Bryatt hadn't come back.

    Rufus was glad. As if they hadn't gotten along horribly before. They couldn't even look at one another now! Rufus hated him because he knew, and Bryatt hated him because...

    Because he was a hypocrite.

    But Bryatt didn't really know what the hell he was really talking about.

    And, more then twenty-four hours had passed, and Cloud hadn't called.

    He was getting restless, waiting around to be yelled at again... Waiting around for...what?

    Part of Rufus wanted Cloud to call. The other part didn't care. That other part was still mad at Lark for not being at the party.

    His father hadn't called either, even if he said he would.

    Rufus was done waiting. If someone called, they could leave him a voice mail. If Bryatt came back, well...good for him.

    Scowling as he grabbed some books, Rufus Shinra left for the library.

    Setzer was someone Bryatt liked, just as Rory had said. He lived life a little dangerously, but he was smart and quick with a comeback. He was also truly one of the most original people Bryatt had ever met. After they had undressed, Bryatt was not too surprised to see the other boy had a nipple ring, but he *was* shocked to see he had his belly button pierced. Bryatt had never met a boy who had one of those before.

    Of course, it was also a plus that he was good in bed. Bryatt grinned remembering how he had laid back, watching Setzer ride him, head back as he moaned and moved his hips fast.

    It had been a good night.

    But would it be a good afternoon? The site of his dorm door brought a frown to his face as he remembered Rufus. What would he say to him now? Could he afford to curse him out anymore, even if that was what he felt? It was too late to change roommates, and apparently Rufus didn't care if Bryatt yelled at him.

    Maybe he could last the rest of the year living in silence.

    With a sigh he tugged his keys out of his pocket, opening the door, which was again locked. Grimacing, he recalled what he had found the last time he found the door that way.

    Luckily for him, the room was deserted. Rufus had apparently gone someone else, and Bryatt sincerely hoped he would be gone a long time.

    Smiling again, he went to his computer and moved the mouse to banish the screen saver. Bryatt always left his computer on because he used it so much. Glancing at his AIM buddy list, he was surprised to see almost all of his best friends online, and a few messages left for him on his away message.

    Bryatt quickly sat, grinning as he checked his messages.

    The first one was from Starlightboy89, which was Tseng. His screen name was a joke between their group of friends, basically having to do with Tseng being a slut. The message said:

    Starlightboy89: BRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYATT! Did you get laid last night??? Tell me EVERYTHING! Luv ya-kisses.

    Bryatt chuckled to himself and checked the next message. It was from DARIELEY74, which was Darren. His screen name was basically a combination of his first and last name. The 74 stood for July 4th, which was the first day Darren and Ben ever kissed.

    And yeah, of course Bryatt teased him around that.

    Darren's message said:

    DARIELEY74: Bry-- I have to ask you something, so IM me or something, okay?

    Raising an eyebrow, Bryatt read the last message. It was from DivaVIIX, which was Rory. The first time the other boy had told him his IM name, Bryatt had laughed not only over the Diva part, but over the Roman numeral spelling out 69. His message said:

  DivaVIIX:hey. have fun last night?

    With a smile he removed his away message and made a chat room inviting Tseng, Darren, Rory and Reeve--who's screen name was XWINGRV, after the Star Wars starship.

    Bryatt's own was JustSocks98.

    He still thought it was pretty amusing.

    The conversation went like this:

    Starlightboy89: Hey!! ^_^

    DARIELEY74: Hey there.

    DivaVIIX: hi you guys.

    XWINGRV: Hey.

    JustSocks98: Why hello yourselves! I see I got left some messages! =)

    Starlightboy89: YES!!!!

    XWINGRV: ...I can guess what he asked.

    DARIELEY74: I was just gonna say that. lol

    XWINGRV: lol

    DivaVIIX: i think we asked the same thing. lol ^_~

    JustSocks98: You gutter minds...

    JustSocks98: And yes.

    JustSocks98: But that's all I'm saying...

  JustSocks98: ...For now.

    Starlightboy89: Damn

    Starlightboy89: But I knew it.

    XWINGRV: So I heard.

    JustSocks98: lol

    JustSocks98: You're all so damn nosy...

