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It was nearly April and the rodeo season was in full swing for Tristan and his dad. They were kicking the season off in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was a venue they’d been at a few times over the years. And during the last few years one of the competitors a guy named Christopher Davis had started to notice Tristan a bit more. There was casual flirting between them but nothing Tristan thought much about. Yes Chris was an attractive guy, but Tristan just kind of figured it was one of those flirt only situations. And the closer he got to Blaire the less often he had really considered the idea of going past flirting with people. Tristan had just finished his event and was heading to leave the rodeo to get some rest back at the hotel when Chris caught up with him. “Good ride tonight Tristan.”, Chris greeted with a smile. Tristan glanced over his shoulder to see Chris. He gave a nod. “Thanks Chris. You didn’t do too bad.”, Tristan answered turning around. “Yeah well you knocked me out of the tournament this year. Either I’m getting old or you are getting better at staying on the bull.” Chris said his tone and smile indicating that he was flirting. “Well I don’t think it’s because you’re getting old, you're only how old now?”, Tristan teased. “Twenty-five, but thanks for reminding me. You’re the young guy now, only what nineteen now? But if it’s not my age then you are getting better at staying in the saddle so to speak.”, Chris answered.
Tristan nodded. “Well eighteen but nineteen in the fall. And I suppose I’ve gotten better. Have had some extra practice so to speak.”, Tristan corrected a small smirk using a euphemism in regards to his relationship with Blaire. “Oh is that so? Found a boyfriend have you?”, Chris questioned. Tristan shook his head. “No, don’t have a boyfriend.”, Tristan answered. Chris raised an eyebrow. “Oh that’s right you also go for girls. Almost forgot that. So a girlfriend then?”, Chris said nodded. “Not exactly a girlfriend but something along those lines.”, Tristan said not really sure how to explain it. Blaire wasn’t officially his girlfriend. Their arrangement only said when in Bayville they were together but outside of Bayville they were just friends. “Something along those lines? Is she your girl or not? Because I don’t want to give a try to someone who’s in a commitment.”, Chris questioned. Tristan raised an eyebrow. “Give a try? What are you dancing around Chris?”, Tristan asked. “To be blunt, I leave in the morning and am basically trying to determine if you are in a commitment because I’d like to sleep with you.”, Chris stated getting directly to the point. Tristan blinked having thought that’s where Chris was going on this but still a bit surprised it was. “I’m not in a commitment. There’s a girl in a New York that I see when I’m there, but when I’m not in New York…”, Tristan said with a shrug. Part of him felt a little bad for phrasing it like that. Blaire did mean something to him, she meant a lot actually. But she was also the only person he’d been with. And there was part of him that would like to give a guy a try in bed. Chris smirked. “I see. So what do you say then? Your hotel?”, Chris asked.
Tristan smiled but held up a hand taking out his cell. “Give me just a moment…”, Tristan said turning away from Chris for a moment and sending a text to Blaire. He knew he didn’t really need her permission, but it didn’t feel right or okay to sleep with someone else if she wasn’t okay with it. And after all if anything they were always open with each other. ‘Hey Blaire. I have a question for you.’ He sent the message. Over in Bayville Blaire was on her couch watching a movie with Hope who was staying the night. Hope sighed and paused the movie hearing the unmistakable sound of ‘It’s Raining Men’ playing. “Go on and see what lover boy wants. I’ll wait.”, Hope teased eating some popcorn. Blaire smirked and elbowed Hope before grabbing her cell and checking the message. ‘Hi Tristan. Sure ask away.’, Blaire texted back. Tristan turned briefly to look at Chris, who was patiently waiting for an answer, and snapped a quick picture sending it to Blaire. ‘So that’s Chris, a fellow bull rider. And in not so few words he’d asked if he could ride me tonight. I just wanted to check with you before I gave an answer.’, Tristan messaged. Blaire checked the message and went a little pale. Hope raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”, Hope asked. Blaire didn’t say anything just took a deep breath as she typed. She wanted to tell him that she wasn’t okay with it, but she knew she shouldn’t. He wasn’t her boyfriend. Outside of Bayville they had no commitment. He was free to be with anyone he wanted, and for the first time that idea hurt her. ‘He’s cute. If you want to say yes, go for it. After all our agreement only applies for when you are in Bayville that you and I are together. Outside of Bayville we are just friends.’ Blaire sighed closing her eyes and she hit send. Tristan sighed a little reading the message a mixed feeling on her giving approval. ‘Alright. I’ll talk to you soon beautiful.’ Tristan replied putting his phone back in his pocket. He turned back to Chris and smiled. “My hotel I guess.”, Tristan said. Chris smiled. “Alright I’ll follow in my ride.”, Chris said heading for his jeep and followed Tristan back to the hotel.
Blaire set her phone aside and took another breath trying to contain the pain. She knew it was always a possibility, that at some point he’d want to be with someone else. Maybe she should just be glad that not only did he talk to her beforehand but that it was a guy and not another girl. Hope raised an eyebrow she knew she could just read Blaire’s mind but she wouldn’t do that. “Blaire? What’s wrong? What happened with Tristan?”, Hope asked placing a hand on Blaire’s shoulder looking at her concerned. “I’m alright. Tristan just…”, Blaire said trying to maintain her control. “He was just messaging me about a guy he likes and was thinking about sleeping with.”, Blaire said. Hope blinked. “What? And what did you tell him?”, Hope asked. She knew Blaire very well and knew how much Blaire actually cared about Tristan. “Only thing I could say. I reminded him that our agreement is only that we are together when he’s in Bayville and when he’s not we are just friends. So he’s free to be with anyone he wants.”, Blaire explained holding back tears. Hope sighed and hugged Blaire. “For being so smart, you really are an idiot.”, Hope said quietly. Blaire laughed a little still fighting back tears. “It was bound to happen. Eventually he’d find someone he’d want to be with that’s not me. And I mean at least it’s a guy and not another girl. I don’t think I’d be able to deal if it was another girl. He’s bisexual I can’t and wouldn’t change that. And I mean no amount of toys could really be the same. So I couldn’t just tell him no, tell him he couldn’t try being with a man.”, Blaire said a few tears starting to fall.
Hope sighed and hugged her best friend tight. “You should have told him what you feel.”, Hope insisted. Blaire pulled back from the hug and shook her head. “I can’t do that Hope. He travels for his job and otherwise lives in Oregon. I can’t try and tie him down like that. I can’t just tell him that I….”, Blaire cut herself off. “That you love him.”, Hope said finishing the sentence. Blaire nodded. “Of course you can you daft woman. Woman up for Christ sake.”, Hope sighed shaking her head. Blaire just shook her head and found some tissues dabbing along the edges of her eyes. “I…I can’t alright Hope. I can’t say those words. Not aloud and certainly not to him.”, Blaire said shaking her head. Hope rolled her eyes and sighed. “God you hurt my brain. You always speak your mind but on this you go silent? Seems pretty stupid to me. But alright let’s take a few more deep breaths and I know you can give me a makeover. You love it when I let you mess with my hair and makeup. And you can even decide what I wear on our weekend trip to Harvard with Bianca and Gabriel.”, Hope offered trying to cheer Blaire up. Blaire nodded throwing away her tissues away. “Alright. Thank you Hope.”, Blaire said hugging her. “You are an awesome best friend. Now come on I’m curling that red hair. And ooh I know the perfect outfit to have you wear at Harvard.”, Blaire said with a laugh getting up from the couch and pulling Hope by the arm. Hope sighed. “God help me. You are lucky that you are my best friend and I love you as my sister.”, Hope groaned following her friend. The things she was willing to do to keep her friends from being sad. She wanted to just take Blaire’s cell and text Tristan that Blaire really didn’t want him to sleep someone else but Hope knew she’d get in trouble so she didn’t.
Not too far from the beach house was the apartment building that Leslie lived in with her friend. Her roommate was out of town for the weekend visiting her parents so Leslie had the place all to herself. So of course she talked Merrick into coming and staying the weekend with her. Leslie sighed a little rolling onto her side cuddling into Merrick’s side running a hand along his chest. “This is nice.”, Leslie commented. Merrick had started to doze but opened one eye to look at her. “Hmm?”, Merrick questioned adjusting his arm to hold her a little tighter. “You staying here and it just being the two of us. When Miranda is here you never stay the night. Heck we are hardly in the apartment if she’s home just to be polite.”, Leslie explained. Merrick shrugged a little. “I’m not the one with issues being quiet during sex, Miss wake-the-dead.”, Merrick teased. Leslie smiled and pinched him nipple. “I never had issues with volume with previous boyfriends. So your own fault.”, Leslie teased. “Ouch…you’re lucky I like pain.”, Merrick said swatting her hand away. “Oh I’ll take blame for that. Not my fault your previous boyfriends were apparently crap in bed.”, Merrick said with a small laugh. “I do agree it is nice to be here and it’s just the two of us. No having to rush to get dressed and leave before Miranda gets home.”, Merrick agreed starting to run his hand along her back. Leslie smiled and rested her head on his shoulder letting her hand again start running up and down his chest.
