*~*RICHIE POV - Three days later*~*

Richie sat in one of the hard pews nursing a glass of wine. He watched as guests filed into the funeral home and they greeted Joan with wishes of sympathy, the voices grating on his nerves like nails on a board.

They all stopped to admire the family photos on display, laughing and crying while they all told stories about Adam. He glanced from under his hat and glued his eyes onto the casket.

Today was his father's funeral and he'd rather be anywhere than here. What he wouldn't give to have David here by his side. Someone to hold his hand...someone to tell him everything would be okay.

His father. His rock. Gone forever.

The funeral home was tastefully decorated with soft music playing in the background. Bouquets of flowers surrounded Adam's casket and the murmur of hushed voices. It was a somber scene but a sense of relief washed over him.

His father was finally at peace. No more pain.

Wouldn't no more pain be nice?

People kept glancing over at him, whispering in hushed tones. He tried to ignore them, but the weight of their stares eventually became too much. He drained his glass and set it down next to him.

A man in a dark suit walked up to Richie, his expression solemn. Adam's brother and Richie's uncle, Edward. "Richie, it's so nice to see you again. Your father was a wonderful man. He'll be missed."

Richie's throat tightened as he swallowed the lump forming there. "Thanks, man."

"You take care of yourself and your mom," the man said, patting him on the shoulder before walking away.

The comforting gesture only served to highlight the emptiness inside Richie. He felt lost and adrift, like he was floating through this sea of sadness with no anchor. He had no anchor here except Ava.

He glanced over at his aunt Sophie, who was standing by the casket with a pained expression on her face. She saw him looking and made her way over, gently taking his hand in hers. "Richie, I'm so sorry. Joan said you've been here for a few days?"

"Yeah," he replied, "I uh...I got here the day before he passed."

"I'm so happy you had those last few hours with him," Sophie said with a small grim smile.

"Me too." Richie nodded and swallowed hard. He glanced around the room, his eyes landing on a photo of him and his father from a fishing trip they took last summer. The memory brought a small smile to his lips. "He was a great man," Richie whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Sophie squeezed his hand gently. "Yes, he was. You know, he always spoke highly of you. Your Dad was so proud of your success."

"Thanks, Aunt Sophie," Richie said, feeling a warmth spread through him. He looked back at the photo, remembering the laughter and camaraderie they shared on that trip.

As he lost himself in the memory, the doors to the funeral home opened and Richie's heart sank. His Mom was being escorted in by Ava. Joan broke down at the sight of the casket and cried into Ava's shoulder.

Seeing his mother in such distress brought a lump to Richie's throat. He stood and walked over to them, wrapping his arms around his mother and whispering soothing words into her ear. Ava gave him a small smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

The room fell silent as they huddled together, their grief palpable. Richie felt the weight of his mother's pain and the ache in his own heart deepen. He held her tighter, wishing he could take away her sorrow.

"If you'd all like to take your seats, we can begin now that the family is together," the funeral director said to them.

The service began with a somber elegy played on the organ. Richie and his family made their way to their seats as the mourners filed in behind them. He glanced around the room, taking in the sea of faces.

Ladies crying into tissues and men dabbing tears away. So much emotion weighed down the room and kept everyone in their seats, like Adam was the center of gravity.

Richie allowed his mind to drift back to his father. He remembered all the times they had spent together; fishing, playing catch, and going on hikes. His father had been his best friend and confidant.

His number one fan. Always.

The memories were bittersweet as Richie fought back tears. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Ava, her eyes filled with concern. She gave him a small smile, her touch warm and comforting.

"You okay, Daddy?" she asked and Richie nodded.

He tried to focus on the words of the priest. As he spoke of his father's kindness, generosity, and love for his family, Richie felt a sense of peace wash over him. His father was finally at peace, but a part of Richie's soul was still missing.

The church door opened and Richie glanced behind him, doing a double take at the blonde head of curls. David. Dressed in a simple black button-down and jeans, he carefully closed the door, skirting along the far wall to Richie.

David moved towards Richie with a quiet grace, his eyes filled with sadness as he took in the scene before them. He stopped a respectful distance away, his hands clasped behind his back and leaned in to whisper, "I hated the thought of you being here alone."

"Lema...," Richie cried.

Any questions of how and why could wait until after. Richie threw himself into David's arms, allowing a private moment of tears to fall. David held him as they sat back down in the pew and Richie didn't stop him.

"Shhh...I'm here, baby," David cooed.

God, his body's warm.

"Thank you," Richie whispered.

