The four continued to be close. This made writing new material and rehearsal easy and for once life was good…..great even.

One morning, Micky was the first one up. This was unheard of usually but he had a nagging sensation inside that was keeping him from sleep. Since all this had happened – Mike and him – He hadn't been to see his family. Not that he was thinking he would tell them….He could just see his Dad's face at the response to his confession….No, he'd just been too wrapped up in him and Mike to think about them. He felt he was neglecting the people closest to him. So, as he sat there alone at the kitchen table he made his mind up….He would go spend the weekend with them.

Mike woke next. He sensed that Micky was not lying beside him and immediately panicked. He jumped out of their bed and ran to the door. Where was he? It wasn't like Mick to be awake before him. Then he relaxed a little. He could see Micky sat at the table, he causally strolled down the stairs.

“Mornin' babe, you're up early.” Mike poured himself the routine bowl of cornflakes and joined him at the table.

“Couldn't sleep,” came a muffled reply.

“Something troubling ya? You know ya can talk to me if there is.”

“Well….Not really…I was just thinkin' bout my folks…I'd like to go see them.”

Micky looked at Mike. For some reason he was scared that he would be upset with him. After all since their fight, they had been inseperable. Now Micky was asking to do something alone – He hoped that Mike would be cool.

“Good idea,” Mike said, munching another spoonful of cereal.

“Great….I am so glad you are Ok with me goin'”

“Why wouldn't I be stupid….Say, why don't I come with ya?”

“Um….I don't think that would be….What I mean is I kinda haven't…”

“You haven't told them about us yet…..Have you?”

Mike felt slightly hurt that Micky still couldn't come clean about their relationship. It was his fault he guessed, he hadn't asked Micky to tell his family. He just assumed that he would have once everyone else knew.

Micky shook his head, he wished he could tell them but he didn't want anymore arguments. He was too tired. The last few weeks had drained him emotionally of any fight he'd got left. Now, he just wanted to leave things as they were.

“So, you're goin' alone?…..That's fine….I'll see ya when you get back then.” Mike went to get up, still hurt from Micky's rejection.

“I'm not goin' till tomorrow.”

“Yeah…Ok…Well I'm goin' out…I'll see ya later on.”

With that Mike walked into the bathroom to change. He didn't have anything to do today really, that was just a excuse. But he wasn't good at showing his emotions. All he did was get angry and he didn't want to upset Micky…Not before he went.

The next day as Micky was packing, Mike sat reading on the bed. He had barely spoken to him since yesterday choosing to spend most of the day out avoiding him. Micky hated Mike being mad at him but he wasn't going to back down, he needed this time with his family. He had always been close to them and he had to get away for a few days.

“Mike.”

No reply.

“Please Mike…don't be like this, speak to me.”

Mike turned over on the bed still reading. He knew he was being stubborn but he didn't care. Micky didn't seem to know just how much he had hurt him. Mike had virtually no contact with his family anymore, preferring to be a loner. Whilst he wasn't expecting to be welcomed with open arms by Micky's family. He had thought that their relationship was strong enough to withstand any criticism. This was just Micky taking the coward's way out – again.

“What it is Mick?” Mike finally said.

“I.I…I just didn't want to leave with you angry at me.”

Mike couldn't see Micky's face but he knew he was close to tears. However this time he wasn't falling for it. Mike was fed up, yes he loved Micky but how much more did he have to put up with?

“Don'tcha think I've gotta a right to be fuckin' angry?”

“I guess.”

“Look Mick…,” said Mike, his voice softening slightly. “I'm not very good at this but you know how I feel about you and you keep puttin' these barriers up.”

“I'm sorry Mike, but you don't understand, my folks would be crushed.”

“This is exactly my point. Your folks…Your friends…Your feelings. Whatta bout me?”

Micky looked at Mike in shock. Yes, he knew he was asking a lot of him but he never knew he felt like this. Micky picked up his bag, he could be stubborn too.

“I think it would be good if we had a few days apart”

“That's it, run away” Mike shouted as Micky left the bedroom and headed for the door. “You're solution to everything isn't it. Just bury your head in the sand why don'tcha.”

Mike heard the door pull too, Micky was gone. He sank down on the bed and cried. He couldn't believe that Micky could be so heartless, maybe they should call it a day. After all, where was this goin? As Mike sobs continued he suddenly realised he wasn't alone.

“Mike…are you ok?”

“Sure Pete, I'm fine”

“Yeah, you look it. You wanna talk about it?”