    JustSocks98: Did you hook up last night, Rory?

    DivaVIIX: no.

    JustSocks98: How come?

    DivaVIIX: didn't feel like it.

    Starlightboy89: Did Zidane?

    JustSocks98: Nosy...

    XWINGRV: Nosy.

    DivaVIIX: no! haha for him.

    JustSocks98: lol, Reeve. --We think the same. That's scary.

    DARIELEY74: For Reeve.

  Starlightboy89: He didn't get Edgar?

    JustSocks98: Shut up, Dar.

    XWINGRV: Thanks for the compliment, Bryatt.

    DivaVIIX: no. edgar is too picky with who he sleeps with. zidane's been trying for a long time and still no luck.

    JustSocks98: Ha! He took it as a compliment, Dar!

    DARIELEY74: What's wrong with you, Reeve? j/k =)

    Starlightboy89: Oh, I see. That sucks.

    JustSocks98: Tsengy--give Reeve a kiss for me.

    Starlightboy89: Can do ^_~

    XWINGRV: Oh goody ^_^

    DARIELEY74: lol

    DivaVIIX: lol

    JustSocks98: lol. You're so cute, Reeve.

    DARIELEY74: Oh, Bry--

    JustSocks98: What?

    DARIELEY74: I have that question for you.

    JustSocks98: Okay. Shoot.

    DARIELEY74: Actually it's Ben's question.

    Starlightboy89: Where the hell is Ben?

    JustSocks98: Yeah! Tell him to get his ass on his computer!

    JustSocks98: That way he can ask me.

    DARIELEY74: Okay, just a second. brb

    DivaIVIX: what's ben's s/n so i can put it on my buddy list?

    Starlightboy89: BRaven74.

    JustSocks98: BRaven74. And what are you against capital letters, Ror?

    JustSocks98: Damn, beat me to it, Tseng =)

    DivaIVIX: i'm too lazy. =)

    DivaIVIX: and thanks.

    Starlightboy89: Welcome ^_^

    DARIELEY74: All right, he's coming.

    DARIELEY74: Invite him in, Bry.

    JustSocks98: Can do.

    BRaven74: Hi everyone.

    DivaIVIX: hi

    XWINGRV: Hey

    Starlightboy89: Hi, Ben ^_^

    JustSocks98: Hey, Ben--what's up?

    BRaven74: Don't laugh at me for asking this.

    JustSocks98: Here we go...

    BRaven74: But did Setzer talk about Darren a lot last night?

    JustSocks98: Oh god...

    JustSocks98: I knew you were going to ask that.

    Starlightboy89: Wait, what happened?

  JustSocks98: He did actually.

    XWINGRV: ....Outta the loop, I think.

    DivaIVIX: i'm not surprised.

    BRaven74: What did you *tell* him???

    JustSocks98: I told him to back off.

    JustSocks98: Seriously.

    JustSocks98: Don't worry, okay?

    Starlightboy89: What did he say?

    BRaven74: Thanks.

    BRaven74: Sorry. I was kind of pissed about that.

    Starlightboy89: WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?!

  DARIELEY74: I'll tell you later, okay?

    Starlightboy89: Okay.

    Starlightboy89: Is it really bad?

    BRaven74: Yes!

    DARIELEY74: No.

    JustSocks98: Uh oh.

    Starlightboy89: Can't you just tell me now?

    DivaIVIX: setzer was kind of hitting on darren.

    BRaven74: A lot.

    BRaven74: And how could you say that, Darren?!?!?!

    Starlightboy89: I see.

    Starlightboy89: Uh oh.

  JustSocks98: Don't worry about it, okay?

    JustSocks98: AND DON'T FIGHT!

    Starlightboy89: Yeah, you guys never fight.

    BRaven74: Sorry.

    BRaven74: I'll be okay.

    DARIELEY74: We really did like your friends, Rory.

    DivaIVIX: it's okay. i know how setzer can be.

    DivaIVIX: he pisses me off sometimes too.

  XWINGRV: Tseng, tell them what Edgar said.

  Starlightboy89: Oh yeah!!

    JustSocks98: What did he say?

    Starlightboy89: He's going to call his agent and get me a meeting with him. He thinks I could be a model. *blushes*

  DivaIVIX: really??