He took comfort in David's embrace, leaning into him as they sat in silence. The service continued with hymns and prayers, but Richie was lost in his own thoughts and the comfort of David's presence.

The priest's voice droned on in the background, but Richie's mind was focused on the man sitting next to him. He breathed in David's scent, a mix of soap and a faint hint of cologne. It was grounding, familiar, and reminded Richie of simpler times.

He inhaled deeply and a memory surfaced of the two of them at the beach, the salty sea air mingling with the smell of sun oil as they laughed and played in the waves. Richie's heart ached with longing for those carefree days.

David slipped his right hand into Richie's, their fingers entwining. He squeezed gently, offering what comfort he could. His left hand rested lightly on Richie's knee, occasionally giving it a reassuring squeeze.

The memories flooded in as the priest finished and the Cantor took her position. David...his David. He thought of the first time they kissed, their first date, their first fight... and then their first time. The memories were bittersweet.

Mourners rose as the casket was wheeled out of the church and down the aisle. Richie and his family followed, their steps leaden with grief. As they walked towards the hearse, David fell into step beside him.

"Jon's gonna be mad," Richie said blandly.

"He thinks I had a family emergency. In a way, I did," David replied, taking Richie's hand in his. "I couldn't stand no one being here with you."

The sun beamed down on the cemetery as they lowered the coffin into the ground. Richie held tight to David's hand. His anchor.

As the dirt settled on the coffin, they stood together, surrounded by family and friends. The mourners offered their condolences and words of comfort, but Richie was numb. He could feel David's warmth radiating beside him, and it grounded him in a way nothing else could.

David wrapped his other arm around Richie's shoulders, drawing him closer. He could feel the older man trembling slightly against him, and he pressed a kiss to his temple.

"Come on, go for a drive then get lunch," he murmured, gently guiding him toward the waiting cars.

"Ava...can you look after Mom for a couple hours?" Richie asked.

"Of course, Daddy. You two go talk," Ava replied with a smile.

David smiled at Ava's understanding and led Richie away, guiding him to the passenger seat of his car. As they pulled out of the cemetery, David glanced over at his friend and ex-lover. His heart ached for him, but he was grateful for the comfort they could find in each other.

"Yeah, you're right," David reverted back to the earlier comment Richie made, after pulling on the highway, "Jon will be mad."

"At this point, he'd kinda the last issue on my mind," Richie said, staring out the window. He reached over and found David's hand and clutched it.

"Baby, it's okay...I'm here," David whispered.

They drove in silence, David's eyes fixed on the road as he tried to process the weight of the day. He wished there was something he could say or do to make it better, but he knew that was impossible. All he could offer was his presence, and he hoped that would be enough for now.

"I don't deserve to be called Baby by you," Richie sighed.

"You don't...but you are," David smirked. "Old habits die hard."

Richie squeezed the man's hand, looking down to admit every bump and curve. "I missed you."

David licked his lips and frowned. "I always miss you. Maybe too much. Lexi said I should come. Granted even though I kinda fibbed to Jon...I think he might know."

David's words made Richie smile a little, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Well, I appreciate it," he said softly. "It's nice having you here."

They drove in companionable silence for a while longer, lost in their own thoughts.

Eventually, they found a quiet diner where they could get some lunch and talk without feeling overheard. They both ordered and sat in silence for a moment as they sipped their drinks. David reached over and took Richie's hand again, giving it a squeeze.

"How are you holding up, really?"

"I'm a mess, Lema. I've been a fucking mess," Richie confessed, lowering his head onto his arms. "Ever since that night, I've wanted to come back on my knees begging for forgiveness."

"Why didn't you?" David leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that. It's none of my business."

"No, you have every right to ask," Richie said, looking up. "I just... I dunno...the guilty side of me wanted Jon too."

"Why didn't you just tell me? Long before things got serious," David asked, leaning in towards Richie and lowering his voice.

"Because you were happy," Richie replied simply, shrugging. "I didn't want to ruin that."

"I could've handled it. I would've handled it," David insisted, squeezing his hand. "We could've worked through it together."

"Maybe...."

Their food arrived, and they ate in silence for a few minutes. David could feel the weight of Richie's words, and he didn't push the subject any further. He knew that Richie had to come to terms with things in his own time.

"I don't know how to make it better, Lema," Richie finally said, looking down at his plate. "I fucked up. I hurt you. And I just... I can't undo it. I'd give anything to undo it."

