An Experience to Remember

The Ask-Out

Disclaimer: We own no one!

A/N- This is the first collaboration between Jen (JenLea) and Rachel (Little-Miss-Rachel) There's a story behind the inspiration for this fic, but it will be revealed next part! Hope you enjoy...

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Staring at the blinking cursor, Paul London struggled to type. He couldn't believe he was doing this. It was so unlike him, and yet, he had to. How awkward was it to ask his best friend out through email?

He'd been fighting the feeling all week but he was going to go crazy if he didn't do something about it. He'd decided he liked his best friend when he found himself staring at his ass. It'd be awkward, that was for sure. But he had to at least give it a try.

Sighing, he began to type. Then realizing how pathetic his email sounded, he deleted the message. How hard was it to ask Brian to a party? It was a simple concept! It shouldn't be this difficult. Then, he closed his eyes, and began to type the only thing he could think of.

I can't believe I'm asking this. Would you like to go to this weird prom thing with me?

He lifted his index finger that was over the left side of the mouse and paused. A war was raging in his mind. Part of him wanted to do it, the other side didn't. He sat there for a minute before he pressed down on the "SEND" button. His heart thumped crazily in his chest, and he closed his eyes, imagining he'd e-mailed a random guy about going and not his best friend.

He had reluctantly accepted Randy's invitation to "Gay Prom". He knew the other man well, and knew how persuasive he could be. Besides, he never got out. However, he hadn't planned on taking someone with him, wanting to go stag. Then, Randy had told him to bring a date since he had Johnny and knew how much Paul hated being a third wheel. After that, Brian was the only date Paul could think of taking.

Paul spun in his computer chair and stared at the blank white wall next to him. He placed a hand over his stomach when it began to hurt. His nerves were definitely getting to him. Brian was nice, sweet, caring; but Paul didn't know how he'd respond to such an invitation.

He knew Brian was gay and that was pretty much all he knew about his best friend's love life. There was definitely chemistry between them that was undeniable. Every time he was in the room with him, he was unable to stay away from his charismatic friend.

When Paul had heard that they would be teaming together he was ecstatic, to say the least. But Brian was dating Mercury back then, and it wasn't fun for Paul who had a very small crush on him. Now it had almost become an obsession. He was always thinking about him; always wanting to be around Brian.

Now, Mercury was out of the picture. Brian had dumped him, for cheating on him with Ashley Massaro. Paul knew Brian was looking for someone, but had no clue if his best friend would even consider him.

Paul hit the refresh button on instinct and jumped when he saw that he had mail... from Brian. He had replied! Paul's heart skipped a beat when the subject read: Re: Prom thingy. What had he replied? Paul bit down on his lip and clicked the title slowly.

Paul,

I'd love to go with you...only WHAT THE HELL IS A PROM THINGY! Better yet, meet at the Coffee Shop in an hour to discuss it!

Paul leapt up from his seat and danced around in joy. He'd never been happier in his entire life. Then he stopped dancing and gasped when he re-read the last part. Coffee Shop in an hour? Discuss it? He didn't even know what the prom thingy was!

Calling Randy, he sighed. How the hell was he supposed to manage this one? How was he supposed to admit he had accepted the invitation, having no clue what "Gay Prom" was? Tiredly explaining the problem, he was pleased Randy explained it without calling him an idiot. Of course, he heard Johnny in the background, screaming about whipped cream, so he had the feeling he had interrupted something.

Paul hung up as soon as he could. He didn't want to think about what his two friends were doing, and why they needed whipped cream. He shuddered at the thought and straightened out his hair while looking in the mirror. He needed to look presentable when he saw Brian to explain to him what it was.

Arriving ten minutes early, he wasn't surprised to see Brian outside. He was always early, or so it seemed. He also wasn't surprised to see Dallas, Brian's Japanese Chin. It seemed like Brian rarely went anywhere without the dog. However, Dallas was as attached to Paul as he was to Brian, which Paul liked, even if Dallas didn't get along with Paul's Doberman, Houston.

"Hey Paul!" Brian waved when he saw the black haired man approaching. Paul waved back and smiled. When Brian smiled back Paul's heart melted. They embraced, though it was slightly awkward, and sat down at a table. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Brian cleared his throat.

"Hey, Dallas," Paul murmured, scratching the dog's head. He glanced up at Brian. "I talked to Randy. This prom thingy is what it sounds like, a prom for gay and lesbian people. Want to come with me?"

"It sounds like fun, and I'd love to go with you," Brian replied with another kind smile. Paul smiled back and continued to pet Dallas. "So is it, like, formal?" Brian asked after another wave of silence.

"I have no clue. I think Randy and Johnny live somewhere around here. Want to ask them?" Paul asked, forgetting about whipped cream. He was happy Brian had agreed, and nothing else mattered at the moment.

"Okay, let's go," Brian stood up and they both walked down the street with Dallas pulling on the leash the whole way to Randy's apartment about a half a mile away. Paul opened the door to Randy's apartment slowly and peeked in.

"Hello? Randy? Johnny?" He called.

What he saw caught him off guard. Randy, in all his naked glory, was covered in whipped cream, lying in the center of the floor. Seeing Brian and Paul, he struggled to cover up, calling for Johnny, to bring a sheet.

Before Paul could stop him, Brian looked in and his mouth dropped open. Brian dropped Dallas' leash and backed away slowly.

"I didn't want to see that!" He shouted in horror. Paul shut the door quickly and moved towards Brian slowly.

"I didn't either. It'll be okay..."

Paul sighed. How embarrassing was this? Picking up Dallas, he faced Brian.

"Dallas doesn't want his daddy in shock," Paul said, placing the dog in Brian's arms. "He says we need to shop for a t-shirt, or something."

The door opened. Randy appeared, clothed in a plain white sheet. Taking several deep breaths, he sighed. "Sorry about that." He faced Paul. "You knew we were involved in certain activities when you called before...right?"

"Err... Yes, that's why I hung up. But I didn't think you'd be doing those activities an HOUR later!" Paul exclaimed, chuckling quietly. Randy smiled sheepishly and looked over at Brian.

"Sorry if I burned your eyes out," He apologized. Brian just shrugged and held Dallas tighter to his chest.

"So, what do we have to wear for the Prom thingy?" Paul asked, trying to lighten the awkward mood

"Anything you want!" Randy exclaimed. Glancing around, he sighed. "I have the flier somewhere but Johnny's kind of naked, and somehow lost his pants..."

Paul sighed. Things could not get much worse. Taking Brian by the arm, he pulled his friend outside, calling to Randy that he would call later.

"That was so weird," Brian whispered to Paul as they walked down the stairs. Paul only nodded in agreement.

"So, I'll come and get you for the Prom thing tomorrow around six thirty?" Paul shuffled his feet and clasped his hands behind his back.

"Yep, that's fine." Brian murmured, setting Dallas down. Then, he awkwardly pecked Paul on the lips. "See you tomorrow,"

Paul watched as Brian walked confidently down the street, his eyes wide. Did Brian just kiss him? He blinked a few times to regain his thoughts and he also began to walk down the street, though he was much slower.

Glancing at his watch, Paul realized it was time to feed Houston. Just because he was lovesick was no excuse to forget to feed the dog. Walking toward his apartment, he sighed, hoping the prom would be magical.

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