[FIC] Tried and True, Rob DiMaio/Niko Kapanen (Stars)

[hayzed.livejournal.com]

Title: Tried and True
Author: Hayz
Rated: R
Warning(s): m/m slash, language, angst
Pairing(s): Niko Kapanen/Rob DiMaio, Mike Modano/Brett Hull
Disclaimer: This isn't true and it isn't meant to defame.

Notes: This actually has some hockey content (I know! Shock!)... but I'm purposely vague with the games because I don't have any on tape and I don't remember any well enough to do a kind of play-by-play POV. This is third in a series involving Niko and Rob.



Mike looked agitated on the bench. Rob gave a sideway glance to Niko, who was busy looking out over the ice with a grimace. They were losing. They were losing only by one, but it was getting late in the third period and nothing they seemed to be trying was working. Mike was skating as well as he had ever skated, but nothing he did was converting to the scoreboard. The same couldn't be said about all of them. Rob knew he was doing something wrong out there. He just wished to God he knew what it was.

Mike had looked agitated all night, though, he thought. Tippett called out and he took his place with one leg over the boards, ready to hop out next to Niko as the second line came in off the ice. He skated out and started the difficult task of trying to at least help defend their zone while maybe even being able to recover possession.

Yes, the game was going that well.

There were no heroics during his shift, but they did manage to regain possession and dump it in before turning quickly back to the bench so that the now rested first line could hop out and hope to make something happen. Tippett had been juggling with the lines all season, but Rob was happy to still be skating next to Niko despite their relative lack of success.

As a matter of fact, Mike managed a shot on goal, but the goalie quickly snatched it up and held onto it. Frustrated, Mike let the blade of his stick fall hard to the ice as he moved to line up to take the face off.

He won, and Rob felt himself and the rest of the bench starting to rise as he snapped it quickly to the defensemen taking position on the blueline. They spread the other team out and Rob rose to full height as they passed and cycled, until--

Yes! Yes! The crowd of the opposing team's fans went silent as Mike, Brenden, and Billy hugged and moved across into the corner as one solid mass of hockey player. They were quickly joined by Zubov and Matty, and Rob happily held out his glove as they began to skate back toward the bench.

"Great goal, Bren," Rob said as the younger man skated by, a satisfied smirk on his face.

How many times had Brenden dug them out of a tight spot by rushing in and forcing the issue? Rob couldn't even remember. If he was going to discuss Brenden's heroics, he might as well ask himself how many times Mike had pressed extra hard and forced a face-off win that converted? Of course he would like to be putting some pucks in the net himself, but Rob stole a glance at his captain and was happy to see at least a couple of the lines that had been creasing his face had softened. Niko nudged him and grinned happily at him.

Well, at least now they weren't losing. A tie was definitely an improvement.

The clock ran out without another goal. Overtime.

Niko was smiling as they walked back to the locker room.

"We haven't lost yet," Brenden was saying to him. "That's the good news. The bad news is we had to claw our way into overtime."

"I like digging my claws in," Niko replied in a husky tone while looking straight at Rob. Rob blinked at him. No way did Niko just say something that suggestive. But he had, and Rob had to quickly force himself to concentrate on the game lest he be hopelessly distracted by this blonde little demon next to him.

Brenden just whistled under his breath. "Save the celebration for later, boys. When we win this thing."

~

They did win. Barely. But a barely-win was better than a tie, or a loss. Rob nearly stumbled and fell as a warm armful of his lover tackled him and began to lick and bite his way down the side of his face as soon as they walked in the door of his home.

"Whoa, baby," Rob breathed. "What's got you so excited?"

"I like winning," Niko replied simply. His hands began unbuttoning Rob's dress shirt. He only got half way before he slid his hand in and began to rub and pinch Rob's nipples.

"You were getting frisky even before we were winning," Rob murmured, remembering the look in Niko's eyes after he had said that little line about clawing. Apparently, as was fast becoming evident to Rob, for such a quiet and unassuming little Finnish boy, Niko had a very voracious sexual appetite.

Niko slowed his movements and began to pale. "What is it? I'm sorry. I thought that you would want to--"

Rob snatched up Niko's hand before he could retreat any farther and brought it to his lips. "I do, baby, I do. I was just wondering why you were so hot for me tonight, that's all."

"Why?" Niko asked in a huff. "Is it too hard to believe that someone might want you this much?"

Rob shrugged and found himself being drawn tightly into an embrace.

"Well, I do want you that much, Robbie. So much."

Niko didn't have to say anything more. Rob led Niko up to his bedroom and showed him how much he appreciated his affection.

~

Niko's head was resting on the pillow next to his, letting his breathing come down to a normal rate. Rob stared up at the ceiling, scarcely able to believe his luck. He kept sneaking a little leer of a glance at the blonde head next to him to keep confirming the truth. Niko Kapanen was lying next to him.

Not only was Niko Kapanen lying next to him, but he was also naked, and also very thoroughly fucked. By him. Rob DiMaio. Rob DiMaio had just thoroughly fucked Niko Kapanen, and Niko Kapanen liked it. Niko Kapanen liked it so much, that Rob was surprised that they were able to finish without one of them having to venture downstairs and explain to a pair of police officers that no, no one was being murdered or tortured. And Rob had liked thoroughly fucking Niko Kapanen so much that his jaw ached from clenching it in order to keep from adding to the volume, and, most likely, the worry of his neighbors.

