"Well whatever it was, you were wrong," Elijah said. "We love you, Ian, you know that."

"I - Sean, the time will come when you no longer want to share what you have," Ian said, momentarily ignoring Elijah. "I can see it coming, even if you can't. You are more possessive of him now than you were the last time I saw you, and he - is different when you're here."

"Maybe," Sean said. "But the time's not now." He leaned forward. "You have no idea how much I enjoy watching you together - remember the first time that happened, when we had almost finished shooting? It was incredible. But tonight, I don't just want to watch. Maybe I even want you to watch us, a little bit." He ducked his head, cheeks burning, and Ian smiled as Elijah reached out and put his hand on Sean's shoulder.

"Maybe you should stop analysing everything," he said to Ian. "So what if the time's coming when things are going to change? It's not going to happen tonight. What's changed tonight is that Sean wants to do this, and I want it as well." He moved his hand away from Sean's shoulder. "Can you even begin to imagine how good this is going to be for me? Sean said it was our gift to you, but actually it's yours to me."

"He mentioned it when he came back from filming over here," Sean said, looking up. "I told him that he would feel smothered in good old-fashioned love, and he laughed at me, but all of a sudden, he's not laughing."

"No, all of a sudden he likes the idea," Elijah said, still looking at Ian. "So, you accepting my gift? Our gift?"

Ian sat back and took a huge breath, studying them both. Sean, solid and eminently sensible, who reached out and devoured every new experience. A man who had fallen headlong in love, surprising both himself and those around him. A man who, on at least four occasions, had sat next to a bed on which the love of his life was sprawled naked, being taken by another man. A man who took himself very seriously and yet, if Elijah demanded it, would happily dress as Bozo the clown and parade through the centre of town. Great intelligence tempered with a willingness to learn.

And Elijah. Ian jumped slightly as a waiter appeared bearing plates of food, which he distributed and moved away. Elijah, who was still so young and yet who had never had the opportunity to be a child, who lived life to the full but had a capacity for stillness that amazed those who didn't know him. And with the infinite capacity for love he possessed, he had ensnared both Ian and Sean, and as yet, he didn't realise that one of them mattered to him far more than the other.

Ian picked up his fork. Made for each other, that's what they were. They just didn't realise it yet. And if this was to be his swansong, then at least he would, quite literally, go out with a bang.

"Well?" Elijah demanded, picking up his own fork. "What's the answer?"

"I would be a fool to turn down such a gift," Ian said seriously. "And it would be cruel of me to deprive you."

"Deprive us of what?" asked Sean.

"Me, of course." He gestured with his fork. "Eat up, darlings. You'll need your strength."

~~**~~

Meal over, Ian summoned a cab and they all piled into the back, Sean and Ian trapping Elijah between them. Seemingly uncaring, Elijah rested his head on Ian's shoulder, his hand engulfed in both of Sean's. Ian could see the driver cast the occasional curious glance at them in his mirror and was careful not to respond to the weight of Elijah's head on his shoulder, the heat of his body, the unspoken promise of what was to come. Although the tableau they presented was not fantastically heterosexual, it wasn’t anything to interest the tabloids. He gazed out of the window, watching the people strolling along, his body beginning to tingle at the thought of what was to come.

"Here we are," he said as the cab drew to a halt. He opened the door and climbed out, paying the driver and being careful not to make the tip too large - no point in making the evening memorable for him - and moved to the door, unlocking it and standing back to let his guests enter.

"It's nice," Sean said, looking around, walking over to the plate glass windows and looking out at the lights on the river. "Cosy."

Ian turned on the lamps in the living room and, even though the heating was on, he leaned down and turned the fire on, giving the room a soft glow. He felt a growing awkwardness, and cursed himself for it. He had never been awkward with them before. But then, he had never gone to bed with Sean before. He glanced at Sean, still outlined against the window. Elijah had moved over to him and had wrapped his arms around his waist, his head on Sean's shoulder, and Ian smiled. He wasn't going to bed with Sean; they were both going to bed with Elijah. An entirely different thing.

