Sean stared at the ring on his palm, then slipped it into his pocket as Sam came back from the bathroom. She set the first aid kit down on the counter and Sean pulled it away from her. Sam pouted at him, before trying to reach for it saying. "Dad! What are you doing"? Sean kept the box out of her reach, telling her with a smile. "I can take care of myself. You should go". Sam stopped trying to take the box, looking a little worried as she said. "I know you can. I just want to be sure you do it". Sean leaned in his kiss her forehead, before telling her casually. "Sammy, go. I got this". Sam sighed stubbornly, but started to back up one reluctant step at a time. Sean smiled at her, making a show of pulling the first aid kit closer. The minute he actually started to clean his knuckles and wrap them up, she started to slowly leave. 

He needed her to know that he would be ok. That he could take care of himself. Sam reached the front door, before she turned around to tell him sweetly. "I love you, Daddy". Cutting a strip of bandage, Sean looked up with a smile to answer just as sweetly. "I love you too, Sammy. Have fun... but not too much fun". Sam giggled softly as closed the door behind her. Leaving Sean to stare at the mess of broken glass. Putting his hands on his hips, he sighed heavily. Dropping his hands, he reached out to turn on the radio on the kitchen counter. When the music was loud enough to block out the noise, he moved to the closet to retrieve the broom. Moving into the living room, he picked up the broken coffee table to set it out of the way. Then he just started to carefully sweep up the glass.

To be sure that he got all the glass in the living room, he decided to vacuum. The loud noise drowning out the sound of the back door opening. When Sean turned off the vacuum, he turned and jumped back startled. Nate was leaning against the frame of the sliding back door, asking him a little disheartened. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you...". Sean's heart was starting to race a bit. Nate looked like... Natemare. Right down to the purplish blue paint down his cheeks. It was unsettling, but a striking look on him. Sean turned his music down, then curiously asked him. "How did you get in my backyard"? Nate weakly gestured toward his house, mumbling out. "It's a long story... but to get to the point... I jumped the fence. Can I stay here for a bit"? Sean moved closer, leaning his hip against his kitchen counter as he asked him gently. "Sure. What's wrong"? Nate sighed heavily, before resting his head against the door and mumbling out. "I'm sure Mark has told you about Matthew"? Sean nodded, waiting for Nate to continue.

Nate looked away and his long bangs fell to hide his eyes from view. In a strained voice, Nate told him. "Mark helped me track him down. I was so excited to see him after so long. He seemed to feel the same... Until he arrived at my house about an hour ago with his wife". Sean could only imagine what that felt like... and it hurt. Sean straightened up off his counter, softly stating to him. "Sounds like you need a drink. Your day is going about as well as mine". Sean casually walked to his sink, opening the cabinet beneath to remove a bottle of Jack Daniels. Setting it on the counter, he pulled down two small glasses from the upper cabinets. While Nate moved farther into the house, saying grimly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come here and unload my burdens on you. I just... I don't have anyone else".

Sean poured a straight shot or two into each glass, before taking it over to Nate. Nate's fingers looked red and felt so cold as they brushed over his to take the glass. Sean watched Nate stare into the glass with a forlorn look, telling him lightly. "It's fine. You only just missed my meltdown". A smile spread across Nate's face as he gestured to the broken glass in the hallway, saying casually. "Must have been quite a show". Sean chuckled lightly, taking a seat beside Nate on the couch as he replied. "Oh, ya. I meant to redecorate anyway". Nate chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. Sean took a sip of his own glass, when Nate sighed loudly and stated out calmly. "I'm so tired of wearing a mask. It only gets heavier the stronger it gets. It's driving me mad". Nate closed his eyes and Sean's heart skipped. Was it wrong to think that Nate looked attractive right now?

The way Nate looked... He half expected him to start humming some eerie sad song. Sean was having trouble believing he was real. Trying to stay focused. Sean hesitantly reached out to slide the back of his hand slowly up Nate's cold arm to his shoulder. How long had Nate been outside to avoid Matthew? Resting his hand on Nate's shoulder, he told him comfortingly. "Tell you what. I'll take off mine. If you take off yours". Nate's eyes opened to stare straight ahead as he answered. "You won't like what you see underneath". Sean rubbed Nate's shoulder, then leaned back to pull his wedding ring from his pocket. Holding out for Nate to see, he told him honestly. "You see this? I've worn this ring every day since the day my wife died. I was afraid that if I took it off that I would forget her. I was afraid to move on. I wore it to remind me to stay strong for our daughter... Who barely got to know her. It felt like it was getting heavier every damn year. Now it feels light. I'm not without my own set of scars".