She smiled a little more as she heard him start to purr. “God you are too adorable Merrick Bryant-Frost.”, Leslie teased kissing his cheek. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “What I do now?”, Merrick asked. “You purr. Every time we cuddle you purr. And it’s just the most adorable thing I’ve ever heard.”, Leslie explained. Merrick rolled his eyes but smiled. “I’m an animal by nature what can I say.”, Merrick answered. “I know and it’s one of the million things I love about you. You growl, scratch and bite during sex and when just cuddling you purr. To name a couple of your endearing animal quirks.”, Leslie said. Merrick laughed a little. “The growling, scratching and biting is only because I enjoy sex with you. It’s kind of like how you apparently don’t have a volume control.”, Merrick explained. Leslie moved to partially lay on his chest and look at him her long dirty blonde hair falling forward into her face as she looked down at his. “I mean it though Merrick. I love you.”, Leslie said seriously. Merrick hadn’t heard those words before. He smiled and reached up pushing her hair behind her ears before cupping her face with his hands. “Leslie, I..well I’m not great with words. But..”, Merrick said pulling her closer and kissing her. “I love you.”, he whispered pulling back from the kiss. Leslie smiled and leaned back into him kissing. “Say it again.”, Leslie requested. Merrick laughed. “I love you. I love you Leslie Anne Andrews.”, Merrick repeated giving her another kiss. “Mmmm. I like hearing you say that. So I have an idea.”, Leslie said.
Merrick raised an eyebrow. “An idea? Should I be afraid?”, Merrick questioned. “Well I mean we’ve been together for…”, Leslie said thinking about it. “Five months, eight days, six hours, twenty minutes.”, Merrick answered. Leslie laughed. “God you are cute. Alright so we’ve been together going on six months. What would you say to taking our relationship to the next level?”, Leslie asked. “Next level?”, Merrick questioned cautiously. “Yes, next level. I want to live with you. I obviously can’t live at the Haven with your family and you can’t live here because of Miranda. So why not get an apartment together? We both have jobs so we can split the bills. And then I can fall asleep every night listening to you purr and wake up every morning to your face.”, Leslie offered. Merrick blinked. “Move in together? Move out of the Haven?”, Merrick said thinking it over. “You said your half brother Demitri doesn’t live at the Haven but he is still considered a member and protected by their laws. The same would apply for you right? I mean given we wouldn’t be leaving Bayville. I wouldn’t dream to ever take you far from your family. I know how much they mean to you. And I hope you know that I adore your family, well except for Josalyn and Emma but you know.”, Leslie said. “I know you do. I can’t blame you for how you feel about Josalyn and Emma they hurt you. And my family really likes you too. Every time I come home they ask how you are doing and when I’m bringing you by again. And you’re right Demitri doesn’t live at the Haven but is protected by our laws. So I could move out and not lose that status. So fuck it, alright. Let’s pool our cash and look for an apartment together. But let’s wait till you know morning. Right now I just want to lay here holding you and go to sleep.”, Merrick agreed pulling her back to the bed rolling to his side and cuddling close to her. Leslie giggled. “Alright we start looking in the morning. I love you Merrick.”, Leslie sighed. “I love you too.”, Merrick whispered kissing her neck before closing his eyes to go back to sleep.
Tristan had a few moments of second guessing this decision as he drove to his hotel with Chris following behind in his jeep. But he decided he wouldn’t know unless he tried. And so far his sexual experience was all with Blaire. Which he was rather sure he lucked out when he got Blaire, he doubted many other girls would have been willing to do most of the things Blaire was. Despite all of that, and that he was satisfied when he was with Blaire there was just part of him that wondered about having sex with another man. Tristan also reminded himself that Blaire said it was okay. She’d cited their original agreement from almost two years ago. As he parked the truck getting out it hit him that he’d been with her for almost three years, going back to the first day he met her. In the last two years he’d never really gone past flirting and occasionally kissing someone else. And now here he was bringing Chris to his hotel room for what would probably just be a one night stand. His paths only crossed with Chris at maybe six out of the fifteen shows he rode at. As he got out of the truck Chris pulled in next to him getting out of his jeep. Chris raised an eyebrow looking at Tristan who was still standing by his truck. Chris walked up behind Tristan, being about the same height though Chris a bit broader in build, and placed his chin on Tristan’s shoulder. “We going or no?”, Chris asked placing his hands on Tristan’s sides. Tristan sighed and was fiddling with the protection amulet Blaire got him running his thumb over it like a religious person would a cross. Tristan nodded. “Yeah.”, Tristan agreed taking his hand off the pendant and leading the way into the hotel and up to his room unlocking the door.
Chris walked into the room closing the door behind him and looked at Tristan with a smile. “You ever actually been with a man yet?”, Chris asked noticing that more than once Tristan seemed to be elsewhere. “No, nothing beyond making out with a guy before.”, Tristan explained taking his hat off and setting it on the small table. Chris smirked. “This should be fun then.”, Chris said moving closer and started kissing Tristan. Tristan tried to not compare the kiss to Blaire’s as the lips were so different. Chris’s lips weren't full like Blaire’s or as soft, not to mention Chris had some stubble which was a large difference of course. Tristan pushed the thoughts about Blaire into the back of his mind and returned the kiss opening his mouth letting Chris’s tongue enter his mouth. Chris moaned a little as his tongue rubbed coarsely against Tristan’s. Chris began unbuttoning Tristan’s shirt pulling it off as he kept the kiss going. There wasn’t really the need for words, both knew where it was going. Chris walked Tristan backwards to the bed, removing more clothes as they went. With Blaire Tristan was used to well being a little more in control but Chris was making it clear, subtly, that he was going to be the one in control. And as Chris ran his hands over him and he ran his hands on him Tristan kept pushing back thoughts of Blaire. Small things, like remembering how it felt when her soft hands traced out his scars or how her body felt under his fingers.
Chris ran a hand up Tristan’s chest again and brushed against the pendant and pulled back from a kiss and looked at the necklace. “Interesting trinket. Can it be removed?”, Chris asked. Tristan looked down at the necklace and back at Chris. He thought trying to decide at what point he drew the line of pushing anything of Blaire away for this night. And he decided the necklace was the line. “It is an amulet of protect and it stays.”, Tristan stated. Chris shrugged. “Alright.”, Chris said starting to kiss Tristan’s chest just moving the necklace out of the way as he needed before kissing lower on Tristan. Tristan moaned and found himself again holding the pendant like one might a cross as Chris went lower taking him into his mouth. Chris now the second person to actually do that. And Tristan couldn’t help himself he thought of Blaire and that first time how she had him sitting on the sofa in her beach house, she kissed down his chest and put a pillow on the floor to kneel on, how she looked in that little silk pajama set there between his legs, and god how it felt when she started and could deep throat. It wasn’t bad, he was enjoying what Chris was doing he couldn’t help that. But it was still different from Blaire. And as he felt some pressure at the outside of and then, without much warning, the inside of his hole confirmed his original suspicions that this was not going to be an encounter that he was top.
Tristan moaned because he did like what Chris was doing. For someone who’d not been with a guy it at least wasn’t all that strange of a sensation to Tristan, after all Blaire had ‘commandeered’ the unopened anal beads and dildo from Ashley who was adamant that her and Xavier would never use such a thing. It wasn’t long before Chris had gotten a condom, because safety first, and for the first time Tristan was experiencing what it would be like to be with another man. Chris initially went slow, having figured he was basically taking a virgin but realized from Tristan’s movements that maybe he’d been mislead in that and his pace changed. Tristan matched the change moaning eyes closed, one hand still holding the necklace as he still couldn’t get Blaire out of his head. Even as they reached climax Tristan couldn’t shake Blaire. Chris pulled out and sat on the end of the bed and threw out the condom before looking over at Tristan. Tristan sat up from where he was laying and raised an eyebrow. “Thought you said you hadn’t been with a guy, just a woman.”, Chris stated standing up putting on his boxers. Tristan nodded and grabbed some tissues cleaning himself up before answering. “That’s true. You are the first guy I’ve slept with.”, Tristan said grabbing his boxers now feeling rather out of place.
