Title: Bayou Boys 4/?
Authors: Pet & Foxhunt2blue
Summary: Human AU – Sometimes even fate knows
better than we do. In the tiny backwater town of
Junction City William LaCroix & Liam Garrigan met as
children. Now ten years later best friends are reunited to
discover what one of them already knew.
Rated: NC-17
Pairing: Liam/William
Disclaimer: That Mutant Monster owns them, not us.
*pouts* We'd take much better care of them though!!
Lots of hot man sex!! YEAH!!
Feedback: We are Whores of the Clan Feedback. Feed
us Seymour! Feed us now!
E-mail:
Pet – prettygirlryoko@yahoo.com
Foxhunt2blue – foxhunter2blue@peoplepc.com
***
Liam yelled down the hall. "Come on then before the
pizza gets cold. What are you doing in there setting up
shop?"
He wandered through the kitchen, retrieving plates
from the cabinet---two big, one small. Cutting the
pizza, he slid a piece into each plate, cutting up the one
on the small plate into small bites, then setting it on the
floor.
"There you go, Precious." Liam whispered softly. "But
don't you dare tell anyone I'm soft for you. Got me
rat?"
Precious barked happily then began nibbling on the
pizza. Pleased, Liam nodded, then stood up wiping his
hands off on a hand towel. He glanced down at himself.
Not to shitty, he thought, a green tee-shirt that was just
a bit clingy, but he didn't look like a model or anything,
faded blue jeans with a black leather belt, a big belt
buckle with a truck on it. Damn cliché, he thought
when he bought it, but---hey he liked it. Heavy black
boots that matched his Von Dutch hat and belt
completed the outfit. Not a bad look for two old friends
just hanging out at their old watering hole.

In the bathroom William was cleaning up the best he
could, taking shallow deep breaths to try and calm his
nerves. He'd wanted this man for so bloody long---his
best friend, his protector, and if he had anything to say
about it, his lover. Opening the bathroom door, he
peered out then headed down the hall to the kitchen.
The smell of warm pizza drifted from the door and
suddenly William realized just how hungry he was.
Leaning in the door, he quietly watched Liam who was
the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
"I don't bloody well think mum would approve of
cardboard pizza being fed to Precious." Chuckling he
moved into the kitchen.
"Well, your mom isn't here and I bet that's the best
damn meal that poor dog has had in a while. She looks
anorexic let her eat. You too skinny man. I swear I
could break you just by looking at you hard enough."
Liam moved behind William wrapping his arms around
him. "See my arms could wrap around you twice."
Then he pulled back, pushing William softly towards
the table. "Eat, humor me---okay?"

As William stumbled forward, he shivered trying to
focus on the pizza in question. Not on the feel of those
strong muscled arms encircling him. If he thought of
those arms for too long, he'd be making another detour
to the bathroom again. He pulled out a chair, flipped it
around, and straddled it as he reached for a slice of
pizza.
"You know how to sweet talk a boy now don't you,
pet." He glanced back at Liam taking a big bite of the
pizza, the sauce staining his lips as he smirked.
"Well...yeah they either listen or meet my fist. Usually
they pick the latter. So thats good for them." Liam sat
down across from William, propping his feet up on the
table, and interlacing his fingers on his stomach.

William swallowed and took another bite. His eyes
moved over Liam finally settling on those huge hands
folded over that flat muscled stomach that the clingy
green tee did nothing to hide. He chewed slowly as he
noted the way Liam's pinkies seemed to point straight
to the swell beneath the jeans and he started to choke.
Liam sat up reaching a hand halfway across the table.
"You alright?"

With a choked cough William shook his head and
whispered. "...water...luv." He motioned to the sink and
swallowed a few times, tears springing to his eyes as
another round of coughs ripped through him.
Springing up from his chair Liam opened a cabinet
grabbing a glass. Hurriedly filling it with water, he
handed it to William with a pat to his back. "Here,
Will."

