Steven awoke with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. The room was dark, and he felt disoriented as he let his eyes adjust his surroundings. The sounds of the city hummed in his ears whilst inside everything was quiet.

He lay still for a moment, trying to calm himself from whatever nightmare had woken him up, before turning over and looking at his watch. 1:37am. He groaned and flopped back down onto the mattress. Fantastic. Now he was going to have a hard time getting back to sleep.

Steven stared up at the ceiling, trying to collect himself. He hadn't been able to think about anything other than Sebastian ever since the rest of the band had given him that pep talk. Even whilst he was asleep, he still had found himself dreaming about the conversation they'd had. Perhaps they were right. Perhaps he did have a thing for Sebastian. It felt so right, but yet so wrong.

He felt like he was betraying Joe after being in love with him for years, but he had to accept that Joe had picked Elyssa over him and that all those promises he'd made, all those fantasies Steven had had about being Joe's boyfriend, was nothing more than him just being delusional. It still stung that Joe would rather be with someone who didn't treat him right, but he couldn't change what had happened, only how he dealt with it. If Joe was happy with Elyssa, then he didn't want to get in the way of his happiness.

Sitting up, Steven swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He rubbed his eyes, still feeling a little groggy from being pulled from his slumber like that. Sleep had been elusive, and now that he was awake, his mind was racing again. He was concerned for his and the band's future.

He got out of bed, feeling the carpet beneath his feet as he padded into the kitchen to grab himself a glass of water. He filled the glass all the way to the top and drank it all in one go before refilling the glass and doing the same thing.

Steven set it down and leaned against the counter, replaying vivid memories of the party in his mind. The way Sebastian looked at him. How Sebastian held him in his arms when they kissed, and how his eyes sparkled after they had pulled away. All the laughter, cheering, all the dancing and drinking, it was a night he'd never forget. He closed his eyes, trying to savour the feelings. An electric charge rushed through him, the exact feeling he'd felt as Sebastian's lips moved against his. It made Steven wish that he could kiss him all over again, just to feel that spark again that he'd felt between them.

The singer wandered over to his bed and picked up his journal and pen from the bedside table. He took this journal everywhere with him and he always had it at hand in case he had any song inspiration. His father had gifted it to him for the purpose of writing songs. And right now, Steven's heart was bursting with emotions and words, and he needed to get them out into the open. He flipped to a blank page and started jotting down some lyrics, hoping that this exercise would help him make sense of everything.

Every moment feels like magic

Your love sets me free

When the world is cold and lonely, when the sun refuses to shine

When the night falls hard around us, and the dawn seems far away

I can see your shadow near

Every kiss is like fire, burning with your desire

After what felt like an eternity, he put his pen down, feeling more vulnerable than he'd felt in a long time. As he read through the lyrics, he felt his heartbeat quicken. It was now clear that this kiss meant something deeper to him than he originally thought, that he saw Sebastian more than just a friend, perhaps as a potential partner. Joe was the only guy he'd ever been truly romantically interested in, but Sebastian was... different.

Steven closed the journal and held it to his chest, unable to shake the restlessness that clung to him. Every thought he had circled back to Sebastian. He needed to talk to him, to understand if these feelings were mutual, if he too had been thinking about that night. He couldn't wait any longer. He'd been waiting far too long for this moment.

Before he could second guess himself, he was grabbing his keys and jacket. He didn't care that it was the middle of the night, he needed to see Sebastian.

Steven desperately pressed the elevator button. It couldn't come up fast enough. He was practically hyper as he waited to get down to the lobby, playing with his hands and moving around the small space.

When the doors finally pinged open, he sprinted across the lobby and out into the parking lot, searching for the car he had rented out. He fumbled with the keys for the second before finally getting into the car. He slammed the door shut and put the vehicle into gear, only remembering to buckle himself in at the last second.

