Title: The Other Man

Author: Peach

Fandom: X-Files

Pairings: Skinner/Mulder/Krycek

Warnings: This story contains m/m relationship. If these things bother you *GO AWAY NOW*

Rating: NC17

Date: 04/22/02

Archive: WWOMB

Disclaimer: The characters of Skinner and Mulder, and Krycek, and the X-Files belong to Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and the Fox Network. No copyright Infringement is intended no money is being made.

Summary: What's a man to do when faced with an unfaithful partner that he loves desperately? Especially when the partner doesn't see the problem.

Notes: AU: Thank you Josan as always. "The Other Man (or woman, if you like)" challenge: By Peja (damn her)

Your POV character discovers his/her lover is involved...VERY involved with another partner. Or your POV character discovers he is the Other Partner in an established relationship...How does he react to this discovery? Does he confront his cheating partner? Does he continue the relationship? Does he invite the other into the games?

The Other Man
by Peach

Mulder had made the connection for a much earlier flight than he had expected. He hadn't bothered to call his lover to let him know he would be home that night instead of the next day. He just figured it would be a nice surprise.

The surprise was on him.

He opened the door quietly and stepped out of his shoes. Walking quickly and avoiding the squeaky board on the stairs, he reached the bedroom door. He expected to find Walter sleeping, but Walter was wide-awake.

Not only awake but on his knees, having his ass reamed.

Mulder froze in shock. As he stared, the man fucking Walter rose up on his knees and dropped his head back as he purred.

Walter groaned and strained back toward the dark haired man impaling him.

"Please, Alex. I need to come."

"Not yet! I'll tell you when." The voice left no doubt who was in command here.

Alex's hips jerked as he drove as deeply as possible into the other man. A few more hard pumps and he rammed in, clutching at the lean hips.

"Come now!"

Walter's body heaved as he obeyed the whiskey voice. When the spasm passed, he slid down on the bed, carrying Alex with him.

Mulder wanted to run but he was rooted to the spot. His heart screaming as his mind tried to decide what to do. Just as he started to turn to try and slip away, Alex spoke.

"Walter, when are you going to tell Mulder about us?"

"Alex, you know I'm not good at that kind of thing. He loves me and you know I love him."

"Yes, but you love me too and I *had* you first. I told you I was willing to share but I hate this fucking sneaking around."

Mulder didn't wait to hear anything else: he turned and fled. Somehow, he got to his car and drove away. He got on the freeway and drove for hours. His mind was in turmoil.

How could this happen to him? Him, the great profiler. And he didn't even know his lover had been in a relationship for…lord knew how long. And Alex fucking topped Walter. That was wrong, more so than the cheating. Walter was always alpha with him. Why would he bottom to Alex?

And why the fuck did it have to be Alex. He of the shapely ass and green eyes. Plus he was younger, he probably wore Walter out. Something Mulder had never managed to do.

He pulled off at the next rest stop, jumped from the car and heaved up the crappy airline food. Leaning against the car, he hugged himself as he tried to decide what to do.

Truth was Walter had made no promises. Mulder had just assumed he was the only one warming Walter's bed. It suddenly occurred to him that he was in his sock feet. That meant his shoes were sitting by Walter's kitchen door.

FUCK! There wasn't a chance in hell that Walter wouldn't find them or know whom they belonged to.

He crawled back into his car and headed toward his apartment.

++++++++++++

Walter stood looking at the shoes sitting by the kitchen door. It was Alex who commented.

"Looks like he knows now. I thought he wasn't supposed to be back until tomorrow."

"He wasn't."

"So, now, what are you going to do?"

Alex watched and waited. Truth was he didn't like the deception. He was realist enough to know that Walter needed more than one boy in his life. And Mulder was a better option than Walter cruising for company. A part of him wished he could be all things to his lover. But he contented himself with the knowledge that Walter would never let him go.

Would Mulder be able to accept that knowledge?

"I should go talk to him."

"And say what?"

"I don't know. I can't lie. I won't pretend you're not important to me. Or that I will give you up."

Walter's hand tangled in the hair of his youngest lover and he kissed him deeply.

"I love you, Alex. I have since the moment we met."

