ARGGHHHH. I really apologize for the ridiculously long wait. This chapter was so hard for me to write. I literally had to stick my finger down my throat to force myself to throw up this mess. I'm not very satisfied with it. e.e Ah well.

Thank youuuu to everyone who reviewed! You're all very kind! ^_^


Chapter 4: Can't You Feel It?

When Red Mist betrayed Dave, his yearning for the conniving bastard hadn't lessened at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Of course Dave was furious. Of course Dave was hurt.

But he could understand the motive behind Red Mist's actions, and, in some strange, twisted way, it only made Dave want the red-and-black-clad teen even more. His extreme loyalty to and wish to please his father was endearing, and… and he hadn't even wanted Kick-Ass to be involved, and… um…

Dave couldn't comprehend his own feelings, couldn't make sense of them. All he knew was that thoughts of Red Mist (or rather, Chris D'Amico) had crowded his mind constantly since the last time he saw him in person. When he had seen Red Mist's unmasked face upon entering Frank's office, it didn't come as a shock at all for some reason. Well, that explains why Red Mist seemed so familiar. That was the only thought about the issue that crossed his mind.

Now, lust and unexplainable longing seemed to hang about him like a fog that just wouldn't clear; he felt as if he were forever waiting for some event, some miraculous breakthrough that was never going to happen.

He was content enough with Katie. She was a lovely person, he enjoyed her company, and sex with her was fabulous. But the fog was reliable; it would always settle back down the second they finished, leaving Dave feeling unsatisfied despite the stickiness that coated Katie's inner thighs or lips.

He often wondered where Chris was now. He desperately wanted to tell him he forgave him, just as he desperately wanted to know if the forgiveness was mutual. The little time that Dave had spent with him had been undeniably happy, and he wanted that back so much that it caused him physical pain.

Dave didn't remove his Kick-Ass Myspace account. He checked it every day, hoping to see a message from Red Mist/Chris, knowing that there wasn't going to be one. And he didn't dare send him one first.

One rainy Saturday afternoon, Dave signed in to his Myspace as usual. He had one message; hope flickered weakly in his heart, by now knowing that anticipation was pointless. Dave braced himself for another miserable dousing of cold water to wash away what little fire of hope he had. But it didn't come.

Red Mist. It said it was from Red Mist.

Dave sat without moving for a moment, stunned. He was almost afraid to open it; what if it was a hate letter? What if Chris was simply sending a final I'll-never-forgive-you-and-I-never-want-to-see-you-again message?

And then Dave clicked it.

Kick-Ass,

I need to see you. I don't give a shit if you're still mad at me because I'm sure as hell still mad at you. But it doesn't matter. I can't do this anymore. Meet me at Atomic Comics tonight. 9:00 pm sharp. Be there or be an ass-kicked pussy.

Chris

Dave stared at the last word. Apparently, Chris was resigned to the fact that Kick-Ass knew his true identity. Sighing, Dave realized that Chris was inevitably going to find out who he was: skinny, awkward Dave Lizewski. He wasn't looking forward to whatever Chris's reaction would be.

~o~o~o~

Dave stood in front of Atomic Comics. He was dressed plainly, jeans and a t-shirt. He checked the time; it was 8:50. Butterflies were attacking his insides; he had never known how violent the soft winged creatures could be. For only a moment did he hesitate before going inside; he had waited for this opportunity for too long to let it pass.

He glanced around, but didn't see Chris. Or Red Mist, for that matter. Dave hoped that Chris hadn't expected him to come in his Kick-Ass outfit.

Dave took a table at the rear of the building and glared at the surface of it as if it were responsible for his uneasiness. Every time he heard someone enter the shop, he started and looked to the door, half in anticipation, half in fright, his head snapping up quickly enough to break his neck. But every time it was not Chris.

Dave checked his watch again. It was exactly 9:00. And at that moment, in came Chris.

Dave stared at the boy as he entered. He looked like the same Chris Dave had felt sorry for that one day so long ago. Maybe he was a bit rougher around the edges; perhaps just a little more sadness occupied his eyes. But he was the same. He had on a striped dress shirt and black slacks; he looked like he was going on a date.

Dave felt his heart tighten. Or maybe it swelled. From what, he didn't know.

Chris looked around for only a moment before turning his gaze to Dave, and before Dave could look away and not be so obvious, their eyes had met. Chris stalked over to the table without hesitation and plopped down across from Dave.

"I knew it was you," Chris said immediately.

"H-how?" Dave stammered. He felt oddly intimidated despite the fact that there was no anger in Chris's voice.

Chris smirked. "How do you think I knew that you knew who I was?"

"What?" Dave's head was spinning, and he was sure it wasn't just from the confusing statement.

"I signed that message I sent you with 'Chris.' If you weren't someone who knew me, that first name would mean nothing, dumbass."

Dave realized he was right. How could he not have noticed that?

A moment passed in silence before Dave spoke again. "When did you figure it out?"

Chris simply shrugged. Silence again, for what seemed like hours to Dave. He looked at his lap.

"It's ok, you know. My dad was a dick. He deserved to die." Dave lifted his head to see Chris leaning towards him, a softness in his gaze that contrasted with his harsh words.

"How can you forgive me just like that? I thought you were still furious with me." Even though he was overjoyed, Dave could hardly believe it.

Chris paused for a moment and then sighed. "I am, but…" He leaned even closer to Dave, his eyes narrowing and glinting with something unidentifiable. "Can't you feel it?"

Dave opened and shut his mouth three times before finally managing a choked "Yes."

"Well, what are we going to do about that?" There was such suggestiveness in Chris's voice; Dave felt his pants shrink a bit.

Without waiting for an answer, Chris jumped up, grabbed Dave's hand, and dragged him out of Atomic Comics.


Oh ho ho, Chris is quite the eager beaver, eh? x'D Next chappie: lemony goodness! ;D Review please! And feel free to suggest some smutty stuff for them to do. I may include someone's idea if I like it and it fits with the scene. x3 And that person would get credit for the idea, of course.