"Does anybody want a drink?" he asked. "Coffee? Wine?"

"No," Elijah said. "I want you to come over here and think about unwrapping your gift." His voice was soft in the semi-darkness, and Ian closed his eyes, listening to the tone of voice, demanding and slightly imperious.

"Really?" He asked, amused.

"I'm getting ... oh." Ian took a step toward the pair in front of the window. Sean had moved, dipping his head and kissing Elijah's neck, the reason for Elijah's sudden intake of breath. As he took another step, Elijah turned and looked at him, one hand pressing against the nape of Sean's neck. The other hand reached out to Ian, who took it, moving to press himself against Elijah's back.

"Isn't he beautiful?" Sean said, raising his head, his eyes bright. "Isn't he just the most beautiful thing in the world?"

Elijah tipped his head back, resting it against Ian's shoulder, and Ian looked down.

"Oh yes," he said. "He certainly is."

And he was. Eyes at half mast, lips slightly open, deliberately provocative, face tilted towards Ian, he clearly wasn't to be denied, and with a smile, Ian dipped his head and kissed him, unable to hold back a grunt of pleasure as Elijah's lips opened willingly under his, tongue darting teasingly into Ian's mouth before pulling back, then making a small noise of satisfaction as Ian let his tongue follow Elijah's, tangling lazily together.

Ian was aware of Sean pulling off his coat and jacket and dropping them on a nearby chair before moving back and slowly beginning to unfasten Elijah's shirt. Elijah broke the kiss but didn't move away, and unable to help himself, Ian ran his hands down Elijah's arms, gripping the thin wrists and pulling them behind Elijah's back, holding him still.

"Oh, so that's what you want," Elijah said on a breathless laugh, pulling his hands experimentally but stopping when Ian held him tight. "I like it."

Sean finished unfastening Elijah's shirt and pushed the sides apart, the relatively cool air making Elijah arch his back, pushing forward. He made a helpless, panicky noise when Sean lowered his head, licking a long path across Elijah's chest, taking a nipple into his mouth and sucking at it until Elijah's body arched, pulling against Ian's grip.

"Have you ever done this before?" Ian whispered, watching as Sean's lips moved across Elijah's chest until he reached the other nipple, sucking on it, his lips making obscenely wet noises against Elijah's skin. "Ever had two men?"

"No." Elijah shook his head. "Held Sean's hand while you fucked me, remember? That's as close as it's ever been - oh, god!"

"Don't you love the fact he's so noisy?" Ian asked Sean almost conversationally, finally releasing Elijah's hands, which immediately raised, resting against Ian's face, the movement forcing his hips forward, making Sean grunt. Ian ran his hands down to Elijah's hips, hooking his fingers into the waistband of his trousers. "I love that. Love his responsiveness." He slid his hands back up and pulled at Elijah's shirt until Elijah lowered his arms and let the shirt slide to the ground. He didn't move then, simply stood with his arms and head lowered as Sean worked lower. Ian could see his mouth against Elijah's crotch, wetting the material of his trousers, outlining the glorious hardness there.

"I don't want to be the only one who's naked," Elijah said finally, his voice unsteady. "Please ..." He stepped back, making Sean rock forward on his knees. He looked at Ian, and underneath the arousal, Ian could see the beginning of nerves.

"Come along," he said, pulling Elijah into a warm embrace, reaching out to pull Sean to his feet. "I'm too old for this kind of cavorting. Let's go upstairs, shall we? There's nice big bed up there just waiting for your gorgeous arse to be pressed against it."

"You paint a lovely picture," Sean said, his hand resting on Elijah's naked back. "Shall we go?" He leaned forward and kissed Elijah's shoulder. "Come on."

