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The Unused Room Ch. 01

By: velvetpie



September 11, 2001

The moment the bell rang, Hardy Reyes knew it was trouble. The rumble that reached the firehouse was not ordinary and its genesis was shown moments later. World Trade Center Tower Number One had been breached by an airplane and clouds of black smoke billowed out from its wounds. His first thought was of Caiden and he thumbed his cell phone into life. Unfortunately, the airwaves were already jammed and he shoved it into his pocket, tugging his jacket on as he jumped onto the truck.

The enormity of the situation hit him as they neared the scene and saw fire leaping from the second building. The second tower had also been hit. 

"Listen up!" The commander shouted. "Grab your gear and get ready. We have a lot of people to help!"

Hardy fished the phone out of his pocket and his heart thumped in his chest as he gazed at his lover's smile. The picture had been the first he'd taken with his new phone and though it was crisp and clear, it couldn't show the depth of Caiden's heart or the beauty of his soul. He forced his tears away and activated the recorder.

"Caidy, the Towers have been hit and my company is heading over to help out." He glanced up at the smoke and a feeling of dread swept through him. "I don't know what's going to happen but I just wanted you to know that I love you very much and I'm looking forward to seeing you next week. Keep my heart warm. Love you."

*****

Caiden Silverberg stared aimlessly out of the window, the cell phone pressed to his ear as he listened to Hardy's last message. It had been four years since his death but to Caiden, it was just yesterday. Just yesterday when Caiden had seen a pensive pair of amber eyes that had taken his breath away. Just yesterday when Hardy had stolen a kiss over English cucumbers and wood ear mushrooms. Just yesterday when they had decided to make a future together. 

His thumb automatically moved to the END button and the tinny recording lapsed into a deafening silence that rang in his ears. He felt empty, hollow inside like one of the decorative gourds spread throughout the house. Maybe it had been a mistake to come back here. He hadn't had the strength to come to New York in all this time and now, to be back in the same space that they had shared … Caiden swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. In his heart, he knew it was time; time to let Hardy go.

A knock on the door startled him from his thoughts and he slowly walked over to it, wondering who it could be. Surely after four years, none of Hardy's old friends would be coming to visit. A slim, tall man in a paint-covered smock stood on the doorstep, a covered dish in one hand and a canvas in the other.

"Hi, I'm Michel Fontaine. I'm hope I'm not bothering you."

"No." Caiden nodded, slipping the phone into his pocket. "I was just … thinking."

"I live right downstairs and I … " The young man's voice cracked, the sudden appearance of tears startling Caiden. "I used to hear Hardy come in and bring him up some of whatever I was eating."

Numb, Caiden pulled the stranger into his arms and held him as he sobbed for a few minutes. Michel apologized profusely, embarrassed that he let his emotions get the best of him, keeping his head down as Caiden allowed him into the apartment. He set the bowl on the counter and turned to Caiden.

"Hardy commissioned me to do this for your birthday. He was going to bring it with him when he came to visit you but … " The silence hung between them. "When I heard footsteps up here, I thought I'd bring it up to see if someone would give it to you. I'm very honored to present it to you in Hardy's behalf."

Michel turned the canvas towards Caiden and his world exploded. It was a beautifully rendered charcoal sketch taken from a photograph of one of Caiden's favorite moments. It was the day they had realized their love for each other. Hardy had surprised him with a trip to Catalina and on the end of a moonlit pier with tears in his eyes, he had declared his love for Caiden. Caiden had responded with his own tears and they had kissed, a soft, gentle kiss that promised the future. They didn't know until the next day that the proprietor of the restaurant had taken a picture and she'd had it framed for them, touched by the warmth of their relationship.

If only he could reach out and touch Hardy's cheek, he could bring him back to life. He could make everything right.

"Hardy … " Caiden fainted.

The Unused Room Ch. 02



Reality came back slowly to Caiden. He raised his head and took a deep breath, fighting the nauseous feelings that threatened to overtake him but a gentle hand pushed him back down, accompanied by a soothing voice.

"Take it easy. You can't get up just yet." Michel's concerned face came into focus and he laid a cool cloth on Caiden's forehead. "You have to let the blood come back gradually or you will pass out again."

"What happened?"

"You were looking at the sketch of you and Hardy and you just pitched forward." Michel said softly. "Is this the first time you've been back to the apartment since Hardy died?"

Tears welled in Caiden's eyes and he rolled away from Michel, embarrassed at the show of emotion. "Yes."

"That explains why I haven't heard any footsteps up here since then." He took the washcloth away, staring at Caiden's back. "I can't imagine what you're going through, Caiden, but I hope that you know that Hardy was very much in love with you."

Caiden turned back over, gazing into Michel's eyes. "Tell me about him."

Michel cleared his throat, rubbing his face. "I met Hardy when he moved in. He was trying to carry that huge aquarium up the stairs and I offered to help him." His face softened and a smile touched his lips. "He was so good-looking, Caiden. He just took my breath away." He paused, touching Caiden's shoulder. "But he was very quick to tell me that he was taken." Michel's eyes fell upon the partially-hidden portrait he had taken months to complete and perfect. "He called you his 'Starry Boy'. He told me that he'd never met anyone like you."