David set down his fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin. He reached across the table and cupped Richie's cheek, forcing him to meet his gaze. "I know you did, and it hurt. A lot. But you need to stop beating yourself up over it."

Richie leaned into his touch, closing his eyes briefly. "It's hard not to," he said softly.

"I know, but you can't change the past. All you can do is learn from it and move forward." David's thumb brushed over Richie's cheekbone, and he smiled gently.

"I know," Richie whispered, leaning into the touch. "I just... I feel so lost right now."

"I know you do," David said, cupping his cheek and leaning in to press their foreheads together. "But you're not alone. You never have to be alone."

"Thanks, D," Richie mumbled, nuzzling into his touch. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm sorry for everything."

"You don't need to keep apologizing," David insisted. "We both made mistakes. And we both have to find a way to move past them."

"Lexi?"

David paused and exhaled slowly. "Yeah...I guess I found my way in her."

"Do you love her?"

David considered his words carefully before he spoke. "I don't know. Sometimes I just...I crave companionship, I guess. And she was there for me when you weren't."

"Do you still feel that way?"

"About her?" David asked, frowning slightly. "Yeah, I do. If I can be blunt, she's the only one besides Tico that I can trust fully."

"And me?" Richie asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

David hesitated, looking into Richie's eyes. "You're different. You've always been different. But I think...I think we both need to figure out what we want. And who we want to be with. For you, that includes being with Jon if that's what you desire."

Richie nodded slowly, taking a moment to process David's words. "Yeah, I suppose it does," he said softly. "I just...I don't know how to get past this. How to forgive myself."

"You will," David assured him, squeezing his hand. "Time helps. And I'm a masochist who walks into painful situations."

Richie chuckled weakly, shaking his head. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Lema," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're...you're such a good person. I'm so lucky to have you in my life."

David blushed, looking away. "You make it sound like I'm some saint or some shit," he replied with a small smile. "I've done my fair share of fucking up too." He squeezed Richie's hand again, meeting his gaze.

"Well, you're still here," Richie pointed out with a faint smile. "That says something about you, doesn't it?"

"Maybe," David allowed, laughing softly. "But it's not like I had a whole lot of options. You're stuck with me, King. Tell you what...I have a bottle of wine waiting on ice. Why don't you come back to my room and we can hash things out?"

Richie hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay," he said softly. "I could use some wine." He slid out of his seat, carefully setting his empty plate on the table. David followed suit, tossing some money down on the table to pay for their meal.

*~*~*

Two bottles imbibed...shirts and shoes trailing to the bed.

The zipper purred sweetly under Richie's fingers. He leaned into the touch, shivering with anticipation as David's fingers brushed against his skin. He sucked in a sharp breath when the zipper slid down, revealing the hard length of David's cock.

"Rich...."

The blonde man's voice was rough with need as Richie knelt between his spread legs. He ran his hands up David's thighs, feeling the taut muscles beneath his fingertips. He leaned forward, pressing their lips together in a heated, hungry kiss that left them both gasping for air.

Their kisses grew deeper and passionate, fueled by desire and the wine they'd consumed. A beautiful harmony of moans and whispers of desire cascaded from lips, mutters for more.

Moaning into the other's mouth, Richie slid his hands lower, gently cupping David's ass before squeezing and pulling him closer.

"Christ, I've missed this body," he moaned. The feel of David's hard length against his palm sent shivers down his spine.

"Me too," David groaned, arching into the touch as Richie began to stroke him slowly. "I've missed feeling you like this," he gasped, tilting his head back and closing his eyes as pleasure coursed through him.

David's hands found their way to Richie's head, tangling in his hair as he urged the older man to take him deeper. His hips arched off the bed, his breath coming in ragged gasps as Richie's strokes grew more insistent.

Their bodies were pressed together as one, the scent of sex and wine filling the air. David's hands tangled in Richie's hair, urging him closer for another deep, soul-shattering kiss.

Sensations flooded through Richie as he stroked David, the feel of his length in his hand, the taste of their lips, and the way his body was so perfectly connected to David's. He moaned into the kiss, tilting his head to deepen it, their tongues tangling as they explored each other.

"Just like that, baby," David moaned into the kiss, feeling the pleasure build within him as Richie's hands stroked and teased. He arched his back, pressing his hips upward, seeking more contact with Richie's palm.

Their kisses grew deeper and more urgent as Richie stroked David, the sounds of their pleasure filling the room. His fingers moved faster and firmer on David's cock, feeling it throb against his hand.