Gratefully William accepted the glass sipping the water
carefully. He shook his head and took a deep breath. "'S
okay...went down the wrong side..." he let out a long
breath with a sigh. "Bloody well teach me to chew
before I swallow."
Liam chuckled softly moving back around the table to
sit. "Don't scare me like that damn, Will." Shaking his
head he reached over and picked up a---very---full
looking Precious. "I'm going to take her out to do her
thing. I don't recommend taking her with. So, she can
stay here while we're out at the lake. Sound all right? I
promise she can't get out of here. And she can even
play and sleep in my room."

"Sounds okay, luv." He smiled as he finished his pizza.
Watching as Liam walked to the back door---Precious
in hand---he felt a familiar ache between his legs.
Damn but that man had a lovely arse on him, William
thought. "So the lake---is it? We going for a moonlit
swim, pet?"
"Just like old times." Liam called from the back porch.
"Remember?"

"Yeah..."
William stood wandering out to the back porch where
Liam was standing and fished out a smoke. Lighting it
up he inhaled looking up at the sky where a silver sliver
of moon glowed softly.
"Me and you out at the lake...skinny dipping if I recall.
Water out there so cold it could bloody well freeze your
arse off." He chuckled as he exhaled.
"Yeah, but it was fun and it made me feel alive. Also
littler parts then, more embarrassment, not so
embarrassed anymore." Liam glanced at William
winking. "Or at least the ladies say I have nothing to be
embarrassed about anyway."

"Really?" William raised a brow snorting. "As I bloody
well recall I was embarrassed the first time 'cause your
manly bits were impressive even after a cold dip. Me
and my skinny sad self I was sure I had me a bloody
wanker the size of one of them weenies from the beanie
weenies me mum was so found of cooking for you."
Liam laughed long and hard then cupped the back of
William's neck bringing him into a hug. "Did I mention
I missed you yet?"

"About a sodding million times so far..." came
William's muffled reply as he was crushed in a bear
hug. "And I missed you, too." He pulled back looking
up into Liam's dark eyes dropping his smoke and
grinding it out beneath his boot. "So how about a six
pack and swim, luv?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm the bigger one and you're the one who
gets squiggy with hugs. We're going...we're going."
Liam whistled. "Come on girl."
Precious came skipping out of the dark looking for all
the world out of place in this back yard. Liam opened
the door.
"Enter your Majesty."
Precious barked then pranced inside, Liam following
with a shake of his head and headed into the kitchen
retrieving beer. Setting it on the table he walked to his
bedroom door and opened the door.
"Okay...here you go sweetness just go lay in my big ol'
bed when you're done ruling all right?" Precious
barked in reply and Liam nodded. "Only woman I'll let
treat me that way." Precious yelped bouncing by him.
"Yep... only one."

William laughed as he grabbed the beer heading for the
front door. "Okay, now Liam last one to the lake gets to
buy the beer next time!" He yelped running out the
door. Pausing at the end of the driveway, he yelled over
his shoulder. "And your buying, luv!!"
Seemingly in no obvious hurry, Liam strolled out his
keys jangling as he twirled them around his finger. "I
don't mind buying makes me feel manly." He opened
his car door and slid into the driver's seat casually.
"But you can lead if you want. If you can remember."

With a whoop, William was in his car and revving the
engine in five seconds. "Oh, I remember, luv!" He
yelled as the car peeled out of the drive. The PT Cruiser
left behind a cloud of dust as it turned out onto Willow
Road heading further back into the woods.
Liam shook his head with a snicker and pulled out
jetting down the dirt road in pursuit. He kept up with
William, but didn't pass him or do any kind of stunt a
southern boy would usually do. Mainly because this car
was like his child and he wouldn't play with it to save
his life. Now if he would've stolen Charlie's truck that
would have been another matter.

***
Around three miles down the road William took the
Crystal Lake turn off. Above him, the silvered moon
hung and the distant sound of birds singing out across
the bayou.
Another mile and he crested a hill, then down around a
curve and he pulled up on the edge of the beach. He
hopped out, six pack in hand, and leaned against the car
as he waited for Liam to park his car. The gentle
lapping of water on the shoreline soothed the nervous
jitters he'd had from the moment he laid eyes on Liam.
Shaking out a smoke he lit up and closed his eyes
listening to the sounds of the Louisiana night. God how
he'd bloody well missed this.
Liam shut off the engine, slipping out of the car, and
walking to the front hopping up on the hood. "Just like
you remembered?"

