Chapter 1
It's been a rough couple of months. They weren't exactly fighting all the time, but it was obvious that their relationship was under some sort of strain. Though, looking in from the outside maybe it wasn't that obvious (they were still very affectionate with one another); Simon noticed that Baz was pulling away slowly. Maybe not necessarily pulling away…but he was holding himself at a distance; Simon couldn't understand why. Simon thought things between them were good, maybe even better than good. But in the last few months something had shifted and Baz had become withdrawn.
Baz also thought things between he and Simon were good…maybe too good to be true. "How could this brave, courageous, beautiful boy be in love with me?" Baz asked himself over and over again. Simon was so selfless and giving, Baz wondered how he could be worthy of Simon's love. Baz felt that any day now, things would change; Simon would realize they didn't belong together and would leave Baz with a broken heart.
Simon got lost in his thoughts, wondering what he had done to make Baz pull away from him. Every time Simon said, "I love you," Baz would playfully reply, "Yeah, right," before responding with, "I love you, too." It made Simon's heart hurt a little every time Baz would reply with, "Yeah, right." Did Baz really question Simon's love for him? Did he really not know the depth of affection Simon held in his heart for him?
Simon had to find a way to reassure Baz of his love. But how?
Walking downtown, Simon was swimming in his thoughts of Baz (as usual). He was trying to come up with a plan to prove to Baz that he meant it every time he told Baz, "I love you." He wanted to erase any doubt Baz had about their relationship.
Simon passed by a popular lounge and a flyer in the window grabbed his attention: OPEN TALENT NIGHT! Right then a plan began to form in Simon's mind. He was never good with words, always stumbling and bumbling trying to articulate his thoughts. But he was a pretty talented singer, though he was usually too shy to display his talent to anyone but the shower stall. Could he possibly muster enough courage to prove his love through song?
Baz sat on the couch reading a text book for class when Simon plotted down next him. "Hey?" Simon called out, trying to grab Baz's attention. Baz raised an eyebrow but continued reading. "Hey!" Simon tried again, tugging on Baz's sleeve, finally Baz lifted his face to meet Simon's gaze. "I love you," Simon declared. He leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on Baz's lips. "Yeah, right," Baz replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes…."I love you, too," Baz offered back quietly and returned to reading his book.
"You know, Baz, it's been awhile since we've had a proper date night that didn't consist of Netflix and takeout," Simon began. "Why don't we plan a date night out for a change?" Simon offered.
With his eyes still on his book, Baz replied with a sigh, "What did you have in mind, Snow?" When Simon heard Baz refer to him as Snow instead of Simon, he cringed a little but Baz was too engrossed in his book to take notice. Crowley, Baz is in a snippy mood, thought Simon.
"I was thinking we could check out the new lounge that opened up downtown? It got good reviews on its food and atmosphere. We can have a romantic evening out, maybe next Friday night?" Simon waited for a response.
Baz inhaled sharply and replied, "Let me check my schoolwork schedule and let you know. I should be free, but I want to make sure I don't have any projects or papers due. It should be fine though; go ahead and make the necessary arrangements."
Simon didn't realize it, but he was holding a nervous breath which he exhaled once Baz agreed to date night. "Are you ok, love?" Simon asked pushing a lock of his boyfriend's hair and tucking behind Baz's ear. Baz finally looked up to meet his boyfriend's gaze. He placed his cool hand on Simon's cheek, rubbing his thumb over Simon's smooth skin and the moles on his cheek. "I'm fine, Simon. Why do you ask?" Baz answered.
"You just seem a bit…I don't know…distracted lately. I just wanted to make sure everything is ok, that you are ok." Simon's heart was thumping so loudly in his chest with nervousness, he wondered if Baz could hear it, could feel it.
Again, Baz smiled a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes and replied, "I'm fine, love. Don't worry about me. Now go make those reservations, ok?"