The Tenth Summer

Last summer, Apprentice Ranger Stan fell completely head over heels in love with a girl named Wendy, who was the daughter of a visiting diplomat from a republic where it was ruled entirely by women.

Eric still couldn't stop laughing about it. Especially since Kenny reduced herself to weeping every second in every hallway since the rumors were confirmed, but he already knew about Kenny's long-standing attraction to Stan.

It was Kyle's reaction that really put the cherry on the cake. With Stan preferring to follow Lady Wendy around like a pathetic dog, the loss of his best friend really did a number on Kyle's confidence. Their usual back and forth of insults were less enthusiastic and Kyle even let Eric win most of the time if Stan was within earshot. All in all, aside from Stan's new romantic status, it was a total bore.

But perhaps this year did have its milestone. Stan wasn't the only one who began a profound interest in romance. Eric had shared his first kiss with someone and no, it wasn't Kyle.

It had been rather impulsive and, now that Eric thought about it, not exactly the earth-shattering true love's kiss legends foretold, but one rife with hormones and urgency. Patty Nelson was a mysterious and unique witch who came from a line of warlocks that delved in the cool darker shit like necromancy and puppeteering. While she taught him the finer points of questionable magic in exchange for safe passage to the northern lands, a spark did ignite between them over the winter months.

The point was he kept this a secret. Not even Butters knew the little tryst he had with Patty and he liked to keep it that way. It wasn't special, but it sure taught him a lot, and long after her patriarch-centered clan headed up north when spring arrived, they parted on solid terms. But Lord Mackey did warn him previously about how intuitive elves can get - especially regarding significant others - and so Eric really had to keep everything on the down-low to prevent Kyle from finding out.

He had to keep admitting to himself that it had nothing to do with guilt. He just didn't want to get punched in the face.

So he decided to be a little nicer to Kyle this summer - hold back the insults, compliment him, and maybe try to be a decent fiancé for once in his miserable life. It was easier said than done, but Eric was always determined to follow through with his plans. If he could just pretend Kyle was decent looking, it'd be much easier to put up the ruse.

When the Drow ship finally pulled into harbor, Eric's stomach seemed to flip-flop when a familiar ginger disembarked with a cool swagger he'd never seen before.

Eric realized he didn't have to pretend Kyle was kind of cute… in an ugly duckling sort of way, of course.

Puberty was finally starting to even out for Kyle. His facial features were much more aligned and narrow as he grew into his giant honker of a nose - befitting for someone with elf blood running through his veins. Kyle also seemed to be getting proper grooming tips from someone because his wild curls were modestly cut back and flattered for his pale complexion.

Once upon a time, those faint freckles would have caused a reasonable person to run in fright. This time, it merely accentuated how exotic Kyle really was on his transition from boy to man. And when he smiled sweetly at a few maidens who offered him the newest harvest of apples, Eric found that his adult teeth were grown in and perfectly aligned.

He was still pretty damn short though, Eric decided ruefully. No amount of hair care products were going to erase that ugly face from eons past. Whatever happened before summer rolled around, Kyle didn't look at Eric like he was a bug that needed to be stepped on. He seemed much calmer and more mellowed out when he offered his hand to Eric as per their usual greeting.

This time, Eric didn't childishly ruin the action. His lips pressed firmly against Kyle's knuckles which made Kyle's green eyes soften when he stood back up.

"You've gotten…" Kyle began before he averted his eyes and cleared his throat. "…less hideous."

Eric's eyes were ready to bulge out of their sockets, unable to process this ultra-rare compliment. Of course, Kyle was right - he may have been a late bloomer in comparison to his other peers, but Eric finally caught up with them over the past two years. His shoulders were filling out and he was getting taller so all that fat had to deviate somewhere. He wasn't a musclebound freak out of an adventurous ballad like Stan was; he was still heavy, something he would refute until his death bed, but… he was good. Bear-like even, according to Kenny. Bears kicked ass.

All that mattered was that the maidens finally looked at him too, the barrel-chested stud muffin he was destined to be, though Kyle would swear up and down that it had more to do with the fact that well, he was royalty. Everybody wanted a piece of that fat majestic pie.

Kyle's eyes widened in alarm when Eric offered him a smile and a bouquet of flowers - handpicked to make sure he wasn't allergic to any of them this time.

"What's this?" he asked wearily.