"Fuck, Rich," he gasped, threading his fingers through Richie's hair. "I'm close." David groaned, his hips bucking upward as the pleasure threatened to overwhelm him.

The sounds of David's pleasure spurred Richie on, driving him to bring the younger man over the edge. He moaned into the kiss, increasing the strength of his strokes as David's cock grew slick in his hand.

"I've got you, baby," Richie cooed.

Richie felt the power that David had over him. It was intoxicating, exhilarating, and he couldn't help but worship every inch of him. He felt his own arousal spike as he stroked David faster and harder, the wet sounds of their flesh meeting filling the air.

"Oh fuck, yes," David gasped, arching his back off the bed as he came. His hips bucked, seeking more contact with Richie's hand as he rode out the intense pleasure.

With a shuddering cry, David came, his body tensing as wave after wave of release coursed through him. Richie felt the hot liquid spurt across his palm. He leaned in as David trembled and trailed his tongue through the warm cream, lapping up every drop.

"Oh God," David moaned, his body still shuddering from the aftershocks of his orgasm. He threaded his fingers through Richie's hair, holding him close for support.

"You taste like heaven, baby," Richie groaned into David's stomach. The feel of Richie's tongue on his skin was electrifying, sending fresh waves of pleasure coursing through him.

His tongue traced a path up David's stomach, tasting the salt and musk of his skin. His hands roamed lower, eager to explore every inch of the younger man's body. David's breath hitched as Richie's fingers brushed against his sensitive skin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

Richie's lips found David's once more, his kisses filled with a raw hunger that made David's head spin. He could feel Richie's arousal pressing against his hip, hot and hard.

"You got any oil or lube?" Richie asked quietly.

"In my bag," David whispered back. He kicked off his jeans as Richie staggered over to retrieve the small bottle. Richie returned to the bed, his eyes dark with desire as he held up the bottle of lubricant and shook it with a devious smile.

"This what you want, baby?" He squeezed some onto his fingers, his gaze never leaving David's.

David swallowed hard as Richie's slick fingers trailed down his chest, tracing a path towards his most intimate places. He spread his legs to welcome those delicious fingers. "Oooh that's cold."

Richie's touch was gentle but firm, and David couldn't help but gasp as he felt the cool lubricant on his hot hole. His body tensed, heart pounding in his chest as Richie's fingers circled his entrance.

"Relax, baby," Richie murmured. His voice was soothing and David took a deep breath, trying to relax as Richie's fingers slowly pushed inside him.

David stretched to accommodate Richie's fingers, and a moan escaped as Richie began to explore him. His fingers moved deeper, probing and exploring with a tenderness that made David's heart race.

"Shiiit, Richie...please...."

David's body began to respond, his own arousal building once more. The sensation of Richie's fingers inside him was intense, but also incredibly intimate, and David found himself wanting more.

"Please, Rich," he gasped, his hips bucking involuntarily.

Richie's eyes darkened with desire at David's words. He removed his fingers, slicking them up once more with the lubricant before slowly pushing them back inside David's body. This time, David was more prepared, his body relaxing and accepting Richie's fingers easily.

"That's my baby," Richie cooed. His praise only served to heighten David's arousal. His fingers moved with deliberate slowness, stretching and preparing David for what was to come.

"You ready for me, baby?" His voice was low and husky, his desire clear in every word. Richie's free hand roamed over his own cock, slickening it up with lube.

David could only nod and swallow, unable to speak as he felt Richie's fingers curve inside him, hitting sensitive spots that made him gasp.

Richie's thumb brushed against his lover's perineum, applying pressure that made David's toes curl. He positioned himself between the blonde's legs, his cock heavy and thick with arousal. David couldn't help but stare, melting as he felt Richie's tip pressing against his entrance.

"Ready?" Richie asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes...please, baby."

Richie began to press into his lover, slow and steady. The intense mix of pleasure and slight discomfort as David's body stretched to accommodate Richie's size.

"Oooh shit," David's breath hitches as Richie fills him, his hips moving in a slow, steady rhythm.

"King's home, baby." Richie's thrusts become deeper, more urgent, as he sinks further into David's welcoming warmth. He pushed David's knees to his chest, watching his lover take his cock inch by inch.

David's eyes fluttered shut as the pleasure coursed through his body, a low moan escaping his lips. The sensation of being filled by Richie was unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. He clung to the sheets, his nails digging into his palms as he tried to hold on to the feeling.

Richie's hips meet David's bottom, their bodies moving in perfect sync. Sweat beads on their foreheads, and their chests heave as they catch their breath.

