N/A: Sorry for take that long to update! But I think you guys are going to like this chapter (mainly who like CrissColfer). About the poll, I'll talk later, so keep voting, ok? ;)
CHAPTER SIX
Declaration
Friday had finally arrived. Cameron woke up feeling his muscles protesting because of the effort he made the previous night. So he forced himself to get up and went to class without complaints. The first classes were of Statistics and the Angel's words came back to his mind. He tried to see the violinist on the teacher as the other had said and he actually could picture him with his eyes closed in concentration, swinging to the music while passing the arc of the instrument with dexterity. Yes, he did have a peaceful and graceful way of a violinist, thoughtful gestures ... he was no longer a loser. But to accept to have guitar lessons with the man was already another story...
And there was McGinty supporting his head in one hand while he absently twirled a pen in the other. He wasn't paying attention in class and that wasn't normal. He loved Darren and loved Statistics. Of course, Von Bleicken had also noticed this too:
- Is everything ok, Damo?
McGinty took some time to respond.
- I tried, 'Rissa. I swear I tried, but couldn't. I didn't feel anything with Dianna. So I thought maybe if I kissed her, I would feel something ... but it all seemed so unreal, I don't know what is happening to me. I'm thinking she'll never want to talk to me after that, and frankly, I'm not worried about it ...
- Oh, calm down, man - said Larsen, always so full of tact. - You'll still find someone. Even I found my soulmate!
- Well, Samuel. And your other half had to grab you for you finally call her on a date - Von Bleicken said and Cameron laughed through his nose. – Don't worry, Damian. Maybe you shouldn't push it then. Let things happen and when you least expect someone special will appear.
"How touching" Cameron thought sarcastically. Larsen and Von Bleicken turned their attention to class, but McGinty continued thinking. But he wasn't the only one who didn't pay attention in class. Cameron couldn't take his eyes of the boy.
~ ~ dameron ~ ~
The Hipster says: Have you finished your article?
.: Angel:. says: It's almost ready, just need to check. But I'll just leave it alone until Sunday before updating the site.
The Hipster says: Are you still avoiding the computer? What are you going to do tonight?
.: Angel:. says: Yeah. I don't know, I think I'll run today. I need to prepare myself 'cause I have a test on Saturday.
Cameron raised an eyebrow. Does ...
The Hipster says: Test on a Saturday?
.: Angel:. says: Yes, but not a college one. Well, sort of. There will be a volleyball game against Carmel College and there will be a test to form a team with the best college's players. Maybe I'm not better than anyone, but it never hurts to try, right?
Cameron bit his lower lip. So he will participate in the test... Well, since he knew that Angel was a man he had stop trying to find out who was the boy. But don't use such an opportunity would be foolish. He didn't need to identify himself, after all. All he needed to do was ask one of the organizers who were the Journalism's freshman and the mystery would be solved.
The Hipster says: Sure. It costs nothing to try. Woah, I'm running today as well ...
Who would imagine, Cameron Mitchell running in a Friday night! Lindsay would be disappointed. But he had to be in optimal conditions for the test if he wanted to be accepted in the team.
.: Angel:. says: Do it. It's good for cool ideas and the weather is great today, the night will be cool. It will be much better with you have company!
The Hipster says: Um, what kind of a date is this?
.: Angel:. says: Hahaha that's not the kind of company I'm talking about. At least not for me, I don't know about you. I'll take my dog for a walk.
The Hipster says: Oh, of course, the dog. But I have no dog or friends, at least none that I really want as a companion to exercise. If you saw their shapes you would understand what I'm saying.
~ ~ dameron ~ ~
Damian came home hungry and ran to the refrigerator. There was nothing to eat, so he took some biscuits. The sound of piano and voices indicated that Chris was still teaching, but soon he heard a shrill violin too and went to the studio.
- Hello, everyone.
Snuffles descended from one of the ottomans and ran happy after Damian. Damian gave him a piece of the biscuits and stroked his ears.
- Hi Damian - Chris and Darren replied in unison, then looked at each other and laughed.
Chris was sitting with upright posture in front of the piano and Darren was standing beside him, holding the violin.
- How long we didn't hear you play, Darren - said leaning against the doorjamb.
- Really, I'm even a little rusty, you know. It took half an hour to dust off the instrument!
- I say so! - Chris complained. - He sat with a cloth in hand wiping each piece of wood, so focused that he could not talk to me! I tried to make him laugh and he nudged me with his bow!
Damian laughed and Darren frowned.
- Sit there and enjoy the music, Damian - called Darren. - After all is not always that you could enjoy listening to your two godfathers - the official and the reserve - playing together!
- Oh, no, sorry, but I have to run today. Tomorrow will be the test for formation of the new volleyball team and I want to be well prepared.
- Too bad - sorry Darren. - But you'll be fine, Damian, I'm sure.
- Of course, after all he is Joseph's son! - Boasted Sirius. - There could be any other way.
Darren rolled his eyes, but had a little smile on his face.
- Thank you for your confidence, now I will let them. Let's go, Snuffles? - The dog barked at him and wagged his tufted tail. - Oh, and ... behave yourself, ok? - Damian winked at Chris, who smiled and returned the gesture.
