Nail Polish Lust

Sweat was dripping into his eyes making them sting no matter how many times he tossed his head to shake it off. He was running hard as he could, breath coming in harsh pants, and yet when he glanced back he could see Trevor right on his heels, brown eyes dancing beneath the sweat-soaked fringe of blond hair, cheeks flushed, lips pulled back into a feral teeth-baring grin.

It wasn\'t surprising, he was fast on his feet but he was more of a drafthorse, able to run steady for long distances. Trevor was a thoroughbred, built lean and long; the kid would always beat him in the speed department.

Gritting his teeth he managed another burst of speed, and almost made it to the tree that Nate had named the safe zone, before he heard Trevor\'s wild breathless yell and felt the boy crash into him, dragging them both to the ground with a jarring thud. The kid was laughing breathlessly in his ear, squirming on top of him as his clever hands wormed beneath Dan\'s body.

To anyone watching it would look like Trevor was just trying to get the ball Dan was gripping, they wouldn\'t see the fact that one hand was rubbing against the fly of his jeans for a few endless teasing moments. Then Trevor had the ball and was scrambling away.

He lay there a moment, smelling grass, dirt, and sweat, body still tingling from Trev\'s touch. When he thought he had himself under control enough that he wouldn\'t drag Trevor down to the ground and kiss him breathless, Dan rolled over on his back.

Trevor stood a few steps away tossing the ball in the air, backlit against the sun. He was possibly the most carefree and happy that Dan had ever seen, \"I win.\"

Nate collapsed to the ground beside him, he was grinning as well; any trace of the shy almost scared boy his sister had dropped off gone. \"You always win Trevor. It\'s not fair your legs are longer!\"

Trevor laughed and dropped the ball, sitting down close enough to him that his leg was casually pressed against Dan\'s arm, \"I always win because I\'m that good.\"

Dan rolled his eyes, sliding his hand over slowly, until he could rub the side of his thumb lightly against the side of Trevor\'s bare foot, \"And you cheat.\"

\"I do _not_.\" Trev tried to give him an indignant look but he couldn\'t stop smiling and his eyes were just a shade too warm whenever they met his to pull it off. \"Nate never said tackling was out. Did you Nate?\"

Nate shrugged, watching Trevor with something like the beginnings of hero worship, \"No…I should have.\"

Dan snorted, \"No tackling was _implied_ smartass.\"

Trevor grinned sheepishly, \"Okay maybe it was, but implied and stated are two completely different things.\" He tossed the ball to Nate, who promptly threw it back, starting an impromptu game of catch over Dan\'s chest. \"Uncle Daaan?\" Trevor had that irritating sing-song tone, and that wicked glitter in his eyes that made it clear he knew it got on Dan\'s nerves.

\"What?\" He dug his nail into Trevor\'s foot in revenge before going back to rubbing light circles.

\"Lets take Nate to an arcade after this.\"

He shrugged, \"We could do that.\" He didn’t even have to ask Nate, the boy looked beyond thrilled at the idea, \"Give me a few minutes and we\'ll go.\" Dan let his eyes fall shut, dozing in the sun, half-listening as Trevor and Nate started discussing video games and movies and a hundred other random teenager things that Dan could care less about.

Suddenly the boys quieted and he cracked an eye open in the sudden shade that had fallen over them to see Greg looking down at him with a friendly grin that seemed natural unless you knew him well. Then you would notice the strain around the eyes, the tightness at the corners of his mouth. The other man\'s eyes met his own then dropped pointedly to where Dan\'s finger still stroked lazy circles against the side of Trevor\'s foot.

He hastily pulled his hand away, trying for carefree and missing it by enough to make Trevor tense beside him, \"Hey partner, what are you doing here?\"

Greg eyes swept over Trevor once before seemingly forgetting about him, \"Family outing. I noticed you and thought I\'d see if you wanted to join.\" He flicked his hand casually to the side.

Leaning up Dan could just see Lisa busily unpacking Tupperware from a bag onto one of the picnic tables. The baby was in her arms, but it wasn\'t slowing her down a bit. The small bag of charcoal leaning against one of the metal legs made it clear they were doing the family barbeque thing.

With a sigh he sat up, glancing at Nate, his nephew was staring hard at the grass, flicking at the blades with his fingers. Greg was making him uncomfortable and Dan could almost see the uncertain shyness creeping back over the boy. On his other side, Trevor was staring Greg right in the eye, silently daring him to say anything.

At that moment Dan felt every year of his age. \"I\'d love to but I promised the boys I\'d take them to an arcade in a few minutes.\" He hesitated a moment before tilting his head toward Nate, \"This is my nephew Nate Kilgore and this is Trevor….\" It suddenly hit him that after all this time he still didn\'t know Trev\'s last name. It had never mattered before.

