Sean was at a loss for words. This wasn't where he thought Nate was going with this. Staring at the ring, his heart leapt at the chance to answer him now. His mind was another matter. Did he want to risk getting married? This could all still fall apart and marrying him might just make everything worse. Nate kissed his forehead, whispering to him in a shaky low voice. "Don't answer now. Wait until after Pax. That way... That way if you say no... I'll just disappear from your life." Sean rose up on his elbows, asking a little hurt. "You mean... We couldn't even be friends if I reject you?" Nate bowed his head, his voice getting emotional as he stated out sadly. "I'd still be your friend... but I'd need some time to lick my wounds. Losing you won't be easy on me, but I'd bounce back. I always do. After a time." Sean reached out to lift Nate's chin with his fingers, staring into his eyes as he told him honestly. "What you are asking is no small thing... I'll give it some serious thought. Just like you want, after Pax... I'll give you an answer."

Nate nodded as casually as he could and sat up. He was getting up to put the ring away. Sean called his name, taking his wrist to stop him from going back to the closet. Pulling him back to the bed, Sean rose to his knees and cupped Nate's face. Giving him a brief tender kiss, he asked Nate hopefully. "Don't put it away... You wanted to give me something... You did. Can I wear it? It will help me think it over." Nate raised his hand between them to give him the ring, but Sean lowered his right hand to let him put it on. Nate smirked, mentioning to him lightly. "You know... The ring is supposed to go on the ring finger of the left hand, right?" Nate carefully slid the sliver band over the right finger of his right hand, before Sean answered sweetly. "Ya, I know. Think of it as... a pre-engagement." Sean flashed Nate a warm smile that he returned. Hugging Nate against him, Sean whispered in his ear. "Just promise me that no matter what I say... You'll always be nice to me. Even if I say no... I still might say yes in the future."

Nate kissed Sean's neck, mumbling over his skin. "I know. I'm just preparing myself for the worse... but hoping for the best. Just in case." Sean tilted his head back to give Nate more access to his neck. Nate nuzzled his neck, kissing random spots that felt good. Adjusting himself, Sean wrapped his arms around Nate's neck to pull him down over him. Nate laid over him, lifting his head to kiss him passionately. His hand drifting down Sean's bare side to feel out his curves. Sean moaned into the kiss, scooting back reluctantly to coax Nate farther onto the bed. Nate rose onto all fours, letting Sean scoot to the center of the bed. When Sean was comfortable, he beckoned Nate over and he obeyed. Nate crawled over him, one of his legs sliding up between Sean's. Sean reached out to squeeze Nate's thigh teasingly, his nails clawing the jean fabric. Nate rested a hand over Sean's shoulder, his other hand going to the button of his pants. Sean grinned, letting his hands meet Nate's at the crotch of his pants to stop him.

Nate removed his hand, his breathing turning into heavy pants. Sean took his time unbuttoning Nate's jeans and sliding the zipper down as he purred up to him. "You sure you want to do this before a show?" Nate pushed his bangs away from his eyes with his free hand, chuckling out breathlessly. "Ya. I think it will take the edge off." Sean rose enough to mold his lips to Nate's in a lusty kiss. While Sean's hands peeled the jeans open to let his fingers creep into the crotch. Nate moaned into the kiss, his body jerking slightly at how Sean's fingers drifted down along the soft warm fabric of Nate's underwear. Sean could feel Nate's cock responding to the soft caressing of his fingertips along the shaft. Sean bit Nate's lower lip, whispering over his lips suggestively. "Is it wrong that seeing you all geared up in laser tag turned me on?" Nate grinned, pushing his pants down his legs one-handed as he replied over Sean's parted lips. "Did it now? Before or after the Dino mission?" Sean pried Nate's underwear down, answering just before claiming his lips in another kiss. "Both."

