Roswell Fanatics

It's really quite funny now to think of how nervous I was when I first wrote/posted this chapter. My, how things change!
hugs, Tas


Chapter 11

"Max, I thought—it was only Friday when you said you weren't," Michael sought reassurance, his eyes glued to Max's face.

"I know. I just—what happened Saturday night, with the three of us…it changed everything, Michael. It made me so much more aware of how I feel. Michael, I," Max started.

"Max, you don't have," Michael interrupted, only to fall silent at Max's gentle headshake. Max shifted on the couch so that he was facing Michael. He brought up his hands, cupping Michael's face tenderly as he gazed into his dark eyes.

"Michael, I need to say this. Before we—make love, I need you to know that I love you," he stated with quiet intensity. Michael's eyes prickled and he blinked rapidly. How could words he thought he never wanted to hear just shoot right through him like that, spearing his soul?

Max smiled, seeing the extra glitter in Michael's gaze. He leaned forward and oh, so lightly brushed his lips over Michael's: once, twice, a third time before withdrawing, only to press kisses to his eyelids. Michael kept his eyes closed as Max drew back.

"Max, I—I feel the same way," Michael stumbled over the words, not quite able to say them. It didn't matter; it was enough. It was more than enough, he discovered as he opened his eyes to see the shimmer in Max's amber gaze.

They leaned forward simultaneously, their lips meeting, opening. Max snaked his tongue into Michael's mouth, tasting the cayenne-laced popcorn from their movie date. As the kiss deepened, Michael moved forward until he was practically sitting in Max's lap, his arms locked tight around Max's waist.

Max finally broke the kiss, leaning his forehead against Michael's as he struggled for breath. When he spoke, his voice was husky.

"Why don't you put on some music? I'll just be a sec," Max suggested.

Michael nodded, not trusting himself to speak. There was something fragile and precious about the moment that he did not want to disturb. Max kissed his cheek and they both stood, Michael going to his CD stand and Max going into the bedroom.

A few minutes later Max emerged, looking slightly confused. Michael had picked out a few CDs and was just putting them in the disc changer when Max cleared his throat behind him.

"Michael, I—when I was here Friday, I think I—I can't find," Max couldn't seem to explain what he was talking about. Michael turned with a smile.

"It's in my bedside table; you forgot it," his smile grew as Max's cheeks flushed.

"Oh. Um, good, then. What are you putting on?" Max changed the subject rapidly. Michael indicated the CD jewel cases as he pressed randomized play: B. B. King, Sarah McLaughlin, Richard Ashcroft. Max choked back a hysterical laugh: all music to fuck by.

"Do you, want to, uh, go in the bedroom now?" Max's voice cracked. Michael nodded as the first strains of classic blues filled the air. He reached for Max's hand and led him, knowing that despite his certainty, Max was nervous.

Michael stopped dead upon entering his room. Candlelight blazed everywhere, casting dancing shadows against the walls with the breeze of their arrival. He looked at Max incredulously, seeing him recover some of his usual confidence at Michael's amazement.

"I—wanted it to be romantic," Max smiled. "I dropped the candles here a couple of days ago."

"I'm wondering just who is seducing whom here!" Michael joked. Max reddened but his smile didn't falter as Michael wrapped his arms around him, hugging him tightly. Max stroked his back soothingly, relaxing as they stood together for several minutes, just taking comfort in each other's presence. Michael was the first to step back.

"Max, we," he was hushed by Max's fingers pressed to his lips.

"Sh. Let's just take it slow, see what happens, all right? No expectations, no pressure," Max said softly. Michael nodded in agreement, and then closed his eyes as Max's lips descended to his.

Leisurely Max sampled his mouth, slipping his tongue between Michael's teeth and coaxing his lips to part further. Michael gladly obliged, and his hands came up to hold Max's waist, pulling him closer. They both groaned at the intimate contact. Max unbuttoned Michael's shirt as they kissed, pushing it off his arms and letting it fall to the floor. He went to work on his pants next, and stopped kissing Michael only long enough to ease them down and off.

Michael's head was swimming with sensation as Max slowly caressed him, running his fingertips lightly over Michael's bare skin. He reached for the button and fly of Max's jeans, opening them and slipping them off Max's hips. Max kicked them off the rest of the way and quickly lifted his long-sleeved T-shirt over his head, tossing it on the floor with the rest of their clothes and returning to his assault on Michael's mouth. Max gradually moved them back towards the bed, his hands ceaselessly roaming until the backs of Michael's knees hit the mattress.

Michael broke the kiss to climb onto the bed, sitting in the middle. He held out a hand to Max, who joined him, pushing Michael down onto his back. They resumed kissing, their mouths greedily sucking at each other as their hands explored. Michael groaned as Max licked and nipped his way down his throat, pausing to taste his pulse before closing his lips over Michael's nipple. Michael groped around at the side of the bed, finally pressing the small tube of lubricant into Max's hand. Max looked up, startled.

"Just—hands, not…" Michael gasped out. A wicked little smile appeared on Max's face and Michael groaned, his head falling back as he felt the cool gel slicking his skin only moments before Max inserted his fingers. Michael's body jerked in pleasure, his cock aching with it. Max trailed gel-coated fingers over the head of Michael's cock, stroking him very lightly in sync with his pumping fingers. Long before Michael reached the brink, Max withdrew his fingers and closed both hands over Michael's cock, giving him a few quick, hard strokes that left his breathing ragged and his skin thoroughly wet and slippery.

Michael pulled Max up so that their faces were level, kissing him hungrily as he rolled on top of Max. His hands tugged at Max's nipples, making them stand out straight in a tiny double echo of his erection. Max's hands scrabbled at Michael's back, his short nails scratching across his skin as he tried to get Michael closer. He gasped when Michael suddenly left his mouth and bit his earlobe, licking away the pain before biting again. Michael worked over both his ears then sucked hard on his chest while one hand crept down to enclose Max's cock firmly.

Michael used his tongue and teeth across the expanse of Max's chest as he worked his cock with one hand, then moved down to take Max in his mouth. Max writhed under the sudden suction then cried out as Michael penetrated him with two fingers, the deliberately excessive amount of gel spreading to coat Max's skin. He stiffened and came, spurting into Michael's throat as fast as he could swallow. When there was no more, Michael moved up over Max, looking at his face intently as Max opened his eyes.

They gazed at each other, the soft rhythm of the background music sighing along their sweat-slicked skin, until finally Max brought his knees up on either side of Michael's body, lifting his hips. Michael leaned in for a slow, sweet kiss, pulling back to whisper at Max's lips.

"Are you ready? You're sure?" he searched for an answer in Max's eyes.

Max lifted his head to press another kiss to Michael's lips. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm nervous, but—I'm sure." Their lips met again as Michael placed a pillow underneath Max's hips and positioned himself. Max's eyes fluttered open when Michael's mouth moved away, and they kept eye contact as slowly, carefully, Michael eased himself in.

"Oh, God!" they said in unison, laughing breathlessly at each other. Michael pressed frantic little kisses all over Max's face as he began to pump in and out, in and out, establishing a gentle rhythm that was nonetheless driving him insane. He felt Max harden again, pressed along his abdomen, and smiled at his widening eyes.

"Ah, Michael, don't—stop, don't stop," Max said raggedly and Michael thrust a little harder, kissing Max's throat as he arched his head back.

"Max. Max," Michael breathed as he felt the familiar tightening in his groin. Max held him close, telling him wordlessly to let go, and he did, exploding into Max with a strangled moan. Michael pumped a few more times as he slipped his hand in between their bodies, grasping Max's cock in a quick, rough motion that brought Max to orgasm almost immediately, spilling onto both of them.

Michael pulled out and moved to one side, cuddling up to Max who wrapped an arm around him. They didn't speak for quite a while. Suddenly Michael chuckled. Max lifted his head to look at him.

"What?" Max asked.

"Listen," Michael responded, jerking his head towards the living room where the stereo was located. Max could just make out the lyrics of the song: Into the brave new world, I hope I see you on the other side of this changing world. He laughed.

"I don't feel brave, I feel… really good," Max admitted. "How about you?"

Michael was silent for a long moment. When he did speak, it was right into Max's ear.

"I feel incredible. And—I love you."

"I love you, too," Max whispered, a catch in his voice, and they lay together peacefully until it was time for Max to go home.

Thanks, guys!
hugs, Tas


Chapter 12

Max was standing in the back room of the Crashdown talking to Maria. It was Friday evening, and he was waiting for Liz to put in an appearance so they could go out. They both heard the back door open and Maria, who was facing the kitchen, saw the way Max's eyes lit up and the corners of his mouth lifted. Not bothering to turn around, she called, "Hey, Liz!"

"Hey back at ya, but I'm not Liz," Michael informed her. Maria spun around to see him grinning at her. She shrugged.

"I just assumed it was her, she should be here any second," Maria covered herself. Michael nodded.

"Yeah, I know. Hi, Maxwell, and bye. I'll see you later," Michael's voice softened the tiniest bit when he spoke Max's name. No one else would have noticed, but Maria was primed to look for any and all clues now.

"Yeah, I'll see you," Max echoed, his eyes following Michael as he went back into the kitchen to continue his shift. Maria was about to say something when Liz came in. Instead she went to the kitchen door and motioned to Michael to come back out. Puzzled, he did, smiling broadly when he saw Liz.

Liz gave Max a quick kiss, saying, "I'm just going to say hi to Michael then we can go, OK?" Max nodded and watched as she went over to Michael. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, her hands winding around his neck. Maria saw that they'd be occupied for a couple of minutes and seized the opportunity to talk to Max, who was watching Michael and Liz kiss with a small smile.

"So, I think that it's about time that Liz knows officially about you and Michael," Maria watched him carefully. Max's eyes snapped to hers in shock.

"What? What did she say to you?" Max demanded.

"Max, neither Liz nor I are idiots. We can put two and two together. Especially when you leave some huge clues," Maria told him.

"Clues? What clues?" Max asked, trying to think of anything they might have left somewhere. Nothing came to mind.

"Max…semen leaves a distinct aftertaste," Maria said bluntly, delighted with the sudden crimson suffusing Max's face.

"Oh," was all he managed to say.

"Plus, I thought it was Liz behind me because you had on your Liz face. You know, the one that says, "I'm in love"?" Maria teased him further.

"Is it that obvious?" Max asked, his shoulders slumping as he indirectly admitted that Maria was correct. Maria took pity on him and slung an arm around him.

"Only to us, and only because we're looking for it. Liz has been kind of working her mind around the whole idea, and she's definitely gone past shock and into interested," Maria smiled at the way Max perked up, hearing that.

"Really? She's not like disgusted or anything?"

"Oh, no. She keeps staring at that photo Isabel snapped of you and Michael the night of the party; I think she likes the way you look at each other. Point of fact, it doesn't bother any of us if the three of you want to make a go of it."

"Who's us? Does everyone know?" Max's voice cracked a little and Maria laughed.

"We haven't said anything to Kyle yet, but everyone else knows, yes. That's why I'm telling you that you need to talk to Liz about it now. She understands why you haven't said anything to date, but now that she and Michael are getting, well, closer," Maria snorted, glancing at the couple who were still locked in an embrace, "she's going to start feeling like you're lying to her. My advice is not to let her feel that way if you really want to make this work."

"I know, it's been killing me not to say anything, but I just wasn't sure if, especially after…" Max trailed off, blushing again at his inadvertent admission. Maria smiled and squeezed him.

"Well, now you're sure. As for the rest…well, all I'm going to say is that neither she nor I would mind being the spectator for a sport that involved you and Michael," Maria winked at him, then laughed as every exposed inch of Max's skin above his shirt collar turned a brilliant red. She kissed his cheek then dropped her arm from his shoulders and walked over to Liz and Michael.

"Hey. You need to get back to work, buddy! Your break's long over," Maria barked in Michael's ear. He reluctantly drew back from Liz, stroking her cheek and throwing a smile Max's way before disappearing into the kitchen. Liz smiled at Maria, who shooed her off.

"Go! Have a great time, guys," she said brightly, giving Max a significant look. He nodded imperceptibly then took Liz's hand and they left.

All through dinner Liz thwarted every attempt Max made to turn the subject of conversation to Michael. She chattered about anything and everything else but seemingly refused to touch the one thing Max really wanted to talk about. Yet Max sensed that she wasn't doing it maliciously, that she had her own reasons for not wanting to discuss it right now. Perhaps it was the not quite privacy of the restaurant, even though they had an isolated booth. Whatever the reason, Max stopped trying to fight it and just let the conversation flow naturally. They both relaxed and became more playful, flirting with each other. Finally they ordered green tea ice cream to finish off their meal.

Max had just taken the first spoonful of his ice cream when he almost spit it back out. He looked down. Sure enough, Liz's slender foot was in his lap, her toes massaging his groin, which was quickly hardening under her touch. He looked back up to find her smiling coyly at him.

"Liz, what are you up to?" he asked with an answering smile. Max had never realized how flexible toes could be, or maybe it was just Liz's toes that were flexible. In any case, her remarkably thorough caresses had his full attention.

"Nothing, Max dear. Did you plan on coming over once we've finished dessert?" Liz asked, looking at him through half-closed eyelids. Max swallowed hard.

"Plan? No. Hope is more like it," he said huskily, feeling a surge of desire as her smile deepened in approval. She pushed aside her ice cream and Max echoed the gesture as the waitress came back with the bill. Max hastily folded his arms on the table in front of him, leaning forward slightly so that she wouldn't see what Liz was doing.

"Whose turn is it?" Liz asked as she picked up the bill, checking its accuracy. Max reached for his wallet.

"Mine. You got it last time," he answered and she handed him the bill. Max glanced at it and pulled out the appropriate amount of money to cover their meal and leave a generous tip, then looked at Liz.

"Shall we?" he inquired archly. Liz smiled slowly and removed her foot, slipping it back into her shoe before she stood up. She looped her arm through Max's as he stood and looked up at him.

"Let's," she said throatily, enjoying the way his eyes darkened at her tone of voice.

They walked back to the Crashdown, in no hurry despite the fire raging through both of them. It was a beautiful night, bright with stars even in town. The kind of night where the world is hushed and there's a feeling of magic in the air, tingling along your skin, making you feel alive. Max and Liz did not disturb the magic with words; they merely walked, arm in arm, breathing in the beauty and the stillness.

At length they neared the café and Liz regretfully broke the silence. "Walk me to my door and say goodnight, then go around to the balcony, OK?"

"Yeah, fine," Max smiled down at her, leaning close to kiss the top of her head. When they reached her door he waited for her to unlock and open it then drew her against him for a sweet kiss, leaning his forehead to hers when he pulled away.

"I'll see you later, love," he said quietly, not getting any more specific in case one of her parents could hear them. Liz smiled and kissed him again.

"Later," she echoed, her eyes full of promise. She turned and went in, closing the door behind her. Max heard the lock shoot home and turned to go around to the side of the building, where he climbed the fire escape with practiced ease. Liz wasn't in her room yet so he settled into one of the lounge chairs to wait for her, not wanting to just barge in. Eventually she arrived, opening the window and climbing out to greet him.

"Hi. It's gorgeous tonight, isn't it?" Liz said softly. Max nodded, rising from the chair.

"Not as gorgeous as you," he whispered, making her smile. Liz took his hand and tugged him to the window and they both entered her room. The radio was playing some station that had soft music, and one lamp was turned on, casting a misty glow over the bed as Liz sat down on it. Max followed her, stretching out beside her and stroking her loose hair.

"Liz, there's something that I really need to talk to you about," Max said quietly. Liz stretched out as well and laid her finger to his lips.

"After, Max. Right now, I want you," she said steadily, the message in her eyes unmistakable. Max groaned and reached for her, fusing his lips to her own. Liz moved closer, flinging her leg over Max's and pressing against him as his hands tangled in her hair, his tongue invading her parting lips to explore her mouth. He tasted her hungrily, holding her head firmly while their tongues met and mated, twining sinuously around each other in an ancient dance.

Liz skimmed her palms over his back and arms, bringing her hands to his collar and slowly unbuttoning his shirt. She pushed it aside once it was open, her fingers trailing fire along his bare skin as she moved down to his pants. When they were also undone, Max freed his hands from her hair and quickly divested himself of his clothing before leisurely undressing Liz. His hands lingered on every inch of skin he exposed, making her shiver with anticipation. At last they were lying naked together.

Max returned to kissing Liz, capturing her lips in one swift movement. Liz pressed as close as possible, wringing a groan from Max as her wet heat moved against his cock. She pressed harder, forcing him onto his back, and rocked against his hard length.

"You like that," she whispered, seeing the way Max's eyes flared at her motions and her words. He nodded, gazing at her, and Liz snaked one hand down between them, firmly grasping his cock. She watched his eyes flare again, their brilliant amber darkening with desire as she started to stroke him. Playfully, Liz asked, "And how about if I suck your cock? Think you'd like that?" She smiled in satisfaction as his throat worked, but no words came out.

"I asked you a question, Max. Do you want me to suck your cock?" Liz repeated. Max stared at her for a long moment, then pulled her face to his, kissing her with nearly bruising force. He ended the kiss rapidly and growled, "Yes!"

Liz felt a wicked surge of heat and power. She licked Max's bottom lip then slid down his body, heading straight for his groin. Max lifted his head and watched as her parted lips closed around the tip of his cock and slowly moved towards the base, swallowing him. It was an intensely erotic image and he groaned as her lips touched bottom and started back up, creating suction. His head fell back, his eyes closing, and he groaned again when her hands began caressing him everywhere she could reach while she continued to suck. He didn't even open his eyes when he felt her groping for something under her pillow. But a moment later they flew open and he propped himself on his elbows, staring down at her as he felt the familiar cool sensation of lubricant on his skin.

"Uh, Liz?" Max squeaked. She continued to spread the slippery gel onto his skin as she looked up at him.

"Mmm-hmm?" she answered, her mouth full.

"What, uh, what are you," Max fell silent at the devilish glitter in her eyes. Her lips never stopped their up and down motion, but he would swear that she had just smiled. He closed his eyes reflexively as she began to trace delicate lines on the sensitive skin between his buttocks, forcing himself to look at her as she drew closer and closer to her goal. The lines became circles, tracing the muscular texture of his opening. Max held his breath. Would she? Was she really that daring? Liz met his eyes and Max swallowed hard.

In the next moment Liz inserted her slender fingers into Max, ripping a deep groan from his throat. She felt the answering leap in his cock, straining against her tongue, and she slowly pumped her fingers in and out, gradually matching the rhythm of her mouth. When she glanced up at Max, he had fallen flat, his hands bunched in her bedspread, gasping for air. Liz felt another surge of desire and pushed harder.

Max was drowning in sensation, his disbelief only heightening it. He noticed that familiar tightness in his groin and managed to say, "Liz, I—I'm going to," his voice ragged. Instantly Liz clamped her free hand around the base of his cock, squeezing it hard, and stopped all other motion. She swiftly withdrew her fingers and her lips and just held him in a vice grip for a few moments. A tiny bit of liquid spilled from the tip of his cock, but no more than that. When she was sure no more would follow, Liz released her grip, kissing the tip of his cock before she crawled up beside Max and looked at him. He turned his head to return her gaze, a dumbfounded look on his face.