Trevor saved him, speaking up with a faint smirk, \"Trevor Aldridge.\"

Greg\'s eyes cutaway from Trevor to meet his head on, tilting his head just so, one eyebrow raised in that way that meant something important had just been said. But Dan could only shake his head minutely; clueless as to what it could be that had triggered Greg about Trev\'s name.

\"Aldridge…that sounds familiar. You wouldn\'t happen to be related to that defense lawyer Rob Aldridge would you?\"

Trevor nodded suspiciously, \"Yeah…that\'s my father.\"

And then it hit him, clicking into place like a puzzle piece. Rob Aldridge was a name that had come up in passing in a million cases, every last one of them related to the mob. Every time they had one of the slimy bastards ready to sing and give them enough to finally take down the source of half the prostitution and drugs smuggled into the city, Rob Aldridge would show and then their source would be halfway across the country out of reach and free as a bird before they could blink.

He was sleeping with Rob Aldridge\'s son. How bizarre.

For a split second he wondered if Trevor knew, then he dismissed the idea. No, somehow he knew Rob Aldridge wasn\'t telling his son a damn thing about his real business. Trevor was too innocent to have that kind of knowledge.

Dan could see the awareness lurking in Greg\'s eyes, but he knew his partner. Greg wasn\'t going to call anyone out. Not yet anyway. He just nodded with a friendly smile, \"I\'m Greg. I work with Dan. It\'s good to meet you both. Nate, your Uncle\'s told me a lot about you.\"

Nate glanced up through his bangs shyly and Trevor wouldn\'t look away. Mentally rolling his eyes, Dan got to his feet, hitting Trevor with his elbow while he stood. Trevor glared at him, but sullenly dropped his eyes to the grass. \"You two stay here, I\'m going to talk to Greg for a minute.\"

Trevor\'s eyes shot to him, an uneasy question in them, but Dan ignored it, slinging a friendly arm around Greg\'s shoulders, leading him off towards the cars, \"Lets do this in private. Can I have that much at least?\"

Greg snorted, \"As old as that kid looks Dan, you\'re lucky I\'m not ripping you a new one right here. But yeah. Fine.\"

Dan sighed and unlocked his car, waiting until Greg had settled in the passenger seat before he reluctantly got in. They sat for awhile in silence, Dan watching Trevor and Nate leaning in close talking, Greg toying with his watch.

\"How old is he?\"

Dan kept his eyes fixed on Trevor, \"Seventeen. He\'s going to have a birthday in a couple months, not that it excuses anything.\"

Greg snorted, and shifted in his seat, out of the corner of his eye he could tell his partner was facing him now. He still refused to turn his head.

\"No, it doesn\'t excuse a damn thing. I should be angry.\"

\"Yeah.\" Dan finally turned his head, meeting Greg\'s eyes, \"I\'m not ashamed of what I\'m doing; I\'m not hurting anyone, least of all Trevor. I\'m not coercing him into anything he doesn\'t want. I don\'t make a habit of picking up minors. When he leaves for college that\'s it, I don\'t plan on doing this again, ever.\"

Greg\'s mouth tightened imperceptibly, and Dan could almost see the wheels in his head turning. Suddenly it hit him just how much it would hurt if he lost Greg. They\'d been partners for years, knew almost everything there was to know about each other, could read each other like no one else. It\'d be like losing a limb.

\"That…really shouldn\'t be enough.\" Greg sighed and scrubbed his fingers through his hair, \"You could have told me. You _should_ have told me. Hell I never even knew you liked guys.\"

Dan smiled faintly, \"I wasn\'t sure…you could handle knowing. It\'s different….\" Than your brother. He didn\'t have to finish the sentence, or reason it out. Greg would know what he meant. It was one thing to know your brother was gay, another to know the man you worked with, depended on, and showered with daily liked fucking other men, that he might even like to fuck you.

\"Dan…. Shit. You still should have told me. I mean, you\'re not-.\" Attracted to me?

Greg didn\'t tense up as he waited for Dan to give some sort of answer, not like someone might if they were afraid of what the answer would be. Suddenly he felt like an idiot, because somewhere along the way he\'d forgotten who Greg was. He\'d forgotten that Greg was his friend, and an honestly good man, even if his taste in jokes sucked.

Dan shook his head.

