Broadway Cherish

Tess O-Meter -- Green.

You can dip in and out of this unexpected series, but for a richer read and character development they are best when read in the order of writing.

Therefore, I would suggest, if you enjoy this, then go back to the beginning.

Correct order is, Broadway Lust Story, Broadway Love Story, Broadway Luck Story, Broadway Beginnings, Broadway Bust, Broadway to Vegas, Broadway Betrayal, Broadway Battle, Broadway Break, Broadway Threat, Broadway Baby, Broadway Darling, Broadway Moves, Broadway Fantasy, and Broadway Cherish.

-X

Ty woke slowly.

Unusually, he wasn't buried under the covers. Of course, being early August in New York City, even with their superior air-con, he may have suffocated had he done so.

He yawned and started to shift. Pausing when he realised something both velvety soft and rock hard was digging into his ass.

Hmmmm?

He snuggled back a little and heard Tony whimper in his sleep. The arms locked around him tightened in automatic reflex.

He wriggled again and squeezed Tony's wrist.

Tony hips started to rock, even before his eyes opened. "That you, Ty?"

"I certainly hope so."

"Hummm." With sudden alertness, Tony shoved Ty onto his stomach and sprawled on top of him. Kissing his neck and shoulders, while humping his backside. "Think this ass needs to be fucked, babe."

Ty simply turned his head on the pillow and sent a seductive smoulder over his shoulder.

Tony leaned over to the cabinet and grabbed lube.

"Hold on," Ty asked, and grabbed a pillow to put under his tummy and hips, before relaxing back down. "Go for it," he murmured, still a little sleepy.

"Your wish," Tony muttered as he dribbled lube over Ty's ass and his own fingers, quickly working towards penetration.

A few short minutes later, Ty was incoherent groans and begging, as Tony eased carefully into him.

He let Ty take his weight and linked their fingers as he started to thrust. "God, you feel good."

"You. Good, yea," Ty managed.

The air filled with slapping flesh and gasped grunts, until Ty started to struggle. "Need."

"I've got you."

Tony moved back, pulling Ty with him and staying inside him.

Ty gained his knees and trusted Tony to hold him as he grabbed his cock and frantically fucked his fist. "Need to. Fuck. Cumming."

"Let me see it, babe."

Ty yelled and spurted over his hand and the sheet (pillow included), even as Tony sped up a little and flooded into him in several deep thrusts.

They collapsed side by side, giggling and breathing heavily.

"Good morning to you, too," Ty eventually gasped.

-X

Just over an hour later they knocked on Frank and Cal's door, having been invited for breakfast.

"Are we late?" Tony worried.

"Only five minutes. They'll probably assume we were giving each other blow jobs in the shower."

"We were giving each other blow jobs in the shower," Tony smirked, then jumped and blushed when Cal opened the door. "Oh, hey, Cal."

"You seem surprised to see me?"

"No."

"I do live here."

"No, just," Tony flushed deeper. "You opened the door faster than I expected."

Ty rolled his eyes as Cal lifted a brow and beckoned them in.

"Morning," Frank called and accepted a hug from Ty. He frowned as Tony walked over. "You okay, handsome? You look hot."

"Fine," Tony winced.

"Ohhhhh," Frank commented with a knowing smirk.

Ty had already shaken hands with another guest. Surprised to see H.J. and his wife, who he moved to now for cheek kisses and a quick hug. "Hey, Mrs O'Malley."

"Susan, please. How are you?"

"Good, thanks. You?"

She nodded, but there was something in her expression and Ty turned to check on Tony, a sudden wave of concern flooding through him.

Tony was stood looking at H.J. His eyes already damp and devasted.

Ty felt his heart sink as H.J. pulled Tony in. "Hey, it's okay, kid. Come on, it's okay."

"Oh no, H.J?"

"Shhh, Hush." H.J. cradled Tony and looked over at Ty.

"You're sick again?"

"Starting chemo tomorrow," H.J. told him, then hushed Tony again as he sobbed.

Frank stood close, a sorrowful expression on his face, a hand rubbing up and down Tony's back. "H.J. wanted to tell Tony face to face."

"I'm so sorry," Ty wrapped an arm around Susan. "What can we do?"

"Yea, God." Tony pulled upright and scrubbed at his face. "God, I'm so sorry. I'm a selfish bastard, this isn't about me. What can we do?"

"HEY!" H.J.'s tone was sharp and Tony blinked damp eyes as his face was captured in rough hands. "Of course it's about you. It's about both of us, and it's okay to be scared. I'm gonna lean on you, Tony. But you can lean on me as well, always, you know that."

"H.J. I'm so sorry."

H.J. and Frank eased Tony on to a stool, and Ty moved around to sit close, gratefully cupping a coffee that Cal passed him.