"Flowers, duh," replied Eric. He blinked when Kyle curiously accepted the flowers and seemed… hopeful.

"There something you want to tell me?"

Eric schooled his best puzzled look. "Uh… no?"

Little by little, that hopefulness was fading. When it was obvious that Eric had nothing to say about the bouquet, Kyle exhaled through his nose in defeat. "I see…"

"Jesus Christ, I can't give a gift to my own fiancé without a reason attached to it?" Eric accused, catching Kyle's frustration like a disease.

Kyle's disappointed expression turned cold. He shoved the bouquet back into Eric's arms.

"No… you can't," he said, uncaring of the murmurs rising up from some of the people witnessing the lovers' spat. Whatever test Kyle gave him, he had undoubtedly failed like usual. He brushed past Eric like he was just another townsperson in his path and headed for the carriage.

Stunned for a second, Eric immediately stalked after him and made sure the carriage door was slammed shut first before laying down the law. "The fuck is your problem?" he demanded, sliding into the opposite side before tossing the bouquet on Kyle's lap. "You on the rag or something?"

"You liked it, didn't you?" Kyle's question turned Eric cold with fear. "You can't even tell me because you did."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Kyle," Eric replied in his best business tone.

The air around Kyle was magically charged. "The covenant when we got engaged, asshole. Our parents made sure we can sense when the other strays. I know you kissed someone."

"No I didn't," Eric said automatically, flushing.

Kyle's eyes narrowed. "Yes, you did."

"Okay, okay, I did. So the fuck what? I didn't ask for this engagement you know!" he spat out bitterly. "It never occurred to you that maybe, just maybe, I'd be interested in someone I'm not forced to marry?!"

"I've considered it," Kyle replied and spent the time glaring at the flowers on his lap. "You know what's the difference between you and me? I don't fool around with someone else despite being engaged to the biggest asshole on the planet." The flowers suddenly spontaneously combusted before dying in a crumble of ash and debris at Eric's feet. Kyle looked at him coldly. "Well?"

"Well what?" Eric snapped.

"Normal people apologize for shit like this," Kyle growled, revealing that Jersey flair that occasionally turned Eric on. "Maybe if you get on your knees now and beg, I'll forgive you."

He was tempted, especially when Kyle was looking at him with such heat he himself might spontaneously combust. Eric would just be perfectly fine getting on his hands and knees and… well shit, his thoughts took a strange turn.

"I'm not apologizing for shit," Eric defied, his ego overruling his dick this time. "I didn't do anything wrong. You, on the other hand, should apologize for destroying the flowers I picked for you."

"You're deflecting again," Kyle said coolly and turned to the window, effectively ending the feud. "But I guess that won't matter in the end."

Eric's brow furrowed. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" But Kyle gave no response the rest of the ride.

Little did Eric know that his mouth would only get him into bigger trouble than just using it for kissing.

After a long meeting between King Gerald and Queen Liane, they called their sons over to the main sitting room for a grim announcement.

"I think… given the circumstances, I have to agree with Gerald's reasoning," Liane said sadly. "We might have to dissolve the engagement."

Eric thought he'd cheer and celebrate hearing his mother say the very words he'd been wishing for the last eight years. But hearing it now, the finality of the statement, and Kyle sitting right beside him in a way that he might as well have been in a completely galaxy altogether, made his blood run cold.

"Well that's a relief," Eric managed to say, "but what finally got you guys seeing sense?"

Liane and Gerald shot each other an uncomfortable look before answering. "There may be an incompatibility issue," Gerald answered delicately. "We suppose it was an odd engagement to start with the two of you being boys, but…"

"But Kyle has told us the specifics of you infringing on the covenant, sweetie," she finished. "Especially what became of it."

That reminded him. "And what's this shit about an engagement covenant? He can tell when I'm making out with someone else?" Eric interrupted. "Where the fuck is my privacy in all of this?!"

His mother raised a hand to calm him down. "Sweetie, all engagement contracts are made this way. It's just how it is."

"As royals, there are certain… behaviors you must adhere to in the public eye," Gerald elaborated carefully. "A scandal can make or break a kingdom, you know. To be merry and fool around could be seen as irresponsible and no amount of tax breaks can fix a wounded reputation. With Kyle in tune to your… rebellious side, he can do damage control and vice versa for you."