Caiden listened to Michel's words, his heart breaking into a million pieces as the descriptive words limned his dead lover far better than the artist's elegant strokes had. He drew a picture of how an outside might see Hardy: strong and unbreakable, loving and confident. It was so good to hear that someone else had seen what he'd seen in Hardy. "He was the love of my life, Michel. I'll never love anyone like that again."

"You will when you're ready." He stood and held out his hand. "Come on and sit up. Slowly." He watched as Caiden sat up, breathing deeply and noted that the color had returned to his face. "It takes a while to work through pain, especially when you've suffered a loss like this."

"No." Caiden arose and went to the window, putting his hand against the glass as he looked toward Ground Zero. "I'll never love anyone like that again."

"Then your heart will be an unused room and you'll be lonely for the rest of your life."

Caiden heard the words but they didn't sink into his mind. He reached into his pocket and thumbed his phone into operation, raising it to his ear. As Hardy's last words to him filled his ears and his throat ached with tears, Michel quietly let himself out, praying that Caiden would understand the enormity of his decision.



"Caiden. Caiden."

Caiden blinked his eyes in the darkness and sat up, sure that he had heard his name being called. Maybe it had been just a dream.

"Over here, Caiden."

His heart stopped as he turned his head and saw the luminous outline of someone sitting on the window ledge. "Hardy?"

"Hi, Caidy."

Caiden burst into tears and leaped out of the bed, intent on embracing him but the ghostly visage held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. 

"Stop. You can't touch me."

"Oh, Hardy! I miss you so much!"

"I know you do, Caidy. That's why I'm here."

"You've come back to me!"

"I'm dead, Caiden. I can't come back except like this, in your dreams."

"Then I'm confused. Why are you here?"

"To help you love again."

Caiden returned to the bed, his face striped with tears and anger clouding his eyes. "I don't want to love anyone again."

"You want to go through your life alone?"

"I'm not alone! I have you!"

"You have memories of me, Caidy. You know that's not the same."

"I don't need anything else."

"Yes, you do. You need someone to put their arms around you, someone to talk to."

"I can talk to you. I don't need anyone else."

"If that's what you think, then this will be the last time that we talk. I won't put your future in jeopardy."

"That's not fair."

"Life isn't fair, Caiden. We both know that." Hardy turned from staring out across the city and gave his lover a gentle smile. "You have to leave me behind and find someone to share your life with."

"I can't, Hardy. I love you too much."

"And I love you but it's time to let me go. It's the reason you came here and you know it's right. Let me go."

Caiden screwed his eyes shut, desperately trying to will Hardy's voice away but he knew deep within his heart that it was time. With a whimper of defeat, he collapsed into sobs and cried until he fell back into sleep, his dreams littered with broken hearts and lonely tears.



The Unused Room Ch. 03



Dawn spiked soft rays of sunlight into the bedroom and found Caiden standing at the window, staring out across the expanse that stood between himself and Ground Zero. He hadn't been able to sleep and he knew why. The place of Hardy's death had called to him all night, begging him to visit and Caiden had resisted, knowing that nothing but pain and desolation waited for him there. His dreams were filled with snapshots of their lives together and he could do nothing but sleep through them, waking every few hours to sob the hurt and anger away.

Michel's knock drew him from the window and he opened the door, pleased to see him. "Good morning."

"Take this, will you? It's killing my arm!"

Caiden gratefully took the carafe of hazelnut vanilla coffee that Michel was trying to balance along with a huge platter of donuts and danishes and escorted him into the apartment. "You didn't have to do this, Michel."

"Yes, I did and it's Patria's fault."

"Patria?"

"Yes, Patria. P-A-T-R-I-A. My mother." Michel unwrapped the platter while Caiden rummaged around in the cabinets for a couple of mugs. "I told her about you and she showed up this morning with this."

"Does she think I'm starving?"

"No but she thought that you wouldn't be thinking about feeding yourself."

"So she decided that I should OD on pastries?" Caiden laughed and Michel shrugged, pouring the coffee. "Oh, well. Tell her I said thank you."

"You can tell her yourself. She's making dinner at my place tonight and you're invited."

Caiden paused, wrapping his hands around the mug. "I don't know, Michel."

"What are you going to do, eat these for dinner, too? Come on, Caiden. You've been cooped up in this place for too long."

"I'm not cooped up, Michel."

"Yes, you are. You told me that you knew you had to let him go and all you're doing is moping around in here with his memories." Michel bit into a cheese Danish and chewed, observing the other man's face. "Come have dinner with me."

Caiden looked into Michel's brown eyes and gasped. For a moment, he thought Hardy was standing there, staring at him with his usual smirk but after he blinked, he found his neighbor peering strangely at him. "All right, Michel. I'll come."

"Great!" He finished his coffee and headed for the door. "See you at seven."

Caiden watched him leave, wondering if he was losing his mind or if Hardy was trying to tell him something.

* * * * *

Promptly at seven, Caiden knocked on the door of number twenty-three and grinned when Michel flung the door open. "Welcome." He took the bottle of wine from Caiden and ushered the young man in, heading for the kitchen.