Chris raised an eyebrow at the statement getting his pants on. “Alright I’ll bite, so you what screw yourself or something? Cause if that was the first time you’ve been ridden I’ll eat my hat.”, Chris said with a chuckle. Tristan rolled his eyes. “Blaire isn’t exactly a prude or afraid to try anything with me.”, Tristan explained. “Blaire?”, Chris asked confused as the name was kind of gender neutral. “My girl in New York. But, yes you are the first guy I’ve slept with. But Blaire is adventurous and actually brought toys like anal beads and dildos into the bed. So you may be the first guy I’ve been with but not the first time I’ve had something up there.”, Tristan explained. Chris nodded before he pulled on his shirt and sitting back down grabbing his boots. “So sounds like this Blaire is something special.”, Chris commented looking over at Tristan. Tristan nodded messing with the necklace again. “You keep playing with that thing. Why?”, Chris asked grabbing his other boot. “Was a gift from her. She got me this for protection when I ride because it’s a guy with bullhorns.”, Tristan explained. Chris raised an eyebrow. “Granted I’m okay if you decide this is a onetime thing. It was fun Tristan, but you seem to be hung up on this girl. And guess for a bisexual like yourself finding a girl that’s up for anything kind of gives you all you need in one package.”, Chris said with a shrug standing up. Tristan nodded. “Yeah she is something special. My north star.”, Tristan said thinking about it. “Yeah no hard feelings or anything Chris. But I don’t exactly see this happening again.”, Tristan agreed. Chris smiled. “No worries Tristan. See you around the circuit.”, Chris said grabbing his hat and leaving the room.
Tristan sighed a little and looked for his jeans and found his cell holding it in his hands looking at it. He swiped the screen and considered calling Blaire. He wanted to tell her that lesson was learned, he didn’t want or need anyone but her. Then he noticed she hadn’t replied or anything after he said he’d talk to her later and reread what she’d sent in regards to giving her okay. As he read it a few times it started to sound like something she’d have said in her more professional lawyer tone. Which he knew that tone could be cold as she recited law because it was black and white. He wondered if she had really been okay with him sleeping with Chris. And now that he had would she still be okay? Would she still want to see him? God he hoped that one time with someone else didn’t destroy three years of knowing her, two being with her on a more intimate level. He looked at the time and remembered she was an hour ahead so it was too late to call her. And he knew she was supposed to be going to visit Harvard for the weekend with Hope, Bianca and Gabriel. He smiled a little remembering when she got her letter. She called him and put him on speaker phone. He’d been so confused as he was bombarded with greetings from Three additional people. They all sounded so excited. Blaire had explained that they had all applied to Harvard and gotten letters in the mail and were going to open them together to see who got accepted and who got rejects. He thought he was going to be deaf when three high pitched squeals from the girls with a yell of joy from Gabriel and he was told they’d gotten in. He was so proud and happy for her. And he was glad that she wanted to include him in that moment. He sighed going to the photo gallery on his phone flipping through pictures of Blaire and the pictures of him with her. “God I’m a fucking moron.”, He groaned hitting his forehead with his hand. Tristan set the phone down and took a shower feeling somehow unclean at the moment before going to bed.
Across the ocean Rose had come a bit more out of her shell but she still wasn’t fully out and she certainly hadn’t stopped drinking large amounts of wine. But now she wasn’t always drinking alone. Skye and Donovan started coming to the cottage to hang out and Skye was always happy to join her in a drink. They’d all drank probably more than should have the night before. Rose woke up in her room of course feeling no effects of the alcohol and got out of bed to find something to eat. She checked on Atif and Billy who were still passed out in their bedroom with the curtains drawn. She checked the spare bedroom and saw Skye snoring away on the bed. Rose laughed a little before closing the door starting down the stairs. She paused smelling something burning and started to run to the kitchen quickly pulling a pan off the stove and turning the burner off. She looked around trying to see how left something on the stove. She sniffed the item and quickly put a cover on it as the smell was offensive. In that moment Donovan emerged from the downstairs bathroom in just a pair of shorts he’d borrowed from Atif a bit confused. “Wat ya doin’ wid mah parritch?”, Donovan demanded
“Your what? Are you trying to burn down my Uncle’s cottage you idiot?!”, Rose yelled growling a little at him. “Wat ya talkin’ bout? Ah was makin’ mahself some parritch…yanks like yerself call it porridge. Mah breakfast. Ah wasn’t tryin’ ta burn anyting down. Ah must’ve forget ta turn da burner offer before Ah went to the water closet. Crap.”, he said pushing past her to look at the pan. He frowned and dumped the blackened porridge into the trash. “Dere goes breakfast.”, Donovan groaned putting the pot into the sink and grabbing a scrubber and soap starting to scrub the burned porridge from the bottom of the pan. “How the fuck did you not smell that burning?”, Rose demanded. “Ah ain’t got yer heightened senses luv. Ah just heal and ‘ave mah knives.”, Donovan defended. Rose growled again shaking her head. “Well here’s a rule then, you crash here don’t just help yourself to our food because apparently you are still eight and can’t be allowed near the stove.”, Rose grumbled pushing past him to the fridge getting out the milk and stretched to reach into the cupboard for a bowl and some cereal making herself a bowl of cereal to eat. “Fine. Next time Ah stay da night Ah won’t try and fix breakfast, yer highness.”, Donovan said giving a bowl that flung soapy water at her before turning back to scrubbing the pot. “Duchess, highness would be more the term when addressing my brother, my sister-in-law, or my nephew.”, Rose quipped finishing her cereal. Donovan raised an eyebrow. “Wat? Yer arse ain’t royal. Maybe a royal pain, an attractive pain, in mah arse. But ya ain’t royal.”, Donovan said shaking his head. Rose rolled her eyes getting out a wine glass a fresh bottle of wine. She knew it was deemed too early, but Atif and Billy were asleep so they couldn’t yell at her. She poured a glass and took a long drink. “My brother his Hudson James Howlett King of Mandripoor, his wife is Teresa Katarina Hamilton Howlett Queen of Mandripoor and my nephew is Logan James Howlett Prince of Mandripoor. If you don’t believe me you can just ask Atif.”, Rose said with a shrug finishing off her glass.
“Bit early for a nip of wine ain’t it? And maybe Ah will ask whenever da lightweight gets outta bed. Lad may be half Scot but he sure canna drink like one.”, Donovan commented. “Well as the saying goes it’s five o’clock somewhere. And since I can’t get drunk it doesn’t exactly matter what time of day I start drinking.”, Rose said washing her glass and breakfast dishes putting them away. “Ya know ya ain’t exactly like da Rose mah cousin had described.”, Donovan commented. Rose grumbled and shook her head as she walked to the living room area. “Oh is that so?”, Rose said sitting down. “Aye. Dat is so. Atif described his friend Rose as well a smiling girl. Someone that knew how to enjoy life and was adventurous and loving. Da Rose Ah’ve met doesn’t smile and doesn’t seem ta enjoy life verra much. He said ya had a bad junior year but seemed to have come round during senior year. So wat yer issue? Ya unhappy in Cambridge? Tink ya made da wrong choice in university?” , Donovan asked. “Yes, well that Rose was naive and didn’t want to face reality. My junior year was crap, but I got through it by making sure I instead focused my time on training, working my internship at a medical clinic to make my applications to medical school look better and otherwise getting to know my dad.”, Rose said. “Uh huh and wat happened in senior year to get ya back to normal?”, Donovan asked. “Found ways to distract myself from my problems. And now that I’m here I don’t have that distraction. So I have to face reality. That every time I go home to visit and see my friends they are going to keep getting older, they are going to get married, they are going to have children and I won’t have that. That’s what I’m dealing with. Okay? You going to drop it now? All I want is to deal with this my way and everyone keeps bothering me. I’m starting to understand Merrick more and more every day.”, Rose said frustrated.
Donovan sighed. “No Ah ain’t gonna drop it. Ya tink yer alone in dat little boat? Ah have da same issue. Ah’m da only Kearney to have dis power. Ah have to watch mah whole family, including mah own twin grow old and die while Ah don’t. Ya got family dat has yer power don’t ya?”, Donovan countered. Rose blinked having kind of forgotten that he had an accelerated healing like her. “Well yes. My dad, my Uncle, my brothers, my sister, my one cousin and possibly my nephew. I just don’t want my life to be like my dad’s.”, Rose said. “Den be happy. Yer still gonna have family wid ya. Ah ain’t.”, Donovan stated simply. “And it’s yer life so live it yer way. Ya ain’t yer father but an individual.”, Donovan added. “It’s not that easy. You seem so well adjusted with it. How did you get over it then?”, Rose countered. “Ah’m not over it. But Ah ain’t gonna let it rule mah life. Ya met mah twin. Skye hits damn hard and she told me dat if Ah kept tinking bout her dying she was gonna keep hitting me till Ah stopped. She dinna like me tinking bout it. She’d rather Ah be here in da now and just be her brother. So dat is wat Ah’m gonna do. Ah live for now and nothing more.”, Donovan explained. “So don’t get pissy wid me princess, because Ah know wat yer going through.”, Donovan added. Rose was about to say something back when she heard someone coming down the stairs.
