Posted: November 17, 2006
Title: Dissonance
Author: Sileya and Decadence
Fandom: Real Person Fiction
Type: RPS
Characters: Craig/Karl
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: We don’t know them, and we don’t claim to. We just like their faces and names.
Beta: Ariel Tachna

Summary: dis-so-nance [ dis-uh-nuh ns ] – noun. 1.inharmonious or harsh sound; discord; cacophony. 2. Music : a. a simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of unrest and needing completion. b. an unresolved, discordant chord or interval.

*****

Craig looked up at the slight noise from the doorway. He was just working on room assignments for the semester and was almost finished. Glancing to the door, he noticed a tall, slender man standing nervously in the hallway outside his small office. Rising, he made his way to the open doorway. "I'm Craig Parker, RA for the Hensley Building. Can I help you?"

Glancing up at the older student's face, Karl just as quickly dropped his eyes to the assignment sheet he'd been given at the Student Life Office. "'m Karl Urban," he said quietly, his accent pretty heavy after being at home all summer. "Office told me to come here for a room this year."

Craig's face lit up at the accent that colored the other man's voice. "A Kiwi?" He reached across and patted the younger man on the shoulder. "Yeah - you're on my list for a room in this esteemed dormitory. And since you're the first one here, you get first pick..."

Karl looked up in shock, hazel eyes wide. "How'd you know that?" he asked. No one had ever recognized his accent.

Craig leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "Was raised in Zid myself," he admitted. "Aw, come on! Don't look so shocked!"

Shaking his head, Karl did indeed look shocked. "How long have you been here? You sound like an American," he said, cocking his head as he looked over the older student. "I've certainly not met you before."

"I've been here for almost eight years now. Well, not at this college, specifically, but here..." Craig unfolded his arms and turned to the small refrigerator in the office, pulling a couple of sodas out. Passing one to Karl, he added, "Don't know why we haven't met. Maybe the gods had a more dramatic affair in mind for us?" He lifted an eyebrow.

Karl's eyes got wide again and he stuttered a little. "Ah, well, I don't get out much, I, uh, study." He looked at the can, cheeks a little flushed, shifting his feet uncomfortably.

"Not thirsty?" Craig opened the drink and handed it back to Karl. "Drink, before you pass out."

"Uh, yeah," Karl answered, sipping the soda a little. "It's still cold at home," he said quietly, voice sort of weak.

"Ah, yeah. I remember the winters in Zid." Craig settled back in the seat behind his desk, propping his Converse-clad feet on the desk. "Have a seat."

Moving without looking where he was going, Karl shuffled into the chair, almost dropping his backpack as he tried to regain his balance, then he sat down hard, splashing soda on his hand. He tried to lick up the rivulets on his skin before they hit the floor.

Craig's eyes dilated at the flash of tongue he saw. He dropped to the floor, helping Karl immediately. "Wasn't quite what I meant by 'have a seat', mate," he grinned.

Karl's eyes darted nervously up to see the other student smiling at him, and he froze, although he let Craig help him into the chair. "Ah...yeah, I mean, thanks," he murmured, cheeks flushing again. He ducked his head, long dark hair covering his face.

Craig noticed the extreme shyness. His hand lingered on Karl's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay..."

Relaxing a little, Karl chanced a look up again, his tongue darting out nervously to dampen his lower lip. When all he saw from Craig was a smile, he relaxed a little more and sat up some.

"It's great having someone from home here," Craig spoke softly, afraid of spooking the younger man. He almost reached up and smoothed a stray lock of hair away, but stopped himself at the last moment.

Seeing Craig's hand lift, Karl reacted instinctively, flinching and leaning back, eyes turning fearful. His hands gripped the chair arms, and he shifted his weight so if he needed to move quickly to protect himself.

Craig's heart froze at the reaction he received from Karl. Instead he lowered his hand to the young man's shoulder once more. "It's okay," he repeated again.

Slowly the fear abated and Karl relaxed again, although he seemed to remain ready to flee. "Maybe...I should come back another time," he murmured, looking down at the sheet. It wasn't that he had anywhere else to go, but he wasn't sure what he thought about Craig yet. At least the other man hadn't made fun of him or worse. Yet. Karl figured it was just a matter of time.

"No - no...let me show you the rooms. You can pick the one you want." He led the skittish young man out of the office on the ground floor. He pointed to a door near the bottom of the stairs. "That's my room. There's only one other residence room down here. In the back of the house, there's a vending room."

Karl let Craig lead him out of the small office, and he felt better when they were moving about. His eyes narrowed as he considered. A ground floor room, no others nearby but the RA...it sounded very tempting. "Won't some upperclassman want the private room?" Karl asked, not wanting to get into the situation he'd suffered last year. He paid for a private room - but that didn't mean he could take the prime location on the ground floor.

"Nobody wants to be right next to the RA," Craig laughed. "At least not any of these guys. They're all pretty decent, but they'd rather be upstairs, away from the hall monitor."

Karl frowned a little, but looked at the door longingly. No one to kick the door every time they walked by, no one to pile trash in front of his door..."Can...may I see the room?" Karl asked quietly.

Craig led him to the room, unlocking it. "It's smaller than the other rooms, but it's meant to be a single room. They took part of the space originally intended for it and made the office. It has a private bath as well."

The younger student's face turned even more longing, if that were possible. A private bath! His hands gripped his backpack until his knuckles turned white. It was a dream come true...then he looked to the floor, trying not to get his hopes up, reminding himself that nothing in America ever came for free. "So...what do I have to do?" he asked cautiously, steeling himself.

"Agree to help me lock the place down each night?" Craig named an easy task.

Karl glanced up at Craig, blank. Lock the place down?

"Curfew is at 2 a.m. I usually set my alarm and then get up long enough to lock the doors. Think you can handle that?"

The student blinked. "Is that all?" he blurted out, incredulous. He was never asleep before 3, at the earliest. But surely the RA would demand some other form of payment for Karl's board.

"That's all. And you have to talk to me. Let me hear that accent that reminds me of days spent in rural Zid, stretched out in the sun..." Craig smiled at Karl.

Karl looked at the RA in wonder, then narrowed his eyes, looking around. "What are you going to want later?" he asked cautiously. "And who else will get the key to my room?"

Craig held his hands up in supplication. "There are only two keys to this room. You have one...the other stays in a lock box in my room in case of lockouts or emergencies." His heart stung at the implications of Karl's words. "I expect nothing from you, Karl. All I ask of my neighbor is that he be quiet or at least hold his companion's moans to a tolerable level."

Studying Craig, Karl decided he really wanted to believe him, and it wasn't as if he had a lot of choice. He couldn't go back to Potter Hall. And at least here - even if... - at least here, he would have this room and a private bathroom. "All right," he whispered, eyes dropping.

Craig stepped closer. "I don't know what you expect to happen here, Karl, but these are a decent group of guys. Most of them are returning from last year. Most are already settled in their rooms and their courses of study. They keep to themselves. They help when needed. They won't be upset that you chose this room. They won't bother you."

Karl looked back up, and he hunched a little as he saw how close Craig was, but he listened and then slowly nodded. "All right," he said again, in more of a normal voice this time.

Craig noticed the defensive movement, and sighed as he stepped back again. "I just want to be your friend, Karl. If we're going to be neighbors, we should try to get along."

Straightening his shoulders, Karl nodded. "I agree," he said quietly. "I'm not usually the one..." he closed his mouth, remembering what happened last time he tried to shift the blame for his problems on the other residents. "I won't be any problem. I'll lock the doors and whatever else you want. If I can have this room," he said, bargaining.

"Okay - it's decided then. Need help with your bags?" Craig moved toward the doorway, already taking the key off the master key ring.

Karl shook his head. "My bag's in the foyer," he said, walking behind Craig slowly, not rushing him.

Craig stepped to the side, passing Karl the key as he walked past. "So - you've got run of the house until next Thursday. Feel free to explore all you want."

Watching Craig move on, Karl folded the key in his hand and followed out the lobby where his one suitcase stood. He stopped to look at the bulletin board, surprised at the hand-drawn notices and colorful signs.

"See anything you need on the board?" Craig asked, lingering nearby.

Karl blinked, surprised that Craig was still nearby. "Ah...just surprised to see it. Good info here. Helpful," he said, shrugging a little. "I never did find the change machine in Potter," he muttered.

"Just inside the vending room here," Craig nodded toward the back of the house. "Like a tour?"

Karl looked back at his bag, concerned about leaving it out where anyone could take it. It wasn't much, but it was all he had.

Following the direction of Karl's gaze, Craig shrugged. "You can leave it in your room. Nobody will bother it there, even if you leave your door unlocked." He doubted anyone else would even set foot in the dorm that day, but he didn't mention that.

Considering for a moment, Karl retrieved his case and set it in his room, then after another pause, set it inside the closet and shut the closet door, then the room door. He looked at the key in his hand and then reopened the door, put down his backpack and shut the door, locking it. He turned back to Craig, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Craig watched the actions thoughtfully, wondering what could have happened to the obviously distrustful young man to make him so ... untrusting.

Karl looked up when he didn't notice Craig move away. "Ah, yeah, a tour?" he asked, thinking that maybe the RA had changed his mind.

Craig shook himself out of his thoughts. "Come on." He led the other man toward the back of the house, pointing out the laundry room. Just across the hallway from the laundry room was the vending room. "There's no communal room here, since most students have their own telly."

Looking around silently, Karl imagined it would be a lot quieter in this dorm. At Potter, the guys gathered in the common rooms and raised a ruckus at all hours. He'd eventually gotten used to tuning it out. He looked sideways at Craig, relaxing a little more, reminding himself that this was a fellow Kiwi, even if he had lost his accent.

"Hensley is one of the most easy-going dorms you'll find," Craig continued, leading Karl upstairs. "There are four rooms on this floor, and four on the top floor. Each room houses two students. That gives us total capacity, including us, of eighteen."

Karl blinked. He hadn't expected the dorm to be so small. "I didn't realize," he said quietly. "Potter had about 150 guys."

"This is an elite dorm, being in one of the historical buildings," Craig answered. "Reserved for upperclassmen who are set in their major and have received honors marks in both academics and extracurricular activities. What's your major, Karl?"

The younger student's eyes got wide and he looked upset. "But I'm not an upperclassman...I'm not supposed to be here," he said, voice worried.

"You are on my list, Karl Urban. You are a year older than our average student, correct?" At Karl's nod, Craig continued, "You received high honors in ALL of your courses last term. You were first on my list of new students this term."

Karl relaxed a little, blowing out a breath in relief. "Uh. Yeah. I'm a music major," he murmured.

"Will you need instruments? There's a piano in the storage room out back. Used to be in the lobby," Craig smiled at the thought of hearing music throughout the house.

Karl's eyes grew large and his face lit up. "There's a piano here?" His hands itched...it had been a couple days since he'd gotten to play, since he'd been traveling.

"Sure, she just needs dusting off. We can wheel her into the main room, if you'd like." Craig was heartened to see the joy cross Karl's face. "You're more than welcome to her."

The student's excitement overwhelmed his usual shyness and even his hard-learned caution. "Can…may I see it? Now?" Karl asked, almost vibrating.

"Sure!" Craig led Karl back to the very back room of the building, unlocking the door and reaching inside to turn on the dim light. Sweeping a dust cover off of the big piano, he moved to the side.

Karl's jaw dropped. A grand piano...sitting in a closet! And a gorgeous one, if a little dusty. He reached out and lifted the lid, checking the strings, then carefully dropped it, reaching for the keys. His fingers trilled over the keys, hearing a few sour notes, but nothing he couldn't fix. He glanced to the wide double doors of the storage room, seeing how the piano had been rolled in. "Why did they put it in here?" he asked.

"It was donated to the dorm a few years back. Nobody has been able to play her since then. We thought she'd be safer here." Craig answered.

"So no one uses it? And I can...?" he asked again, just unable to believe it. "But what about the noise? Not everyone likes piano, and some guys sleep early, and others might not want to hear it, and..." he worried.

"Most of them are out until curfew. They won't mind." Craig promised him. "And there's still a week before they arrive. You can tune it and play to your heart's content."

Unable to believe his luck, Karl looked down at the piano, then to Craig. "Thank you," he murmured. "Whatever you want, I'll do it," he said, dropping his head, hand still on the piano lid.

"I just want to see a smile on your face," Craig mused out loud.

Karl's head flew up, and he looked at the RA in surprise.

Craig blushed. "Sorry."

"Uh..." Karl said, swallowing, amazed. "Sorry?" he asked softly.

"Shouldn't have spoken so plainly. I'm sure there are reasons...which are none of my business..." Craig fairly stuttered.

Blinking, Karl was suddenly taken with the urge to...laugh. His lips curled slightly, and he tilted his head, peering at the RA, wondering. "What's your major?" he asked out of the blue, curious.

"Architecture?" Craig nearly asked, sounding impossibly unsure suddenly.

A little furrow formed between Karl's brows. "You, ah, don't seem to sure about that."

Shaking out of his stupor, Craig grinned. "I'd better be sure. I'm entering grad school this year."

Karl smiled slightly. "Congratulations," he said quietly.

Craig preened in the other man's attention. Truth was, he was barely noticed most of the time, himself. "You said you weren't an upperclassmen yet. Did you take holiday before coming to school?"

Shaking his head, Karl's cheeks flushed again. "No, I was on tour in Europe," he said quietly, looking back at the piano shyly.

"Actually on tour? I'm impressed." Craig was awed at Karl's experiences.

The musician smiled crookedly, practically petting the piano. "It was interesting, but exhausting. I don't think I'd care to perform all the time," he said, carefully looking up at Craig from under his long hair.

Craig wanted to push the hair away, but after the reaction he'd received earlier, he turned his attention to the piano once more. "Do you think we can move her by ourselves?"

Karl glanced under the piano, checking the wheels, and he nodded. "She looks to be in fine shape," he said quietly. "She should roll fine if we push."

Craig propped the double doors open, moving around behind the piano. "Ready?"

Moving around to the curve of the piano, Karl nodded. "If you're sure we should move it."

Remembering the joy on Karl's face, Craig smiled widely. "Sure thing. I expect you to entertain me with lovely melodies while I finish the room assignments."