"Tony," H.J. began. "I knew this day would come. I've had eighteen years, that's a good run. But I know what to expect this time and I'll get through it. You know I've kept as fit and strong as I can, ready for this next fight."

"You're also eighteen years older, H.J. The fatigue will be worse." Ty spoke gently.

"Yea, we were just talking about that when you arrived."

"I suggested that Yoga program you developed to help Tony get strong again. It may help H.J." Frank suggested.

"We can do that," Ty said immediately. "Adapt it for you. Whatever you need."

"Thanks, Ty. I'm gonna lean hard on Tony. So he's gonna need to lean hard on you."

"I'm good for it," Ty said quickly and gained a kiss from a calming Tony.

"I hate that you both have this hanging over you," Frank said. Referring to the rare form of leukaemia both H.J. and Tony had been diagnosed with, and were both in (for want of a better word) remission from. Well, up until now. "But H.J.'s right. It can be beaten, we know that."

Tony placed his coffee down and straightened his shoulders. "You're right. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall apart. You're gonna kick chemo's ass."

H.J. clasped the hand Tony held up. "Fuck yea. But Tony. I wanted to see you because I knew it would be a shock. No one expects you to be good with it."

"No, and I appreciate it, but I'm okay. I can be there for you. I want to be."

Susan caught Ty's eye and he gave her a wobbly smile. Tony never failed to make him proud.

-X

It was a lighter mood that saw them waving H.J. and Susan off, and hanging around for more of Cal's delicious coffee.

Frank, who was slumming it in sweats, wandered over to the couch and sat in the middle. Coughing discreetly and nodding at Tony and Ty. Who taking the hint, immediately curled up either side of the large man and snuggled in.

"There's my boys," Frank kissed both their heads, just like a mom.

"I wish you weren't so toned, Frank. You're not exactly cuddly," Ty complained, patting Frank's chest. But it was nice to be held. At six-two, not many people made Ty feel cossetted, but Frank managed it.

"Quit complaining," was Frank's response. Tony getting an extra smooch in retaliation. At a fit but slender five-ten/eleven (accounts vary), Tony was snuggled right in.

"And he is super cuddly," Cal confirmed with a leer, sitting opposite.

Ty just smiled and took comfort.

"I'm glad H.J. is taking the time away from work," Tony mumbled. His eyes closed as Frank's fingers massaged his hair. "It's great he has such good support."

"He knows it will be harder this time. From an energy point of view, I mean," Cal clarified when Tony shot him a concerned look. "Like you said, Ty. He's eighteen years older this time round."

"We'll help him through it," Ty said strongly. "I remember he talked Tony through some really dark stuff. Now it's our turn."

"So proud of both of you," Frank told them, and made Ty's throat clog.

Cal leaned forward. "Guys. I want you both to consider counselling. This is throwing something in your face that you probably avoid thinking about most of the time. If you are supporting H.J. then you need to be supported as well."

Ty frowned, but it was Tony who spoke.

"I already thought about that. But our friend, Sarah. We can touch base with her."

"You're more comfortable with her?" Cal asked, and smiled when Tony nodded. "Okay then."

They left Frank and Cal to their day, having made plans to meet later.

"We have the night off, we need to do something fun," Frank insisted. "Leave it with me."

After a long run, second shower, and some fooling around that turned into a nap. Tony and Ty presented themselves back at Frank's door later that evening.

This time Frank opened the door with a flourish. Displaying a dark red knee length dress. Fantastic legs. Strappy sandals with five inch heels, and a chin length sassy black bob.

"Whoa, are we underdressed?" Ty wondered.

"No, you both look gorgeous," Frank insisted, giving them both a kiss and a tissue (to wipe away the lipstick). "You ready, my love?"

Cal wandered out in slacks and a button down.

"Always ready for you."

"Charmer."

They trapsed down the stairs, surprised when Frank headed down the sidewalk instead of a cab.

"We walking, Frank?"

"We are. That's why I wore my nearly flats," Frank kicked up a sparkly heel and made Tony laugh. Then he twirled, letting the dress flare out, and gave them both a big grin. "Karaoke, kids."

"We're going to 'Betters'?" Ty asked and grinned at the nod. "Perfect."

-X

"We needed cheering up," Tony said, as Connor passed over his beer. "And where better than 'Betters'?"

"I'll be cheery as well, once it gets out you're here tonight," Connor grinned, but tapped Tony's wrist lightly. "Everything okay?"

"It will be," Tony's smiled widened when Frank gave him a sideways hug. "It absolutely will be." Tony and Frank clinked their glasses.

They applauded the enthusiastic pair who had done a decent job on 'Sweet Caroline'.

Erin, who was in charge of the karaoke machine, caught Tony's eye and he nodded. Grabbing Ty's hand, he slipped from the stool as Erin introduced 'Tony' to loud cheers.

