Hello dear all, so here comes the last chapter of "Tricks of Love" before the epilogue. Sorry for letting you wait, but had to find the right time to write it. I won't say much about it; it's intense and it has the final step in their relationship. There are 4 POVs, because I thought they had to be there.

I really hope you'll enjoy and I'll be looking forward to reading your comments and messages and let me thank you all very much for being such amazing fans: you stayed with me and this story till now...THANK YOU!

Dedicated to all of you and in particular to XxAricka_DylanxX as a huge THANK YOU for your messages and comments, because you really take your time in writing them and because I know how much you like Dima...hope you'll enjoy it! xox

On the right a banner Klovis made for me and I just LOVE it!!! Thanks darl <3 <3

The song is the one Dima and Jasper talk about in the chapter.

Enjoy!

JASPER POV:   -TWO YEARS LATER-

I slumped on the towel completed exhausted, shaking my wet hair and letting the sun caress my skin; soon another figure joined me and sprayed me with his drenched hair.

“Boy Travis..” I giggled and tossed a small towel to my friend. He sat down on the warm sand and dried his hair. “Never though surfing was this hard, I’m so tired you have no idea.”

“Hell, you tell me? My legs are sore, I just realized is hotter to watch than to practice it, so I’ll sit here enjoying the sun and enjoying the view of my Alexi dominating the waves. Riding my sex-beast is much better and exciting.” Travis smirked in that usual way he did whenever thinking about, well, you know about what, and then winked at me. “But Dima is pretty awesome, too.”

“Yep, he loves it and I think he is great at that.” I lifted my upper body on my elbows and we both looked toward the Ocean, where Alex and Dima were still surfing. “Boy, Alex is incredible, too.”

“Hmm, my love is incredible in everything.” Travis purred and that had me chuckling.

I think that since we came here, they never spent a second separated and this was probably the first time, but it wasn’t going to last long.

It was the beginning of August and the four of us decided to have holiday all together in some locality in California, close to Los Angeles; it was a pity the others couldn’t join us, but it was good to spend time just with Dima, my best friend and Alex. I haven’t seen him since March and I missed Travis very much. We chatted and talked over Skype almost every week, but he was busy with his classes and of course he would keep in touch with Alex every day. Must admit the time became busier for me too, since college began. It was a nice change though and classes were extremely interesting and my friends were all there; Kevin picked the same college and so did Stevie and even if we didn’t have the same subjects, we still shared a couple of classes.

About them, well, you will never believe it, but Kevin managed to convince Stevie in going out and after a while they became quite the couple. The funny thing was that both were bi and Steven wasn’t much into PDA, while Kevin sure was…well, sure time in college with them was never boring, yep.

And then my tiger…we both chose school of business, and so we met at lunch or in the library and we still had our special “study-sessions”, because uhm well…they worked perfectly for both of us. Alex and River picked engineering school, while Hayden and Derek went to another college, still in New York and so we all kept together like the old days. Shenice and Derek broke up and then went back together already a couple of times and it was sort of funny to stand there and watch their silly arguments. They never really fought over something serious and I think Shenice just enjoyed keeping him on the edge and Dee wasn’t ready yet to be all focused on future plans and well, there was nothing strange with that. I knew they weren’t like me and my tiger, or like Travis and Alex. Or, oh boy…like Hayden and Diane!

Let’s not forget about them.

Hayden had already proposed to Diane and they were going to marry as soon as college was over for our friend. The thing was that none of us was shocked or surprised and when our friend came to us with the news, we all looked at him with a duh-like expression, as to say, “We all expected that”. He just shrugged and said Derek was going to be his best man and that he was not allowed to have any crazy party. We all burst out laughing when he said that, because boy, the point was that he himself didn’t want one and it made me like him even more, as I never understood why some guys felt the necessity to hold some really excessive party and uhm well, maybe cheat on the future wife with a stripper.