Karl smiled and pushed, and the piano moved easily across the threshold as Craig helped steer it. Once in place at one side of the lobby, Karl locked down the casters and lifted the lid of the piano, propping it up.

Craig found a soft cloth and dipped it in vinegar-water, dusting the black surface as Karl began fiddling beneath the lid. "Think she's worth it?"

Engrossed in checking strings, Karl had pulled his hair into a knot at the nape of his neck. "Huh? Oh, yeah, she's in real good shape, just needs a tune," he said distractedly, plucking strings and turning pegs. "Got some pliers?" he asked.

Craig moved to his office, digging around the toolbox under his desk. He came back with a pair, watching as Karl started twisting pegs. "I'm glad you know what you're doing. This is EXACTLY why she's been in storage for the last two years."

"It's not that hard," Karl said, head stuck under the lid as he plucked strings.

"I know good music when I hear it," Craig countered, leaning inside to see what Karl was doing. "But the creation of it is above me."

Karl was plucking each string, his head turned so that his ear was down next to the sound. He plucked, listened, then tightened the string, then plucked again. He did it over and over, from the highest notes down, until he had to stop to move to the other end of the keyboard.

Craig watched the process, fascinated, but even more intrigued at the confidence that flooded Karl's features when he completed the task.

As the tones got lower, Karl started humming to himself, a few octaves above the note he was working on, still plucking, oblivious to everything else around him. He was immersed in his own little world of perfect pitches and tones, as heard inside his head.

As Karl neared his position, Craig moved, not wanting to be in the way.

Karl brushed past him, keeping at the strings, still humming, the low rumbling in his throat moving up and down the scale until he was done. He straightened, offering the pliers back. "Thanks," he said quietly.

Craig stood entranced, watching the man who'd changed in the blink of an eye. "You're welcome," he whispered.

Heading back to the closet, Karl came back out with the bench and sat it down, taking a seat and folding up the cover and music stand. "Any requests?" he asked.

"Do you have songs of your own?" Craig asked.

Karl looked at the RA evenly, then turned to the keyboard and started playing a lyrical, always moving tune that to him recalled the crashing waves on the beach where he grew up. The tune circled over and over, growing in intensity, before a segueing into a short, light interlude.

Craig sat in the floor, cross-legged. He closed his eyes as he listened, a smile growing on his face at the perfection of the piece. When it ended, he sat in silence for several long moments, simply savoring the echoes of the tune. Opening his eyes, he met Karl's gaze fully. "That was perfect."

Karl smiled, genuinely, not blushing. In this, he was confident. "Thanks."

==

Two days later, Craig was getting used to hearing the haunting melodies Karl liked to play. The music punctuated his moods, making him work harder and longer, finishing his paperwork earlier than ever. He stood in the open doorway of his office, watching Karl's long fingers as they danced over the keys.

Karl decided to enjoy the solitude in the hall and practice there as much as possible before the other residents arrived. Then, he knew, he'd spend more time hiking across campus to the Performing Arts Center. But for now, he could play at all hours. Craig hadn't commented once, and he felt relatively at ease with playing what and when he wanted. He stopped mid stanza and scowled, having missed the progression for the third time, so he grabbed a pencil and started marking, slowly playing notes with one hand.

Craig took the pause in music to approach the piano, perching on the end of the piano bench. "What do all of those mark thingies mean?"

Turning his chin to look at the RA in surprise, Karl pushed his glasses up his nose, looking back at the music. "Ah...well, I'm breaking down the music. Into smaller parts, so I can get it right," he explained quietly, fingers still lightly touching a set of keys, making a soft chime.

Craig placed his fingers in an imitation of Karl's, sliding his arm beneath Karl's to place them on the keys beneath Karl's fingers. It was the closest he'd been to the other man. He pressed his hand down, surprised at the soft note that followed.

Though his shoulders stiffened a little, Karl didn't pull away. He slanted a glance at the older student, then lightly pressed down his fingers onto Craig's, tapping out the quiet melody.

The closeness and heat of Karl's body made Craig relax, fingers and hands perfectly pliant beneath Karl's. "Beautiful," he murmured.

Putting his left hand back on the keyboard, Karl repeated the stanza slowly, adding the bass clef line, pressing Craig's fingers down again.

Craig turned to Karl, smiling up at him. He studied Karl's face for several long moments before turning back to the piano once more. "Beautiful," he repeated.

The musician shrugged. "It's Schubert. Everything Schubert did is like this. He was one of the first Romantics," Karl said quietly, pulling his hand from Craig's to keep playing, though slowly and quietly. Any time he needed the key Craig's finger was on, he pressed the RA's finger onto the key and moved on without effort.

Looking up with a mischievous grin, ( http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/soultoad/CraigpicsbyFlash/closing_040-flash.jpg ) Craig exclaimed, "I'm playing SCHUBERT?"

Karl turned his chin so he could look at Craig, smile pulling at the edges of his mouth. "You know Schubert?" he asked, voice doubtful.

"No?" Craig half-asked, half-answered. "But I made you smile. I like what I hear so far."

The younger student actually cracked a grin at Craig's joking. "Well, you must have refined tastes then, liking a classical composer."

"I like you, too," Craig added in a lower voice. "I've grown quite fond of you the last several days."

Blinking, Karl's hands stilled on the keyboard, and he looked at Craig cautiously. "This is the first time I've seen you since I moved in," he objected quietly.

"Doesn't mean I haven't been watching. Or listening," Craig whispered.

The musician pulled his hands off the keys, clutching them together nervously. "You're...you're watching me?" he asked, voice tinged with panic as he started to shift his weight to move away.

Craig regretted admitting it, but knew he couldn't leave it at that. "You're beautiful. I love watching you get lost in your music. It's so full of passion. You are, too, but you try to hide it."

Unnerved, Karl scooted off the piano bench to put some space between them, although he didn't flee. Craig hadn't threatened him...too much...and Karl really wanted to believe he had a friend in the RA. "The passion is in the music," he finally said.

"It's in you," Craig countered, moving out of Karl's territory. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to frighten you, but I find you attractive."

Karl's eyes got really big, and he just stared at the other man. He'd been teased, tortured, laughed at and ignored - but no one had ever flat out said something like that. Except when they were talking about his performance. "Uh. Well. Thanks," he muttered, looking at his hands.

"I'm just telling you the truth." Craig blushed.

The musician looked up, studying Craig's face, surprised to see his cheeks flushed. Karl smiled slightly. "What...what kind of music do you like?" he asked, moving slowly back to slide onto the piano bench.

"I like anything you play. Especially that first song you played for me."

Karl frowned, trying to remember, then his brows raised and he played a bit of that piece. "This one?" he asked.

"THAT one," Craig sighed, leaning on the piano to FEEL the music reverberate through the instrument.

"I wrote this two summers ago, when I first left New Zealand for Europe, and I really missed home," he said quietly, starting at the beginning of the music. "I live on the coast, and I think I miss the sound of the ocean most of all."

"I haven't been back home in over three years," Craig admitted wistfully. "Maybe that's why this piece calls to me." He listened to the melody, eyes closed. "You remind me of home, but that's not all I like about you."

Not sure what to make of Craig's last comment, Karl asked the safer question. "Where are you from?"

"Born in Fiji, raised from a young age in Auckland," Craig answered. "How about you?"

"My parents own a spread west of New Plymouth, on the Tasman Sea," Karl said quietly.

"Do you go back often?" Craig asked wistfully.

Karl frowned. "No. Just in the summer, although my agent tells me I should tour instead."

"I was hoping to go home this summer, but there was a course I had to pick up." Craig looked at Karl thoughtfully. "I have some photos in my room. Want to see?"

Still playing, Karl nodded, figuring that was the friendly thing to do.

Craig made no move to lead Karl away from the piano, choosing instead to listen to the rest of the song.

Finishing the piece, the musician looked up and then frowned a little. He'd thought Craig was going to get some pictures, but instead he'd lingered to listen.

When the piece ended, Craig nodded toward his room. "Come with?"

Karl's first reaction was to decline immediately. But the RA's friendliness so far was helping him be more trusting - he just hoped he didn't regret it. He slid off the bench and stood, ready to follow.

Craig led the skittish younger man to his room, motioning to the braided rug that covered the hardwood floor of the building. "Let's spread out on the floor."

Watching the RA move around, Karl sank down on the rug cross-legged, near the door, his back to the wall. His eyes darted around as he checked for doors or places someone could hide to...then he shook his head. Craig wouldn't do that. Wouldn't lead him to his room to tease him or so his friends could...Karl inhaled sharply and looked to find Craig again.

Craig sat near enough to Karl to feel his warmth, but far enough away to make the other man as comfortable as possible. He reached beneath his bed, pulling out a bin holding two photo albums. He placed one on the floor in front of them, flipping it open to the first page. "This is home."

Leaning over and then scooting a bit closer so he could see, Karl smiled, looking at the older couple - Craig's parents, he guessed - waving from the porch of a nice suburban home.

Craig flipped through a page or two, pointing out people and places of interest. Sighing heavily, he braced his elbow on his knee. "I miss it."

"I always wondered what it was like to live in the city. Then I spent the summer in Europe. That was...scary," Karl admitted. "I don't think I'd like it too well."

"We spent summers out on Grandpa's farm," Craig recalled. "I liked it better there than in the city. Everyone was in too much of a hurry in town." He turned and looked up at Karl, noticing his interest in the photos. "What do you miss most?"

The younger student sighed. "I miss...being relaxed. Being able to take your time. Seems like everyone and everything in America is always in a hurry."

Craig's face lit up. "Tell you what. For the next four days, let's just lock the doors and forget the outside world. We'll pretend we're back in Zid, and there's nowhere to go and no place to be."

Karl looked up at Craig like he'd gone barkers. "Pretend we're at home?"

Craig shrugged. "Why not? There's a fenced in lawn out back. HIGH security board fence. Hammock. Pool. We can just laze about."

The musician perked up. "There's a pool out back?" He hadn't even thought to look around outside yet.

Craig nodded enthusiastically. "I'm usually so busy I don't get to use it. I'm sorry I hadn't thought to mention it yet."

Karl looked intrigued. "What are we gonna do for food?" he asked. He'd been eating crackers and cereal for two days already, eating as cheap as he could until the dining hall opened.

Craig pulled his planner from the bedside table, flipping it open to a list of campus restaurants. "I get discounts for working so early in the term. You're welcome to share my food."

"You don't have to do that. I can run out to the store," Karl said, internally wincing, thinking of how much money he had.

"No! I have to eat anyway, and most things are enough food for two, if not four people," Craig insisted. "Please - you'll be doing me the favor of not having to throw the leftovers out..."

"Well, if you're sure there's plenty, that would be fine," Karl said quietly. "I eat pretty much anything."

"I hope you like pizza and Chinese food. Those are my favorites." Craig grinned.

Karl chuckled. "I've not found food yet I don't like, mate." He looked down again at the pictures, then up at Craig and around the room. It was tidy and nicely decorated. Comfortable. A far cry from Karl's stark, empty room.

Noticing Karl's glance around the room, Craig shrugged. "You're welcome in here anytime you want. I have a telly and all the hookups if you're interested."

The musician looked surprise. "I wouldn't presume," he murmured. "I don't watch the telly. Usually practicing."

"Karl? Would you consider us to be friends?" Craig asked, head cocked to the side.

Looking up slowly, Karl met Craig's serious eyes and gave the question some thought. After a bit, he nodded slowly. "Yeah," he said, almost too quietly to hear. "I'd like to."

"Then what's mine is yours," Craig smiled widely. "I want us to be friends. I get along with lot of people, but I don't have any close friends."

Charmed by Craig's happy smile, Karl smiled a bit in return before shrugging. "I...don't make friends easily. Usually too busy practicing, and..." he shrugged again. "I don't seem to get along too well with some people."

Craig placed a friendly hand on Karl's knee. "It's okay to be shy. Just know that I won't allow it. I want to be your friend, so I'm going to try my best to do just that."

Karl couldn't stop from flinching when Craig touched his knee, but he managed to keep from scooting back instinctively as his highly strung nerves warned him someone was getting too close. He looked up at Craig almost apologetically and hoped he wasn't offended.

Craig sighed inwardly, but understood the need for distance. "If you ever want to talk, I'll listen."

Drawing a steadying breath, Karl took a chance. "I'm...sorry. It's not you, please believe me."

"I believe you. I don't know who's hurt you, but I wish I could strangle them," Craig spoke quietly, hoping his words wouldn't frighten Karl.

Edging a shoulder up, Karl shook his head. "At least I don't live there anymore," he mumbled.

A wave of anger washed over Craig that anyone would hurt this gentle man. He dared anyone to touch Karl again while he was around. "I will never hurt you, Karl."

This time Karl didn't flinch and his shoulders relaxed, and he met Craig's eyes evenly, just studying him.

==

Karl sat at his desk, marking a new piece of music when he heard something glass crash in the lobby. Blinking in surprise, he stood and walked over to the door, peeking out.

Craig froze, cursing himself for not thinking to put on shoes before changing the bulb in the light fixture near the door. He stood with shards of thin glass all around him, not daring to move. "Um...Karl?" He called out, intending to ask for a broom.

Seeing the situation, Karl came out of his room, shaking his head. "Don't move," he cautioned, stepping through the shards, crunching over the glass.

"Be careful," Craig cautioned. "It's everywhere."

"What were you thinking, doing this with no shoes on?" Karl asked, stopping next to the RA.

Craig tilted his head. "That I wouldn't drop the damned bulb?" he asked, tone holding a trace of joking sarcasm.

Rolling his eyes, Karl looked around, then shrugged. Without saying anything, he reached around Craig and swept the slim man into his arms, one arm under his knees, the other around his shoulders.

Craig gasped as Karl picked him up as if he were light as a feather, carrying him from the mess of shattered glass near the door.

Swallowing hard as he felt the warmth of Craig's body in his arms, Karl wondered why he'd chosen to pick him up instead of bringing him some shoes. But now that he had him, he carried him all the way across the lobby - just in case of glass, of course, and entered Craig's room.

"My hero," Craig swooned dramatically, tossing his head back and placing his hand against his forehead. "I owe you my life..."