David felt himself being stretched and filled to the brim by Richie's thick cock, his insides clenching around the invading length.

"Fuck, yeah," Richie groaned, his thrusts becoming harder and deeper. His free hand reached around to stroke David's cock in time with his hips, adding another layer of pleasure to the intense connection they shared.

"Holy fuck, Richie," he panted, feeling like he was on the brink of orgasm. "Don't stop." David arched his back, pressing into Richie's touch.

Richie's fingers dug into his hips, holding him still as he thrusted into him.

"Fuck, yes, baby," he groaned, his hips moving in a rapid, powerful motion that drove his cock deeper into David's tight heat. The blonde's body trembled under the onslaught of sensations as Richie's thick shaft stretched him to his limits.

"More...please...," David gasped, his head thrown back as he felt himself being claimed by Richie's skilled thrusts.

The pleasure was intense, bordering on painful, but he welcomed it all the same. He pulled his hips back slightly, only to slam into David's ass once more, driving himself even deeper.

Richie's lips curved into a wicked grin as he watched the desire in David's eyes. His thrusts became faster and harder, his body slamming against David's, their skin slapping together in a rhythmic beat. Sweat dripped down their bodies, mingling with each other.

"Fuck, yeah." David's voice was hoarse, his body shaking under the onslaught of pleasure. He gripped the sheets tightly, his knuckles turning white as he tried to hold on.

Richie could feel his climax building, his cock throbbing inside David's tight heat. He leaned down, capturing David's lips in a bruising kiss, his tongue dancing with his lover's.

As their tongues tangled, Richie picked up the pace, his thrusts growing deeper and harder. David could feel the head of Richie's cock brushing against his prostate, sending waves of pleasure coursing through his body.

"Fuck, Rich...I'm close...take me there, King," He groaned into the kiss, his hips bucking up to meet each powerful thrust. "Richie...Richie...Richie?"

Richie's eyes slowly opened to blinding red and blue lights. A mask had been shoved onto his face and fresh oxygen flooded his system. "He's awake!" The firefighter yelled. He was slowly pulled from the SUV wreckage and lowered onto a stretcher. "Welcome back, Mr Sambora."

His head was pounding.

Where was Lema? Why was it raining?

He was loaded into the back of the ambulance, the world spinning around him. "Lema...baby...where are you?"

The paramedic checked his vitals and restrained his ankles and wrists as they drove away from the crash site. He looked out the window, taking in his surroundings. He was back in his hometown, the place he had left behind years ago.

"David? Where's David?"

"David who? You were alone in that car buddy, and lucky you were."

Richie's eyes darted around the ambulance, searching for any sign of his lover. "No, you don't understand. David was with me, we were...together. He'd forgiven me."

The paramedic looked at Richie with concern, "I'm sorry, Mr. Sambora. But you were the only one in the car. Maybe it's just the shock talking."

As he spoke, the ambulance pulled up to the hospital and the doors slid open. Richie was rushed through the emergency room, his mind still reeling from the crash. The nurses and doctors worked quickly to stabilize him, but all he could think about was his ex-lover.

It had been so real. So fucking real he could smell David's spicy, leathery cologne, deep and fragrant.

"Where is he?" Richie demanded, struggling against the restraints on the bed.

The nurses looked at each other nervously, exchanging glances. "Calm down, Mr. Sambora," One of them said, trying to soothe him. "We don't have any information about anyone else being involved in the accident. You were the only one found at the scene."

"Blood alcohol is 5x the legal limit," the paramedic told the nurse. "Probably delusional."

Richie's heart sank. It couldn't be true. David was with him, he knew it. But the paramedic's words rang in his ears, echoing the truth he was trying desperately to ignore. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the world around him.

"Next of kin?"

"A daughter. She called the police when Mr Sambora left a funeral for his father. He'd been drinking most of the morning according to her."

"And the daughter knows he's here?"

"Yeah, she's on her way," the paramedic replied.

Richie's eyes snapped open at the mention of his daughter. He couldn't believe she would be coming to see him like this. He'd been so wrapped up in his own problems, he'd forgotten about her. He tried to move his hand towards his phone, but the restraints held him tight.

"You can't use your phone right now, Mr. Sambora," the nurse said, gently placing it out of reach. "We need to keep an eye on your vitals." She paused, considering his words. "Do you want me to call your daughter for you?"

Richie hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. Should he really involve his daughter in this mess? But then he thought about David, and how much he needed Ava's help.

"Yes," he finally managed to say. "Please call her."

~~**~~