Skye yawned and looked around. “Leave Rose be Donovan. And put a damn shirt on ya tryin’ ta be some slick git.”, Skye ordered. Rose chuckled a little relieved to have someone else downstairs. “Wat she ain’t complained about mah clothing or lack dere of.”, Donovan said with a smirk. Rose rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry Skye, I’ve trained with much hotter.”, Rose said with a smile. Skye raised an eyebrow and Donovan rolled his eyes. “Hotter? This Ah gotta see. Pictures?”, Skye asked walking over sitting on the arm of the sofa that Rose was sitting on. Rose laughed and pulled out her cell and went to the gallery and brought up some of the last pictures she had from the going away party. Skye took the phone and started swiping through the photos and stopped at a picture of eight guys at the beach. “Sweet mother Mary! Who is dat one?”, Skye asked pointing Merrick out in the picture. Rose looked and smiled a little but surprised any emotion or fondness for her answer. “Merrick Bryant-Frost. He’s a Haven mutant like Billy was. And he’s a complete asshole and a man-whore.”, Rose explained. “Who cares? Body like dat Ah’d get in line.”, Skye grinned raising her eyebrows suggestively. Rose laughed shaking her head. “Who da other hotties? Not counting Billy and Atif cause Ah know dem.”, Skye asked. Donovan peeked over his twin’s shoulder as he pulled his shirt on to see. “Well that’s Malcolm, my friend Cora Lee’s boyfriend, standing next to Merrick. That’s Tommy, he’s dating my friend Lily and it Billy’s twin. That’s my nephew Xavier he’s dating your cousin Ashley. That’s my cowboy friend Tristan and he’s involved with my friend Blaire. And that..well that’s Landon Bryant and he..well he is dating my cousin Rachel.”, Rose explained.
“Well crap dey are almost all taken. But still a trip to America might be worth just the eye candy.”, Skye said grinning. “Aren’t der any birds at dat event?”, Donovan asked taking the phone and swiping through the pictures till he found a group shot of the girls. “Alright here we go. So Ah obviously know mah cousin Ashley and course you. But who da others. Cause purple hair is good looking, da raven haired lass in da little red number is verra nice and oo wait who is da goddess, de Egyptian one?”, Donovan asked. Rose rolled her eyes lahghing a little. “The other red head is Lily Bryant-Frost, so taken. The girl with purple hair is Cora Lee Bryant, again taken. The girl with black hair is Blaire Delaney, so taken. And the ‘goddess’ as you called her, is my cousin Rachel Howlett and very taken.”, Rose explained. “Everyone seems to like Rachel.”, Rose said shaking her head. “Ah well den not worth da trip for me.”, Donovan said with a shrug. Skye took the phone back and handed it to Rose before going to the kitchen. She checked the trash smelling something bad. “Did ya burn parritch again?!”, Skye said looking to her brother. Rose started laughing. “Yes he did.”, Rose confirmed. Donovan grumbled. “Shut up.”, Donovan said. “Lord dis is why mum won’t let ya get a cooktop for yer dorm, ya’d burn da place down.”, Skye teased grabbing an apple. Rose smiled and seeing them twins having their sibling moment made her think of her brother. “I should call my brother.”, Rose said standing up.
“Oooo da ‘king’?”, Donovan teased. Skye cocked her head to the side. “King?” Skye questioned. “Your brother doesn’t believe that my brother is the King of Mandripoor.”, Rose stated. “He is…”, Billy yawned walking down the stairs with Atif behind him. Billy headed straight for the coffee maker started to make some coffee. “Who doesn’t believe what?”, Atif questioned confused rubbing sleep from his blue eyes. “Atif tell Donovan my brother’s name, the one I talk to that is.”, Rose said. Atif groaned. “Am I being formal?”, Atif asked. “Unfortunately yes.”, Rose stated. Atif sighed. “His Majesty Hudson James Howlett King of Mandripoor.”, Atif said jumping up onto the counter to wait for coffee. Donovan blinked in shock. “Seriously she’s royalty?”, Donovan questioned. Atif nodded. “Yes.”, Atif said simply. “And ya dinna tink ta say dat when ya introduced her?”, Donovan questioned. “I’m sorry? Didn’t realize I needed to give a formal introduction. Fine. Presenting Her Grace Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett Duchess of Mandripoor. That better? I don’t really think about the whole royal thing because she’s been just Rose my whole life. Only time Hudson’s title ever came into play was that she used to summer at his castle. All the Howletts have a title in Mandripoor, but back home in Bayville they are just the Howletts. Her mom was our survival training instructor at the institute. So pardon me for never associating formalities with people I think of like extended family.”, Atif grumbled. Rose smiled and kissed Atif’s cheek. “Billy get him coffee, Atif grumpy is weird. I’m going to go call Hudson.”, Rose said taking her phone out into the garden and making the long distance call to her brother in Mandripoor.
Hudson was a bit surprised to hear from his little sister, but always a pleasant surprise. “Hey baby sister. How’s Cambridge?”, Hudson greeted holding a hand up to someone who was talking about something he didn’t really care about. “Hi Hudson. It’s alright. Am I interrupting something?”, Rose asked. “Oh my advisors always think what they want to talk to me about is more important that oxygen. But it’s not.”, Hudson said smiling. He waved a hand telling them to leave him. Rose laughed a little, Hudson only ever put one thing above his country and that was family. “So what do I owe the morning phone call from my favorite sibling?”, Hudson said his voice still indicating he was smiling. “I just missed you. Atif’s cousins Skye and Donovan, a set of twins of course they are Kearney, but seeing a set of siblings just made me miss mine. And you can’t say I’m your favorite what about Amiko.”, Rose said teasing little. Hudson shrugged. “Well yes I love my oldest sister of course. But I can claim favorites if I want. Royal purgative.”, Hudson joked. “So you are doing alright there in Cambridge? Dad said you’ve sounded kind of down recently when he’s talked to you.”, Hudson asked. Rose sighed. “Just being here I have more time to think.”, Rose explained. “Think about what? I do worry about you Rosie. You have never been a sad type. So to hear that my sister is hurting, I just want you to know that I am here for you.”, Hudson explained. Rose nodded. “I know Hudson. I’m just trying to deal with the whole Howlett gene I guess. I mean I don’t know how I’m going to do this. How I’m going to watch my friends and people I care about grow old without me. Uncle John is putting on the inhibitor when Rachel graduates so he can start to age with Aunt Sarael. But I just I don’t think I’ll find a love like that. Even if I did I don’t know if I could do it. There’s so many people I could help as an X-Men like dad has.”, Rose said with a heavy sigh.
Hudson nodded. “I know Rose. I truly get it. My powers came in slowly from the time I was eleven and I started aging slower around nineteen. I’m in my thirties and still look in my twenties.”, Hudson said with a sigh. “But how are you going to deal with it? I mean you know Teresa will grow old without you.”, Rose questioned. “I know. She’s a year younger than I am and eventually we know she won’t always look it. But I love her no matter what. Maybe someday down the road I’ll do what Uncle John is doing. When I am ready to step down and let Junior take over the kingdom. Because I love Teresa and I am not certain I could or would be willing to carry on without her. But that’s me and Uncle John. Rose this is your life and you will have to live it your way. I wish I had the answers for you. I don’t even have the answers for me. Uncle John gave me some advice when I was about your age and I was having to come to terms with what being a Howlett meant for me.”, Hudson said. “What did Uncle John say?”, Rose asked. “That yes our mutation can mean a long life and some of it containing heart break but to not let the heart break overshadow all the wonderful and amazing things that living can bring. We have all had to find out places. Dad’s place is at mom’s side. Uncle John’s is with Aunt Sarael and he is willing to follow her to beyond. Cero’s place is chieftain of his mother’s tribe in Alaska with Mia. Sure he might not follow her like Uncle John is willing to follow Aunt Sarael. But that’s Cero’s choice. Kirra has chosen that her place is as a nomad never staying in one place too long, but she helps people every where she goes. My place is here in my kingdom and when the time comes I will talk to Teresa and together we will decide how far I follow her. You will find your place little sister. I have faith in you.”, Hudson said. Rose sighed but smiled finding some comfort in her brother’s words and how he believed in her. “Thank you Hudson. I love you. You are the best brother ever.”, Rose said. Hudson smiled. “I love you too and I am only the best brother because I have the best little sister.”, Hudson replied. “I should go. Don’t want to keep you from running your kingdom. Bye Hudson. I’ll try to call more.”, Rose said. “You do that. Bye Rose.”, Hudson said as they ended the call.

