Charlie went down the stairs casually, looking around a little more warily than usual. Turning the corner into the kitchen, he was quickly shoved against the wall, a rough and stubbly mouth coming over his own, biting into his lip. He heard Sawyer murmur 'mine' hard before shoving him into the wall again. It hurt, and not the good kind of hurt. He squealed and winced. "Shit, Sawyer..."

Liam felt weird. It felt like he was betraying Charlie when he thought about Karen. It wasn't easy to live the way he did right now. And yet, Charlie made it so easy to fall for him again and again. Liam hoped that there would be no problems now. He hurried in the shower, he couldn't take too long, it would be suspicious, wouldn't it?

Charlie pushed against Sawyer, but Charlie only weighed 120 lbs at most right now, Sawyer clearly overweighing him. "Sawyer, shit, stop!" He said, trying to raise his knee to warn the bigger man off. The older man just reached down and bit Charlie's neck hard, harder than usual, still chanting 'mine' in his ear.

Liam felt the spray calm him down. Calm him down from the overwhelming orgasm, the overwhelming sex with Charlie he just had. But also Calm him down from his fear of Karen. He was still pretty concerned about the situation, but he wasn't that nervous anymore that he wouldn't be able to talk himself somehow out of the situation.

Sawyer grabbed Charlie by the neck in one hand and the ear in the other, dragging him to the couch. He whispered things in his ear about how hard his brother had fucked him, if he'd begged for it, etc, etc, as he threw Charlie hard against the cushions, wasting no time in tearing off his shirt and sitting across his lap. Charlie would readily admit it now. He was scared.

Liam stepped out of the shower, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Then he went outside to go back to his own room to get some fresh clothes. It was quiet outside. No Karen arguing with Charlie about what just had happened. No Meghan trying to get Charlie to play with her. For Liam's taste it was too quiet. He hurried into his room, threw on some jeans and grabbed a t-shirt which he pulled over while going downstairs.

Charlie heard his brother coming, and immediately felt Sawyer's touch roughen incredibly. He yelped, a tear squeezed out, before he faked a look of pleasure, not wanting Liam to become alarmed. "Sawyer, please, fuck please stop."

Liam's heart sank as he heard Charlie moan Sawyer's name. So it hadn't been Karen who came home. But Liam wasn't sure if he liked it better that it was Sawyer. There was no doubt Sawyer was pretty jealous, but how far would he go? Liam tried to stay as casual as possible as he went into the living room. "Hey there Sawyer."

Sawyer didn't even seem to notice Liam entering the room, but Charlie did. He closed his eyes, trying not to look too much in pain, but it felt like every bone in his body was breaking, his heart too. Everything hurt, and this was no longer fun. It never really was.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I think it's not my place to be here." Liam stated but didn't move to leave. Sawyer wasn't the only jealous person. Liam's heart hurt every time he saw the two of them together.

Charlie winced again, this time as Sawyer bit deeply into his chest, obviously angered at Liam's presence. Next thing Charlie knew, Sawyer had grabbed his ear again, pulling him to a standing position.

Liam watched in growing aggression. This didn't look like anything much but pain anymore. "Sawyer fucking leave him alone!" He hissed behind clenched teeth. "Stop it man, you fucking hurt him!"

Charlie stepped back out of Sawyers grasp, ignoring his angered glare. "Stop, Sawyer." Sawyer's eyes suddenly softened, and his head hung, before he went limply to Charlie, who hugged him softly. Sawyer whispered 'I'm sorry' into Charlie ear, and Charlie met eyes with Liam.

As Liam and Charlie met eyes, Liam knew he still was full of hate, aggression, anger against Sawyer, and it would clearly be shown by his eyes. But there was also concern about Charlie and his well-being. "I'm sorry!" He whispered, nearly only mouthed, before he turned around and left, heading upstairs.

Charlie hugged Sawyer tight for a few minutes, before pushing him gently away and saying that he needed to speak to his brother. When Sawyer looked to try to stop him, Charlie just glared, and Sawyer quieted a little. Slowly, Charlie went up the stairs.