Before he knew it, he was speeding out of the city and onto the highway, leaving behind the bright lights and skyscrapers. The radio provided some background music as Steven thought about what to say when he arrived. Maybe about how he needed to know what the kiss meant to Sebastian, if it meant anything at all to him. It wasn't just some drunken moment between two horny musicians, it was something more, and it had taken him so long to realise that. He just hoped that this trip would bring him some clarity.

After what seemed like forever, the red mustang was crossing over state lines and into New Jersey. Steven found himself reducing the speed as he started driving through winding roads and into quieter suburbs, an empty bottle rolling around on the floor and nudging his feet at every turn.

Relief coursed through him as he entered the neighbourhood the Skid Row singer resided in. He had been here once before to hang out and watch a film with Sebastian after they had both come off tour. Just them and no one else.

It was silent and the only source of light was the moon and the street lamps. Steven finally pulled up to the familiar modest two story house at the end of the street. He killed the engine and stayed seated for a moment, collecting his thoughts. What if Sebastian didn't want to see him? What if he wasn't awake? Was he even home? What if this was all for nothing?

Get it together, Steven he thought.

He finally got out of the car and walked up to the front door. His hand shook as he rapped loudly on the door. The sound of bone against wood echoed through the quiet street. Steven felt his stomach churning with anxiety as he waited for an answer. There was a long pause before a light came on inside and footsteps approached the door.

Sebastian stood there, wearing only sweatpants and his long, blonde hair tousled as though he too hadn't been able to sleep. Steven felt his cheeks flush as he took in the man in front of him. Godamnit, he looked so cute all tired.

Sebastian's eyes widened as he saw who was standing on his doorstep. "Woah, Steven? What the hell are you doing here at this time?"

"I have to talk to you, Bas," Steven pleaded, his voice trembling a bit. "It's urgent."

Sebastian nodded, seeing the desperation and distress in his friend's eyes. "Okay, come inside." He stepped aside and let Steven inside. "Do you want a coffee? It's pretty cold out there for July."

Steven smiled, touched by the generosity. "A coffee would be great. Thanks."

He watched with fascination as Sebastian moved around the kitchen, preparing them both drinks. It was such a simple task, but yet Steven found himself thinking how adorable Sebastian looked doing anything. Everything he did looked so flawless.

"Take a seat, Stevie." Sebastian smiled warmly as he returned with the coffees, nodding for Steven to sit down.

Steven smiled back and sat down thankfully with the other man.

"Careful, it's still hot," Sebastian warned as he handed Steven his drink. "So, what did you wanna talk about?" he asked, looking up.

Steven hesitated, holding his mug tentatively in his hands. "About us. About what happened at the party."

"You're gonna have to be more specific, man. I've been to a lot of parties."

"The new year party. The one Paul Stanley hosted four years ago. Do you remember that?" He stared intently at Sebastian, trying to jog his memory.

"Oh, yeah. I remember that. David Lee Roth swinging from that chandelier was crazy. But what about it?"

"Do you remember that kiss?"

A smile tugged at Sebastian's lips. "Of course. How could I forget?"

Steven moved closer. "It wasn't just a drunken mistake to me, Bas. It wasn't a stupid party kiss. It felt like something more."

"We were drunk. Things happen at parties," Sebastian insisted, though he seemed to be holding back on saying something as though he was trying to hide his true feelings.

He sighed, desperate to get through to the other man. "Look, I know it was four years ago and things were different then, but I've been thinking about that moment every day since then. I just needed to know if it meant something more to you."

Sebastian bit his lip, trying to choose his words carefully. "It's complicated. I've always admired you, Steven, probably more than I should have, but I had no idea that... I always thought it was nothing more than a brief moment of intoxicated passion... but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been thinking about it." He looked down at the coffee in his hands that he'd forgotten to take a sip of.

Steven's eyes lit up. "You have?" he whispered, putting down his empty mug.

He was starting to feel more and more hopeful and sure of himself that Sebastian felt the same way. Why else would he be thinking about it if it hadn't meant something to him?