Boggling, Karl stared at Craig. Surely he couldn't be serious...clearing his throat, he set Craig back on his feet, apologizing under his breath.

Craig pouted. "Was I too heavy?"

"Not at all," Karl blurted before snapping his mouth shut, then he ducked his head, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets. "Sorry," he said again quietly.

"Then why'd you put me down? I rather liked being carried around by you," Craig joked, squeezing Karl's arm.

Looking up with wide eyes, Karl stuttered. "I...just…the glass, I didn't...um..."

A soft smile crossed Craig's face. "You don't owe me any explanations. Just know that I don't mind it at all."

Karl pinkened again, then nodded jerkily. "Was...just trying to help," he murmured, smiling a bit.

Nodding, Craig whispered, "Thanks." He slipped his feet into a pair of shoes, grabbing his dust buster. "I guess I'd better clean up my mess before someone gets hurt."

Glancing back to the lobby, Karl's smile fell a little. "Are people checking in today?" he asked warily.

"Not until morning," Craig replied. "Dorms officially open at 11 a.m. tomorrow."

The musician relaxed a little and nodded. "Just let me know when I need to start helping," he murmured, shifting his weight back and forth.

Padding back into the lobby, Craig joked over his shoulder. "We should have a private pool party tonight. Celebrate our last night of virtual freedom."

Raising an eyebrow, Karl trailed along behind the RA. They'd been hanging out quite a bit the last few days, a lot of the time not even talking, just sitting together outside, or swimming, or reading, or eating. Karl felt pretty comfortable around him now and didn't look forward to more people being around. "Sounds good," he agreed easily.

"Gonna lose the T-shirt tonight when you swim?" Craig teased gently as he plugged in the dust buster and readied it for use.

Karl rolled his eyes, used to Craig's ribbing. "Probably not," he answered as usual. He just wasn't comfortable enough with anyone to strip down that far. It made him feel too vulnerable. Although he had certainly spent time looking at Craig.

"Awww, come on...I won't bite." Craig waggled his brows. "Not unless you ask me to." He switched on the dust buster, bending to suction up the glass as he left Karl to think about his last remark.

Blinking several times, Karl stared at Craig, trying to figure out if he was serious. Finally, he decided the RA was pulling his leg. He watched Craig sweep up the glass with the dust buster before crossing back to his room to change clothes. "Have you had dinner?" he asked once Craig shut off the machine.

Winding the cord around the small appliance, Craig shook his head before realizing Karl couldn't see him from his room. "No. You craving anything in particular?"

Shucking his jeans and pulling on his shorts he used for swimming, Karl considered. Craig more often than not talked him into choosing, even though Karl protested, since Craig more often than not paid. "Um. How about Indian?"

Craig's head perked up at the mention of Indian food. "I've never had it. Can you order while I change? I'm guessing you know what's okay to eat..."

Karl stuck his head out the door to look at Craig. "You sure about that? Indian can be spicy," he cautioned.

"I like things hot and spicy," Craig teased. "And I trust you. Something tells me that you won't order something fiery just to watch me turn red," he grinned. "Or at least I hope you wouldn't."

Frowning a little, Karl was disappointed Craig would think that. "I wouldn't do that to you," he said quietly, hand gripping the doorframe.

Craig looked up from where he fastened the cord on the dust buster. "I said I trust you."

Tilting his head to lay it against the door frame, Karl watched the RA for a long moment. "All right," he said. "Indian it is." He disappeared into his room to make the phone call for delivery.

Craig took the opportunity to change into his swim trunks, pulling on a pair of formfitting black trunks and a tank top before grabbing his towel and padding barefoot back into the lobby. Standing in the doorway of Karl's room, he watched as Karl gathered his own towel. "You ready?"

Having pulled on his T-shirt as he ordered the food, the student nodded, throwing a towel over his shoulder. "Dinner will be here in half an hour," Karl said. "I told him to ring the bell at the front door."

As they headed back to the pool, Craig asked, "Lounging now? Swimming later?" The sun was starting to go down, casting a warm glow over the outdoor setting, and throwing sun-sparkles off of the surface of the pool.

Looking at the sunset, Karl stretched, his arms up the air above his head. "Let's swim first, while it's still warm. We can lounge while we eat."

Craig shrugged, pulling his tank top over his head before diving into the deep end of the pool and swimming a lap. Looking up at Karl, he asked, "Coming?"

As always, Karl waited and watched, taking a few moments to look at the RA who had become his friend and wonder if he might make things different for Karl. Lost in thought about what might have been if he'd met Craig last year, Karl was caught watching when Craig swam up and spoke to him. He dropped his towel, kicked off his clogs and dove in.

Craig watched the graceful dive, drifting near the edge of the pool as he waited for Karl to surface.

Breaking the surface of the water halfway down the pool, Karl swam to the shallow end, flipped over and swam back in long, easy strokes, stopping at the deep end where he started and slicked his hair back, looking around for Craig.

"Over here," Craig's voice was low and husky, an unidentified element coming through in the raspy tone.

Turning in the water as one hand held to the end of the pool, Karl turned to see Craig bathed in the red light of sunset. He swallowed hard. The RA's voice had sounded deeper, somehow. Karl wondered what he was thinking about.

"I..." Craig started to speak, but thought better of it. He moved slightly closer, Karl's innocent face drawing him like a moth to the flame. "I...I'm afraid to get too close to you, Karl. I don't want to frighten you."

Karl tilted his head as he listened, considering. He felt more comfortable with Craig than he had with anyone for a long time. Although, he did wonder why Craig would want to be closer, unless he just wanted to talk quietly. Karl didn’t believe Craig had anything threatening in mind. So he moved closer in the water, close enough Craig could extend his arm and touch him, he if wanted. "I know I'm...withdrawn...around people," he admitted apologetically.

"I know that you have your reasons," Craig encouraged Karl, slipping even closer in the water. "What I don't understand is how anyone could ever even think of harming someone as beautiful as you."

Eyes wide, the musician watched the other man with some bit of wonder. "Beautiful?" he murmured, slightly shaking his head. "I...don't know about that. Regardless, my looks didn't have much to do with it."

"Sweet?" Craig tried, seeing Karl's eyes grow wider. "I like you, Karl. I don't know why anyone would want to harm you. I wish I could just..." His voice trailed off as he turned and looked at the sunset, afraid of what Karl would see in his eyes if he looked at him.

Karl could feel his heart pounding. He trusted Craig more than he'd trusted anyone since last year - the RA had done everything possible to make Karl comfortable and welcome around him. And now he'd complimented him...truly complimented him. Swallowing hard, Karl reached out with a trembling hand and lightly touched Craig's shoulder.

Craig turned back at the gentle touch, lifting his hand to cover Karl's. "I wish I could just make it all better for you. I wish I could just make you trust again." He lowered his eyes, not daring to look at Karl as he added in a whisper, "I wish I could just kiss you."

Resisting the gut urge to draw back, to run away, Karl shivered in the water, looking at Craig's downturned face. "No one's ever wanted to kiss me before," he murmured, voice shaking a little.

"I don't know why not," Craig whispered. He looked up to meet Karl's eyes. "You're gorgeous and wonderful."

Feeling both thrilled and frightened, Karl met Craig's gaze. "You can," he whispered. "If...you really want to."

Craig lifted his hands to frame Karl's face, giving the other man plenty of opportunity to back away if he needed to, as he approached. At first he nuzzled Karl's jaw, nose brushing the faint stubble on the younger man's cheek. His body soaked in the contact, demanding more. His lips touched the water-chilled skin near Karl's lips.

Letting his eyes fall closed, Karl trembled as he felt the lightest press of Craig's lips. Then again. Each time, he relaxed a tiny bit, becoming accustomed to the RA's proximity, and the rush of heat through him at each touch of the other man's mouth.

Craig's fingers fanned along Karl's neck, thumbs stroking gently at the corners of his lips as he finally pressed a soft kiss to the shaking man's mouth.

Karl raised both hands to lightly touch Craig's shoulders, but he didn't push him away. Instead, he let Craig kiss him, shaking like a leaf, with an undercurrent of warmth pervading him. He slowly relaxed and the trembling stilled as he decided he liked the touch of Craig's lips.

As Craig moved his lips over Karl's, his hands moved lower, grasping Karl's shoulders and holding him steady. He prayed that whatever had bothered Karl in the past didn't involve holding him, and that the younger man wouldn't be spooked by the action.

Focusing on feeling the RA's kiss, Karl moaned softly. He stiffened slightly when Craig's hands closed about his shoulders, but when the other man didn't try to push him against the wall, the musician relaxed again. He sighed softly against Craig's mouth, almost encouraging him.

When Karl sighed, Craig's tongue slipped into his mouth, tasting sweetly and slowly. Karl gasped as the other man's tongue slid against his, and he pulled back before he could stop himself, looking at Craig in surprise.

"I'm sorry!" Craig gasped, moving away from Karl, thinking he'd offended the other man.

"No..." Karl blurted, catching Craig's arm. "Uh...sorry," he murmured, blushing a little. "You just...surprised me, is all," he said, pulling his hand back in case Craig still wanted to leave.

"No?" Craig asked, a touch of surprise in his tone. He moved closer again. "You didn't mind it?" Karl shyly shook his head. Craig's hand slid along Karl's arm, catching on the wet T-shirt. "You don't mind if I do it again?"

Raising wary but welcoming eyes, Karl shook his head again. Craig sighed as he leaned forward once more. Just before his lips touched Karl's, he whispered, "Why don't you kiss me instead?"

Eyes widening, Karl's lips trembled, and he swallowed hard. "I...I don't know how," he whispered, his hand on the edge of the pool gripping so tightly that his knuckles were white.

Recognizing the loss of comfort - or what comfort there had been - Craig pressed a soft kiss to Karl's lips before moving to float at the edge of the pool near the other man. Relaxing on the surface of the water, Craig pretended to be nonchalant. "You're very good at it, you know..." He didn't try to hide the effect the kiss had on his body.

Cheeks flushing a little, Karl ducked his head, but watched Craig float so close by. "You think so?" he asked quietly, letting his eyes roam over the lips that had just pressed against his.

"Mmhmm..." Craig hummed. "A natural." His legs kicked slightly to keep him in place near Karl. "You can practice on me anytime," he offered, grinning at his friend.

Relaxing even more, Karl smiled back openly, without his usual pause and reserved choice. Craig made him feel...confident. "What about…now?" he asked before biting his tongue, figuring the RA would laugh.

Letting his arms float outward in a gesture of willingness, Craig smiled. "I'm all yours."

Karl heart thumped loudly in his chest as he stepped close, his side brushing Craig's arm, and after bolstering his courage, he leaned over and pressed a light, sweet kiss to the RA's lips. Craig opened to the exploring kiss, enjoying the sweetness and innocence. He attempted turning in the water, bracing his hands on Karl's arm until his feet touched bottom, and he was once again upright.

Carefully pressing their lips together, Karl continued the kiss as Craig moved, and unthinking, he settled his hands on wet skin - one on Craig's shoulder, the other at his waist as he stood back on his feet. The musician’s head was light with the feeling of acceptance, comfort and caring.

Craig's hands on Karl's arm guided it tighter around his waist, moving closer in the circle of his arms even as he opened his mouth under Karl's gentle assault. He sighed happily, the gentle exhale caught within Karl's mouth. Karl had never noticed he was a handful of inches taller than Craig until now, when he deliberately bent his head to kiss him. And when the RA moved closer in his arms, their body heat combined, and Karl shivered. It was warm and wonderful and unlike anything he'd ever felt.

The RA didn't quite know what to do with his hands. He wanted to touch Karl, yet he didn't want to frighten the younger man off. Instead, he settled for curling them in the longish hair at the nape of the musician's neck. His body thrilled at being so close to Karl, he couldn't hide the effect the other man had on him.

Their bodies brushed together and Karl stiffened, but he didn't pull away. The feel of Craig's arms about his neck was comforting...and more than a little distracting. But that was nothing when the RA shifted, and his lower body pressed against Karl's hip under the water. Recognizing it in a swamping bit of horror, the musician flinched and jerked back without thinking, flailing in the water.

Craig backed away, cursing himself for allowing himself to feel so much so soon. Just then, the front bell rang and he climbed out of the water, wrapping his towel around his waist. Leaving Karl to think, he hurried to get the food.

After a minute, the fright passed, and Karl was taking even breaths, trying to calm down. He'd reacted from memory, not taking into account that he knew who he was with. Although he was certainly surprised that Craig was aroused around him, it wasn't like the RA was pinning him against the side of the pool and ... Karl shook his head of the old memories. With a sigh, he climbed out of the pool and dried off. Glancing to the door, he figured Craig was still paying, so he pulled his shirt over his head and wrung it out.

Craig stepped back through the open doorway in time to see Karl give a final wring to his shirt. He watched with hungry eyes, forcing himself to stay still and silent until the shirt was back on Karl's lean frame. "Food's here."

Karl pulled his shirt down with a tug and turned to look at Craig, nodding. "I'll grab us some drinks," he said quietly, skirting past the RA and jogging inside.

Craig sighed and sat the food on the table, realizing the ease they'd had around each other would now be gone.

Stopping in his room at the small fridge Craig had found for him in the basement, Karl pulled out a couple off-brand colas and stood, looking at himself in the mirror. He wondered what Craig saw in him. He was thin with a pointy nose, fat lips and lanky hair that would never lay flat. He glanced at his hands - long, bony fingers were great for playing piano, but not much to look at when touching someone else. And he knew that under his shirt he showed off more bone structure than any bulk of muscle. With a sigh he stood there for a moment, thinking.

When Karl had been gone too long, Craig rose from the table he'd settled at and stepped into the house. "Karl?" His voice was low and gentle, not wanting to frighten the other man more than he already had.

Lost in thought, the musician looked over his shoulder where he stood, seeing Craig. "Ah...sorry...was just...thinking," he said quietly.

Craig watched Karl with curious eyes, but didn't ask any questions. Instead, he turned back toward the sliding door to the back deck. "Food's getting cold."