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It was nearly April and the rodeo season was in full swing for Tristan and his dad. They were kicking the season off in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was a venue they’d been at a few times over the years. And during the last few years one of the competitors a guy named Christopher Davis had started to notice Tristan a bit more. There was casual flirting between them but nothing Tristan thought much about. Yes Chris was an attractive guy, but Tristan just kind of figured it was one of those flirt only situations. And the closer he got to Blaire the less often he had really considered the idea of going past flirting with people. Tristan had just finished his event and was heading to leave the rodeo to get some rest back at the hotel when Chris caught up with him. “Good ride tonight Tristan.”, Chris greeted with a smile. Tristan glanced over his shoulder to see Chris. He gave a nod. “Thanks Chris. You didn’t do too bad.”, Tristan answered turning around. “Yeah well you knocked me out of the tournament this year. Either I’m getting old or you are getting better at staying on the bull.” Chris said his tone and smile indicating that he was flirting. “Well I don’t think it’s because you’re getting old, you're only how old now?”, Tristan teased. “Twenty-five, but thanks for reminding me. You’re the young guy now, only what nineteen now? But if it’s not my age then you are getting better at staying in the saddle so to speak.”, Chris answered.
Tristan nodded. “Well eighteen but nineteen in the fall. And I suppose I’ve gotten better. Have had some extra practice so to speak.”, Tristan corrected a small smirk using a euphemism in regards to his relationship with Blaire. “Oh is that so? Found a boyfriend have you?”, Chris questioned. Tristan shook his head. “No, don’t have a boyfriend.”, Tristan answered. Chris raised an eyebrow. “Oh that’s right you also go for girls. Almost forgot that. So a girlfriend then?”, Chris said nodded. “Not exactly a girlfriend but something along those lines.”, Tristan said not really sure how to explain it. Blaire wasn’t officially his girlfriend. Their arrangement only said when in Bayville they were together but outside of Bayville they were just friends. “Something along those lines? Is she your girl or not? Because I don’t want to give a try to someone who’s in a commitment.”, Chris questioned. Tristan raised an eyebrow. “Give a try? What are you dancing around Chris?”, Tristan asked. “To be blunt, I leave in the morning and am basically trying to determine if you are in a commitment because I’d like to sleep with you.”, Chris stated getting directly to the point. Tristan blinked having thought that’s where Chris was going on this but still a bit surprised it was. “I’m not in a commitment. There’s a girl in a New York that I see when I’m there, but when I’m not in New York…”, Tristan said with a shrug. Part of him felt a little bad for phrasing it like that. Blaire did mean something to him, she meant a lot actually. But she was also the only person he’d been with. And there was part of him that would like to give a guy a try in bed. Chris smirked. “I see. So what do you say then? Your hotel?”, Chris asked.
Tristan smiled but held up a hand taking out his cell. “Give me just a moment…”, Tristan said turning away from Chris for a moment and sending a text to Blaire. He knew he didn’t really need her permission, but it didn’t feel right or okay to sleep with someone else if she wasn’t okay with it. And after all if anything they were always open with each other. ‘Hey Blaire. I have a question for you.’ He sent the message. Over in Bayville Blaire was on her couch watching a movie with Hope who was staying the night. Hope sighed and paused the movie hearing the unmistakable sound of ‘It’s Raining Men’ playing. “Go on and see what lover boy wants. I’ll wait.”, Hope teased eating some popcorn. Blaire smirked and elbowed Hope before grabbing her cell and checking the message. ‘Hi Tristan. Sure ask away.’, Blaire texted back. Tristan turned briefly to look at Chris, who was patiently waiting for an answer, and snapped a quick picture sending it to Blaire. ‘So that’s Chris, a fellow bull rider. And in not so few words he’d asked if he could ride me tonight. I just wanted to check with you before I gave an answer.’, Tristan messaged. Blaire checked the message and went a little pale. Hope raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”, Hope asked. Blaire didn’t say anything just took a deep breath as she typed. She wanted to tell him that she wasn’t okay with it, but she knew she shouldn’t. He wasn’t her boyfriend. Outside of Bayville they had no commitment. He was free to be with anyone he wanted, and for the first time that idea hurt her. ‘He’s cute. If you want to say yes, go for it. After all our agreement only applies for when you are in Bayville that you and I are together. Outside of Bayville we are just friends.’ Blaire sighed closing her eyes and she hit send. Tristan sighed a little reading the message a mixed feeling on her giving approval. ‘Alright. I’ll talk to you soon beautiful.’ Tristan replied putting his phone back in his pocket. He turned back to Chris and smiled. “My hotel I guess.”, Tristan said. Chris smiled. “Alright I’ll follow in my ride.”, Chris said heading for his jeep and followed Tristan back to the hotel.
Blaire set her phone aside and took another breath trying to contain the pain. She knew it was always a possibility, that at some point he’d want to be with someone else. Maybe she should just be glad that not only did he talk to her beforehand but that it was a guy and not another girl. Hope raised an eyebrow she knew she could just read Blaire’s mind but she wouldn’t do that. “Blaire? What’s wrong? What happened with Tristan?”, Hope asked placing a hand on Blaire’s shoulder looking at her concerned. “I’m alright. Tristan just…”, Blaire said trying to maintain her control. “He was just messaging me about a guy he likes and was thinking about sleeping with.”, Blaire said. Hope blinked. “What? And what did you tell him?”, Hope asked. She knew Blaire very well and knew how much Blaire actually cared about Tristan. “Only thing I could say. I reminded him that our agreement is only that we are together when he’s in Bayville and when he’s not we are just friends. So he’s free to be with anyone he wants.”, Blaire explained holding back tears. Hope sighed and hugged Blaire. “For being so smart, you really are an idiot.”, Hope said quietly. Blaire laughed a little still fighting back tears. “It was bound to happen. Eventually he’d find someone he’d want to be with that’s not me. And I mean at least it’s a guy and not another girl. I don’t think I’d be able to deal if it was another girl. He’s bisexual I can’t and wouldn’t change that. And I mean no amount of toys could really be the same. So I couldn’t just tell him no, tell him he couldn’t try being with a man.”, Blaire said a few tears starting to fall.
Hope sighed and hugged her best friend tight. “You should have told him what you feel.”, Hope insisted. Blaire pulled back from the hug and shook her head. “I can’t do that Hope. He travels for his job and otherwise lives in Oregon. I can’t try and tie him down like that. I can’t just tell him that I….”, Blaire cut herself off. “That you love him.”, Hope said finishing the sentence. Blaire nodded. “Of course you can you daft woman. Woman up for Christ sake.”, Hope sighed shaking her head. Blaire just shook her head and found some tissues dabbing along the edges of her eyes. “I…I can’t alright Hope. I can’t say those words. Not aloud and certainly not to him.”, Blaire said shaking her head. Hope rolled her eyes and sighed. “God you hurt my brain. You always speak your mind but on this you go silent? Seems pretty stupid to me. But alright let’s take a few more deep breaths and I know you can give me a makeover. You love it when I let you mess with my hair and makeup. And you can even decide what I wear on our weekend trip to Harvard with Bianca and Gabriel.”, Hope offered trying to cheer Blaire up. Blaire nodded throwing away her tissues away. “Alright. Thank you Hope.”, Blaire said hugging her. “You are an awesome best friend. Now come on I’m curling that red hair. And ooh I know the perfect outfit to have you wear at Harvard.”, Blaire said with a laugh getting up from the couch and pulling Hope by the arm. Hope sighed. “God help me. You are lucky that you are my best friend and I love you as my sister.”, Hope groaned following her friend. The things she was willing to do to keep her friends from being sad. She wanted to just take Blaire’s cell and text Tristan that Blaire really didn’t want him to sleep someone else but Hope knew she’d get in trouble so she didn’t.
Not too far from the beach house was the apartment building that Leslie lived in with her friend. Her roommate was out of town for the weekend visiting her parents so Leslie had the place all to herself. So of course she talked Merrick into coming and staying the weekend with her. Leslie sighed a little rolling onto her side cuddling into Merrick’s side running a hand along his chest. “This is nice.”, Leslie commented. Merrick had started to doze but opened one eye to look at her. “Hmm?”, Merrick questioned adjusting his arm to hold her a little tighter. “You staying here and it just being the two of us. When Miranda is here you never stay the night. Heck we are hardly in the apartment if she’s home just to be polite.”, Leslie explained. Merrick shrugged a little. “I’m not the one with issues being quiet during sex, Miss wake-the-dead.”, Merrick teased. Leslie smiled and pinched him nipple. “I never had issues with volume with previous boyfriends. So your own fault.”, Leslie teased. “Ouch…you’re lucky I like pain.”, Merrick said swatting her hand away. “Oh I’ll take blame for that. Not my fault your previous boyfriends were apparently crap in bed.”, Merrick said with a small laugh. “I do agree it is nice to be here and it’s just the two of us. No having to rush to get dressed and leave before Miranda gets home.”, Merrick agreed starting to run his hand along her back. Leslie smiled and rested her head on his shoulder letting her hand again start running up and down his chest.