Eric grew more irritated by the second. "Well, that's just fucking swell, ain't it? I don't have privacy, I can't do fun shit, and Kyle gets a first row seat watching me jack it!"

"Eric!" Liane warned. "Watch your language!"

Gerald shook his head at her. "It's fine. But the covenant subject is just a small part of this meeting. Kyle thinks you may be more attracted to… erm… the fairer sex. As you know, we'd never force any of our children into a marriage that can't be fulfilled wholeheartedly. This needs to be addressed."

Eric shot a look of disgust at Kyle. "And you! You have a lot of nerve dragging them into this," he said, taking note of how red Kyle's cheeks were getting. "Were you that upset over a stupid kiss? Now we've got to hear the fucking birds and the bees from them!"

"I like bees just fine," Kyle growled, finally locking eyes with Eric for the first time since the introductions. He couldn't beat Eric anymore on the head about this. "You're the one that's interested in the birds."

Eric began to sputter and turn red. "Okay, just because I kissed a girl doesn't mean much shit!" he snarled. "It just means I like kissing!"

Gerald quickly got out of his seat and made a beeline for the minibar. "Yeah, I can't handle this, Liane. Do you think you can talk this out with them?"

"I've never understood men being so uncomfortable talking about sex and yet being so involved in it," she replied serenely. "An open dialogue puts us all on the right page. Eric, do you think you're capable of having a sexual relationship with Kyle in the future?"

"MOM!" Eric squeaked while Gerald coughed into his whiskey. Kyle groaned and covered his eyes in embarrassment. Was that really necessary?

She patiently waited for everyone to get a hold of themselves. "It's a simple question, Eric. You're almost an adult. You can give me an adult answer. If you think it's possible, we'll continue as planned with the engagement but Kyle has a right to be legitimately concerned. It's still early. We can end it if you wish."

That was when Eric realized exactly what Kyle was trying to do. "You planned this from the start, didn't you?" he accused.

Kyle seemed tired. "I just don't want to…" he trailed off and simply focused on a painting in the far left corner of the room. He had told Stan this weeks ago when he sensed infidelity on Eric's part through the covenant. But saying it now? In front of Eric and their parents? He didn't think he could salvage enough dignity to say it.

"Don't want to what?" Liane asked kindly, then blinked when Gerald shook his head at her again.

"Why don't we spend a few days thinking about it?" Gerald requested. "And maybe let Eric sort out his feelings on the issue?"

Eric folded his arms. "I don't have anything to sort out, okay?!"

"Then just tell them you can't go through with it!" Kyle snapped angrily. "Tell them and we can put an end to this once and for all!"

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Eric jeered. "I can't believe you'd resort to this kind of shit just to put me in my place!"

Like an arrow drawn and let go with a snap, Kyle jumped to his feet. "I don't want to be with an asshole who's not even attracted to me!" he screamed, causing Liane to wince and plug her ears.

Eric quickly followed out of his seat, embarrassed and insulted throughout this whole ordeal. "Well, get fucking used to it! I'm not breaking the engagement!"

"Vindictive fuck!" Kyle hissed, before exiting the room with a loud slam of the double doors.

So much for being nice the rest of the summer. Eric began scrubbing away the snarl from his face before pulling his hair back and cursing incoherently. What the fuck was he trying to say? Kyle gave him an out and he didn't even take it when he had the very chance.

He just couldn't deny it anymore. The thought of Kyle leaving for good didn't sit well with him - not when they were sort of something. Regardless of Kyle's assurance that elves weren't capable of controlling people, Eric thought he long felt a snare of something between them. No matter how hard he fought it, he just couldn't go without Kyle's presence. It was like opium or crack. It was pure addiction.

Getting rid of the engagement just wasn't an option anymore.

An eye for an eye. Kenny suggested that to fix this clusterfuck Kyle should try kissing someone else to even the playing field.

The thought made Eric surprisingly sick. "Who'd want to kiss Kyle and live to tell the tale?" he joked weakly.

Kenny rolled her eyes. "God, you're so damn obvious, it hurts to hear it. Just tell Kyle you're sorry and have sex ever after."

They were in the midst of a very boring lunch in the grand dining hall. Eric, Kenny, and Butters were the only ones in attendance. Usually the others would join them, but Jimmy was halfway across the kingdom tavern hopping with the other bards for songs and stories.