    DARIELEY74: Wow!

    BRaven74: That's really cool!

    JustSocks98: YOU'RE SHITTING ME!

    Starlightboy89: I swear. Right, Reeve?

  XWINGRV: Yup.

    JustSocks98: WOW!!!

    JustSucks98: Well you're definitely good looking enough, pretty boy!

    DivaIVIX: oh yeah.

    Starlightboy89: Thank you ^_^

    DARIELEY74: Way to go, hon. I hope you get it.

    BRaven74: Same here, of course :)

    Starlightboy89: Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm kinda excited about it, but I don't wanna get my hopes up.

    XWINGRV: Oh come on. What did I tell you?

    JustSocks98: What did you tell him?

    XWINGRV: I told him that if he doesn't get picked the guy is blind.

    DivaIVIX: lol. true.

    JustSocks98: Totally true!

    DARIELEY74: Just don't end up in porn. lol

    BRaven74: Oh god, Dar.

    Starlightboy89: My parents would kill me. lol

     JustSocks98: No--Imagine if Darren was in porn.

    BRaven74: ACK!

    Starlightboy89: LMAO!!!!

    DARIELEY74: Oh my god...

    DARIELEY74: You *had* to say that, didn't you?

    DivaIVIX: at least it would sell.

    JustSocks98: Damn straight it would. ; )

    DARIELEY74: I hope you all know that Ben is like on the floor laughing right now...

    XWINGRV: lol

    DARIELEY74: And I'm not flattered! I'm skeveed!

    Starlightboy89: Liar ^_~  j/k

    JustSocks98: HAHAHA!! That is too funny.

    BRaven74: Hehehehe. Sorry, sweetie.

    DARIELEY74: Yeah, laugh it up.

    JustSocks98: Seriously, Ben--what would you do if he was?

    BRaven74: No. I would hate it.

    BRaven74: I don't like when people ogle him!

    JustSocks98: *cough* posessive *cough*

    Starlightboy89: If I was in porn, Reeve would buy like 50 copies.

    JustSocks98: LOL!

    DivaIVIX: lol

    BRaven74: He would not.

    DARIELEY74: lol. Really?

    XWINGRV: *sweat drops*

    BRaven74: Come on, Reeve. Wouldn't you be mad?

   XWINGRV: I don't know actually. In some way I guess I would be flattered.

    JustSocks98: That makes perfect sense. Seriously.

    XWINGRV: I mean, it's not like he was in a porn *movie* or anything.

    JustSocks98: Exactly.

    DivaIVIX: i agree.

    Starlightboy89: Hmmm...

    Starlightboy89: j/k I would never.

    JustSocks98: Yeah, because then you could never be Miss America.

    Starlightboy89: Hahaha.

    DivaIVIX: hey, bry, did setzer say anything to you about our band?

    JustSocks98: ....No...

    Just Socks98: You have a band?

    DivaIVIX: kind of.

    Starlightboy89: That's so cool!!

    DARIELEY74: What kind of band is it?

    DivaIVIX: well, it's only kind of half formed right now.

    DivaIVIX: we need more people.

    DivaIVIX: it's half cover band, half original. we need more songs and stuff.

    BRaven74: Who's in it?

    DivaIVIX: me, i sing and play the guitar, setzer plays bass, and gau does drums.

    JustSocks98: YOU PLAY GUITAR???

  Starlightboy89: Bryatt plays guitar too!

  DARIELEY74: Yup

  DivaIVIX: no shit! really??

    JustSocks98: YES!

    DivaIVIX: you ass! why didn't you tell me?

    JustSocks98: Why didn't you tell me *you* played?

    DivaIVIX: good point.

    Starlightboy89: Bryatt writes music too.

    JustSocks98: Yeah, that too.

    DivaIVIX: really???

    DivaIVIX: damn, you are so in.

    JustSocks98: Hot damn =)

    DivaIVIX: setzer writes music too. he's good.

  JustSocks98: That's awesome. You guys gotta name?

    DivaIVIX: not yet.

    JustSocks98: What else do you need?

  DivaIVIX: keyboard. and another vocalist.