"What are you thinking about?" Niko asked, his voice rough from all of that enjoyment.

"Oh. Just about how much I love fucking you," Rob answered honestly.

"You're so sweet, Robbie," Niko laughed softly, one of his arms draping across Rob's chest in a loose embrace.

Rob rested a hand on Niko's arm and rubbed it gently as he continued to ride the warm tide of his afterglow. There was more silence, but it was a comfortable and mutual silence that he had shared many times with Niko. Never awkward. And that was so important to Rob. He didn't always have something to say, and Niko seemed to understand that. Niko seemed to understand a lot about Rob that many before him had never seemed to understand.

Niko seemed to sense the sudden change in Rob's mood as his thoughts wandered.

"You've had boyfriends before me, haven't you, Robbie?"

"Yes. Unfortunately."

"Were they that bad?" A little taste of concern colored Niko's voice.

"Some were pretty sucky, yeah," Rob muttered. He didn't really want to talk about it on one hand, but on the other he knew it was probably best that he did talk about it. Niko would never go around and shoot his mouth off about… well, anything.

Niko tried to sit up, but Rob stopped him. He wasn't sure he could look into those deep, blue, sympathetic eyes while talking about them. Not without shedding a few tears. And he didn't care if he was gay-- he was still a man, and he didn't like anyone to see him get emotional like that. He realized he was tense, and tried to calm down.

"I'll understand if you don't want to talk about it," Niko murmured softly in his ear. His warm breath floating across Rob's cheek.

"No. It's okay. I just don't know where to start."

"Who was your first boyfriend?"

"First boyfriend, or who was the first guy I had sex with?"

Niko shrugged the bare shoulder that he wasn't resting on, and Rob fought the automatic urge to kiss it.

"I had sex with someone I kind of knew at school. Well. I didn't really know him. We had a class together, and I had just seen him around and I guess we just caught each other staring at one another. It was a stupid little thing. We weren't safe and I would always freak out when we were done. He called me a flake. We didn't really even know each other.

"My first boyfriend didn't happen until much, much later. I was playing hockey in the WHL by then. I was already getting old. I don't know how it happened. I guess I had been lonely for so long. He seemed nice enough at first. But then he started to call me names. He drank. And I guess I was just so relieved to finally have someone, anyone, that I just let him get away with it for so long."

Rob paused. He glanced at Niko, who was watching him intently.

"What happened?" Niko asked in a whisper.

"He made a move to actually hit me. I left. I don't know. I may have been weak enough to let someone call me names and treat me like shit, but I wasn't about to let someone hit me. I got hit enough as it was playing hockey. So I just left him. I don't know what happened to him."

"I don't care," muttered Niko. His arm had tightened around Rob, who stroked it soothingly.

"The next guy was nice. But he didn't like the fact that I played hockey and was always hopping on a bus or plane somewhere. So he bailed. That was the story most of the time. I didn't actually have a relationship with a teammate until I played for the…"

Rob trailed off, hesitating.

"Hmm?" Niko prompted. "Whatever it is, Robbie…"

"Well. Until I played for the Bruins. Is it okay if we not talk about this any more?" Rob asked as he rolled onto his side to face Niko. Niko looked into his eyes and nodded.

Reaching across the small space between them, Rob cupped Niko's cheek in one hand and leaned forward to lightly kiss those pink lips. Niko slid a leg between Rob's and hooked them together at the knees as he pressed closer.

"It's just that my past relationships--"

"It's okay, Robbie. You don't have to explain," Niko said, firmly. "I understand."

There was a few more seconds of silence as they savored each other's kisses.

Niko leaned back and sighed. "I just worry sometimes about what people will think."

"Let them think what they want."

Niko scoffed and Rob placed his forehead against Niko's bare chest and kissed him gently. He sighed with relief when Niko's hands came almost reflexively to twist and stroke his hair.

"Anyone who matters would be happy for us. And if they don't approve, then they don't matter." Rob lifted his head to meet Niko's eyes. "They would be blind not to see how I feel about you."

Niko's brow creased again. "You scare me sometimes, Robbie."

"How?"

"I don't know if it's safe for someone to love like you love. It seems to cause you great pain. At least I see something like pain in your eyes when you look at me. I wouldn't like to think that I cause you any pain," Niko murmured.

"I'm sorry if it scares you. But I can't help the way I feel."

Niko's fingers continued to twist little locks of hair around his fingers.

"Maybe it's not that you feel that way," Niko wondered aloud. "Maybe it's because I'm scared I won't live up to this great passion you feel for me."

Rob just rubbed his cheek against Niko's chest and sighed. There was nothing else he could say to convince Niko, so he decided he would just let his actions speak for him. He continued to rub his cheek against Niko's chest, his light stubble scraping softly against the light tufts of blonde hair that lightly covered Niko's chest.

"Okay, okay," Niko said after a few moments. "I get your point."

Soul mates, thought Rob.