Uhm, it happened, that’s why I am mentioning it, and it happened to a friend of Ivan, Alex’s brother; the soon-to-be wife discovered it and that happened right at the day of the wedding, and boy…I wasn’t there, but Ivan and Nichole were and told us what sort of mess came out of it. So that’s why I said I liked that of Hayden and well, I knew Dima would be the same, just like me. The mere idea of another person touching or kissing me made me flinch…ugh, no for me there was only Dima.

In these past two years we came to love each other even more and I couldn’t wait to start a new life with him. We had very little arguments, which were always about very silly and little things, like him going to the gym instead of studying for the coming exam and then complaining about the result, so you see, nothing serious. They never were a real fight; at first I was afraid it wasn’t normal, but talking to Nic and Travis made me realize it was more than normal. Uhm well, my tiger and I were so in sync and always told each other everything that there wasn’t the need of a fight or confrontation to discuss about matters. Plus, uhm…I just loved him so much that there was nothing about my boyfriend that wasn’t right for me.

Dima and I thought about finding an apartment and live together, but we decided to wait until graduation and so we lived with our families and I think that had been the best idea. For both of us.

He and Anatoly grew more and more attached and even if they would still drive you insane with their arguments, and uhm well, twins bickering was something that could give you a real strong headache, now they were close and real brothers, just like they used to be; Tolya kept teasing me and it wasn’t going to change any time soon, but must admit that we became sort of friends and he was an amusing person to be with. You needed to pass over his first harsh and sarcastic attitude, but then he would open up a bit and let you take a glimpse of his hidden side.

“What are you thinking about, cutie?” Travis lay on his elbows on the towel and smiled while looking at me.

His usual pale skin had become slightly darker and took a nice shade of golden tan, and I noticed how his muscles had developed more, looking slightly stronger now, but still very elegant and sinuous. You have no idea how many girls eyed my friend without bothering to cover it; uhm well, Dima said it was annoying seeing how “chicks checked me out”, yep he used those words, and not sure about it. Girls sure checked him out, that without a doubt. But well, yesterday a girl walked to me while I was alone reading a book, as he and the others went to get something to drink, and she introduced herself and then asked for my name and when I was about to tell her that I had a boyfriend, Dima himself came back and told her “hey, wrong guy, he’s taken and mine” and she just blinked confused and then understood. Boy…she said we looked perfect together and asked us questions about how long we had been together, how it happened and more…boy, she was a blonde version of Shenice; when Travis and Alex came back holding hands, well, I think she went through some shock.

Must admit it had been funny, yep, yep.

“I just remembered what happened yesterday with that girl and then when Hayden told us about the proposal to Diane.”

“Told you cutie people do check you out and believe me, not just girls. You forgot what happened two nights ago?”

Two nights ago? Oh sure…oh boy!

Two guys approached Travis and I when we were simply talking and sipping a fruity cocktail after dancing together; Dima and Alex were talking about hockey right there beside us and I had no idea how those two guys could have not seen it. We declined and said we had boyfriends, but they got sort of insistent and asked more, and then they made the very silly and wrong move of touching our arms, probably in the intent to drag us to dance. Well, very silly indeed.

Alex shot up at once and grabbed the wrist of the guy touching Travis and I thought he would snap it; Dima sprang up too and in one step he was beside me placing an arm around my shoulders very territorially, growling a “hands off, moron”. The two guys froze there and after realizing the huge mistake, they scampered away. “Trying to touch my man, got some guts” Dima snorted and I just giggled, while Alex wrapped his arms around Travis and I knew he would have liked to punch that guy. “Some guts?” I remember he growled. “Next time they won’t need them anymore, believe me.” Boy, I already knew how jealous he was, but every time was quite something to see, believe me.

“Yep, I remember, Alex got pretty mad, right?” I asked my friend.

“He told me he wished to punch that guy’s face for daring touching my arm and hell, you have no idea how hot and aggressive he gets in bed when he’s in that mood…” He drifted away a moment lost in his thoughts and from the way his eyes darkened there was no need to ask him what he was thinking about. Then he refocused on me and winked. “Hayden, hell, I wish I was there to see his face, especially when you all stared at him already expecting that; hell, why had he to give such news when I was in London? That lazyass should have waited for me” He snorted, but then winked. “Well, he sent me a message, so I forgave him. And what about you? Any future plans with your tiger? I’m totally going to be your best man, right?”