"Yeah, I have. But I didn't bring it up because I didn't want to ruin our friendship."

"It already changed everything though, didn't it?"

Sebastian frowned, though he seemed to know where this conversation was heading. "What are you trying to say, man?"

"I'm saying that I think there's something more than just a simple friendship between us. That kiss meant something to me, and I'm pretty sure it meant something to you, too." Steven rested his hand on Sebastian's thigh.

"But why bring it up all these years later? We're not the same drunkards we were back then."

"Because it's been eating away at me, Bas. I couldn't wait any longer till the next time we meet. And the band gave me the courage to come and talk to you tonight."

Steven watched as Sebastian seemed to close up on himself like his words had hit a nerve and triggered something inside him. Steven could tell that he was hiding something, and he didn't want Sebastian to be afraid to tell him how he was really feeling.

"Bas, be honest with me. I know there's something you're not telling me. Something you want to say." He gently brushed away a piece of hair that flopped in front of Sebastian's eyes, the troubled expression still etched across his face.

Sebastian took a deep breath. "You're right. I need to be honest." He took Steven's hand in his own and looked up at him, the overwrought look on his face now replaced with vulnerability that matched the latter. "That kiss... it meant everything to me. I admit, I was a little surprised when you came up to me and started flirting with me like it was no one's business; no wonder I took a shine to you instantly, Stevie.

It wasn't the kiss that did it for me, it was the way it felt. The way we connected in that moment. How you looked at me like I was the only person that mattered in your world. It was like a fire had ignited inside me... If that makes sense." He looked away, clearly a little embarrassed for exposing himself like that.

Steven nodded, completely understanding what Sebastian was trying to say. "It makes sense. I feel the same way."

"That's good to hear... But why out of everyone was it me you kissed, Steven?" Sebastian asked, growing bolder as he ran his fingers through Steven's hair. "There were so many much better looking guys that you could have kissed." His voice was starting to get quiet and raspy as he seemed to grow even more enamoured with Steven with every passing second.

"Are you kidding me? You were the hottest guy at that party. And all of them were either getting lap dances or making out with their bandmates whilst off their faces on drugs and alcohol."

Sebastian chuckled. "I guess that's a good reason. But you're right. It was kind of hot though, wasn't it?"

"Stay on topic with me."

"Sorry."

Steven moved closer again, this time so that their thighs were touching "Look... you're different, Bas. You stand out from the crowd. It's not because of how you look or your image, it's how you stay humble and kind through all the fame. You just act like you're a regular guy and not a big rockstar who's loved all over the world and gets up on stage almost every night to sing to tens of thousands of people."

Sebastian shrugged, but he secretly enjoyed hearing Steven praise him like that. "Yeah, but I'm still just your average guy underneath all the fame and money. Just like you and everyone else in the industry."

Comfortable silence came between them as both guys decided how to bring this conversation to a close.

"So... what do we do now..?" Steven whispered.

"Well, perhaps this is something we could explore.. See if there's the possibility of something more. If you're willing to do this with me, Stevie. No pressure, no expectations... we'll just take things slow."

Steven felt like his heart was about to leap out of his throat. Sebastian Bach liked him! And better yet, he was willing to explore a potential relationship with him, no strings attached. This was like a dream come true.

He nodded, excitement forming in the pit of his stomach. "I'm more than willing to do this."

Steven's eyes flickered a couple of times from Sebastian's eyes to his lips before he slowly leaned in for a kiss.

"Steven... wait."

"What?" Steven's expression faltered as he saw Sebastian move away from him, rejecting the kiss that he had tried to plant on his lips.

"What about Joe? I mean, you guys have history together, man. I've seen all the tabloids and magazines speculating about you two."

Steven sighed. He had been half-expecting this, and it pained him to see the hurt expression on Sebastian's face. "That's all it is, Bas. It's just speculation. I know Joe and I were more than just friends, but we were never together. He made me feel special, you know? We made promises to each other, but in the end he picked his fiancé over me."

