thisisgroundcontrol | The Chaos can't be stopped and captcha is bloody daft.

What chaos outside with Gilly screeching thinking he'd been stung by a bee or wasp. Joe giggling up high in the tree with Rik and now Billy joining his Dane up high to chuck acorns at the punk. Hunter offering a bitch face at whoever or whatever was attacking his sensitive drummer. It was a laugh.

Glancing out the window at the madness outside, Erik laughed and shook his head. This was to be expected for the rock stars who were obviously glad to burn off energy after riding for so many hours. The Swede swallowed and then stubbed his smoke out in the ash tray by the passenger seat.

"Not always but Aarne is a good man really. He just likes to play jokes on us all I think. My zipper got stuck and I had my cock out. He found it hilarious."

Would Robert buy it? The guitarist found himself just staring with wide eyes at Robert who was now so close he could almost touch him. That hair---just inches away from his finger tips.

Robert still didn't buy it completely, not all of it, but laughed anyway. "I think he's seen everyone naked at this point. Aarne is bloody crazy but he'd kill to keep everyone else happy, I think."

Robert admired that about the Scandinavians. They would, any one of them, fight to keep anyone else happy or safe, no hesitation. It was a quality Robert admired in them through all the insanity. Robert set his coffee into the center console to watch the chaos outside.

Something had gone down and now Vars was pelting Viktor which was going to end up in a fight, not a real fight for sure. The punks liked to get that rowdy. The other 4 up in the tree being crazy. Aarne was climbing higher with Rik in tow. As long as no one fell. That would be bad.

"Aarne is a good person as are all the bands, even the punks. They defend each other with fire and spirit. Ziggy cuts a bitch at anyone who might insult the tart, Weird or his blond boy."

They really were like a family and Erik loved this about the bands. Hunter had filled in the guitarist over the phone before he arrived in New York but seeing it first hand---nothing could replace that. This was it. He'd have to act somehow due to Aarne putting on a good show outside with Rik, Billy and Joe joining in. Clearing his throat, Erik leant a little closer to Robert, lowering his voice somewhat.

"I really like you, Robert. You're a good man, everyone can see it, and well---I want to show you."

Leaning even closer, the Swede's heart was now in his throat as he gently touched a strand of Robert's hair, ever so lightly, before sliding a hand up to cup the Brit's cheek, pressing an almost chaste kiss to that handsome jaw. Closing his eyes as he did so.

"They are good people." Robert mentions while watching the others outside.

He wasn't paying attention to Erik too closely so the words draw his eyes quickly. He had some hint that the guitarist had some sort of crush on him. Tom had mentioned it to him too but this was a not expected. The touch caused him to shiver and in the moment Robert couldn't distinguish if that was a good shiver or a bad one.

Robert's eyes closed too because as stoic as he claimed to be on his own touch was the language he used for affection, for love, for everything really. His eyes opened quickly though. Pulling back he gave the Swede a questioning look but didn't say anything because his thoughts were a jumble. He wanted the Swede to leave and stay simultaneously and only let out a breath while trying to see in Erik's expression what was up.

Erik was a little stunned at the whole situation now unravalling inside of the limo. He'd taken the plunge after listening to Aarne back in the toilet. The guitarist noticed Robert shooting a questioning look at him. The Swede's breathing picking up and he couldn't help but lick his lips and slide two arms around the Brit's figure, holding him gently before pulling away. Was that a hug? Erik believed it was.

"Robert..."

His breath was short and his mouth suddenly dry. Erik's big brown eyes now wide open and he found his gaze drifting to that curly hair. It was so beautiful the way it looked and the way the strands felt in between his thumb and forefinger. Did he had a hair fetish? It would seem so.

At first Robert returned the hug with a gentle hand on Erik's shoulder but inside he started to feel fluttery and the need to get out of the limo. His eyes shifted to the hand in his hair, watching the fingers in his curls before looking back at the guitarist. He turned to look out the window at the chaos.