"I had no idea it was possible to not, you know, and still have an orgasm," Max said shakily. Liz grinned and smoothed his bangs off his forehead, kissing it.

"Well, now you know. Actually now we both know, because I wasn't sure it would work. So. I take it that was OK, since I already know that you liked it," Liz purred, touching his cheek tenderly as he blushed.

"Liz, I," Max stopped as she shook her head.

"Serious conversations are for later, Max. Right now all I want to know is how much you enjoyed having my fingers in your ass," she murmured, laughing when he gasped at her audacity. There was so much sheer physical sensation zinging through his body that Max couldn't focus worth a damn to read Liz at all. He didn't know if her words and actions meant that she was all right with what was happening between him and Michael, or if she was claiming all of him for herself. What he was sure of, was that somehow she knew. Just as Maria had told him, Liz knew. And something about knowing that she knew and was still here in bed with him now drove Max absolutely crazy.

"Why don't I show you?" he growled as he pushed Liz onto her back, moving to cover her. His hand slipped down between their bodies and found her wetness, his fingers plunging into her heat. Liz cried out at the sudden intensity, her hips rising to meet his hand. Max continued to fingerfuck her as his thumb pressed gentle circles around her clitoris and his lips closed around the pink bud of her nipple, pulling it to hardness. He shifted so that his other hand was free and used it to knead her other breast, tugging none too gently on her tight nipple while Liz writhed beneath him, trying desperately to control the volume of her moans.

Liz had already been thoroughly aroused by Max's responsiveness to her touch and his onslaught was building the pressure within her very rapidly. She clutched at his hair, pulling him up and Max took her mouth as she climaxed against his hand, her cries muffled by his lips. He continued to stimulate her gently until her tremors subsided then withdrew his hand, blatantly licking his fingers. Liz smiled, looking at him through the veil of her thick eyelashes; it was a gesture of tenderness to her now, it didn't embarrass her in the slightest anymore.

"Does that answer your question?" Max murmured with a crooked grin. Liz looked puzzled for a moment and he laughed, wiggling his fingers at her. Her brow smoothed and she smiled.

"Yes, I—I believe it does. Max," this time it was his finger against her lips that halted the flow of words. With a gentle smile Max rolled onto his back, pulling Liz on top of him and gazing at her lovingly, a question in his eyes. She leaned forward until their noses almost touched and said teasingly, "Ride 'em cowgirl?"

Max laughed, his hands cupping her face and pulling her a little closer for a quick kiss. His voice was husky as he replied, "Something like that, yeah." His breath caught in his throat as she sat up slowly. Her dark hair was just long enough to cover her breasts, their hard pink tips peeking out through the silky tresses. God, she was beautiful! Liz raised herself up, poised over his erection, when they both froze.

"Lizzie? Could you come out, please? I need to talk to you," Mr. Parker called through the door. Liz rolled her eyes and moved forward a little, settling her bottom on Max's abdomen.

"Can't it wait till tomorrow, Dad? I just had a bath, I'm not even in my p.j.s yet and I was kind of hoping to just go to bed," Liz called back, smacking Max as he grinned up at her, mouthing, "Sure you were."

"I know, sweetie, and I'm tired too. I'd just really like to talk to you now, before I turn in for the night myself," Mr. Parker said.

"Well, could you give me like fifteen minutes? You know, to get dressed and everything," Liz asked in a last ditch attempt. She smiled at Max who was pretending to be indignant at the short amount of time. He knew as well as she did that after how worked up they had gotten each other, that would be enough time, but she was such fun to tease! They both sighed a moment later, though.

"Just throw on your robe, sweetie. It won't take long, and then you can go to bed," Mr. Parker said fondly. Liz scowled, but she kept it out of her voice as she replied, "All right, I'll be there in a sec." She crawled off Max and stood indecisively for a moment. Max rose and gracefully made the decision for her.

"It's OK, I'll go home. You're certainly not going to feel like doing anything after a father/daughter chat," he told her, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. Liz slumped against him.

"This sucks. He has got the worst timing, I swear!"

"Well, not really. Just think, he could have showed five minutes later and you wouldn't have been capable of a coherent conversation. He probably would have broken the door down and I'd be dead now," Max joked. Liz smiled but her bottom lip protruded in a definite pout. Max told the sudden fierce aching in his groin to go for a long walk. He couldn't resist nibbling on her pouty lip, though. Liz closed her eyes, enjoying the caress, then regretfully pushed Max away and went to grab her robe. She put it on and ran a brush through her hair as Max got dressed. He waved a gentle hand over her face, erasing the signs of their passion, then kissed her before he climbed out the window and headed for home. Liz watched him go over the balcony railing with a deep sigh. Her face may not have appeared as though she had been about to make love to her soul mate, but her body was still humming with desire. She straightened her shoulders as an idea occurred to her, one that brought a smile to her lips as she tidied her bed and went to talk to her father.

Max walked home slowly, aching with every step. He wanted nothing more than to go back up to Liz's bed and take her. But he couldn't do that, so he just kept walking. He'd never been so frustrated in all his life. Sure, before he and Liz made love that first time he'd left occasionally with a hard-on from their fooling around, but never like this. He was almost in pain, he wanted her so badly.

Max was careful not to slam the front door; from the lightless condition of the house, he could see that his parents were obviously in bed already. Isabel watched from the darkened kitchen as he tossed his shoes onto the floor and slammed his keys onto their hook.

"Bad night?" she inquired as she flicked the light on. Max squinted in the sudden brightness.

"Great night…until Liz's dad decided he wanted to chat with her at a somewhat inopportune moment," Max scowled. Isabel made a sympathetic face.

"That sucks. Well, I won't complain about the noise if you decide you want to take a cold shower now. Mom and Dad sacked out about an hour ago," she informed him.

"Thanks, Iz. I just might do that," Max's tone softened a little in gratitude at her understanding. "How was your night?"

"Way, way better than yours, I can tell you that!" Isabel smiled and winked at him, then turned and went back to her room with her glass of water. The scowl returned to Max's face as he watched her go. He got his own glass of water and went to his room, flinging himself on the bed and staring at the ceiling. He thought about calling Michael, but it seemed crass to chance disturbing him because Max and their girlfriend hadn't been able to finish the job. He dismissed the thought. After Max lay there for a while longer he got up and stripped to his boxers, opening the window to let in the night air. He stood looking at the stars for a few minutes, breathing in the perfume of the flowers in his mother's garden, trying to calm down. It worked a little bit; he didn't feel ready to tear someone limb from limb anymore, but he was nowhere near being relaxed. Max sighed and turned to go back to bed when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye and froze.

Michael was nervous about what kind of a reception he would get, but he'd been driving himself crazy all night thinking about Liz and Max. He figured that he and Max were far enough along in their relationship now that if Max weren't in the mood he would say so. Michael rounded the corner of the house near Max's window and froze, seeing someone in the window. His breath caught in fear for a moment, fear that something might have happened, when the figure moved slightly and Michael saw the way the light rippled across his arm muscles. It was Max.

Max realized that it was Michael at almost the same time and beckoned him in. Michael climbed through the window and stood facing Max.

"What's up? Is something wrong?" Max asked, a note of worry in his voice. Michael waved away that notion.

"Nah. I, uh, I—do you remember that conversation we had, about middle of the night visits?" Michael asked, his voice cracking slightly. Max stared at him.

"You mean you're here because you want to…" Max trailed off at Michael's hesitant nod and a broad grin spread across his face, startling Michael. Michael looked a little closer at Max, noticing his tension and the way his boxers stood straight out. Maybe he wasn't the only one who was in need.

"You have no idea how glad I am to hear that," Max breathed before he attacked Michael's mouth.

Well, if y'all are still frustrated after this chapter, I may as well hang up my hat and quit LOL. This brings us to the conclusion of Firsts; I'll continue right on posting with the first chapter of the sequel on this thread.

In 2 posts for length.

Chapter 13

Michael stumbled back, unprepared for the sudden assault. Max moved with him to keep their lips connected, and Michael righted himself quickly, returning his kisses with fervor. Max's hands were busy unbuttoning Michael's shirt and pants. As soon as they were open he ripped Michael's shirt off and shoved his pants and boxers down his legs, forcing Michael to step out of them as Max pulled him towards the bed, once again fastening his mouth to Michael's.

"What did Liz do to you?" Michael got out between kisses as he pulled off Max's boxers.

"She was—sitting over me, about to—slide onto my cock, when—Mr. Parker decided he—wanted to talk to her—like immediately," Max panted.

"Mr. Parker's like that. Once he decides he wants to talk to you about something that he thinks is important, he wants to do it right away. It's like he's afraid he'll forget or something. His timing sure sucks though," Michael snorted.

"And that was after she did—some kind of—clamp thing that—stopped me from coming." They reached the bed and Max fell back, tugging Michael with him.

Michael paused in his caresses, raising his eyebrows. "And it worked?"

"What, am I the only one that doesn't know about this? Yeah, it worked. Shouldn't it have?"

"Oh, sure, it's just—not the most reliable," Michael said thoughtfully. Max stared at him and threw his head back in frustration.

"Don't even THINK about it, Michael. Not now. I don't think I would survive it twice in one night," Max said feelingly and Michael laughed. He reached for Max's cock and gave it one hard stroke, noting Max's almost violent response.

"I'm not sure you would either," Michael murmured. He lifted himself off Max for a moment and rummaged in the night table for the lubricant, coming back to the bed immediately. Max looked at him questioningly and Michael shrugged.

"We'll need it at some point. I'd rather get it now and not interrupt."

"Yeah, me too. I just—I'm not thinking too clearly. Or thinking much at all, beyond wanting you."

"Let's see what we can do about that thought," Michael breathed before he kissed Max. Max opened to him eagerly, his tongue darting out to twine with Michael's and his hands sliding into Michael's thick hair. Michael nudged Max's thighs apart and moved between his legs, rubbing their cocks together. He felt a twinge of sympathy at Max's ragged groan, knowing from personal experience that Max was so stiff it verged on painful. But from the abandoned way that Max was kissing him, Michael knew that he wasn't ready to take it further yet. So he concentrated on Max's kisses, running his hands over Max's arms and torso in an almost soothing manner.

Outside in the yard, Liz had just rounded the corner of the house. Much as Michael had, she froze upon spotting Max's open window, her mind conjuring all kinds of dark scenarios. She cautiously made her way to the window. Liz was perhaps three feet away still when she heard an unmistakable groan coming from Max's room. Her eyes widened as she realized that either Max had taken matters into his own hands or Michael had paid him a visit. Her natural curiosity stirring, Liz closed the distance and stepped up to the open window.

They were stretched out sideways on the bed, feet hanging over the edge slightly, engaged in a passionate kiss. The moonlight poured over them and illuminated them in silver, giving the scene an unearthly beauty. Liz smiled a little upon noticing that Max had his hands in Michael's hair. She wondered idly if it made Michael feel as loved as it did her. Then she noticed that Michael's hips were rocking a little and she caught her breath. Were they…? Liz exhaled as Michael moved to the side away from the window; they were not making love. She could see both their bodies clearly now, the proud erections they were both sporting, and she felt the slow curl of desire in her belly as Michael's mouth left Max's and moved down to his chest, his tongue flickering out to lick Max's nipples. Liz leaned against the window, her hands clenching on the sill as she watched his skin contract under the warmth of Michael's tongue.

Max moved his hands to Michael's shoulders, pushing down and getting even more frustrated when Michael resisted, continuing to lap at his nipples.

"Michael!" Max finally pleaded.

"What?" Michael replied, not moving.

"You know what."

"Tell me anyway. I want to hear it."

Max laughed wildly. "What is this, "make Max beg" night? If I didn't know better, I'd swear you and Liz were conspiring to drive me insane!"

Michael twisted sideways, moving down Max's body until his head was level with Max's hips. He leaned forward slowly, his mouth hovering mere inches from Max's erection as he spoke, "Maybe we both like bringing a King to his knees."

"Fuck you, Michael!" Max ground out, his head spinning with desire.

"That can be arranged," Michael murmured as he tongued the tip of Max's cock, already glistening with moisture. Max groaned, involuntarily thrusting up towards Michael's mouth, and Michael finally obliged him, sliding his lips straight down to the base of Max's cock and back up, sucking hard. Max cried out, his back arching. He gripped Michael's ass with one hand and fisted the other around a handful of the bedspread as Michael repeated his up and down motion, sucking as hard as he could. Michael felt around for the tube of lubricant and, finding it, applied a liberal amount to his hand. On his next upstroke, Michael simultaneously slammed his fingers into Max.

"Michael! Oh, God, Michael," Max said hoarsely. He was momentarily surprised at how much larger Michael's hands were compared to Liz's, when he suddenly realized that he hadn't said anything to Michael about that.

"Michael, listen. Ah—Liz, did that tonight. You know—ah—with her hands. She had—a tube too. And—ah—Maria said she—knows," Max gasped out. "Are you—listening?"

Michael stopped sucking long enough to say, "You mean this?" He thrust his fingers hard, smirking as Max jerked in surprised pleasure. "I figured she knew. She probably got flashes, Max. You guys still get them, right?"

"Well, ye—ah, sometimes. But she—hasn't said—anything, and she never—flinched away or—anything like that, like I'd—expect if she—saw us. What—ah—what made you think of that?"

Michael halted everything for a moment as he realized that this was really bothering Max. He suddenly felt a little shy as he answered Max, "Sometimes I get flashes from you, too."

"You do? What have you seen?" Max asked in pleased amazement, propping himself on his elbows to see Michael better.

"I've seen how much you love Liz; the way it makes you feel when you catch sight of her across the quad at school or when you go into the Crashdown. How everything in your life seems better because she's a part of it, and you don't feel alone anymore. I've seen your daydreams about your future together, and your fantasies about her," Michael paused and Max tried to say something, guilt washing over him. He refrained as Michael shook his head, smiling, and went on, "I've also seen how you feel about me, and it's really not so different. Some of those futures had me in them too. So did a number of the fantasies. There was one especially interesting one where you were watching me and Liz…"

He broke off, grinning as Max blushed. Michael moved up beside Max and took him into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"Look, Max, you know I love you. And—I love Liz, though she doesn't know it. You just have to tell her the truth, Maxwell."

"I know. I was going to talk to her tonight, but she wanted to talk afterwards and we never got there. I'm just so scared, Michael. I can't lose her; I couldn't live through that again. And I can't give you up either," Max kissed Michael lingeringly. When he drew back, Michael smirked at him.

"So you're pulling a Max," he said bluntly. At Max's confusion, Michael clarified, "That's what Isabel calls it when you sit back and watch passively."

"Oh, I—shit. Yeah, I guess I am," Max laughed weakly.

"You have to just go for it, Maxwell. Liz is…she's a lot more flexible than you give her credit for, you know, and I don't mean physically," he added as Max grinned.

"She is pretty amazing."

"Oh, yeah," Michael agreed. "So do you have all that out of your system? Do you think you can relax some now?"

"Mmm, yeah I think so. Why?"

"Because I was kind of hoping you could go back to watching passively while I suck you off," Michael breathed into his ear, licking his earlobe. Max shivered as Michael moved back down his body, his lips trailing wet kisses until he reached Max's cock and took it into his mouth again. Michael sucked furiously, relaxing his throat as Max helplessly started thrusting up into his mouth. Max reached down and threaded his fingers through Michael's hair, pushing slightly, trying to get even closer. Michael slipped his hand lower, tenderly caressing the sensitive skin right behind Max's testicles, and the light caress was enough to finally send Max over the edge with a deep groan.

Michael barely even had to swallow; liquid shot out with such force that it went right down his throat. He sucked gently now, until Max was dry, then withdrew his mouth and moved back up to lie even with Max. Max kissed him, tasting himself on Michael's lips, and looked into his eyes.

"Thank you for coming over tonight. I know I didn't ask, but it feels like you knew somehow that I needed you," Max whispered. Michael brushed the sweaty hair off of Max's forehead.

"You could have called; I would still have come over," Michael whispered back, kissing him back. He was surprised when Max opened his mouth, licking at Michael's lips until they parted then plunging inside. Michael felt the swift re-ignition of his lust as Max moved on top of him, his hands caressing Michael's chest, scraping lightly across his nipples.

"We're only halfway," Max murmured, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he pulled back to gaze at Michael. Abruptly both men stopped, drawing away from each other as they sat up, their attention caught by the sound of a feminine whimper. Their eyes were drawn to the source of the sound, silhouetted against the moonlight in the window. Liz Parker.

It's now or never, Liz thought to herself as she carefully climbed onto the windowsill and jumped inside. Her hands went to the buttons of her long coat, unbuttoning them slowly as she spoke to the two men sitting frozen in front of her.

"After I talked to my dad, my body was still humming, Max. Still wanting you. So I decided to come over here and finish what I'd started, only to find Michael doing it for me. Beautifully, I might add," she winked at Michael, whose brow smoothed as he realized that she wasn't angry. He glanced at Max, who was in too much shock about Liz's presence to comprehend what it meant. One corner of Michael's mouth lifted at the stray thought that it was OK, because Liz would definitely explain it to him.

Liz finished unbuttoning her coat but left it closed while she continued to speak, her low voice sultry. "Max, do you remember what Grier called you in Copper Summit?"

Through the shock and the haze of desire surrounding him Max managed to say, "The Once and Future King?"

"Yes," Liz purred. "And do you know the reference?"

This time it was Michael who answered her. "Yeah, King Arthur. As in, of Camelot."

"Very good, Michael," Liz sent him a heated look and he felt himself hardening again as their eyes met. "Now, can either of you boys tell me what the central tragedy of the Arthurian myth is? Aside from his son Mordred, that is."

"Guinevere," Max said, reacting even as Michael had when Liz turned her eyes on him in spite of himself.

"Exactly. Do you know why it was such a tragedy? Don't answer that; I'll tell you," Liz held up a hand to forestall any replies. "Guinevere was a woman caught between two men, a King and his right hand man. She loved them both, and they both loved her. Perhaps if she had loved one more than the other she could have chosen…but she did not. And so she remained caught: trapped in an eternal triangle.

"But it didn't have to be a triangle, if only Arthur and Lancelot could have admitted the truth: that it was not only Guinevere that they loved, not only she that they desired, but also…each other. It could have been a complete circle, born of love shared equally between the three of them.

"I heard what you said, Max. I heard what Michael said, too—all of it. And I do know that you love me, Michael, because I love you, even as I love Max. And so I ask you both, here, now: do you want to rewrite history? Do you love me enough, and love each other enough, to forge our own circle, our own Camelot?"

Liz swept her gaze back and forth between the two men, noting with pleased amusement that neither of them seemed to be able to speak just yet. Michael's throat was working but no sound was emerging, and Max wasn't even capable of that much. Her eyes flickered over their groins, her knees feeling weak at the mute evidence of their desire for her. Since they were already dazed, Liz decided to keep going, full steam ahead.

"Michael said something very interesting right after I arrived at your window, Max. He mentioned something about bringing a King to his knees," she murmured, smiling seductively as they realized just how long she had been watching them. "That's kind of along the lines of what I had planned when I decided to come over here tonight, but I found Michael in your bed. Pleasuring you; teasing you; tasting you. I forgot for a while why I was here, seeing the passion that was building between you. But I am here, and I want what I came for. Why stop at just the King, when his second is here too? Why not bring you both to your knees?"