Kyle on the other hand was determined to keep his distance from Eric and ordered meals to be brought up to his room. And because Stan was Kyle's little boy toy, he kept by his side as usual for 'emotional support'.

The start of this summer was beginning to feel extremely empty without the occasional argument or random lute chords filling the room.

On the seventh day of this tense silence, it came to the point that Eric couldn't even eat his favorite meal anymore. He pushed the plate away for the third time this week, much to his friends' horror. "I don't get what's his fucking problem! So I kissed a girl, big fucking whoop! I've got hormones! I'm a teenager! I'm stuck in an engagement! Of course I'm gonna seek out other people!"

"Did you know that elves become extremely territorial when they pick a mate?" Kenny placed her chin on the palm of her hand with a secretive smile. "That's why the King hasn't taken a new wife since Kyle's mom. They mate for life… and death."

Butters looked up from his bible study. "Oh… wow… that's pretty romantic! A bit creepy, but still romantic!"

Eric scoffed. "You make it sound like Kyle is seriously considering that we…" he dropped his fork at Kenny's impish smile. "Well fuck me."

"No thanks," Kenny sniffed in mock sadness. "I'm saving myself for Staaaan."

He ignored her. Was Kyle actually attracted to him? Genuinely? He didn't know whether to be horrified or ecstatic. Maybe both.

Something had to be done about this.

Maybe he really did have sand up his frock, but every time Kyle would look at Eric, he would remember exactly how it felt when his human betrothed pulled another body to his and kissed her with wonder and excitement.

Eric never showed any kind of actual interest in Kyle like he did to that mystery girl. It was almost off-putting. Despite hating the human's guts half the time, Kyle was sincere to admit there were a few things that did make Eric attractive - he was charismatic, resourceful, and a natural born leader - all of which would make Eric a very powerful and capable king.

Kyle really wished he didn't feel jealousy, because that's what it was. Pure jealousy. Eric willingly gave his first kiss away to someone else - a rather humiliating thing to experience for a betrothal. If his court ever found out, Kyle didn't think he could survive the shaming and gossip that came with it.

They always knew Kyle was a bad omen. This would only cement the truth and poor Stan would have to deal with the fallout afterwards. He knew Kyle would be extremely insecure when the superstitious morons that made up the elvish court would start looking at him again like some plague to be purged.

"This would be a whole lot easier if you just talked to his highness," Stan sighed and shifted a bit on the plush cushion on the floor. "Tell him that you like him and all that."

"I don't -" Kyle began but faltered at Stan's warning look. He sighed and closed his book. "I can't," he stressed, folding his legs. "The moment I say anything like that, he'll use it against me."

Stan sat up. "So you admit it then? That you actually like him?"

Kyle's brow furrowed and he started running his fingers through his curls in frustration. "I don't really know. Sometimes I think about, you know… and other times it disgusts me. Does that make sense?"

Someone was knocking on the door to his quarters before Stan could answer him. "I'll get it," he reassured his prince before getting up and disappearing behind the ornate partition.

Disturbed and unsettled by his confession to Stan, Kyle tried going back to his book. If he could focus on anything but his thoughts - the fact that Eric sought another… okay, he wasn't a godsdamned damsel. He had better things to do than focus on stupid shit like this.

Like running a country. Everything else had to wait.

The door closed again without so much as a peep from Stan, so Kyle assumed it was just a servant checking up on them. Puzzling over the scripture, Kyle raised his hand up over his shoulder when he heard Stan approach from behind. "Can you hand me a quill, Stan? These can't be right…"

He looked up from his book when familiar coarse fingers ran down his palm, taking him by surprise. Kyle's heart jumped into his throat when he found Eric hovering from behind with that stupid, conniving, but handsome grin of his.

"We need to talk, Kyle," he said, entwining their fingers together.

"I thought you were sick of my speeches," Kyle scoffed dryly before tugging at their interlocked hands. He yelped when Eric effortlessly pulled him up from his cushion and drew him in close enough that his stomach curled from the pleasant smell of freshly cooked bread.

He wasn't really surprised that Eric smelled like a fucking kitchen.

Eric's other hand ran gently up his silky tunic before cupping his jaw. "I'm sorry," he said genuinely. "I shouldn't have kissed her."

"Don't worry about it," Kyle muttered and tried to tug away. Eric's grip was pretty impressive, or perhaps Kyle was just half-assing it the entire time. "This was a shitty engagement to start with. I can't blame you… I just…"

"You want to kiss me, don't you?" Eric purred, his breath against Kyle's temple. "You're pissed that I squandered mine on some random bitch instead of giving it to you."