"Okay," Karl answered, turning to follow Craig back out to the picnic table, carrying the two slightly cold cans. He slid his legs over the bench and sat, offering Craig one of the cans. He inadvertently made eye contact and immediately blushed.

Craig sighed inwardly at the uncomfortable reaction Karl had around him. Filling his plate with the spicy-smelling food, he began to pick at it. Karl stole quick glances at the RA as they both ate slowly, and he could tell the normally hearty eater wasn't happy about something. He finally screwed up his courage, not wanting to lose the first and only friend he had in America. "Craig...did I...do something wrong?"

Craig lifted his gaze, blinking at the question. "Did you do something wrong? No! No. Nothing at all." He traced swirls in the condensation on the side of his soda can. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I'm just mad at myself."

Confused, Karl's brow wrinkled. "Um. I wouldn't say you...pushed. I know what that's like," he added wryly before staring at his food again. "It was..." his throat closed. What should he say? Really nice? Okay? Fantastic? Frightening? "Warm," he finally finished awkwardly.

"Warm?" Craig repeated, finally meeting Karl's gaze fully. A smile curled the corner of his lips. "Warm. I think I can handle that."

Eyes unsure, Karl searched Craig's face. "Warm," he repeated softly. "Warm and...wonderful," he said, barely audible, ducking his head again.

Craig slid his hand across the table, cool fingertips touching the back of Karl's hand. Sliding his fingers carefully, he wrapped his hand around Karl's, just sitting quietly.

Trembling slightly, Karl's eyes darted to their hands, and as Craig made no other move, he relaxed again, starting to eat a bit more.

Craig held Karl's hand as they finished their meal, waiting until the other man moved before he removed his hand.

Finally Karl needed to move, they'd sat like that, silent but comfortable, for several long minutes after they'd eaten, and he needed to take a break. Pulling away, he gathered the trash and bundled it up. "Need the loo," he said quietly, disappearing back into the building.

Craig nodded, moving to a lounge chair where he could dry off in the setting sun. He pulled the other lounge chair close enough that he could reach out and touch Karl if the other man so wished.

Walking back out, Karl saw the chairs slid together and actually smiled. Craig meant it - he meant what he'd said and what he did...or else he was playing a cruel game of monumental proportions. Pushing that thought away, Karl sat beside him, crossing his legs at the ankles, setting his hand on the arm of the chair right next to Craig's hand, hoping he might feel his touch again...and feel comforted.

Craig's hand immediately covered Karl's, no qualms. He sighed, satisfied with the moment. Curling his fingers through Craig's, Karl spent the minutes just getting used to the sensation. When he finally dared, he slowly turned his head to look at the RA. "What...does this mean?" he asked quietly.

Craig studied their linked fingers before looking up to meet Karl's dark eyes. "It doesn't have to mean anything if that's what you want. I've told you that I like you...that I find you attractive. I - I'd like to see where this goes...but I don't want to rush you into anything you're not ready for."

Karl slowly nodded. "It's not something I think I will ever be ready for," he said quietly. "But you make me feel. Feel..." he shrugged. "I don't understand what it is you see in me."

Craig rose from the chair, moving to sit on the edge of Karl's chair, pretending not to notice how the other man slid away slightly. "Shall I tell you what I see in you?" Without waiting for an answer, he reached out to touch Karl's hair gently. "Spun silk." His fingertips grazed Karl's lashes. "Crystallized amber." He ran a finger the length of Karl's nose. "Nobility." His thumb brushed a swollen lip. "Humility." He lowered his hands back to his lap. "I could go on for a while."

Staring in disbelief, Karl slowly raised a hand to touch his lip where Craig's thumb had passed. It felt warm, and his blood buzzed. "Okay," he whispered, not minding if Craig kept talking. Although he really thought he might like another kiss.

Craig took Karl's hands in his, tracing long fingers. "These hands draw forth the most beautiful music I've ever heard. Full of passion and life and thrumming with power." Looking up to Karl's face, he mused, "I wonder if they'd draw the same reaction from me."

Karl blinked, and his mouth opened slightly in surprise. "You...want me to...touch you?" he asked, obviously surprised.

"Only if it's what you want." Craig hurried to reassure the younger man.

Amazement shone in Karl's eyes. "No one's...ever asked me before," he said quietly.

Craig shrugged. "The world is full of foolish people."

Again blinking in surprise, Karl just studied Craig's face, and he knew then that he really did want to touch the RA...and maybe even be touched as well. "Can...may I?" he asked quietly, a nervous anticipation settling in his belly. Craig moved closer in answer to the shy question.

Reaching out, Karl lightly touched Craig's cheek with his fingertips, just stroking gently, turning his fingers to do the same with his knuckles, watching in wonder. Craig mirrored the action, letting Karl's movements dictate his own. He closed his eyes at the gentle touch. Karl moved his hand to lightly brush his fingertips over Craig's lips, then the straight line of his nose, then his closed eyelids. He was enchanted, driven by the other man's acquiescence. Craig's fingers followed the path Karl's made, his pressure light and teasing. He pressed a kiss to the pads of the fingers that explored his lips, tongue darting out to touch one.

With a soft inhalation, Karl paused, pressing his fingers against Craig's lips again, hoping to feel that naughty wet warmth that thrilled him to his toes. He could feel his cock thickening, something he'd always had to make happen for himself - as he'd never been aroused by touching someone else before.

Craig opened his mouth, taking a long finger inside and suckling it gently. He opened his eyes, watching heat color Karl's face an enticing pink color. Entranced, Karl watched his finger slide into Craig's mouth and settle on his tongue. He could feel the warm, wet muscle sliding against his sensitive skin, and his breathing picked up. He wanted to feel that in other places, as well. Hand shaking, he pulled his finger free, trailing damp along Craig's cheek as he leaned closer, focusing on those flushed lips.

Craig met Karl halfway, hand sliding around behind the other man's neck as his open lips met Karl's. He sighed softly as their lips touched, and his tongue darted out to taste the younger man's lips immediately.

Karl’s shuddering exhale was caught on Craig's lips as he received his desired kiss. The touch of the RA's tongue sent sparks of warmth skittering along Karl's nerves, and he slid his hand around Craig's neck as well. The warmth flooding him was addictive.

Craig's other hand settled on Karl's ribcage, thumb brushing back and forth over a prominent bone. He moved closer still, the warmth of Karl's body permeating his skin despite the damp T-shirt between them.

A long, pleased groan escaped Karl before he could stop it. "Craig," he whispered between kisses, his lips swollen. All he could think of was the other man.

"Yeah?" Craig breathed, lips trailing along Karl's jaw line to purse wetly around a chilled earlobe.

"Oh...Craig..." Karl sighed, shivering as he felt the RA's lips move on his skin. "I've...never felt this...like this..."

Craig almost froze as the realization hit him. "Neither have I," he chuckled nervously.

Karl blinked and pulled back, surprise clear. "Wha...what?"

Craig blushed. "I've never...FELT...this before. I...I want this to - I want this to mean something."

"I...I want..." Karl stumbled over words; he simply didn't know how to express himself like this. "I want to be safe," he finally whispered.

Framing Karl's face in his hands, Craig whispered, "I know you have no reason to believe me, but I'd never hurt you."

"I want to believe you. You make me feel safe," the musician murmured, turning his head to press his lips against Craig's palm.

"We can take this as slowly as you want...do things at your pace," Craig's breathing became labored at the touch of hot lips against his palm.

Nodding slowly, Karl drew a breath, his nerves causing him to quiver all over. "Will you...kiss me again?" he asked, his voice shaking.

Craig used his grip on Karl's head to tilt the other man's head back, pressing his lips wetly to Karl's chin and sucking gently before sliding higher and kissing those luscious, full lips again. His tongue coaxed its way into Karl's mouth, sliding hotly against the other man's tongue, swirling and luring it into his own mouth.

Karl thought he might drown in the pleasure swamping him - he'd never been kissed before, not really, certainly not with any feeling, and this...this had so much feeling he thought he might explode from it. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, and he nervously rubbed his tongue against Craig's, hoping the other man would like it.

Craig purred loudly, the sound muffled between their mouths, as Karl began to participate actively in the kiss. He moved sluggishly, as if he wasn't even sure of his own actions as he slid beside Karl in the lounge chair, taking the other man into his arms. His body aligned with Karl's, touching from knee to shoulders, and again at hands and lips.

Shuddering, Karl held himself in place, overriding his immediate urge to flee and instead focusing on the warmth of Craig's arms around him. He relaxed slightly and laid his head against the RA's shoulder. Craig pressed soft, reassuring kisses along Karl's forehead, pushing the still damp hair from his face. Comforted, Karl relaxed even more, the peace of having strong, safe arms around him taking precedence over any desire.

==

Karl hid in his room, studying some new music as he tried to ignore the sounds of moving and new voices filling the lobby. It felt like an invasion - especially after he'd lain in Craig's arms for almost an hour the night before, just being close, enjoying the quiet time together. He sighed, knowing that was likely all over now. The RA's friends would be back, and he'd have school and job responsibilities, and no time for a nervy student, even if he was a fellow Kiwi.

Craig didn't fail to take note of Karl's absence from the din and clutter of moving day. It wasn't unexpected. What was unexpected but not at all unwelcome was the pang he felt in his heart at not having Karl near to laugh at jokes and smile shyly at him from under spiky dark lashes. He found himself knocking on Karl's door.

The musician jumped, not expecting the knock. He stood and went to the door, opening it carefully to check who stood outside. His eyes widened when he saw the RA. "Hi, Craig," Karl said quietly, but he smiled.

"Hey." Craig blushed, dipping his head. "Can I come in?"

Glancing over Craig's shoulder and seeing no one behind him, Karl nodded and stepped back, gesturing for the RA to enter. He wondered if Craig had come to tell him what to do to close up each night, as they had agreed.

As soon as the door was shut behind him, Craig stepped close to Karl and pressed a kiss to his lips. "I've missed you today."

The stiffness in Karl's shoulders drained away as the other man's arms closed around him, and he smiled under Craig's lips. "I've been here," he murmured, placing his hands carefully on the RA's hips.

"I wish I could have been in here with you." Craig returned, sighing against Karl's mouth. "I hate moving day. Too much chaos and not enough order..." He slid his hands down Karl's arms, lacing their fingers together and tightening Karl's arms around his body.

The musician daringly rubbed his lips against Craig's again, heartened when he didn't pull away. "It's been noisy," he agreed. "I don't figure on any playing time tonight." Karl closed his fingers over Craig's, wondering how long before the RA would leave.

Craig reveled in the returned kiss before laying his head on Karl's shoulder. "There's still hours before we can lock up. Can I stay in here with you?"

Blinking in surprise, Karl pulled back a little. "In...here? You want to stay here? With me?" He was totally gobsmacked. His room was totally bare but for his made up bed, toiletries on the dresser and stack of music on the desk…a far cry from Craig's comfortable and decorated room.

"Yeah - I want to stay here...with you." Craig murmured bashfully. He glanced around the room. "I can sit on the floor, if you don't mind. I don't want to disturb your work."

"Uh..." Karl blinked, looking at Craig's pink cheeks. "Sure, if you want. I mean, it's kinda boring..." he trailed off. "You can sit on the bed, I was working on music," he explained weakly.

Craig shook his head, moving to sit on the floor instead. "Go on. I don't want to halt your work. I love your music, and I don't want to be the cause of it not being composed."

Frowning, Karl walked backward to his chair. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable," he said, sitting down slowly, watching Craig the whole time. "Um..."

Craig sighed heavily, rising from the floor and grasping the doorknob. "I'm making YOU uncomfortable. I'm sorry. I'll be in my room. I'll lock up tonight."

"No! Don't...go..." Karl trailed off, standing up before he realized it.

Craig turned back, stepping close to Karl. He wrapped his arms around the taller man.

Surprised by his heart pounding, Karl curled his arms back around Craig. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I...just have a hard time understanding you really want to be here...with me."

"I don't understand why you would want to be with me, either," Craig answered. "I don't even know if you really do want to be with me or if I'm forcing you into this."

Karl's brows furrowed again. "I wouldn't let you in here if I didn't want you here," he said firmly. "Believe me. I learned my lesson… before." He reached up to lightly touch Craig's cheek. "I wouldn't let you near me...if I didn't want you near," he said, voice quieter.

"Do you? Want me?" Craig stammered nervously. "I mean - do you want me near?" His hand covered Karl's pressing it close to his cheek.

The musician's voice was a bare whisper, but his eyes were dark and serious. "Yes," he answered. Then his voice gained strength. "If that's what you want."

Craig took the hand that cupped his cheek, pulling it down to press it inside the unbuttoned neckline of his shirt, just over his heart. "I want it. I want you." He grasped Karl's neck with the other hand, pulling the taller man down low until their lips meshed wetly.

Feeling heat flush through him at Craig's declaration, Karl kissed him back, actually feeling it, wanting it, and he gasped into the other man's mouth as he felt himself rouse. Although Karl felt a niggle of worry for what type of "wanting" Craig had in mind, for now he just accepted and soaked in the attention.

Craig backed off, letting Karl control the kiss. Stepping backwards, he moved them until he was pressed against the wall with Karl flush against him.

Instinctively chasing Craig's lips, Karl stepped forward, trying to keep in contact, and pressed his body against the RA's before he realized that he'd pushed him back to the door.

Craig's hands slid down to grasp at Karl's hips, pulling him closer to the cradle of his hips. His breathing became erratic, rushed and fevered as he let Karl use his mouth.

Karl forgot they were in a bare dorm room, forgot he was taking over, forgot everything except the soft, giving lips under his and how Craig's body was so warm and pliant under his. Not hard and harsh, not threatening...but welcoming and enticing. With a soft gasp, Karl pushed his hips closer against Craig's, a groan caught in his throat.

A soft sigh escaped Craig's lips as Karl's interest in him was made evident. His eyes closed as his head fell back, banging lightly against the door. "Yes."

Trembling, Karl's lips ghosted over Craig's. "Yes?" he repeated, his voice thick. "Yes, what?"

At the soft question, Craig rolled his hips, oblivious to Karl's reaction.