~

"What do you want?" Rob asked.

"Mike's having a little get together tonight," Brenden said, cheery despite the sleep-roughened and rude greeting.

Rob glanced at the clock. Shit. Niko and he had slept most of the day away. He glanced at the curled up ball of Finn next to him.

"What time?"

"You can show up any time between six and seven. Or, if you want to bring something to snack on you can get there a little earlier and he'll have people there set it out for you. It's nothing fancy. Just some of the team and a few of his other friends. Business people. Bring Niko!"

Rob rolled his eyes.

"I know, I know," Brenden laughed. "As if he wasn't becoming surgically attached to your hip… Or something else."

"Hey," Rob warned.

Brenden just laughed again. "See you tonight, Rob. Don't forget snacks, and I don't mean just Niko."

There was a dial tone before Rob could exact any verbal revenge.

"Brenden?" Niko asked, his voice sleepy. "He invite us to dinner or something?"

"Yeah. Over at Mike's."

Niko blinked. "I've never been to Mike's."

"I have. It's nice."

Sitting up, Niko ran a hand through his hair. "I don't have anything good to wear here."

"That's okay. Brenden said it wasn't anything formal. Oh, I know. Wear those khaki shorts you left here last time. I like the way they make your butt look," Rob suggested with a smirk.

Niko glared at him. "Where are they?"

"I'll go get them. I put them through the wash."

That earned him a funny look. Rob looked down at his hands when he realized that it might be a little strange of him to wash Niko's clothes for him. But the shorts had been in a pile in the bathroom and he hadn't even thought about it when he picked them up and sniffed them before tossing them in the hamper with his own clothes.

Niko's hands caressed his cheeks. "Well then. Go get them for me, Robbie. I want my butt to look good for you tonight."

Groaning, Rob let one of his hands slide down Niko's body to rub his hip softly.

"Ah, ah," Niko warned maneuvering out of Rob's reach. "The shorts."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Right away, Your Majesty."

Rob hurried downstairs and grabbed the shorts out of the laundry basket. He hopped back up the stairs and into his bedroom to find the sounds of a shower running. Smiling, he pulled off the shirt he had found sometime before falling asleep, and slipped the boxers back down to his feet. The shorts he laid neatly at the foot of the bed next to the shirt Niko must have dug out of one of the bags he carried with him to Rob's.

The bathroom was already steamy. Niko turned slightly and glanced at him from the within the clear walls of the shower.

"Robbie, we don't have time--"

"Shh," Rob shushed him, slipping quickly into the shower and gathering up Niko in his arms. He held the hot, wet body against him for a few moments before reaching for the conditioner. He squirted some into his hand and rubbed it together with his other one. Then, he ran his fingers through Niko's soft, blonde strands.

Niko's eyes closed and he leaned against Rob, his arms encircling him.

"Rinse," Rob whispered, and Niko leaned back into the stream of water.

Niko reached for the shampoo, and Rob sighed as Niko's fingers massaged his scalp.

"Rinse," Niko said, and Rob ducked his head.

He repeated the process with conditioner, letting his fingers tease over strands and pulling a few bunches of hair with a grin on his face. Rob leaned to kiss Niko, but Niko dodged and got out of the shower, wrapping one of the large towels around himself.

"No time," he called, sliding out of the room.

"Bitch," Rob muttered without conviction, reaching for the soap.

~

Rob sat the tray down on the counter, and someone dressed casually, but obviously hired for the evening, smiled and took it away again. Rob sighed and wondered what it would be like to just have all sorts of hired people pampering him all the time. Niko had disappeared. Well, not quite. Brenden, who was eager to introduce him to the fantastic Mr. Brett Hull, had dragged Niko away from his side.

Looking through the house, Rob intuitively made his way outside and into the expansive back yard. It was still warm enough outside, and sure enough, a burgeoning crowd of people was starting to clump around the pool.

"Rob," Mike's voice greeted him. He shook Mike's hand and felt himself being pulled into a hug. "Glad you came. I wasn't sure if Brenden was going to invite everyone, but he snatched the list out of my hand and told me to relax."

"That's good. You do need to relax. You've been tense lately," Rob replied.

Mike gestured toward a clump, and when Rob looked, he assumed it was also toward Brett.

"It's hard for me to relax when Brett drops by unexpectedly."

"Did he say why he came?"

Rolling his eyes, Mike shook his head. "He likes to check in on me. Make sure I'm not entertaining other men while he's up in Detroit. Brenden told me he told you, by the way."

"Hey guys!" Brenden greeted. Niko was still in tow. "Oh, there's Brett. Come on, Niko!"

Niko looked desperately at Rob, but Rob just grinned evilly.

"Poor Niko," Mike lamented. "Once Brenden gets a notion in his head, it's hard to shake him of it."

Nodding in agreement, Rob watched as Brenden pushed Niko toward Brett, who smiled. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes as Brett gave Niko a charming smirk and shook his hand. He could see the red flush spread over Niko's cheeks from where he stood. Mike chuckled.

"Brett is a charmer."

"He better not be too charming," Rob muttered. "I'll toss him into the pool, Dynasty-style."