Elijah moved out of Ian's embrace and into Sean's and Ian watched as Sean whispered something to him. He found himself fascinated by how big Sean's hands looked on Elijah's back, how fragile Elijah looked, even though he was in reality one of the least fragile people Ian knew.

"You know the way," he said.

~~**~~

Once in the bedroom, Elijah seemed to regain some of his nerve, laughingly letting Ian pull off his trousers and underwear, kicking off his shoes so energetically he almost took Sean's eye out, then sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the two men in front of him.

"Get undressed," he said softly. "I can't wait to feel you against me."

Now it was Ian's turn to feel embarrassed and, shooting a sideways glance at Sean and saw that he apparently felt the same, fingers moving to fumble with buttons and zips, until Elijah laughed and stood up, pushing Ian's fingers aside and taking care of the business of removing clothes.

"Tough when you get to your age, I guess," he said, kissing Ian's collarbone. "Fingers don't move like they should."

"You wait," Ian said. "I'll give you fingers not working." He captured Elijah's face between his hands and pulled him forward, kissing him hard, Elijah reaching out to rest his hands on Ian's hips. As he felt Elijah start to relax, Ian slid his hands downward, tracing Elijah's spine, before cupping his backside, pulling him close and making him groan.

"Get on the bed," he whispered, pushing Elijah away. "It's time I tasted my gift."

Elijah swallowed audibly but did as he was told, jumping when he walked backward into Sean's arms. He turned and Ian watched as they kissed, looking so familiar and right that once again he felt that strange tightening in his guts. Somewhere along the line, Sean had managed to divest himself of his own clothes and Ian couldn't help having a look. He had rarely seen Sean naked and certainly never in this situation. He was solidly built and possibly thanks to Sam, would have a weight problem for the rest of his life. Next to Elijah he looked big and pleasantly hairy - an attractive man. As Elijah moved away, Ian could see that Sean was half hard, his cock twitching as Elijah's hands slid downward, fingertips rubbing against his hips then moving inward, thumbs stroking across the top of Sean's pubic hair. Beautiful.

Elijah turned, Sean's hands resting on his shoulders, and stood with his arms stretched out to either side.

"Well?" He smiled, and Ian couldn't help smiling in return. "What would you like to do with your gift?"

"You're already unwrapped," Ian said. "So I think perhaps I - we - should make sure that you don't get cold." He stepped forward, watching as Elijah's chest began to move faster, his breathing speeding up. "Good god, Elijah ..." He reached out and put his hands over Sean's, feeling the flinch of surprise in Sean, and leaned forward, watching as Elijah tilted his head upward, waiting for the kiss.

"Get on the bed," he said again, his lips against Elijah's ear.

On slightly unsteady legs, Elijah did as he was told, sliding into the centre of the bed.

"Come on," he said, patting the mattress on either side. "One each side."

Smiling, Sean was the first to move, settling himself against Elijah's back, reaching out to pull Elijah's head round, kissing him. Ian could see their tongues battling during the kiss, hear Elijah's groan of pleasure. Sean moved his hand, sliding it down Elijah's belly and cupping his cock, Elijah's hips rocking forward.

"That's it," Ian heard himself whisper. "Give me a show."

"You ready for that?" Sean asked, pulling himself out of the kiss, his lips still brushing Elijah's skin. "You ready to show him what we do?" His hand tightened and Elijah's head shifted back, the breath hissing through his teeth.

"What kind of show?" Elijah's hips moved and he reached down, putting one hand on Sean's wrist, stopping him. "Tell us, Ian."

"This," Ian said. "Oh, this is beautiful." He watched Elijah's skin start to flush as Sean's hand moved again. He watched a moment longer as Elijah's back started to arch, his hands clenching against the sheets. Sean dipped his head into the crook of Elijah's neck, and Ian could see him shaking from the effort of maintaining the position he was in.

"Stop," he said, moving toward the bed. They both looked up at him, so dazed that it was obvious they had forgotten Ian was there. "Stop," he said again. "Elijah, lie down."

