his friends and family.

"You saw a light in his eyes?" Jill asked excitedly, "You didn't tell me that."

Mark nodded. "Before we opened the case and saw the guitar was smashed I saw his eyes and they sparkled like some bright light was reflecting off of those gold flecks he has. It was beautiful, then I opened the case and the guitar was ruined and I looked back and saw the light go away. My heart broke. I have to bring that light back." Mark was getting choked up.

"Yes, yes, yes," The Maestro was clapping his hands excitedly. "His music, his music, he wants his music back." Suddenly the Maestro threw his arms around Mark. "You did this didn't you, you gave him his music back. Of course it was you, and your friends too I imagine. It would take another musician to make him see he needed it back. Wait here."

The Maestro left a confused Mark and a tearful Jill in the store.

"How did he know I was a musician?" Mark asked.

"He has around a dozen grandchildren, all girls, I am sure he knows exactly who you are. Oh Mark, you did do it, you gave him back his music."

From the back an excited voice could be heard, "Aha, here it is."

After a minute the Maestro came back up front and was holding a guitar case. He laid it down on the counter and opened it up. Inside was a beautiful guitar. It was a deep red, almost black really, and the Maestro picked it up with reverance.

"Oh Maestro...." Jill sobbed and Mark saw she was crying freely.

"Jill whats wrong?"

"That is Rye's guitar." Jill gently reached out and her fingers traced along the side of the guitar.

"But I thought the one at the locker was his guitar?" Mark was clearly confused.

"No the guitar at the locker was the guitar he used at school and the one he practiced on. This was the guitar he used when he played for real, the one he composed on. How did you get it Maestro?" Jill asked.

"After it happened," and the Maestro paused as his expression became troubled, "and he gave up his music, I knew he had given his music things away. I found out what he had done with it all and went and got it from whoever had it. Some of it I bought from them but most gave it to me freely. This beauty I found in a pawn shop. He had sold it for 100 dollars and the man told me that Rye had not even taken the money, just left it on the counter. I brought it back with the rest of his stuff and kept it here on the chance that one day he would need it back."

"Maestro," Mark said quietly, "I think you should be the one to give this to him, and to hear him play it again. We will take you back with us and he will play again. Can you string it and tune it for us?"

"I am gonna call Kian and tell them that you and I are delayed and to meet us back at the loft. This is going to be a day for the books Mark," Jill said as she used Mark's cell.

• Shane, Nicky and Bryan -

The three men walked in silence for a long time, just looking at all the stalls. Finally Bryan could take it no more.

"What's wrong guys, nobody is talking and it's freaking me out?"

"Sorry Bry boy, but I am a little embarrassed," Shane said.

"Because of what me and Rye and Mark did?" Bryans fears seemed like they were about to come true.

"Well yes, but not in the way you think," Shane said as he saw for himself the sudden fear in Bryan's eyes.

"What way then?" Bryan asked quietly feeling suddenly very small.

"Well..." Shane paused a long time before blurting out, "What was it like?"

Bryan stopped and looked at his two friends who were looking at him with eagerness and he realized that they did not think badly of him at all, or like he was doing anything wrong. They, in fact, wanted to know all about it and he saw desire in their eyes.

"Ha, weren't you just giving me hell the other day for asking the same question to Mark?" Bryan teased.

Shane looked stricken and Bryan saw how his words affected Shane and was immediately sorry. He should have known better than to tease about something like this. After all, Mark and Rye had been so kind and patient with him, how could he not treat his own brothers the same way. He quickly put his arms around Nicky and Shane and continued walking.

"It was wonderful Shane. It was sex it's true, but not like what any of us have done before. There was so much love when we were together it was amazing. We did it the whole morning. I was so scared because I was ready to cum right away and I thought once I came it was over. But then they said that's not how it works, that we make love all morning. And we did. We all took turns."

Bryan was now talking excitedly as he detailed the events of the morning. He talked without pause or thinking, and the love making he had experienced was laid out for Nicky and Shane who listened intently.

"Guess what they do? They taste each others' cum. I did too. I sucked them both and tasted them. I didn't know how to do it at first but Rye showed me how. He is so patient and kind. I made Mark cum first, all by myself, then I did Rye. Then Mark asked if I was ready again and so I went to suck him again but they told me to stop. And that's part of the rules, as soon as someone says stop everyone stops. So I did but I was afraid I had done something wrong. But all it was was that Rye wanted to suck me this time. And the whole time he was sucking me Mark was kissing me.