"Ummm..." William sighed as his eyes drifted open and
he turned to Liam with a soft smile. Slowly he moved
across the small space that separated them and handed
Liam a beer. "Missed all this something bloody awful...
missed this place and I missed you."
Liam popped open the beer lightly tapping William's
chin with his fist then leaned back against the
windshield of his car, tilting forward his hat a bit. "I
missed you to kid. Come hop up here with me."

Hopping onto the hood of the car, William slithered up
next to Liam and leaned back sipping his beer. "Ain't
changed a bit..." he sighed letting his eyes drift shut.
There was so much to relish in that moment. There was
the scent of rich earth, the soft cries of the birds, and
the scent of Liam---musky and fresh.
"So...luv...you found you some lovely swamp bint to
shag? Maybe settle down with?"
Liam chuckled taking a long swallow of beer, and then
he tipped his hat a bit lower. "Had me a few actually,
but then two found out about each other, and spread the
info. Let's just say I'm currently grounded and I don't
buy flowers. So me and my hand are best buds lately."

"Know the feeling..." William smiled to himself, "...last
lover I had...well lets just say it didn't work out. Too
much baggage." He took another pull off his beer and
rolled to his side propping himself up on one elbow.
"So...anyone catch your fancy? I mean...you ever really
loved anyone?"
Peering at William, he took another swallow of beer.
"Love, here?" He seemed to think on it, but not long.
"No, Will not love...at least not in this town. The girls
are too clingy or too shallow. Or they're worse at
commitment than you are. Plus I've never been the
type; well at least I never met me someone worth all
that yet. Not saying it isn't possible just saying...not yet.
I don't like connecting to something then losing it. I'm
finding that harder to take each time it happens so I
guess that explains the patterns I keep." With a shrug,
Liam turned back to the lake. "Other than family love,
friends love, I never had me any kind of life altering
sensation."

"Really?" William took a drag off his cigarette and
flipped the butt into the shadows. "I have...met me a
right fine one..." he whispered. "Friends and all, but lost
'em. Didn't realize how much they meant to me sorry
arse until they was gone." He tossed off the rest of the
beer sliding off the hood. "So you up for some skinny
dipping?" William sheds his over shirt while he toed
off his boots.
Liam tossed his hat in the car and leaned over untying
his boots. "Hell yes! It's going to shrivel my balls ten to
one, but it's going to feel damn good once I'm used to
it." He tossed his boots in the floorboard, and then he
reached for the hem of his shirt peeling it over his head.

As Liam peeled off that shirt William found himself
staring at that smooth expanse of tanned flesh. He
shook his head and yanked his tank over his head with
a flourish. "See you got some sun on that pasty white
body of yours. Me I wasn't so bloody lucky. I'll fry like
a breaded piece of okra in the sun." Reaching for his
waistband he raises a brow and snickered. "Shall we
compare manly bits before or after the cold shrivel?"
Liam slid off the hood unbuckled his belt and snapped
two buttons easily. "Now is as good a time as any. Not
like we'll tell if we find each other amusing in any way.
I promise on my Mom's spirit I won't make fun of you
as long as you don't me." With that Liam tucked his
fingers under the waistband of his jeans peeling them
down and off with his boxer briefs. With a toss, the
jeans and underwear are in the car and Liam was
walking across the dock. "Come on then...into the
freezing abyss we go."

William swallowed a desperate groan as he caught a
glimpse of that magnificent cock nestled in a mass of
dark curls. Yanking his own pants down in one swift
motion he tossed them to the side uncaring where they
landed. With a whoop he ran past Liam and cannon
balled off the end of the dock, sending a wave of icy
water into the air.
Hopping out of the way of the water shower easily
Liam reached the end of the dock. Looking down into
the water he took one deep breathe, then smoothly
dived off into the water like a graceful ballerina. When
he surfaced, he flicked water out of his eyes and hair
screaming. "HOLY MOTHER OF FUCK ME
RUNNING COLD ASS BITCH DAMN!!"

