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had been created. Justin's step father had two sons, Kevin had been the oldest of the two, 10 years older
than him, and instantly they'd accepted the younger boy into their family as one of their own. Nick took
another look and realized that this gorgeous created before him WAS Justin's big brother Kevin. Nick was
shocked that Kevin had recognized him after all these years. Kevin had left home after college at age 24. Nick
had been 15, Justin 14. That had been 7 years ago. NIck hadn't seen him since.
"Wow. It's been a while Kevin. How did you recognize me?"
"I see Justin whenever I'm in town, plus we keep in contact through e-mail and stuff. He shows me pictures,
tells me what everyone's been up to. Besides, you haven't changed a bit Nicky."
Nick felt his stomach drop at that. He'd been an annoying, cocky little shit back then, him and Justin always
annoying the shit out of Kevin and his friends. He knew what Kevin had thought of him back then and hated
to think that he still did think of him like that. "I'm not the annoying little shit I used to be." Both men laughed
and Kevin shook his head.
"No. What I mean is that you're still the stunning blonde golden boy you used to be. That Carter smirk is
probably still breaking hearts."
Both men blushed at Kevin's admission, Nick's grin getting wider. He'd known even at 14 that he'd had an
impossible crush on the older man. It was something he'd never told anyone, even Justin when he'd come
out to him on the days between his 17th and Justin's 16th birthday. His crush on Kevin had been his secret,
something that even after all of these years had yet to go away.
Nick wondered if Justin had told Kevin he was gay. he figured not, because as much of a gossip as his best
friend was, he knew when to keep a secret, when it was *really* important. But now, sitting face to face with
the older man seeing the gleam in his eyes. Nick wished that Kevin knew, just to make things easier. How that
would make things easier, Nick wasn't sure, but it would.
"Can I see?" Kevin asked, nodding at the sketch pad on his lap. Nick hesitated for a few moments before
nodding, cautiously handing the pad over. Usually no one was allowed to see his sacred, private sketch pad.
But Kevin wasn't just anyone. He was the inspiration behind most of the sketches, and if Nick was honest
with himself he knew he couldn't deny this man anything. Even during Nick's two year long relationship with
Lance, Kevin had been the reason Nick continued to draw. And when they had broken up months before,
Nick's focus had never wavered. He just didn't tell Kevin that. He didn't want to frighten him away.
"They're beautiful Nick." Kevin's voice was a whisper, his eyes wide. Nick held his breath with each page that
was flipped over, knowing that eventually Kevin would get to it.
That picture.
The one that Nick could never get out of his mind.
The one of Kevin. There were actually many drawings Nick had done of Kevin, but there was one that was
special. That sat out above the others.
He and Justin had been camping in the back yard one night, mid July. Nick had gone inside to use the
bathroom and crept past Kevin's room, looking inside. What he'd seen was Kevin asleep on his stomach,
back bare and sheets around his waist. His face had been purely angelic and it had taken Nick's breath away.
The moment he had returned to the tent he'd started to work on it, oblivious to Justin's teasing. Nick had
about a dozen copies of that particular drawing and still, to this day he could sketch it in frighteningly accurate
detail, the memory that vivid in his mind, still. After all these years.
Nick heard a gasp and knew Kevin had come across it. He watched as Kevin's fingers danced over the paper
slowly. A look of awe on his face. "Wow."
Nick remained silent. He had no idea what to say.
"Summer of 94. You and Jus had that camp out in the backyard. It was about ..." Kevin closed his eyes to
think and Nick's jaw dropped open. "...2:30 in the morning."
Their eyes met and heat crackled between them. Nick found himself lost in Kevin's voice, unable to believe
that he could have even known about it. He'd been sleeping. At least Nick thought he'd been sleeping.
"You had come in to use the bathroom. Stood outside my door for about 20 minutes, just watching me. It was
like you were in a trance."
"I was," Nick whispered, cheeks hot.
"What were you thinking about? You looked so... confused."
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