\"It wouldn\'t have been a problem. It\'s _not_ a problem. All the things you\'re hiding from me? That\'s a problem. Especially when I might have to deal with it if someone else finds out.\"

Dan smiled faintly, \"Fine. No more hiding things. I\'m gay, that\'s why Denise didn\'t work. I\'ve been fucking a seventeen year old boy for the past few months and I think I\'m half in love with him. But he\'s leaving for college in the fall and he\'s never going to look back. My nephew is here visiting for a weekend, it took me an entire night to loosen him up enough to act human instead of like an extension of his gameboy because of my brother-in-law. I don\'t know what the bastard has done to Nate, but whatever it is, it\'s affecting Meg too, she looks like she\'s about to break and there\'s not a damn thing I can do about it.\"

Greg blinked, taking time to mull over everything he\'d just been hit with, before finally nodding. He chewed on his bottom lip for a moment, it wasn\'t a nervous habit, it just meant he was still thinking things through. \"Your sister is a strong woman, she\'ll figure it out eventually and then you\'ll be there to help her out of the mess. That\'s all you can do.\"

It was times like these that Dan appreciated the fact that Greg hated empty reassurances, he said what he thought and didn\'t bother with \'I\'m sorry\'s or \'everything will work out\'s.

\"Yeah. Hopefully before Pete kills one of them.\"

\"If you need us, you know Lisa and I are here for you. For anything. If you need to talk or. Anything.\" Greg glanced away, eyes first going to Lisa, a faint smile touching his lips before he turned his eyes to the two boys who were now wrestling in the grass for the ball, \"He\'s good for you. Lisa noticed you\'ve been happier lately, we were hoping you\'d introduce us to the lucky lady soon.\"

Dan snorted, \"And now that you know there\'s no lady involved?\"

\"I don\'t know.\" Greg tapped his fingers against the hard surface of the door, \"You really in love with him?\"

He didn\'t answer for a long time, weighing out every word in his mind as his eyes slowly drifted back to the blond boy watching their car with an expression that was a mix of nervousness and sullen anger, wearing his clothes, which sent a little thrill through him every time he thought about it. It was as close to marking the boy as his in public as he\'d ever get. Dan couldn\'t help smiling just a bit, \"Yeah, I really am, but I doubt he feels the same.\"

He hesitated a moment before taking a deep fortifying breath, \"If you want me to stop seeing him I will. He\'s leaving soon anyway.\" It shouldn\'t be that hard to end this…this…whatever it was. Trev was too young for this to be real…and he was leaving. It should be just as easy to let go of him now as it would be in the fall when he moved across the country. But logic didn\'t stop his chest from aching, or make the metallic taste that suddenly soured his mouth go away.

Greg sighed softly, \"Don\'t leave that up to me, it\'s not up to me. I\'m not going to stop you, but give me a little time to get used to all of this.\" He shifted, hand on the door handle, but not opening it just yet, \"Take your boys to the arcade, and…try not to touch him. You can see it in your eyes.\" His partner reached over to squeeze his arm, \"Come by and see me and Lisa soon, we miss you.\"

And that was it, Greg slid out of the car, shutting the door behind him, and casually strolled back to his wife, giving Trevor and Nate a little wave before ignoring them. Nate waved back, but Trevor ignored him instead making a beeline for the car a determined look on his face. Nate started to follow him, but Trevor turned back, obviously telling the other boy to stay there before starting to walk again.

When he reached the car, Trevor all but ripped open the passenger side door, plopping down on the seat, slamming the door with a thud, \"What the fuck did he say?\"

Dan raised an eyebrow at the display, inside he was still too confused to do much more than that, \"He said…to try not to be so obvious.\"

Trevor glared at him but he could tell the kid wasn\'t really seeing him, \"Riiight. What else did he say?\"

\"It\'s private.\"

The glare was definitely focused on him now, even more intense than before as if Trev were trying to incinerate him with his eyes, \"It\'s not fucking private, it involves me too.\" And then the anger seemed to just seep out of the boy, leaving him uncertain and depressed, \"Are you going to stop seeing me?\"

That got his attention more than the anger, he carefully reached out, squeezing Trevor\'s knee, about all he would let himself do in public, \"No. Just drop it kid, it\'s between me and Greg okay? You and me…it\'s not going to change.\"

Trevor shifted, resting one hand lightly on top of his own for a moment before pulling away, \"Alright. Okay.\" The kid stared out the window a second before looking back at him, with a bright smile and sad eyes, \"Lets get Nate and hit that arcade then.\"

Dan nodded cautiously, \"Yeah. Lets do that.\" He watched as Trevor rolled down the car window, shoving half his body out to yell at Nate. And for a moment Dan wondered what he was doing with this kid…this young, in your face little punk that didn\'t know how to keep a low profile to save his life.