"I should get them so we can get back on the road." Robert let out a breath that he felt like he had been holding or maybe it was just that breath that was off. Opening the door he got out as the need to be away from what he was feeling overpowered any sense of politeness he had. It wasn't like it was a bad excuse anyway. If they didn't start moving then he would end up driving well into the night which he didn't want to do.

The hug felt so nice and warm and made Erik all fuzzy inside. He also felt the ends of Robert's big hair touch the sides of his face and that caused the Swede's heart rate to shoot up. Just being so close to the man had the guitarist acting like a teen boy with a crush. Then, Robert was leaving.

"Oh---well, if you think we should."

Seeing the Brit leave so suddenly caused a feeling of panic and dread to well up inside of his stomach. Had he fucked up? Pushed too much and caused the man to panic? He seemed uncomfortable and Erik was now left inside the limo alone and confused.

"Shit."

He cursed under his breath and leant back in the seat just sighing and closing his eyes. Aarne's words going around in his head but not being much help right now. Had he scared the Brit off already?

Ziggy was walking back to the car when he saw Robert get out to go after the chaos in the park area. That was normal but the emotions in the area were not. Robert was unnerved, panicked and his eyes turned to the limo. The panic, sexual tension, worry. It was all over both of them.

Ziggy walked over and slid into the limo driver seat to hand Erik a pack of cigarettes to replace the one Erik had shared when the ride started.

"How are things up here?" Ziggy asks cheerfully though he knows something is wrong. Ziggy was watching Robert go and try to collect the others, much like herding cats from the looks of it.

Erik felt deflated because he really wanted to kiss Robert on the lips but he knew that might have been pushing it too far. Now, Ziggy was getting into the driver seat to pass him a pack of smokes. The guy was really nice. The Swede offered a small smile and took one, lighting up and then sighing deeply, pinching his nose.

"I'd like to say fantastic but----not really. I think I fucking blew it. Jag klantade mig----I fucked up. Robert's just walked away when I kissed his jaw. Damn I---I wasn't trying to push him away I just---I just love him and want him."

The guitarist wiped at his face and then tried to calm his emotions, which wasn't easy right now. He didn't want to appear upset in front of Ziggy, but what could he do? His heart ached and only just now he'd had to dive into a toilet to jerk off. Was that pathetic?

Ziggy was watching Robert out with the others but his mind was on the guitarist beside him. The smile comes faintly when he looks to the Swede.

"Aarne has been trying to get him a date for weeks, but dad said he's notorious for... for playing hard to get." His smile faded a little though. "He has reasons. Can I help?"

Ziggy didn't like the feelings between the two men, upsetting and off. Erik obviously was madly in love and if the breathing and heartbeat he heard from Robert as he walked by was anything he might be going down the same path though slowly, at a snail pace if at all.

"Aarne is the one who sent me a message about hooking me up with this lonely man he knew. This man is Robert. He's the one who I've been going after for near on two weeks or so now. Maybe longer."

Erik was usually good at gauging people and hooking up for fun and things but Robert? He was in a league of his own and was definitely hard to get. The Swede needed help, possibly advice. Anything.

"I need help, Ziggy. Jag är vilse i snön---I am lost in the snow. Robert, he---what reasons? I'd like to think I knew something about the man over the last few weeks but you know more about him. Just---ah. I am lost."

The Swede drew on his smoke and hoped Ziggy had good advice for him.

"We all know that by now." Ziggy smiled wide and shook his head. Of course the drummer was trying to get everyone laid. It made sense with his obsession with sex.

"Well." Ziggy bit his lip and then spoke quietly even if they were alone. "My father and Robert have been friends since they were kids; they grew up with Robert's little brother. It was Robert that was in charge of a lot of the mission, the one where they thought my dad died."

Ziggy looked down at his hands and then out at Robert. "Dad said he changed a lot after that. He doesn't talk about it but I can't help but think that with all of us under his care, it's a lot. A lot for him to manage and worry about." He gave Erik and encouraging smile and a hand on his shoulder to pull him into a hug. "He had a lot when they thought my dad died. I can't say I'd be eager to be that vulnerable again."