With those words, Liz allowed her coat to slide off, dropping it onto the floor, fully prepared for the gasps from Max and Michael. She stood, hands on her hips, her legs spread slightly as they took in the sight before them.

Liz was wearing the black leather boots that Max had admired the night of the party. They covered her legs to her knees, where sheer black stockings took over. The lacy tops of the stockings were held up by black leather garters, attached to a black leather corset that started at Liz's hips and nipped in to hug her tiny waist, then flared out at the bosom in an almost shelf-like effect, presenting her breasts. There was a wide band of black satin across the top of the corset and as the two men stared at her, Liz slipped her thumbs under the band, sliding them around to the sides of her breasts. With a quick, fluid motion she flipped it down, exposing her stiffened nipples to their appreciative eyes. Liz slowly turned around, showing them the laces that pulled the corset in to snugly follow her curves. There was a hidden zipper in the front; when she had tried on the garment, Isabel had pulled the laces tight and knotted them for her. Max's gaze sharpened, going to the small bow at the back of the black satin thong she was wearing. It dawned on him that it was designed to release with one tug, allowing it to be removed without needing to take off the garters. Liz kept turning, coming around full circle and she noticed where Max's eyes were trained.

"You like that, don't you. Knowing that all you have to do is pull a string and I'm all yours," Liz purred as she reached behind her, matching action to words. Max and Michael watched, transfixed, as her hand re-emerged holding the end of a satin cord and then, seemingly in slow motion, she let the cord drop and the thong fell from her body. Her nipples hardened further at the way both men were looking at her, and her dark curls were glistening with moisture.

The gleam from between her legs beckoned Max and galvanized him into action. He rose from the bed and came up to Liz, staring into her eyes for a moment, searching her soul. When he was sure that she had meant every word she had said, he dropped to his knees in front of her and used his hands to spread open her folds, his shoulders nudging her legs wider.

"If you want me on my knees I'm all for it," he growled, glancing up at her with a wicked little smile before he leaned forward to taste her. Liz moaned as his tongue probed her opening, widening her stance even more to give him better access. Max thrust his tongue in and out of her a few times, mimicking a more intimate act, then swept his tongue up the length of her, licking from her ass right to her curls. He swirled the tip of his tongue against her clitoris and took the tiny bud into his mouth, sucking carefully. Liz's legs started to tremble as pleasure zinged through her.

"Max, I can't stand," she gasped, and suddenly Michael was there behind her, supporting her. He pulled her with him until his back was against the wall, Max following them. Michael bent his knees, sliding them in front of Liz's and spreading her legs wide, his naked cock slipping between her legs. He moaned as her ripe warmth brushed against him. Michael knew that he was going to be sore as hell from holding this position for any length of time, but as Liz wound her arms around his neck and leaned her head back to kiss him, freeing his hands to pluck at her artfully presented nipples, he definitely knew it was worth it.

Max resumed bathing Liz with his tongue, licking all of her pink skin that Michael had exposed for him. Upon reaching for her with his fingers he discovered Michael's cock, and Max drew back a little as inspiration hit. He grasped Michael and rubbed him against Liz, hearing them both moan. Liz moved her hips, grinding down against Michael as Max held him firmly. There was just enough room to maneuver and so Max sucked the head of Michael's cock into his mouth while Liz rubbed along its top edge, supporting Michael with his hands as he kept sucking, giving Liz an unmoving surface to manipulate.

"Holy shit!" Michael swore, his hands stilling on Liz's breasts as he completely lost his ability to focus on anything but the dual sensation racing through him. Then his hands tightened reflexively as he felt Max running his fingers along the length of his cock, gathering Liz's moisture. Michael closed his eyes as it hit him what Max was doing. Sure enough, a moment later Max's wet fingers penetrated Michael's ass, pumping rhythmically in time with his sucking. Michael swore again and came, shooting into Max's mouth. Max swallowed eagerly then let Michael's limp cock slide from his mouth, immediately closing the distance and licking Liz.

Liz felt the tremors in Michael's body and in his cock, pressed up to her wetness. She could feel the slight rocking motion his hips made as Max pumped his fingers, also having guessed what Max was doing, and she felt Michael shudder as he came in Max's mouth. Feeling his orgasm turned her on tremendously and she cried out when Max touched his tongue to her waiting flesh. As his tongue circled her clitoris, Michael began to play with her nipples again. He wet his fingertips and rolled her nipples, feeling them tighten under the dampness. Then, just as Max finally licked her clitoris, the tip of his tongue digging softly in a fast rhythm, Michael pinched both her nipples, hard. The pain mingled with the pleasure and Liz's orgasm flashed over her. Wave after wave of pleasure crashed through her body as Max continued his precise ministrations and Michael pulled gently at her nipples, rubbing them delicately in apology. Liz's legs shook as she felt it building again and she went to pieces in Michael's arms, Max's face pressed between her legs, his hands caressing her ass, Michael's hands caressing her breasts and his renewed erection prodding her inner thigh. Michael caught her near screams in his mouth, muffling the sound so that it did not travel beyond the room.

When Liz stopped shaking violently, Max licked her one last time, smiling as her legs twitched. He wiped his mouth and stood up, his smile broadening at her satiated expression. Liz lifted her head from Michael's shoulder and Max leaned forward to kiss her. When he withdrew, Michael straightened up, letting Liz get her footing before he let go of her. Before she moved away, Max moved in close, his arms going around them both, sandwiching Liz between him and Michael. He pressed a light kiss to Michael's mouth and stepped back, searching Liz's eyes.

Liz had recovered some and her eyes sparkled as they met Max's. "Michael and I are in complete agreement: we love having you on your knees," she declared mischievously, grinning as Max blushed. Michael smiled too.

"Yeah, well, we'll see how you do," Max muttered. Liz looked pointedly at his erection, then turned and looked at Michael's. She held up her hands.

"I've got one mouth and two hands; seems doable. Of course, I'll need some of this, since neither of you produce much naturally," Liz drawled, walking over to the bed and picking up the lubricant. She couldn't help but laugh when Michael blushed as well. Then she lay down in the middle of the bed, her dark eyes lit with love and desire.

"Will you gentlemen join me? I believe, as Max said earlier, that we are only halfway done," Liz said huskily, thrilling at the way both pairs of eyes darkened. The ironic earthy brown of Michael's and the appropriately unearthly amber of Max's gazes swept across her leather-clad body then met each other. Liz sensed that they were silently communicating about something, an ability they had always seemed to share. Finally they both turned to her.

"Liz…you're sure? This is the point of no return," Max warned softly. Liz sat up, her legs dangling over the side of the bed.

"Max, do you love me?"

"You know I do. I always have; I always will, Liz."

"Michael?"

Michael fidgeted under her steady gaze then blurted, "Yes, I love you."

"And do you love Max?"

This was easier; not so new anymore. "Yes, Max, too."

"Max, do you love Michael?"

"Of course I do. Liz, what's this about?"

Liz rose and grasped one of each of their hands, bringing them to stand in front of her by the bed, looking at them seriously. "It's about love, Max. You love both of us; Michael loves both of us. I love both of you. Do you really need to ask if I'm sure? If I'm ready to give myself to Michael as I have to you, as you have to him? This night is about completing the circle, and sealing ourselves to each other. Yes, I'm sure, I'm ready, and I'm waiting," she added with a small smile. Max and Michael looked at each other, slow smiles spreading across both their faces as it started to really sink in.

"I said she was amazing," Max informed Michael.

"And I said she was flexible," Michael countered. Max raised his eyebrows.

"Is that really what you want to do?" he asked, his smile broadening as Michael nodded. Liz looked back and forth and stomped her foot.

"I'm right here, guys! You don't need to talk over me! What is it that you want to do?" she asked Michael. He merely smiled.

"You'll see. Would you mind if we—if we took off your clothes?" Max asked. Liz shook her head and sat down, extending one leg out. Max knelt to take off her boot and Michael echoed his action, removing her other boot. Liz's head swam, looking down at both of them at her feet. Michael caught her expression and grinned wolfishly.

Her boots gone, Liz stood and opened the hidden zipper, pulling the stockings down with the garters still attached. She laid the ensemble on Max's desk chair and turned back to the bed, smiling at their amazement.

"Wow, I never would have guessed it came off that easily! How did you get it done up so tight?" Max breathed.

"Actually, Isabel did it for me when she talked me into buying it," Liz told them, laughing at the way Max screwed up his face at the mention of his sister's involvement.

"You didn't like, fold down the top part when she was with you, did you?" Michael asked with a faint grimace.

"No, I did not. And I didn't even model it for Maria and Alex, just held it up. You two are the only ones who've seen me all dressed up like some porn star," Liz teased. Max pulled her into his arms, spinning her so that her back was hard against him as he cupped her breasts, mimicking the way the corset had made them stand out.

"And we liked it, didn't we, Michael," Max stated, watching as Michael tweaked one hardening nipple. Max picked Liz up easily and deposited her back in the middle of the bed. He climbed in on one side of her, and Michael went around to the other side. They lay on their sides, facing Liz in the middle who was still on her back. She looked first at Michael then at Max for a long moment, realizing that they did actually have something planned but were waiting for her to make the first move. Liz's eyes asked for understanding and Max smiled, nodding faintly. Liz turned to face Michael, and he looked surprised and pleased as she kissed him deeply, her tongue slipping into his mouth. Max moved closer until he was pressed up against her back, dropping little kisses on her neck and shoulder. Michael moved in closer as well and Liz thought she understood what was going on as Michael lifted her top leg, bracing the back of her knee against his arm as he held onto Max's hip.

Liz shivered in anticipation as Max reached between her wide-open legs for Michael's cock, guiding him to her opening. She closed her eyes as the tip of Michael's cock pushed into her, then opened them to look into his eyes. Gazes locked, Michael thrust into her completely, once, twice, three times—and withdrew, smiling at Liz's shocked expression.

Suddenly Liz felt hard warmth grazing her from another direction and she moaned as Max thrust into her from behind, penetrating her twice before withdrawing. His cock was replaced with Michael's as he entered Liz again and on it went, back and forth, each man thrusting into her two, three, four times before exchanging. Never the same number twice in a row, and never a pause between them. Liz could feel the slight differences in their cocks as they continued: Michael was a little longer, Max a little bigger around. Sort of like their whole bodies, Michael's taller but Max is more muscular, Liz thought crazily, helpless to control the sounds spilling out of her. She wasn't even sure what she was saying anymore, only that she was pleading with Max and Michael both as her world spun on its axis, narrowing to their serial penetration of her.

Max and Michael exchanged glances as Max withdrew for the last time and nodded at Michael. He slammed into Liz, starting a fast rhythm and pushing hard, rocking her against Max. Max reached down with his free hand and rubbed Liz's clitoris, echoing Michael's rhythm. Liz threw her head back, nearly knocking Max off balance as she hit his supporting arm. He grinned and moved it flat, arching himself up sideways so that she could move freely. Michael moved his head forward and Max met him in the middle, their lips meeting and tongues twining in a swift kiss. Then Max pulled back and covered Liz's mouth, feeling the first tremors racing through her. Michael kissed her exposed throat as he thrust harder, feeling the back of Max's busy hand on his abdomen every time he buried himself in Liz. Finally Liz screamed into Max's throat as she found release, taking Michael with her over the edge, her inner muscles clamping down on his cock and milking him dry.

All three of them collapsed, Michael moving his arm so that Liz could put her leg down. She wrapped it around his hips instead, preventing him from withdrawing immediately, and kissed him.

"I love you, Michael," she whispered, loving the way his eyes glittered at her words.

"Me, too," he whispered back, prompting her to smile and kiss him again. Liz removed her leg and allowed him to withdraw from her body, moving her hips back to help. As she did, she bumped against Max's erection and smiled. Full circle.

Liz wriggled between Max and Michael, making enough room for her to lie flat on her back again. She reached out and grasped Max's cock, looking at Michael as she stroked Max delicately.

"What about Max, Michael? I thought I heard you say earlier that something could be arranged," she said softly, watching comprehension dawn in Michael's eyes. Liz turned her gaze to Max, who looked down at her and swallowed hard. She fumbled around with her free hand, searching for the tube of lubricant. Michael placed it in her hand and she threw him a grateful look, then squeezed some gel into her palm and resumed stroking Max, covering his cock with the cool slippery stuff. When every inch of him was coated Liz turned on her side, lifting Michael's top leg until his foot was resting on his bottom knee. She slipped her gel-covered hand between his legs and farther, stroking the deep crevice between his buttocks and sliding her fingers forward gradually, slicking his skin. For good measure she inserted two fingers and wiggled them, giggling as Michael both smiled and inhaled sharply. Then Liz crawled over Michael, pushing him into the middle where he lay flat.

Max watched her face, still unsure until Liz smiled brilliantly and handed him a pillow. The other one she placed under her head, propping herself up with her face at approximately Michael's waist. Max met Michael's eyes; was he ready for this?

"Full circle, Max. She's right; I want this. I need it— we need it, all three of us. Make love to me, Maxwell," Michael whispered, his voice cracking on the request. Slowly, carefully, Max slid between Michael's legs and lifted his hips, putting the pillow underneath. Liz reached up to stroke Max's face tenderly, then slid her hand down over his shoulder, tracing a delicate line all the way to his ass. She cupped his buttock and applied gentle pressure, urging him forward while she pressed kisses to Michael's side.

Max glanced at Liz, reassured immensely by her hand, then met Michael's eyes. He was so open now, his love shining there clearly. Max had always thought that Michael would shy away from the kind of emotional intimacy they were all sharing this night; that the two men had shared to a lesser degree over the past while. Sometimes people surprised you.

Keeping eye contact, Max slowly pushed his way inside Michael, feeling his musculature stretch to accommodate Max's cock. He smiled at Michael's wide-eyed expression; he knew the feeling. Max pumped slowly, keeping his eyes locked on Michael for any signs of discomfort. When there were none, he picked up the pace a little, groaning at the tight fit. He felt Michael hardening along his abdomen, and then they both felt a small hand slip between their sweaty bodies to stroke Michael.

Max and Michael both looked at Liz. They hadn't noticed when she had shifted, using the pillow to support her torso while her left hand stroked Michael's cock and her right hand, Max's ass. Liz smiled and blew them a kiss, her hand wandering far enough down Max to scoop up some lubricant from his straining cock. Max's eyes widened in disbelief as her fingers thrust into him, in sync with his thrusts into Michael.

"Oh my God, Michael," he gasped. Michael had felt Liz's hand against his own ass when she had slicked her fingers, so he had a pretty good idea of what Max was talking about. But with Liz's hand squeezing his cock and Max's cock slamming into him with increasing force, he didn't really have time to think about it. Or do anything except react to the tidal wave of pure lust storming in his body as Liz pulled really hard. Michael's balls tightened and he climaxed, spurting his seed all over Max's chest.

Max caught Michael's mouth in a desperate kiss, his tongue plunging into the warm cavern. Michael's hands, still on Max's back, moved lower down and he cupped Max's ass, urging him on even as Liz had. With a wild cry into Michael's throat, Max spilled into his body with one last hard thrust. As he stopped moving, he felt Liz withdraw her hand and it made him smile, his lips pressed to Michael's neck now.

Michael felt the heat explode inside him as Max came, sending a swift surge of desire through him. He smiled as his cock hardened briefly then remained limp, finding it to be too much effort after all of that. Max, also drained, gently pulled out and then collapsed on top of Michael.

"Oof!" Michael grunted at the sudden weight and Liz laughed.

"He doesn't believe that he's damned heavy, Michael. I think it's all those muscles," Liz teased, rubbing the back of Max's thigh. She laughed again at his muffled expletive.

"Watch your language, or I might have to punish you," Liz taunted. That made Max roll off Michael, catching her and pulling her half on top of him, half on top of Michael after he waved a hand and evaporated the semen splashed on them.

"I'm going to hold you to that, woman," Max growled. "Only…later."

"Aw, are little Maxie and little Mikey all worn out?" Liz giggled in a baby talk voice as she grasped both of their limp cocks, earning herself twin glares. She raised her eyebrows as she felt signs of life under her gentle stroking, then squirmed down and placed a kiss on the tip of each man's semi-hard cock before moving back up to lie between them.

"Truth be told, I'd rather cuddle now anyway. Any volunteers?" Liz smiled as Michael turned on his side, fitting his back against her front and Max did the same, fitting his front against her back. She wriggled a little to get a tiny bit more room, so that she didn't feel claustrophobic, when Max's door opened.

"God, Max, that is the longest five-fingered session I've ever been oh so privileged to overhear. Why didn't you just take the show—oh," Isabel's eyes and mouth rounded in surprise as Michael scrambled to cover his nakedness. Liz could almost hear the embarrassment radiating off both men and sat up.

"Hi, Iz. Remind me to get you a thank you gift for talking me into that leather outfit," she winked, grinning as Isabel's eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hairline. Feeling a catty touch of superiority towards the statuesque blonde, Liz idly ran her hand over Michael's hip, ignoring his strangled gasp. Max, catching on and more than willing to embarrass the hell out of his sister, propped himself up so that he could see Isabel's face and placed his hand over Liz's, lacing their fingers together and directing their joined hands towards Michael's groin, which was currently covered by Michael's own hands. Michael resisted allowing them access as Isabel's eyes grew to the size of saucers and her cheeks flushed.

"You know, there is something fundamentally wrong with catching my brother with another guy that I think of as a brother and their girlfriend. Liz, I wish you luck, and I will collect on that gift. Oh, and Michael—you're looking good," Isabel smirked, summoning her icy dignity, then she turned tail and fled, closing and remote-locking the door behind her. Liz collapsed back on the bed in laughter as Michael flipped to face her and Max.

"What the hell were you trying to do, give me a heart attack? I don't need to give Iz a full frontal view, thank you very much!" he hissed. Liz only laughed harder and Max was grinning, totally unsympathetic. Michael rolled his eyes and gave up, starting to smile a little at the memory of Isabel's expression.

"You know, she has a point," Liz managed to say as she calmed down. "You two did used to think of each other as brothers. When did it change?"

"Maybe when we found out that I used to be engaged to Isabel," Michael snorted.

"No, I think it was when I opened my eyes and found you kneeling beside me, asking if you could suck my cock," Max corrected him.

"You didn't! Is that how this whole thing started?" Liz gasped.

Michael scratched his eyebrow, looking sheepish. "Honestly? Yeah. He was lying naked on the couch jerking off and I couldn't help it. He was so beautiful."

Liz leaned over, fastening her mouth to Michael's for a slow, delicious kiss. She murmured at his lips, "He is beautiful, and I am so glad that you found him irresistible, Michael, because it brought you to me, too." She kissed him again, smiling as Max moved up behind her and threaded his fingers through her hair, draping his other hand over her to rub Michael's arm. In a tangle of naked limbs, the three of them fell asleep together, contented and loved. Full circle.

Banner by LongTimeFan.

Title: Full Circle (sequel to Firsts)
Author: Tasyfa
Author's email: tasyfa@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: The characters of Roswell are the property of Twentieth Century Fox Television and Regency Productions. All original characters and concepts are the property of the author. No profit has been made from the distribution of this work of fiction.
Category: Max/Liz/Michael; includes slash.
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Max, Liz and Michael have finally all come together in love. But relationships are hard enough when only two people are involved; when there are three of you, things can definitely get interesting!

