Chapter 3: A promise is made

"So?", Nick asked when they were back at their room and he sat down on the bed.

Jeff walked up and down the room, arms folded. "So what?"

"Are you serious? I poured my heart out to you! And you, you say nothing at all! I'm starting to believe that you don't really care..."

Jeff paused and turned around to Nick, who looked angrily at him. "Oh, believe me, Nick, I care! What the hell do you think of me? Do you think I don't care about your feelings? OF COURSE I do! I mean..." Groping for the right words he sat down on the edge of the bed, in front of Nick. He took a deep breath before he went on.

"Nick." This time he grabbed his hands and patted them. "Never before did someone mean so much to me! You are adorable and I still can't believe that you chose me over all of the boys here. I can be so happy about having someone like you." He reached his hand out and put it on Nick's cheek to lift his head up.

"I love you, Nick, and no one is ever going to change that. I want to be by your side for my whole life and make you smile. I want to live with you, doesn't matter where, as long as I can wake up next to you and kiss you. You mean everything to me, and you should never think that I don't care at all for you. Cause I do. To be honest, Nicky, I would do everyth-"

He wasn't able to go on talking because Nick put his head between his hands and pressed his lips on his.

"Jeff, you are so damn cheesy! When you go on like that I can't control myself! I love you too and want to be with you forever." He kissed Jeff and smiled. But Jeff reacted with a hesitant smile.

"What is it?"

"I'm afraid."

Again. Nick's heart skipped a beat. Jeff had dropped his gaze and leaned back a bit. He looked so sad and desperate. Tears welled up in his eyes and he tried to get rid of the lump in his throat. He wasn't able to do it.

"Of what exactly, Jeff?" In response to that Jeff bursted into tears, whereupon Nick leaned forward immediately to put his arms around the crying boy. He caressed his back and held Jeff's head right next to his own. Unsure of what to say, Nick stayed like that until Jeff had stopped crying and had calmed down.

"Better?", Nick asked hesitantly and looked Jeff straight into the eyes. Jeff nodded and bit on his lip. He had to fight back the tears, unsuccessful. As the tears ran down his face again, Nick held him close. This time also Jeff put his arms around Nick as if his life dependet on it.

"Promise that you will always be there", Jeff whispered and tightened his grip. "Don't let go, ever."

Nick took a deep breath and nodded. "I promise!", he whispered back.