Liam sat on his bed guitar in hands, playing. He hadn't done that a lot back in the days of his band life, but when he had made it through the therapy, when he was clean he did it more often and during the time when he had thought Charlie was dead he had done it every day trying to keep his memories of his brother alive this way. The songs he played most of the time were Help! by his brothers favorite band The Beatles and the other was their song they never really finished together.

Charlie walked in to see his brother playing, smiling at the sight. He sat down on the floor of the bedroom, watching strong hands pluck the strings carefully. "You ok, Liam?" He said carefully, not quite sure how to phrase the question.

Liam hadn't really want Charlie to find him like that. He would have liked it better if Charlie hadn't come. But on the other hand he loved having him around. Liam shrugged. He didn't know what he should tell Charlie.

Charlie waited for Liam to speak, but when he realized it wasn't coming, he just started singing with the songs. He knew he didn't have the best voice, but he knew that his voice had purpose. That’s what he was aiming for.

Something inside Liam wanted to stop playing, throw his guitar away and ran away. Charlie was so... so... well, he knew what he did. Which was kind of scary, but not surprising. He had known Liam all his life. Liam didn't stop, he would let Charlie win this. "Charlie... I think, I should... we should stop it. He's madly jealous and I'm risking everything I have. It's fucking hard to say this. It'll be hard. I think I don't even mean it, but, I feel guilty when he hurts you and he does it because of me, we both know that. I'm... I don't know what to do anymore. And just today, I don't know what to do about anything!"

Charlie was the sensible one. But when he was around Liam... things got skewed. He knew that they shouldn't keep doing this thing. He knew it. But he wanted it. He both really wanted it and really didn't. It confused the hell out of him. He pulled the guitar from Liam so that he didn't have something to distract himself with, and met his gaze. "Do you want to stop this? Not do you think we should, not that you think its right, do you want it?"

Liam looked at his brother for some long moment before he swallowed hard and shook his head no. He didn't want it and, also, he was sure he couldn't. "I want him to stop hurting you. Why you anyway? Why doesn't he just kill me?"

"Haven’t you noticed? You’re the lucky one of us." Charlie joked, coming to sit next to his brother, holding his hands. "Sawyer doesn't do it to abuse me, per say, he just doesn't want anyone else to be in charge. Yeah, it hurts, and I don't always like it, but if he feels his power slip, he's going to do what he can to get it back. I don't have to like it, its part of the relationship."

Liam looked at Charlie trying to smile and accept what he just was told. "Well. But, if he's ever going to do you any serious harm he's a dead man!" He leaned in to peck Charlie on the forehead, then got up. "Let's go downstairs, I think I heard Karen's car."

Charlie shook his head. "I think I'll stay up here for a bit. Would you tell Sawyer to come up? I think I own him one." He said a bit resignedly. He was tired. It didn't really matter though. All that mattered was that things were ok again.

Liam nodded. "Sure. But, you okay? You look knackered." Liam began. But he knew Charlie wouldn't really care, but do what he was expected to. And Sawyer would expect him mow to do whatever he -Sawyer- wanted him to do. "I’ll see you later baby brother." He said with a slight smile. Then he went out of the room, just in time with Meghan opening the front door and letting everyone know she was back.

Charlie sat back and waited on his bed. The sheets were dry now, thank god. Slowly, slowly he felt himself drift off, thinking about the future and Liam's new baby, and where he'd be then. He dozed for a couple of minutes, absolutely exhausted.

Liam went downstairs, picking Meghan up on his arm, and peeked into the living room to tell Sawyer Charlie was waiting for him. Then he welcomed his wife with a kiss and went outside to help her to unload the car, still carrying his daughter. "Go play, love" he told her putting her down after they had everything inside and Liam saw Karen standing at the kitchen table reading the letter of doom. Meghan ran off and Liam went to Karen. "Guess we need a talk." He simply said before sitting down.

Charlie woke up as Sawyer sat on the bed, caressing his arm much more softly than was normal for the man. "I'm sorry." Charlie whispered. "We never really plan it, it just happens. And I'm not going to lie and say I don't enjoy it, but I just can't help it." He said resignedly. But to his surprise he found very soft lips against his own, and a gentle touch lulling him back into relaxation. He smiled as Sawyer curled around him and whispered for him to sleep, quickly taking a look up to the heavens before letting his eyes slip close.