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Chapter 1

The Evans family was gathered around the dinner table, nearly finished their Saturday evening meal. Mr. and Mrs. Evans had been glancing at each other throughout in a silent communication that years of marriage had perfected. Finally Mrs. Evans spoke up.

"So, what are you kids doing tonight?" she asked cheerfully. Max and Isabel exchanged a glance.

"Mom, we're both eighteen. We're not kids anymore," Isabel protested rhetorically.

"We're just hanging out, you know, the eight of us. We're meeting up at the Crashdown after Maria, Liz and Michael are done their dinner shift," Max answered his mother.

"Oh. That's nice, honey. You—um, you and Michael have been spending more time together lately. I guess you worked out whatever it was that came between you," Mrs. Evans said carefully. Max swallowed the food in his mouth, feeling it hit his stomach like lead.

"Yeah," he replied shortly. Mrs. Evans looked at Mr. Evans appealingly and he sighed.

"Max, you know Mrs. Veetahave, right?"

"Of course, Dad. She's only lived next door for eight years. She was the only person who was allowed to give us fruit at Halloween," Max responded. "Look, what is this about?"

"Honey, Mrs. Veetahave was up last night getting some water, and she—saw Michael going in your window. She, um, she," Mrs. Evans trailed off.

"Well, you know how curious she is, so she went to get her hearing aid. She said she heard some…odd sounds coming through your open window," Mr. Evans finished. Isabel's lips were twitching like mad and the tips of Max's ears were a brilliant red.

"Oh. She did. That was just—you know Michael, he's always come over when he couldn't sleep. We were, um," Max frantically searched his brain for any kind of explanation. "We're studying Camelot in English right now, and Michael sort of…well, he decided it would be fun to have a sword fight, like we were Arthur and Lancelot. You know, like how we used to play Star Wars, only—not with sabers."

Max could feel his face reddening with every word. What had possessed him to say that? He knew even before he looked at his parents that they would know he was lying through his teeth. But what could he say? He, Michael and Liz weren't even sure of the parameters of their relationship yet; there was no way he could explain it to his parents.

"Uh-huh. Max, honey, I found this on your floor this morning when I picked up your laundry. Can you explain how it got there?" Mrs. Evans said, her voice somehow warm and anxious at the same time. She passed something to Max and the color drained from his face as quickly as it had appeared. His mother had just given him Liz's black satin thong.

"I—I don't—I," Max stammered. Isabel took pity on him and tried to come to the rescue.

"That's mine, Mom. It must have gotten mixed in with Max's laundry when I did the wash earlier in the week," Isabel took the thong from Max, folding it into her hand. Mr. and Mrs. Evans exchanged another glance, and Mrs. Evans placed her hand on Max's arm.

"Max, you know that you can come to us with anything. We love you, sweetheart," she said softly. Max was unable to look at her; he knew she hadn't believed Isabel any more than she had the ludicrous sword fight story. He also knew who she thought the thong belonged to, and it wasn't Isabel…or Michael.

"When I have something to tell you, Mom, you'll be the first to know, all right?" Max declared, his tone indicating that the subject was closed. Mrs. Evans sighed, nodding, and patted his arm before getting up to clear the table. Once that was done, she and Mr. Evans left Max and Isabel alone in the kitchen, going out to the back yard to sit with a glass of wine as was their custom in the summer.

Isabel handed the thong back to Max and he stuffed it in his pocket dejectedly then rested his forehead against his steepled hands. Seeing how upset he was, Isabel quashed her natural instinct to tease him mercilessly. There would be time enough for that later; now he needed her support.

"It's—don't worry about it, Max. Look on the bright side—if they'd been able to hear anything over their air conditioner they wouldn't just be suspicious, they would know. Besides, they're not going to care about it," she said reassuringly.

"I think they just made that abundantly clear, Iz," Max snorted. "What would I even tell them, though? What am I doing—what are we doing? Am—am I gay? Or bi, whatever," he grimaced.

Isabel sighed. "I don't know, Max, I can't really answer that for you. What I do know is…you're in love with both of them. I see it when you're together, we all do. And I know that you've never reacted to any guy like you do to Michael, right from when we were little. I used to wonder, you know, if there was another reason why Michael came over in the middle of the night. Not just to get away from Hank, but specifically to be with you. You've always made him feel safe, Max. He bucks your authority because—well, because he's Michael," she smiled, "but he would never willingly do anything to hurt you, and it's always been that way. Always."

"I, uh, I thought he would be more freaked by this whole situation, actually. I mean, he's in a relationship with two people now. But he seems to be totally taking it in stride, which is making it harder for me somehow."

"Max, do you know what an epiphany is? I'm talking a real epiphany, not a Eureka moment," she clarified.

"More or less. What exactly do you mean?"

"A true epiphany is a moment of absolute clarity, Max, when the truth reveals itself to you in the most profound way and it changes you forever. You had an epiphany when you chose to heal Liz. You saw her on the floor and realized she was injured, perhaps dying, and in that moment you found a truth greater than any you had ever known: you loved Liz Parker too much to let her die. And it changed everything."

"Yeah, it did. And I'd do it again, even knowing what would happen later. But what's that got to do with Michael?"

"Michael's had two epiphanies of his own lately—one named Max and one named Liz. Maybe he just needed that extra level of love from you, or maybe it's because of Liz because God knows, loving her certainly changed you! But Michael—I don't think he is going to freak, Max. It's strange, but I think he is more comfortable with himself now—feels more like he's worth something—than he ever has. It's—all right, this does NOT ever get mentioned again, but when I walked in on you last night you looked natural together. ALL together. Something about the three of you just clicks. And I suppose that technically you'd be classified as bisexual but…I can't really see you with any other guy. I've seen you check out girls before, but never guys. I think it's just Michael. I know I'm not explaining myself too well, I just know what I think and how I feel when I look at you together," Isabel said hesitantly, watching Max for his reaction. Max had a small smile on his lips.

"When did you get so observant?" he asked teasingly.

"Loving Alex will do that to a person," Isabel smiled. "Anyway, Max, as weird as this seems sometimes, you know you can always talk to me about it, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah, thanks, Izzy."

"Um, while we're being all open and sharing, did you—have you and Michael, um, made love? I'm just—I'm curious," she held her hand out at his flash of shock. Max smiled wryly.

"Yeah, we have. Once each," he forestalled her next question.

"What was it like? Was it different than with Liz?"

"Well, yes and no. It's hard to describe, Iz. One way is—not so different, and the other way is completely new. It was…beautiful," Max said shyly. Isabel smiled inwardly at the wondering look on his face; she remembered it well from after his first explorations with Liz.

"We should get ready to go now," Isabel said as she rose. She turned to leave then turned back to Max, her lips twitching again as she tried not to smile. "You know, I think M.A.C.'s Twig would be perfect for you."

"What's that? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Well, M.A.C. is a brand name, and Twig is the perfect shade of lipstick for you," she said gleefully. Max's eyes snapped to hers and his cheeks reddened as he started to stand.

"That completely made up for seeing Michael naked," she gloated and ran for her room, Max on her heels. Isabel got there just in time to slam the door in his face.

"Isabel, open the door! You are so going to die for that comment!" Max pounded on the door, red-faced but smiling. He could hear his sister laughing in her room.

"Oh, now there's an incentive to open the door, so you can kill me!"

"Open it now, or else!"

"Or else what, Max? What're you going to do?" she snorted. He thought for a second.

"Or…I will…I'll convince Alex he's dating the wrong Evans!" Max said triumphantly, deliberately trying to get a rise out of her. It worked; she flung open the door.

"You leave my Alex alone! You've got your own boyfriend; if you want sex or something call Michael!" Isabel told him, her sparkling eyes belying her haughty tone. They both started to laugh and then Max froze, hearing a soft gasp. He turned his head slightly and there were both of his parents, having come back inside. Oh, shit.

"Iz, let me in," he said urgently and she stepped back, allowing him to enter the room. Max immediately closed and locked the door, leaning his back against it. He closed his eyes as he heard the hesitant knock he'd been expecting.

"I don't want to talk about it now, Mom," he called out.

"Max, son, we love you no matter what," came Mr. Evans deep voice.

"And—and Michael, too," Mrs. Evans added. Max was clenching and unclenching his fists at his sides.

"Fine. Thank you. Goodbye," he said harshly, listening for their footfalls as they moved away. At last the sound dwindled to nothing and Max levered himself off the door.

"Finish getting ready and meet me at the Jeep," he commanded as he headed for Isabel's window, flinging it open and climbing out, to disappear around the house. Max felt like the world's biggest coward, but he could not face his parents right now. Not when he couldn't understand what was going on himself.

He was a freak. He'd always been one, a half-human, half-alien hybrid. Apparently now he was half each of something else, too, and Max suddenly didn't know how to deal with any of it. Every time he thought he had made peace with who and what he was, something happened that forced him to question everything. This time, it had been making love to Michael.

Max slumped in the passenger seat of the Jeep, waiting for his sister and thinking about the previous night. He'd told Isabel the truth: it wasn't that different, making love to Michael as opposed to Liz. Their first time together, when it had been Michael's cock inside Max, it had been different. Something totally new and unknown, and dear God, loving. But last night Max could have made love to Liz. His soul mate; his other half. The ying to his yang. Instead he had chosen Michael, who was…what? What role did Michael play in his life now? And what did loving him the way that he did say about Max?

He looked up briefly as Isabel came out of the house and climbed in beside him. Before she started the engine, she turned to Max.

"You have to talk to them, Max," she insisted softly.

"Yeah, I know. I will, I just—can't do it right now," he confessed.

"No, I mean Liz and Michael. Mom and Dad are content to wait until you're ready to tell them. They said they'd made their point, that it doesn't matter and they still love you, and that the rest is up to you."

"Isn't it always?" Max said bitterly, so low that Isabel almost didn't hear him.

"Don't. Don't you dare sink into self-pity, Max, you hear me? People go through entire lifetimes waiting to love someone with all of their being, and you've found two someones. Not one but two people who love you and need you like they need air. So one of them's male. And so you got shafted by being a reborn King. So what? Isn't having Michael and Liz worth that?" Isabel declared with finality. Max half-smiled and reclined in the seat, relaxing a little as she started the Jeep and pulled out of the driveway.

"Yeah…so what. It is worth it, Iz. It's worth everything."

Max and Isabel entered the back door of the Crashdown, seeing Maria, Alex, Kyle and Tess standing around. Isabel immediately went to Alex for a hug and kiss, and Max sat down on the sofa just as Michael emerged from the bathroom. Their eyes met and Max felt his insides melting at the smile Michael gave him before he sat down beside Max. Maria watched them with a smile, a slightly speculative look on her face.

"What's up?" Michael asked. He could feel the tension radiating off Max in waves. Isabel turned towards them and spoke.

"Oh, nothing much. Mrs. Veetahave outed you two to Mom and Dad this afternoon; she saw you climb into Max's window and later on heard noise," Isabel related matter-of-factly.

"What? What did you say to your parents?" Michael demanded of Max. He shook his head.

"But Michael's been climbing in Max's window for years, and she's never mentioned it before. Why would she say something now? Especially when she needs to put her hearing aid back in to hear any noises!" Maria exclaimed.

Michael narrowed his eyes in sudden understanding. "I was still standing in the window when you…well, I just was."

Max groaned. "That's right! That was Liz's fault."

"What was my fault?" Liz asked as she came down the stairs, having changed out of her uniform. Kyle was looking at Max and Michael, his eyes widening.

"Are you saying that you and Evans are—involved? Like, romantically?" Kyle demanded of Michael. Liz smiled at him as she sat on Max's lap, leaning back across Michael so that he was cradling her against his chest.

"Kyle, meet my guys," she said with a brilliant smile. He just stared at the three of them for a long moment, his mind taking note of the subtle body positioning as it had been trained to do by his football coach. There was a comfort level between them that spoke of intimacy. Michael had sat right beside Max and the length of their thighs was pressed together, their hips touching. With Liz sitting on top of them, Michael's supporting arm held her around her shoulders, his hand falling close to her breast. Max's arms were draped across her lap, one hand on her hip, the other on her upper thigh. They looked…

"Oh, for crying out loud. Why doesn't that look more unnatural?" Kyle said disgustedly, eliciting a laugh from everyone except Max. He merely smiled, a vague sadness in his eyes.

"Max, what's wrong?" Tess asked softly, believing that she knew the answer. She knew, better than perhaps anyone else, how much Max struggled with himself over who he was. She had struggled with many of the same questions after she had realized that she loved Kyle, not Max, and that their supposed destiny was meaningless. They had slowly become friends once there was no pressure from any direction to be more than that.

Max just shook his head again. Isabel jumped in. "He's dealing with identity issues. You know. Especially since Mom and Dad made some extra assumptions that aren't even true."

"Isabel, that's private!" Max nearly shouted.

"Max, look around you. These eight people here? That is private. We all know what's going on between the three of you. Well, except Kyle till now. We decided that he needed to see you together with his own eyes before knowing, so that he would keep an open mind," Maria explained with a smile. Max looked around at the five people standing and sitting with him, Michael and Liz, seeing nothing but acceptance. Complete acceptance; not just for sharing Liz but for what he and Michael meant to each other as well. His face must have shown something of his pleased shock because Kyle snorted.

"Look, man, after accepting you guys were aliens this is a walk in the park! Just be happy about it. Now, what assumptions are you talking about, Iz?"

Sighing, Max pulled the thong from his pocket and handed it to Liz. She squealed and smacked him for doing it so publicly.

"Max! You could have waited!"

"Yeah, well, I wanted to make it very clear that that belongs to you," he said ruefully.

"What? Why?"

"Because Mom thinks it's his," Isabel smiled. Max hid his face in his hands as everyone laughed.

"Oh, no. No, no, no. There isn't the slightest thing about your body that's feminine, Max Evans. Except maybe your eyelashes, but that's irrelevant. You certainly wouldn't be caught dead in anything of Liz's," Maria said firmly to murmurs of agreement. Max was smiling but still looking kind of haunted, so Alex decided to take action. He motioned for Liz to get up, which she did, looking confused as she moved out of the way. Alex promptly sat down beside Max. The small size of the sofa, with two male bodies already seated on it, meant that Alex was practically glued to Max's side from knee to shoulder and everywhere in between. To further Max's embarrassed confusion, Alex slung an arm around his shoulders, letting his hand fall on Max's biceps and squeezing the muscles gently as he spoke.

"Max, I am known far and wide as a desirable man," Alex gestured with his free hand as he spoke, not allowing Max to pull away from his side though Max's discomfort was increasing. "I have a legendary prowess in the sack, and,"

"Mmm, he is a really good kisser," Maria smacked her lips in agreement.

"Oh, yeah. Oh, and that little thing he does with his tongue? Ahhh!" Liz pretended to swoon.

"I know that! I looooove that!" Isabel exclaimed. Alex was sporting a huge grin now and the other four people were staring at him with a little more respect.

"As I was saying," Alex continued, "I'm sure that if you really wanted to, you know, explore your sexuality, we could work something out."

Automatically, Max flinched away. Alex crowded in close again and ducked his head, bringing his mouth close to Max's ear.

"Are you sure?" he breathed, blowing gently. Max removed Alex's arm from around his shoulders and shoved Michael as far over as he could go, practically sitting on top of Michael as he moved away from Alex. Alex—and everyone else—laughed.

"Alex, that'd be like cross-contamination. You sleep with my sister!"

"Well, yeah, but that's not really why you moved away. You just don't want me," Alex pouted, the mischief in his eyes spoiling the effect.

"Sorry, but no I don't," Max agreed.

"So…what about Kyle? He's a nice-looking guy, lots of muscles, bit of an attitude unlike my sweet self," Alex posed angelically. Max looked askance at Kyle. Their eyes met and he felt…nothing. He might as well have been looking at Tess' blue eyes instead of Kyle's; neither moved him.

"Nah. Evans had his chance; all he wanted to do was draw on Liz's wall," Kyle drawled with an arrogant half-smile. Max flushed, remembering that Kyle had asked if he was gay the night they'd gotten drunk together. His memory of that night had gradually returned over the months following it.

"Max, you're not gay. You're HMG," Maria said brightly, as if that explained everything.

"What?" Max and Michael said in unison.

"HMG. Hetero plus Michael Guerin. Michael's been outside the rules all his life, why should this one be any different!" Maria laughed.

"HMG," Max rolled the acronym around on his tongue. He smiled at Maria. "I can live with that."

"Good," Michael grunted. He had been afraid to say anything, knowing that he was the source of the problem. Now that Max had seemingly made up his mind, Michael felt comfortable enough to put his arm around Max's shoulders and beckon to Liz with his other hand. Alex rose and went to Isabel as Max snuggled into Michael's shoulder and Liz resumed her position sprawled across them both. She stroked Max's arm soothingly; she had not been able to say anything either, because she was the part of the equation that didn't trouble him. Max smiled at her and squeezed her thigh in thanks. All three of them knew better than to think the issue was completely resolved but for the moment, things were good.

"Now that the immediate crisis has passed, what are we doing?" Alex asked, looking around the group.

"We could go to that new club," Liz suggested to masculine groans.

"I don't do clubs, Liz. You want to go somewhere and dance horizontally, I'm there. Don't ask me to do it vertically," Michael rejected her idea.

"Oh, really? That's not—never mind," Maria broke off as Liz made a face. Michael looked at her sharply. Max did too, then looked at Michael.

"She mentioned a certain type of sport yesterday, too," Max informed him and Michael's eyes narrowed. He looked down at Liz, who wore a somewhat guilty expression.

"Do you tell her everything?" he asked in amazement.

"Well, not quite everything," Liz squirmed under his scrutiny. "Just—highlights. She's my best friend! That's what best friends do."

"How about the movies?" Tess suggested, getting them back on topic.

"Yeah, movies sound fine," Isabel agreed. Everyone else thought it was fine, too. As they gathered themselves to leave, Michael nudged Max.

"Think we should make Liz pay?" he said under his breath. Max was surprised by the question then he saw the twinkle in Michael's eyes and realized that he was referring to their "date," which had resulted in their lovemaking.

"Sure. I can hold up my end of that bargain. You get to tell her what you're talking about, though," Max laughed. He watched Michael walk up to Liz, drawing her apart and speaking to her. When Liz smacked him and told him off, Max grinned. Feeling someone brush against his arm, he glanced down at Maria.

"He just propositioned her with something rude, didn't he? Why didn't you warn him?" she asked.

"I had to learn the hard way. It's no fair if Michael gets off easy," Max declared, still grinning. Maria smiled and linked her arm through his.

"Well yes, but you have a natural gift for it and Michael, as I know only too well, does not," Maria told him. Max slanted a look at her.

"Maria, are you OK with this? Honestly, I mean. I know Liz asked and everything but—I'd like to hear it for myself."