Nate took the ring from his palm, looking it over as he answered coolly. "I've loved him for years... but I was always stalling. I told him that I was trying to make things work with my girlfriend to keep my son around. Truth is that I was just afraid to really fall for him. For anyone. As a musician, my life is unpredictable. It balances on a thread. I could be rich one day and back to broke in no time... but it's a risk I live for. It's my dream. I've worked too hard to just walk away. She didn't scare Mat off. I chased them both off, because I shut them out. I was afraid of dragging them down with me if I failed. Now that I'm realizing how fast life is passing me by... I regret not making the most of it. And now I've lost them both".

Nate handed the ring back, looking Sean in the eyes as his voice quivered when he added in. "Felix told the story the way he saw it and people believed his version. I tried not to let it bother me... but I lost one day and took a bat to his car. Nothing hurts worse than knowing the truth, but hearing others spread lies about the ones you love". Sean took the ring, but let his fingers linger around Nate's hand. Sean couldn't believe that he knew so much about Nate and at the same time... so little. Had Nate been trying to scare him off as much as he was trying to push Nate away? Sean brought Nate's hand up to his lips, kissing the back of his hand tenderly. Nate's hand warmed under his lips, while he let his thumb slide soothingly over Nate's knuckles. Sean knew Nate's scars ran deep, but he hoped that his kiss would help him start to heal.

Nate's voice dropped into a breathless whisper, when he told him. "Sean...? You shouldn't...". Sean slowly looked up from Nate's hand to see that Nate had closed his eyes and his breathing was shallow. Nate's lips parted like he was trying to finish, but Sean had a feeling he knew already. It was like Nate had said. He was afraid of falling for someone and dragging them down. Sean could relate to Nate. They had similar scars and it had taken him awhile to heal his own. Now he wanted to help Nate. Setting his drink down on the floor, Sean leaned in closer to Nate. Nate countered by leaning back away against the back of the couch, telling him breathlessly. "I shouldn't...". Sean shifted carefully over Nate's lap, bringing his lips inches from Nate's to whisper sweetly over them. "Don't shut me out, Nate. Make the most of this and we'll just see where this goes".

Sean slowly moved his hands up Nate's shirt, unbuttoning each button as he went up. He wanted to stall for as long as he could to make sure that Nate really wanted to do this with him. Unbuttoning the last button, Sean carefully opened his shirt to reveal his smooth warm chest feeling his breath hitch. Nate's body was like an illusion. He didn't look muscular, yet without his clothes he was. Nate let Sean push his shirt down his shoulders, then when he pulled his hands free, he immediately cupped Sean's face and pulled him into a passionate kiss. The taste of Nate's soft lips was making his blood rush in his veins. Nate shifted beneath him, his arms wrapping around his back as he scooted off the couch to lay Sean back across the floor.

Nate broke their kiss then to push Sean's shirt up to reveal his chest. Sean felt only a little embarrassed by it. Nate had a pretty defined six pack compared to him. The thought was thrown from his mind though as Nate lowered his head to kiss a trail down his chest to the hem of his black jeans. Sean spread his legs wide, arching back on the floor as his hand ran through Nate's dark hair. He wanted Nate to keep going lower. Cursing his pants, he settled for grinding his hips up against Nate. Nate kissed a trail back up his chest, seeking out one of his nipples to suck on. Sean gasped at the sensation, arching back with a moan. Sean's hand moved to Nate's bare shoulder, trying to pull him down closer, but only vaguely aware that he was digging his nails into his skin.