Laughing, Mike put a hand on Rob's shoulder. "Then I'd have to defend his honor, and though it may not always seem like it, I can be pretty good in a fight."

"I wouldn't doubt it."

Mike's laughter had drawn the eye of Brett, who glanced their way. He excused himself and came toward them. Mike let his hand drop from Rob's shoulder.

"Hey," Brett greeted, looking at Mike expectantly.

"This is Rob DiMaio. He's also a teammate," Mike introduced him. Brett's eyes flashed with recognition. "Rob, this is Brett Hull. I'm sure you've heard his name before, maybe seen him around. As you probably know, he's a long time… friend."

Rob shook hands with Brett, finding himself smiling back at the broad grin. They had played against each other many times, but never truly met beyond casual glances across crowded rooms or across the ice. Brett winked and allowed his gaze to slide back to Mike. There was a lot in that gaze that made Rob almost feel as if he shouldn't be standing there, witnessing it. It was hot and heavy and he watched Mike glance away with a blush showing faintly beneath the tan.

"Enjoying yourself?" Brett asked.

"I just got here," Rob replied, seeking Niko's eyes out in the crowd. Brett followed his gaze, and the smirk returned.

"Ah, well. I was just going to go and check on the buffet. Mike?"

Mike sighed almost imperceptibly and gave Rob a loaded glance that said, 'I'll-be-right-back', before following Brett into the house.

Rob realized he was still wearing the sport jacket he had decided to toss on over his t-shirt and jeans while agonizing over whether it was actually going to be as casual as Brenden had made it sound. He walked back into the house to put it down when he heard Brett's voice echoing in the kitchen. Rob leaned against a wall to listen, and watched through the reflection off a pane of glass in the door.

"So is he with that little blonde thing?" Brett asked, lifting the corner of an aluminum foil cover off of one of the dishes and peeking inside. Rob ground his teeth together.

"That's none of your, or anyone else's, business," Mike replied, folding his arms across his chest. "And his name is Niko."

"He's cute. Nice big, blue eyes. Pink lips. But you know what I think?"

"What's that?" Mike sighed, audibly this time.

"I think deep brown eyes are much sexier." Brett leaned forward and placed a kiss on Mike's lips. "And your lips-- well. They make me so hot when I think about them wrapped--"

"Brett--" Mike cut him off, a scowl forming on his face.

Brett held his hands up and backed off. "I'll see you around, lover."

The other man sauntered out of the room.

"Jerk," Mike groaned, putting the corner of the foil back over the dish.

Rob came around the corner, startling him. "Hey, I just wondered where I could put my coat."

"Here, there's a closet by the front door. Sorry there was no one there to get it for you."

"No, not at all."

Mike actually took his coat from him and hung it up in the closet himself.

"Did you hear any of that?" Mike asked, looking right into Rob's eyes. "Back there in the kitchen?"

"Yeah. He always treat you like that?" Rob asked, glancing around the empty entryway.

Mike's head glanced down quickly, then away toward the kitchen where they had just come from. "Sometimes. Not all the time. He can actually be sweet and charming when we're alone together, too. Someone's been telling him things though, lately-- things that aren't true. That I've been seeing someone on the team. And the only way that this person would know some of the details they've been giving him, would be if they're on the team, too."

"Who do you think it could be?" Rob asked, suddenly feeling like he should whisper.

"I have a pretty good idea who it could be. Brenden has been trying to find out for sure," Mike twisted his hands together. "Besides wanting you and Niko to know that I don't mind about you guys knowing about me and Brett, I wanted to ask you two here to ask a favor."

Rob nodded slowly. "Anything."

"Just keep an ear open in the locker room, okay? This season... well. You know. I can't be everywhere at once, and knowing I had a couple more allies wouldn't hurt."

"Sure. That's not too much to ask. Do you want me to talk to Niko?"

"I was going to, but I'm sure you could explain just as easily. There isn't much to explain, it's just--"

Mike suddenly stopped and swallowed heavily, his face tightening.

"It's just, what I have with Brett is the real thing. But it's not perfect, and it hasn't always been easy. Someone is doing his best to mess up what I have with him, for whatever reason. I won't let that happen. This all sounds like some huge, fucked up soap opera. But it is what it is. I have to find out, and I have to find out why and keep it from ruining everything Brett and I have worked for."

With that, Mike patted Rob on the shoulder one last time and walked past him back toward the actual party. Rob stood there for a few seconds, letting it sink in. Well, that would definitely explain a few things about what was going on in the locker room, but Rob had not been aware that a little soap opera was actually unfolding.

He needed a drink, and he turned and made his way back into the kitchen where trays of wine glasses were sitting, half-full. He grabbed one for himself, and, as an afterthought, grabbed one for Niko.

Niko was leaning against the door to the kitchen.

"I was wondering where you had gone," he said with a grin. "I thought you had run off and left me here."

Rob handed him a glass and winked. "The plot thickens."

"What do you mean?"

"Strange things are afoot in the Stars Locker Room, and I have a tried and true way to get to the bottom of it."

Niko's face screwed up in a confused frown, which Rob thought was one of Niko's most adorable looks. He had to close his eyes to resist the urge to lean forward and kiss the lines that creased his forehead.