Maria was silent for a long moment, debating with herself about what to say. "Honestly, Max? I think that you and Liz are probably the best thing that's happened to Michael. You, at least, always were. The two of you have always sort of canceled each other out, you know? You think too much and he doesn't think enough, he just acts. It's a karmic balancing act. And Michael and I, we were never good for each other. Sure we were passionate and we cared about each other deeply, but we also made each other feel insecure, inadequate. We kept trying to change each other. You don't do that; you and Isabel both have always just accepted Michael as himself. And now Liz is doing that. Besides, Michael…isn't the type of person that I'm interested in anymore," she concluded vaguely.

Max stopped walking and pulled Maria into his arms, hugging her close for a moment before releasing her and resuming walking. Maria looked at him in surprise.

"What was that for?"

"You're a good friend and I appreciate that," Max smiled when her surprise turned to shock.

"Thanks. You're not too bad yourself, girlfriend—oh, get over it Max! I've been calling you that for a year now, it's hardly related," she rolled her eyes when he winced slightly at the term of affection. "Here comes Michael. Maybe he can disabuse you of this ridiculous notion."

"Disabuse him of what ridiculous notion?" Michael asked, falling into step beside Max.

"Oh, Max was just being sensitive about me calling him girlfriend," Maria said loftily.

"Max is going to be sensitive till the day he dies, Maria," Michael snorted, earning himself a glare from Max. Michael just shrugged, letting the statement stand.

"You knew Liz would blow me off, didn't you?" he asked Max, shaking his head at Max's telltale smile. "Nice, Maxwell. Very nice. You set me up!"

"You came up with the idea. All I did was say I'd play along," Max evaded.

"Yeah, but you're supposed to be helping me with this stuff. You know I suck at it."

"I can vouch for that," Maria muttered. She smiled brightly when Michael glared at her. "I also know enough to be pretty damn sure you can make it up in bed, Michael."

Maria raised her eyebrows when Michael's cheeks took on a pink hue but she said nothing. Michael swung in front of Max, halting their progress. He looked uncomfortable but determined.

"Look, Maxwell," Michael rubbed his lip. "I don't want to screw this up like I do everything else, all right? That Maria and I have managed to stay friends is a miracle in and of itself, but I couldn't go back to being just friends with Liz. Or…or with you," he admitted shyly, looking away from Max.

"I couldn't go back either, Michael. I love you," Max said softly. Michael met his eyes and the corners of his mouth turned up. He scuffed a toe along the sidewalk then moved to Maria's other side, sandwiching her by taking her free arm. Maria pulled away from Max and stood on her tiptoes, pressing a light kiss to Michael's cheek. Then she reclaimed Max's arm and the three of them started walking again.

"What was that for?" Michael wanted to know.

"That, my friend, was because I always knew that for an emotional eunuch you've got some big balls!" Maria laughed. Michael's face grew even redder but he laughed along with her and Max, and it was a freer sound than any he had ever made.

The eight friends reached the cinema at last and discussed which movie to watch. As soon as a decision had been reached Michael disappeared, leaving Liz, Max and Maria to wait for him. The other four went on ahead, saying they would wait in the line at the concession stand.

A few minutes later Michael returned with four movie tickets. He gave Maria hers, waving away her proffered money with a smile, but Liz glared at him.

"Weren't you listening?" she demanded.

"Relax. No strings attached," Michael laughed. She smiled and accepted the ticket as Michael turned to Max.

"At least, for Liz," Michael said in a low voice, holding out the last ticket. Max stared at it then looked at Michael, his face flushing at the naked desire in Michael's eyes. Max knew exactly what it was that Michael wanted: inside of him. His lips parted but no answer came out. Slowly, Max reached out and took the ticket from Michael, brushing his fingers tenderly as he withdrew his hand. His breathing picked up even more speed at the gleam of satisfaction in Michael's gaze, and the air was suddenly heavy with promise.

Maria noticed Liz's little smile and reminded herself to breathe. She cleared her throat. "Ahem, unless you guys want this all over school you'd better cool it with the fuck-me looks. We are not the only West Roswell students here tonight."

"Right," Max agreed, embarrassed, while Michael coughed. "Sorry."

"Hey, no need to apologize to me! That almost made me want to do you both!" Maria exclaimed.

"Except that Max is the wrong E—" Liz fell silent.

"The wrong what?" Michael asked, narrowing his eyes. Something clicked for Max.

"You're interested in my sister?" he asked disbelievingly. Maria abruptly discovered that her shoes were absolutely fascinating.

"Well, that explains a few things," Michael said thoughtfully. "On both sides," he amended hastily as Maria glared at him. She softened immediately into a rueful smile.

"Yeah, I guess it does. Including why we're still good friends."

"But Isabel's with Alex," Max couldn't seem to wrap his mind around it.

"I'm not in love with her or anything, Max, and I certainly wouldn't move in on Alex's girlfriend in any case. She just happens to be…my type," Maria stated firmly.

"So what was with Wayne, then? That guy you met?" Liz asked, not particularly surprised by this development.

"Oh, Wayne. He was—hmm, he was denial," Maria admitted. Liz nodded in perfect understanding, then noticed Alex waving frantically at them.

"Oh, the movie's going to start. Come on, we can talk after. You know I love you, right?" she directed to Maria. Maria smiled and linked arms with her best friend, leaving the two men to follow behind them.

"Yep, and I love you right back—platonically," she winked.

They found their seats just as the theater darkened, Liz sitting in between Max and Michael. By about halfway through the movie, they both had their hands on her thighs, inching higher and higher because they were trying to link their fingers together a little bit without being obvious. By the time the movie was over, Liz was no longer paying any attention to it. Every scrap of her awareness was focused on the two warm hands that kept inadvertently caressing her thighs and the moist ache between her legs.

Liz belatedly realized that the rest of the group was standing and rose to her feet, following Max out of the theater. As soon as they were all outside, Isabel asked, "Well, what now guys?"

Liz grabbed Michael and Max's hands. "Actually, we have a lot to talk about so…I think we'll just go home now, if no one minds." Internally she was praying that no one would say anything. Maria came to her rescue.

"Yeah, that's true. You go on then, and figure that stuff out. We'll hang a while longer," she winked at Liz, knowing the real reason for her haste. Liz flashed her a grateful smile and at the murmurs of assent from everyone else, she steered Max and Michael towards Michael's apartment.

Well I *tried* to post earlier today, Scottie, but I couldn't get onto the board! However, here we go.
hugs, Tas


Chapter 3

Upon entering the apartment, Liz locked the door then leaned against it, panting. The two men looked at her, concerned.

"Liz, you're in better shape than I am and we didn't walk that fast," Michael commented. "Why are you breathing so hard?"

She rolled her eyes. "Apparently neither of you noticed that while trying to hold hands without looking like you were holding hands, both of you had your hands practically in my lap!"

Max looked more closely at her, seeing her flushed cheeks and bright eyes in a whole new light. "So, you didn't drag us here to talk, then," he concluded.

"Well, partly yes and partly no. Mostly I dragged us here so that we'd have some privacy when I ripped your clothes off," she laughed breathlessly.

"Mine or his?" asked Michael with a smile.

"Yours, his, both; whatever. As you're so fond of saying, I'm flexible!"

"Yeah, we're all—kind of flexible these days," Max remarked tonelessly. Liz and Michael exchanged a glance.

"Max, what exactly is it about our relationship that's bothering you so?" Liz asked gently. Max sighed as he kicked his shoes off and sat on the couch. Michael moved to stand close to him and Liz perched on the coffee table so that she could see both of their faces.

"I—it's hard to explain, even to myself. I just feel so…"

"Different?" Liz supplied, her eyes twinkling.

"Yeah, I guess so," Max agreed, a slight smile gracing his face.

"Do you remember what I said the first time you told me we were different?" Liz prodded.

""I don't care,"" Max quoted, the memory softening his face.

"I didn't care then and I haven't since, Max. I never will. And that goes for you, too, Michael," Liz shifted her gaze to Michael as she spoke.

"You know, Michael, I thought—I kind of expected you to, um, freak more," Max offered tentatively. A cynical smile swept over Michael's face and disappeared.

"I'm freaking at least as much as you are, Maxwell. I'm better at hiding it is all," he admitted, raw honesty in his voice. "But while you were caught in the middle trying to figure out how to get us all together, I realized that if we couldn't get it to work I'd be the one left out. You and Liz are like soul mates, destined for each other. I mean real destiny, not that stupid book. Karma and all that other crap Maria and her mom talk about all the time. And the longer things went on like that, with no one knowing quite what was going on or where this all was heading, the more I understood that nothing freaks me out more than the idea of losing you. Either of you."

Liz rose and hugged him while he and Max locked gazes. Michael fought the desperate urge to close down, to snap his walls back into place and push away the woman in his arms and the man sitting in front of them with so much emotion in his eyes. It was too important; Max needed him too much. He felt an odd surge of pride at the thought that for once, he was being the strong one. He was the one with the answers and Max was leaning on him this time. And so Michael stayed and he looked at Max, willing him to believe everything that had been said, telling him without words that they loved him and that that was the most crucial thing of all.

At length Max was the one to look away, his gaze dropping in acknowledgement as he nodded. Michael closed his eyes in relief, the urge to run draining away.

"So Liz…any issues?" Michael asked impudently, trying to lighten the mood.

"Hmm. Dating aliens? Nope, fine with that. Being involved with two gorgeous men? Can't wait to handle that!" she laughed. "Actually, the only thing that bothers me is the possibility of my parents finding out about us before my birthday."

Michael flashed a pleading look at Max, who understood and quickly covered, "Which is a week from Sunday."

"Right. Eighteen on the eighteenth. Then it won't matter anymore because I'll be legal," Liz confirmed. Max's expression became speculative.

"Can you get away for the afternoon?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral. Nevertheless Liz turned in Michael's arms and looked at him.

"And why would I want to do that?" she responded flippantly. "Kidding! Yeah, I don't see why not. Dinner's always the birthday celebration with my parents. To which neither of you will be invited, by the way, only Maria and Alex. It's a nostalgia thing."

"Oh, fine. It's not like we wanted an invitation anyway," Michael needled her. Liz looked up at him, smiling, then looked at Max.

"As I recall, Michael, you extended a different sort of invitation yourself earlier tonight and it was definitely accepted," she said huskily, watching Max's eyes widen and his throat work as he swallowed. Liz felt Michael's suddenly hard cock prodding her backside, inciting a rush of liquid desire.

"Time to pay up, Maxwell," Michael rasped. The rough quality of his voice made Max weak with longing but there were still some shadows in his eyes.

"How come—Michael, why would you want me when you could be with Liz?" Max asked nearly inaudibly. Liz's facile mind quickly determined what he really wanted to know. She squeezed Michael's arms and went to sit beside Max. He turned his head to face her but didn't quite meet her eyes.

"That's what all this is about, you making love to Michael last night," she said in quiet certainty. Max nodded and looked up at Michael, his entire body pleading for understanding. Michael was tense but kept himself from shutting down.

"I wanted you—God, so much—and Liz wanted us to and it was so—amazing and incredible and… But when I woke up in the middle of the night and we were all tangled together, I couldn't help it, I felt like I—shouldn't have. Wanted you. And like I should have wanted Liz, which I did, only—not as much," Max whispered. Michael had absolutely no idea what the hell to do or even think about what Max was saying. He'd had twinges of the same response tonight when he'd propositioned Max so he understood, at least, that it wasn't because Max didn't desire him or didn't love him. No, the problem Max was dealing with was how to handle so much love and desire…for someone who was not Liz.

All unknowingly, Liz had essentially shaped Max's sexuality growing up. She was the girl he'd been in love with for most of his life. She was his first kiss, his first girlfriend, his first everything. Michael knew that while Max looked at other women and appreciated their beauty, Liz was the only one he'd ever wanted, and that had been so much it hurt. Knowing the power of Max's feelings for Liz and knowing that similarly strong feelings were also directed at him now was a heady sensation for Michael. Once that very strength would have inspired him to bolt for safety, but in the weeks since he and Max had become involved something had changed. Michael's inspiration in this moment was to fight, to use the strength of those feelings to help Max and in doing so, help all of them.

"It doesn't have anything to do with me being male, does it, Max? It's because I'm someone other than Liz Parker," Michael asserted bluntly, seeing the flash of panicked acknowledgement in Max's face. He realized that more than anything else, Max was afraid of hurting him with this, so he added more gently, "It's OK; I understand."

Liz looked back at Michael then returned her gaze to Max. There was relief etched on his face and slowly she began to comprehend what Michael meant. She had known about Max's lifelong feelings for her of course, and that their love and lovemaking had been his sole experience, but Liz had never considered just how deep her influence ran in Max. It was a little overwhelming to have that awareness crash in on her but she rallied gamely, as she always did, and as an idea struck she moved onto Max's lap, straddling him and staring into his eyes. She had his complete attention now.

"Even though I wanted you to make love to Michael, that wasn't enough. You still felt like you were betraying me, right?" she asked softly, the question a rhetorical one.

"Kind of, yeah. I know how ridiculous it sounds, especially when I didn't feel that way about sneaking around with Michael, but—I can't help the way I feel, Liz."

Liz stroked his cheek. "You mustn't apologize for your feelings, Max, they're a part of who you are and why we love you. We just have to deal with them, that's all. Now, do you think it would help if I gave you permission to love Michael?"

Max was surprised by the question but thought about it before answering. It seemed logical enough, but since when were emotions logical? "I—maybe?"

Liz leaned in close and whispered at his lips, "Max Evans, you hereby have Liz Parker's permanent permission to love and be loved by Michael Guerin, and also to feel sexual desire for each other."

It was unbelievable how much difference a few words could make, but Max reminded himself that vows frequently are of few words and yet they change lives. He felt a rush of that desire, a reaction that Liz surely noticed, but he wasn't free. Not quite yet. Until Liz's next words shattered his last resistance.

"I also extend permanent permission, my presence notwithstanding, for you to fuck Michael any time you want to, and for him to fuck you," the unfamiliar expletives rolled off Liz's tongue with startling ease. The utter graphicness of her speech left no doubt that she didn't know what she was endorsing so readily, that she didn't understand what he needed to the depths of her soul.

"Can I get that in writing?" Michael offered hoarsely, smiling as Max let out a choked gasp. Liz didn't turn around as she replied, continuing to look into Max's eyes.

"Of course, Michael. I'd be more than happy to write it out and sign it for you—later. Right this minute, though, I still have this little problem that you two created for me, and I sense," she wiggled against Max and he inhaled rather sharply, "I sense that our boy here is ready to help me out with that now."

"You'd better believe it," Max murmured before he kissed her, conveying all his gratitude and love in a searing dance of lips and tongues. Michael knelt behind Liz, his hands sliding up her back under her thin sweater and unhooking her bra, pulling it away from her breasts. He reached around to her front, pressed against Max, and undid the button and fly of her shorts. As soon as Max felt Michael's hands in between him and Liz, he drew back and Michael pulled off Liz's sweater and bra. Max returned to Liz's mouth while Michael caressed her bare breasts, both men enjoying her little sighs of pleasure.

Michael nuzzled Liz's neck, nipping at the soft skin, while Max reached around her to run his hands up and down Michael's arms purposefully. Michael figured out what he meant and stood suddenly, bracing his arms around Liz's ribcage and bringing her up with him. Max followed them up, scooping her legs onto his arm and tugging them both in the general direction of the bedroom. Liz laughed at them, at least until she found herself stripped naked and laid in the center of Michael's bed with Max kissing her lips and Michael…

"Oh God!" she gasped as Michael's tongue swept across her wetness, his body settling in between her spread legs.

Max glanced down and smiled at Michael.

"I realize I'm hardly going to be up to Max's level but I've wanted to do this for so long," Michael said a little apprehensively. Liz motioned for Max to move and she sat up, causing Michael to sit up as well to meet her eyes.

"Michael, it's not about who's better at something; it can't be, not for this to work. For example, I know damn well you give better head than I do but you don't see Max objecting when I go down on him, do you?" Liz stated.

"Liz, you can't compare that! It's completely different with you than with Michael," Max protested. She threw him a smile.

"My point exactly. You see, Michael, Max—he's a tease. One who delivers, yes, but still—a tease," Liz continued. Michael's lips twitched and he reached out, running his hands down Liz's arms to her wrists. He brought her arms up over her head and crossed her wrists there, raising his eyebrows meaningfully. Liz laughed. So did Max, but not as cheerfully.

"I was under the impression that you both enjoyed that," he pouted. Liz met his eyes.

"Would I have called our first time mind-blowing if I didn't enjoy that?" she said pointedly.

"Probably not," Max responded with a crooked smile. Michael didn't even have to say anything; it was understood now that they were teasing him.

"It's just not something I want all the time," Liz said, looking directly at Michael. A slow smile appeared on his face as he realized what she was saying. Liz registered his comprehension and flicked her eyes towards Max before leaning in to whisper in Michael's ear, "Wanna do a little table-turning on someone later?"

She took his brilliant smile and quick wink as affirmative as she lay back down. Still looking at Michael, Liz spread her legs wide in invitation.

She closed her eyes as his tongue touched her skin in one long, slow glide, then opened them again in surprise as another mouth settled on her breast. Max gave her a wicked little smile and deliberately extended his tongue, flicking her nipple under her fascinated gaze. Liz watched him lick at the stiff peak until the light touches were too gentle and she pulled his head down, arching into his mouth.

Michael had paused, waiting until Liz had demanded more of Max. Then he began a relentless assault with those long, slow licks that touched her everywhere. Over and over he licked her, his tongue dragging over her clitoris with each pass, building tension with each lingering glide. It was absolutely unlike Max's intimate kisses, and utterly compelling in its single-mindedness. Michael's inexorable licks had one purpose and one purpose only: to steadily drive her pleasure higher until she exploded.

Voluntarily Liz placed her arms over her head, yielding to the sensations that Michael's tongue between her legs and Max's mouth and hands on her breasts were inciting. She moaned as Michael shortened his licks, keeping the same determined rhythm but concentrating more on the tiny bundle of nerves. Abruptly her desire soared as Max gently bit her nipples and the wave was upon her. Her loud cry alerted Michael and he sped up considerably, sending her spinning out in a blaze of passion and heat.

When Liz's tremors stopped Michael sat up, looking slightly dazed. Max met his eyes and they both grinned.

"Wow, that was," Michael groped for a word.

"Addictive?" Max suggested. Michael nodded and they both looked at Liz, who wore a dreamy smile.

"No arguments here," she said quickly when she noticed them looking at her. She focused on Michael, echoing, "Definitely addictive." He ducked his head and she smiled broadly. Then her face became mischievous and she pushed Max onto his back and straddled him, sitting on his firm abdomen.

"But the next question is, what can we do for Max?" Liz murmured, her eyes sparkling. Max couldn't see past her but he could certainly feel Michael's hands sliding up his legs, caressing the soft skin of his thighs. Liz leaned forward, pressing soft kisses to his collarbone, tracing its upper outline with her tongue then kissing up his throat and across his jaw to his ear. She sucked his ear lobe into her mouth just as Max felt Michael's lips and teeth close on his inner thigh, intent on leaving a mark.

Max groaned and Michael glanced up, actually witnessing Max's cock get harder, the skin tightening in response to what he and Liz were doing to him. Just beyond he could see the deep pink of Liz's opening and he felt a surge of desire himself at the sight of them so close together. But he didn't let go of Max's flesh until it was a deep red, and then he switched to Max's other thigh, moving closer to his groin. So close, in fact, that as Michael sucked and bit at Max's tender skin his cheek brushed against his testicles every now and again, eliciting harsh moans from Max.