One of Nate's hands found its way between them, starting to rub and squeeze his hardening cock beneath his tightening jeans. It was torture! Sean let out a loud moan, digging his heels into the carpet. The moment Nate stopped, he simply kissed Sean and then asked through jagged breaths. "Should we worry about your daughter coming back"? Sean took the moment to catch his breath, glancing at the front door. He was sure that she would be out for a while... but he couldn't guarantee that. So, he turned back to Nate's lusty brown eyes, panting out wickedly. "The bedroom"? Nate nodded with a chuckle as he answered. "Race ya there". Nate bolted to his feet and Sean rolled over, before shoving himself up into a run. Together they tried to dodge the glass and picture frame shards.

They were only half way, when Sean opened the spare bedroom and yanked Nate inside. Sean kicked the door closed and slammed Nate back against the door, cupping his face to kiss him hungrily. He wanted Nate so badly. He couldn't explain it but he just felt a connection between them. Nate let him kiss him for a few more seconds, before switching positions. Nate slammed Sean back against the door, causing it to rattle on its hinges. Nate only kissed him briefly though, before grabbing his shirt to pull it off him. Throwing it aside, Nate started kissing a trail from his shoulder down to his jeans again. Sean tilted his head back against the door, moaning softly. Nate's kisses were making him tingle all over. When Nate reached the hem of his jeans this time, his hands quickly started to unbutton them. Sean could feel his legs weakening and extended his arms to brace his hands against the doors crown molding in order to keep himself upright.

The moment his clothes and shoes were pulled off, he shivered, but not from the cold. He could feel Nate's warm breath against his thigh teasing him into imagining what was about to happen. Sean's senses were barely working. He could only his ability to feel was heightened to overwhelming levels. Nate reached up to touch his face, coaxing him to lay down. He didn't even know if that was really want he wanted, but Nate didn't complain. Nate rolled in between his legs, kissing him in a tender loving way. Sean winced feeling a slight burn as Nate's jeans rubbed over his groin lightly. Nate rose up a bit to unbutton his jeans and Sean helped push them down his hips. He wanted Nate so bad that his hands were starting to shake.

Nate's body stiffened a bit as he shifted more comfortably over him. Sean slid his bare feet across the carpet as he bent his legs up against Nate's hips. When Nate suddenly reached back to pull his wallet from his pant pocket to Sean's surprise. Nate dug his fingers in to pull out a condom and Sean let out a chuckle. Nate shot him a smirk, stating a little defensively. "I'm always prepared". Nate tore open the foil with his teeth, starting to roll it on as Sean asked smugly. "Always"? Nate finished up, bracing himself back over him as he playfully muttered back. "Since having a kid. Yes. Besides, it's easier to clean up after". Sean nodded, letting himself relax. The lube on the condom was better than nothing anyway. Nate positioned himself, pushing one of Sean's legs up a bit as he slowly entered. The deeper Nate pushed into him the louder Sean's moans got.

Clawing at the carpet, Sean waited until Nate was in him completely. Only then did he allow himself to lay his hands on Nate's arms, coaxing him down lower over him. Sean tilted his head to let Nate lean in to kiss his neck. It felt good with the slow steady rhythm Nate was setting into. As passion took hold of him, Sean felt his teeth bite into his shoulder. He wasn't expecting that to turn him on, but it did. Even Nate's soft muffled moans were driving him to the edge. One of Nate's hands grabbed his wrist to pin it above his head, while the other pulled his leg up higher of his hip. Sean arched back against the floor, starting to feel his body lock up. Nate was starting to thrust and pant in shorter bursts and just the idea of Nate coming sent him over the edge. Sean's whole body tensed up under Nate just seconds before Nate thrusted into him one last time.

Sean could feel Nate's heart pounded against his chest as they both panted heavily. Carefully, Nate rolled off him stiffly to lay beside him. For a moment they didn't speak. They were both too tired. Until, Nate began to chuckle out to him. "I see you got the drum set up. Have you tested it out"? Sean nodded, stiffly sitting up to grab his shirt. Wiping his sperm off his stomach, he answered a little distracted. "Ya. I recorded it. I'm rusty as hell... but I had forgotten how much fun it is". Sean handed his shirt to Nate so that he could whip off his stomach too. Nate smirked, removing the condom and whipping himself down as he said excitedly. "I wanna see the video". Sean barely gestured to the computer. Nate just saw the computer on the floor and crawled toward it.