Caiden found himself standing in the midst of a gallery of canvases, some finished, others bearing the brash strokes of an artist at a crossroads, searching for his muse. Bold colors slashed here, muted pastels crept there and others just rested on the fabrics, waiting for Michel's guidance.

"You like?"

"Very much so. You're very gifted, Michel."

The young man shrugged. "I don't know. Keeps a roof over my head, I guess." Caiden didn't know very much about art but he knew that Michel was just being shy about his talent. "Come and meet my mom."

Michel's mother was not what he expected but then he had never expected to meet a petite French woman who attacked him as if she'd known him forever. Michel just stood back, watching as Patria Fontaine embraced Caiden with the strength of ten women, bussing his cheeks.

"I am so pleased to meet you, Caiden. Did you eat the danishes I sent you?"

"I ate one, ma'am."

"One? Only one? You're much too skinny!"

Michel put his arms around his mother and grinned at him. "Don't argue with her. It's useless."

"But he is too skinny! Look at him, Mickey!"

"I am looking at him, Mama. He's not that skinny!"

"Yes, he is. You come with me, young man. Let's put some meat on your bones."

Michel could only laugh as he watched his mother lead Caiden away. Dinner was chicken Cordon Bleu with white asparagus in a béarnaise sauce and Caiden ate heartily, feeling better than he had in a long time. Somehow, just being with Michel and his mother made his heart feel lighter. Joking and laughing, he felt almost as if ... almost as if he was sitting across from Hardy, listening to another one of his crazy stories and falling head over heels in love with him yet again. His eyes caught Michel's and a spurt of adrenalin suddenly tightened his chest as Hardy's ghostly visage overlaid his Gallic one, then dissipated like morning fog. While Patria set about packaging the leftovers, Michel gave Caiden a tour of his studio, sensing that something had changed within the young man. 

"This is my current favorite." It was a charcoal drawing of his mother and himself, launching a newspaper boat into a lively stream. Caiden could see why. Michel's attention to detail was exquisite and the look of innocence on his deftly limned face made Caiden's heart leap in his chest. He looked up and saw that same innocence in the eyes that carefully regarded him. "Caiden?"

Something overtook him for a moment and he found himself reaching out to Michel, letting his fingertips linger on his downy cheek, then slowly drift down to Michel's plump lips, gently tracing their rounded outlines. "Thank you."

"Thank you? For what?"

"For being Hardy's friend," Caiden removed his fingers, suddenly shy and awkward. "And for caring about me."

Michel watched him move away, his eyes following the young man. If I have my chance, Caiden, you'll never forget that someone cares about you.



The Unused Room Ch. 04



The time after dinner had left him feeling empty. He hadn't wanted to leave Michel's apartment, nor the lively company of his irrepressible mother but he felt awkward when Patria headed off to bed. He was completely unprepared for the long hug that she gave him and unnerved by the words she spoke in his ear, Release his ghost, little one. A new angel is waiting to claim you. He hardly heard Michel's words of good night and half-stumbled up the stairs.

Hardy's apartment seemed to be drawn in black and white, instead of the vivid colors that belonged to Michel. It seemed as if the apartment was mirroring his life and that had made him stop and think about how he was seeing things. Hardy represented the past, clearly drawn in black and white. Did that mean that Michel was the color of the future? He didn't know. He was so tired that he just shucked off his clothes and went to sleep.

That was the first night he had the dream.

He was standing outside a door and he slowly pushed it open to reveal Hardy bathed in bright light, lazily reclining in their bed. He raced to the bed and dove into his lover's arms, hungrily kissing the laughing man and rubbing every inch of his body against him. God, he missed this so much! The warmth of Hardy's body against his and his laughter filling the air. Suddenly, the room was empty and the light was fading, its rays revealing Hardy's outline which morphed into a man that he didn't recognize and suddenly, yellow sunlight filled the space and the young man was arranging fragrant red roses in a vase. The blond-haired man smiled at him and offered his hand ...

The phone rang and Caiden sleepily blinked at the sunlight, then leaned over to answer it. "Hello?"

"Good morning!"

"Michel? What time is it?"

"Nearly ten o'clock. You haven't forgotten your promise, have you?"

Caiden rubbed his face, wondering how much wine he'd had last night and what exactly he'd promised to the young man. "Uh, no."

"Yes, you did." Michel giggled. "Mama never let your glass get empty, you know that, right?"

That explained everything, including the dull pounding in his temples. "No, I didn't but thanks for the late news." He winced, sitting up. "So what did I promise you?"

"A trip to MoMA."

"MoMA?"

"The Museum of Modern Art, dumbass! Don't you remember anything that happened last night?" 

"No."

"So you don't remember riding my cock and screaming 'Hi, Ho, Silver'?"

"Oh, God, I didn't, did I?"

"No. You didn't but at least I know you're interested." Heat from his embarrassment rushed up to his face and Caiden was glad that Michel couldn't see him. "Well, get dressed and I'll pick you up in fifteen."