    BRaven74: Dar plays the piano. I guess he could play keyboard.

  DivaIVIX: no shit! why didn't you guys tell me you had musical talent?

  DivaIVIX: you want in, darren?

    DARIELEY74: Uh...sure. I guess. =)

    Starlightboy89: And Reeve sings really well.

    XWINGRV: Tseng!

   XWINGRV: I do not.

    Starlightboy89: Yes he does! He's lying!

    DivaIVIX: do you really?

    XWINGRV: I don't know... I can carry a tune. I was in chior in high school.

    DivaIVIX: what part did you sing?

    XWINGRV: Baritone.

    DivaIVIX: oh perfect, cause i sing tenor. get your ass over here, i wanna hear you.

    XWINGRV: I don't think I'd be much good for a band...

    Starlightboy89: Don't worry, Rory. I'll make him come.

    JustSocks98: I'll bet ;) lol

    DivaIVIX: good.

    DivaIVIX: you're sick, bry ^_^

    Starlightboy89: BRYATT!!

    DARIELEY74: Couldn't help yourself, could you, Bryatt.

    JustSocks98: Of course not =)

    DivaIVIX: all right, i'll talk to you all later--bry, call me in like an hour, okay?

    JustSocks98: Sure thing. Bye, babe.

    <DivaIVIX has left the chat area>

    Starlightboy89: I'll see you guys later too.

    XWINGRV: Me too. Bye everyone.

  DARIELEY74: Bye you guys.

    BRaven74: See you later.

    JustSocks98: Bye bye! Go get 'em, Reeve ^_^

    XWINGRV: Heh, thanks, Bryatt.

    <Starlightboy89 has left the chat area>

    <XWINGRV has left the chat area>

    JustSocks98: I guess I should go too. Ben, get over here, I wanna talk to you.

    JustSocks98: --And alone, sorry, Dar.

    BRaven74: All right.

    DARIELEY74: It's okay. I have to study anyway.

    BRaven74: What about, Bry?

    JustSocks98: You'll see. Get over here.

    BRaven74: All right, I'm coming.

       Bryatt left the chat room, threw up his away message, and got ready for Ben to come by.

    DARIELEY74: Wow, Bryatt didn't make a comment about your last line there, sweetie. hehe

  BRaven74: Surprising.

    BRaven74: So....you really going to 'study'?

    DARIELEY74: Heh... We have to talk about this *online*? Turn around and ask me that!

    BRaven74: Come on, Dar...

    DARIELEY74: For your imformation....yes...

    DARIELEY74: But...

    DARIELEY74: ....I think I'll do it naked.

    DARIELEY74: So hurry back ;)

    BRaven74: Damn straight I will :) All right, I'm going. Love you.

    DARIELEY74: Love you too =)

    They both signed off and put up away messages. Ben gave Darren a kiss on the forehead before going across the hall.

    He didn't even have to knock on the door before the other boy opened it, and stepped inside to let him in.

    "So...what is this about?" he turned to watch his friend close the door. "I hope it's fast."

    "So do I!" Bryatt turned, smiling at Ben. The boys were close, but not as close as they were with the ones who were not currently present. "This is about Darren, obviously."

    Crossing his arms, Ben asked him, "What about him?"

    "I was thinking about this..." he said, crossing to where the other boy was standing. "When you were complaining about Setzer hitting on him and everything..." Stopping he met the other boy's hazel eyes. "You really love him, don't you?"

    "What kind of stupid question is that?"

    "I know." Bryatt grinned. "I know, but it's kind of weird though... You love him so much...yet...you never gave him anything."

    He raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "What?"

    "If you guys were straight you'd be engaged. Give him a ring or something."

    Ben paused a moment. "Why me and not him?"

    "Because you're the overly posessive one!" Bryatt laughed. "Why, you think he won't take it?"

    "Not funny." His eyes narrowed a moment before he backed off, sighing. "Yeah, I guess you're right. That would certainly tell some people to get lost."

    He chuckled again. "So? Are you gonna do it or not?"

    "Maybe..." he said slyly, grinning. His mind was already made up. "I'll talk to you later."

    "You are and you know it." Bryatt followed him to the door. "I told you it was going to be fast."