I chewed the inner side of my cheek and slightly blushed; I mean, the whole idea was uhm well, sort of surreal and big, but somehow natural.

“Sure, but you already know that and uhm well, I can’t wait to go live with him.” I confessed.

“Then why don’t you guys look for a flat?” He asked taking a sip of water and studying my eyes.

I shook my head and then quickly glanced to the Ocean, seeing Dima and Alex about to walk back to us. Travis did the same and we both exchanged a smile.

“No, we decided to wait for the end of college and I think it’s better in this way. Dima had a chance to get closer to his brother and I can finally say dad is the best father out there.” His smile widened at those words and he brushed a strand of wet hair away from my forehead. Travis knew what that meant for me. “Mum is better and even though she will never change her personality, she is slowly accepting my sexual orientation and my relationship with Dima.”

“I understand and yes, you are right. It was better in this way and I’m happy for you and your parents, it was about time for your mother; she seemed more relaxed last week and didn’t pale down or freak out when Dima kissed you.” I blushed re-thinking about that and my friend shook his white head and chuckled. “He sure is still the same; hell, I miss you all so much…” Travis rolled on his back and took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. “And I miss Alexi like crazy, Jasper…hell, sometimes it drives me out of mind, but whenever I hear his voice telling me how much he loves me, telling me he cannot wait for day we’ll be living together, well, everything calms down for me and then I just need to look at the ring he gave me. I can’t wait either to start living with my love, but the school in London is my biggest chance and made me realize many things, and all thanks to him.”

“Have you ever thought of..” I asked him and he understood what I meant; he nodded and flashed a dazzling smile.

“Yes, I have thought about it since he gave me this ring.” His eyes stopped on the object in question and another kind of smile form on his lips. The same smile I had whenever I thought about the same exact matter. “And you Jas? Who do you think will propose first? I know it’s going to be my Alexi, because he’s like that.” He winked and combed his drying white hair.

“Uhm, boy…too early now to say, I mean, we are still in college and..” He stopped me by waving his hand in front of me.

“Don’t play shy with me, cutie. I know how you feel about that and you guys look like a married couple, no kidding. Just like Hayden and Diane.” I sighed out and giggled at the same time; my friend was right and sometimes it truly felt in that way when we were alone and cooking dinner or lunch together, discussing a movie or a class or a game, quietly sitting on the couch or while tidying up the kitchen. I was just afraid that maybe I was too young to think about that, I mean, marriage, but hmm… “Jas, people might say we are too young to know what love is, but they can kiss my ass. I know what love is and it’s my Alexi.”

I blinked at my friend a couple of times and felt my lips going up in a wide smile. Yep, he was right.

“Uhm well, knowing Dima I’d say he would like to be the one asking, but then it’d be me having to organize everything.” We both chuckled and Travis nodded, knowing what I was talking about.

“He better wait for me before asking you that question; hell, I would get really mad at your tiger if he were to propose to you while I’m on the other freaking side of the world.”

“Oh boy, no worries, not going to happen any time soon, boy..can you see mum’s face at hearing that?” I shook my head and waved my hands; the simple idea had me blushing.

Oh boy…but knowing Dima, he was capable of dropping the bomb right at the dinner with my family. I mean, last month he asked my dad how he would feel being a grandpa and dad almost chocked on his wine, but he then said we better think about getting a baby-sitter because he wasn’t going to babysit our kids while we would play around, and then it was me almost chocking on my drink.

The thing was, dad loved my boyfriend, I mean, like a third son.

You have no idea how close they got in these past two years and dad…dad was another person. He changed so much and now he was warmer and more relaxed; a father I can go and talk to, who understood me and was ready to offer advices. Sure, mother was another story, but the atmosphere wasn’t anymore so cold and stiff at home, as that solid wall was crumbling brick after brick.