The musician shuddered, feeling heat bloom in his own groin as he felt Craig's cock. While on one hand he was scared witless, he also recognized that the RA was letting him control the situation. With a soft moan, Karl pushed his hips forward again, mashing their groins together and letting a short cry loose as their cocks rubbed hard.

Craig spread his legs and braced himself against the wall, begging Karl silently for more. One part of him was thrilled that the younger student was reacting like this, but another part - the sensible part of him - dreaded the regret he'd see on Karl's face once he realized what he was doing.

Wallowing in the heat, Karl opened his eyes to see Craig pressed against the door, legs spread and body braced, and the image yanked him out of the arousal - he looked all too much like he was being forced. Swallowing hard, the musician stepped back, pulling his body away, eyes fastened on the RA's face - and lips - hoping he hadn't abused the privilege he'd been given.

Craig closed his eyes, reaching out to grab Karl and pull him close, not wanting him to regret what had happened. "That was hot," he whispered. "You can do that to me any time."

Surprised, Karl's breath caught, and he relaxed slightly. His voice was shaky when he found words. "Um. All right, if you like."

Threading his fingers into the longer strands of hair near Karl's nape, Craig met his gaze honestly. "Are you comfortable with this?" he asked, needing to know that he wasn't forcing Karl into things.

“Comfortable?” Karl asked at a near squeak. “I wouldn’t say that, no. But then…just being close to you makes me uncomfortable…in an oddly good way,” he finished quietly, peering up from under dark lashes, obviously torn between learned shyness and stirring desire.

Rubbing his thumb idly beneath Karl's ear, the shorter man smiled. "You're honest. I like that." After several seconds, he added, "I like you." Craig let go of Karl, walking over to the desk where the other man had been working. Tracing his fingers over the staffs on the page, he touched a note mark. "What are you working on?"

Dazedly watching Craig move away, Karl felt bereft and was tempted – for a moment – to pout. Amazed at himself, he leaned back against the door, crossing his arms. “Marking up some new music I need to memorize.”

Craig turned his head, watching Karl lean against the door. He really had no idea how sexy he was. He reached up slowly, unbuttoning a couple more buttons on Karl’s shirt, ghosting his hand over his skin as he did. "How does it sound?"

Tiny furrow appeared between Karl’s eyebrows as he frowned. “Sound?” he asked faintly. He was paying close attention to Craig’s fingers close to his skin.

"Hum it for me," Craig requested, looking back down at the sheet music. "I want to hear it."

Blinking, Karl immediately started humming softly. It was a slow, meandering, melancholy tune with measured pauses, right in his register. The musician kept his eyes on Craig's hands, seeing the long fingers nearly brushing the skin of his chest. Craig's eyes closed as he let Karl's voice wash over him. The tune was sad, making him sigh deeply. Tilting his head, Karl kept humming as he slowly reached to ever so lightly let his fingers brush along Craig's cheekbone. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears in counterpoint to the melody he hummed.

Leaning into the touch, Craig moved slowly, his arms sliding around Karl's waist. The need for Karl's touch overwhelmed him, almost painful in its depth. Careful, almost afraid, Karl slid his fingers along Craig's cheek to his jaw and underneath, tracing the line of the bone, feeling the warmth of the skin under his fingertips. He was practically holding his breath the whole time.

Craig tilted his head back, letting Karl explore him at his own pace. His own hands remained still, not daring to move lest he scare the other man away.

Gaining an ounce of courage, the musician turned his hand to pull the backs of his fingers over Craig's opposite cheek before sliding his hand into the soft, sand-colored hair. Swallowing hard, Karl leaned closer, almost holding his breath, to press his lips to Craig's brow, along the bone over his left eye, the sheer intimacy of it thrilling Karl.

A soft sigh escaped Craig's lips, ghosting against Karl's neck. The feel of Karl's explorations sent sparks of desire through his system, causing him to inch closer.

Heart still pounding and chest tight, Karl slid his lips over Craig's brow and down to the corner of his eye, then to his cheekbone, the smooth skin warm against his lips, the pauses between his humming growing longer. Letting his eyes fall nearly closed, he followed the line of Craig's jaw to his neck and up to his ear, in a spark of bravery flickering his tongue over the lobe briefly.

A jolt of arousal shot to Craig's groin as Karl's tongue touched him. "Please," he begged, not sure what he was begging for, but just wanting more...MORE.

Surprised by Craig's response, Karl delicately extended his tongue again and traced from his earlobe up, coasting along the shell of his ear to the top and then repeating the movement, slowly.

Craig shivered, leaning further into the touch. His right hand began to wander, pushing beneath Karl's T-shirt to ghost along the indention of his spine. Letting out a heated, pent up breath against Craig's ear, Karl pushed back into the hand, eager to feel its touch. He slid his hand from Craig's hair down his neck to his shoulder, fingers splaying over the collar of his shirt. "Is this...okay?" he whispered nervously.

Craig bit his lip to keep from begging Karl for even more. Instead, he settled on a jerky nod, his fingers teasing just beneath the waistband of Karl's shorts.

Feeling Craig's fingers at his waist, Karl's shoulders stiffened, and he pulled back against the door without thinking, still touching Craig, but shying away slightly. He stopped himself, blinking at the RA, apology flaring in his eyes.

Karl pulling away was like a cold shower to Craig's system, reminding him where he was and what he was doing. "Sorry." He apologized, removing his hands and hanging his head.

Catching Craig's hand, Karl shook his head and reached to raise the other man's chin. "No, it's me," Karl whispered, one shoulder shrugging. "Just...I'm not used to..." He drew a breath, embarrassed and skittish at the same time. "Not used to..."

"I pushed you," Craig whispered. "I promised myself I wouldn't push you to do anything you didn't want to do..."

Karl frowned, tilting his head. "Craig, I do know how to say ‘no’," he pointed out reasonably. "I'm just a little...edgy, is all. No one's ever...touched me like this, so gently. With meaning. No one’s wanted to," he tried to explain.

"It's all I want to do," Craig breathed, lifting his eyes to meet Karl's gaze. "All I think about is touching you and making you want me."

The younger man's jaw worked for a few seconds, as if he couldn't get the words out. Then he bit his bottom lip. "I do want you," he said so quietly it was almost inaudible.

Eyes misting over, Craig nodded. "You have to know that I want you as well."

Karl nodded slowly. "Craig. I want to tell you..." His mouth snapped shut, and he dropped his eyes, cheeks flushing dark in embarrassment, hair tumbling over his shoulders to hide his face. It was obviously an unconscious, practiced motion.

Lifting a hand, Craig pushed the dark hair back, unwilling to let Karl hide from him this time. "Tell me what?"

"Why..." Karl started, looking up at Craig, his eyes aching and lost. "Why I react like this," he murmured, crossing his arms over himself.

Recognizing the defensive gesture, Craig was unsure whether to remove his hands from Karl's body altogether or to maintain contact. In compromise, he stepped back a step, letting his hand settle on Karl's crossed forearms. "I will listen, if you want to tell me."

Looking at Craig's hand, Karl nodded, biting his lower lip again. "Last year, when I came here, I moved into Potter Hall. I liked it there. Until one night, late in first term..." He sighed, shifting his feet. "A group of blokes came into the showers. They were pissed and high, I guess, and angry because their skirts went off to another party. They...took it out on me."

Craig's face whitened, but he asked in a soft voice, "What did they do to you?"

A shoulder edged up as Karl kept his eyes focused on the floor. "'bout everything they could think of," he murmured, face blank, a contrast to the rigid bearing of his body.

"Did they..." Craig gulped at the implications of Karl's words, but he needed to know for sure if the other man had been taken against his will.

Swallowing hard, Karl looked up at him, pain obvious in his eyes. "What? Show me a good time?" he asked bitterly. "Sure. Every single one of them." It was obvious he'd talked to someone about this before.

Frowning, Craig nearly stuttered. "That…that's...that's not how it should be..."

"No?" Karl asked quietly, his voice flat. "I didn't think so, either. But their stories didn't match up with mine, so..." he shrugged. "That was the first time."

Craig paled further. "It happened more than once?" He began to understand the full impact of what had happened to Karl. He regretted being so glib with his caresses and affections, knowing that they held an entirely different significance to the other man.

Karl sighed, moving his arms and trailing his fingers over Craig's hand. "They figured out I was alone here, no family, very few friends, and the administration dismissed the complaint as unfounded. Boys found themselves a good diversion, they did, safe, quiet, no mess, no fuss." The words were hollow, as if he were repeating someone else's terms. He fell quiet for a long moment. "I tried to transfer schools during the summer, but I have a full scholarship here," he murmured.

Hearing of the school's failure to protect the other man, Craig stretched to his full height as fire came into his eyes. "They will not bother you again. You're in my house now, and you will be safe here."

Raising his eyes slowly to his RA and friend, the emotions in them softened and he nodded. "I feel safe with you," he said. "I just...have these memories," he added with a wince.

"And you likely always will," Craig whispered. "I just hope that in time they fade enough that you can find peace. That you'll be able to share your body in love."

"Now...do you understand?" the musician asked softly. "Why it's difficult for me? It's not that I don't want you - in fact, you're the first person I've ever really wanted at all," Karl said, eyes pleading.

Nodding, the shorter man once again wrapped his arms around Karl, an element of protectiveness in the gesture. Lowering his head to Craig's shoulder, Karl relaxed in his arms, letting the gentle caring sweep over him.

==

After Karl's confession, Craig found himself watching the other man at odd times, noticing the way he interacted - if he interacted - with the other residents of the house. For what seemed like the hundredth time that week, he felt thankful for the respectfulness of the other students in his house. So far they had left Karl alone, just passing greetings to the quiet man as he worked at the piano late in the evenings. In fact, Craig had noticed more than once that several of the students gathered at the top of the steps to study and listen to the music the younger Kiwi played.

So it wasn't a surprise that Craig was sitting nearby when David walked in one evening, stopping to talk to Karl as the young man worked on a complicated piece. The easy-going redhead flirted shyly with Karl, and Craig would have been jealous, but Karl seemed oblivious to the glances the other man sent his way.

Glancing up sideways as David stopped by, Karl kept playing and offered the other man a half smile. He was an Australian, practically a countryman, and the musician had taken a couple classes with him last semester. He was a drama major, so some of their curriculum overlapped. David was kind to him, and Karl felt reasonably comfortable around him. Nodding to a comment from the other student, the musician paused to mark his music.

Craig's ears perked up when he heard David mention taking Karl out to dinner that evening. He frowned slightly, not really knowing if Karl would say yes or no. He wouldn't fault the other man for wanting to date if he found someone trustworthy, but he'd never thought of what that might mean for him.

"You don't have to do that, David. It's just a couple pages of notes," Karl demurred, shaking his head. He almost smiled as the other man tried again to get him to go to dinner, although his insistence made the musician a little edgy. "No, thanks, like I said, I have to work on this music, and I'm not at all hungry," he explained.

Sitting on the bottom step, Craig could see the disappointment that washed over David's features as he said goodnight and went upstairs to his room. Rising from his perch, Craig approached the piano. "He likes you," he stated in a quiet voice during a lull in the music.

Looking up in surprise, Karl stopped mid-note. "What?" he asked, confused.

"David." Craig clarified. "He likes you." Watching Karl reposition his long fingers back on the keys, he added, "He's very nice. One of the nicest people I know."

"Likes me," the musician repeated, starting on the bars of music again. "You mean as in...LIKES me," he asked, eyes darting to take in the RA's face.

"Yep." Craig nodded, leaning on the piano. "Quite a bit, from the looks of it."

Karl continued to play for a little while, stopping to practice a set of measures over and over. "I like him," he finally answered. "You're right, he's very nice." His fingers kept moving on the keys as his eyes slowly edged up to look at Craig. "But I don't...LIKE him."

Craig's eyebrows raised just a touch, the question flowing from his lips without thought. "Why not?"

The music stopped abruptly as Karl blinked up at Craig. "Um...?" Craig waited patiently for an answer. Blinking, Karl lowered his eyes to stare at the piano keys, trying to put his feelings into words. "He's...nice. But that's it. I don't want more from him," he said quietly.

Nodding, Craig murmured, "I hope you find someone someday. Someone that you want more from."

Swallowing as his mouth went dry, the younger man slowly looked up to the RA, and he had to pull his hands from the keyboard and hide them in his lap as they showed a visible tremor.

Turning, Craig leaned back on the piano, stretching his neck as it cracked audibly. "I had thought..." His voice trailed off. He had given Karl space since the night he'd explained why he reacted the way he did.

Karl knew very well what he had thought. He'd struggled with it every night for a week as Craig kept his distance. While the musician appreciated the space, he missed his friend. And he missed his touch. Taking a chance, he reached out and slid a finger along the RA's hand.

Craig's fist opened at the touch, giving more surface to rub over. He turned his head, hiding the reaction the touch ignited in him.

When he didn't pull away, the younger man slid his other fingers closer, passing his palm over Craig's knuckles gently, rubbing lightly. "I like you, you know," he said quietly.

Turning lazily toward Karl, Craig turned his hand, letting their palms slide together. "But do you LIKE me like me?" He teased, a smile curling his lips.

Karl pressed his palm against Craig's sliding it until their fingers threaded together. Then with his heart beating so loud he was sure it was audible, he whispered, "Yeah."

Craig squeezed Karl's hand gently. "I like you, too," he whispered. He rounded the piano, sitting beside Karl on the bench, nudging him over just the smallest bit because he wanted to be pressed against him.

A tiny smile formed on Karl's lips, and he moved over a bit on the bench, his arm over Craig's, and he started playing again, this time the slow melody he'd been humming a week ago, rather than the classical piece he'd practiced earlier.

The piece was special to Craig, evoking memories of the experimental touching he and Karl had done. Closing his eyes, he let himself drift back to that night, mind wandering to imagine what might've happened. He snapped his eyes open when Karl stopped, realizing with a red face that he was very aroused and that Karl was watching him with dark eyes.

The change in Craig's breathing caught Karl's attention, and he stopped at the coda, turning his chin to look at the RA's flushed face with something akin to awe. He wanted to...touch..."Want to...watch some telly?" he asked, his voice a shade darker than usual, hoping Craig would understand.