"I know. I love you, too. Do you want me to come with you?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. Wait for me here. Please."

Alex followed Walter back to the bedroom, crawled into the bed and watched him dress. Walter was at the doorway when Alex spoke again.

"Walter, if he will agree, the bed is big enough for three."

Walter turned to look at Alex. His Alex. The boy who had come to him a virgin so many years ago. In two strides he was next to the bed. Pulling Alex up to his knees, he kissed him possessively.

"How the fuck did I get so lucky?"

Alex leaned his forehead against Walter's as he whispered.

"The same way I did. Now go. Bring him home."

"I love you."

"I know."

It would be a lie to say Alex was happy about the situation. But in life you make your decisions. With love, it came down to what you were willing to give for what you got back. He was willing to share if that was what his lover needed.

++++++++++++

Walter drove through the night, marveling at the love that had sent him on this errand. He wasn't sure if Mulder could accept the idea of a threesome. He had dreamed of a day when the two of them would surround him. Alex had given him a green light and he loved him all the more for it.

Mulder's apartment was dark. Walter parked where Mulder wouldn't see the car then went in. He had a key so he let himself in and waited in the dark. While he waited, he tried to plan what he would say. Finally, he gave up and just waited, dozing.

The key in the lock woke him. He waited until Mulder turned on the light to speak.

"Welcome home, Mulder."

The eyes were wild and bright in the white face.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have someone waiting in your bed?"

"Yes, he's waiting for me to being you home."

"Bring me home? What am I? A lost puppy? No, thanks."

"You'd throw away what we have without giving it a shot?"

"He *had * you first. Why was I even there in the first place? Bed got cold?"

"Mulder, I know you're hurt. I should have been honest with you from the beginning."

"Well, I know now. I won't make trouble for you."

"I didn't think you would. That's not why I'm here. I love you, Mulder."

"Sure. How long has it been going on between you two?"

"Are you sure you want to know that?"

"I fucking asked, didn't I?"

"Since he was sixteen. I was his first. Had I known he was sixteen, it wouldn't have happened. We'd been fucking each other for almost a year when I found out. Case of closing the barn door then."

"So why me? I'm sure he can keep up with you."

"Why you? Because I fell in love."

"Fell in love, huh. How does *he* feel about that?'

"He loves me. He wants me to have what I need. He told me to bring you home. Said the bed is big enough for three."

Mulder's legs folded and he sat abruptly on the floor.

Walter waited.

Across town Alex paced.

+++++++++++

Mulder's legs gave out and he dropped to his ass on the floor. He stared at Walter for the longest time. The wheels squeaking as they turned in his brain.

"You're not serious?"

"I'm quite serious. I can't think of anything that would make me happier. I don't see a problem. I want both of you. Alex is willing to share. That just leaves you. You were happy when you didn't know, weren't you?"

"What the fuck does that have to do with it? Yes. I was happy but I didn't know I was *sharing*."

"Now you will and it will open up so many possibilities. You and Alex can have sex too, if you want. I won't expect you to limit yourselves to me. I've seen you looking at him. Don't tell me you've never fantasized about him. You are both so beautiful. I don't know what you see in me."

"You could watch us together?"

Walter got up and walked to where Mulder was sitting. He rubbed his hand over the bulge in his pants.

"See what thinking about it does to me. As long as I get to watch and join in, I can't think of anything hotter. Give it a shot, Mulder. What have you got to lose?"

The brown eyes pleaded. Mulder always was a sucker for those puppy dog eyes. He took the hand Walter was holding out and allowed Walter to pull him to his feet.

"I need shoes."

Walter smiled as he pointed to where they were sitting on the coffee table. Mulder stepped into them and followed Walter to his car.

++++++++++++

The ride was silent. When the reached the house Walter opened the door and, taking Mulder by the hand, led him upstairs.

"Honey, we're home."

Alex rose from the bed, his beautiful body gleaming in the moonlight streaming through window. He kissed Walter then turned to smile at Mulder.

"Welcome home, Mulder."

Walter beamed as Alex brushed his lips against Mulder's. This was going to work. It had to, he needed them both so desperately. Mulder's free hand rose and he touched Alex almost reverently.

Yes! It was going to work.

The end?