"What?" Ty, pulled back.

"Come sing with me."

"What? No, sing with Frank."

Tony turned, his hazel eyes wide and sad, his lips a little pouty and just a hint of a tremble. Frank hid a chuckle in his glass.

"Oh for fucks sake!"

"Please."

Grumbling, Ty let himself be pulled from the stool and the cheers increased.

"Can Ty sing? I've never heard Ty sing?" Frank was intrigued.

"He must," Cal said. "He used to be a swing."

"I saw Ty go on as Skimbleshanks once," Dave told them. Laughing at their amazed faces. "Obviously I didn't know him then, but his name is unusual. I've thought about asking him to sign my playbill?"

"I love that," Frank clapped with delight. "You should ask him. He'll be horribly embarrassed."

"Oh well," Dave shook his head and moved to take an order, while keeping half an eye on the small stage.

Tony and Erin had been crowding the machine, then she handed Ty a second microphone and moved back. Ty looked at the screen and pulled a face.

"Really?" he asked a grinning Tony.

"Yep."

"You're starting then. I don't remember how it goes."

"Shall we get closer?" Aydin suggested, and he and Luc scampered forward. Ben waved his phone at Connor and followed them.

Connor frowned as the music started, not placing it, but Frank nodded and leaned into Cal's arms to watch.

Tony's un-warmed voice smoothed effortlessly over 'In Whatever Time We Have'. Ty still smirking slightly at his choice, but the crowd was lapping it up.

When Ty's pleasant and confident tenor joined Tony, Frank sat up straight an indignant look on his face. "He can really sing," he whispered.

"Not bad at all," Cal nodded at Dave who smiled back.

At the front of the crowd, all swaying with dreamy eyes, Luc and Aydin stood with their arms around each other's waists as Ben stood aside and filmed.

It was so beautiful watching Tony and Ty sing to each other, their eyes seeing no one else.

When Ty sang the line about holding Tony's hand giving him courage, while linking their fingers, no one could fail to hear the emotion in his voice.

Tony smiled and stepped into Ty's space. Keeping their fingers linked, and slipping his free hand around to cup Ty's ass and bring him close. They were chest to chest, groin to groin, sharing Ty's mic as they finished the song, not even air between them.

Then the whole pub exploded in whoops and whistles as Ty laughed, cupped Tony's face, and pulled him to his toes for a long kiss.

"Oh," Luc exclaimed, unashamedly wiping his cheeks. "That was wonderful."

"Beautiful to be sure," Aydin agreed, looking at Ben.

"Got it," Ben nodded. Meaning a recording for the pub, and no doubt 'Engagement's', social media posts.

Luc and Aydin clapped some more as Tony and Ty looked around grinning. Too excited to notice when the room hushed.

Ty lifted the mic again. "Uh, Luc. Maybe you wanna turn round, cutie?"

A ripple of laughter went around the room and he shot them a puzzled look as he turned.

Aydin turned as well, gasping, his hands flying to his mouth.

Luc's legs went numb as he took in the room. The crowd had moved to make a circle and create an open space. On one knee, grinning and holding up a small box, was Connor.

Luc, his already cheeks wet, managed to take a shaky step forward. His heart was pounding. He rubbed his chest and stopped again, looking from Connor to the box.

"How about it, kid?" Connor suggested, waggling the box a little.

That snapped Luc out of his trance. He glared, slapping his hands to his hips. "Ask me properly, Con. That's nowhere near good enough."

There was a quiet, "Hear, hear," from Mrs Wilder, and Connor laughed.

Then. "Will you. Luciano Marc Giotto. Do me the honour of becoming my husband. Share my life. Take my vow. Be mine?" He spoke with quiet sincerity, his eyes full of love.

Undone, Luc wiped his cheeks and nodded. Managing only, "Yes. Si. Yes," as he flung himself into Connor's arms and wrapped around him.

Aydin rescued the box as Connor fumbled it, and was grateful for Ben's arms around him, as everyone cheered and watched the two men clinging to each other.

More cheers, as Connor gained his feet, boosting Luc a little and nodding thanks at a patron who braced him. Then, with Luc's legs still wrapped around his waist he dived into a deep but tender kiss. Smiling against Luc's lips as he felt hands tangle in his hair.

Finally, the room hushed again as they broke apart, Connor grinning at Luc. "You said yes."

In reply Luc tucked his nose into Connor's neck, abruptly and unusually shy.

Connor boosted him again, then walked over and sat him on the bar, looking around for Aydin, who hurried over with the rings. That seemed to bring Luc back to himself a little, as he mumbled, "Oh my God. Oh my God."

Connor took the rings, leaving Aydin with the box, and lifted Luc's hand. "May I?"

"Please."

