Title: Drive Me

Author: Joy/M'Arcy Lee Corgan/Marcelle/whatever you know me as

Disclaimer: If I got from this, my name would be Ann M. Martin. it's not, so... not mine.
Pairing: Byron Pike/Jeff Schaefer

Rating: PG-13, for drug references

Summary: During a party, the boys learn more about each other... and Jeff's driving skillz.

Notes: Sequeled by "Candy" and "Falling Apart".

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Jeff stumbled out the front door, nearly falling down the porch steps. Only one arm shoved into his jacket, he fumbled for his truck keys in the opposite pocket. The door slammed behind him as Byron followed him outside.

"Are you sure you should drive? You look pretty out of it."

Jeff whirled around, his balance tilted somewhere to the right. Byron's arm snapped out and kept him from spinning into one of the porch columns.

"No, I'm good," Jeff insisted.

"Just in case..." Byron trailed off, opening the passenger side door of the blue Dodge Ram and swinging into the seat. Jeff fell into the driver's side, clumsily matching the key to the ignition.

"Really, I'm cool." The truck slowly eased into reverse, and after a few moments' thinking, Byron clipped his seatbelt on, despite the idea that seatbelts were for pussies. Over the course of three hours, they had smoked at least three bowls.

At last, Haley finally rubbed her stomach, complaining about the lack of food. Most of the guys nodded, but remained staring at Haley's exposed midriff. Jeff was quick to volunteer a munchie run, however, and gotten halfway out the door before Byron could remember where his shoes were. He had caught up with his friend pretty easily, since Jeff also had to find his shoes, keys, and remember how to open the front door.

Jeff was doing rather well, thought Byron with relief. At least they were staying between the painted lines on their side of the road. When they pulled into the 7-11's parking lot, he grew nervous again. Jeff's tongue stuck out in concentration as he manuevered. Byron couldn't help but stare at the wet, pink tip sliding between Jeff's lips and sneaking back in again.

Both of them filled their arms with random unhealthy foods and piled them on the counter while Jeff emptied the contents of his wallet into the clerk's hand. She smiled at them knowingly. Not many people bought half the selection of snack cakes at nine p.m. just because they were hungry.

On the way home, Jeff started to falter. At several points, he crossed over the double yellow lines and Byron finally had to say something.

"You're making me nervous."

Jeff nodded, swinging the truck back into its proper place, but turned the wheel too far. The loud whine of the sleepguard carved into the shoulder rattled through the cab. Byron bit the inside of his cheek and reached for the steering wheel in panic. His palm brushed over the back of Jeff's hand, and he reacted violently, gasping and shoving his hands under his legs.

Jeff stared at his hand as if he still felt Byron's touch. Then he looked over at Byron, whose facial expression had become quite... worried. Slowly, Jeff nodded and smiled at him, as if he'd guessed the secret already.

He reached over the armrest, pulling Bryon's tightly clenched hand from under a thigh. He gripped it firmly, shaking only minisculely.

"I'm sorry. I'll be more careful."

The rest of the trip back to Haley's was extremely silent. The only noise came from the rumbling engine, a constant background. Byron's fingers were entwined with Jeff's, and his face had twisted into contentment. Jeff kept his grip reassuringly tight, even when his palms started to sweat.

It was almost physically painful when they had to let go, as they pulled back into the Braddocks' driveway. Right before they walked back in the door, Jeff quickly laid his head on Byron's shoulder, the movement only half-caught by the porchlight.

Byron simply grinned at him. Jeff stuck his tongue out.