Reading Karl's face correctly, he hoped, he stood and took Karl's hand, leading him toward his room. He opened the door and pulled the other man inside, locking it behind them. Standing still, he waited for Karl to react.

Totally forgetting the music he was leaving on the piano, Karl let himself be led into Craig's room where one small lamp in the corner burned, throwing shadows along the wall. The light carved across Craig's face as Karl turned his back on the lamp to face the RA, and bravely he lifted a hand to brush his knuckles along the other man's cheekbone as he stepped closer. Craig's head tilted back at the gentle caress and his lips parted, waiting for Karl to kiss him. A needy moan escaped him, and his chest rose and fell in double time at the anticipation.

That sound gave Karl the reassurance he needed, and he lowered his lips to Craig's, smoothing across them once before settling firmly into the kiss. He slid his hands to settle at Craig's waist, their bodies grazing as he lightly lapped at the RA's lower lip.

Breath stuttering across Karl's lips, Craig was unsure whether to touch or to just let Karl have his way with him. Instead, he wrapped his fingers around Karl's hands, holding them firmly to his body, not wanting the other man to stop touching him. With Craig pinned between him and the door, Karl felt safer than he thought, so it was easy to give himself over to the kiss, learning the softness of the RA's mouth. His fingers moved slowly over Craig's upper body, guided by Craig's own hands...it was...intoxicating.

Feeling brave and needing more, Craig moved one of Karl's hands to his groin, pressing it against his arousal. Even though he was directing the action, it caused such need in him that he whimpered, wishing Karl was doing it of his own accord.

Karl gasped against Craig's mouth, hardly able to believe he was causing such a reaction in the other man. Hand shaking, he pressed a little harder against the firm ridge he could feel under the denim, ready to pull back at the slightest objection.

"Mmmm," Craig purred, moving his hand away to see if Karl would hold the caress.

"That sounds encouraging," Karl murmured hoarsely against Craig's lips, his fingers closing a bit closer as he pressed his palm against the RA's groin and slid it back and forth.

Craig nodded frantically, hips bucking slightly as Karl touched him. "I want to...God, Karl - your hand..."

Karl pulled back slightly, but pushed his hand more firmly against Craig's jeans, stroking. "Like this?" he asked, breathless, eyes wide and amazed.

"Want to feel you," Craig whimpered, pushing at his own jeans.

The younger man paused, meeting Craig's eyes. "You want...my hand on you?" he asked quietly, wanting clarification before he went any further.

"Yes," Craig groaned, praying that it wasn't too much to ask. "Your hand...my hand...somebody's hand...please!"

Fighting the urge to laugh, Karl nodded and stepped back slightly so Craig could get to the fly on his jeans.

Fumbling with his jeans, Craig finally got the fly open and pushed the bothersome material down over his hips. Pressing his hands flat against the door, he closed his eyes and waited.

Tilting his head, Karl slowly reached forward, first letting his fingers brush against Craig's hip, then his lower belly. "Don't you want to watch?" he asked, knowing that not being able to see was one of his own frights.

"I trust you," Craig blurted, biting his lip as the anticipation kept building. "Please..."

"Let me see your eyes," Karl requested quietly, his hand straying lower to Craig's groin, brushing lightly through the curls there. He had to be sure, not to mention he wanted to see the heat he knew would be there. "Please? Your glorious blue eyes?"

At Karl's pleading tone and thrilling words, Craig opened his eyes, meeting Karl's darker ones. The teasing touches Karl skirted around his cock aroused him further, making him thrum with need.

Smiling, the musician nodded and slid his hand lower, fingers curling around the hot, stiff flesh as he stepped closer once again, their chests brushing as he started to pump the shaft up and down. His lips landed lightly on Craig's forehead, then down to the corner of his lips.

Craig turned his head, blindly seeking Karl's lips as the tentative hands grew more confident on his flesh. "Yes," he sighed, hips starting to buck again, making his cock bump against Karl's jeans.

Terribly aroused by the trust Craig had in him, by the sounds the RA made and the feel of the hot skin under his hands, Karl shifted to one side so he could press closer, his groin against the RA's hip as he continued to stroke and palm the dampening cock. His lips strayed to Craig's ear and neck, and he reveled in being able to enjoy this so much.

When Karl moved, Craig's hand settled on his hip, bracing as he began to tremble in the build of his orgasm. "Perfect...right..." he whispered, making no sense whatsoever.

"Perfect," Karl echoed in his ear, shocked by how much he was feeling, and he tightened his hand on Craig's erection, rubbing his thumb over the head, feeling the pre-come make the skin slippery. With a soft moan of his own, he pressed his hips against the RA, creating a little friction.

Craig's hand slid from Karl's hip, down his thigh, hooking it, holding it. "Close," he moaned. His reached with his other hand, fingers brushing Karl's groin before settling low on his hip.

Biting his lower lip against the cries he wanted to make, Karl pushed harder against Craig's hip as he sped his hand - it moved easily now, slick with Craig's fluids - and he couldn't hold back a quiet groan as he realized he was about to make himself come in his jeans.

Searching for Karl's mouth, Craig muffled his cries as he came, warm liquid spilling out of him as Karl worked his flesh. The heat coating his hand, the friction against his cock and the knowledge that he had brought Craig to this pleasure shot Karl over the edge. Unthinkingly trying to block his own sounds of pleasure, he bit down solidly on Craig's lower lip, his panting mewl escaping.

Craig cried out at the mixture of pain and pleasure, the exquisite mix forcing a second smaller orgasm from him. His eyes widened as he realized what had happened. He'd never had an experience like that with anyone before.

Shocked by his own orgasm and startled at Craig's cry, Karl pulled back suddenly, still shaking, panting, eyes wide. "Craig?" he asked fearfully, hands raised in appeal.

Dazed with the intensity of his orgasm, Craig didn't even think. He simply acted, pulling Karl into his arms and to the bed, pulling him down to rest beside of him.

Still shaking, the musician let Craig pull him alongside on the bed although it took him a bit to relax, still somewhat keyed up, but the RA's arms around him were not confining, just comforting, and he soon settled, pillowing his head on Craig's shoulder and letting his eyes close, savoring the last of the thrills that shook him.

"Thank you for that," Craig whispered when he finally regained his senses. His fingers traced idly over the veins in Karl's arms, his voice an easy sigh as he added, "and thank you for...liking...me."

Not trusting himself to answer, Karl turned his face up enough to place a sleepy kiss on Craig's chin. "I should go," he whispered. "I'm about to fall asleep."

"Don't go," Craig pleaded, voice fading drowsily. "We're safe here, and you're here with me, and nobody can bother us..." He realized he was rambling pathetically, but damned if he could stop it.

Karl thought about it for some long moments. He was actually comfortable - although he wanted to get out of his damp jeans and boxers - and Craig was warm and made him feel safe. Finally he sighed. "Got some shorts I can wear?" he asked.

"Mmmm," Craig climbed over Karl and out of the bed, heading to his wardrobe. He pulled out a pair of boxers as well as a soft, worn T-shirt just in case the other man wanted to cover himself more adequately. He handed Karl the stuff, motioning to the bathroom. "I'll turn the bed down." As soon as the other man went into the other room, he zipped his jeans long enough to secure the front door of the house and get Karl's sheet music. When he came back into the room, he locked his door once more, laying the sheet music reverently on the desk before changing into fresh boxers himself.

The younger man walked into the bathroom, shutting the door firmly, and stood looking at himself in the mirror. He - Karl Urban - the man who had sworn off sex forever as a disgusting, miserable act, had an incredible orgasm tonight. Without really trying. And now, he wanted more. Sighing, he cleaned up, used the bathroom, changed into Craig's shorts and shirt and washed his face, eyes drooping despite the faint sense of discomfort he felt. Not at being here, not at what happened, oddly enough. But because he thought he might want more. Carefully, he opened the door and peered out after shutting off the light.

Craig looked up from where he sat on the edge of the bed. Even now, he half expected Karl to leave. Sliding under the covers, he motioned for Karl to join him, fluffing the pillow beside him. Seeing that Craig was scooting to the inside against the wall, Karl walked over to the bed, flipped out the last lamp and sat down, tucking his feet under the covers and settling on the very edge of the bed. He wasn't at all sure what to do, but he missed the feeling of being held.

Craig reached across, tangling his hand in the shirt Karl wore. He tugged the other man to him, tucking his head beneath Karl's chin. Resting his arm around the taller man's waist, he sighed happily.

Shifting a bit, Karl moved until he was comfortable, and they were wrapped around one another. He liked it...very much. "Good night," he whispered, dropping a kiss on the top of Craig's head.

Eyes already closed, Craig pressed a kiss to Karl's neck. "G'night..."

==

Craig stretched beneath the sheets of his bed, idly wondering why the slight chill of the early September morning didn't make him as cold as it usually did. Rolling over, he bumped into a warm surface. His eyes opened wide in the dark just before dawn, and he glanced over his shoulder to see Karl resting beside him. He gulped loudly as he realized he'd probably let things go too far and that Karl would more than likely flee as soon as he woke up. Closing his eyes, he stilled his body, figuring that if he could let Karl sleep longer, then the other man would still be in his bed when the sun came up.

Slightly jarred from sleep, Karl shifted, face pinching slightly as he felt confined. He pushed the blanket away, feeling over warm, and then his hand collided with warm flesh and froze. Opening one sleepy eye, Karl peered through the pre-dawn darkness to see Craig, and then he relaxed slightly, his memories returning.

Craig reacted unthinkingly, grasping the hand that bumped him and pulling it to rest against his chest as he tucked the blanket back around himself. Turning his head, he brushed a soft kiss over the ball of Karl's shoulder, his lips clinging for a second before he pulled away.

His other eye opening to watch in sleepy curiosity, Karl's emotions were unthinkingly laid bare without his usual masks during the light of day. He was amazed by Craig, that the man was so gentle, that he wanted him for more than just a tussle. A pang of hurt and regret crossed his face when he wished he could have met Craig before...last year.

Eyes remaining closed, a small smile quirked across Craig's lips. "You should go back to sleep. You don't have class until after lunch on Tuesdays." He blushed in the darkness, realizing he'd let slip exactly how much he'd learned about Karl in his interest in the other man.

Turning his head so he could look at Craig better, Karl's brows pulled together. "You know my class schedule?" he asked, not so much scared or offended as honestly surprised the RA would care to find that information.

"I notice when you're gone," Craig admitted, rolling back over to face the wall and wishing Karl would hold him. "Does that count?"

Karl shifted to his side, now facing the same direction as Craig, looking at his shoulders and the curl of his ear. Reaching out tentatively, he touched the RA's arm and rubbed lightly. "Yes," he said, almost a whisper.

Craig shivered beneath Karl's gentle touch, and before he could stop himself, he slid back in the bed, molding his body against the taller man's.

Surprised, Karl held up his arm as Craig scooted back against him, and he carefully let it settle over the other man's waist. His other arm curled under his pillow, the musician felt fairly comfortable, and he shifted under the covers until their bodies touched from chest to knee, just trying to get comfortable. "Is this okay?" he whispered.

Nodding, Craig whispered, "Yes," when he realized the room was still fairly dark and Karl might not be able to read his physical response. In truth, it was more than okay that Karl held him like this. It was...what Craig wanted.

After long moments of stillness, Karl's arm tightened about Craig's waist and leaned his forehead against Craig's neck, his lips settling upon his shoulder.

Karl's warm breath on his skin made Craig shiver again, and he pushed closer to Karl. "Nice. Being held like this by you."

"Yeah?" Karl breathed, feeling calm and comfortable.

Craig shivered again, his entire body shaking as Karl's breath washed over him again. "Yeah." His body began to wake up, but he hid his arousal from Karl, not wanting the younger man to feel pressured.

Karl frowned slightly as he felt a shudder wrack through the RA. "Are you cold?" he asked, concerned, reaching to pull up the second blanket. "You're shivering."

Reaching out, Craig pinned Karl's hand to his flank, not wanting the other man to feel around and see exactly how he was reacting. "Not cold. Just enjoying your closeness."

Brow still furrowed, Karl pulled Craig closer, trying to keep him warm. "By shivering?" he asked, trying to understand.

"If I were the romantic sort that read a lot, I'd describe it as shuddering," Craig murmured. "There's a difference. Shivering comes from lack of heat. Shuddering is caused by too much heat...of a different kind..."

The frown eased as Karl's eyes widened. At the same time he felt his cock twitch against Craig's rear and moaned quietly, his warm breath coasting over the RA's neck.

Another, fresh quake rippled through Craig's body at the feel of Karl's warm flesh all along the length of his back. When he was prodded, he arched back, his own arousal pushing at his shorts.

"Sorry," Karl whispered, scooting back so he wasn't hitching his hips into Craig's arse.

Craig's hands gripped at Karl's hips. "Don't...you'll...you'll fall off of the bed. I can move back over..."

"Move over where?" Karl asked incredulously, unable to believe they'd slept this long in the oversized twin bed. He slid his hips back - because he was indeed on the edge - and rammed into Craig's rear without meaning to.

"Oh god!" Craig squeaked, forgetting about moving for a moment or two. "There's room over by the wall..."

Surprised by Craig's squawk and the shot of heat through his own groin, Karl jerked back, flailing, and lost his balance, his heavier hips succumbing to gravity, and he fell over the side and thumped to the floor.

The momentum of Karl's body, along with the blanket wrapped around him, pulled Craig over the edge, too, and he reached out, trying to break his fall before he hurt Karl. Instead, he landed next to Karl, groaning loudly.

Arse aching from where he landed, Karl lay back on the floor, waiting for the pain to pass. "Ouch," he finally said into the darkness.

"Yeah," Craig returned, rubbing at his hip as he tried to push up from the floor. "Ah, fuck that hurt..."

Struck by how funny the whole situation was, Karl laughed silently, biting his lip, only his jerking breaths giving him away.

Craig smacked at Karl's shoulder. "Better your arse than mine. I was hoping -" he bit off the end of his sentence, realizing how close he came to admitting that he wanted Karl inside of him and that would be enough pain - though pleasurable as it would be.

Karl snickered a little louder. "Hoping what?" he asked between chuckles, sitting up and wincing.