Liz had worked her way around to Max's other ear, bathing it and nipping at it gently. Now she settled her mouth on his, smiling at how eagerly his lips parted under hers, but she didn't immediately take the invitation. Liz traced Max's lips with the tip of her tongue, running it over their soft inner surfaces then dipping delicately inside his mouth to brush against his tongue. Max tried to deepen the kiss and Liz pulled away.

"Bad boy," she murmured wickedly. "Don't think; don't act. Just react, Max. Relax and let us take care of you."

Max stared up at her, understanding at last what was going on. Liz and Michael were going to overwhelm him with raw sensuality until he could no longer tell where one of them ended and the other began…exactly as Michael and Liz could not tell anymore. Until his body perceived them as one, the way his heart already did; until the way that he felt about them in his soul was the whole truth.

"I love you," he whispered, one hand groping down to find Michael. Michael saw it and clasped Max's hand, bringing it to his mouth and kissing the inside of the wrist. Then he sat up.

"Turn over, Maxwell," he ordered. Max's face reflected his surprise.

"What?"

"He said turn over, Max," Liz echoed, moving off of Max so that he could. He looked from her to Michael as he swallowed nervously then Max took a deep breath and followed the order. Michael waited until Max had finished adjusting himself, knowing that lying facedown was not the world's most comfortable position with a hard-on, even on a soft mattress. Once he was settled, Michael and Liz began.

Liz started by treating the back of Max's neck to the same treatment she had given his throat, her lips and tongue sliding lovingly over his skin. Michael started right at the bottom, with Max's toes. Max let out a gasp that was half desire, half laughter as Michael sucked each of his toes into his mouth, swirling his tongue around and in between them. Michael knew that Max had ticklish feet so he used a relatively solid touch as he caressed them, his hands rubbing circles on the muscles.

Liz trailed wet kisses down Max's shoulder, onto his arm. Her hands followed the trail, stroking his biceps and picking up his arm so that she could lick the inside of his elbow. She continued on to his hand and sucked on his fingers as Michael had his toes, dropping a kiss in his palm when she was finished. The she moved down his body, her tongue painting his side, to his leg. Liz kissed and caressed her way down one leg while Michael went up the other and kept going, heading for Max's arm. He repeated what Liz had done, massaging the hard muscles in his arm and sucking on Max's fingers. As he licked Max's palm, Liz completed her pass over Max's leg and crawled up in between his legs.

Michael scattered kisses and bites across Max's back while Liz's small hands kneaded his buttocks. After a few minutes of simple touching and massage, she parted his firm cheeks and dragged her tongue along his sensitive skin.

Max groaned and whipped his head around to the other side. Big knees, hairy legs, hard cock—it was definitely Michael that he could see. But that meant that it was Liz who—oh, God—Liz who was doing wicked things to him with her mouth. Max tried to remember why that should matter, why it should be Michael touching him there, but all of his objections melted away with another pass of her tongue as she probed deep into his cleft. Thought and reason followed the objections as Liz's fingers slicked him intimately, the cool gel a sharp counterpoint to his overheated skin. He cried out incoherently as she pushed her fingers inside him in a slow rhythm.

Michael continued to cover Max with kisses, his own breath coming very fast now. Max fairly radiated arousal and he and Michael were both aching from it. He could see Liz pumping her fingers into Max and suddenly, intensely, he wanted to be the one doing that. Michael motioned Liz aside and, comprehending the need etched in his face, she slid up to the top of the bed while Michael slipped in between Max's legs.

Michael's full weight was abruptly pressing Max down into the bed, his rigid cock nudging at Max's slickness.

"Not like this, not tonight, but soon, Maxwell," he breathed in Max's ear, biting his ear lobe when he had finished speaking. Max whimpered, the sound full of desperation, and Michael sat up. Still in between Max's legs he flipped Max onto his back, inhaling raggedly as the mute evidence of Max's arousal jutted into the air.

Even the coolness of the air against his cock after the warmth of the sheets was a stimulant for Max at this point, in spite of the fact that not once had either Michael or Liz touched his erection. It didn't matter; every inch of his skin was alive with the feel of them both. His world had narrowed to two people and what they were doing to him. Everything else had faded away in a haze.

Liz leaned forward, her slippery hand reaching for Michael. Gently she coated his cock with the lubricant, smiling at him when it jumped in her hand. When he was thoroughly slicked, Liz wiped her hand on the sheet then lifted Max by the shoulders, sliding underneath him. Her back was supported by the pillows she had propped against the headboard and she pulled Max up so that he was resting with his head between her breasts. Max could feel her heat pressed into his lower back and he moaned as Michael knelt in front of him and slid Max onto his lap, spreading his legs on either side of Michael. Michael's slick cock butted against Max's equally slick opening but he didn't press inside. Not yet.

Liz encircled Max with her arms, hugging him tightly then allowing her hands to wander his torso. She rubbed his nipples, feeling the taut peaks harden further as she pulled at them. And still Michael waited, the head of his cock pressed tight against Max, pushing ever so slightly at his ring of muscle.

Max was gasping for breath now, every nerve ending in his body aching for Michael's penetration. On absolute reflex, needing Michael on a level so deep he could scarcely comprehend it, Max asked for what he wanted. More than asked: he begged.

"Michael, please!"

"Please what?" Michael said softly, his eyes glittering.

"Please! Just do it!"

"What, Max? What do you want?" Michael coaxed, prompted to wait further by Liz's little nod.

"Tell us, Max. Tell us what you want Michael to do to you," Liz whispered, her voice sultry as she watched the utter need in Max's face. Knowing that this surrender had to be complete. But oh, the sight and sound of Max, wanting them so much, being driven by their touch, was incendiary for Liz as well. She ached with the intensity of it all, too.

Max swallowed, closing his eyes. A flutter of thought drifted through his mind and he knew what they wanted to hear. He looked up at Michael, at his flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, and the words tumbled helplessly from his lips.

"Fuck me."

Michael was instantly in motion, his cock no longer pressed against Max but surging inside him, making them both cry out. There was no gentleness this time, no room for finesse, only the driving need they had for this act and each other.

Liz sank into the bed with each of Michael's powerful thrusts, the sensation jarring through her as he pounded into Max. She saw Max's hands flexing and she grabbed hold of them, lacing their fingers together. Max held onto her, squeezing hard as he rocked back into her over and over, moving to Michael's rhythm.

At length Michael threw his head back with a loud groan, the cords in his neck standing out as he exploded into Max. The sound went on and on, like a roar of triumph. Hunt over; mate won. Finally Michael raised his head and leaned forward, bracing himself on his hands as he swept forward to claim Max's mouth in a deep kiss.

The feel of Michael's tongue entwined with his was heady for Max, but paled compared to the shockwave that went through him when Michael's abdomen brushed against his still rigid cock. Michael smiled at Max's moan and sat back up, easing Max off his lap tenderly. Liz met Michael's eyes and he nodded, seeing the fierce desire there. She loosened Max's hands from hers and slipped out from underneath him, straddling him.

"Unfinished business," she murmured as she rose high on her knees. Max's insides tightened as she lowered herself slowly, Michael's hands on her hips. Once the tip of his cock was inside her Liz abandoned the slow glide and sheathed Max completely in one quick, fluid motion. He groaned, arching his back, as she began to move, Michael's hands assisting her. Then Michael's hands left her hips and roamed, one finding its way to her stiff pink nipples and the other pressing circles against her clitoris. Liz leaned back into Michael, her pace picking up as he stimulated her.

Max could see it all. Michael's hand caressing her, his fingers rolling her tight nipples, Liz's delicious expression, his own cock sliding in and out of her body. As wound up as he had been he could have gone one of two ways: found release almost immediately as Liz had taken him into her, or found himself unable to let go for a while. Liz had banked on the latter.

Liz was moving wildly now and Max watched as she climaxed, feeling the clenching of her inner muscles on his cock and moaning at the sensation but still not letting go. Michael lifted her away when she had stopped trembling and immediately Liz grabbed the tube of lubricant, sliding her hands between Michael's legs and slicking him even as she had Max earlier. Max could hardly breathe, let alone move, as Michael moved into the position that Liz had just vacated and, gazing into Max's eyes, impaled himself on Max's cock.

He moved completely differently than Liz had, and it was erotic in such a different way to watch Michael thrust his hips as Max penetrated him. Liz reached around Michael, caressing his nipples and his stiffening cock and again, Max could see it all. The world shifted around him and he was conscious at last of only the feel of tight, muscular walls enclosing his cock, hands and mouths pleasuring each other, soft sounds of love in two voices. Max closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the love blazing through him for these two people, and let go.

Michael gasped as he felt Max climax inside him and it triggered his own climax, his cock bucking in Liz's hand as he spurted onto Max's chest and abdomen. When both men had quieted Michael lifted up, allowing Max's limp cock to slide from his body. He waved a hand over them both, evaporating the liquid, and turned and did the same for Liz. Then Michael and Liz cuddled up to Max, one on either side.

Max had yet to open his eyes and as they settled against him it took him a moment to clarify who was on what side, because they felt the same now. A smile bubbled up from the depths of his soul at that thought.

They felt the same now.

Chapter 4

After walking Liz to her window and kissing her goodnight, Max hurried home, mindful of the paling sky. Technically he didn’t have a curfew but he was generally home by two o’clock unless he had specific plans that would run later, in which case he let his parents know ahead of time. It was a small courtesy. Rarely did they ask where he had been; it was enough to have a rough estimate of when he would be home so that no one worried.

Tonight was different.

Max entered the house as quietly as possible and headed for his room. He was halted in the living room doorway by his mother’s voice.

“Max? My goodness, you’re home late,” her tone was matter-of-fact, not accusatory, but he felt guilty anyway.

“Yeah, I—sorry about that. I fell asleep,” he apologized. Max squinted in the sudden brightness as Diane turned on the lamp, fighting the urge to cover his face. Not expecting to see anyone, he hadn’t repaired the minor damages to his body from his intense lovemaking with Michael and Liz. Max knew his mother would be able to tell that something, at least, had been going on just by looking at him.

He was right. Diane’s sharp gaze wandered over his dark, swollen lips and messy hair. Just barely visible above his T-shirt collar was the unmistakable red outline of a hickey, and also—were those teeth marks? Eventually she met his eyes, though her own were unreadable.

“With Michael?” she asked politely. Not at Michael’s, but with Michael. The subtle phrasing placed a completely different interpretation on the query.

Max shifted, his eyes dropping in discomfort. He raised a hand to rub at his upper lip, the action moving his T-shirt enough for Diane to positively identify the marks as bites. She felt a wave of helplessness wash over her and sat down heavily in the chair she had just vacated. Bites didn’t happen when you were just making out. Hickeys yes, but not bites. They happened in the middle of sex, when no one was in complete control of themselves anymore, and they meant that Max and Michael had indeed crossed that line.

Max was a little alarmed by her abruptly sitting down, enough to answer her truthfully. “Yeah. I, uh, I was with Michael,” he echoed her phrasing. Diane nodded and kept silent for a moment.

“Were you having sex with him?” she asked straightforwardly. She tried to sound perfectly calm but there was a slight catch in her voice that Max heard, even through his stunned amazement that she would even pose that question.

“What happens—or doesn’t happen—between Michael and I is private, Mom. I’m sorry but I’m not going to answer that.”

“I didn’t really expect you to, I just—I suppose I wanted to see what you would say,” Diane’s lips stretched in a brief smile. “What I do expect an answer to is, what about Liz?”

“What about Liz?” Max repeated in confusion.

“Yes. Does she know, or are you sneaking around behind her back?” she inquired, too neutrally. Unspoken yet clearly communicated was the thought, I raised you better than that. Again Max started to feel guilty, because he had gone behind Liz’s back in the beginning. But Liz had understood, she hadn’t been angry, and so he shook off the guilt. It hit him that this was the first time in his life he’d ever been able to do so. As Liz pointed out on occasion, Max had a tendency to take everything upon his own shoulders, which often resulted in his feeling guilty and conflicted but also honor-bound to complete his self-appointed obligations. This time there was no conflict; his conscience was clear.

“She knows,” he affirmed.

“And she’s—OK with it?” Diane asked, not quite able to believe it. “Has—has she seen you kiss? Would that change things for her?”

Kiss, lick, suck, fuck…she’s seen it all, Mom, and enjoys it as much as we do, his wayward mind offered and Max nearly choked on the desperate urge to laugh. He did flush as he answered aloud, “Um, yeah, she’s fine and no, that wouldn’t change anything.”

“Oh,” was all Diane could manage, correctly interpreting his red face as meaning that Liz had seen them and wasn’t bothered, though she remained unaware of the scale to which that was true.

“Um, how—how long have you and Michael had, um, feelings for each other, Max? Do you—are you in love with him? Because I know how you feel about Liz,” Diane swept on to the next question, surprising Max again at her unusually detailed interrogation.

“Why, does it matter how long?” he stalled.

“Not—not really, I guess. Your father and I were just wondering, you know, if—well, if maybe he used to sleep over here for more than one reason. We—it did occur to us a few years ago, and then you started dating Liz so we thought we were mistaken,” she said hesitantly.

Now Max was the one who needed to sit down. Good Lord, no wonder they were so accepting, they’d thought he was gay the entire time! Somehow it had never entered his head that Michael’s midnight visits might have been interpreted in such a manner—at least, not until they were in that manner and they had gotten caught.

“No, Mom. That was about friendship and Michael needing to escape from Hank, just like we said. No, this is—really recent. Things just sort of…changed, one night. Apparently it’s a bigger surprise to me than to you,” he half-smiled, scratching behind his ear. “As for your other question, I, um, I’m tempted to say that’s private too but um, it doesn’t seem fair since I was telling you all about Liz, so…yes.”

“You love them both,” Diane stated, wanting to be clear. Max’s eyes met hers then slid away.

“Yes. And before you ask, they both know how I feel,” he headed off her next question. Even better than I do, he thought privately, feeling a warm glow as he remembered how they had shown him that tonight. A glow that was not entirely emotional and was, in fact, provoking a reaction Max would really rather that his mother didn’t see.

“Uh, if that’s it I’d uh, I’m tired and I’d like to get some sleep,” Max cleared his throat.

“Of course, honey. Thank you for being honest with me, Max. While I can’t say that I understand exactly, as long as Michael and Liz can deal with it and you’re happy, it doesn’t really matter what I think,” Diane said affectionately. Max nodded and rose to leave then turned at the doorway.

“Mom, about earlier, I’m sorry I was so harsh. I’m uh, I’m still, adjusting and it’s something we want to keep private so I, uh, I—overreacted. And thank you. You’ve always said I could come to you with anything and it’s, um, it’s great that that’s actually true. Night; I love you,” he said quietly, and then departed.

Max had a niggling little doubt left; he was pretty sure that his mother didn’t quite realize the way in which the three of them had worked this out. But she knew more than enough—almost everything, and it hadn’t altered him in her eyes. Max wasn’t sure if he believed in any gods but he offered thanks to whatever powers might be listening that Philip and Diane Evans had been driving on a lonely road one fateful night, and that their hearts, big enough to take two lost, unknown children as their own, had never changed.

Once in the safe haven of his room Max changed into a clean pair of boxers and reached for the phone.

"What?" answered a sleepy voice, none too happily.

"It's me," Max whispered.

"Maxwell, you just left here for crying out loud! Even Maria waited till the next day to tell me she missed me," Michael growled. Max could almost hear Michael rolling his eyes and he smiled at the thought.

"Please credit me with a little more patience than Maria, Michael. I'm calling because I just told Mom I'm in love with both of you."

There was a long silence while Michael struggled to comprehend what Max was saying. "Say what?"

"She was waiting for me, and asked…well, pretty personal and direct questions. I didn't tell her that we were sleeping together, or that it was a circle, but I didn't want to lie to her, especially since," Max paused, not sure how to phrase it. "Well, they—my parents, that is—kind of thought that we, um, that we had a thing going before Liz and I started dating. You know, they thought we were both, um, gay, and—together."

"And you came in looking like you'd been well and thoroughly fucked," Michael sounded more amused than anything else, and his blunt words caused a tightening in Max's groin.

"Um, yeah," he agreed breathlessly. Michael chuckled.

"Straining at your shorts, Maxwell?" he asked archly, and Max felt himself redden a little.

"Kind of. I, uh, I was thinking about all the things I couldn't say when I was talking to Mom, and…yeah," he admitted. "I can't seem to help it anymore, every time I'm with one of you, or both of you now, or even remembering us together, I—Michael, do you feel it too? The need? Sometimes it's just so intense!"

"Yeah, I can feel it too. I feel it in you, and it draws me to you, makes me hungry for you," Michael said in a near whisper.

"That's like what Liz said," Max murmured, his breath catching at Michael's words.

"Yeah? Must have something to do with you being an alien King. Doesn't really matter why, since I'm not real interested in fighting it," Michael confessed softly.

"Oh," Max breathed. "Me neither. Listen, Michael—nuts, I have to go. I told Mom I was tired and going straight to bed, which I did, but if she hears me on the phone you know she's going to want to talk more now."

"Yeah, I remember. You know, what you said about your parents thinking we were, um, like a couple? That explains why your dad was so wound up when he gave us the sex talk. And why the books and stuff they gave you were so, hmm, liberal in their views and information!" Michael laughed.

"You're right! I haven't thought about that in years. At least…Michael, at least you know that you'll always be welcome here," Max said hesitantly. "I mean, you always were, and it's not going to change now."

"Yeah, there is that," Michael agreed noncommittally. "You and Iz definitely lucked out in the parent department."

Max took a deep breath and blurted out something he'd always wanted to say but could never work up the courage to get out. "Michael…I wish you'd taken my hand in the desert that night, when we hatched. Everything could have been so different for you, so much better, if you'd been with us."

"A year ago I might have agreed with you Max," he responded slowly. "But now…if I had taken your hand, we would be brothers in truth and I—I want much more than that from you. I don't know, maybe Kyle's Buddha babble is rubbing off or something but maybe I didn't take your hand because then this—our circle—would never be. And maybe it needs to be. I don't know, Maxwell. All I know is that it's almost dawn and you have to get off the phone, and I need some sleep before I start making a complete idiot of myself."

"Right. Would you do something for me? Would you call Liz and tell her what's up? She keeps her phone turned on low by her bed; I think it lights up instead of ringing or something. And Michael…I want more, too."

"Night, Maxwell. I'll call Liz." Michael's words were short but his voice, oh, it was so clear from his voice that he was also saying, "I love you."

"Thanks. Give her my love, too," Max skirted the issue as well, content with what had been said, and they hung up. Max curled into a comfortable position, thinking about what Michael had said, and despite the renewed ache of desire he fell asleep almost immediately.

The strobing blue light of her telephone illuminated Liz's room for a moment before she picked up the receiver, cradling it against her cheek while she slid back under the covers.

"Hi," she said warmly. "I didn't think you were going to call."

Michael was taken aback for a moment until he realized that she thought he was Max. A rueful smile tugged at his mouth as he spoke, "I can't imagine why you'd think that, since I don't even remember the last time that I did!"