Sebastian nodded, becoming a little more understanding. "I hear you, man. My ex-girlfriend Nancy, she decided after five years of being together that she didn't need me anymore. So, I sort of know what you're going through.

But we have each other now, right? I promise I'm not going to ever hurt you Stevie in the way Joe did. You deserve someone better than him."

"Thanks, Bas. Just so you know, I didn't come to you for sympathy. I really do like you. A lot."

Sebastian smiled widely, intertwining his fingers with Steven's. "I like you too, Steven. But I hope you realise that once this gets out, there's probably going to be a massive scandal. You already have a lot going on."

Steven nodded at Sebastian's words. He understood his concern, but he didn't want to hide the love he felt for Sebastian from everyone. He wanted the whole world to know just how much he loved the Skid Row singer and show them that he wasn't going to let a bit of homophobia perturb him from being with the man he loved.

"I know, but I'm not going to ignore how I feel any longer just because some people don't like that we're together."

"I respect that, Steven. I just want to be prepared for the fallout and what this could mean for us both personally and professionally. You understand what I'm saying?" Sebastian stared into his eyes, hoping to get his message across.

"I understand. One step at the time. Me and you. Let's take this chance and see where it leads."

"I'm on board with that."

The two rockstars stared into each other's eyes for a moment, both wondering how they got this lucky to be with the most attractive guy in the business. They slowly started moving in, as though a magnetic energy was drawing them together. Steven felt a warmth spread throughout him as he felt Sebastian's warm breath mingling with his own. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time. The world seemed to melt away as their lips met in a gentle, tentative kiss.

Sebastian's lips parted a little more, inviting Steven to deepen the kiss. Steven responded by wrapping his arms around Sebastian's neck, pulling them even closer together. He was completely mesmerised by the softness and taste of Sebastian's lips as though this was the first time they had ever kissed, but it was even better than the last time. He softly moaned as Sebastian tangled his hand into his hair, tilting his head to deepen the kiss even further. The heat between them was growing, but it was cut short as Sebastian pulled away, frowning.

"Bas?" said Steven. "What's wrong?" He was trying to keep his voice steady, but he knew there must be something wrong if their kiss was cut short just like that.

"Steven, is that alcohol I taste on your breath?" Sebastian asked sternly.

The look on his face was telling Steven that Sebastian had caught on to his mid-drive drinking session.

Steven laughed nervously. "What are you talking about?"

"I can taste alcohol. You've been drinking tonight."

"I didn't drink anything," he protested, refusing to confront the issue.

"Steven, how much did you drink?"

Steven sighed, knowing Sebastian wasn't going to give up until he got the truth out of him. "Okay, I might have had a beer earlier and a drink on the way here," he admitted.

Sebastian looked like he was about to blow a fuse. "You drunk drove?! Steven, do you know how reckless and dangerous that is? You're lucky that you didn't get hurt or hurt someone else." He ran a hand through his hair in exasperation.

"Bas, relax. I'm a professional," said Steven, keeping his demeanour casual.

He had done this many times, and he was hoping that the coffee would be enough to hide his 2am drinking, but he'd completely lost himself in the kiss that he'd forgotten about it.

"No, Steven, you're not a professional. You're just a reckless driver. So don't even think about getting behind the wheel."

Steven huffed. "What am I supposed to do then? Walk?"

"You can stay the night, because I'm not going to be held responsible for letting you endanger your life, alright? So drop the attitude. You can drive yourself back once you've sobered up."

The offer was way too good to even think about declining, and Steven found himself accepting. "Okay, Bas. You win. I'll stay the night." He was looking forward to spending more time with Sebastian.

Sebastian nodded, thankful that Steven had taken him up on the offer instead of risking getting into a crash. "Thank you. And Steven," he put his hand on Steven's shoulder. "if I catch wind that you're driving drunk again, we're going to have to have a serious talk. You can't be doing this shit."

"Okay, I understand. Um, where can I sleep?"