He smiled more. "I know where to get some advice though."

"You all know? Of course you do. Well, that isn't a secret anymore and I don't want it to be. Loving Robert is something that I am proud of and it makes me happy. Even if there is an age gap which does not bother me."

Erik didn't care about the whole age thing since he looked past that for the handsome man he was in love with. Sugar daddy? That was more of a joke and he knew Joe and Aarne loved to tease him about it. Yet, the whole thing about trying to get the driver to open up? That was a challenge and at least Ziggy was explaining why this was so.

"I...did not know all the details. Den stackars mannen--- the poor man."

Leaning into the hug, Erik just stared wide-eyed towards the window where Robert had gone outside to find the others. His heart was beating so fast in his chest surely Ziggy would notice. Pulling away, he pushed some of his jet black hair from his face and frowned.

"More advice? Where would this be from?"

Ziggy giggled. "It's less than the difference between my parents."

That was an understatement but if they met his mother she did look in her early 20s compared to his father in his 50s.

"He doesn't talk about it, all of what happened." Ziggy wasn't about to out Robert's attempt at suicide but the scars he wore on his forearms would be obvious if Erik ever got him undressed. It broke Ziggy's heart that Robert had been so down, however, he just grins at Erik.

"Someone who knows him the best." He pulled out his phone and called his father.

"Hey dad!" Ziggy greeted cheerfully and put the phone on speaker. "I've got a question for you."

"It is? I see."

Erik just didn't know what to say on that since he was still in a state of shock regarding Robert and all the feelings mulling around in the pit of his stomach. He felt deflated and lost. Hopefully, the phone call to Tom would help in some form even though the Swede looked vaguely mortified by the prospect of asking Ziggy's father for help.

"Oh---you are calling Tom?"

A blush covered Erik's cheeks as he didn't realise who Ziggy was going to call for advice. Hopefully, Tom wouldn't be too irritated by this young man wanting to date his best friend.

Ziggy felt for the guitarist and sighed with a smile that had a hint of sadness. "Mick rejected me for a couple years. He ran from me more than once." Ziggy glanced over at Erik and gently touched his cheek. "Sometimes people bolt for reasons other than disinterest."

Ziggy went back to his conversation with his father, flipping on the speaker phone feature.

"Dad, what does Robert like... for a date?" Ziggy heard his father laugh.

"Did Aarne put you up to this?" Tom had a tone of disbelief. Why did they always call him for things like this?

"No, no." Ziggy laughs. "He started this but no. What does he like?"

"Erik is there?" Tom asks and gets a giggling affirmation from Ziggy. "Simple, friendly. Picnics in the park, botanical gardens, farms, art exhibits... no not erotica either or HUnter's idea of art."

Ziggy just started laughing at the comment about Hunter. He had heard a story or two.

This was a surprising revelation for the guitarist who just assumed Ziggy and Mick had kicked it off once they became the band. Who knew that he ran. The Swede was grateful for Ziggy helping him and giggled slightly at the whole situation.

"I know what sort of "art" my brother likes and it's not the sort you go to see at galleries. The art I like though? Robert should like hopefully."

Erik liking many Renaissance artists, Leonardo and Michelangelo being some of them. As for gardens and outside places? The Swede grew up outside and loved climbing, swimming, walking. Just about anything. Fishing was one of his passions too. Leaning close to the speakerphone, Erik tried not to giggle as he talked to Tom.

"Hello, Tom? This is Erik. I would appreciate any good advice you could offer me."

Tom is not at all surprised to hear Erik there with Ziggy.

"Robert likes nature. My guess is landscape art?" Tom wasn't exactly sure but it would be a safe bet. Tom can only shake his head but honestly, he can't help but think it would be good for his friend to have someone.

"If you are going for food, remember he is vegetarian. German white wines and ice cream?" He was trying to think of what Robert liked and it was strange to feel like he was drawing a blank even though he knew the man so well.