Groaning, Elijah slid out of Sean's grip and lay on his back on the bed, his cock flushed and hard against his belly, his hips still moving. Sean breathed deeply and kept his eyes fixed on Elijah.

"Sean, are you embarrassed to be here?" Ian asked softly. "Would you like to stop?"

"No," Sean said immediately. He put his fingers against Elijah's lips. "This is perfect."

Ian climbed onto the bed, and Elijah whimpered at the movement, his hands moving restlessly.

"Kiss him," Ian said. "Kiss him until he forgets his own name."

"My pleasure," Sean said immediately, leaning down. Ian saw him brush the dark hair away from Elijah's forehead and smile at him before moving to kiss him.

Ian kissed Elijah softly on the belly and licked softly across the tip of his cock, making him cry something into Sean's mouth. Ian moved away kissing the dark pubic hair and then moving across the tattoo and the fading appendix scar and down over his hip and thigh before repeating the action on the other hip and leg.

He risked a glance up and smiled to himself. Sean was kissing Elijah's throat, one hand resting on his chest, fingertips skating over a nipple, the fingers of the other hand teasing Elijah's lips, making him arch and tilt his head. His own arms were flung above his head, exposing his whole body for a playground.

Ian closed his eyes and lowered his head, his tongue licking along the crease of Elijah's groin, tasting sweat and adrenaline, making Elijah shift his leg slightly, offering more.

"That's it," Ian whispered, his breath against Elijah's thigh. "Open your legs for me, my darling." Elijah did so immediately and Ian moved to settle between them, his tongue easing up the hot length of Elijah's cock, his hands pushing the flexible legs even further apart, nails digging into the soft skin. Elijah shuddered hard, just once, and Ian looked up again.

Sean was leaning over Elijah, stroking back his hair, covering his face in soft kisses, and as Ian watched, Elijah lowered one of his hands, sliding it down Sean's belly. Sean's voice caught in his throat, but he moved away, catching Elijah's hand and raising it to his mouth, and Ian understood immediately. Sean coming was too intimate for what they were doing. That belonged only to Elijah. He lowered his head again, sad in a way he couldn't name.

Again, he licked the length of Elijah's cock and then closed his mouth over the top, his tongue flicking softly until Elijah shifted and muttered something, his hips thrusting up. The muttering turned into something a good deal louder and more obscene when Ian released him, sliding up until he was lying next to Elijah.

"What?" Elijah demanded, his eyes hugely dilated, his skin blotched with red.

"I want to watch you," Ian said mildly. "After all, this is my gift."

Sean, who had been amusing himself kissing Elijah's chest, made an odd little huffy noise which could have been a laugh, and slid quickly down Elijah's body and as Ian watched, Elijah arched off the bed.

"Jesus..." Elijah flailed around with one hand until he came into contact with Ian's arm and pulled him in for a kiss. Ian went happily, his tongue deep in Elijah's mouth, imagining he could taste Sean there, feeling the tremor running almost continously through Elijah's body, the occasional jerks and flinches as Sean hit a particularly sensitive spot.

"Sean..." Sean looked up, and once again Elijah groaned his disappointment, his eyes tightly closed, his hair spiked with sweat.

"No..." He reached out for Ian. "Don't stop. God, you need to let me come."

"Not yet," Ian said. "I want this to be the best you've ever had with me. He touched Elijah's face, making those marvellous eyes flicker open, and he let himself fall briefly before pulling himself back out. He looked down the length of Elijah's body to Sean, who had knelt between Elijah's legs. Ian could see how hard he was, his cock, thick and proud against his belly. "Would you let me see you fuck him?"

"Oh, please," Elijah said immediately, making Ian and Sean laugh. "Don't," Elijah said, doing his best to look offended. "I'm being polite."

"You're lying on your back with two men worshipping you," Sean said, putting his hands on Elijah's belly. "How polite do you think you have to be?"