"Okay." He stared at the phone for a few minutes, ruminating over Michel's comment, then jumped up, showering and dressing quickly. During the entire tour of the museum, Caiden was surprised to find himself staring at Michel. The shape of his lips intrigued him. He'd seen girls with lips like that and had at times, longed to be straight just to have a chance to kiss them. So now, he was following the tour, his eyes roaming over Michel's bee-stung upper lip and the smaller one that rested beneath.

From the lips, he progressed to his long neck and squared shoulders, then to the twitch in his hips when he walked. He found himself wondering what was under those jeans and was concentrating on Michel's ass so hard that he ran into a stanchion. The tour director and Michel were worried that he'd hurt himself but he gave both a sheepish smile and explained that he had been taken with the art. The director looked pleased and Michel just smirked. He knew what Caiden had been looking at and it was nothing on MoMA's walls, either. He waited for the opportunity and yanked him into a secluded alcove.

"Is this what you want?" Caiden held his breath as Michel guided his hand onto his crotch, rubbing so that he could feel the hardness of his cock under the jeans.

He couldn't help himself. He crushed Michel to him, violently kissing him and moaning as the man passionately responded, their tongues dancing together. His hands pushed Michel's shirt up, skimming over his nipples and pulling him closer. Michel turned his back to him, his mouth still connected and pushed his pants down, baring his sweet ass for Caiden who immediately pressed his thumb against Michel's hole. The artist moaned and pushed back, closing his eyes when Caiden's hand went around his throat, holding him lightly as his finger mercilessly teased him.

When he thought he could stand no more, Caiden removed his thumb, took the rubber that Michel offered and yanked his own pants down, moving behind him. "Is this what you want?" He whispered seductively, using Michel's own words against him and pushed into the cleft of Michel's buttocks until the tip of his cock was against his asshole.

"Fuck, yeah!"

Caiden pushed home, his hand still on Michel's throat, his other arm wrapped around his body, thrusting his six-and-a-half inches of prick into his tight ass. Michel hissed and moaned, pinching his own nipples and resigning himself to Caiden's rough rhythm, enjoying every moment of the conquest. He pumped hard, noiselessly drilling Michel until his ass muscles clamped down on him, signaling that he was cumming. He leaned down and bit into Michel's shoulder to muffle his own cry and filled the condom to overflowing with his seed.

They huddled together for another few minutes, each recovering and each helping the other fix his clothing before turning to face each other. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Not at all."

"I couldn't help biting you ... "Caiden shyly grinned, zipping his zipper. "I just had to taste you."

"Well, I know you weren't trying to break the flesh so a little love nibble doesn't hurt." Michel moved closer, touching Caiden's jaws and raising his eyes to meet his. "Thank you for that."

"For what, a quick fuck in a museum?"

"No, for letting yourself go with me." He gave him a soft kiss, stepping out of the alcove. "I hope it's not the last time."

Caiden watched him walk away, intent on rejoining the tour group and he remained alone for a second in awe of what had just happened. Shrugging his shoulders and giving his twitching prick a squeeze, he jogged to catch up with Michel and finished the tour.



The Unused Room Ch. 05



By dinner, Caiden was back to his old awkward self around Michel, second-guessing the feelings that he'd had and wondering if it was just a wham-bam-thank-you-sir kind of thing and Michel noticed it. He set down his chopsticks and stared at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Bullshit. You look guilty." The way Caiden turned his head convinced Michel that he'd hit the nail on the head. "Are you rethinking our dalliance?"

"No."

"Reliving it?"

The wry smile on Michel's handsome face made Caiden blush and he grinned, looking down into his bowl of miso soup. "Yes. Many times over ... but ... "

"But what?"

"But I don't know how I feel about it."

"You don't know how you feel about having fucked a hot boy?"

"No, silly." Caiden appreciated Michel's humor but it was getting in the way of the serious feelings he wanted to express. "I don't know how ... I mean, I want you and everything but ... "

"You feel strange wanting to bone someone now that Hardy's gone?" When Caiden shook his head, Michel reached across the table and took his hand. "I know how much you loved Hardy, but if he was in this same circumstance, what do you think he'd do?" Caiden hesitated, an answer on his lips. "And be honest."

The young man sighed. "He'd move on."

"He'd move on." Michel gently echoed. "Hardy would want you to remember him but he'd also want you to be happy and to move on and find someone else who could make you happy."

Caiden knew that Michel was right but he felt so lost. "Then how do I do that? How do I move on?"

Michel grinned. "Come to a party with me tonight. Maybe you'll meet someone there."

"I thought I'd already met someone." 

He stared at Michel until the artist caught the drift of what he was saying. "Me? Oh, no, honey, that was just a quick fuck. I'm not the marrying kind." Michel noticed that Caiden was hurt and gave his hand a pat. "But I promise to be the best and hottest friend you'll ever have." He winked. "A best friend with benefits." Caiden found himself smiling at his outrageous friend and knew that he could deal with that. It would be wonderful to know that he had a friend downstairs and an occasional lover as well. "Now, eat your meat. You'll need your strength tonight!"