“Not really…..”

“Ok. I'll leave you alone”

Peter left the room again. He was concerned. He had never see Mike this upset before. He made a quick phonecall to Lisa – his new girlfriend. She lived in the same apartment building as Steve. Peter had only been dating her a couple of weeks but already they were virtually inseperable. He was suppose to be seeing her tonight but he felt he should stay with Mike.

Upstairs, Mike could hear Peter on the phone. He smiled as he heard Peter changing his plans for him. Now why couldn't he have fallen for Peter instead? He embraced new challenges and would be a considerate lover. Mike knew that already, he had heard Peter and Lisa the other night. Mike lay there looking up at the ceiling, he couldn't help but wonder what Micky was doing. He wished he could stop thinking about him but he was etched on his brain.

Peter stayed with Mike, surveying his every move. Mike began to feel he couldn't even take a leak without Peter checking he was Ok. Davy hadn't been seen since yesterday but this was not uncommon for the weekend. If Davy came home at all, it meant that he had struck out and he would only be a foul mood. The place was quiet without Micky and left Mike with time to think.

“Um…Mike” Peter broke into Mike's thoughts

“Yeah Peter”

“I've kinda gotta date with Lisa tonight, d'ya mind?”

“No, you go. Really Peter, it's not like I'm suicidal. I'll be fine”

“Well, if you're sure?”

“For the last time….yes! Now go and get laid.”

“Thanks Mike.” Peter picked up his jacket and headed out the door, leaving Mike alone.

He idly flicked through the channels on the television, not really watching any of them. Maybe he should go out? Nah, he didn't feel like it. He could ring John, ask him over? Shit, it's Saturday night! John won't be at home. He switched the TV off and decided to go to bed. Just then there was a knock at the door.

“Hi again,” said Rich.

“Rich…what are you doin'here?”

“Um…John told me where you lived, d'ya mind if I come in?”

“No…sure come on in. You wanna drink or something?”

“Whatever you're having is fine with me,” came the reply.

Rich slipped off his jacket and sat down on the couch. Mike had forgotten how good looking he was. Those chisled features, those sparkling blue eyes….Mike was growing hard at the thought.

“Here ya go,” he said handing him a beer. “So..why did you want to know where I lived?”

“I wanted to see you again, is that wrong?”

“No…I actually glad that you did,” Mike replied flirtatiously.

“You are…well good”

Rich put his drink down and pulled Mike close to him for a lingering kiss. Mike needed this, after Micky's rejection yesterday, he needed to feel desired again. He loved the edge that it gave him to be with Rich. He was much more aggressive than Micky ever could ever be and Mike like that certain sense of danger.

“You know…,” he mumured between kisses. “I'm not looking for anything heavy. I kinda have a boyfriend”

Idiot! Mike felt like slapping himself. Why did you tell him that? I bet he leaves now.

“You do….Well that's fine with me…I just wanna fuck you.”

Mike was shocked and turned on by this admission from Rich. A easy uncomplicated shag, it couldn't have happened at a better time.

“Come on….let's go upstairs.”

Mike led Rich up to his bedroom. He did feel a little guilty as he spied Micky's clothes strewn across the floor. After all this was their bedroom, but where else could he go? He wasn't about to go in Davy or Peter's bed – that wouldn't be right.

“Shall I switch off the light?” suggested Mike.

“Now that wouldn't be any fun, would it?”

Rich pushed Mike down on the bed. He ripped open his shirt, kissing and biting across his chest. He stopped to tease Mike's nipples, biting and then sucking each one slowly. Rich removed his own shirt and lay his body on top of Mike, pushing his hardness against Mike's own throbbing member.

Rich pulled Mike pants off quickly and began to kiss up and down his fully naked body. Mike closed his eyes, could this be really happening? He felt Rich's mouth over his cock as he took him in one go. Mike was impressed with his technique, as he used his hand to stroke his balls, touching the extra sensitive skin below. Mike groaned as he came, but Rich didn't stop, he was already licking down his shaft once more, working up another erection from Mike.

He removed his own pants and knelt down behind Mike's ass. He leant forward to give his mouth some attention at the same time stroking Mike's cock until it was hard again.

“Wanna try something new?” he breathed in his ear.

“Uh-huh” was all Mike could mutter.