Beneath the surface of the water William grabbed
Liam's ankle and yanked him back beneath the surface,
then he darted through the dark water back to the
surface. When he surfaced, he laughed hysterically.
"Miss any colorful words, pet? It's bloody well cold
though ain't it?" Turning he began to glide through the
water with smooth strokes.
Liam's teeth chattered as he flipped William off. "That's
all I have to say." Then he started to do small laps
letting his body adjust to the water.
Flipping over on his back William spit out a fountain of
water as he backstroked. "Now that ain't bloody well
nice---is it luv?" He let his legs drift back down into the
chilly water and smirked. "And I'd tell you not to offer
unless you're ready to put out." He burst out laughing
at Liam's expression, then turned swimming further
out.
Liam just floated in the water trying to analyze or
compute how to take that comment. He settled for
taking it as a joke and shook his head with a laugh.
"You're an odd one Will, but hey aren't we all." Taking
a deep breath, he dove under water.

Stopping William glanced around the smooth glassy
surface of the lake and waited a few moments.
"Liam?!" He yelled out as he turned bobbing in the
water.
Suddenly he started having images of gators escaping
from the near by swamplands and eating his friend
dancing in his head and he panicked.
"Liam!! This ain't bloody funny!!" His voice echoed
across the water as he continued treading water.
Liam popped out of the water with a loud splash behind
Will and yelled.
"BOO!!"

Losing any grip on his senses William let out a scream
and went from treading water to freaking out complete-
ly. He lost his concentration sinking like a rock taking
in a mouth full of water in the process. A few seconds
later he surfaced in a mass of flailing arms spitting
water.
"That wasn't...bloody funny, Liam!" He coughed as he
blinked the water from his eyes. "You trying to give me
a sodding heart attack?" He pushed Liam with all the
strength he could muster.
"Hey...hey joke, Will...joke. I'm sorry didn't mean to
freak you out so bad." Liam held up his hands in self-
defense.
Pouting William glanced up at Liam through water
beaded lashes. "'S okay...been awhile since I spent
anytime in this much water." His cheeks flushed pink.
"Guess I overreacted a bit, pet." He smiled, bobbing up,
and pushing down on Liam's shoulders. "Pay-backs are
bloody bint though ain't it?"
Pushing up Liam spluttered water out of his mouth and
nose. "Fucker!" He wrapped his arm around William's
neck and flipped him around, holding him tight to his
chest. "Now what you going to do hum?"

"Scream for help like a bloody bint! HELP!!!" William
bellowed loudly as he squirms against Liam's hard
body. "Help!! The swamp monster is kidnapping me!!"
Liam laughed pulling William tighter back against him
yawning as if bored. "No one can hear you and if they
can they'll just think someone's having kinky sex in the
lake---ten to one. No ones smart enough in this town to
murder somebody."

Pausing in his screaming William snickered. "Kinky
sex? And someone is smart enough in this town to
actually have a sex-life?" Then he started screaming
again. "HELP!!! A horny swamp monster is molesting
me!!"
Liam laughed again letting William go, then swimming
around to his front. "I was smart enough or at least I
thought so. I blame my inability to be more clean."

"Clean?" William bobbed around. "I don't know about
that, luv. Thought all these southern bints loved a
greasy grease monkey?" He chuckled and began
swimming away.
"They do but that doesn't have anything to do with
cleaning up my floor. Where a pair of underwear that
weren't male were just laying to be found when number
two came over to visit." Liam acted as if he was just
discussing the weather. "She was more than a little
pissed." Smiling he started to backstroke. "Who knew
she didn't wear thongs."