* * * * *

Despite the strangeness of the crowd swirling about him, Caiden was having a blast. They'd gone back to Hardy's apartment, fucked again, this time with Michel bent over the balcony rail and had laughed like lunatics when they wondered who got hit when Michel squirted over the side. A quick shower, a change of clothes (which found Michel styling his Timberland-wearing friend) and they were off. 

Lora Walmsley was having a soiree and when you were invited to a Walmsley party, it was a sure sign that you had arrived. Walmsley's father, Richard, had purchased two of Michel's paintings in the last month and was eyeing four more for his office. Michel told Caiden that the old man probably wanted to fuck him so he'd raise the price as well. After a cab drive over to the Upper East Side, they took the elevator up to the Walmsley suite and were met at the door by Lora herself, naked except for a wide blue stripe of dried paint across her middle.

"Lora! Where the hell are your clothes?"

The pretty redhead giggled, half-sipping and half-spilling her vodka martini. "I am art tonight, my dead Michel." She struck a pose. "I am Blue."

"I see." Michel gave her a kiss on the cheek. "You'll be red if your father sees you."

"Not a chance. He's in Innsbruck with wife number two."

"The more the merrier, I say."

"Who's your friend?"

"Caiden and don't bother him, he's bent."

"Damn!" She gave Caiden a knowing grin. "Why do you always bring these absolutely delicious gay boys to my parties? Do you not like me?"

"No, I love you, baby. I just can't go straight long enough to find a man for you!"

With a laugh, Lora wandered off, striking a pose every few steps and Michel gave Caiden's elbow a squeeze. "Come on. Let's get something to drink."

One drink led to more and soon, Caiden's head was spinning, not just from the booze but from the effort of trying to remember the names of Michel's friends. There were too many and were as varied as the colors on his palette but one stood out. A quiet blond with sad blue eyes who looked as if he'd seen too much of the world and wanted to live quietly in its midst. Caiden found himself drawn to him, not knowing why but knowing that he needed to at least speak with him.

"Hi." The blond looked at him and the blood drained from his face. He immediately began to back away from Caiden, his face filled with fear. "Hey, what's wrong? I just want to talk to you. You look so sad ... "

"Don't act like you don't know! Oh, God, I knew this would happen some day ... "

"What are you talking about?"

Michel spoke up for the terrified young man. "Caiden, this is Tommy." He slid an arm around the cowering man, gently rubbing his shoulders. "He's the reason Hardy died."



The Unused Room Ch. 06



"I ... I don't understand."

Michel whispered something to Tommy and he made a mad dash for the bar while Caiden looked on dumbfounded. "It's a long story. Why don't we go sit down and I'll spell it out for you?"

The speech took the better part of thirty minutes and Caiden sat numbly and listened to every word while Tommy sat silently, sucking first one, then a second rum and Coke down without a sound. And after Michel's voice fell silent, Caiden couldn't believe that he'd heard what he'd heard. Hardy had been free and clear of the disaster when his new lover, the cowering piece-of-shit on the couch across from him, had reached him via cellphone and begged him to come and rescue him on the tenth floor. 

Hardy had responded, of course, and in the ensuing mêlée, the valiant fireman had lost his life but not before he'd made a call to Caiden, a call filled with lies and false hopes. He had broken his legs leaping from one level of stairwell to another and his guilty conscience had propelled him to call his loyal lover, bidding him one last farewell. Tommy had occupied the apartment until Caiden had expressed an interest in it and had moved out two weeks before he had come to town. The facts made sense to Caiden; it explained why everything was so clean in the apartment.

Caiden remained numb days after the admission, upset on so many levels that he couldn't form a coherent thought. Hardy cheated? He tried but he couldn't seem to move past that roadblock, past the single thing that had been his anchor for so long and now to find out that Hardy's love was false ...

"Caiden? Caiden, are you listening?"

He couldn't feel his arms and legs but he stood just the same, his brain as numb as his limbs. "I've heard enough, Michel. Good night."

"No, Caiden, please. Wait. Tommy wants to apologize ... "

"Apologize? Apologize for what? For ruining my life? For soiling my memories? What the hell should he apologize for?"

"Caiden, it's not Tommy's fault." Michel moved between him and the young man. "If it wasn't him, it would have been someone else."

"Fuck you!"

"Don't yell at me because I'm telling the truth!" Michel bellowed, stopping Caiden in his tracks and drawing the stern looks of other guests. "He fucked me as well."

The world closed in on him with those words and he barely took two steps before he crashed to the floor in a dead faint.

* * * * *

"You shouldn't have told him that."

"What else was I supposed to do, Mama? It was killing me to hear him put that asshole on a pedestal."

"But it was his right to find the truth out in his own way and in his own time."

"I had no choice!"

The volume of the voices stirred Caiden and he sat up, immediately upset that he had when his head started throbbing. "Could you two please quiet down? My head is killing me."

"Caiden!" Michel rushed over, his features filled with concern. "Are you all right?"

"No, I'm not. My head hurts like hell and you guys yelling at each other isn't helping." He moaned and winced when someone placed a cool cloth on the back of his head. He turned to see Tommy cautiously standing next to him, holding a bag of ice as well. "Get the fuck away from me."

"Can I talk to you?" Tommy's voice was soft. "Alone?"