Rich rested his now fully arroused cock beneath Mike's own. He crouched up on his knees and lifted Mike's legs up over his shoulders. He certainly was strong, he kept Mike held in this position as he thrust his member hard into Mike. Mike gasped as he struggled to breath. Rich inched himself further in, resting his broad shoulders up against Mike's legs. He rocked back and forth on his knees, each thrust becoming more urgent. Rich eyes bore deep into Mike. Mike have never known such intensity, he reached his hand up to stroke Rich's face, then pulled him down for another kiss. He raised his hips off the bed and moved in time with Rich. Just as Mike felt he couldn't take it anymore, Rich came, moaning hard as he fell on top of Mike's heaving chest. Mike continued to move until he came too.

“That was…amazing,” said Mike catching his breath.

“Thanks,” grinned Rich. He was still lying on top of Mike. Instinctively he wrapped his arms round him and held him close. Mike hadn't meant it to happen but Rich stayed the night. He felt he needed to be with someone, not just for the sex although that had been fantastic. He wanted to hold someone and be held back – Rich was there for him.

Micky sat on the bus watching the scenery speeding past the window. He should have known going home would be a mistake. He was miserable. He missed Mike. His Dad only ragged him for not having a proper job yet and wasting his time on music. His Mum spent most of the time crying about how he never came to see them anymore and how he looked so under nourished. At least he would be home soon and it would make a nice surprise for Mike – he couldn't wait to see his face when he showed up.

Mike was still asleep in Rich's arms when the front door was unlocked. He never heard the soft footsteps creeping up the stairs. He never heard the door handle turn. He only heard the voice shreiking above him.

“What the fuck is goin' on here?”

Mike opened his eyes. There Micky stood before him, tears pouring down his cheeks at the betrayal he had encountered.

“Micky…you weren't suppose to be back till tomorrow.”

“I came back early…..For some stupid fucking reason I missed you.”

Rich was awake too, he didn't seem at all phased by this intrusion. He simply got out of the bed and began to get dressed.

“I take it this is the boyfriend,” he casually remarked to Mike.

“This is nothin' to do with you, pal” growled Micky.

“Micky…please calm down,” began Mike.

“I outta kick the shit out of you, whoever you are,” Micky threatened, his eyes narrowing.

“Rich…” He continued dressing and leant over to kiss Mike's face “I'll be goin' then, see ya,” and he walked past Micky and downstairs.

Once Rich had gone, Micky's anger subsided. He was so hurt by Mike, he couldn't stop himself from falling to his knees and sobbing uncontrollably.

“Why Mike…..how could you do this to me?”

“I'm sorry Micky, I never meant it to….he just came over and….”

“He came here,” Micky stopped crying and looked up.

“Yes”

“How did he know where you lived? In fact how did he know you?”

“I met him a couple of weeks ago,” confessed Mike. “The night we had that fight.”

“This isn't just a one off then, you've been screwing him behind my back.”

Micky's anger was returning. This was just getting better and better.

“No Micky….we met but nothing happened..not really. Then he showed up last night.”

“So, you were with him before we…..”

Mike nodded.

“I can't take this Mike, I have to go.”

Micky reached in the bottom of the closet and pulled out a bag. He quickly began filling it with clothes. He knew he couldn't even bare to be in the same room as Mike anymore, let alone play in a band with him. The tears welled up once more.

“Micky…what are you doing?”

“I'm goin' Mike, I can't stay here anymore.”

'What have I done' thought Mike. His was close to tears himself by now, he didn't want to lose Micky – he loved him. How could he make him believe that? Mike knew that he could fix this, he must. He couldn't live without Micky. He had to make him stay.

“You can't go Mick, I need you.”

“Oh you need me. What for someone you can feel superior to. Is that it? Davy was right about you, you are a control freak.”

“Micky, you don't mean that.” Mike was crying now. “I love you.”

“Love. You wouldn't know the meaning of the word.”

“But I do….please Mick.”

Micky looked deep into Mike's eyes. If only he would let himself succumb. He could so easily fall into those strong arms, kiss those tender lips, be loved by him again. But no, he could never trust Mike again and that was the one thing that he had respected most about him.

“I'm sorry Mike….but you once told me you would never hurt me. Now you have broken that vow, there is nothing left for us.”

Mike stood dumbfounded. What had he done? He hated himself for treating Micky this way, now he would lose him forever.

“Where will you go?”

“My sister's. But don't contact me, I don't want to hear from you again.”

Micky picked up his bag and headed downstairs. Mike threw some clothes on and followed him.

“Please don't leave like this, stay and talk”

“There's nothing to say.” Micky kissed Mike softly on the lips for the last time.

“Goodbye Mike.”