Liam felt like six years back, telling Karen he didn't feel ready for a child, or another child in this case. But maybe Karen was right, he was a good dad for his Meghan and he would be a good dad for another child as well. And Karen knew exactly how to get Liam; He wouldn't have accepted it if she had told him beforehand that she wanted another one, but if she was already pregnant by the time he would learn it, he couldn't get himself to really say no.

Charlie woke up to lips on his shoulder, smiling. He opened his eyes to meet Sawyer's smokey gaze, wrapping an arm around Sawyer's neck. He pulled his mouth softly to his own, kissing him gently. "We should make them dinner..." He mumbled. He then took the time to explain what had happened with him and Liam, starting with the letter.

Liam and Karen had gone over to the living room, and Liam had his head on Karen's lap. He had agreed - as he could have known earlier he would - but still everything was spinning in his head. He was that confused by so much today he nearly had told Karen he couldn't support this new pregnancy because of his lifestyle, because of his 'double-life'. But he hadn't.

Charlie rolled over to be on top of Sawyer, a position he never assumed and was glad to take advantage of now that Sawyer's demeanor had changed dramatically. He didn't know what it was that changed him, or if it was permanent, but he liked it. He fastened his lips to his lover's neck, slowly setting to drive him wild with his tongue.

Liam enjoyed having his head caressed by his wife. It seemed like ages that they had that much intimacy. Both of them had been at work the whole week, and when Liam had had time, he had spent it with his brother. And when he had finally gone to his bed, Karen had already been asleep. He turned his head slightly and kissed her belly. "I love you Karen."

Charlie suddenly felt reenergized, like he hadn't just had sex what, 4 hours ago? less, probably. All he wanted was Sawyer, this sweet, calmer version of Sawyer, that he wasn't afraid around. He let himself take control, through everything from undressing his lover to deciding the position. He worried that Meghan or Karen would come in or hear, but really, that wasn't a big deal to him right now.

Liam smiled when Karen kissed his forehead telling him that was not the right time - and regarding they had Charlie and Sawyer living here now, not the right place either - and they'd better prepare meal. "You know love, you're too reasonable. I'm sure Charlie and Sawyer don't care about meal right now!" Karen laughed when she told him they still had a little hungry daughter.

Charlie moaned softly into Sawyer's welcoming mouth, finally allowing himself to be turned over. "Fuck me hard." He whispered, but Sawyer just placed a gentle kiss on his shoulder, instead saying something along the lines of 'taking care of him'

"She knows how to get a yogurt out of the fridge, doesn't she?" Liam grinned but got some funny look in return and an ironic slap on the cheek. "Okay, okay, I'll go make it." he gave in. He kissed her belly again before getting up and being told his fans would never have thought he was that domestic.

They rocked against each other, and the bed hitting against the wall, making an obscene sound, a sound that defined sex. But Charlie really didn't care, he was way to far in bliss. He was hot all over, Sawyer's body covering him, driving him mad.

"It's all your fault." Liam stated jokingly and was told - by a laughing Karen - to finally move his ass to make them dinner. "What d'you want for dinner?" he asked already halfway in the kitchen. He nearly jumped in surprise when a squeaky voice behind him told him to make some Chili.

They finished quickly, Sawyer being tired from the gym and Charlie already being spent once today. They curled together, exhausted and sticky, when Charlie suggested a shower was in order before dinner. It was too late for them to cook for the married couple and Meghan, but at least they could appear decent.

Liam bit his lip hard when Meghan asked if she should go get her uncle and his friend, or her uncles as she put it. "No, it's okay, love. They'll come if they're hungry. But you could help your mummy prepare the table."

15 minutes later, the two dashed down the stairs, looking childish and of course, wet. They both laughed, looking around at the set table and the happy family sitting around it. "How's everyone on this fine day?" Charlie said cheekily, sitting down.