Steven looked around the living space, hoping to spot somewhere he could nestle into, but it was looking pretty limited, and the couch didn't look very appealing.

"There's a guest bedroom, or you could bunk on the couch, but let me guess, you want to sleep in my room so you can snuggle up to me," Sebastian teased.

Steven hesitated, though he found the idea of sleeping next to Sebastian extremely appealing. "If that's an option..."

"Yeah, that's fine. Come on, my rooms this way."

Steven let himself be led upstairs, admiring all the various plaques, awards and photos that hung on the walls. His curiosity peaked at a family photo, but he didn't stop to properly inspect it. He wanted to fall asleep in Sebastian's arms as soon as he could.

As they reached the top of the stairs, Sebastian opened the door to his room. He stepped aside to let Steven enter first. The space was cosy and tastefully decorated with awards, pictures and objects that represented Sebastian's interests.

A couple of gym things were piled in the corner of the room and a dressing table was pushed under the window, jewellery, makeup and various other things. Soft lighting casted a warm glow, making the bed look extremely welcoming.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'll just grab us some blankets," said Sebastian.

"Thanks, Bas. This means a lot."

Sebastian smiled and nodded before heading over to the wardrobe to retrieve a couple of blankets. He came back and playfully wrapped a blanket around Steven's shoulders, laying the other blanket over the bed. They settled down into the bed, tucking themselves in.

"Anything else you need?" Sebastian asked, his voice now soft and caring.

Steven shook his head. "No, thanks. Just being here with you is enough." He paused. "Is it alright if I take my shirt off?"

"If it makes you feel more comfortable, then go ahead."

Steven slipped his t-shirt off, tossing it to the side. He smiled and wiggled into Sebastian's arms who held him lovingly, one arm wrapped around his waist and his hand stroking his hair. He giggled a little and buried his face into Sebastian's chest, his hand resting on Sebastian's shoulder.

"I'm glad you came here tonight. It's pretty unpredictable when we get to see each other. And after seeing you on tv.. I was hoping that just maybe..." Sebastian paused. "I'm glad you're here, Stevie."

"Me too. I'm happy I decided to come." Steven looked up, his gaze meeting the blue eyes that were filled with warmth and affection.

The room was quiet except for their breathing and the soft rustle of the duvet as they moved around a bit.

"It's nice to have some company. It's been a while since anyone has slept next to me, so I'm so happy that you're the person who is sleeping next to me, even just for the night." Sebastian held Steven even tighter as though he was afraid that he would suddenly disappear. "You should get some rest now. You've got a long day ahead of you."

Steven softly nodded, his fingers running up and down Sebastian's arm and chest. "Yeah, I suppose I probably should. Night, Sebastian." He leaned up and pressed a delicate kiss to Sebastian's soft, warm lips.

"Goodnight, gorgeous," Sebastian murmured, brushing his lips against Steven's. He turned the bedside lamp off and settled back into the pillows, his arms securely around Steven.

Darkness enveloped them, creating a cocoon of intimacy and safety. Steven snuggled closer, listening to the steady heartbeat of Sebastian, the rhythm soothing him into a sense of peace. As they lay there, the world seemed to fade away. The only thing that mattered was them. Steven felt himself succumbing to sleep, the feeling of Sebastian tracing shapes on his back, soothing him like he was a baby being rocked to sleep.

Just before he drifted off, he whispered, "I love you, Bas."

Sebastian's voice was a murmur as he whispered back, "I love you too, Stevie. More than you know."

Steven smiled into Sebastian's chest, those three little words wrapping around him like another blanket.

In the last few moments of wakefulness, he felt an overwhelming sense of contentment and safety. He would treasure this moment forever, the moment where he finally felt loved and secure. Steven felt so grateful to have found everything he'd ever wanted in the surprisingly gentle Sebastian Bach, the person who loved and cherished more than anyone ever had. And he knew that whatever the future held, he wanted to face it with his flame by his side.