© Sweet Kisses™

~*~

And that’s where it ended.

A.J. frowned and flipped through the remaining pages in the black book, sighing when he found that they were all blank. He sat there, holding the book in his hands, wondering how this had all happened in a matter of months. He continued to sit there, in a state of shock, wondering how this had all gone on between Nick and Kevin and he had never known.

Nick's diary was so full of love and of happiness, and at times, it was filled with the most darkest writing that A.J. had ever read. Nick's famous last words, for example. He sighed again, wondering how it was possible that Nick was feeling all those things, and at the time, Kevin had never known exactly what was going on and tried to save him. But he didn't. Kevin didn't know. Kevin didn't save him then.

I’m sorry, Nick. I’m sorry I didn’t know. I’m sorry I didn’t know to help you.

A.J. stood up slowly, shaking his head in disbelief, still holding the diary tightly in his hands. He stared down at it, marvelling at the content of it. He never knew that Nick was capable of feeling all those things, of writing all those things, of loving the way he did - particularly Kevin, his best friend - but now, all of a sudden, he felt as though he had seen a side to Nick that only few people got to see.

And for that, he felt good, that he was one of those rare people, for he knew that they were few and far between in the world.

But I can't believe I just read about them having sex! A.J. thought with a racing pulse. God, that's just...

As he placed the diary back on the top of the box, the door burst open and Nick stood there, hands on his hips, a curious look on his face. "Damn, what's taking you so long, A.J.?" he asked with a playful smile.

A.J. shrugged. "Oh, I just got caught up with all your toys and stuff. Makes me a bit sad, remembering how I was when I had to get rid of my childhood, you know?"

Nick nodded, his playful smile turning into a friendly one. "Yeah, I think I do."

Suddenly, a voice came floating up from the bottom of the stairs. Howie's voice. "Nick! Kevin's here!

A.J. watched with a small smile as Nick gasped and ran out of the room at lightning speed, dodging cardboard boxes like little girls did when they played hopscotch. He shook his head in disbelief again, marvelling at how things had changed between them all in just a few months.

"Trippy," he said to himself and picked up the box that had Nick's black diary floating on top and made his way down the hallway and down the stairs, taking them slowly, not wanting to drop any or even drop the box that was getting to be quite heavy. He made his way through the living room that was bare and over to the front door, hearing familiar voices. He got to the door in time to see Nick running down the steps and Kevin waiting at the bottom with a smile.

He walked down the steps, watching Brian and Howie responding to Nick and Kevin, and placed the boxes down with the others. "There's still a few more up there," he said, giving Kevin a small smile. "Hey, I was thinking you weren't going to show up."

"Yeah, if you didn't, Nick might try and take pills again," Howie joked slyly.

"And we'd have to save him," Brian added.

Nick rolled his eyes. "Ha ha ha."

"Divorce proceedings take a while," Kevin advised.

Nick smiled and wrapped his arms around Kevin's neck from behind. "But it has a good side. I'm moving in with you, right?" he said and kissed Kevin's cheek.

Kevin laughed. "Right."

"Hey, whatever happened to the stalking psychotic fans?" A.J. asked guilefully.

Kevin shrugged, gently patting Nick’s arm that was wrapped loosely around his neck. "Well, it’s a bit of both actually. We both thought he’d be safer at my house. Either way, it works out just fine."

Brian made his way over to his car. "Well, I don't know about these two here, but I think I'm going to take some of this junk over to Kevin's. What do you say?"

Howie raised his hand. "I second that," he said and nodded in Nick and Kevin's direction, who were lost in a quiet conversation, Nick now facing Kevin with Kevin's arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Kevin said something that was out of earshot and Nick nodded happily, making Kevin smile. "And besides, they're making me sick."

A.J. laughed. "Awww, come on, it's all good."

Howie nodded. "Hmm."

After packing up all of the boxes that were out on the driveway, soon they had all left, leaving the house stranded in helter-skelter fashion. Kevin stopped Nick at the front steps of his house. "Hang on," he said, taking hold of Nick’s hand and pulling him back.

Nick frowned. "What?"

Kevin then pulled out a black bandanna and held it before his eyes. When he saw Nick’s expression, he burst out laughing. "Come on, it’s nothing kinky," he said and wrapped it tightly around Nick’s eyes, tying it securely at the back. "I’ll lead you, okay?" he whispered into Nick’s ear.

Nick shivered and forced himself to think of nice things like Nintendo and video games, other than the person whose deep voice was whispering into his ear. He nodded and felt Kevin take his hand and was led up the front steps, stopping at the door then taken through the house.

"Kevin, I’m going to trip," he warned, trying to work out where the next step was on the stairs, dangling his foot out in the air like mad. "I’m going to trip!"

Kevin stood behind Nick and wrapped his arms around his waist and kissed his neck. "You won’t. Now walk," he whispered again into Nick’s ear and he smiled when he felt Nick shiver against him.

He led Nick up the stairs and down the hall to the bedroom. He opened the door and led Nick through before telling him to sit on the bed. He stared at Nick, blindfolded on the bed, thinking that he had to be the most perfect thing in the world, perfect for him. Everything within himself told him that he had made the right decision.

"Okay, I’ve stopped walking now," Nick said and waved his hands in the air. "Kevin? Kevin, where are you?"

Kevin bit down on his lower lip to stop himself from laughing and pressed his lips against Nick’s. He felt Nick tense up from surprise before succumbing to the gentleness and softness of the kiss. "Right here," he murmured and ran his fingertips down Nick’s cheek.

Nick gasped. "Would you please take off the blindfold and stop teasing me? Please?" he asked in a syrupy-sweet voice.

"You got it," Kevin said and reached around to untie the blindfold and stood back to watch Nick’s expression and smiled before sitting down next to him. "So, do you like it?"

Nick gasped again, his eyes quickly adjusting to the light and becoming aware of what was in front of him. What was on the wall in front of him used to be a framed picture of Kevin and Kristin on their wedding day. Now, in its place was a picture of Nick and Kevin that had been taken in LA. The photographer had had a fixation with how Nick and Kevin looked together and demanded that they do several photos together. In this particular one, the photographer had them standing against a wall, Kevin decked out in black, Nick decked out in white, and had their faces turned to each other. The overall result was nothing short of photographic perfection.

"Oh God!" Nick said softly and covered his mouth in surprise. "This is...God!"

Kevin laughed. "Look over there," he said, nodding in the direction of the nightstand.

Nick looked over his shoulder, expecting to see the same picture of Kristin but instead, it was a picture of him. His heart leaped and his eyes filled with unexpected tears. "Thank you," he whispered.

"This makes us a couple. We’re living together, so that makes us partners. And I want to be your partner, and I want you to be my partner." He paused and kissed Nick carefully on the lips. "Forever, baby. Forever."

A tiny tear trickled down his cheek. "Thank you so much, Kevin," he whispered. "You’ve made me so happy."

Kevin kissed Nick’s forehead gently, rubbing his arm as he did. "Thank you for putting up with me," he said softly, staring into Nick’s eyes. "I’ve put you through a lot of pain and I’ve hurt you, but it’s going to be better now. It’s just going to be you and me. Forever."

Nick raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Just you and me, huh?"

Kevin responded, knowing full well what Nick meant, by pushing Nick down onto the bed until he was flat on his back and laid down next to him, reaching out to touch his cheek. "Would it be too much if I said that I wanted to seduce you right now?" he said quietly.

Nick shook his head, his eyes staring right down into Kevin’s soul. "Not at all," he replied in the same quiet voice. "In fact, I’d love you to."

"I love you, Nick."

"I love you, Kevin."

~**~