"What for?"

Michel put his arm around his mother's shoulders and herded her toward the door. "We'll be in the kitchen. Join us when you're ready."

The door closed behind them and Caiden let out a sigh, pushing the cloth away and turning his back on Tommy. "I have nothing to say to you."

"Caiden, I know you're angry ... "

"You don't know the half of it."

Tommy swallowed, setting the cloth on the table and reaching for the hem of his shirt. "I want to make a peace offering." With one smooth movement, he pulled the shirt from his body, stepping in front of Caiden. "Use me."

"What?"

"You're mad at Hardy. Take it out on me."

"That's stupid, Tommy. It's you I'm mad at."

"Then use me. Take your anger out on me." The young man paused. "I don't want us to be enemies."

"It's too late for that."

Tommy knelt at Caiden's feet and placed his hands on his knees, pausing to see if he would move. When he didn't, he gently pushed his knees apart and slowly unbuttoned Caiden's pants, pulled the zipper down and reached inside, both men sighing as Tommy's hand clutched Caiden's hardening cock. He looked up at his face as he stroked his cock and was relieved to see Caiden's eyes closing in rapture, his hips lifting into his palm. He moved closer and freed Caiden's cock, admiring the thickness of his tool before he bent over it.

Caiden moaned at the touch of Tommy's mouth on his prick and flexed his hips upward, shoving it into his mouth. All at once, he stood, taking Tommy's head in his hands and skullfucking him for all he was worth. The young man didn't protest; he opened his mouth wider and grabbed Caiden's hips, pulling him even closer. It was only minutes before his release overtook him and he nutted in Tommy's mouth, sending four large spurts of cum down the young man's throat.

Afterward, he pulled out, disgusted with himself for allowing his anger to get the best of him and he looked down at Tommy, who was wiping his mouth and chin with the cloth, his eyes still sad.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Caiden. I'm used to it."

Tommy's comment struck him hard and he found himself staring at him as he started toward the door. "Wait, don't go."

Tommy stopped and turned, heartened by the change he saw in Caiden's eyes. "Michel is waiting."

"He can wait." Caiden walked over to him, touching his downy cheek and a shiver went through him when Tommy sighed. "Let me return the favor."

"That's not necessary."

Caiden caught his arm as he started to walk away. "For me, it is. Come here."



The Unused Room Ch. 07



Tommy allowed Caiden to lead him back to Michel's bed but sat stiffly as the man rubbed his arm. "Caiden ... "

"What's wrong?"

"I ... I'm not really used to this."

"Used to what? Being touched?"

"Being loved."

It was a whisper but Caiden still heard his words and he turned the young man's face toward him, searching his eyes. "What did Hardy do to you?"

Tommy's eyes filled with tears and in halting words, he told the tale of his past relationships, beginning with his father's abuse. When his mother died of cancer, his father took it hard and blamed Tommy for her illness. Tommy had only been twelve when the abuse began and Caiden couldn't help crying tears of anguish as he listened to how the father would dress him in his mother's clothes and mercilessly fuck him. Tommy had only escaped when a teacher found him in the restroom, washing blood from his hands and took him to the nurse. His sad story unfolded from there and he was whisked to the hospital and never saw his father again.

When he'd healed sufficiently, his science teacher, Jim Monrow let him stay with his family until one day, when the wife was away, Jim made a play for the young man, threatening to throw him out if he didn't comply. Tommy let the man fuck him once, then slipped away at nightfall, taking his own destiny into his hands. He'd hitchhiked to New York, working in little diners and dives as a dish washer or short order cook and was lucky enough to find a cook job at the fire station. That was where he had met Hardy.

"He was like one of the guys at first. Joking around about gays. I never would have thought that he was gay himself until one night when we were in the kitchen together, he came up behind me and told me that he was going to fuck me. He pushed my shorts aside and just reamed me, right next to the salamander."

Caiden's stomach turned. Hardy had never shown him an ounce of meanness or violence. He couldn't believe that the man he had loved for so long had turned into a beast. He wanted to speak but didn't know what to say. 

"He told me that he'd kill me if I told anyone." Tommy took a steadying breath. "It wasn't until I moved in with him that I found out that you existed. I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault." Caiden whispered, unable to trust his voice. "Tommy?"

"Yes."

"What did he say about me?"

Tommy's bright blue eyes filled with tears. "He said you were his out-of-town convenience and he was just using you because you spent a lot of money on him."

Caiden felt sick again but tried not to show it. Obviously, he didn't know Hardy. He thought he'd found the love of his life, his soulmate and partner but nothing had been farther from the truth. Thinking back on it now, there were signs that he'd purposely overlooked: late night calls and the couple of times that he'd disappeared for a few hours while on various trips. The extra charges that Caiden had paid without question. Why hadn't he seen through Hardy's charade?

"Caiden?"

Tommy's gentle voice brought him back and Caiden looked at him through fresh eyes. Not fifteen minutes ago, this young man was willing to take Caiden's rage for Hardy because he didn't want to continue the chain of anger. His sacrifices and pain would permanently end now if Caiden had his way. He leaned closer to Tommy, taking in the softness of his hair and the depth of innocence in his eyes. Tommy had seen a lot in his young life but hadn't let it harden him as it had Hardy.

