"So," Jim began as he handed Scott another beer. "Are you happy?"

Scott popped opened the can, took a long sip then looked over at Jim. "Is anyone really happy?"

"Still as fuckin' philosophical as ever, I see," Jim smirked.

"Go to hell."

"Scotty, my whole fuckin' life is hell."

"Yeah well, mine isn't exactly great at the moment, either."

"What's goin' on?" Jim asked softly.

"What isn't?" Scott sighed.

"Damn it, Scotty. Tell me what the fuck is wrong."

"My husband's ex-lover is in town."

"Who?" Jim asked. "Mark?"

Scott nodded and ran his hand over his face. He hated how vulnerable he always felt around Jim.

Jim slid closer to Scott on the sofa. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Scott whispered. "It's not your fault."

"That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt me to see you like this," Jim whispered.

"I'm fine," Scott replied. "You know what? I'm probably blowing this whole damn thing out of proportion."

"You don't believe that."

"How the fuck do you know?"

"Because I know you like the back of my fuckin' hand," Jim said. "This shit is obviously bothering you... but why?"

"Jeff's my husband, not Mark's. He had his chance and fucked up."

"I get it," Jim said. "You're scared Jeff might fall for him again."

"No... yes... fucked if I know."

"That could be arranged."

"Asshole," Scott smirked. "Is that all you think about?"

"That and beer," Jim nodded with a grin.

"I should've known," Scott laughed as he stood up and wobbled. "Damn."

"Had a few too many?"

"I think so." Scott said and flopped back down on the sofa.

"Me too."

"So what else is new?" Scott grinned.

Jim flipped him off. "Guess that means you don't want another one."

"Did I say that?"

"Get it yourself."

"Can't."

"Too fuckin' bad."

"Isn't it?" Scott asked and grabbed the can from Jim's hand.

"Motherfucker!"

Scott quickly gulped down what was left of the beer then threw the can aside. "Sorry," he grinned and belched.

Jim tackled Scott back onto the sofa. "You're about to be real sorry," he whispered as he pinned Scott's hands above his head.

Scott licked his lips nervously. "Am I?"

"Fuck yeah," Jim breathed and stared down at Scott.

Scott stared back up at the man he once loved... the man he still loved. Sure his hair was more gray than blond and his face had a few wrinkles in it but that didn't change the way he felt at that very moment. If things had been different... if he hadn't fallen for Jeff... his husband ...the man he also loved. He sighed and closed his eyes.

Jim watched as the expression on Scott's face changed from lust to sadness. He pulled away, sat back on the sofa, and ran his hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry," Scott whispered.

"Don't apologize," Jim whispered. "It's getting late. You gonna crash here?"

Scott nodded.

"Okay." Jim said. "You can sleep in my room, I'll take the sofa."

"I was hoping you'd offer to share your bed."

"I..."

"We're both adults, Jim," Scott said. "Even if we don't always act like it. I think we can handle sharing a bed."

"Yeah," Jim said and helped Scott to his feet. "C'mon."

--

"Dad's not back yet?"

Jeff didn't even bother looking up from his sketch pad. "No."

"Oh," Nero whispered. "Well...can I sit with you?"

"It's gettin' late."

"Ain't got school tomorrow."

"Sit."

"Thanks," Nero said and sat next to his father. "Whatcha drawin'?"

"Nothin'," Jeff said as he closed the sketch pad.

Nero frowned. "You ain't mad at me, are you?"

"No," Jeff sighed. "I'm sorry. I just got a lot on my mind."

"Wanna talk 'bout it?"

"Why don't you tell me what you've been doin'?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, your dad and I hardly see you anymore," Jeff said.

"I've been busy with school and stuff," Nero replied.

"What stuff?" Jeff asked.

"You know... stuff."

"Girl stuff?"

"Dad..." Nero blushed.

"You know you can tell me anythin'."

"Can I?"

"Of course."

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"When did you know you liked guys?" Nero asked quietly.

Jeff looked over sharply. "Why do you ask?" he said cautiously.

"Just wonderin'."

"You sure?"

"Yeah... erm, can we talk about this tomorrow, when dad's home?"

Jeff nodded. "It's late, anyway."

"Yeah," Nero said and stood up. "Night."

"Night," Jeff replied and watched his son jog upstairs. "Damn it Scotty. Where the fuck are you?"

--

"Hey."

"Hi."

"What's wrong?"

"Who said anythin' was wrong?" Jeff asked.

"You wouldn't be callin' if there wasn't anythin' wrong," Mark said.

"Scotty ain't comin' home tonight."

"What do you mean he ain't comin' home?"

"He called to tell me that he met up with an old friend, went for drinks, and can't drive home."

"Damn."

"Yeah," Jeff whispered. "Mark..."

"Yes kid?"

"I miss you..."

"You do?"

"Fuck yeah."

"I miss you, too."

"I wish you could come over," Jeff breathed.

"Why can't I?" Mark asked softly.

"Cause Nero's here."

"It's not too late to send him over to his uncle's."

"Mark..."

"Sorry."

"Where are you stayin'? I'll come by in the mornin'."

"You will?"

"Yeah," Jeff said. "If Scotty can stay out all night, why can't I go visit an old friend?"

"Remember the hotel we stayed in the first night we fucked?"

"How can I forget?" Jeff chuckled.

"That's where I'm stayin'," Mark said. "Room 619."

"I'll be there 'round ten."

"Lookin' forward to it."

"Me too," Jeff said. "Oh and Mark?"

"Yeah?"

"Love you," Jeff whispered and quickly hung up the phone before Mark had a chance to reply.

~*~End~*~

Read story #7 Uncertain in the Bedtime series