"Horses, bird watching..stargazing?" That last one was a bit on the romantic side but eventually Erik would need that sort of advice. "I suggest going slow and letting him come to you or friendly... treat him like a close friend and not a sexual interest."

Tom felt that was probably the best advice.

Nature. This was something Erik also enjoyed so at least they had something they shared. Listening to Tom the guitarist made mental notes and was going to make an effort to just let things blossom on their own. He felt a little better knowing that Robert liked things like German white wines and ice cream. Hunter had stashes of wine so maybe he could ask if his brother would lend him a bottle for a gift. It was a start.

"Ok---bird watching---stargazing. These things sound like something I'd want to do. What about fishing? Is Robert against that since he does not eat meat?"

It was a valid question since Erik was a good fisherman and had been ever since he was a boy, learning in his tribal village when he was young. If Robert didn't like fishing then there was always the bird watching and other activities. Horse riding sounded fun too.

Tom was silent for a time while trying to mull over the question.

"He doesn't mind people around him eating meat but I don't think he would want to go hunting or fishing." Tom was pretty certain about that statement. "Robert has beliefs closer to Aarne. He's agnostic but he sees nature as sacred and equal to man. I don't think hurting an animal he wasn't going to eat himself would be something he would want."

That answered Erik's question and respected Robert for his choice on the matter. In the guitarist's culture fishing and hunting was part of life for the male population of the village. If you couldn't hunt or fish you starved it was simple as that. Still, Erik knew that he could choose the other activities and spend real quality time with Robert.

"Alright. No fishing. I respect that he sees it that way and I'm sure we can find other outdoors things to do. Riding a horse sounds fun since I have not done that before."

It was too cold for horses to live up where Erik came from. Their hooves would surely sink in the thick snow unlike the reindeer who had splayed feet. Riding atop a horse with his arms around the driver sounded like a dream.

Ziggy started giggling and leaned in close to whisper in Erik's ear, so quiet his father wouldn't be able to hear. "Outdoor things, like sex in the woods?"

He had to tease give the emotions he had and was feeling off of Erik. It was all in good fun while Ziggy winked at him. Tom, clueless about the whispers went on.

"You might have luck asking about where he lives. He'll probably talk to you about Sweetpea and Greta." Tom knew that his friend would ramble about his little hermit cottage and he could imagine that being adorable to someone attracted to the man.

The giggling caused Erik to gasp a little and then laugh softly himself, his eyes wide and full of mischief. Ziggy certainly knew what the Swede was thinking and it caused his cheeks to tinge a feint pink with a blush because they were still talking to Tom over the phone.

"Sweetpea and Greta? I will have to ask about these."

The guitarist nudged Ziggy gently in the ribs and stuck his tongue out playfully. The red head was definitely helping alleviate some of the worry and disappointment he was feeling moments ago. Sex in the woods though----that got the Swede thinking all kinds of erotic thoughts. Leaning to Ziggy he whispered back;

"Sex in the woods? I want this."

"His horse and goat. He treats them like kids." Tom laughed at that but it was sweet and Robert was so caring.

Ziggy was giggling too but responds to his father first. "Thanks dad. I'll see you in a couple of weeks."

With that he hung up with Tom and giggled more. "Blonde hair and pale skin look good naked in the sun."

He knew this all too well from seeing Mick sprawled out in bed, naked with sun streaming through the window. However he did get more serious. "Do you feel better?"

He asked and gave the guitarist's hand a gentle squeeze.

"A horse and a goat? Oh, that is cute! I must see these when I visit one day. The man is good with animals and this pleases me. Those hands of his."

Erik giggled and then began imagining Robert naked in bed with his hand fanned out on the pillow. Oh, that hair. It was enough to make him suck in a short breath and smile almost in a dreamy haze. Then, the call was ended and the Swede was smiling at Ziggy.

"I am sure it does. You see Ronno like this a lot I am guessing. How romantic. Robert must look so sexy with his hair on the pillow."

He was getting ideas.

"Yes, I am now, thank you, Ziggy. You're a very kind person and the Spiders must be grateful for having you as their band leader."