When Caiden's mouth touched his, Tommy jerked as if he'd been shocked, then pressed in, welcoming the warmth of his tongue and the touch of his hand on his arm. Caiden's kiss was different than others he'd received. He could tell that Caiden was interested in him, that this was not just the product of lust but that there was real care infused with it. Just the thought of that had him hard as a rock in his pants, a fact that Caiden's wandering fingers found out seconds later. 

Caiden wanted to suck him off but he was too engrossed in discovering Tommy's body. Small but hard muscles met his fingertips as he moved his hands under the shirt and caressed the young man's chest and arms. His nipples were sensitive and Caiden smiled at the shuddering gasp Tommy took when he flicked one with his nail. He pushed Tommy back on the bed, laying alongside him and running his hands up and down his body until he couldn't stand the aching of his own cock any longer. He moved his leg between Tommy's and pushed his knee up while rubbing his hard prick against Tommy's hip and shivered when they both moaned together.

Tommy gasped, wrapping his arms around Caiden's body and lifting his hips upward. Caiden soon got the idea and crawled on top of him, pressing their clothed cocks together as he plundered the young man's mouth. It reminded Tommy of the stories he'd heard about other people's first times and he was overjoyed to get the chance to have a first time with someone who cared, even if the care was borne out of pity. He gripped Caiden's shoulder and thrust up against him, matching his rhythm and trying to capture his rampant tongue but it didn't matter.

His climax took him by surprise and he threw his head back, shouting happily as he creamed his pants. Caiden wasn't far behind, pumping a few more times and exploding against his jeans, his breath hot on Tommy's throat. As he recovered, sliding off of Tommy's quivering body, he realized that his tryst with Tommy had been better than all the ones he'd ever had with Hardy. He looked down into the young man's eyes and pushed the hair out of them with a gentle smile.

"Will you have breakfast with me?"

His heart bursting with joy, Tommy nodded, "Yes."



The Unused Room Ch. 08



Michel and Patria had hugged them when they'd emerged from Michel's room. If they smelled the scent of semen on the young men, they didn't comment. Caiden mentioned that he was going to take Tommy out to breakfast and asked the artist and his mother to come along and Patria wailed that she couldn't go unless she went home and changed clothes. The foursome agreed to meet back at Michel's in an hour and Caiden walked Tommy to the elevator, wondering why he suddenly felt like a shy schoolboy on a first date.

"So I'll see you in an hour?"

"Yes." Caiden moved in close, touching Tommy's cheek. "Tommy, I'm sorry about everything. I guess I was being selfish."

"It's okay, Caiden. You couldn't have known."

"Maybe not but I didn't treat you very nicely and it wasn't your fault."

Boldly, Tommy grabbed his hand and shoved it down the front of his pants. "You made up for it."

Caiden leaned down and kissed Tommy, his husky whisper bringing his cock throbbing back to life as well as the feel of Tommy's sticky, hard prick in his palm. "I'll make up more if you let me." He pulled back and searched his eyes again. "Why don't you just move back in?"

Tommy grinned. "I never really moved out. I just boxed up my clothes and put them in the basement storage. That's where I've been staying."

"Then let's go get them."

It took three trips on the elevator to bring all of Tommy's belongings up and they agreed to put them in the guest room until they returned from breakfast. A quick shower, change of clothes and two hours of laughing over coddled eggs, bacon and grits and Caiden and Tommy returned home, holding hands in the elevator and giggling like children. 

"Caiden, we need to have a serious talk."

"About what?" Caiden pulled Tommy into his arms and started planting kisses along the smooth line of his throat, moving up to his earlobes.

"Us."

"What about us?"

The words momentarily left Tommy's mind as Caiden's mouth worked magic on his skin, sending electrical ripples up and down his spine. "Please stop. I can't think when you do that to me."

"Then why think?"

"Because ... " It took all of Tommy's strength to push Caiden away, his face red with passionate heat. "I have to know what you want."

"What I want?" Caiden paused, his smile dropping into seriousness. "What do you mean, what I want?" He clutched his bulge. "What do you think this means?"

"I'm talking about what you want, other than sex."

"I want you."

"Yes, but for how long?"

All at once, Caiden understood the longing looks that Tommy had been giving him throughout breakfast. Tommy felt as if he belonged and had been more lively than Caiden had ever seen him. He was willing to be Caiden's fuck toy for the chance to be a part of their circle of friendship but he was trying to protect his heart. Tommy's sacrifices were over and Caiden was going to make sure of that. "For as long as you want me."

The words stunned Tommy and he reached out to lean on the couch, suddenly feeling light-headed. "What did you say?"

"You heard me." Caiden took Tommy's hand, pulling him into his embrace. "I want you for as long as you want me. How long is up to you to decide."

"Is forever long enough?"

Caiden's heart welled and he closed his eyes against the tears that pricked them, finding Tommy's soft, accepting mouth. They remained locked in a passionate kiss for several moments, reveling in their newfound feelings and basking in the knowledge that neither had to be alone again.