She smiled a little more as she heard him start to purr. “God you are too adorable Merrick Bryant-Frost.”, Leslie teased kissing his cheek. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “What I do now?”, Merrick asked. “You purr. Every time we cuddle you purr. And it’s just the most adorable thing I’ve ever heard.”, Leslie explained. Merrick rolled his eyes but smiled. “I’m an animal by nature what can I say.”, Merrick answered. “I know and it’s one of the million things I love about you. You growl, scratch and bite during sex and when just cuddling you purr. To name a couple of your endearing animal quirks.”, Leslie said. Merrick laughed a little. “The growling, scratching and biting is only because I enjoy sex with you. It’s kind of like how you apparently don’t have a volume control.”, Merrick explained. Leslie moved to partially lay on his chest and look at him her long dirty blonde hair falling forward into her face as she looked down at his. “I mean it though Merrick. I love you.”, Leslie said seriously. Merrick hadn’t heard those words before. He smiled and reached up pushing her hair behind her ears before cupping her face with his hands. “Leslie, I..well I’m not great with words. But..”, Merrick said pulling her closer and kissing her. “I love you.”, he whispered pulling back from the kiss. Leslie smiled and leaned back into him kissing. “Say it again.”, Leslie requested. Merrick laughed. “I love you. I love you Leslie Anne Andrews.”, Merrick repeated giving her another kiss. “Mmmm. I like hearing you say that. So I have an idea.”, Leslie said.
Merrick raised an eyebrow. “An idea? Should I be afraid?”, Merrick questioned. “Well I mean we’ve been together for…”, Leslie said thinking about it. “Five months, eight days, six hours, twenty minutes.”, Merrick answered. Leslie laughed. “God you are cute. Alright so we’ve been together going on six months. What would you say to taking our relationship to the next level?”, Leslie asked. “Next level?”, Merrick questioned cautiously. “Yes, next level. I want to live with you. I obviously can’t live at the Haven with your family and you can’t live here because of Miranda. So why not get an apartment together? We both have jobs so we can split the bills. And then I can fall asleep every night listening to you purr and wake up every morning to your face.”, Leslie offered. Merrick blinked. “Move in together? Move out of the Haven?”, Merrick said thinking it over. “You said your half brother Demitri doesn’t live at the Haven but he is still considered a member and protected by their laws. The same would apply for you right? I mean given we wouldn’t be leaving Bayville. I wouldn’t dream to ever take you far from your family. I know how much they mean to you. And I hope you know that I adore your family, well except for Josalyn and Emma but you know.”, Leslie said. “I know you do. I can’t blame you for how you feel about Josalyn and Emma they hurt you. And my family really likes you too. Every time I come home they ask how you are doing and when I’m bringing you by again. And you’re right Demitri doesn’t live at the Haven but is protected by our laws. So I could move out and not lose that status. So fuck it, alright. Let’s pool our cash and look for an apartment together. But let’s wait till you know morning. Right now I just want to lay here holding you and go to sleep.”, Merrick agreed pulling her back to the bed rolling to his side and cuddling close to her. Leslie giggled. “Alright we start looking in the morning. I love you Merrick.”, Leslie sighed. “I love you too.”, Merrick whispered kissing her neck before closing his eyes to go back to sleep.
Tristan had a few moments of second guessing this decision as he drove to his hotel with Chris following behind in his jeep. But he decided he wouldn’t know unless he tried. And so far his sexual experience was all with Blaire. Which he was rather sure he lucked out when he got Blaire, he doubted many other girls would have been willing to do most of the things Blaire was. Despite all of that, and that he was satisfied when he was with Blaire there was just part of him that wondered about having sex with another man. Tristan also reminded himself that Blaire said it was okay. She’d cited their original agreement from almost two years ago. As he parked the truck getting out it hit him that he’d been with her for almost three years, going back to the first day he met her. In the last two years he’d never really gone past flirting and occasionally kissing someone else. And now here he was bringing Chris to his hotel room for what would probably just be a one night stand. His paths only crossed with Chris at maybe six out of the fifteen shows he rode at. As he got out of the truck Chris pulled in next to him getting out of his jeep. Chris raised an eyebrow looking at Tristan who was still standing by his truck. Chris walked up behind Tristan, being about the same height though Chris a bit broader in build, and placed his chin on Tristan’s shoulder. “We going or no?”, Chris asked placing his hands on Tristan’s sides. Tristan sighed and was fiddling with the protection amulet Blaire got him running his thumb over it like a religious person would a cross. Tristan nodded. “Yeah.”, Tristan agreed taking his hand off the pendant and leading the way into the hotel and up to his room unlocking the door.
Chris walked into the room closing the door behind him and looked at Tristan with a smile. “You ever actually been with a man yet?”, Chris asked noticing that more than once Tristan seemed to be elsewhere. “No, nothing beyond making out with a guy before.”, Tristan explained taking his hat off and setting it on the small table. Chris smirked. “This should be fun then.”, Chris said moving closer and started kissing Tristan. Tristan tried to not compare the kiss to Blaire’s as the lips were so different. Chris’s lips weren't full like Blaire’s or as soft, not to mention Chris had some stubble which was a large difference of course. Tristan pushed the thoughts about Blaire into the back of his mind and returned the kiss opening his mouth letting Chris’s tongue enter his mouth. Chris moaned a little as his tongue rubbed coarsely against Tristan’s. Chris began unbuttoning Tristan’s shirt pulling it off as he kept the kiss going. There wasn’t really the need for words, both knew where it was going. Chris walked Tristan backwards to the bed, removing more clothes as they went. With Blaire Tristan was used to well being a little more in control but Chris was making it clear, subtly, that he was going to be the one in control. And as Chris ran his hands over him and he ran his hands on him Tristan kept pushing back thoughts of Blaire. Small things, like remembering how it felt when her soft hands traced out his scars or how her body felt under his fingers.
Chris ran a hand up Tristan’s chest again and brushed against the pendant and pulled back from a kiss and looked at the necklace. “Interesting trinket. Can it be removed?”, Chris asked. Tristan looked down at the necklace and back at Chris. He thought trying to decide at what point he drew the line of pushing anything of Blaire away for this night. And he decided the necklace was the line. “It is an amulet of protect and it stays.”, Tristan stated. Chris shrugged. “Alright.”, Chris said starting to kiss Tristan’s chest just moving the necklace out of the way as he needed before kissing lower on Tristan. Tristan moaned and found himself again holding the pendant like one might a cross as Chris went lower taking him into his mouth. Chris now the second person to actually do that. And Tristan couldn’t help himself he thought of Blaire and that first time how she had him sitting on the sofa in her beach house, she kissed down his chest and put a pillow on the floor to kneel on, how she looked in that little silk pajama set there between his legs, and god how it felt when she started and could deep throat. It wasn’t bad, he was enjoying what Chris was doing he couldn’t help that. But it was still different from Blaire. And as he felt some pressure at the outside of and then, without much warning, the inside of his hole confirmed his original suspicions that this was not going to be an encounter that he was top.
Tristan moaned because he did like what Chris was doing. For someone who’d not been with a guy it at least wasn’t all that strange of a sensation to Tristan, after all Blaire had ‘commandeered’ the unopened anal beads and dildo from Ashley who was adamant that her and Xavier would never use such a thing. It wasn’t long before Chris had gotten a condom, because safety first, and for the first time Tristan was experiencing what it would be like to be with another man. Chris initially went slow, having figured he was basically taking a virgin but realized from Tristan’s movements that maybe he’d been mislead in that and his pace changed. Tristan matched the change moaning eyes closed, one hand still holding the necklace as he still couldn’t get Blaire out of his head. Even as they reached climax Tristan couldn’t shake Blaire. Chris pulled out and sat on the end of the bed and threw out the condom before looking over at Tristan. Tristan sat up from where he was laying and raised an eyebrow. “Thought you said you hadn’t been with a guy, just a woman.”, Chris stated standing up putting on his boxers. Tristan nodded and grabbed some tissues cleaning himself up before answering. “That’s true. You are the first guy I’ve slept with.”, Tristan said grabbing his boxers now feeling rather out of place.