"Apparently you, pet." William laughed softly. "You
know Liam I've found that being mates sometimes is
better before you get into the sex. Not to say you
weren't friends with the ladies in question, but..." he
paused as if thinking, then cleared his throat, "...the
bints can be just that. A lady likes to make more of a
relationship than most blokes do. To them sex equals
love right off the bat. Ain't like us, luv. We bloody well
know there can be just sex for the sake of sex."
"Hallelujah! Hallelujah my friend!" Liam crowed.
"Women who needs them!"

"Amen Brother Liam!" Bursting out laughing William
swam back towards Liam with a grin. "Bloke can have
a right bloody good time just with his hand and a little
lube. At least Rosie palm and her five sis' won't expect
dinner, a movie or a sodding proposal the next
morning."
Liam chuckled as he returned to the dock. "Time for a
drink best bud want one?"

"Drink sounds bloody well fine." William paddled after
Liam as he wondered if he'd just saw what he wanted or
if maybe---just maybe---there was hope for what he
wanted.
"Alright then...now we're talking."
Liam pulled himself up, the water cascading down his
body, and he jumped onto the dock shaking the water
off. He ran a hand through his hair once, letting it mesh
in every direction, then walked casually back to his car.
Once there he shook out his pants and slipped them on
over his damp skin.

Bobbing in the water for a moment William just took in
what he saw. God he doesn't bloody remember Liam
looking that good, but he does, and he tries to calm
himself a bit before he pulls himself out of the water.
Pulling up onto the dock he shakes the water from his
head and tries to appear casual as he moves back to the
car. "Liam, pet---you got a towel? Pulling on leather
pants over wet skin is bloody well near impossible."
"Here just use this it's all I got I can stay shirtless air is
nice out tonight." Liam tossed him his shirt as he
buttoned his jeans leaving the last one undone as well
as his belt. Taking the remaining beers he walked down
a bit onto the sand and plopped down, opening one.

Catching Liam's shirt, William used it to dry himself as
much as possible then proceeded to pull on his pants.
However, they didn't go on as smoothly as Liam's jeans
had he did give Liam a show with the string of curses
that explode out of him as he struggled to pull them up.
"Bloody hell but these leather pants are a bastard to
deal with. The things I do to look good..." he grumbled.
Liam tossed him a beer. "You shouldn't have worried
about it. I think you look fine no matter what you wear.
Then and now you're Will and thats just fine with me.
Now come sit lets listen and watch like when we did
when we were kids."

Wandering over to where Liam was sitting William
dropped down and opened his beer taking a swig.
"Yeah, this is the good stuff...swim, beer, and good
company." He pulled his knees up resting his chin on
them and stared out across the moonlit water. "I missed
this something bloody awful."
Liam glanced at him. "So did I...so did I." Then he
turned back to the water listening to the crickets, the
birds, and other night creatures---watching the bugs
skim over the water and the ripples from fish. "More
than you probably would think I would anyway. I don't
make friends anymore. Only real friend I have is Gator
and he pisses me off more than anything does with his
pearls of wisdom. He also rats me out to Charlie
constantly the bastard."

"Gator?" William raised a brow glancing over at Liam.
"What kind of bloody name is Gator?" He chuckled as
he retrieves his smokes from his shirt pocket lighting
one up. Lying back on the soft sand, he inhaled staring
up at the twinkling stars.
"His name is Wesley, but he doesn't like to be called it
so it's Wes or Gator. He owns the bar I frequent---he
bartends. He's younger than me but tries to act wiser.
As I said he's my friend, but he's a bastard."

William hummed to himself thoughtfully as he took
another drag. "Gator...well now where did he get a
name like that, pet? Don't suppose he hunts gators does
he?" He chuckled softly.
"I guess he doe...never really asked him. It's Louisiana
who knows here. Everybody has a nickname, a secret
it's like a Soap opera down here." Liam lay back as well
looking up at the stars. "Everybody has something to
hide, everybody has a dirty little naughty thing, or
hidden lover. I love it here all the mystery it never gets
boring."

Turning over William propped himself on his elbow
and studied Liam's profile. God he was a gorgeous
man, he thought. "So...what's your dirty little secret,
luv?" He whispered softly.
"Don't have one yet, but give me time." Liam tipped his
beer back with a whisper. Turning his head, he glanced
at William. "What's yours?"