Liam smiled at his brother. "I'd say we're pretty fine," he stated "Aren't we, Hon?" he asked his wife pecking her on the cheek. Karen grinned saying something about one only had to know how to convince Liam that he liked an idea. Liam looked at Charlie making a face and shrugging.

Charlie smiled, a true, cheeky monkey smile, happy to see his brother in a good mood. There would be hard times to come in the future no doubt, but things were starting to even out, at least for now. He dropped his hand under the table to first pat Liam's knee, then hold Sawyer's hand. He then spoke in his childish voice to Meghan. "I bet you made this food all by yourself, didn't you? You're going to be the next Wolfgang Puck!" He teased, sticking his tongue out at her. Resilience. That’s all it’s really about.

Meghan looked at her uncle in bewilderment telling him he was weird, she wasn't a baby whom he needed to talk to in a childish voice and that it was her dad who had made the food. "You can't fool that smart little lady Charlie." Meghan interfered again telling Charlie she was a girl anyway she couldn't be a Wolfgang.

Charlie made a slight pardoning head nod, excusing his bad manners, as he started finishing off his plate. Sawyer laughed and jostled him, complimenting Liam on the food. Charlie smiled, pretend blushing, like he was embarrassed to be told off by a youngster

"No big deal." Liam commented on the food, but was still proud to get a compliment from Sawyer. Liam was glad the mood at the moment was that casual. Only few hours earlier he would have thought about blood and thunder when all of them would get together. Meghan was giggling like mad, proud to be smarter than her uncle - as her daddy had said. Liam was happy she got along with their new "flat mates" that well.

Charlie finished his food quickly (He was famished, after all) and started to clear the table. "Meghan, would you like to go to the park after this? Give your mummy and Da some time to talk amongst other things, hm? I'll buy you some ice cream!" He said, to which she nodded feverantly. He cleared the plates before running behind her and swooping her out of her chair, throwing her on his still tragically thin and frail back, and trotting off, Sawyer following slowly behind.

Liam watched the three leaving, then turned to Karen smiling. "Well?" Karen grinned back, only to serious again quite quickly, asking - or rather more stating - if Charlie knew what was going on. "He's my brother Karen, he was the only one at home when I sat here, reading that letter not knowing what to do anymore. How wouldn't he know?" He was silenced by soft lips on his. Karen smiled at him lovingly reminding him that he was lucky to have a brother like Charlie.

Charlie ran the best he could with Meghan on his back, but soon, he began to hurt, so Sawyer took over the girl. He threw her over his shoulder like a potato sack, twirling her around and bouncing her until they got to the park, where she squealed to be let down. Charlie chased her to the swings, giving her a big push on one of them. Sawyer came from behind to wrap his arms around Charlie, kissing his neck. It almost made Charlie feel like Meghan was his own kid, not Liam’s. It made him feel like he finally had a family.

Liam got up to come to stand behind Karen. He put his arms losely around her neck and kissed her on the hair. "So? We gonna take advantage of the vacated house?" he asked cheekily. He pretended to pout when Karen accused him of being a typical man. But she got up as well leading the way up to their room. Liam felt slightly weird. Since Charlie was back, this really was the first time again he'd be having sex with his wife. Liam hoped that he wouldn't end up thinking of Charlie.

Charlie leaned back against Sawyer, smiling to himself. He turned his head to kiss Sawyer gently, whispering "You know what my brother is doing right now, don't you?" Which caused the older man to laugh. He nodded though, and pushed his hips against Charlie's, saying that he should keep pushing the little lady on the swing.

Liam rolled himself off Karen, spent and exhausted. He snuggled against her kissing her still sweaty and hot body. He wanted to protest when Karen claimed he was getting old and being exhausted more quickly, but he thought better of it and he was too knackered to protest and to excuse himself.

Charlie sat down on a park bench, watching Sawyer and his niece play in the sandbox, his tired body sinking against the hard wooden planks. Viewing over the scene, he felt he couldn't take the smile off his face. This was life. This was what he wanted so badly to come back to. This and performing. This sweet smelling air, the smile on his nieces face, the simplicities of life. This was how he knew he wasn't lost anymore.