For Lacy
A Silly and Dangerous Game
Lee had a sneaking suspicion Biffy was crushing on him, though maybe he was just jumping to conclusions. It wasn't as if he had any proof of his affection, only a strong feeling the big guy held a soft spot for him. It was a mystery which nagged at him during detention and when he was at home and when he hung out with his crew, begging to be solved.
That's why he was here, loitering in front of Biffy's locker in the hopes of grabbing a quick word before homeroom.
"What do you think you're doing?" The words weren't so much spoken as felt as Biffy towered over Lee.
"Just chillin'," Lee answered nonplussed by Biffy's warning tone. He'd learned long ago Biffy would most posture and threaten, like a bear when another predator drew too close to his territory.
"Uh huh, mind if you chilled somewhere else, Ping? You're blocking my locker."
"Sure, once you've paid the toll," Lee calmly informed him.
"The what?"
"The toll," Lee repeated slowly as if Biffy was hard of hearing.
"You gotta be kidding me. You think you can extort from me?" He leaned down to meet Lee's gaze.
"Maybe, let's find out."
He chuckled darkly, amused. "Go for it."
Lee felt his knees turn to rubber. He never been this close to Biffy before and despite the danger signs going off in his head, Lee was excited. He thrilled in their back and forth banter and by the way Biffy suddenly licked his lips he could tell he did, too.
Why else would Biffy be putting up with Lee shenanigans? It would be nothing for Biffy to pluck Lee off the ground and move him out of the way, but he hadn't. That had to mean he was enjoying this silly game too, didn't it?
So far the only thing Lee had truly discovered was he was the one who was sweet on Biffy, why else would he devote so much thought into finding out if Biffy liked him? Why did he care too much unless he wanted Biffy to like him unless it was because he like him back?
Lee forced himself to look into Biffy's eyes and saw something that surprised him; his reflection looking proud and defiant, feisty and determined. Was this how Biffy saw him? Was this why he put up with his bull? Lee had to admit it wasn't hard to imagine, he liked this side of himself too.
"Well Ping?"
"Would you like to hang out with me?" He hadn't meant for the words to come tumbling out like that, but his sudden revelation of his own attraction to Biffy made him lose his cockiness.
Biffy sensed it too. His mouth twisted into a triumphant smirk. "Naturally," he answered and shoved Lee to the side.
Lee tripped over his feet but managed to recover. It was not so easy for his head or heart to come to terms with what just happened.
"Why don't you prove it?" The question sat between them like an invisible gauntlet Lee had thrown down, challenging Biffy to prove his words true.
Biffy did not disappoint.
"Alright, meet me at my place. Saturday. Noon. Don't be late." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Wear something durable."
The gauntlet had been picked up while another one was thrown down.
"Yep, I'll be there, Lee promised, his voice sounding more confident than he felt.
"Good," Biffy opened his locker and Lee considered the matter closed. For now.