A flush of pink glowed along his cheekbones as he lay
back down. "Got a couple, pet. Not sure if I'm ready to
share them though. Wouldn't want to muck things
up...at least not yet." He took a swig of beer as he
shuddered.
"Fair enough."
Then the silence enveloped them as they both listened
to their dark surroundings. He drank down the first beer
quick and was half way through his second before he
turned on his side towards William to prop himself on
his elbow looking down over William his eyes
sparkling.
"So you kept asking me about my sex life, but you
didn't tell me about yours. Don't you think it's fair to
share?"

"There are things that..." William closed his eyes with a
soft sigh, "...I learned about myself. Things I haven't
shared with mum or dad, but mum seems to know
anyway. You know this is bloody hard, Liam." He
turned his head looking up at Liam with wide blue eyes
edged with fear. "I don't know how to tell you. Not sure
I should."
"Why? I mean unless you're a pedophile or have a
penchant for the dead how bad could it be?" Liam
questioned.

A weak laugh escaped William as he took in Liam's
expression. Inside his gut was twisting into a pretzel. It
was now or never a little voice whispered in the back of
his mind.
"Nothing like that, pet." He whispered softly. "I...I'm
...well I'm...gay..." the last word was almost to soft to
be heard, but he knew Liam must have heard it.
"Gay?" Liam repeated. "As in happy or as in 'I like boy
parts' gay?"

William blinked at Liam in confusion for a moment.
"Ummm...the second one, luv. I like the..." he giggled
nervously, "...boy parts."
Liam nodded slowly sitting up. He tipped back his beer
chugging down the rest and quickly popping another.

"Look Liam...I...I..." tears began welling in William's
eyes as he sat up. "I didn't want to tell you like this.
Bloody hell...I..." William started to pull himself to his
feet, "...maybe I should go." He whispered. His head
was pounding and his body was trembling so badly.
I've ruined our friendship, he thought, just like I ruin
everything.
Grabbing William's leg Liam pulled him back down on
his ass and placed a finger---solid and stiff---to
William's lips as he spoke. "Shh...shh, Will just let
me...just let me..." He trailed off looking straight ahead,
then he repeated. "Just let me process---okay."

Swallowing hard William dropped his gaze to the sand;
one finger idly tracing patterns in the sand. "Yeah...
process..." he suppressed the urge to stand and run as
the beer settled like a hard iron lump in his stomach. "'S
okay...give you a bit. What's the worst you can decide?
Pound me bloody arse into Spam?"
Liam gripped William's chin forcing him look at up at
him. "Is that what you think of me? Is it really? I've
done nothing but protect from the minute I saw you.
You're my best friend in the whole wide world and you
think telling me you're gay is going to---what? Turn me
against you?" Liam shook his head and let William's
face go, staring down into his beer. "Yeah, probably
would big southern boy with no brains all brawn. Finds
out his bud is gay and wallop...wallop! Tie him to a
tree and cover him in honey." Liam snorted a small
bark of laughter. "Man I didn't think London would
make you forget who I was."

William moaned softly. "I'm sorry Liam...I am...I just
don't know anymore who I trust. I trusted my dad once
and he tore me away from the only friend I ever had..."
tears began falling down his cheeks, "...I didn't know
what to expect. I love you so much, Liam. I knew I had
to do this...I had to reconnect, but I was afraid...dammit
all to bloody hell." He scrubbed at his face his body
visibly shaking now. "My dad he didn't want me to talk
to you...he threatened me and he said you...you had
changed...and..." he stuttered now, the first time in
almost five years. His chest was tightening and he was
finding it hard to breathe.
Setting his beer down Liam pulled William tight
against his chest. 'Shh...shh...it's okay---come on now.
Don't matter what your father said. Doesn't matter if I
have changed I'm still your Liam---your best friend. I'm
never going to hurt you, Will---NEVER. God, Will
you're my best friend I love you, too." He tipped Will's
face up. "Shh...Will I got you. I'm always going to be
here for you. I don't care what you want to fuck or love-
--all right? Shh...come on Will." Liam wiped the tears
from William's face and looked into his eyes his voice
softening "No reason to be afraid of me little one. I'm
still your Liam still going to protect you, love you, take
care of you."