    Ben had taken two steps back out into the hallway before he turned around and said quite seriously, "You might want to put some loud music on."

    Bryatt leaned against the door frame. "Is that so. Why?"

    "Just trust me." Bryatt laughed at the expression Ben displayed before returning to his room.

    Ben caught Darren lifting his shirt over his head.

    "Oh!" he exclaimed, blushing a little as he backed up. "I didn't think you would be back so soon!"

    "Just in time..." he muttered, advancing quickly on the other boy. "I hope you don't need your voice for anything soon, Dar."
With those words Darren fell back onto the bed, and Ben climbed a top him.

    Darren's eyes widened slightly. "Oh... Ben... I don't want everyone to hear---"

    But Ben just cut him off with a kiss.

    Darren gave in that easily.

    "Bry?"

    "Yeah, good guess, psychic boy. What's up?"

    "I just heard Reeve sing--he and Tseng just left. He's *great*!"

    "Oh, good! Yeah, I thought he might be. Tseng knows a nice voice when he hears one."

    "Yeah, he's so in the band. So anyway, get over here, and bring your guitar."

    "Acoustic or electric?" Bryatt grinned.

    "Ugh! You bastard! Why didn't you tell me??? Acoustic--get over here *now*."

    "Com~ing!" he replied in a sing song voice before he dropped the phone back on it's hook. He dragged his guitar case out of his closet and opened the dorm door.

    He stopped immediately, resisting the urge to fall over laughing.

    Ben sure was right.

    "Oh!!! Oh!!! Ben!!! Oh!!! Gods!!! Yes!! Yes!! Oh! Oh! Oh--!!! Ah--!! YES!! Oh--!! Oh, BEN!! Oh, Gods!! Oh!"

    Darren's voice rang out clear as a bell for all to hear.

    Bryatt managed to only laugh lightly as he locked his door and headed next door. Down the hall, Irvine and Reno had peeked their head out of their own room, brows furrowed in confusion. A moment later, Zack opened his own door and peered out.

    "What the hell...?" he wondered aloud, looking at the two other perplexed boys.

    "Jesus, now I understand why people are gay," Irvine commented.

    "Oh--!!! Ben--!! Ah--! Gods---! Yes!!"

    "No shit," Reno replied.

    Bryatt grinned and shook his head as he knocked harder on Rory's door.

    Rory was quick to answer, and when the door was opened an immediate look of confusion appeared on his face, obviously aimed at Darren's 'vocals'.

    "What the hell is going on in there?" He looked Bryatt over and grinned leaning against the door frame.

    "When Ben sucks on Darren's fingers as he fucks him, Darren goes *crazy*," Bryatt explained, pushing past the other boy as he went into the room. "Hence what's going on right now."
 
    "I see." He laughed as he shut the door. "I can also see why he doesn't do it all the time. I think the whole building knows." Rory turned, giving Bryatt the same seductive look over. "So, handsome. You going to play a little guitar for me?"

    "I guess you want to hear then." Bryatt settled down in a car, his fingers strumming against the strings a few times. "What should I play?"

    Rory sat down on his bed without ever taking his eyes off the other boy. "Anything you want."

    That was an easy decision for Bryatt to make, and with a shrug, he began to play 'In Your Eyes', just as he had heard Jeffrey Gaines perform it acoustically. He even sang along, softly, embarrassed at the sound of his own voice. Bryatt knew singing wasn't his strong point. While he could hold a pitch, that was about as far as his talent went in that direction.

    Rory watched intently. Throughout the brief performance, he didn't even twitch a muscle. He just kept his eyes on Bryatt's face, relaxed with concentration, and thought with some dismay that he really did like Bryatt far far *FAR* more then as just a friend.

    When he finished, Bryatt placed the guitar aside before asking Rory what he thought.

    But Rory didn't say anything. He just got up, and came over to Bryatt, running his hands over the shorter boy's thighs before reaching for the zipper of his pants.

    Bryatt jumped a little, shocked about how this was coming out of nowhere. "Rory--" he started. But the finger that was pressed to his lips silenced him.

    So he said nothing else.

  He barely had to time to think about it.

    And afterwards, they didn't even talk about it. They just picked up their guitars and played a duet.