"My mom raised me to be polite," Elijah said, pushing into the touch of Sean's hands. "Which is why I'm saying please." Sean pushed down a little harder, and Elijah's eyes fluttered closed. "Oh, please..."

"How am I supposed to resist?" Sean asked with a smile, moving so that he could trail his fingers up and down Elijah's thighs, making Elijah tremble again and clutch a handful of pillowcase. Quickly Ian moved to open a drawer by the bed and threw Sean what was needed.

As he watched, Sean slowly licked his fingers then slid them slowly across Elijah's groin before moving down, cupping his balls, pressing and stroking. Elijah whimpered out a curse and Ian's gaze moved to look at his face.

"When you were nineteen," he said slowly, "we did this for the first time, before you even found Sean. You were so frightened and tense that it hurt, do you remember? You cried in the bathroom, even though you pretended that you didn't." He kissed Elijah softly. "I was so proud to be your first."

"I remember," Elijah said, his eyes opening to half mast. He was breathing in quick gasps and Ian could feel the tension in his body as he opened enough for Sean to slide his fingers inside. "You were so patient."

"Tell me what you're feeling now," Ian said, his voice still soft. "Tell me how it feels."

"Amazing," Elijah said, his voice catching in his throat as Sean twisted his fingers. "It hurts but it doesn't, you know - oh!" His head tilted back and Ian felt the shudder that went through his body. "God, he's so good at this."

"How does it feel when he's inside you? Tell me what you feel."

"Complete," came the immediate answer. He reached out and took Ian's hand. "Tell me what you want me to do."

"I want you to let Sean make love to you. I want to see you together." Ian kissed Elijah's forehead. "You are so beautiful. I love you."

"Ready?" Sean's voice was soft, and when Elijah nodded, he slowly pulled at Elijah's hips, moving him down the bed. Elijah raised his legs, draping them over Sean's shoulders, and Ian watched Elijah's face as he was slowly lowered onto Sean's cock - the shock and the pain giving way to peace and a silly, content smile.

He looked at Sean, who had a reflecting smile, and then lowered his head kissing Elijah's neck, making him grunt and laugh softly. He put his hand on Elijah's belly, fancying he could feel Sean's cock thrusting into the trembling body, felt that if he pressed down hard he would actually feel the thick flesh invading Elijah's body. Unable to stop himself, he pressed down softly and Elijah groaned, body raising from the bed, and imagination or not, Ian could feel him move with every thrust.

"Thank you for this gift," he said softly, kissing Elijah again, feeling the lack of response as his motor functions began to short circuit with impending orgasm. "Thank you to both of you. You are beautiful and gracious, and you belong together."

He moved backwards off the bed, holding Elijah's hand until their fingers slipped apart and he made his way quietly out of the room. Unable to help himself he glanced back as he reached the door.

Sean had moved, covering Elijah, who in turn had wrapped his legs high around Sean's waist. They were moving with complete understanding and they looked perfect together. Apart from Elijah's hand which was flexing as if he reached for something that was no longer there, they hadn't noticed his absence. Ian smiled, a little sadly, and made his way downstairs, picking up a robe from behind the bathroom door.

His right to Elijah had gone, whether taken from him forcibly or given up voluntarily. Maybe the two men upstairs didn't realise it yet, but he, older and wiser, could see it happening in their body language, in the way they were with each other, and he didn't want to be an embarrassment, he wanted to leave with his dignity and their friendship. But he would never lose the memory of that beautiful boy underneath him, gasping out his name. He would always be Elijah's first, and of that he would always be proud.

He heard Elijah’s voice raised in something close to panic and knew that if he closed his eyes he would be able to picture him sweaty and sprawled, his body moving toward release. Ian had loved to make him look like that.

He decided he would make himself a nice cup of tea and sit in his favourite chair.

He had always loved the view across the river.

The End