Chris raised an eyebrow at the statement getting his pants on. “Alright I’ll bite, so you what screw yourself or something? Cause if that was the first time you’ve been ridden I’ll eat my hat.”, Chris said with a chuckle. Tristan rolled his eyes. “Blaire isn’t exactly a prude or afraid to try anything with me.”, Tristan explained. “Blaire?”, Chris asked confused as the name was kind of gender neutral. “My girl in New York. But, yes you are the first guy I’ve slept with. But Blaire is adventurous and actually brought toys like anal beads and dildos into the bed. So you may be the first guy I’ve been with but not the first time I’ve had something up there.”, Tristan explained. Chris nodded before he pulled on his shirt and sitting back down grabbing his boots. “So sounds like this Blaire is something special.”, Chris commented looking over at Tristan. Tristan nodded messing with the necklace again. “You keep playing with that thing. Why?”, Chris asked grabbing his other boot. “Was a gift from her. She got me this for protection when I ride because it’s a guy with bullhorns.”, Tristan explained. Chris raised an eyebrow. “Granted I’m okay if you decide this is a onetime thing. It was fun Tristan, but you seem to be hung up on this girl. And guess for a bisexual like yourself finding a girl that’s up for anything kind of gives you all you need in one package.”, Chris said with a shrug standing up. Tristan nodded. “Yeah she is something special. My north star.”, Tristan said thinking about it. “Yeah no hard feelings or anything Chris. But I don’t exactly see this happening again.”, Tristan agreed. Chris smiled. “No worries Tristan. See you around the circuit.”, Chris said grabbing his hat and leaving the room.
Tristan sighed a little and looked for his jeans and found his cell holding it in his hands looking at it. He swiped the screen and considered calling Blaire. He wanted to tell her that lesson was learned, he didn’t want or need anyone but her. Then he noticed she hadn’t replied or anything after he said he’d talk to her later and reread what she’d sent in regards to giving her okay. As he read it a few times it started to sound like something she’d have said in her more professional lawyer tone. Which he knew that tone could be cold as she recited law because it was black and white. He wondered if she had really been okay with him sleeping with Chris. And now that he had would she still be okay? Would she still want to see him? God he hoped that one time with someone else didn’t destroy three years of knowing her, two being with her on a more intimate level. He looked at the time and remembered she was an hour ahead so it was too late to call her. And he knew she was supposed to be going to visit Harvard for the weekend with Hope, Bianca and Gabriel. He smiled a little remembering when she got her letter. She called him and put him on speaker phone. He’d been so confused as he was bombarded with greetings from Three additional people. They all sounded so excited. Blaire had explained that they had all applied to Harvard and gotten letters in the mail and were going to open them together to see who got accepted and who got rejects. He thought he was going to be deaf when three high pitched squeals from the girls with a yell of joy from Gabriel and he was told they’d gotten in. He was so proud and happy for her. And he was glad that she wanted to include him in that moment. He sighed going to the photo gallery on his phone flipping through pictures of Blaire and the pictures of him with her. “God I’m a fucking moron.”, He groaned hitting his forehead with his hand. Tristan set the phone down and took a shower feeling somehow unclean at the moment before going to bed.
Across the ocean Rose had come a bit more out of her shell but she still wasn’t fully out and she certainly hadn’t stopped drinking large amounts of wine. But now she wasn’t always drinking alone. Skye and Donovan started coming to the cottage to hang out and Skye was always happy to join her in a drink. They’d all drank probably more than should have the night before. Rose woke up in her room of course feeling no effects of the alcohol and got out of bed to find something to eat. She checked on Atif and Billy who were still passed out in their bedroom with the curtains drawn. She checked the spare bedroom and saw Skye snoring away on the bed. Rose laughed a little before closing the door starting down the stairs. She paused smelling something burning and started to run to the kitchen quickly pulling a pan off the stove and turning the burner off. She looked around trying to see how left something on the stove. She sniffed the item and quickly put a cover on it as the smell was offensive. In that moment Donovan emerged from the downstairs bathroom in just a pair of shorts he’d borrowed from Atif a bit confused. “Wat ya doin’ wid mah parritch?”, Donovan demanded
“Your what? Are you trying to burn down my Uncle’s cottage you idiot?!”, Rose yelled growling a little at him. “Wat ya talkin’ bout? Ah was makin’ mahself some parritch…yanks like yerself call it porridge. Mah breakfast. Ah wasn’t tryin’ ta burn anyting down. Ah must’ve forget ta turn da burner offer before Ah went to the water closet. Crap.”, he said pushing past her to look at the pan. He frowned and dumped the blackened porridge into the trash. “Dere goes breakfast.”, Donovan groaned putting the pot into the sink and grabbing a scrubber and soap starting to scrub the burned porridge from the bottom of the pan. “How the fuck did you not smell that burning?”, Rose demanded. “Ah ain’t got yer heightened senses luv. Ah just heal and ‘ave mah knives.”, Donovan defended. Rose growled again shaking her head. “Well here’s a rule then, you crash here don’t just help yourself to our food because apparently you are still eight and can’t be allowed near the stove.”, Rose grumbled pushing past him to the fridge getting out the milk and stretched to reach into the cupboard for a bowl and some cereal making herself a bowl of cereal to eat. “Fine. Next time Ah stay da night Ah won’t try and fix breakfast, yer highness.”, Donovan said giving a bowl that flung soapy water at her before turning back to scrubbing the pot. “Duchess, highness would be more the term when addressing my brother, my sister-in-law, or my nephew.”, Rose quipped finishing her cereal. Donovan raised an eyebrow. “Wat? Yer arse ain’t royal. Maybe a royal pain, an attractive pain, in mah arse. But ya ain’t royal.”, Donovan said shaking his head. Rose rolled her eyes getting out a wine glass a fresh bottle of wine. She knew it was deemed too early, but Atif and Billy were asleep so they couldn’t yell at her. She poured a glass and took a long drink. “My brother his Hudson James Howlett King of Mandripoor, his wife is Teresa Katarina Hamilton Howlett Queen of Mandripoor and my nephew is Logan James Howlett Prince of Mandripoor. If you don’t believe me you can just ask Atif.”, Rose said with a shrug finishing off her glass.
“Bit early for a nip of wine ain’t it? And maybe Ah will ask whenever da lightweight gets outta bed. Lad may be half Scot but he sure canna drink like one.”, Donovan commented. “Well as the saying goes it’s five o’clock somewhere. And since I can’t get drunk it doesn’t exactly matter what time of day I start drinking.”, Rose said washing her glass and breakfast dishes putting them away. “Ya know ya ain’t exactly like da Rose mah cousin had described.”, Donovan commented. Rose grumbled and shook her head as she walked to the living room area. “Oh is that so?”, Rose said sitting down. “Aye. Dat is so. Atif described his friend Rose as well a smiling girl. Someone that knew how to enjoy life and was adventurous and loving. Da Rose Ah’ve met doesn’t smile and doesn’t seem ta enjoy life verra much. He said ya had a bad junior year but seemed to have come round during senior year. So wat yer issue? Ya unhappy in Cambridge? Tink ya made da wrong choice in university?” , Donovan asked. “Yes, well that Rose was naive and didn’t want to face reality. My junior year was crap, but I got through it by making sure I instead focused my time on training, working my internship at a medical clinic to make my applications to medical school look better and otherwise getting to know my dad.”, Rose said. “Uh huh and wat happened in senior year to get ya back to normal?”, Donovan asked. “Found ways to distract myself from my problems. And now that I’m here I don’t have that distraction. So I have to face reality. That every time I go home to visit and see my friends they are going to keep getting older, they are going to get married, they are going to have children and I won’t have that. That’s what I’m dealing with. Okay? You going to drop it now? All I want is to deal with this my way and everyone keeps bothering me. I’m starting to understand Merrick more and more every day.”, Rose said frustrated.
Donovan sighed. “No Ah ain’t gonna drop it. Ya tink yer alone in dat little boat? Ah have da same issue. Ah’m da only Kearney to have dis power. Ah have to watch mah whole family, including mah own twin grow old and die while Ah don’t. Ya got family dat has yer power don’t ya?”, Donovan countered. Rose blinked having kind of forgotten that he had an accelerated healing like her. “Well yes. My dad, my Uncle, my brothers, my sister, my one cousin and possibly my nephew. I just don’t want my life to be like my dad’s.”, Rose said. “Den be happy. Yer still gonna have family wid ya. Ah ain’t.”, Donovan stated simply. “And it’s yer life so live it yer way. Ya ain’t yer father but an individual.”, Donovan added. “It’s not that easy. You seem so well adjusted with it. How did you get over it then?”, Rose countered. “Ah’m not over it. But Ah ain’t gonna let it rule mah life. Ya met mah twin. Skye hits damn hard and she told me dat if Ah kept tinking bout her dying she was gonna keep hitting me till Ah stopped. She dinna like me tinking bout it. She’d rather Ah be here in da now and just be her brother. So dat is wat Ah’m gonna do. Ah live for now and nothing more.”, Donovan explained. “So don’t get pissy wid me princess, because Ah know wat yer going through.”, Donovan added. Rose was about to say something back when she heard someone coming down the stairs.
