(I think this story is going to go up pretty fast. Here's chapter two. Song is "Swing Life Away" by Rise Against.)

Am I loud and clear or am I breaking up?
Am I still your charm or am I just bad luck?
Are we getting closer or we just getting more lost?
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words

The city was bathed in sparkles of neon blue and gold. Times Square was packed with people on the warm July night, couples out enjoying the evening, late night tourists, friends meeting for dinner. Will and Jack strode into the center, holding hands and reflecting on the night.

"So, did Grace like my idea for designing a set for 'Millennium Jack?'" the younger man piped up, trying to strike up a conversation.

Will rolled his eyes. "I couldn't tell who was laughing more, Karen or Grace."

Jack glared at him. Will just turned his head to face him and stuck out his tongue.

"She just said that she's too busy right now. Jeez, you're sensitive."

They went silent and continued to walk. Jack jumped slightly when screeching car wheels stopped a car from colliding into a bus to the right of them. Will squeezed his hand, realizing that his friend was jumpy for some reason tonight. This was their first dinner in a month, and Will had realized that he'd missed being in Jack's company. It was nice to have all four of them together, but sometimes he needed guy time with Jack. His eyes traveled over to Jack's face, which was turned momentarily, staring out at billboards dotting the area. Will smiled. Jack had worn a little blush tonight, it was cute… Will shook his head. What was he thinking?

We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand

After a few minutes, they arrived at their destination, a restaurant outside of Times Square. Will had wanted to treat Jack to a nice night, since he'd been ignoring his best guy friend for so long because of work. It was a fancy Italian restaurant, Amore de Vita, in a small cross section of streets. They entered to the warm glow of dinnertime light, and the sounds of soft conversation and lively music. Jack grinned; he knew Will felt guilty for ignoring him for a while. As payback, he'd take the opportunity to buy something really expensive off the menu.

They were seated by a handsome young waiter, who set bread before them and left to get their drinks. Jack picked at a roll lazily, his eyes roaming back towards the waiter. Cute he thought. And definitely at least bi.

He heard Will cough and turned to see his friend grinning at him. "Picked one out already?" Will said, pulling the roll out of Jack's hands. "And let the poor bread rest in peace, you've already mutilated it enough." He took a piece and chewed it himself.

I've been here so long I think that its time to move
The winter's so cold summer's over too soon
Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow
And I've got some friends some that I hardly know
But we've had some times I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go

"Tell me, Jabba the Hut, do the aliens on your home planet like fat, balding gay men?" Jack said, giving him a pretend sneer. Will reached over the table and shoved the roll into Jack's mouth. The younger man's eyes widened in shock.

"Oooo, now you're going to have to spend another hour at the gym to work that off" said Will, grinning, trying to ignore how cute Jack looked at the moment.

Jack swallowed the roll. "Funny William. Nice friend you are" he said, glaring. "First you abandon me, then you try to make me fat!" Will looked a little hurt by this statement, and Jack's stomach dropped. Will looked so cute when he did that. "All right, you're not so bad" he said. Will's face lit back up into a smile.

What am I doing? Will thought. I'm getting so emotional over Jack's comments, this isn't like me… He pushed the thoughts aside. The waiter returned with their drinks, and they ordered dinner.

"So when are you going to spring on him?" Will asked, pointing back at the waiter who disappeared through the kitchen door. Jack shrugged.

"I don't know, he's started to give me a bad vibe. I think he's one of those 'Doesn't think he's gay but actually is' guys. I don't want to have to turn another one tonight" he whined.

Will chuckled. "I thought you loved dragging them kicking and screaming out of the closet. You told me the sex is more fun that way" he teased.

Jack thought for a moment, and decided he wanted to try and get Will jealous. "Well… maybe…"

We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
until you hold my hand

Will's stomach suddenly didn't want Jack to go after the waiter. "You can't anyways, we've got plans tonight" said Will quickly, wondering what this twang in his chest was. Jealousy? No...

Jack turned back, confused that his plan had actually worked. He pressed it to see what else would happened. "I could just get his number" he said. Will shook his head.

"He'll never give it to you if he doesn't think he's gay, and you'd need time to work on him before that. You're my date tonight anyways" he said, trying to appear less serious by giving him a smile, but it didn't work well. His heart was pounding, he felt like he'd almost let something slip, but he had no idea what it was.

Jack stared at Will. He was acting oddly. Wanting to comfort him as well as try to move in on him, he placed his hand on Will's that was resting on the table. Their eyes met, and they both pulled away awkwardly. Jack hid a blush. What was that about? He thought to himself. Usually Will doesn't notice if I try to make a move on him. And I got more nervous than I usually do, what's up with me?

I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words

The waiter came and they ate dinner, sparse conversation passing between them, most of it about what was going on in their lives. Jack stared at Will's chest at one point, he looked more buff than normal, and Jack was having trouble concentrating and was desperately trying to put on a good act. This is not like any other date I've gone on- this is not a date Jack McFarland! He doesn't love you, don't screw your friendship up! He slowly got his stomach to recede to a semi-normal feeling.

Will noticed Jack's nervousness throughout the meal. Something's up he thought. What's with all the sparks? Why does Jack suddenly look cuter than normal? Wait, than normal? Jack's never been cute, just annoying. He tried to convince himself of this, but failed utterly and miserably

We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand

They finished eating quickly. "So what are we seeing tonight?" Will asked. He'd let Jack pick out a movie, probably some chick flick, Jack loved them. The younger man opened up a piece of paper and read the title.

"Under the Maple Trees, it's some new guy meets girl, guy loves girl, girl loves herself, drama ensues movie" he said.

Will nodded; he'd predicted Jack would pick something like this. When the bill came, they both reached out to grab it.

"I'll pay ton-"

"It's my trea-"

Their hands once again met on top of the bill. Jack's sprung away, internally he was grinning. Like I'd ever pay the bill he thought to himself. He thought he spotted redness on Will's cheeks, but pretended not to notice. Well that worked. I knew it, he's feeling something. Yes, I've waited years for this to happen! Now how to go about this…

"Jack!"

"Huh?" Jack was looking absentmindedly away from Will now, thinking about what was occurring. He turned to see his friend's face staring at him intently.

"Come on, the movie starts in 10 minutes!"

Jack yelped and got up with a start. They ran to the door, and checked out their coats. Will helped Jack put his on, and Jack quietly leaned into him slightly. He could tell even without looking that Will was blushing. Together they headed out into the night. Will's mind was disjointed. What is wrong with me?

swing life away
swing life away
swing life away
swing life away