"I need to find Brett. Did you see where he went?" Rob asked. Niko pointed toward the other end of the pool. Rob saw him lounging on a chair, watching everyone else. The blue gaze came to rest on them, and he saw the corners of Brett's mouth perk up. Rob looked back at Niko, who was still gazing questionably at him. He tilted the wine glass back and downed it in one go. Niko gasped quietly as Rob held his empty glass out. Rob couldn't help but think his mother would have smacked him for treating good wine like that.

"I'll be right back," he murmured. He made his way over to where Brett was sitting, feeling the bite of alcohol hit him as he took a seat in the chair next to him.

"Nice evening, Rob," Brett said, with that grin that never seemed to leave his face.

Rob nodded, thinking about how he should ask the question he wanted to ask. There was only one way to deal with this like an adult, and that was to ask the questions that needed answering straightforward. As the captain, Mike had to dance around and play the politics. But as a third-liner, Rob didn't have to play those games. Besides, it was the only way Rob knew how to do things. Well, except when it came to Niko. When it came to Niko, Rob lost his nerve completely, but with everything else-- it just took a little bit of alcohol and a certain amount of good timing. Fortunately for him, Brett opened the conversation.

"Can I ask you an extremely personal question, Rob?" Brett asked.

"Only if I can ask you one," Rob replied quickly. Perfect.

Brett gave a nod and pointed toward Niko. "I have to ask-- are you fucking that cute blonde kid? Because he looks at you with an obscene amount of... something, in his eyes."

"Yeah. I am," Rob replied, wincing slightly at the lewd way it came out of his mouth. He had never noticed the way Niko looked at him. He also inwardly patting himself on the back for not hauling up and punching the man beside him for his disrespect, but it was Brett Hull. You knew what you were getting when you sat down to talk to him.

"Mike used to look at me that way," Brett whispered. Shocked, Rob looked back at Brett, but the usually twinkling blue eyes were looking down at his hands. He hadn't expected Brett to be candid with information. "He used to look at me as if... I don't know."

Rob looked to where Mike was standing, talking to his guests. Mike's eyes would occasionally glance to where they were sitting and the eyebrows would come together in a slight crease before someone would address him again. He would be forced to look away. Rob thought back to the entryway.

"He loves you, Brett," Rob said with a hard, undeniable edge to his voice.

"I know he still loves me. But am I the only one he wants? I don't know. The intensity isn't there. Someone has come between us," Brett looked Rob straight in the eye when he said this. "And maybe it's because we've been together so long. Who knows?"

"Can I ask you that question now?" Rob said, meeting Brett's gaze head on. Brett nodded. "Who has been lying to you about Mike cheating?"

"You're sure about that, are you? That it's a lie?" Brett still hadn't let his gaze waver.

"Absolutely."

Brett seemed to be searching his soul with that gaze, and Rob did his absolute best not to even blink. He owed that much to Mike, at least.

"Mike already knows who it is. I just didn't confirm it when we argued about it. You can tell him I said that."

With that, Brett stood and appeared to be looking for a way to leave the party. Ultimately, however, he sat back down.

"It's funny," Brett said, and suddenly he appeared fragile to Rob. "I love him so much I can't even think right. I wanted to leave, just now. But then I remember that I'm staying with him, so... I have no where to go. No where I want to be other than here, that is. Sometimes I forget that. That he's more important than anything else. And when I remember, I feel like the biggest shit, but by then it's too late."

"I know how you feel," Rob replied, leaning back in the chair. "I know exactly what it's like to just be... confused by what you feel."

"Is he pissed at me?" Brett asked.

Rob shook his head. "He's angry at whoever it is that's coming between you two. He said he wasn't going to just let what you have fall apart."

Brett rubbed a hand across his arm, brushing away a mosquito. "I'm glad at least one of us can keep our head on straight. The lies were so convincing. It made so much sense."

"Who was he supposed to be cheating on you with? If you don't mind?"

Giving a small laugh, Brett glanced toward the person standing next to Mike. "Brenden. It was Brenden. And you know what else? When I got here, Brenden answered the door. So it had to be true, right? But then Mike just laughed in my face when I told him what this person had been saying."

"I could see that being convincing. But Brenden is just trying to do right by Mike and the team. They've been friends for a long time now."

"But it made so much sense, Rob. I didn't know what to think," Brett admitted. "What really sucked was how, even if it had been true, I knew I couldn't let Mike go. And that... messed with me."

Nodding, Rob glanced toward where Niko had been sucked into the group by Brenden. "Yeah. I know how you feel."

~

"That conversation looked involved," Niko murmured when Rob joined the rest of the guests in the kitchen to grab plates of food. "He almost looked like he was about to cry. What did you say to him, you big meanie?"

Rob evaded Niko's playful attempts to pinch him. "How much wine has Brenden been pouring down your throat? I knew I shouldn't have taken my eyes off you. He's been trying to have his way with you, hasn't he?"

Niko looked scandalized. "How dare you insult my honor?"

"I was not trying to have my way with anyone, thank you," Brenden said, glancing around at the other guests, who were luckily involved in their own conversations to notice the obvious flirtation.