Travis softly chuckled and ruffled my hair and he quickly eyed the guys on the shore about to hand the boards back; then he shifted his glance back at me and he smirked like a cat. Oh boy, I knew that face.

ALEKSANDR POV

I wanted to try riding another wave, but had to admit I was getting tired and mostly, I couldn’t wait to go back and be with my love, so I paddled toward to shore and saw that Dima followed me, probably thinking the same. God, he had literally freaked me out in these past days and hope this evening would come soon, because he was really edgy and believe me when I say I never saw my friend like that.

When we both stepped on the wet sand, I quickly looked at where Travis and Jasper were lying down and made sure everything was fine, which meant, no f*ckers around daring to even look twice at my man; my eyes stopped on my love and God, he looked impossibly gorgeous. Sh!t, two nights ago I should have just punched that bastard for having the guts to lay a finger on my Travis. Dima and I were keeping those two idiots under control, as we saw them approaching, but we thought they would understand immediately, but not, they had to be idiots and go overboard. Just thinking about that had my beast inside me pacing restlessly.

Dima joined me and patted my shoulder smiling obviously tensed and I rolled my eyes. I had no idea why he had to be that nervous about tonight; those two were basically already a married couple, just simply not living together. I envied my friend for being able to spend every day with his man, but of course it was a positive way of envying him, as I was happy for both of them; I missed Travis like you would never understand and so as soon as college and hockey were over, I flew to London and then we thought of spending around ten days with Dima and Jasper and had to admit it’s been a great idea.

“Man, I’m beat, must admit it.” Dima laid the board on the sand and sat down a moment taking a deep breath and ruffling his wet hair; I looked at him and chuckled. “What are you laughing at?”

“I’m not laughing buddy, but must admit right now you are damn entertaining. Never saw you that freaked out and you better watch it or else you’ll give it out. Jasper is sharp and you know that.”

At my words he groaned something in Russian and tousled his hair even more.

“You have the CD, right?” Oh joy, here we go again. I patiently nodded at his question. “And you remember the place, right? It’s that one we saw two nights, I already made a reservation and asked the staff whether they have problem with that or not, coz I sure want to avoid retards ruining the atmosphere and you know, so you got the place right?” I exhaled and nodded silently. I think he had repeated me those things something like ten times and honestly I had no idea how my short patience was coping with that. Must be because he was my best friend and what was coming was big, and of course I was happy for him. He was about to take an important step and decision and I respected him. “And Travis knows everything, too, right?”

“Oh for crying out loud, Dima. We damn know everything and I have the CD and yes I remember the place and yes, they know about everything and yes, we’ll pull out the right excuse to leave you alone and yes to anything else.” I sort of snapped, but cut me some slack.

He eyed me with creasing brows and he scratched the back of his neck, sort of smiling and sort of shaking his head.

“I’m freaking you out, isn’t it? Sorry man, but you know I’m rather nervous, because I mean, it’s a huge thing and what if he thinks that..” And there he was, lost in his pointless ranting about questions that had no sense and room, because we all knew how crazily in love both of them were.

I punched his arm rather harshly and he finally snapped out of it. He groaned and massaged his shoulder, but I simply shot him a meaningful glare and he understood.

“Man, you’re such a beast sometimes and after hearing you guys last night, got no more doubts.” I rolled my eyes. Sure, because we didn’t hear them, right? “I’m going to have a bruise tomorrow.”

“As if, you barely felt it and anyway, you feel better now? No more ranting about stupid doubts?” He thought about that a moment and then grinned in his usual way, nodding and smiling even more. “See? It served its purpose and anyway, you weren’t the only one hearing things, if you know what I mean.”

Dima’s mouth dropped open, but then he shrugged and smirked. And he called me a horny beast? He should see his face now and then we could talk about that.

“Well, what can I say? Jasper drives me literally crazy.” My friend had finally relaxed and got back to his usual self and I damn hoped this was going to last until this evening. He placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a serious look.