Nate dropped down onto his stomach, looking over the computer program that he had used. With a smile, Nate glanced over his shoulder, saying sweetly. "Did you use the same program as me on purpose"? Sean laid down over Nate's back, kissing his shoulder as he answered innocently. "I saw it on your computer and since you have more experience with this than me... Yes. I figured you could help me with it if I ran into issues". Nate watched through the video closely, giving him more tips on camera angles for the future and syncing things easier. However, Sean only listened to the sound of his voice. Resting his head against Nate's shoulder, he smiled to himself. Nate was like a little kid full of excitement when he talked about music. It was pleasant to listen to... even if he didn't understand a whole lot of it.

Not long after that, Sean sat at his drums spinning his drumsticks feeling his face flush a bright red. Nate was sitting on the floor, clapping and trying to get him to play something for him to hear. Sean didn't know how he had been talked into this. Gather what courage he had, he began to play the first song that popped into his head. The longer he did it the more he forgot that Nate was watching. He cursed every time he screwed up which started to happen a lot. Stopping himself, he muttered out to Nate. "I told you it would be bad. I haven't practiced that much". Nate climbed to his feet moving around the drums to drape his arms over Sean's bare shoulders. Nate kissed his cheek, whispering to him lovingly. "I know. I just wanted to see you play". Sean turned his head into Nate's long tender kiss, when a knock came at the door.

Both of them jumped, but only Nate jumped into action as the door started to open. Nate slammed his shoulder into the door, quickly turning the lock. Sean rushed to find his clothes as Sam yelled out. "OW! That hurt, ya know! What are you doing"? Sean pulled on his underwear and jeans, yelling back. "Nothing! Why the hell are you home"?! Sam groaned on the other side, stating out. "Wade is looking for Nate. However, no one has seen him for hours. So, I was told to ask you if you had...". She suddenly went quiet and Sean froze in place. Had she put it together yet? He hoped not! Nate tried to suppress a smirk but he was failing. Suddenly, his daughter piped back up curiously. "Dad...? Is that Nate's shirt"? Nate started to chuckle softly, until Sean swatted his shoulder.

Sean quickly stepped out of the room, answering nonchalantly. "No. It's mine. I was cleaning and...". His brain was coming up blank. Sam glared at him, crossing her arms. Shrugging, he blurted out. "Fine! I was cleaning up and got distracted with playing the drums". Sam raised an eyebrow, saying dryly. "Dad... Stop. You're a terrible liar". Sam leaned past him to knock on the door, yelling out. "Nathan?! Wade wants to know if you're playing at the party. Yes or No"? The door opened to reveal a shirtless Nate and Sean blushed a deep red. Nate leaned against the door frame, answering casually. "Ya, Sure". Sam shot her father one last look, before walking into her bedroom, saying neutrally. "Well... I'm not going to ask". Sam wasn't even in there a minute, when she came back out holding a large envelope. Pointing the envelope at them in turn, she snapped out. "Whoever spilled the whiskey on the couch, better clean it up. I'm serious".

They followed her to the front door. Where upon opening it, Tim turned to look at them, saying curiously. "Sammy? Why are they..."? Sam quickly covered his mouth, loudly stating over him. "It's best if you don't ask questions. Let's just go before I think of something that I'm going to regret". The second she released Tim, Tim asked her curiously. "I'd say your dad sleeping with your crush is pretty weird". Sam stopped on the lawn, lowering her face into her hands with a groan. Her voice coming out muffled and shaky as she told him dryly. "And now I'm thinking about it now... Thank you, Tim". Sam shivered and continued walking as Tim followed asking innocently. "What? What did I say"? Nate closed the door, flashing Sean a warm smile.

Sean moved into the living room, picking up his wedding ring off the floor. He didn't even know he had dropped it. Nate moved closer, holding out his hand for it. Sean hesitantly gave the ring to Nate, who pulled out a chain from his pocket. Looping the ring on the chain, Nate lowered the chain over Sean's head. Sean touched the necklace, feeling so much love for him. Nate pressed his forehead to Sean's, whispering affectionately. "There. Now she can still be close to your heart". Sean wrapped his arms around Nate's neck, whispering back to him. "Well, Aren't you a Dream Daddy". Nate shook his head trying to hide his blush, his smile so bright that his dimples showed. It was too much for Sean to resist. So, he leaned in to kiss him again. The SepticNate Ending.