As Niko looked at him, Rob again fought the urge to press kisses on those lips and face. This must have been what Brett was talking about. The look that made Rob have to fight urges. But it was crazy that Brett thought Mike didn't look at him the same way. But then again, Rob had no idea how Mike looked at Brett. But Brenden would... Rob held Niko's gaze.

"Hey, Bren?" Rob asked.

"Yeah?" Came a slightly exasperated sigh.

"Does Mike still look at Brett the same way Niko is looking at me, right now?"

"Are you kidding? When there aren't this many people around, Mike can't take his eyes off Brett it seems like."

Niko raised an eyebrow.

"That's what I thought," Rob replied. "I need to find Mike."

And that's exactly what Rob did after grabbing a plate. And another glass of wine, but that disappeared almost as soon as it met his hand.

"Slow down there, cowboy," Brenden cried, taking the glass out of Rob's hand before it slipped from his fingers.

"Can't," Rob answered. "I'm a man on a mission."

As Rob stumbled toward the backyard again, he heard Niko whisper audibly, "My hero."

Grinning, he stepped out into the slight heat of the evening. Combined with the flush of alcohol he almost found it unbearable. But Mike was standing just inside a group. When Rob caught his eye, he gestured him over. Mike excused himself with a smile and came up beside him.

"You look wasted. Want me to put you up for the night?" Mike asked with a smile.

"I've just been busy doing what you asked of me. Brett said that you know who it is," Rob blurted. He then glanced around nervously. A few people glanced their way, and Mike tugged Rob back inside, leading him by the cuff of his button-down shirt toward a back room.

When they were isolated, Mike looked him in the eye again. "What was that?"

"Brett said it's who you thought it was. The person who has been lying to him about you. It's who you thought..."

Why were things always so hard to articulate when you were drunk? Rob thought, frowning.

"I get it, I get it," Mike murmured. He seemed to think for a moment.

"So who is it?" Rob asked. The bed in the room was looking more and more appealing. He made his way toward it and sat down. He would just rest for a minute. He wanted the whole story, though. He supposed there was a little gossipmonger inside of everyone.

Mike followed him, still thinking. "Are you sure you want to know any more about this little debacle. I don't know what I'm going to do about it, yet."

"Who?" Rob asked again, feeling himself starting to lie back on the plush comforter. He did want to know. He couldn't exactly figure out why he wanted to know at the moment.

He felt Mike's hands come under his arms and pull him up the bed until his feet were no longer dangling off the edge.

"You're strong," Rob murmured, settling back on the pillow, his eyes closing. He shouldn't have drank those two glasses of wine that fast. He felt his eyes closing. "Who?"

"Billy," Mike said softly, next to his ear. "Guerin."

"Why?" Rob forced his eyes open and turned his head. "Why would he do something like this?"

Mike sighed and straightened. "That's what I have to find out. Soon. I'll tell Niko where you are."

"Thanks Mike. You're the greatest." Rob felt himself trailing off in general. "Bestest, greatest..."

"Thank you, Rob. For all you've done tonight."

It was nothing, Rob thought, feeling consciousness start to trail off. He hoped he didn't embarrass anyone too much tonight. It had been a long time since he had drunk that much wine that fast. Not a good combination. He moaned Niko's name and reached out to the space next to him.

And then there was nothing.

~

Something cold was trickling down his face. He groaned and tried to get away from it, but it followed him. He heard a muffled laugh and groaned again as the bed dipped.

"You're so mean," a familiar voice scolded. "It's a wonder he puts up with you."

"He loves me," another familiar voice replied as more cold dripped down his face, coming from his forehead and nose. Slowly he opened his eyes and blinked until things came into focus. His tired-looking lover's face hovered over him. A hand came into view, and from the index fingers cold drops of water dripped down on him.

Rob reached up and batted the hand away. "Hey, hey, hey. What's goin' on?"

"You got drunk and passed out," Niko said, loudly. Too loudly. "I was stuck here, alone with Brenden. I decided I'd only be safe if I stayed near you. He wouldn't dare do anything if you were in the room."

He heard Brenden sigh. Slowly sitting up, Rob looked around. It was still dark.

"Everyone thinks I'm trying to steal their man," Brenden sighed dramatically.

"It's because you're such a Don Juan," Niko laughed.

"What time is it?" Rob asked, running a hand through his hair.

Brenden, who was perched on the side of the bed opposite Niko, glanced at his watch. "A little after four in the morning. We helped Mike and Brett clean up with the catering people, and then they headed off to bed. Niko and I talked for a while, and then Niko came up with the bright idea of torturing you with a glass of cold water."

"The party's over?"

Niko nodded and tilted his head. "Do you want me to drive us home, now? Or do you just want to stay here?"

"Home," he muttered.

Brenden chuckled. "Are you sure you're okay to drive yourself?"

"Yes. He doesn't live too far, actually."

By that time, Rob had lain back down and was reevaluating whether or not he wanted to get up again. "Would Mike mind if we stayed here?"

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Mike probably would love it. He finally has someone staying in one of the bedrooms he doesn't use."

With Brenden's answer, Rob reached out and tugged Niko down roughly.

"Robbie!" Niko cried, fighting and struggling.