"Michael!" Liz said in pleased surprise. "I'm sorry, Max is the only one who ever calls at this time of night. Especially after we've…you know, after…well, he usually calls is all."

"Must be a sensitive guy thing," Michael joked, though privately he was not only surprised and amused, but also feeling kind of elated that Max had chosen to call him "after," instead of Liz. And that Max obviously trusted him to call Liz, too, allowing Michael to share the role of her lover.

"Must be, since you're doing it too," Liz countered with a light laugh. "Did he ask you to phone me?"

"Well, yeah. Um, he said to tell you he loves you, and that his mom knows he's in love with both of us. She waited up and cornered him, and he didn't want to lie but he didn't exactly indicate, you know, how close the three of us are. Although she probably has some idea because…well, you know what he looked like, and he didn't fix it before going home. But she thinks he was with just me, I think; Max wasn't too clear on that," Michael related.

"Oh. And it didn't bother her?" Liz asked, her brow furrowing. Michael hesitated then figured he'd better tell her the whole thing.

"Ah, the Evans sort of thought…that is, until you entered the picture, they um, well, they thought Max and I were, uh, you know, a couple," Michael stuttered.

"Well, that certainly explains the aggressive acceptance," Liz found that she wasn't particularly shocked by the assumption on Max's parents' part that he and Michael were together; it made an odd kind of sense.

"Yeah," he agreed.

"Michael, does that bother you? That they thought you were gay?" Liz inquired gently.

"A little," Michael admitted. "I haven't really processed it yet, you know? But yeah, it does, a bit."

"I can see that. It is late, and we did have a pretty active night!"

"Yeah, we did. I told Max he looked like he'd been well and thoroughly fucked, which ah, provoked the intended response," Michael chuckled.

"And right before he's going to try to sleep! You're terrible, Michael. But you're right, he did look, um, worked over. Maybe because he was," she said throatily.

"If I'm so terrible then why do you have that note in your voice?" Michael challenged.

"What—what note?"

"The same one that Max had after I told him that," he said smugly.

"Oh. I suppose because I'm having the same response," she laughed breathlessly.

"You don't have the equipment for that, Liz," he teased her.

"Well, the equivalent, Michael," Liz laughed.

"Are you wet, Liz?"

"I—it feels like it," Liz stammered, caught off guard by his bluntness.

"You're not sure?" Michael taunted.

"I didn't exactly check," Liz replied tartly.

"Check for me," Michael entreated.

"Michael! I'm not going to—"

"Please, Liz. Imagine that it's my hand slipping into your panties," he said persuasively.

"Michael, I—"

"I'll talk you through it. For me, Liz. Slide your hand down, over your abdomen and under the waistband of your panties, and pause for a moment on your soft curls," Michael implored her.

"O—um, OK," Liz finally agreed, hypnotized by the soft longing in his voice. She did as he had asked, the elastic of the waistband resting on the back of her wrist. She felt alternately hot and cold, knowing what Michael would ask her to do next.

"Now, imagine that I'm sliding my hand down farther, Liz, and spreading open your lips. I'm extending my fingers, sliding them onto your exposed skin and more, moving towards your opening where I press a single fingertip inside you. Do I feel your wetness, Liz?" Michael asked huskily, unable to believe that he was really saying these things. And that Liz was listening, and acting on his instructions, was an incredible rush.

"Yes, Michael," she sighed as her hand became drenched with her body's moisture.

"Since you're so ready for my touch, I slip my finger deeper, pushing inside you until my knuckles meet your skin. Then I slowly start to pump my finger, in and out, in and out, in and out. Can you feel my rhythm?" Michael had his eyes closed, visualizing Liz's small hands on her body as he talked, trying not to say too much or the wrong thing.

Liz followed the rhythm set by Michael's voice; she could almost feel him beside her, whispering into her ear and touching her. "In and out, in and out," she echoed his words, speaking them as she performed the action. Michael could hear the catch in her throat on the "in" and he groaned softly.

"Sweet Liz, I thrust into you with a second finger and push a little harder, stroking your muscles. Remember, in and out, in and out," he repeated, faster than he had said it previously. Liz's breathing was audible now and she gasped as she sped up her hand's motion. It was hard to tell over the phone, especially since he was so new to Liz's responses, but Michael thought it was time for the next act when she moaned fairly loudly.

"Liz, now I'm withdrawing my fingers from your body and sliding them through your wetness till I reach…your clitoris. I start rubbing you," circles, Max said circles, "in slow circles, pressing lightly on your sensitive skin."

"Michael, I—I need—" Liz moaned, wanting more but caught up by the notion of doing only what he told her to.

"Harder, Liz, I stroke you harder and I move my hand faster until it's exactly the right amount of pressure, the right speed," Michael added hastily, catching on. He prayed he'd have some clue of what that actually was when it really was his hands on her. He'd touched her like this last night, but it had been while she was making love to Max so he was still unsure.

"Oh my God, Michael!" Liz gasped, and he knew from the heavy desire in her voice that she was almost there.

"That's it, sweetheart. Come for me, Liz," he encouraged.

"Oh, Mi—chael," his name was drawn out into a moan and he felt his groin swell even further in response.

"Come for me, sweetheart. Come for me," Michael repeated raggedly.

With a low cry Liz did just that, her hips bucking against her hand as the pleasure ricocheted through her. Michael could hear her gasping little sighs and he tightened his grip on the receiver, wishing he was with her so badly he could taste it, maybe because he could still faintly taste her.

A few minutes passed in near silence, the only sound their rapid breathing. At last Liz spoke.

"I can't believe I just did that," she said, amazed at herself.

"Me, neither," Michael confessed, clearing his throat. "I—thank you, that was—quite a trip."

"Yes it was, wasn't it?" Liz laughed softly. "It's never been like that before. I mean, when—when it's just me. It's all right, and I get—release, but the first real…well, never mind."

"No, it's all right. The first real orgasm you had was with Max, was that what you were going to say?" he inquired almost tenderly.

"Yeah. I wasn't sure if—if that would bother you."

"Nah. It's not like I didn't know you had a history, or that he gives you orgasms on a regular basis," Michael quipped. "Besides, mine was with Maria, so I'd call it even."

"Michael! You're so bad," she accused, smiling.

"And you love it," he needled.

"Yes, I do," Liz responded seriously. "I love you, period. Good, bad; everything."

"Oh," Michael responded, surprised by the spontaneous declaration. "I, uh, I—"

"It's OK, Michael, I don't expect reciprocation every time I say the words," Liz absolved him.

"You should," came his astonishing reply. "You deserve it, Liz, and I—do love you." Somehow the words were easier to say to her this time than they had been to Max, perhaps because until recently words were all they had ever used to communicate. He and Max had always understood without words.

"Thank you, Michael," she murmured. "I should go, it's getting light and my dad will be up soon to get the café ready to open. He usually checks on me then, pulls the covers up if I've kicked them off, that kind of thing. So far it's still sweet, it hasn't crossed over into annoying."

"That sounds nice," Michael admitted, with a slightly wistful tone that he remained unaware of. Liz heard it though, and figured that it was as much for the Evanses' ready acceptance of his relationship with Max as for hers with her father.

"Yeah. They're so overprotective of me because I'm an only child, though. Sometimes it's suffocating. And Michael, I don't—I don't think they would understand. About the three of us. Not like Max's parents would," she said carefully, not wanting to hurt him but believing that he should know.

"I kind of assumed that, Liz. I know your dad reasonably well; he is my boss. I thought—well, Max and I have talked about it a few times and we thought that it'd be best if in public, nothing changed. You know, you'd be just Max's girlfriend, and I'd be just his best friend. Like at the movies last night. Yeah, it kind of sucks, but we went over everything and it's…it's the only way we can do this and not get into some major trouble in some department," Michael told her. He hated the idea of not being able to touch her freely, or Max, but he hated the thought of losing them far more. If a deception was necessary to keep them both then so be it.

"You know, I feel almost as if my ears should have been burning constantly for the past few weeks. You two seem to have had a number of conversations that included me as a topic of discussion," Liz teased.

"Definitely they should have been burning," Michael agreed mischievously, and Liz laughed.

"Somehow that doesn't bother me like I thought it might, especially given that I'm positive of at least one subject matter! There's no way you guys could have coordinated the way—the way you both made love to me, night before last, if you hadn't talked about it before."

"Mmm-hmm," he agreed again.

"Michael, I—that was amazing, and last night was—well, it was about Max and what he needed and it was, so good but…I'd like to, um, for it to be just us, too," Liz managed to say, her cheeks rosy. She was glad that Michael couldn't see her as she essentially propositioned him.

"I'd like that too, Liz. A lot," Michael emphasized once he got over his surprise. He was beginning to realize that Liz was a bundle of contradictions, bold as anything one minute and the next shy as a schoolgirl. He laughed inwardly at the thought that Maria had been so much more predictable. Maria had a certain rhythm to her, and once you knew it she wasn't too hard to read. In truth Max was much the same; as different as his personality was from Maria's, he wasn't that tough for Michael to read either. But Liz…Liz was constantly surprising him, and he was discovering that he rather liked it.

"Well, you'd better go now, so your father doesn't catch you on the phone," he continued. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah. Bye, Michael. Sleep well," Liz smiled audibly at the thought that he would probably need to sleep on his back or else indulge in a little self-love before drifting off.

"Bye Liz. Sweet dreams."

After hanging up, both Michael and Liz lay in bed for a time, thinking over everything that had happened through the night. As Max was bound equally to both of them, so they too were forming bonds to each other, strong ones that echoed their ties to Max. They were forming a circle in truth, one made of purest love that would be unbreakable, standing firm against the coming storms.

Posted in 2 parts for length.
hugs, Tas

Chapter 5

Max slid into his customary booth in the Crashdown and smiled upon seeing Liz's happy little wave. She was giving the couple at one of the few occupied tables their change. The early Sunday breakfast rush over, Max knew the café wouldn't be that busy until lunchtime. Which, of course, made it the perfect time to get a little extra attention from his favorite waitress.

Liz came up beside Max and gave him a light kiss then slipped onto the bench opposite him.

"Good morning! Where's your sidekick?" she smiled.

"My sidekick? I'm not sure Michael would appreciate that label!" Max laughed.

"Well, your…I don't know, your partner in crime?" she giggled.

"In another week it won't be a crime," he winked.

"Ah, no Max, some things will still be illegal then," Liz teased.

Max flushed a little. "Yeah. Um, well, it's his day off and it's not noon yet so I'll give you three guesses as to Michael's location."

"Asleep?"

"Right," Max smiled.

"So what are you doing here? I mean I have to be here, but you had a late night too," Liz fluttered her eyelashes at him and Max laughed.

"I wanted to see you. I just—I felt kind of bad, you know, for not calling," he admitted.

"Well, you asked Michael to call," she soothed him.

"Yeah, I know. It kind of felt weird this morning to not have talked to you, though, so I thought I'd come down here," he explained. Liz reached for his hand, laying it against her cheek and then kissing his palm before putting their clasped hands on the table.

"It's very nice to see you. I missed talking to you, too," Liz said warmly. They gazed at each other for a long moment, smiling, then Max continued the conversation.

"So, Michael told you about my mom?"

Liz nodded. "Yeah. I think he's a little freaked that your parents had pretty much always assumed you were, you know, together, but he'll deal. So will you. Did um, did she say anything else this morning?"

Max shook his head. "I think they're going to basically skirt the whole issue unless I want to talk about it. That's what they told Iz to tell me before we went out last night, and it seems like they're sticking to it. Me being cornered notwithstanding," he added wryly.

"That's so not like your mom, too," Liz said.

"Yeah. I think mainly she was worried about you, actually. She thought I was trying to play it both ways and didn't want everyone getting hurt," there was a trace of guilt in Max's voice.

"Well even when you were for a little while you didn't want to be," she reminded him gently. "And neither Michael nor I were hurt, so that's all good. There's no reason to feel guilty, Max."

He smiled at her, one of those impossibly tender smiles that always took her breath away and made her eyes prickle with emotion. Liz tightened her hold on his hand and smiled back.

"So, um, did you have any trouble falling asleep?" she asked, her smile taking on a mischievous cast.

"Uh, not really. Why, should I have?" Max raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"I was just wondering. Michael told me what he said to you about how you looked. I agreed with him, by the way," she informed him.

"Oh. I uh, I was too tired for that to keep me awake long," he confessed. "So you—agreed that I looked, um," he hesitated. Liz leaned closer to make sure no one could overhear.

"Well and thoroughly fucked, yes," she breathed quietly, watching the color rise in his face.

"Uh, that's—that's good," Max stammered. "What, uh, what else did you talk about?"

"Oh. We—you know, we um, we just talked," she said vaguely. Max saw the delicate blush suffusing her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes as she searched for what she wanted to say, and his stomach dropped.

"He didn't—he didn't like, come over, did he?" Max asked, feeling a sick dread that she would say yes.

"No, no he didn't come over. He um, he sort of, um," she leaned even closer and Max leaned forward too, his apprehension increasing along with her blushes.

"Michael kind of talked me to, um…well, to orgasm," she whispered, her pleased surprise evident in her voice.

"What, he just talked to you and you…?" Max asked incredulously. Liz's face became even pinker.

"No, well, you see he um, he…I was supposed to pretend, you know, that it was—that it was him, um, touching me," she continued to whisper.

"You mean he said what—what he wanted to do over the phone, and—and you just—you did exactly what he said?" Max could not believe what he was hearing, but he had little choice as Liz nodded shyly. He stared at her, choking down the bile rising in his throat.

"Yeah. I—it surprised me too. And Michael! But it was neat, Max, it was almost like he was there. And it felt so much better than," she trailed off, lowering her eyes in embarrassment.

"Than what?" he prompted, needing to know the answer. Than being with me? his mind offered as the salient possibility.

"Than—than when I'm like, alone," Liz murmured. Max held in his sigh of relief but the wheels in his mind had already been put into motion.

"Oh. I—I guess that's good, then," he responded woodenly. Liz looked at him sharply.

"Are you OK, Max?" she asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Tired still, you know? Like you said, it was a late night," he covered his tracks. Liz smiled brightly and squeezed his hand before letting go and rising.

"Well, I have to get back to work, though I'd much rather sit with you all day! Can I get you something?" she inquired.

"Um, coffee and toast," he ordered, figuring he needed something that wouldn't aggravate his churning stomach right now.

"Just toast?" Liz asked in surprise.

"Yeah, I'm not that hungry," he reassured her. Liz smiled and jotted down his order on her notepad.

"OK. I'm really glad you came, Max," she leaned in and kissed his cheek before sauntering off to place his order with the kitchen. Max watched as she stopped to chat with another table, his emotions swirling in a thick fog that was coalescing around him, tightening its grip with every second that passed. Suddenly he couldn't bear to be in the café for another minute, knowing that Liz's room was right overhead. Her room, where she had touched herself to the sound of someone else's voice, something she had never done with Max.

He yanked out his wallet, pulling a bill from the back of the neatly folded money, arranged as always in ascending order. He tossed it onto the empty table and stood as soon as Liz disappeared behind the swinging door, forcing himself to walk normally as he left the café for the incongruously bright sunshine outside. His slower pace didn't change for an instant the truth of what was happening: Max was fleeing.

He wandered aimlessly for a little, eventually ending up in the park. His mouth twisted into what passed for a smile as he sat on a bench and stared out into space.

Predictable, boring old Max, he thought, trying to calm the storm in his gut. So, so worried that it wouldn't work, that they wouldn't love each other enough. Never even occurred to you that it might be the other way around, did it? Didn't think about how Liz's wonderful wild side would mesh so perfectly with Michael's lack of inhibitions. Silently he mouthed the words, "Never thought that they might not need you at all."

So this was jealousy. Max recognized it of course, from when Kyle was still dating Liz. From that guy the radio station had set her up with, who'd actually kissed her while Max was watching. Neither he nor Liz had known Max was there, but still. Max hadn't been sure if he was going to throw up or pass out from the pain. Yet as intense an experience as that had been, it had not prepared him for what he was feeling now.

What had he imagined would happen, once they had formed a circle in truth? Had he thought that it would always be the three of them? Or that if only two partners were involved, that one of them would always be him? Max had to admit that he had not. He'd considered it numerous times, had figured that he could handle it. It had been such a rush knowing they were flirting, that they wanted each other. The last two nights, seeing them together had been amazingly erotic. Michael's big hands on her petite body; Liz's legs closing around his waist or his shoulders. Watching her face as Michael stimulated her to orgasm was indescribable. And yet…seeing them together, and knowing they had been together when Max couldn't see them were two very different things, apparently.

Liz had given him permission to be alone with Michael. Would he be able to do the same?

The loud thwack of a boot onto the bench beside him startled Max out of the vicious cycle of his thoughts. He glared at the offending footwear then his face softened as he recognized it. Size 12 black Doc Martins, the laces covered by the frayed ends of well-worn jeans. Michael.

"Liz says thanks for the ridiculously generous tip," Michael's voice was neutral. The corners of Max's mouth turned up a tiny bit in spite of himself. She'd known where he would go, naturally, and since she couldn't come herself she'd sent his other lover. Their other lover. His brief smile disappeared again at that thought.

"Come on, Maxwell, get your ass off that bench," Michael put his foot back on the ground and waved Max up.

"Why, where're we going?" he said sullenly.

"Who said we're going anywhere in particular? Let's just go!" Michael exclaimed. The tone of his voice warned Max that he had better play along or Michael would get really pissed off. Knowing someone for most of your life had its advantages.

Heaving a sigh, Max rose to his feet and stood uncertainly beside Michael, not able to meet his eyes. Michael didn't seem to expect him to, though; he merely set off down the path as soon as Max was standing. They walked for over an hour, well past the city limits and on into Frazier Woods, all in a silence that gradually grew comfortable.

At last they reached a small clearing and Michael turned off into the underbrush, disregarding the path completely. Max followed him, wanting to ask again where they were heading yet reluctant to break the stillness of the moment. In a few minutes he had the answer as Michael stopped, bending under the long, low branches of an evergreen tree and sitting on the worn rock underneath it, leaning his back against the tree trunk.

Max looked around in amazement then met Michael's eyes, for the first time since he had appeared in the park. There were too many things warring in his dark gaze for Max to be able to read him clearly, but he sensed that Michael wanted him closer so he sat on the rock in front of him. Michael pulled Max backwards until he was sitting between Michael's legs, leaning back against his chest. Michael held him loosely, his arms around Max's waist.

"I'm going to hazard a guess that if I were say, Kyle, I'd be looking damned unpretty about now," Michael stated matter-of-factly. Startled, Max went to twist around to see his face but Michael pulled him back, anchoring Max's arms with his own and keeping Max's back flush with his chest. Slowly Max relaxed again, though not as completely as he had before Michael had spoken.

"She told you that too," Max commented and Michael let out a bark of laughter.

"Nah, I dragged you out to Nowheresville just for the hell of it," he snorted. "So, it bothers you, what happened between Liz and me."

Max muttered, "Yes."

"You don't like the fact that me whispering in her ear, just like this," Michael brought his mouth close to Max's ear, tightening his arms so that Max couldn't flinch away. "That me talking to her inspired her to masturbate; that it was enough to get her off."

"Michael!" Max protested the crudeness of his language.