With another sweet kiss, Connor pushed the silver ring onto Luc's finger. Luc beamed, not at all surprised it was a perfect fit.

Then he scowled when Connor made to casually slip his own ring on. "No. I wanna. I wanna."

Connor rolled his eyes, but smiled with love, as Luc took the ring and lifted his hand. Turning it to kiss Connor's palm. "I love you so much, Con." Then biting his lip, his expression serious with concentration as he slipped the ring on.

More cheers and yet another kiss before the handshakes, backslaps, and bussing began.

"Ah, Bambino." Luc's eyes widened as his Nana came forward to kiss them both.

"Nana. What are you doing here?"

"Connor told us to come."

Luc looked past her and saw his family. "You planned this?"

"Sure," Connor grinned as Tony released him from a hug. "I wasn't anticipating such a professional warm up act though."

"I think you outshined us," Ty grinned as they shook hands. Then he stepped forward, as Luc insisted on a hug.

Yet another cheer as champagne corks popped. Erin and Dave with glasses ready to go.

-X

Three hours later the pub had been heaving as Tony's presence had leaked.

Gently had called in the boys from the boxing club who once again manned the doors and provided crowd control.

They weren't all over twenty-one, but they were outside and happy with soda and a promise of a free lunch the next day before the pub opened. They had helped before when 'Better's' had visits from Tony, and sometimes also his friend Adam who was also big on Broadway.

Their limit was three hundred and the boys did a grand job of clicking people in and out, making sure they didn't break code.

Mrs Wilder was now in charge of the karaoke machine as Erin was needed behind the bar.

But it was starting to quiet down a little, and Tony's group congregated again to one end of the bar. A glowing Luc sitting with them, begging prettily, his brown eyes wide and innocent.

"Please. You two sounded amazing together. Say you'll sing at the wedding. For our first dance."

Tony's dimples flashed. "I'm in."

Luc turned pleading eyes on Ty.

"Fine. Jesus, have you got a licence for those." He laughed when Luc raised his arms in victory. "Not that song though. You pick something."

"Agreed. YAY."

"I like that song," Tony frowned.

"It's morbid," Ty stated bluntly.

"WHAT?" It's not morbid."

"It kinda is, Tony," Connor joined the conversation.

"It's pretty," Tony looked to Frank for support and got a nod.

Ty and Connor looked at Dave. He was, after all, their resident Broadway geek.

"Uh, well. Yea, it's pretty but I get the point. It feels a little doom laden."

"Exactly. Thank you," Ty satisfied lifted his drink.

Tony wrinkled his nose before burying it in his glass.

Frank had finally manoeuvred next to Ty. "So you kept that quiet," he started. "I had no idea you had such a good voice. And Dave here saw you play Skimbleshanks."

Ty choked a little and looked over at Dave. "Seriously? I was a swing. I only went on once."

"You were great," Dave said stoutly. "I don't think I ever saw the line 'I was busy in the luggage van' sung quite so suggestively." He grinned as Ty's laugh rolled out.

"I remember that," Tony slapped Ty's arm. "You called me, like fifteen minutes before the show. I only just got there in time to see you."

Ty nodded. "Half the cast got some sort of stomach flu. We were a little short on moggies that night!"

Dave nodded. "I remember Ley Bibbi came over from playing Fantine for Grizabella."

"Yea, that's right. She did."

"Now I know I can use you if Pip's off," Frank suggested and then cracked up at Ty's dark look.

"No."

"Awww."

"You're good Ty, but no Anthony Thomas-Risio." Connor softened it with a wink.

Ty raised his glass. "I know it."

"Yea, what was it that critic said about your voice, Tony?" Luc pondered for a moment. "The scary one that can end a career with her keyboard."

"Oh. Her." Tony shuddered dramatically.

"An uncut gem of a find. Incredible power driving a rich baritone with the ability to conquer tenor range and no small amount of gravelly rock." Dave looked embarrassed as everyone goggled at him.

"You remember it word for word?" Luc said, amazed.

"Well yea. I'm a fan," Dave flushed and looked at the bar.

"Still has that crush," his boyfriend, Chris, teased. Causing the flush to turn the same red as Erin's hair.

"Oh, Dave doesn't have a crush on me," Tony scoffed, but softly. Reaching for Dave's hand when he looked up. "He has a crush on some of my characters, but that's supposed to happen. Means I'm doing my job properly."

He gave Dave's hand a little squeeze. "Dave and me are friends, and he's still my favourite 'Betters' karaoke partner." He grinned. "You should pick for us tonight."

"What?" Dave's grateful expression turned blank.

"Go pick us a song and put us in the queue."

"Really?" Dave looked at Connor who nodded. "Okay. I'll go pick. Thanks, Tony." He dashed through the bar flip and over to the machine, radiating excitement.