"Caiden?"

"Yes, Tommy?"

"Take me upstairs and make love to me."

Caiden thought he'd never heard sweeter words in his life. He slipped off his shoes, placing them next to Tommy's and let him lead him up the stairs. The honesty and trust in Tommy's eyes staggered him and he squeezed his hand, loving how his fingers naturally intertwined with his. Tommy slipped his shirt off, releasing his hand for a moment and slid his hands under Caiden's shirt, pausing at the top of the stairs. 

"I want to strip here. I want us to go into that bedroom and make it ours." The words confused Caiden but somehow he understood the meaning. This place had been a site of pain for both of them and Tommy wanted to exorcise Hardy's ghost.

Neither of them knew just how correct those words would be.



The Unused Room Ch. 09



"I can't believe that you believe this little piece of shit!"

The roar of Hardy's voice and the sight of Tommy lifting from his feet and slamming into the wall froze Caiden into place. He looked into the hollow eyes of Hardy's ghost, the swirling luminous vapor translucent in the daylight. Tommy moaned and arose, flexing his back and staring at the apparition.

"Hardy?"

"Ha! You know my name now, Tommy? You didn't forget my name when I was fucking you."

"This can't be real." Tommy tried to get around Hardy and jumped back when the specter barred his path, angrily glowering at him. "You're dead!"

"Yes, but not gone. You see, I was going to leave but I wanted to fuck Caiden one last time."

"You can't fuck anybody, Hardy. You're nothing but a ghost."

"Wanna try me? I can do anything I want." He advanced on Caiden. "Just like I did when I was alive." Hardy glanced over at Tommy's white face and grinned evilly. "Did your little fuck toy tell you how much I missed you?"

"You mean, how much you missed my money. How could you treat me like that, Hardy? I loved you."

The ghost bent over backwards, braying with laughter. "I treated you like that because you let me. You little fags are all alike. You paid for my vacations. Tommy paid for my meals. Hector paid for the apartment ... I haven't had to pay for anything since I learned how to turn you little faggots out."

"That's cruel, Hardy."

"You haven't seen cruel yet. I'm gonna have my last fuck, Caiden. Your ass is much too sweet to leave without a last taste of sugar."

"I cast you out in the name of the Lord!" Tommy flung the cross at Hardy but the apparition only laughed.

"Tommy, Tommy, Tommy." Hardy shook his head with a smile. "Someone's been watching too many teen movies. That won't work against me. There's only one thing that you can do to get rid of me."

"What's that?"

"Let me fuck you, of course. Give me a chance to pump that hole one last time and I'll leave."

Caiden looked across to Tommy, who was shaking his head negatively. "I don't know. I don't believe you, Hardy."

"I'm telling you the truth. Come on, Caidy. You remember how good it was ... "

Instantly, an image of them fucking filled Caiden's mind and his senses swam with the scent of raw, hot man sex. His cock responded immediately, plumping and stretching until it was being pinched by his jeans. He saw Hardy's flawless body on top of his, his tool effortlessly sliding in and out of his grasping hole and pounding him into pleasure. Tommy watched as Hardy's essence overtook Caiden and Caiden's pants unbuttoned and slid to the floor. 

"Caiden!" The young man didn't appear to hear. He obediently moved forward until his hips were hanging over the railing, his asshole exposed for Hardy's benefit.

"He can't hear you, Tommy. He doesn't care about you any more. All he cares about is the pleasure that I can give him."

Caiden leaned against the railing, his hole waiting for Hardy's pole, his mind a swirl of confusion. He felt Hardy's warm flesh against his back and didn't question it; he locked his knees and readied himself for his lover's assault. He remembered how much he'd looked forward to Hardy's late arrivals, to being pinned down on the bed and taken like a wanton whore. And the things he'd whisper to him! Filthy words about how whores like himself loved to take it and Caiden had eagerly hung on every word while Hardy's cock pulsed in his ass.

"Oh, yes! Hardy, fuck me! Fuck me!"

"See, Tommy? Already you're yesterday's cum stain!"

A cold hand wrapped itself around Tommy's innards as he watched the ghostly apparition of Hardy Reyes encompass Caiden's body. The silvery fog melded to the young man's body and Caiden reacted as if he'd just been speared with a healthy prick. His body moved, awkwardly at first, then bucking rhythmically as the spirit began to fuck him. Caiden's mouth hung open, his eyes half-lidded with desire as he gave into the wishes of the phantom.

Fear raced through Tommy as he helplessly watched, his mouth dry and his heart pounding. Something was wrong and he knew it. Hardy had lied again and Tommy was sure that he wasn't going to keep his end of the bargain. The longer and harder they fucked, the lighter Caiden became, his flesh growing thing and transparent in the light as Hardy's gained in depth and color. He was losing his life and if Hardy had a chance to nut, Caiden would be dead.

Summoning his courage, Tommy did the only thing he could, the only thing that seemed logical. Hardy had never been topped and now was the time for Tommy to do so. He dropped his pants, took a deep breath and forced his cock into Hardy's ass. A bright light filled the room and Caiden and Tommy both screamed.