Bryan felt Shane's body shiver beneath his arm.

"And so I asked after it was over, when we could do it again and they said whenever I want. But if they want to be alone they will tell me and I shouldn't be upset because they still love me but sometimes they need to be alone. So I said I would wait till after you all have had a chance to be with them otherwise its not really fair. They did promise me that I could be with them first after they get into doing the ass stuff.

Both Nicky and Shane looked a little surprised at how much Bryan was into this and they looked at each other strangely.

"Then when we were getting dressed, just out of the blue Rye asks me if I am gay. I was so happy and wasn't worrying about anything so I just said yes, then I realized I had been sorta tricked into letting them know that....."

Once again Bryan's mouth had gotten ahead of his mind. He stopped dead in his tracks a look of terror on his face as his two friends turned to look at him with surprised looks on their faces. It was Shane who took the matter in hand as he stepped forward and hugged Bryan to him tightly.

"I am so happy for you Bry boy. You have found yourself and you did it with the help of two people you love and who love you back. Now since you were already talking to them about us, how do we go about sharing with them like you did. After that kiss that Rye and Mark shared with me I want to be with them very much."

Bryan smiled cautiously and looked at Nicky who smiled back. Everything was okay and Bryan felt safe.

"Well you have to wait til its just the three of you cuz things get noisy and I dont think it would work when we are all home. We do a lot of screaming and moaning and calling each others name. But if you just let them know that you want to be with them they will make time I am sure. I could let them know for you Shane. I have already been with them so it wouldn't embarrass me," Bryan offered.

"Thanks Bry boy but I think I can ask them myself. And having just the three of us alone should not be a problem. I mean everyone will know what is going on, I could just ask everyone to leave or wait for an evening when everyone is going out and just stay behind."

Bryan's cell phone rang and he answered. He got very excited and his smile was so wide he could barely contain it.

He hung up and explained what was going to happen. Everyone was shocked but excited.

"Bry boy," Shane said, "You can sometimes get very excited. I mean look at what you unintentionally told us today. This is very important to Mark so I want you to be very careful on the ride home and until Mark and Jill show up okay. We don't want to accidentally let the cat out of the bag."

"I know Shane. I get worked up but not this time. I want to see both Mark and Rye's face at the surprise," Bryan said. He was not even upset at Shane's words. He knew he got carried away.

"Okay guys now help me find a place that does silkscreening, I have an idea for a gift for Rye, well all of us really, but more to tease Rye with," Shane smiled with an absolutely evil gleam in his eyes.

"COOL!" Bryan rubbed his hands together and actually cackled. Shane explained his plan as the three set off to find what they needed.

• Briefly Before Heading Back -

"So what did you buy for Jill?" Nicky asked Kian.

Nicky opened a small box and displayed the cameo. It was beautiful and the guys all said so.

"Rye helped me pick it out. He told me that Jill used to have one but that it got broken one night when it fell off while she was dancing. She still keeps it but she can't wear it."

"That was nice Rye," Shane said.

"Yes it was," Kian smiled. "Guys I have to tell you that Rye set me straight on some things."

"Kian you don't have to tell them this," Rye said.

"No I do. Look guys I had been feeling more and more threatened by Rye's relationship with Jill. I told him I was jealous and that I felt inadequate. Jill was right. Remember she told us how that would hurt him. It did. I hurt his feelings and when I did I thought my heart would break." Kian swallowed hard as he spoke and Rye put a hand on his arm to comfort him.

"But Rye didn't abandon me. Even though he was hurt by my words he stayed and talked me through it. He got mad at me and told me I was being an idiot, although in a nicer way than that. I want you to know how much I hurt him and tell you it nearly killed me when I saw what I had done to him. Please guys, if you are ever feeling anything, talk it over with him. Things work out in the end and you will save yourself some pain by talking it out right away. I don't ever want you guys to see the hurt I caused him today or feel the hurt yourself." Kian's eyes were filled with tears and one slowly slid down his cheek.

The guys all nodded. Shocked by what Kian had told them and the emotion that Kian was feeling.

"Our friendship is as strong as ever though. I will always love you guys and we can always work things out okay," Rye said.