The load on the bed lightened as Brenden stood and headed toward the door. "Don't worry. I'll turn off the light."

He did as he promised, and then shut the door behind him. Niko smacked Rob on the side and rolled away from him. Rob groaned and reached for him, eyes closed. He listened to the rustling of Niko tossing away his shirt. His lover settled back into his arms, this time willingly.

"I feel sorry for Brenden," Niko yawned, laying his head on Rob's shoulder. "He has to watch over all of us."

Rob let an arm curl around Niko, his fingers drifting to his shoulder and rubbing. "Maybe he likes it."

"Maybe..."

But Niko was already half-asleep. Rob listened as the breaths evened out before he slid out from under Niko, eyeing him tenderly in the light streaming in from the window. Niko's face was soft and free of creases. He looked even younger, more innocent. Rob stepped lightly and slid out of the door. He traveled through the rooms, not certain of what he was doing until he slid open a sliding glass door leading out to the backyard.

Brenden sat by the pool, a drink in one hand.

"Didn't you have enough earlier?" Rob asked quietly.

Startled, Brenden looked up, quick to cover the vulnerable look with a smile. He didn't mask it quick enough, however, for Rob not to notice it. Rob approached him casually, looking up at the sky until he felt he was close enough.

"You might as well tell me what's wrong. I've heard everyone's dirt tonight. A little more angst won't hurt," Rob stated.

"Do you love Niko?" Brenden asked, tossing the contents of the glass out on the grass before setting it down on the deck.

"Yes."

"He likes you. A lot. He's real cute when he talks about you. Blushes, sputters," Brenden rambled. "Here, take a seat."

Rob picked up a heavy deck chair and sat it next to Brenden's.

"When Mike and Brett... fell in love. It was chaotic," Brenden whispered. "Neither of them wanted to admit they wanted each other. They were both scared. I was new to the team, but Mike was already... confiding in me, I guess. He trusted me. So I helped them."

"You're very trustworthy."

"I had a huge crush on him," Brenden admitted. "A kind of idol-thing. He knew about it, but I couldn't compete with Brett Hull. I never could."

Rob's forehead creased with understanding. "You still love him?"

"No. I got over it. Mostly. But sometimes, when I drink too much, it still hurts," he admitted. "But I know I did the right thing, helping them get together. But Brett knew about it, too. That's why it was so easy for him to think that Mike and I were... But we weren't. Mike would never do that. I never would. But..."

"Sometimes you can't help but wonder if it were you instead of Brett?"

Brenden gave a nod. "I feel like such a shit."

"There's no reason, too. You haven't acted on it. Neither of you have. You've been a good friend. And I bet you anything that Mike thinks about what it would have been like if he had fallen in love with you instead of Brett Hull. His life would probably be a lot less... loud."

They both chuckled.

"And then I see what you and Niko have. It's so... good. And that makes it hurt, too."

"I never picked you for a sensitive-type," Rob said. He let that hang in the air for a few moments before continuing. "You're one of the rare good people, Brenden. And it's hard, and it sucks, but one day you'll be repaid. Take it from me..."

"Like you and Niko?"

"Huh?" Rob asked, confused.

"You're a good guy, too, Rob. Is Niko you're payback for all those years?" Brenden was looking him straight in the eye.

"Maybe," Rob whispered, looking down at his lap.

"Is it worth the wait?"

Rob breathed out. "Yes. Absolutely. But..."

"But?"

"We've got our problems, too. Just like everyone else. I think I'm too old for him. I think that he'll find someone younger and leave me. And that sometimes causes tension."

Rob sighed as Brenden nodded, still looking out over the pool. They shared the silence, until a light in one of the windows came on and Niko peeked out of the window. Rob waved and held up a finger. Niko nodded and disappeared back inside. The light went off.

"Why do you think anyone would want to break Mike and Brett up? I didn't even know that many people knew about them," Brenden mused.

"Who knows?" Rob stood, stretching. "Are you staying here, tonight?"

"Yeah. I'm sure I'll find an empty bed somewhere inside this compound."

Rob laughed and headed back inside. "Don't stay up too late brooding."

He closed the sliding glass door behind him and made his way back to the room and pulled off his own shirt before sliding back into the bed. He pressed himself against Niko's warm back and breathed in the scent of his lover's hair.

Niko tucked Rob's arm around him and held it against him. Rob closed his eyes and was soon asleep again.

~

"Look at them," a voice whispered past Rob's subconscious.

He heard a snort, the sound of a kiss, and then Brett's voice yawned while replying, "I'll be downstairs."

Niko stirred in his arms and he felt the other man sitting up and disentangling himself. Rob reached for him and tried to keep him close. Niko said something that sounded like a polite 'what do you want' as he batted Rob's hands away. Rob wouldn't have been that polite.

"I was just wondering if you two would want something to eat before Brett and I left. We have a few things we had planned today. Feel free to sleep, we were just wanting to know if you wanted to join us for breakfast," Mike's voice penetrated and dashed away the last remnants of Rob's sleep, and he opened his eyes. Niko was sitting up next to him, shirtless. He smiled and started to sit up as well.