Nate kicked his clothes off the bed and Sean spread his legs more for Nate to slip between them. Sean bite his lip with a blush, upon seeing that Nate's cock was ready for him. Nate gestured to the side table, telling him between soft breathlessly pants. "The stuff is in there. Can you get it?" Sean nodded, twisting a little to reach the drawer. Ruffling things around in the drawer, he yelped in surprise. Nate was playfully biting his hip. It tickled a little but he kind of liked it. Removing a condom and small tube of lube, he stayed put a bit longer to let Nate play a bit longer. Nate's hand stoked his back and side lovingly, his love bites traveling up his side to his shoulder. Sean moaned softly, laying back onto his back as Nate left a hickie at his throat. Sean pressed the items to Nate's chest, whining out achingly. "Put these on quick." Nate sat up to slip on the condom, allowing Sean's mind to drift a bit. Could he do this forever with Nate? Could he even go back to Ireland without him? Pax was tomorrow... His time was running out.

Sean's heart leapt from his chest toward Nate. He could almost see his heart clinging to Nate desperately, begging the rest of his body to stay with him. He loved Nate, but did he love him enough to keep him in his life permanently. Nate uncapped the lube and coated his fingers, before smearing it thoroughly around and in Sean's tight ass. Nate's fingers were distracting him from his thoughts, but as he stared at him... He found himself telling Nate seriously. "Nate... I love you." Nate stopped what he was doing to lean over him, answering with a pleasant smile. "I love you too, Sean." Sean cupped Nate's face, pulling him into a kiss as Nate carefully inserted his cock in. Sean's breath hitched, his eyes rolling back in both pain and pleasure... but he didn't break the kiss. Something between them had changed. As they kissed, Sean felt every gentle thrust from Nate with a deeper feeling. Nate wasn't fucking him to relieve stress, or as an excuse to exercise. He didn't even feel like the word 'fucking' him described what Nate was doing.

Nate was taking his time to savor every intense feeling with him. Nate wasn't fucking him... He was making love with him. It was so passionate that Sean thought he might cry. Nate only broke the kiss to take deep breaths before starting again and Sean wondered if Nate was thinking the same thing he was. This would be their last time together. The very thought tore at Sean's heartstrings. Pressing his knees to Nate's hips, he let his hands wonder over Nate's shoulders and arms. He wanted to feel every inch of him. To burn it into his memory. A single tear fell from Sean's eye as they climaxed together. Neither of them had wanted it to end, but they had tried to last for as long as they could. Nate rose to grab tissues of the nightstand to wipe down his stomach, when Sean felt the words he wanted to say in his mouth. He just couldn't seem to say them. Turning to his side, Nate laid down behind him. The moment Nate's arm wrapped around him; Sean took it to hold it close to his chest. Nate kissed his shoulder longing and Sean felt another tear fall. Without words, they both reluctantly fell asleep in each other's arms.

By morning, Sean heard Nate's alarm go off. Turning over, his felt loss. Nate wasn't in bed with him. Sean pet Nate's side of the bed, feeling so reluctant to get up and face the day. He wanted to just stay here. To forget the world and the chaos he had left behind. Forcing himself to get up, he packed up his things and then made his way to the kitchen. For the first time, he saw Nate sitting outside with his headphones on as he played his guitar. Rylo sat in front of him, his tail wagging as he watched Nate play. Sean quickly crept outside, moving up to Nate. Nate saw him and looked up with a smile. Sean leaned down to kiss him, prying his headphones off to put them on himself. He wanted to listen to what Nate was. He was listening to Panic! At the disco. Smirking, he gave his headphones back. Nate accepted them, telling him. "Just doing a small warm-up. Did you sleep well?" Sean nodded, slowly sinking to his knees in front of Nate. Rylo snuggled closer, forcing him to hug him as he told Nate truthfully. "Ya... Nate, I feel like I have so much to say to you... I just can't find the words. These past few days have been... A dream. I'm honestly afraid to wake up from it."

Nate brushed Sean's bangs back, telling him sweetly. "Me too. But we can't put our lives on hold for a dream. Even if I'd rather not wake up from it..." Sean placed a hand on Nate's leg, before Nate jumped to his feet to lighten the mood by saying a bit forced. "Come on! Let's go get some coffee on the drive over to Pax. My treat." Nate patted Sean's shoulder, moving into  the house put his guitar away and set Rylo up for the long day. Nate was good at disguising his feeling. Very good... But Sean was feeling them too.  He wanted to give Nate his answer, but it would have to wait until after Pax. Until then, this was going to be hard on both of them. Twisting the ring on his finger to calm himself, he climbed to his feet. He'd make the most of this for Nate. It was the least he could do. To Be Continued...