Part 1

“Did you think I was ignoring you?”

His voice was soft, breath gently caressing the other man’s jaw. A pale face, wide brown eyes heavy with unshed tears and mixed emotions, stared back at him. He reached up one hand to smooth a thumb over the tender skin under one eye, marvelling at the softness.

“I could never ignore you.” He held those bottomless eyes. “Never.”

“I was scared. I dunno…” The eyes darted down, ashamed. “It was stupid…I…it just felt like…” Mike caressed the sharp jaw line, gently encouraging the other man to look at him. “You didn’t seem to know whether I was there or not. Didn’t seem to care…” He whispered the last word, fear and humiliation apparent in his tone, eyes scanning the dark haired man’s gaze with worry.

“Oh, Chester.” He stroked his thumb over Chester’s bottom lip.

“I know,” Chester whispered, looking away, embarrassment flooding him. “I’m being stupid, I know I am. I’m being stupid and possessive and probably plain psycho but I…” He paused, struggling to come up with the right words to describe how he felt. “ I just…don’t feel right when you’re not there.” He sighed, feeling Mike move closer.

“I’m sorry,” Mike whispered gently.

“Don’t,” Chester said. “Don’t be…I told you, it’s just me being stupid. You haven’t done anything.”

“I know and that’s the problem.” Mike slid his hand down to cup the back of Chester’s neck. “I got too caught up in this project and I forgot that there are other people involved too.”

“But you’ve put so much work into this, it’s only right you…”

“No,” he interrupted leaning closer, resting his forehead on Chester’s, “it’s still no excuse for making you feel that way.” He leaned back, meeting Chester’s eyes. “I made a promise to myself that I would never be the guy that hurt you, that caused you any pain.”

“You can’t make…”

“I know,” he interrupted again, “I know you can’t make promises like that, because we all do stuff without realising.” Chester nodded, leaning further into Mike’s warm touch. “But it doesn’t stop me from trying,” he whispered, laying a gentle kiss to Chester’s forehead.

“I was…” Chester started but stopped, feeling embarrassed again, “ I was also feeling a bit….”

“What?” Mike had gathered him into his arms for a loose but secure embrace. He looked down at Chester. “Tell me.”

“Jealous.” Chester whispered, burying his face into the crook of Mike’s shoulder.

“Jealous?” Mike frowned slightly, a confused but small grin forming on his lips.

“Yeah,” Chester breathed into the warmth of Mike’s neck.

“Of Jay Z?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh Chester.” Chester felt Mike start to shake, felt the gentle rumblings of laughter in the solid body next to his.