Niko glanced at him and nodded, "I'll be there. Rob?"

"Give us a second," Rob replied. "Thanks for waking us."

"No problem," Mike answered. He backed out of the room and shut the door behind him again.

"Hmm," Rob hummed, wrapping his arms around Niko and kissing his cheek. He ran his hands up and down Niko's sides as Niko turned into the kiss. He began to grow aroused and dropped his arms with a groan.

"Sorry," Niko said, glancing down at Rob's lap.

Rob lifted Niko's chin and kissed him again. "Don't be. I love the way you make me feel. No one will care."

"I care. I don't want you to be," Niko paused as he looked for the word, "frustrated."

Rob couldn't help himself-- he kissed Niko again, lingering against his lips. "That'll just make it that much better when we finally are able to. You'll come to learn that I love to be frustrated."

Niko returned his playful look and brushed their noses together before sliding out of the bed and pulling on his shirt. Rob helped him make the bed and followed him down the hall. Niko stopped short before they reached to end of the hallway and Rob almost knocked both of them over. When he looked up to see what had made Niko stop short, he sucked in a breath.

Mike and Brett were sharing a tender kiss just outside the kitchen. Brett whispered something in Mike's ear and Mike leaned his head against Brett's shoulder, smiling and looking intensely relieved.

"I'm so sorry," they heard Brett say. Mike just shook his head and rubbed his hands across Brett's back. Niko chose that moment to step out into the living room and smiled at them. They stepped back from each other and Brett grinned at Rob.

They ushered them into the kitchen where Brenden was sitting and picking over the newspaper. He smiled at all of them when the entered the room.

"So who's the best cook?" Brenden asked.

Niko tried to shrink away behind Rob.

"You would think the Italians were the best cooks," Brett suggested, taking a seat next to Brenden. "But I wouldn't nominate Mike for any cooking awards."

Mike glared at Brett. "You would think the one that ate the most would be the best cook."

"Ouch," Brenden murmured.

Brett gave him a scathing glance.

"I can cook," Niko whispered in Rob's ear.

Rob glanced behind him. "What was that?"

"I can cook," Niko said, louder.

Rob stepped out of the way and sat down in a bar stool arranged around the island. Niko went to the refrigerator and started to rummage. He pulled out some eggs and laid them to the side. Rob caught a smirk from Brett.

"Everyone knows the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," Brett commented as Niko started to simmer water for poached eggs.

Rob just watched his lover's bent head bob slightly as he added vinegar to the water. He answered a constant barrage of questions from Brett about his methods until Mike poked Brett in the stomach.

"Let him cook," Mike muttered. Brett sighed and put his arm around Mike. Mike leaned into him and Brett let out a small sigh of pleasure. Rob glanced back to Niko, who was fishing out the first of his eggs gently. Their eyes met briefly, and Niko smiled gently at him, but set the first plates in front of Mike and Brett. He placed some toast next to them. Brett fell silent.

Then it was Brenden and Rob. Rob took the plate and brushed a finger against Niko's. Niko glanced up briefly. Rob mouthed 'I love you', which caused Niko to blush and look away again.

"This is sickening," Brenden muttered, standing with his half-empty plate. "I'm going to take this time to bow out and say good-bye."

Mike protested, but Brenden waved him off. "No, no. I can't handle much more of the sappy stuff. For hockey players--"

"Don't finish that sentence," Brett muttered around a mouth full of food.

Brenden just grinned and walked out of the kitchen. Mike hurried after him to see him off.

"Mother hen," Brett muttered, reaching over to Mike's plate and spearing the chilling egg.

Niko sat next to Rob and started on his own plate. For a while it was just the scrapes and clinking of silverware against stoneware dishes. Mike retook his seat and proceeded to smack Brett for stealing his food, but kissed the spot afterward. Rob moved his thigh slightly so that it pressed against Niko's and he rubbed them together gently.

Mike picked up their dishes and said he would take care of it, but Brett stepped in and started the hot water running with a meaningful glance. Rob glanced at Niko and Niko leaned his head toward the front door.

"Thanks for the invite," Rob said, grabbing his coat out of the closet. Mike stepped close and Rob found himself enclosed in a tight hug.

"Thank you for everything you did. It might not seem like much--"

"No, I understand. You guys are going to be all right?"

Mike glanced back toward the kitchen where Brett was washing the dishes, doing a strange little dance as he swiped the dishes with a rag and placed them in the dishwasher.

"We'll be fine."

"What are you going to do about... things?" Rob asked quietly. Niko was standing by the door, the knob in his hand.

Mike's brown eyes narrowed and he cast them about for a moment. "I'll think of something. I'll see you at practice, guys."

Rob and Niko let themselves out and heard the door close softly behind them. Rob drove them quietly back to his home and sighed as he pulled into the driveway. Niko smiled and took his hand gently.

"Did you want to go back to bed for a while?" Niko asked, his voice soft.

"Yeah. I didn't know you were still that sleepy," Rob teased, leaning over and ruffling Niko's hair before pressing a kiss to his forehead.

Niko took his lower lip into his mouth. "Maybe I'm not."

Rob grinned. When would Niko stop surprising him? He hoped never.

~
THE END
~