Rising gingerly to sit on the bed, Craig blushed again. "I...that..." He couldn't bring himself to broach the subject, given what he knew about Karl's past. "I guess it's not better it's your arse. That piano bench is rather hard."

Shrugging even though Craig couldn't see it in the dark, Karl sighed. "You get used to it. I used to run to counteract all that sitting still, until..." his voice trailed off. "Now I just exercise in my room," he finished quietly.

Craig settled himself back beneath the covers, scooting back against the wall as he invited Karl back into bed. The change in topic had definitely limited their early morning activities. "We can still swim laps. Pool's never used, and it's...damn it. It's closed until May. Fuck."

Karl chuckled. "I guess I'll pass," he said, mentally referring to both activities, though he didn't vocalize it. He sat on the edge of the bed, feeling Craig's hand on his arm. "Sure you don't want me to head back to my room?" he asked tentatively. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I'm not uncomfortable with you here." Craig reassured Karl. "I just don't want you to feel like I'm pushing you too far too fast, and I'm afraid - " He slapped his hand over his mouth and groaned.

Face stilling, Karl looked directly at Craig even though he couldn't see much in the darkness. "Afraid of what?" he asked clearly.

"Afraid I want more than you want to give." Craig answered, head pressed into the pillow as he waited for Karl's answer.

Pretty sure what Craig was talking about, Karl swallowed nervously. "Like what?" he asked, voice only wavering a little. He kept his arm still, not pulling away, hoping Craig wouldn't either.

"I want you to be with me," the older man whispered. "Really BE with me. In as many ways as you're able..."

Sliding his hand to cover Craig's, Karl lightly rubbed the fingers he'd felt move on him. "I didn't think you'd want me like this..." he whispered. "Not after..."

Craig's fingers tightened further. "How could I not want you? It makes no difference to me that...what's in your past. I hate it that it happened to you, and I'd love to strangle the fucks who did it to you, but it doesn't make me NOT want you."

Voice shaking almost as much as his nerves, Karl voiced his greatest fear. "Craig...I don't think I can...let you...I'm sorry..." he shifted his weight, making to get up.

Craig's heart broke at the softly spoken words, and he removed his hand from Karl's arm, not wanting to hold him somewhere that distressed him. "It's...it'll be okay..."

"Last night was...incredible," Karl choked out. "But I can't..." his voice cut off and then came back stronger than usual. "I don't think I'll ever want someone buggering me again." After those words fell in silence, he shifted and stood to leave, figuring Craig wouldn't be interested anymore.

"It doesn't only happen one way," Craig whispered, hoping the words would call Karl back. "I've always preferred...um - well - I like to be taken. But if you don't want to get into something that you don't want to do, then it's probably best that we talk about this now." He sunk into the corner of the bed, pulling the covers protectively over himself as a defense.

Karl stopped in place, a couple steps from the bed, turning in the darkness to look at Craig in surprise. "You mean you'd let me...?"

The top of Craig's dark head bobbed beneath the edge of the cover as he nodded. "If you wanted to," floated from his sanctuary in the warmth of the blanket.

"If I wanted to...Craig, that doesn't mean that YOU want me to," Karl said in frustration, not able to see the RA's nod in the dark.

"I don't offer myself to just anyone, Karl." Craig's voice hardened a little, his heart closing in at the perceived rejection. "I wouldn't have mentioned it if I hadn't wanted it."

Shaking with equal parts nerves and desire, Karl made a pathetic, whimpering sound before he shifted. "Can I turn on a light? I need to see your face."

Craig's slim arm extended from beneath the cover, slapping at the dome light above his headboard. Moving the blanket down, he asked, "Is that better?"

The glowing dome sent bare illumination pouring over Craig, and Karl could see his face. Exhaling in relief as the RA didn't look as angry as he sounded, the musician chanced sitting on the edge of the bed again. "Craig, I'm sorry. I've never...done this before. And with my hang ups..." he shook his head before looking up with huge eyes, honesty gleaming in them. "I just can't comprehend what it is about me that you like so much. I'm...damaged."

Shaking his head, Craig dared to touch Karl's knee. "You are not damaged. The people who hurt you are damaged. You were mistreated. Perhaps you cracked a little, but you've grown stronger since then. You are very near to perfect to me, Karl."

His eyes transformed with longing as Karl looked at Craig, clearly showing how much he wanted to believe. "Thank you," he whispered.

Taking what felt to be a huge risk, Craig pushed the covers away and moved onto his back. He took Karl's hand and tugged, pulling the other man to rest flush against him. "You were too far away," he murmured.

Shifting so he laid close, Karl pillowed his head on Craig's shoulder. "Will you...hold me?" he asked quietly.

Craig's arms wrapped around Karl's frame, and he turned onto his side, his position in the bed allowing him to press his lips to Karl's forehead. The musician settled close, letting Craig's warmth and closeness lull him back to sleep, the nerves draining away. Craig smiled, glad that Karl at least felt comforted by him.

Shifting in the RA's arms as he drifted to sleep, Karl murmured to himself, thinking he was already dreaming. "...love you Craig..."

At the sound of the whispered words, Craig's eyes opened wide, and his heart lurched. Oh God. Calming his heart, he smiled and pulled Karl closer.

==

Karl's hands smoothed over the keys as he played, the music floating, ethereal and complex, haunting. He just let it flow, his eyes mostly shut as he let muscle memory take over, letting the music express the emotions he couldn't put into words. He had left Craig's bed at dawn and sought the piano, all his feelings so jumbled that he couldn't tell one from the other. And so now, in the early Sunday morning, he played.

Nudged from sleep by the gentle melody of a beautiful song, Craig rose from his bed and padded out the door of his room to see Karl tickling the ivories. The song made him feel peaceful and confident, allowing him to approach Karl. He sat down on the bench again, sitting far enough away that Karl could continue to play.

He was distantly aware of Craig joining him, but Karl stayed immersed in the music, letting it soothe him until it finally wound to its end, softly. He said still with his fingers on the keys for a long moment before dropping his hands into his lap.

Craig remained silent, afraid to break the mood created by the music. Instead, he offered his support just through his presence.

Taking a deep breath, Karl turned to look at Craig. "Morning," he murmured. He was still sleep-mussed, dressed in Craig's shorts and T-shirt, barefoot, hair askew.

A smile quirked Craig's lips. "Morning. Lazy day planned. You?" It was still entirely too early to speak in complete sentences.

Karl tilted his head and shrugged, looking back at the piano. "No plans," he murmured. "Music, I guess." He looked back at Craig. "Lunch?"

"Near the pool? If it's warm enough?" Craig asked, a hopeful glint coming into his eyes.

Chuckling, Karl nodded, smiling slightly. "Sure," he murmured, then his eyes narrowed. "You want your shirt back," he said more as a statement than a question.

"Only if you want to come to my room and take it off," Craig suggested with a smile. "I promise I'll keep my hands to myself..."

Karl's lips twitched. "What about the pool?"

"Pool? What pool?" Craig's eyes dropped to stare at the juncture where white T-shirt contrasted with tanned neck.

"All right," Karl agreed. "But you have to feed me," he bargained, actually joking.

Reaching out to touch Karl's arm, Craig suggested, "Maybe we could go out...if that's okay with you..."

Blinking in confusion as he stood, Karl looked down at Craig. "Go out?" How did the RA get from Karl taking off his T-shirt in Craig's room to going out?

"Later," Craig hurried to explain, realizing he was asking too much. "It's okay. I can order pizza. Sorry." He scooted back, tumbling off of the end of the bench.

Karl lurched out to catch Craig before his hit the floor, helping him stand, and he realized what the other man was talking about. "You mean go out for lunch?" he asked mildly.

"We don't have to. Forget I asked. I'm sorry," Craig rambled.

"Craig," Karl tried to interrupt. "Craig!" He finally grabbed his arm. "It's okay."

Blushing madly, Craig turned back to his room. "The shirt is yours if you want it." He was completely off-balance now.

Karl trailed after Craig into the RA's room, shutting the door behind them. "Um, well," the musician said, looking down at the shirt that was probably a little too small on him, but he didn't mind. Confused, he skipped back to what seemed like the safest topic. "Food?"

"Sure. Just let me know when you're ready to eat, and I'll phone in an order." Craig sat at his desk, rearranging things meaninglessly. In truth, he didn't know how to react to Karl now. Last night, the other man had said...he'd whispered... And now he reacted so strongly to the suggestion of going out. Craig was utterly confused.

Really confused now, Karl sat down on the edge of the bed and sighed. He said mournfully, "Can we go back to bed and start over? Cause I'm confused."

Craig laid the papers he was working on down, burying his head in his hands. "I'm sorry. I know that I'm sending mixed signals." He turned and looked at Karl, a small smile settling on his lips. "Do we have to fall out of bed all over again if we start over?"

Rubbing his hip, Karl made a face. "Please, no," he answered.

Rising, Craig approached the bed, pushing his clothes off until only boxers remained. Climbing into the bed, he cuddled under the unmade covers as he waited for Karl to join him. "Well?"

Amused that Craig took him literally, Karl turned and slid his feet under the covers, settling down on his back as he had been when he woke up. With a sigh, he closed his eyes.

Edging closer, Craig molded himself to Karl's side. "Is this what you wanted?"

Lips curling, Karl shushed him as he tried not to laugh. Craig fell silent as he rested his head on Karl's shoulder. One arm wrapped around Karl's waist, holding them close together.

Sighing happily, Karl waited for a minute, counting silently, and then he yawned and started to stretch. When his arms met skin, he turned his chin and opened sleepy but sparkling eyes. "Morning," he murmured.

"Morning," Craig replied, snuggling closer to the larger man. As he stretched, he arched against Karl's body.

Karl's eye softened as he watched the other man. "Hungry?" he asked.

"Mmm, no...not just yet," Craig murmured, running his hands over the soft cotton covering muscled flesh. "At least not for food."

Blinking, Karl swallowed as heat flashed through him. He knew exactly what Craig was talking about. His head on his pillow, turned toward the RA, he asked, "Whatcha hungry for?"

A bed-tousled and sleepy looking Karl was a very sexy sight indeed, causing Craig's breath to catch. Running a finger along the waistband of the ridden-up T-shirt, Craig whispered, "You."

Heart pounding, Karl licked his bottom lip, nervous, but also aroused enough to want it. "I trust you," he whispered.

Craig held Karl's gaze for a long time, as if examining the inner workings of the younger man's mind. Slowly, he pushed the T-shirt up, fingers teasing at tanned flesh. "No. I trust you."

Reassured, Karl relaxed under Craig's hand, understanding what the RA meant. His pulse raced with equal parts excitement and nerves, and he moaned softly on an exhale.

"We don't have to do it today," Craig sighed, body heating beneath Karl's regard. "I'd be satisfied just to touch you."

"Then touch," Karl whispered. "As long as I can see you doing it."

Craig nodded, eyelids falling to half mast as he urged the shirt off of Karl's upper body. His hands slid unimpeded over Karl's skin, stopping to tease and pinch at a distended nipple. "And taste?"

Karl's brow slid up. "Taste? Ah...sure," he said uncertainly. "What...do you want to taste?"

"Your skin," Craig breathed, dipping his head to furl his tongue around the nipple he'd previously tortured. He moaned at the taste of Karl's skin, a mixture of soap and musk that made his head spin.

Inhaling shakily, Karl's jaw dropped in a surprised "Oh", his hand curling in the sheet. "Oh..." he breathed again, eyes wide and slightly glazed.

Sliding lower in the bed, Craig's lips moved south, teasing around Karl's navel. "Your strength," he added, framing strong hips with his hands.

Brow furrowing, Karl watched Craig slide lower, shivering under his mouth. "My...strength?" he asked, fingers gripping in the sheets.

Craig ignored the question, instead nuzzling his face against the soft cotton boxers that hid a hardening shaft. Nosing at the flap, he inhaled deeply before pushing it aside.

The whimper escaped Karl's lips as he watched Craig with wide eyes. The younger man could feel his cock twitch as it hardened, and he felt excitement burning in the pit of his belly. "Wh...what are you going to do?" he asked shakily, although he made no move to stop Craig.

"Taste you." Craig's answer was more of a question as he met Karl's eyes, wanting to make sure what he was doing was okay.

Karl's jaw dropped and closed and reopened like a fish, until he was able to make a strangled sound of affirmation. He nodded a couple times, eyes still wide and disbelieving.

Craig's hands spread the fabric of the boxers, his tongue extending to press inside the opening, leaving a wet trail over hot flesh. He gripped Karl's hips, urging him up as he tugged the boxers down. Undulating under Craig's hands, Karl flushed darker as he was exposed to the RA's eyes, but the press and slide of Craig's tongue distracted him. A soft moan was Karl's reply.

When Karl was exposed to his eyes and mouth, Craig smiled before lowering himself and pressing his lips to the head of Karl's cock in a sweet kiss. Lapping at the musky flavor of Karl's arousal, Craig hummed contentedly, opening his mouth to take in more.

The musician laid his head back against the pillow, the sensations ripping through him causing him to shudder. Craig's mouth was absolute sin, and Karl had never felt anything like it. It was so much more intense than when he brought himself off with his own hand. Groaning, Karl unconsciously shifted to lift his hips toward that hot mouth.

Taking Karl into his mouth, Craig moved his mouth up and down the stiff shaft, his saliva slicking as he moved up and down, humming in pleasure. Karl found he couldn't keep quiet. Craig's touch and kiss and tongue were driving him insane. The musician murmured thoughtlessly, how good it felt, how he'd never felt it before, the other man's name escaping on a soft gasp.

Craig's hands touched Karl tentatively, rolling the sac beneath his cock as he suckled at the shaft in his mouth. He wanted to taste Karl...the essence of the other man.

The soft touches were thrilling to Karl, who'd only ever been handled roughly, and he jerked his hips upward as the heat threatened to overwhelm him. "Craig...Craig...I'm gonna...oh Christ..." Karl hissed as he lost control, a loud cry rasping from his throat as his gut contracted and he came into Craig's mouth.

Craig swallowed each wave of Karl's release, stroking the man softly through his climax. When Karl rested bonelessly against the bed, the smaller man pressed one last kiss to the soft flesh of the other man's groin before sitting up and pulling the boxers back into place, smiling sweetly at Karl.

