Hearts & Stars (A Paul Stanley X Tommy Thayer Rock & Roll Love Story)

Chapter 6-After the Show (Tommy Thayer POV)

A/N: Some hilarious moments, some angst....happiness....enjoy! and yay, finally got a chapter out!

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm starved!", Eric declares as we are all in the process of taking off our costumes and make-up.

"Eric, you are always starved! And you and Gene...what a pair!", Paul rolls his eyes but playfully.

"Hey!" Gene protests with his arms crossed. Never a dull moment in the Kiss camp that's for sure.

"Now come on Paul.... Tweddle-eat & tweedle-eater here...DO have a point...we're hungry and we all Wanna eat!", I aim a shit-eating grin at both Gene and Eric. Paul bursts into laughter, practically wheezing....

"Now that's hilarious Tommy!" Paul wheezes out.

"So where do we want to eat then?", I ask our favorite resident eaters.

"Oooh, how about a diner or something!", Eric bounces in place excitedly. We all agree to find a good late-night diner and all of us of course get make-up free and change into regular clothes.

I am on such a high right now...adrenaline from my first official show as a member of Kiss. It went great! The fans really seemed to accept me, for the most part and really that's all I can ask for. And I got to be near Paul....and damn I must tell you.... he looks EXCEPTIONALLY good in spandex. He's got muscles but isn't super muscly and that smile of his and his voice I could listen to all day and all night. I love him so much it hurts.... boy does it hurt. I'm being a coward by dancing around him, really, we both are.... Yes, I am aware that my feelings aren't as one-sided as I think, but still I am haunted by Ace's shadow even though I know him & Paul are beyond thru and Paul hates his guts....

"Tommy, are you ok? Your about to run into a wall.", Paul's voice and I feel a gently touch as he steers me away from the wall I was about to walk smack into. I still haven't spoken as we all pile into a car and head to a diner. "Tommy? What's wrong? You seemed so happy till just a wee bit ago." Paul's warm brown eyes are filled with concern. Eric & Gene are silent seeming to talk to each other while they hold hands, but I know they are listening.

"Huh?", is the most articulate response I finally manage to get out.... I pause before taking a breath, "I'm sorry Paul...I'll be ok, I just got a lot of things running thru my mind right now. I'm fine really!"

Paul looks at me incredulously, not that I blame him in the least. No more is said as we arrive at a diner and head inside all of us making a beeline for a booth in the back that's a little secluded and I am kind of glad for that fact.

As we sit, of course Paul sits next to me and Gene & Eric our resident eaters & married couple of course occupy the other side of our booth. The waitress comes and we order our drinks...I order water, I don't need caffeine this time of night and I'm jacked up as it is from the show. I will be up probably most if not all the night.

"Ooh, can we get a slice of pie Genie? And oh, a slice of cake? And ooh, this chili-cheese burger sounds so good! And oh, A milk shake!" Eric exclaims at approximately 100mph.

Gene laughs fondly at Eric, "Aw, babe this is part of why I love you! And hell, yeah, we can! I think I'll have what you're having!"

Paul & I share a look & roll our eyes...these two! "How the hell do either of you fit in your costumes again?" I ask.

Gene just smirks at me before answering, "Well we work it off of course! And Sex burns a LOT of calories!" Figures he'd make a sexual comment...Even if he is married to Eric, Gene is still Gene in this sense at least.

"Aw, Genie!" Eric and Gene then proceed to kiss each other and start to make-out. I roll my eyes but watch them with a pang of envy. I wish that were me...me making out with Paul in public. Paul clears his throat...

"Um, guys...I think I see the waitress coming."

We order our food, Paul, and I both order something breakfast related and of course Gene & Eric order what I am gonna call the 'heartburn' special.

"They will regret eating all that.... its heartburn city.", Paul whispers in my ear.

"I mean I love that stuff, but that's a little much for me.", I whisper back and then I grow quiet again and don't speak again till our food arrives.

"Mmm these pancakes are good! You want to try some?", I ask side-eyeing Paul who seems so relieved that I'm talking to him.

"Sure Tommy! They do look good.", he exclaims as he takes a fork and cuts off a piece of my pancakes and then brings it too those sinuous full lips of his and his eyes roll to the back of his head in delight and groans.... I hope he doesn't notice the fact that his groan is turning me on....

Paul, you're killing me here! How on earth will I ever survive now that I get to spend more time with you? This is torture! You are torture.... your everything I want, everything I need. I just wish both of us weren't cowards...really, I do. You deserve someone with more experience, I don't know if I'm good enough for you.

But aren't we two of a kind? The Starchild & The New-Space Man, star-crossed....so close together in proximity, but we may as well be miles away...

A/N: Cant wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter! Angst, longing, some hilarity...I really loved writing this! Much love!