Clustin needs some love. It really does. 'Nuff said.

xxx-xxx

Austin was quite a solitary person, that was just the was he was. He didn't feel the need to be around lots of loud, noisy people. He'd didn't have lots of friends; he never had. But then again, you don't miss something you never had.

But, sometimes it really worried Clay that Austin was such a private person. He never socialised unless he had to, and would much rather study than spend time with friends. Clay thought that he must have been very lonely. So he made a point of hanging around with Austin whenever he could, whether the Stuart liked it or not.

So, when Clay saw Austin in the Library, laid out an alcove with a mug of hot chocolate and a (rather large) book, he leisurely ambled over to him. Austin was to engrossed in the book he was reading to notice Clay walking towards him; or rather, sneaking up on him.

Austin didn't see Clay until it was too late. And even if he had seen Clay, he probably wouldn't have thought that he would just walk up to him and poke him in the ribs. Although, to be fair, Clay had no idea that Austin wasticklish to the point that a small poke would make him fall out of his alcove (it was a good thing that Austin had finished his drink before Clay reached him - that would have been messy).

So, when Austin let out a surprised squeak and fell face first onto the floor, Clay didn't know how to react. Eventually, he just burst out laughing, and he didn't stop until he received a sharp glare from the Stuart. Even then, his laughter stop completely; he was still giggling quietly.

"Really, Austin? You're ticklish?" Clay asked, trying to sustain his giggles. When he received no answer, he leaned down, offering a hand to help Austin up. It was ignored. Austin stood up by himself and sat back down in the alcove, pretending that Clay wasn't even there.

Not to be discouraged, however, Clay just climbed into the alcove alongside Austin, wrapping his arms around the Stuart's waist, resting his head on his chest. A sight like this wasn't uncommon anymore; Clay had learned that if he was quiet, then Austin wouldn't complain about his presence. It was an odd compromise, but it worked.

"What are you reading?" Clay inquired, as he tried to move to get a better view of what Austin was looking at.

"A book" Austin replied, his eyes never leaving the page. Clay huffed, Austin was no fun sometimes. Persistent as ever, Clay reached out as prised the book from the Stuart's hands and throwing it carelessly to the floor.

Austin said nothing, but the look on his face betrayed his annoyance. As he moved to disentangle himself from the boy next to him, said boy tightened his grip on Austin's waist. Clay's other hand moved to tangle in Austin's dark blonde hair.

Austin, alarmed at the sudden closeness, tried to jerk out of Clay's hold, but that only made Clay hold on tighter. He gently stroked his thumb over Austin's cheek, his other hand tracing patterns over his hip.

Austin, unaccustomed to being so close to another person, panicked slightly, pressing both of his hands against the Windsor's chest, trying to create some space between them. Nobody had ever held him like that before, so he had no idea was coming next.

Clay kissed him. And he kissed back. He didn't know why, but when Clay gently pressed his lips against Austin's own lips, he didn't push him away. In fact, Austin's hands gripped Clay's shirt, pulling him closer.

Neither of them knew how long they sat like that - Austin in Clay's arm, lips pressed together in a tender kiss, with Clay gently running his hand's through Austin's hair.

When they parted, Austin's eyes fluttered open and offered Clay a shy smile. Clay just grinned and pressed his lips to Austin's forehead.

So what if Austin didn't have many friends; he had Clay, and that was more than he could ever have hoped for.

xxx-xxx

Good?Bad?

Anyone have any preferences as to which ship I do next?