Then Trevor slithered back into his seat and gave him a real smile, the kind that went all the way to his eyes. It made him remember all the times they just sat together and watched tv, Trevor ruining whatever movie they were watching with wicked jokes and snide comments until he couldn\'t help but crack up…and then Trevor would smile like that and Dan would know every word had been for him, to make him laugh. It was the same smile Dan saw after sex, when they were curled together in bed, touching each other just because they could.

He realized then he had lied to Greg…if his partner had told him to stop seeing Trevor he never would have been able to do it.

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Comments: Okay guys, an explanation and apology, I know it took me forever to update this time, and the future looks bleak. This is the most stressful semester I\'ve ever had, I\'m taking less classes than ever and I\'ve already been driven to drink two weeks in. Plus a hundred other little things and well. I have no time, what little I do is being spent sleeping. So. Those of you that would like to beat me with various objects until I write :) …I will _try_ my damndest to work on this because I really am enjoying writing on the story but no guarantees.

What\'s planned for upcoming chapters: Luke & Trevor \"study\"…yes I know most of you are groaning, suck it up, I like writing Luke too much to abandon him. Also I plan to tie up those niggling loose ends with Dan\'s sister. And at some point Trev and Dan are still going dancing. *G*

Feedback:

Warconq- Well hopefully they\'re still moving since there was more realization in this chapter *chuckles* You got your wish on the partner, I already had planned for Greg to catch them, so that worked out, and I think he took it wonderfully considering. Yeah…I like the idea of shorter posts too…unfortunately it\'s not working out. *screams and throws fit* Sorry.

Equine- lol I\'m glad you like the story. But I think you can give up on quick updates, I think I have. *grumble*

Meaikoh- I\'m glad you like it. As far as Nate\'s father, you will find out what he does at home. It\'s not…good.

Thanks! That\'s what I like to hear. It\'s good to know the characters come across as real to my readers as they are to me.

Nakht-*watches in amusement* Um…glad you\'re so enthusiastic. Thanks for reading!

penguinXslashXqueen- lol everyone needs a hot older man to have fun ruining their apartment with. --Yes I have heard things about the weather there, well I hope you made it through the summer okay…I like how I tend to update in time for another weather change. *shakes head* Glad you liked the update, hope you like this one too. LOL Everyone\'s obsessed with Nate! I don\'t get it, he barely says anything.

Meg-You are so teasing me, there are no sweets in this house! Thank you anyway though *snatches cookies* Yes Luke can be an ass, but I love him. *G* Hey any review is a good review regardless of length.

Elli-Thanks for reading!

Sabrina-Yeah they\'re both almost to the point that they\'re acknowledging that there is in fact a relationship (not quite there yet though *G*) *chuckles* I am going to work like hell to see if I can\'t change your opinion on Luke, I probably can\'t but I\'ll have fun trying at least. *G* I hope Dan getting caught met expectations (if you review again you\'ll have to tell me if it did)

Tinyteeth-And they\'re getting even closer…and ever closer to Trevor moving across the country. *smirks* (the guilt set in ages ago, I am now impervious…but good try lol). I hope the wait is still worth it, even if I\'m being a jerk responding to your review. I really do appreciate your comments, and I am going to try to work in more Dan/Trev cuteness.

Saetan-That is one awesome review. But then you already know that. I know I\'m rather disappointing in chat, I apologize but thank you ever so for reviewing.

Shortone-*chuckles* I don\'t think the nephew is going to walk in on them, there\'s enough angst coming without adding that on top. *G* Thanks for reading!

Karie Chaos-BWAHAHAHA! I sucked you in and now I shall torment you with slow updates. Am I not evil? Lol Good try on the threat, it\'s much appreciated. --I will hear you screaming in the back of my head while I write…Luke and Trevor. *chuckles* I like Luke, I think he could make Trevor reasonably happy (and no I\'m not trying to say he\'s in any way better than Dan in that respect, I know better). But we\'ll see.

Johannafulls-*blushes* Aw thanks. I\'m undiluted talent…my ego will never make it through the door. You made my night. Well I did update soon, but…unfortunately I can\'t promise that will be a trend. Lol glad you like Dan and Trev…and are trying to like Luke. I\'m thinking as the story progresses Luke will become more likeable. There\'s more too him I swear!
It\'s good to know I\'m keeping this realistic, I\'m always wondering if I\'m veering too far off into lala land even though I want to try to handle the issues in this with the care they deserve.
I\'m glad the background worked for you, I wasn\'t sure on how I\'d pieced that into the chapter. LOL the sister will be dealt with, unfortunately I doubt anyone will like how but. It\'s part of the plot and can\'t be helped.
Nope I promise it had zero fat, zero carbs…though god knows how much sugar *G*

Evelyn-Thanks! I am doing my best to keep writing. We\'ll see how well I do.