Kyle looked down. He couldn't lie - elves don't lie on a whim. "Yes," he hissed. "You piece of shit."

Eric laughed and tilted Kyle's head so far back, the half-elf would have keeled backwards if not for his firm grip. "It's not too late to fix it, Kyle," he said confidently and swiped his thumb across Kyle's protesting lips. "After all, we still have one first kiss left."

Before Kyle could suppress the harsh beating in his chest, Eric pressed his lips against his.

A small sound of surprise escaped Kyle's throat - because his lips were far too preoccupied yielding to Eric's well-able mouth. Then a soft moan quickly followed the moment he felt Eric's tongue slide in and deepen the contact.

Kyle found himself a gasping, breathless mess when Eric finally sent him up for air.

"Mmm yeah… you like that?" he whispered in that ridiculous husky purr that always made Kyle shiver hearing it. Kyle shut him up real quick by wrapping his arms around his neck and kissed him soundly again.

He seriously couldn't get over how tender and sweet Eric could be with the right incentive. Or maybe he knew, but couldn't believe it could happen. The only time he had ever seen Eric sweet around anything was either his mom or godforsaken alley cats.

To have that part of Eric directed to him and only him, seemed too much like a bitter dream.

And he was fucking right.

Kyle gasped and snapped his head back up from where he had rest it on the desk. The sensation of just coming down from a grand height made him press his palms to his face to center himself. The horror finally set in after a few seconds. "Oh gods no…" he shuddered out in disbelief. "There's no way… This can't be happening!"

He dreamed about Eric kissing the shit out of him - and he actually enjoyed it.

Then it dawned on him that Stan hadn't even been here to start with. He had spent the entire midday practicing with Sparky and wouldn't be home until dinner.

But someone was still knocking on the door. Shaking off the horrible nightmare, Kyle composed himself and opened it to find an elven guard around his age saluting him and bowing.

"Your highness, Prince Eric wishes to speak with you," announced Lord Donnely.

Kyle's eyes widened. Oh gods… it was just like his dream! But this was reality and he was much more cognizant, but perhaps more neurotic than usual.

Before Eric could pop his head over the guard's shoulder to say hello, Kyle was determined not to give Eric the satisfaction of stealing his own first kiss - not when he couldn't even be assed to save his own.

He instantly grabbed Lord Donnelly by the leather straps of his chest armor and planted his lips hard against the blond's. His poor guard could only stand there stunned while his prince kissed the shit out of him and really, it began to dawn on Kyle just how shitty he planned this at the last moment.

Kyle drew away just quick enough to see Eric's stunned features contort in anger.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

They found themselves back in the same chairs in the sitting room. Only this time, Kyle had his head between his knees in utter shame for what he did. Poor Chris… he really didn't deserve to land in the infirmary just because Eric was a fucking psychopath.

Eric, on the other hand, was settled in a mixture of annoyance and satisfaction. He occasionally rubbed at his sore knuckles, but it only started to hurt when he grabbed a lance from the closest suit of armor and beat the guard senseless after the first punch. He really didn't see what was the big deal - he had been extremely merciful using only the blunt end of it.

Kyle avoided his father's stern glare and cringed when Liane sat beside Gerald to begin.

Her words were soft. "Well… um…"

"Do you want to talk about what happened, Kyle?" Gerald cut in. Kyle hitched his shoulders up at the sharp tone.

Before he could reasonably explain himself, Eric decided to answer for him. "Isn't it obvious, dad? Apparently, I'm the only one who takes this engagement seriously! I try to be an amazing fiancé, but oh no! Kyle has to go and flirt with the castle guards! Your son's out of control!"

Eric's scathing quips was the only thing that brought Kyle's voice back. "You nearly killed Lord Donnely!" he retorted hotly. "How's that for lack of control?! And stop calling him dad!"

"Well soooorry for trying to protect your honor, Kyle!" Eric snapped back in the seat right next to him. "Next time I'll just let him dig out the sand up your frock."

"I DON'T HAVE SAND UP MY FROCK!"

To Gerald's surprise, Liane started to politely giggle behind her hand. It quickly turned into a joyous laugh, though for a second the boys thought she finally went off her rocker. "Oh dear…" she wiped a tear from her eye. "I'm just so glad you boys are back to normal!"