Skye yawned and looked around. “Leave Rose be Donovan. And put a damn shirt on ya tryin’ ta be some slick git.”, Skye ordered. Rose chuckled a little relieved to have someone else downstairs. “Wat she ain’t complained about mah clothing or lack dere of.”, Donovan said with a smirk. Rose rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry Skye, I’ve trained with much hotter.”, Rose said with a smile. Skye raised an eyebrow and Donovan rolled his eyes. “Hotter? This Ah gotta see. Pictures?”, Skye asked walking over sitting on the arm of the sofa that Rose was sitting on. Rose laughed and pulled out her cell and went to the gallery and brought up some of the last pictures she had from the going away party. Skye took the phone and started swiping through the photos and stopped at a picture of eight guys at the beach. “Sweet mother Mary! Who is dat one?”, Skye asked pointing Merrick out in the picture. Rose looked and smiled a little but surprised any emotion or fondness for her answer. “Merrick Bryant-Frost. He’s a Haven mutant like Billy was. And he’s a complete asshole and a man-whore.”, Rose explained. “Who cares? Body like dat Ah’d get in line.”, Skye grinned raising her eyebrows suggestively. Rose laughed shaking her head. “Who da other hotties? Not counting Billy and Atif cause Ah know dem.”, Skye asked. Donovan peeked over his twin’s shoulder as he pulled his shirt on to see. “Well that’s Malcolm, my friend Cora Lee’s boyfriend, standing next to Merrick. That’s Tommy, he’s dating my friend Lily and it Billy’s twin. That’s my nephew Xavier he’s dating your cousin Ashley. That’s my cowboy friend Tristan and he’s involved with my friend Blaire. And that..well that’s Landon Bryant and he..well he is dating my cousin Rachel.”, Rose explained.
“Well crap dey are almost all taken. But still a trip to America might be worth just the eye candy.”, Skye said grinning. “Aren’t der any birds at dat event?”, Donovan asked taking the phone and swiping through the pictures till he found a group shot of the girls. “Alright here we go. So Ah obviously know mah cousin Ashley and course you. But who da others. Cause purple hair is good looking, da raven haired lass in da little red number is verra nice and oo wait who is da goddess, de Egyptian one?”, Donovan asked. Rose rolled her eyes lahghing a little. “The other red head is Lily Bryant-Frost, so taken. The girl with purple hair is Cora Lee Bryant, again taken. The girl with black hair is Blaire Delaney, so taken. And the ‘goddess’ as you called her, is my cousin Rachel Howlett and very taken.”, Rose explained. “Everyone seems to like Rachel.”, Rose said shaking her head. “Ah well den not worth da trip for me.”, Donovan said with a shrug. Skye took the phone back and handed it to Rose before going to the kitchen. She checked the trash smelling something bad. “Did ya burn parritch again?!”, Skye said looking to her brother. Rose started laughing. “Yes he did.”, Rose confirmed. Donovan grumbled. “Shut up.”, Donovan said. “Lord dis is why mum won’t let ya get a cooktop for yer dorm, ya’d burn da place down.”, Skye teased grabbing an apple. Rose smiled and seeing them twins having their sibling moment made her think of her brother. “I should call my brother.”, Rose said standing up.
“Oooo da ‘king’?”, Donovan teased. Skye cocked her head to the side. “King?” Skye questioned. “Your brother doesn’t believe that my brother is the King of Mandripoor.”, Rose stated. “He is…”, Billy yawned walking down the stairs with Atif behind him. Billy headed straight for the coffee maker started to make some coffee. “Who doesn’t believe what?”, Atif questioned confused rubbing sleep from his blue eyes. “Atif tell Donovan my brother’s name, the one I talk to that is.”, Rose said. Atif groaned. “Am I being formal?”, Atif asked. “Unfortunately yes.”, Rose stated. Atif sighed. “His Majesty Hudson James Howlett King of Mandripoor.”, Atif said jumping up onto the counter to wait for coffee. Donovan blinked in shock. “Seriously she’s royalty?”, Donovan questioned. Atif nodded. “Yes.”, Atif said simply. “And ya dinna tink ta say dat when ya introduced her?”, Donovan questioned. “I’m sorry? Didn’t realize I needed to give a formal introduction. Fine. Presenting Her Grace Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett Duchess of Mandripoor. That better? I don’t really think about the whole royal thing because she’s been just Rose my whole life. Only time Hudson’s title ever came into play was that she used to summer at his castle. All the Howletts have a title in Mandripoor, but back home in Bayville they are just the Howletts. Her mom was our survival training instructor at the institute. So pardon me for never associating formalities with people I think of like extended family.”, Atif grumbled. Rose smiled and kissed Atif’s cheek. “Billy get him coffee, Atif grumpy is weird. I’m going to go call Hudson.”, Rose said taking her phone out into the garden and making the long distance call to her brother in Mandripoor.
Hudson was a bit surprised to hear from his little sister, but always a pleasant surprise. “Hey baby sister. How’s Cambridge?”, Hudson greeted holding a hand up to someone who was talking about something he didn’t really care about. “Hi Hudson. It’s alright. Am I interrupting something?”, Rose asked. “Oh my advisors always think what they want to talk to me about is more important that oxygen. But it’s not.”, Hudson said smiling. He waved a hand telling them to leave him. Rose laughed a little, Hudson only ever put one thing above his country and that was family. “So what do I owe the morning phone call from my favorite sibling?”, Hudson said his voice still indicating he was smiling. “I just missed you. Atif’s cousins Skye and Donovan, a set of twins of course they are Kearney, but seeing a set of siblings just made me miss mine. And you can’t say I’m your favorite what about Amiko.”, Rose said teasing little. Hudson shrugged. “Well yes I love my oldest sister of course. But I can claim favorites if I want. Royal purgative.”, Hudson joked. “So you are doing alright there in Cambridge? Dad said you’ve sounded kind of down recently when he’s talked to you.”, Hudson asked. Rose sighed. “Just being here I have more time to think.”, Rose explained. “Think about what? I do worry about you Rosie. You have never been a sad type. So to hear that my sister is hurting, I just want you to know that I am here for you.”, Hudson explained. Rose nodded. “I know Hudson. I’m just trying to deal with the whole Howlett gene I guess. I mean I don’t know how I’m going to do this. How I’m going to watch my friends and people I care about grow old without me. Uncle John is putting on the inhibitor when Rachel graduates so he can start to age with Aunt Sarael. But I just I don’t think I’ll find a love like that. Even if I did I don’t know if I could do it. There’s so many people I could help as an X-Men like dad has.”, Rose said with a heavy sigh.
Hudson nodded. “I know Rose. I truly get it. My powers came in slowly from the time I was eleven and I started aging slower around nineteen. I’m in my thirties and still look in my twenties.”, Hudson said with a sigh. “But how are you going to deal with it? I mean you know Teresa will grow old without you.”, Rose questioned. “I know. She’s a year younger than I am and eventually we know she won’t always look it. But I love her no matter what. Maybe someday down the road I’ll do what Uncle John is doing. When I am ready to step down and let Junior take over the kingdom. Because I love Teresa and I am not certain I could or would be willing to carry on without her. But that’s me and Uncle John. Rose this is your life and you will have to live it your way. I wish I had the answers for you. I don’t even have the answers for me. Uncle John gave me some advice when I was about your age and I was having to come to terms with what being a Howlett meant for me.”, Hudson said. “What did Uncle John say?”, Rose asked. “That yes our mutation can mean a long life and some of it containing heart break but to not let the heart break overshadow all the wonderful and amazing things that living can bring. We have all had to find out places. Dad’s place is at mom’s side. Uncle John’s is with Aunt Sarael and he is willing to follow her to beyond. Cero’s place is chieftain of his mother’s tribe in Alaska with Mia. Sure he might not follow her like Uncle John is willing to follow Aunt Sarael. But that’s Cero’s choice. Kirra has chosen that her place is as a nomad never staying in one place too long, but she helps people every where she goes. My place is here in my kingdom and when the time comes I will talk to Teresa and together we will decide how far I follow her. You will find your place little sister. I have faith in you.”, Hudson said. Rose sighed but smiled finding some comfort in her brother’s words and how he believed in her. “Thank you Hudson. I love you. You are the best brother ever.”, Rose said. Hudson smiled. “I love you too and I am only the best brother because I have the best little sister.”, Hudson replied. “I should go. Don’t want to keep you from running your kingdom. Bye Hudson. I’ll try to call more.”, Rose said. “You do that. Bye Rose.”, Hudson said as they ended the call.