"Maxwell!" Michael mocked him. Max was beginning to tense up again but Michael didn't seem to notice. He continued to speak.

"Funny, I didn't hear you objecting last night when I tasted her, or while you watched me touch her," Michael said sarcastically. "And I seem to recall you allowing me the privilege of coming inside her the night before. Maybe that was all an act, huh Max? Maybe you just get your rocks off watching Liz with another man. Or maybe it's because she was also fucking you at the same time, is that it?"

Why was he saying these things? Whispering them into Max's ear like they were some kind of endearment? Max pressed restlessly against the restriction of Michael's arms, only to have him tighten them further, effectively rendering Max motionless unless he really wanted to force it.

Michael kept his mouth close to Max's ear as he persisted. He knew that he had to be careful with how hard he pushed or he would end up unpretty when Max lost his temper, and that definitely was not his goal. Max's emotions were strong, and never more so than when Liz was involved. No, all he wanted was to goad Max into openly admitting what he was feeling, so it could be dealt with.

"So I guess it would really bother you if Liz and I like played tonsil hockey all afternoon after her shift, while you're working. Or you know, maybe we could come over to the UFO Center and go at it right in front of you, in one of the back rooms or something. How about that, Maxwell? Would that be better? 'Cause at least then you could watch, right?"

Max was struggling now and Michael moved his head a little farther back so he didn't get smacked in the teeth as Max tried to get up. Max wasn't using all of his strength, because Michael knew that if he did, Michael would wind up flat on his back underneath him. Not that that was a bad position under other circumstances but certainly not these ones.

"Let me go, Michael!" Max ordered. He was as furious as Michael had ever seen him and it was clear that his rage was building even higher. Nonetheless, Michael ignored his command and leaned in for the kill.

"Get it through your thick skull, Max: with you and without you, I am going to fuck Liz Parker," he declared, enunciating every syllable.

"Fuck you, Guerin! How dare you be the first!" Max roared and immediately, his struggles stopped. He fell silent and slumped down as if a switch had been flipped off. Michael eased his hold as Max turned in his arms, twisting awkwardly to bury his face in Michael's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Max nearly chanted, over and over in a voice rough with emotion. Michael could feel the way he was trembling; hell, so was he but in relief that he hadn't misjudged how far to push.

"Max. Maxwell, it's OK. Jesus would you just cry already?" Michael finally exclaimed. Max hiccupped a laugh, and then as Michael stroked his back soothingly and Max realized how truly alone they were, he began to cry in earnest.

Michael simply held him, allowing Max the luxury of total freedom to let go and let it all wash through him; to let all the pain and rage and fear spill forth in the cleansing rain of tears. He felt simultaneously humbled and proud that Max could be this vulnerable with him. It was a far cry from how he'd reacted the first time he had been confronted with a loved one's tears; it was scarcely comprehensible how much he had changed since then. But as Max cried Michael suddenly became achingly aware of just why he had made that journey. Why he had stayed so long with Maria, even though they made each other miserable. Why he was sitting here now with no urge to run, with nothing that he needed to hide—not from the man in his arms, whose fierce grip spoke of Michael's unaccustomed role as a lifeline; not from the dark-eyed woman whose tender voice had sent him here, trusting him to make it right.

He looked down as Max stirred, smiling as he tried to wipe his eyes. Max made a helpless little gesture as his efforts merely demonstrated that his entire face was wet.

"Feel better?" Michael asked softly. Max looked up with a slight smile.

"Except for the fact that my eyes ache and my nose is running, yeah. I do," he acknowledged. Michael shifted enough to pull a wad of tissue out of his pocket and handed it to Max, who forbore commenting on his preparedness. Max blew his nose and dried his face, stuffing the tissues into his own pocket afterwards.

"I can't even remember the last time I did that," Max said when a few minutes had passed.

"I remember," Michael chuckled at Max's swift look of astonishment. "It was maybe a year after I met up with you guys and we were playing in your front yard. Isabel was being a bitch so I took her doll from her. It was her favorite Barbie, and she kept screaming not to ruin its new dress. I threw it to you and just as you started to toss it back we heard your dad honk his horn. Your throw went seriously wide and the stupid Barbie landed in the middle of the driveway, just in time for your dad to crush it with the front tire."

"Right! Iz had murder in her eyes, I swear it. There was this sad puddle of plastic and purple ruffled stuff on the driveway and I totally panicked," Max laughed weakly.

"Exactly. I saw her look at the puddle and glare at you and I figured she was going to wail on you, you know? But no, you promptly burst into tears and Isabel was so astonished that she forgave you on the spot!" Michael laughed.

"And then teased me about it for the next four years," Max rolled his eyes then looked seriously at Michael.

"You had a plan, here, didn't you?" the question was rhetorical but Michael nodded anyway.

"Yeah. I, uh—to tell you the truth, Maxwell, I've been kind of waiting for something like this to happen since I got you out of the White Room."

Max nodded slowly, not trusting himself to reply to that yet. Michael took his nod as encouragement and continued.

"Obviously my game plan evolved over the months as things—well, as they changed but I always figured I'd be the one to push you hard enough to break the wall," he said with a half smile.

"How come—I can understand why not last summer, but once we were together why not Liz? Or even why not Isabel; why you?" Max asked, tilting his head up to look at Michael after he rearranged himself so that he was sitting sideways, still enclosed in Michael's arms.

"Iz is too soft. She wouldn't have been able to keep going when she saw how much it was hurting you," Michael snorted. For all her icy hauteur Isabel was a pushover where her family was concerned, and Max knew it as well as Michael. He nodded.

"True. But Liz certainly proved that she could when she set me up to think she slept with Kyle," Max commented, the memory not raw anymore but not entirely painless either. It probably never would be, he knew.

"Well yeah but that's just it, Maxwell. She didn't need to be put through that again, not when I could do it this time. Besides, you might have suspected something was up if it had been her, simply because she has done it before," he said logically.

"Right, I can see that. Michael…" he started to ask something then changed his mind and fell silent.

"What?" Michael inquired, pressing when Max shook his head. "Maxwell."

Max sighed and sat up straight, turning a little more so he could look directly at Michael. "OK. I understand why it was you that pushed. Everything you said makes sense. But—how do I say this without sounding like a total prick?" he smiled.

"Spit it out, Max. I'll try not to take offense," Michael laughed.

"Right. Um, I—I've seen you like—actually, you—well, you're sort of known for, um, for—bailing, when things get emotional, like—like they just did, and like they have been for—for the last little while, you know, with me and you, and with the three of us. And—and with just, um, just you and Liz, too. I wanted—what changed, Michael? I mean, your shirt is like soaking wet because I cried all over you, and I'm—grateful and happy that you're still here and that you could, um, help me when I needed you to, but…why?"

As Max stumbled his way through his thoughts, Michael's face softened into a tender smile. He was so cute, all hesitant and shy as he explained what he wanted to know. Michael was silent for a moment when Max finished speaking, gazing into his eyes.

"You said it yourself, Maxwell: you needed me. You've never needed me before. No, hear me out," he forestalled Max's objections. "You and Iz were always a little more self-contained, a little closer because you had those three years together when I was alone. And I realize that you did need me on some level, because I was a hybrid, the same as you, and we were friends who were the only true family that each other had. But that's—if I had been someone else, another alien, you would have felt the same. The way you needed me had to do with what I am, not who I am. It's different now. This—breaking down that damned wall you've had up for almost a year was something that only I could do, no one else. You need me for me now, like you never did before, and I—I can't help it. I feel that from you and it draws me instead of pushing me away. It, um, it's the same with Liz," he added carefully, watching Max's face for a reaction.

"I do, I do need you," Max whispered, cupping Michael's face. "But I—I need her too, and—differently."

"I know," Michael soothed him. "I know that Max, I knew that even before we started this. And I knew that at some point after things—happened between Liz and I that you were going to get hurt. And pissed off," he chuckled. "I'll admit I thought it would be somewhat more um, intimate of an activity than phone sex but I didn't know when—when I started talking to her that you two had never done that."

"I guess I'm just not adventurous enough," Max said a little bitterly.

"Oh for chrissakes, Maxwell! Hello! Have you not seen her face when you're pleasuring her? How could you possibly think that she's anything but ecstatic about you, sexually speaking!" he rapped Max lightly on the head.

"I suppose," Max mock-sighed, smiling.

"That's more like it. You know damn well how you make her feel. All you have to do is give her one of those looks and she's hot for you," Michael laughed.

Max smirked, ducking his head a little in embarrassment. "Yeah, I—I know. I didn't realize you'd been watching that closely though!"

"I don't have to. They work on me, too," Michael told him, feeling his blood heat at the way Max's eyes darkened. Max slid his hand down Michael's jaw, tracing his lips with his fingertips.

"They do, do they?" he asked archly, his eyes fixed on what his fingers were doing.

Michael swallowed. "Yeah, they do," he confessed huskily, his breath catching as Max's gaze lifted to meet his. Molten gold, that's what they look like, Michael thought. Or like the tawny eyes of a predator cat, maybe. No sooner had that thought crossed his mind than Max had replaced his hand with his mouth, licking at Michael's lips to encourage them to part.

Michael opened his mouth, welcoming the dizzying sensation that kissing Max always engendered. Max continued to lick at his lips, tracing the inner surface with his tongue before sliding it inside Michael's mouth to meet and twine with his. His hands slid into Michael's hair, holding him gently but firmly as Max kissed him. Such a little gesture that hinted at so much love, and Michael thought crazily that maybe he should grow his hair so Max could stroke it like he did Liz's sometimes.

At length Max pulled back, his breathing ragged, and leaned his head against Michael's shoulder. "Wanna know something that makes this whole—thing just that much stranger?" he asked, a thread of laughter in his voice.

"Sure," Michael replied, curious.

"After the whole—storm of upset over Liz doing that with you, I—I thought, "Why didn't he do that with me?"" Max chuckled.

"Max, Max. You're impossible, you know that?" Michael laughed. "For one thing, I didn't think of it then, and for another you said you had to go so you wouldn't get caught on the phone!"

"Oh I know, it just—it seems kind of funny, now," Max smiled.

"I'd be more than happy to give you your own personal demonstration sometime, Maxwell. I could do it right now if you wanted," Michael offered in a low voice.

"Thank you, Michael. That's tempting, but I just want to sit here for now," Max said, the words slightly muffled by Michael's shirt.

"That's cool too. Why don't you spin back around so we can get comfortable, then you can tell me what kind of devilish things you've got in mind for the girlfriend's birthday," Michael invited. Max laughed and shifted in his arms until they were both comfortable then launched into explaining what he'd been thinking.

Michael could practically feel his eyebrows finding a new home in his hairline, which was actually a pretty good trick since it was hardly a low one. This was Max, right?

"Uh, it sounds like you've done a lot of thinking on this subject," he said hoarsely.

Max could feel Michael's positive reaction pressing into his backside and he laughed. "It should sound like I've done a lot of thinking about it; it's been a favorite fantasy for a few years," he admitted, slightly nervous. "What—what do you think? Do you think it would be too much?"

"I'm not sure about doing it before she has dinner with her parents, but I can't honestly say that the whole idea doesn't seriously turn me on," Michael answered.

"Yeah, I can tell that! What I meant was, would it be too much for Liz? I don't want to push her into anything," Max explained.

"Oh. Um, I don't think so. She—Liz already knows that you—like to tease, and she—well, she went along with what I was saying on the phone easily enough," Michael stammered. Max twisted around, amused by Michael's flaming face.

"What's the matter, Michael? Surprised?" he prodded with a smile.

"I—yeah. I guess I tend to buy into the whole shy bit too sometimes," he winked outrageously.

"Just because I occasionally have an overactive imagination where Liz Parker is concerned doesn't mean I'm suddenly an extrovert, Michael!" Max laughed.

"Well, I bow to your overactive imagination Maxwell. I uh, I've been thinking about—about getting a new bed. Maybe now would be a good time, huh?" Michael couldn't conceal that the more he thought about Max's fantasy the harder he became.

"Sure, why not?" Max chuckled. "We can totally set the stage, so to speak. Maybe you can get Iz to help you pick out something, she likes that kind of stuff."

"Good idea, seeing as we both know I don't! Listen, Maxwell, I gotta ask. How is it that you go around thinking about this stuff without constantly exploding or attacking one of us?" Michael asked incredulously.

"It's called control, Michael, and I'm very good at it," Max laughed.

"Yeah I get that. Makes the whole—idea make sense, doesn't it?" he teased.

"It does," he agreed, unruffled.

"I guess we should start heading back if you're going to make your shift," Michael said regretfully. Max leaned over to one side, looking up at him with a smile.

"Nah, let's not bother."

"You're going to blow off your shift. You. Hello, what did you do with Max Evans?" Michael asked in disbelief.

"I don't have to work anymore; Brody called me this morning and said not to come in," he laughed as Michael rolled his eyes.

"And you were going to tell me this when?"

"Uh, about the time that you told me why we came here," Max smiled.

"Uh-huh. OK, well, this was one of my safe places. You know, when I couldn't be at home but for—whatever reason couldn't go to your place. It—I've always felt peaceful here," Michael admitted shyly. Max was moved that Michael would bring him to a place that had been so important to him.

"Thanks, for sharing it with me," he said softly.

"Yeah," Michael shrugged. "We needed to go somewhere isolated in case you, you know, snapped or something."

"Michael, I—I wouldn't have hurt you. You know that, don't you?" Max pleaded with his eyes.

Michael caressed his cheek. "I know, Maxwell. I know." They locked eyes for a long moment. Max hid a smile as Michael cleared his throat and broke their eye contact.

"So. You don't have to work so we don't have to leave right away. We've already covered the whole sobfest and the plans for Liz's birthday, and you're not in the mood. What do you want to do now?" Michael asked flippantly.

"Who said I wasn't in the mood?" Max countered, looking up at Michael through a veil of thick eyelashes.

"Uh, you did," Michael reminded him.

"That was before you got me started on what I want to do with Liz," Max laughed.

"I see. So…" Michael trailed off uncertainly. Did Max mean he was in the mood for something with Michael now, or that he wanted to go do something with Liz? One-on-one relationships were complicated enough—this was insane!

"So…are you going to kiss me or what?" Max clarified with a leer and Michael laughed at his ridiculous expression.

"Absolutely," he murmured as he lowered his head, brushing his lips lightly over Max's. Michael felt a rush of desire as Max opened his mouth eagerly, his tongue stealing out to play with Michael's. He deepened the kiss, gathering Max closer and sliding his hands underneath Max's T-shirt to explore his warm skin.

Max moaned and scooted back far enough to get one leg out from under himself, unfolding it and twisting so that his legs were spread, one on either side of Michael. He moved as close as possible then, until his groin met Michael's and they both groaned. Max couldn't believe how talking about his fantasy of Liz had inflamed them both. Then again, it was partly anticipation too, knowing that they were going to actually do it in another week. He reached for the buttons on Michael's shirt and impatiently undid them, shoving it off. He had to get Michael out of these clothes!

Michael was equally impatient, his cock straining in his jeans as he whipped off Max's T-shirt and tossed it onto the ground. Max himself followed it as Michael pushed him off the rock, tugging off the remainder of both their clothing before crawling on top of Max, drinking from his lips again.

"God, Michael!" Max gasped. "You didn't happen to bring anything, did you?"

"What do you mean?" Michael asked between kisses, his mouth traveling down Max's neck.

"You know—ah—lubricant," Max moaned as Michael bit his earlobe. Michael stopped, lifting his head to look at Max. They stared at each other for a moment then began laughing.

"Hey, I remembered the tissues!" Michael exclaimed. "Give me some credit here."

"Duly noted," Max chuckled. "One of us really should start carrying some."

"I vote you; you're the responsible one," Michael teased as he started licking Max's nipples. Max rubbed his hands through Michael's hair, his fists clenching when Michael bit him. Michael smiled against his skin as he shimmied farther down, extending his tongue and swirling it along the head of Max's cock.

"Hands and mouths it is," Michael's smirk was lopsided and it deepened at the breathless way Max laughed. He heard a low moan next as he sucked the tip of Max's cock into his mouth, and then he felt Max tugging on his arm.

"Get your butt up here," Max told him, his breath catching at his sudden inspiration. He smiled as Michael started to rise, and spelled it out, "Just your butt, Michael. Leave your head down there."

Michael blinked in comprehension and smiled back before raising himself and kneeling over Max's head. He looked down at Max; it was an odd perspective since he was facing Max's feet.

"You sure about this? I don't want to choke you," he worried.

"As long as you stay fairly still I'll be fine. I'll bite if I'm not," Max stuck his tongue out and Michael laughed, lowering himself a little awkwardly. He felt completely exposed as Max began caressing his ass, his fingers wandering in intimate places that Michael knew he had a close view of right now. His anxiety faded some as he sucked Max's cock back into his mouth, its familiar feel and taste comforting. Then Michael forgot to be nervous altogether as Max mirrored his actions, reaching up to tongue Michael's cock and draw it into his mouth.

They both groaned and the forest around them heard the soft sounds of sucking and moaning from both men for the next while. Both Michael and Max stayed quite still, letting the other man do all the work as the tension built fairly equally. Michael was the first to let go, climaxing into Max's throat as Max continued to caress all the bare skin he could reach. Max swallowed it all and let Michael's cock slide from his mouth. Now that his attention was undivided, the sensation crashed into him with renewed force and he cried out, spurting into Michael's throat. Michael sucked him dry then moved, turning around so that their heads were level as he lay beside Max.

"That was…interesting," Michael said hesitantly. Max turned on his side to look at him, smiling wryly.

"You prefer the single variety, too?" he asked, his eyes sparkling.

Michael laughed. "Yeah. I enjoyed that, but it's definitely not all it's cracked up to be."

"Neither of us can drink wine anyway," Max laughed too. "As for the dine part, I don't know about you but I am getting hungry. I sort of skipped my breakfast."

"Yeah. Max…what about me and Liz?"

Max sighed. "Much as I hate to admit it, most of what you said, while expressed rather vulgarly, was true. I did like seeing you with Liz and I did freak about you doing things together when I wasn't with you. I'm not—Michael, I'm so sorry but I'm just not—comfortable with it yet. I'll get there. I will."

"Come here," Michael pulled Max into his arms. "It's all right, we'll take it all really slow. You know, like we were going to before Liz showed up in that black leather and sort of took over!"

"Yeah, that was something else," Max chuckled. "I'm sorry, I know I'm holding us back, but I'm not quite ready yet to let go. Liz is," he searched for the words.

"I know, Maxwell. More, I understand. I figured it would take time, and taking our time is the one thing we haven't done yet."

"Right. So, buy you breakfast? Or—well, lunch, by the time we get back into town," Max offered with a smile.

"Sure. I know a place that has really cute waitresses," Michael joked.

"It'll be busy, but I can at least apologize for booking this morning," Max said sheepishly.

"Mmm-hmm. Don't beat yourself up over it, Maxwell. Liz and I know you've been under a lot of stress for too long a time, so we're willing to go easy on you," he winked. "And—you and Liz have always had something really special, you know, and now that it's expanded to include me, I—well, you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I know. I love you too, Michael," Max smiled, and the two men began to dress, getting ready to leave their peaceful oasis and head back into the real world.