"This is normal?" Gerald raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you see?" she asked eagerly. "Look how they're talking to each other again! I was so worried…"

Both Eric and Kyle shot a look of disbelief at each other before back at Liane, who could only beam at them with such relief they couldn't help but feel guilty about it in their own way.

Gerald tilted his head at them. "I suppose you've got a point… there's that energy coming back for sure."

"Perhaps we've been a bit overhasty," she agreed. "Maybe we don't have to reconsider the engagement at all!"

"Hmm… what do you think, Kyle?" Gerald asked his son. "Since this whole thing started because of your doubt, it only makes sense you give the final decision."

Kyle ignored the way Eric's gaze seem to burn against cheek. "Seriously?"

Liane shrugged. "Well, Eric displayed quite an aggressive attitude towards other potential suitors, so I sincerely believe there's a chance he does find you attractive."

"I'm right here you know," Eric said flatly. "Wouldn't you want an insider's source about what rustles my chainmail instead?"

Kyle groaned in disgust. "I'm gonna be sick."

Eric dutifully ignored him. "While my standards vastly is out of a certain half-elf's reach, I am going to do the mature thing. For the sake of my kingdom, I'll have to put aside my freedom and keep the engagement. I'll have no problem fulfilling Kyle's needs. For now at least."

"How very mature of you, Eric," Gerald nodded with a stroke of pride.

"Thanks dad."

Kyle wanted to gag. "Oh please! He's just messing with you guys!" As far as he was concerned, Eric just wanted him to suffer, but for what he had no clue. Eric was in the wrong, not him!

Gerald frowned at him. "Kyle, at least keep an open mind here. Eric doesn't seem to have a problem with engagement. Do you?"

"No!" Kyle spat out before he could even think it through. "Eric's a loose cannon! I'm doing the kingdom a favor by keeping his destructive attitude off the market!"

Eric stretched his arms behind his head. "Ooh, here comes that famous martyrdom. Haven't seen that in what, three days?"

Raising his hands up in surrender, Gerald rose from his chair with Liane following. "Consider this matter settled, then."

"Great," Kyle grumbled and folded his arms.

"Super," drawled Eric as their parents closed the door behind them, leaving a very tense silence in their wake.

Eric crossed his ankles, ever a vision of laziness. "…you know Kyle, two wrongs don't make a right."

Kyle glared at him. "Are you saying what you did was wrong too?"

"I'm not saying shit. Stop putting words in my mouth…" Eric replied with a tiny nose flare. "Are we cool? Can we just put this shit behind us?"

He sighed and crossed his fingers together. "…yeah. It's stupid. First kisses are for fucking fairytales."

"Preach."

It was the second time in recent memory where they just kept their silence, content to just be around each other for the sake of it. Still, Kyle couldn't help but ask, "So was it good?"

He could have meant anything - was breakfast good, was his fresh underwear good - but Eric seemed to have understood what Kyle meant.

Eric shrugged, much to Kyle's relief. "Meh… I mean, I got kissed, so that was nice. You?"

"Same. But I bet yours was better."

"Can't argue with that," he said smugly. The afterglow just couldn't be that special during a beat-down, no matter how masochistic a person may be.

Kyle sat back and comfortably crossed his legs. "It's just weird," he admitted. "You were so…" He couldn't help the thrum of excitement run up his spine at the memory. "…brutal."

Eric shrugged again and closed his eyes. Now he understood why Kyle was so pissed in the first place. The covenant bound them so tightly it was like someone had ripped into his chest and tried to squeeze his heart into a bloody pulp watching Kyle kiss someone else. It hadn't been pleasant. Not at all.

"You'd think first kisses would be so exciting," Kyle sighed. "but it kind of sucked." Of course, that was entirely his fault anyways. It wasn't like he had been attracted to Chris to start with.

"It's never the first kiss that's important," replied Eric. He opened one eye to find Kyle watching him with rapt attention. "It's true love's kiss."

The way Eric seemed to look at him made Kyle hunch his shoulders up in defense. "…you don't think…?"

"…ah, ha. No, I don't think so," Still, Eric looked a bit unsure. "I mean, do you…?

"I guess we'll never know until it's too late," Kyle replied somberly and looked away.

For the first time in his life, Eric didn't know how to respond to that.