"Are you?" William whispered looking into Liam's
eyes. "I was afraid...that you would leave me, too. Just
like everything else I love...it changes and..." he
swallowed hard, "...and my dreams...everything
disappears or dies."
Liam shook his head placing a finger over William's
lips and whispered---slowly and carefully. "I'm not
going anywhere, Will. You're stuck with me." Then he
smiled wiping more of William's tears away. "God
look at you now...you're all red and puffy. Still pretty
though." He quieted swallowing as he studied Will's
face.
His fingers traced over his cheekbones seemingly of
their own violation as he repeated softer still. "Pretty."
His face came closer his breathing getting slower.
"Small...tiny...you would have to be the...Will..." His
voice trailed off as his fingers rubbed over William's
lower lip. "Oh...fuck, Will." Then his lips just lightly
grazed over William's.

A soft gasp escaped William as Liam's lips brushed his
in a gentle kiss. It's what he's dreamed about, what he's
wanted for so long, and yet he is terrified like he's
never been before. His hands slid up Liam's naked back
and tangled in his hair as he deepened the kiss.
Pulling back, just a bit he whispered against Liam's
mouth. "Waited so long..."
Liam's eyes opened then and he pulled back as if burnt
standing up. "Yeah...uhmmm...well it's getting late
and you know we should really get back. Get some
sleep---you know? And Precious, she must be getting
really restless right now." Liam turned buttoning his
last button, fighting with his belt, as he climbed the
sandy hill, letting the beer just lay where it was.

Sitting there in the sand, William was overcome with a
pain in his gut. He kissed me---he bloody well kissed
me and now...

"Liam what is it? What did I do wrong?" He clambered
to his feet and followed Liam like a lost puppy. "I'm
sorry...I...fuck it!" He snapped yanking Liam around.
"Talk to me Liam...just talk to me. Don't you walk
away!"
Liam yanked his arm out of William's grip. "WHAT?
I'm fine I'm just tired---all right? Is that okay? Now
come on get you back to the house so you can get
Precious." He turned then paused, glancing back.
"I'm...I'm alright Will...just come on." Liam wrenched
the car door open and climbed in pulling on his hat.
Starting it up he pulled out to head down the road.

Staring at Liam's car roaring down the road, William
cursed himself for a fool. Heading for his car, he
noticed Liam's discarded shirt and picked it up as he
got in the car. Starting it up he headed out following
Liam's trail of dust with Liam's shirt next to him.
***
Liam nearly wrecked the car twenty times from the lake
back to the house, but he made it in one piece. When he
arrived back at the house he jumped out of the car,
opened the front door, and ran in to grab Precious---
who'd been sleeping quietly on his bed. Seconds later
he was outside waiting for William to pull in.
He petted Precious softly, acting as if everything was
normal. He just wanted to hand over the dog, go to bed,
and act like this night had never happened. Start the
next day anew.

Pulling into the drive, William saw Liam standing on
the front porch in the bright light of the headlights. He
sighed softly when he saw Precious cradled in Liam's
arms. He knew that the night was over and maybe it
was for the best. With a deep breath he stepped out of
the car and walked round to the porch looking up at
Liam.
"Guess you're right. Been a long day." He took
Precious from Liam smiling weakly. "Maybe tomorrow
we could hook up...have a beer or maybe lunch?"
"You bet." Liam happily replied his voice steady. "Now
go on get home...sleep...call tomorrow. We'll set up
something."

"Night..." William turned and got back in the car. He
glanced up to see Liam lingering in the doorway as he
shifted into drive. "Ain't that easy, luv. I've waited too
bloody long for you---for us."
Pulling out of the driveway he headed home his hands
so tight on the wheel his knuckles were white.
"Ain't that easy at all..." he whispered.

TBC