"Well I guess its just Kian and Jill that don't know now. My mouth gets away from me sometimes so I will just tell you now. I am gay," Bryan said it now like he was announcing what was on TV for the night.

Kian just smiled, "I am not really surprised Bry boy, I had sorta expected it when you got so excited about the idea of being with these two." Kian indicated Rye and the absent Mark.

"Anyone else gay?" Kian asked looking at Shane and Nicky.

Kian had asked this as a joke but was surprised when Nicky and Shane both just shrugged their shoulders. Kian looked at Rye who just smiled at Nicky and Shane.

"Well I guess we could be the first all gay boyband," Kian said jokingly and slapped Shane on the back.

"I didn't say I was gay," Shane said quietly.

"You didn't say you weren't either," Bryan said as he climbed into the SUV.

Things were getting a little out of hand, and Shane looked a little uncomfortable, so Rye stepped in.

"Let's get going I need some help getting this stuff up into the loft then we can all relax and forget about who is or may be gay or not." He turned and looked in the back seat at Kian, Shane and Nicky.

"Just for the record though, you don't have to be gay to be with me and Mark. Ask Bryan, its about love not sex. Nobody does anything they dont want to and everyone feels good about it."

Everyone nodded. Rye started the SUV and started driving back to the loft.

"Rye?" Shane said softly.

"Yes Shane."

"Could I be with you and Mark tonight please," Shane asked softly. Bryan turned and smiled at Rye then turned to grin at Shane.

"Of course Shane. We had both been hoping you would want to be with us. Don't worry Shane you will be safe with us."

"You are gonna love it Shane, its amazing. Get Rye to show you how to blow across the head of..."

"Bry boy," Rye said his pet name gently and laid his hand on Bryan's arm, "Let's let Shane decide what he wants to do and experience it the way you did, without any pressure or preconceptions okay."

"Oh, sorry Rye, sorry Shane," Bryan said.

"It's okay my boy" Shane said, "I am glad you told us about it today. You helped me make the decision to ask. But Rye is right, I want it to be spontaneous okay. I promise I will tell you all about it afterwards though okay, so we can compare notes." Shane chuckled as Bryan smiled and nodded.

"Might as well let everyone know now. The rules are simple. Anyone can say stop at anytime and everyone stops. Mark and I aren't into anal yet but when we are that can be added to our time together too I think. Nobody has to do anything if they don't want to," Rye said to those in the car.

"What do you mean we don't have to do anything?" Nicky asked.

"They like to suck you off, but if you don't want to do it to them you don't have to," Bryan quickly said.

"You did though right?" Nick asked Bryan.

"Yeah but I wanted to, if you don't want to you don't have to."

"That's right. If you don't want to participate it's okay. You can just lie back and enjoy the feelings," Rye said.

"But isn't that sorta, I don't know, unfair?" Nicky asked.

"No, we want to share our love and to us that means giving you pleasure, and we recieve pleasure from each other. But if you don't feel comfortable doing it that's okay," Rye answered.

"But then if we don't participate you won't be with us again right?" Nicky asked.

Rye looked at Nicky in the mirror and said firmly, "No Nicky that's not right. Understand me okay. It is completely your choice to be with us or not, and to do any, all, or none of what we do to you. But we are not going to punish you by withholding our love if you don't join in."

"I'm sorry Rye," Nicky said softly, "I didn't mean it that way, it's just I am not used to this at all and it seems a little scary. I am afraid I won't want to do everything and you won't love me anymore."

"Shane," Rye said.

"Yes Rye."

"Put your arms around Nicky and hold him for me." Rye smiled as he saw Shane take Nicky into his arms, then Kian did the same. "Nicky my love I will always love you, I will always love you all. You have to understand that what we are sharing is our love not sex. Don't worry about it Nicky. When we are together it will all become clear and neither Mark or I will let you do anything you aren't ready for. I swear it."

"Okay Rye. Thank you." Nicky relaxed and leaned into Shane.

"You guys don't have to keep holding each other you know," Rye said as he grinned into the mirror.

"Shut up Rye, we are sharing," Shane mumbled.

"So what did you guys buy?" Rye asked.

Bryan suddenly burst into giggles as did Nicky and Shane. Rye saw Shane lean over and whisper to Kian who also burst out laughing. Something was up.

...to be continued.