Karl's unfocused eyes rolled and he settled them on Craig, before reaching to take Craig's hand. "I...had no idea. Thank you," he murmured, lifting the other man's fingers to his lips.

Craig petted Karl's lips gently, the smile remaining on his face. "My pleasure," he whispered, eyes large and moist at the emotions that came with the experience.

"Do you...can I..." Karl swallowed, reaching out to Craig. "Can I do something for you?" He wasn't sure what he'd do, but he was willing to try. He loved Craig something awful even if he was too scared to admit it, and he really wanted the RA to feel as good as he felt right now. Karl held out his arms, inviting Craig to curl up next to him. Craig lay down on the bed, cuddling into Karl's welcoming arms. "I like being with you."

A soft smile curved the musician's lips. "I'm glad," he whispered, pulling Craig close and letting his hands rove tentatively, just learning the feel of the RA so close.

Craig remained as still as possible considering what the feel of the soft, gentle hands on his body was doing to him. He purred in enjoyment, closing his eyes as he rolled onto his back, opening his body to Karl's curiosity.

"You like that?" Karl asked, voice a soft rumble as he slid his long fingers over heated skin and muscle, tracing bones and curves.

"Yes," Craig moaned, arching his body into the touch. "I love it when you touch me."

The musician chuckled. "I could just make like you're a piano," he murmured, thrumming his fingers along Craig's ribs.

Craig smiled softly, loving the feel of the hands on him. "I like that..."

"Yeah?" Karl continued to "play", stretching out his fingers and tapping them along Craig's body as if he were the keyboard. Getting brave, Karl's hands strayed lower, to the curls of Craig's groin and inner thigh. "What about that?"

"Virtuoso," Craig moaned, lifting his hips slightly into the touch.

"Is this where it feels best?" Karl asked, stroking and tapping his fingertips along the swollen cock between Craig's legs.

"Mmmmm...like a grand solo...but not..." Half-laughing, Craig clarified, "I mean, you are doing it for me, so it's not a solo performance..."

Curling his fingers around Craig's arousal, Karl started to pull at it slowly. "I don't want to perform this for anyone but you," he said softly, dropping his head to press a kiss against Craig's jaw.

"Good," Craig moaned, half-turning into Karl's touch. "I'm a little possessive," he sighed heavily, breath gusting through his parted lips. He shuddered on the bed, hand gripping at Karl's hip. “Aw, hell. I’m a lot possessive.”

"Possessive?" Karl asked softly, voice full of wonder. "Possessive...of me?"

"Hell yeah," Craig sighed, "I don't want anyone but me to ever touch you again..."

Tightening his hand over Craig's cock as he added a little speed to his stroke, Karl slid his lips to Craig's brow. "I feel the same way," he whispered.

"Good," Craig murmured again, moving closer to Karl's body. "And you can touch me whenever you want..."

Shuddering and hitching his own hip against Craig's, Karl pushed his softened cock against his lover's hip as he pumped Craig more firmly, enjoying the aftershocks. "Will you come like this?" he asked, voice nearly a purr with the satisfaction that his touch could do this to the RA.

"So close already," Craig warned, hips hitching into the warm hand that worked him. "Please - let me come..."

Chuckling almost in awe, Karl grinned. "Let you come? I'm trying to make you come, luv," he said, the endearment crossing his lips easily. He leaned to kiss Craig deeply, their tongues stroking as he continued pushing the RA to the edge. "C'mon," Karl murmured against Craig's swollen lips. "Let me feel you come for me."

Craig's body folded against Karl as he came hard, filling the other man's fist with his release. He moaned into the kiss, tongue stroking and sucking as he rutted against the larger man in the aftershocks of his orgasm.

Karl shivered as he pulled Craig close, kissing him back just as hard, the thrill of feeling the RA's hot seed spilling over his hand just cementing his feelings. Holding on to Karl as if he were his sole hope of surviving, Craig wrapped his arms around the other man's neck, mouthing the words he couldn't say against a sweat-soaked neck.

==

Walking across campus late the next week, Karl was preoccupied. He kept his satchel over one shoulder as he walked with long strides, nose turned over a sheaf of music in his hand, a pencil in the other as he made notes. He would still have been in the studio, except Craig had told him to be home for dinner by 7 - knowing the musician would work all hours without eating unless the RA intervened. Karl smiled slightly for a moment thinking about his lover before he skipped down the steps to pass through the arboretum.

Jeremy watched from a recess in the bricks of the old building as that fag Karl passed by. Thought he was so much better than everyone else...never talking or paying attention. When he'd moved out of the dorm at the end of the last semester, Jeremy figured he had left school. Fancy seeing him here. And entering the private arboretum. He followed a few paces behind. Chuckling evilly, Brad and Justin followed along behind Jeremy. They remembered the fun they had with the shy kid. Jeremy turned, hushing the laughter with a menacing look as he placed a finger over his lips. They moved slowly through the arboretum, following silently until they noticed the area was empty.

Karl had kept walking, using the arboretum as a short cut to get across campus. He was oblivious to what was around him, getting lost again in the music. He did pause at the bottom of the steps to puzzle over a particular passage.

At the pause in Karl's steps, Jeremy wrapped strong arms around him from behind, pushing him face first against the wall. "Well, well - liked us enough to give us another shot, huh?"

Caught by surprise, the music hit the concrete, papers scattering as Karl gasped at the pain as he hit the wall, nearly face first. He turned his chin, fear curling inside him as he saw the three football players behind him. "Let me go, Bosworth," Karl said, trying to keep his voice even.

"I don't think I feel like letting you go," Jeremy gritted through his teeth as anger over this homo's ... gall ... to tell him what to do surfaced. "I think that I might like another go at you, boy."

Bile rose in Karl's throat as the other two laughed darkly, one even pulling off his jacket. "Don't do this," he said, pushing against Bosworth's much bigger hands. The musician knew there was no way he could fight the football player off - but he could run if he could get loose...

"Why not?" The huge man huffed humorlessly. "Justin and Brad would like a little more of your attention as well..." He hooked a hand in the back of the smaller man's jeans, dragging him roughly along the wall.

Getting panicked, Karl's hands scrabbled at the end of the wall, trying to hold himself at the bottom of the steps. He couldn't let this happen - not again. But he couldn't keep Bosworth from dragging him deeper into the lonely arboretum. Clearing his throat, he did the one thing he'd never done when attacked before. Karl drew in a deep breath and screamed for help as he felt two more sets of hands touch him.

A passing security guard heard the sounds of struggle deep in the arboretum. He snuck down the stairs, surprising the group of football players as he shined a bright flashlight at them, catching them in the act of attacking another student. "Boz?" he asked, standing dumbfounded as the three boys rushed off, leaving a shaking, gasping man at the base of the stairs.

Falling to his knees in fright and relief, Karl wrapped his arms around himself, leaning against the concrete and breathing harshly, trying to stave off the tears at the near miss. When the guard approached, the musician cringed. "Please...call Craig Parker in Hensley Building..." he asked hoarsely.

The security guard radioed the request into the main hub and was told that the other man was on his way. He knelt near the student. "You're all right," he whispered, hoping to calm the man. "They can't hurt you. We should file a report about this..."

Karl laughed harshly, but didn't say anything, instead curling tighter into himself, pressing against the concrete. His eyes, nearly wild, focused on the sheet paper blowing across the arboretum.

"If we report this, they'll be dismissed...they can't bother you if they're not here," the guard promised in a hopeful tone. Seeing the young man's eyes lose focus, following blowing paper around the area, he stepped away, picking up the loose papers. He had retrieved the sheets of what appeared to be music just as another man ran down the steps, hurrying to the victim at once.

Craig stepped down into the dim lighting of the area, afraid of what he'd find. Karl was huddled on the pavement, and the older man went straight to him, almost afraid of what had happened here. "Karl? It's me...talk to me, baby..."

The musician uncurled and clung to Craig right away, burying his face in the RA's shoulder, beginning to shake all over as he let the terror wash through him. It was all Karl could do to keep from hyperventilating at that point.

Craig's arms tightened around Karl's shaking frame, and he lowered himself to the floor, rocking the other man slowly in his arms. "Ssshhh...it's okay - I'm here... I'll protect you..."

"Craig..." Karl got out in a choked voice, throat clogged with tears. "It was them...they were going to...again..."

Glancing at the security guard, who had kept his distance, Craig lowered his voice to a whisper. "If they ever touch you again, I swear...I don't know what I'll do to them, but it will be painful and life-altering." He caressed Karl's back, still rocking him. "I'll see that they are nowhere near you as long as we're together..."

Clutching at his lover, Karl cried like he'd never let himself before, all the pain and fear draining out, only stopping when the EMTs arrived to check him over. But he wouldn't let Craig go, and he refused to go to the hospital, insisting they hadn't done anything...this time...although they'd certainly intended to.

"Can I take him home?" the RA asked the paramedics, stroking the fingers that clutched his. As he was given permission, Craig looked down into Karl's eyes. "Maybe we should think of getting our own place. I hate the thought of taking you back to the house..." Getting an idea, he pulled his mobile out and called David, arranging for the redhead to have the house locked up. He'd bring Karl in the back way to avoid any unnecessary attention.

"But I like the house," Karl said faintly, hating the whiny sound coming from him. But he was so shaky he could barely stand, even with Craig's help. "Oh...my music..." he gasped, turning to look on the ground for the sheets that were scattered.

The security guard stepped forward just then, handing the young musician his notes. "I'll have a report for you to sign in a few days, Mr. Urban. Right now I want you to go home and get some rest." Having written his report from the story the young man had given the medics, he tucked his clipboard under his arm.

"Thank you," Karl murmured, accepting the sheets of paper. "I'm very glad you were nearby," he said, voice nearly breaking again.

"I am, too," the guard answered, hating to see anyone be so traumatized by such an act. Turning toward Craig, he added, "Take care of him. Don't let him be out alone until you hear from the department. We don't want to risk another attack." Craig nodded, holding Karl tight to him.

"Let's get out of here," Karl said quietly, leaning heavily on Craig.

Craig nodded, squeezing the other man close to him for just a second before leading him out into the relative light of the street. They walked briskly, not wanting to encounter more people than was necessary. Finally, they stepped through the back door of the house, locking it behind them. Craig took Karl straight to his room, double locking the door as they entered.

Karl sat on the bed as Craig locked the door to his room. He just stared at the floor, in shock, he supposed, unable to really focus on anything except what had almost happened.

Leaning against the door, Craig watched Karl with worried eyes. The younger man had been so quiet on the way back to the house, making Craig wonder exactly how the attack would affect him. He moved closer slowly, pulling a chair from Karl's desk and sitting close by.

It was some time before Karl looked up at the Craig, the fear and vulnerability clear in his eyes. "Why, Craig?" he whispered, although he knew the RA wouldn't have an answer.

Craig shrugged. "Because they're arses? Jerks?" He dared reach across and touch Karl's hand. "They're not half the man you are."

At the gentle touch, Karl's face crumpled. "I didn't want that...I didn't want them. But they wouldn't stop," he said hoarsely, wrapping his arms around his middle.

Heart breaking at the apparent anguish of the other man, a tear slipped from Craig's eyes as his fingers slid away from Karl's hand. "I know you didn't want it. Nobody wants that..."

Karl struggled with his emotions, almost coughing through the choked sobs, before he looked up, eyes glittering with tears. "Do...do you still..." he dropped his head, unable to even ask. He felt like utter dirt after the football players had attacked him again, and he had no doubt Craig must think the same. But he had hoped...maybe...

Hearing the unspoken question in Karl's words, Craig moved immediately to the bed, pulling Karl's shaking frame into his arms. "I love you more than ever. You stood up to those guys..."

With a broken cry, Karl burrowed into Craig's arms, burying his face against his lover's shoulder. "I didn't want them...I don't! I love *you*..." he rasped between the despairing cries wrenching from him.

Craig held the sobbing man until the sounds began to quiet. He then laid both of them back on the bed, holding Karl protectively against his body. "Oh baby..."

Curling up close, Karl held Craig tight, unwilling to let go. Finally, he drew calmer breaths. "I lost my music," he murmured distantly.

"The guard saved it," Craig reassured Karl, running his hand soothingly over his back. "It's on your desk. I think it's all there."

Overwrought, Karl actually laughed, a little on edge, then it subsided and he burrowed close. "Just hold me?" he asked quietly.

"Always," the older man promised, pulling Karl just a bit tighter. "Always." He repeated, his voice thick with emotion.

==

The musician continued to play, his hands floating over the keys in a romantic tune, a smile pulling at his lips. He finished with a flourish, looking up at his sole listener with twinkling eyes, the smile finally breaking free.

Craig mimicked a golf-clap, watching Karl with fond eyes. “Bravo… Excellent performance, Maestro,” he smiled, stepping closer to the piano that had sat in the front room since the younger musician had moved into the house over a year before.

Karl stood from the bench and sketched a half-bow. “My first totally original composition. I’m glad you like it.”

“It’s one of the best works I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to.” Stepping closer, Craig slid an arm around Karl’s waist. “What inspired you?”

Leaning down, the musician kissed Craig lightly. “My love for you,” he said quietly.

A light blush stained Craig’s cheeks. “I inspired that?” He buried his face against Karl’s neck.

“Yeah,” Karl confirmed, closing his arms around the man who had become the center of his life.

In the months since the attack, the student had valued Craig’s support so much. With the RA’s help, he had seen his attackers prosecuted and expelled; he went through counseling and learned to carry on his life. As far as he was concerned, Karl would keep Craig in that life.

“So, I thought you might want some warning before you saw the dedication of it printed in my recital program tonight,” Karl murmured.

Craig’s eyes widened and a smile spread across his face. “Have I told you lately that I’m so proud of you? Or that I love you?”

And he was. Karl had done exceptionally in the last few months, overcoming his shyness and fear to become confident and poised in most situations, even outside performance. It was a rare situation that brought out the quiet and frightened Karl these days.

When the more demure personality made itself known, Craig made sure to reassure and love him, the same as he loved the ‘new’ Karl.

Karl grinned and hugged Craig close. “Now that is music to my ears,” he said.

*****