~ ~ dameron ~ ~
It was after seven o'clock at night and Cameron was giving the second round in the park. The night was really nice for the race and several children were playing together with their families and their dogs. He wasn't used to this kind of family fun, never actually considered doing something else in a Friday night than go out with his friends.
He was invited twice for Shanna Henderson's party but he refused the two invitations. Lindsay had offered to didn't go to the party also to make him company, but he dismissed it. He knew he was avoiding the girl and that she soon would be angered, but he didn't want to deal with it before the test.
He stopped a little too close to the trees for a stretch, but don't take long, he couldn't stand still until he get home. His father had found a tremendous stupidity to run out in the street when he could easily go to the gym, but this time he decided to do something different. How did Angel had said? Oh, yeah, break the routine. Actually, it was relaxing.
It had been a long time since he had removed his shirt and was carrying in one hand. But it was perfectly normal in the park on a cool night like this. He continued to race to complete the turn and then crossed the street to make his way back. He was so immersed in thoughts that didn't even notice a hoarse bark that was coming as he drove to the corner. Before he reach the corner, something large and hairy went ahead, scaring him and making him went to the side, hitting his back painfully against the wall.
- Ow! - The furry thing he found turned out to be a huge dog, which stopped and started to bark at him. - Oh no, you won't run out behind me now, won't puppy?
Cameron was crouched against the wall while the dog approached him and smelled his hand. Well, the dog didn't seem to want him for dinner. On the contrary, the dog seemed docile, despite his daunting size. Cameron noticed the clear eyes staring at him and reached for the dog smell him better. Cameron was not a fan of dogs and felt that the feeling was mutual, but in this case he was willing to make friends with the dog, even if only to ensure that he wouldn't be attacked. The dog didn't wait for love, put his head under Cameron's hand and rubbed himself against him. Cameron smiled. While the animal was panting with tongue out, Cameron analyzed the size of the animal's canine. They were huge.
Then the dog was alert and Cameron heard the sound of chains and a voice calling:
- Snuffles! Snuffles, where are you, damn dog?
Snuffles barked and ran around the corner. Cameron was curious to see who was the fool that let an animal that big running free.
- Snuffles, come back!
Cameron felt the voice familiar, but turned the corner just in time to see the black blur run past again before taking a bump from someone who was probably chasing the animal. He lost his balance and fell backwards crashing back to the sidewalk in the same place that had run into the wall.
- Wow!
- Ow!
The boy who bumped with Cameron had insured himself at the wall in time, so he didn't collapsed on him.
- I'm sorry ... I ...
Cameron looked up. The other was panting, leaning on his knees, trying to catch his breath. Only then Cameron acknowledged the black hair and the intense blue eyes. McGinty was wearing sneakers, shorts and his T-shirt was sticking to the body due to perspiration.
- You! - both said at the same time and Cameron hung his head back again feeling it hurt.
Snuffles approached him again and started licking Cameron's face.
- Hey, stop it, flea-bitten dog! - Cameron tried to rely on the arms to get up, but found no strength, he couldn't even balance.
His back muscles were weak and he groaned when tried to bend forward.
- Snuffles! Come here now, useless dog! - Snuffles barked and went to him, but before McGinty could reach his collar, the dog was back beside Cameron and tried to lick his face again.
- Get out! Get out! - Cameron turned his face to the other side and made a new attempt to get up. - Ow! McGinty, you idiot! Why didn't you look where you're going?
- Let's go, Snuffles - McGinty turned his back on him and was already moving away when the dog began to bark with more intensity. - What is it? Come on, let's go!
The dog barked and licked Cameron's ears, who laughed, surprised.
- Hey! Get that cold nose out, dog - he tried to appear unfazed.
- Hunf great! Okay, Snuffles, I get it - McGinty returned to where Cameron was and reached out to him.
Cameron looked at the hand and then to the owner.
- What are you doing?
- I'm offering you help to get up, ok?
Cameron frowned and tried to build on his own hands to get up without help, but found it harder than he thought.
- Hunf! - Grunted as he felt his back protest.
McGinty snorted, rolled his eyes and continued with his hand outstretched. Snuffles barked.
- I can't believe ... - Cameron muttered as he reached Damian's hand, which he stepped grip and pulled him over using force in the right to not force his back.
- Are you really hurt? – Damian asked without showing any emotion.
- Nothing that prevents me from joining the volleyball team tomorrow - Cameron said, using the opportunity to provoke him to not feel even more degraded.
- Great, heard it, Snuffles? Now let's go, come on!
McGinty reached his left hand and then Cameron saw a chain attached to his wrist like a bracelet. The boy took the end of the chain and held it in the dog's collar, who surrendered peacefully.
- Don't even wait for these guy thanks. - McGinty said crossing the street to the park, where some children came to meet him.
Cameron leaned against the wall and smoothed the sore spot with his hand, as far as he could reach, uttering a groan. Could it possibly disturb him at the test the next day? He cursed softly and looked how McGinty bent down to talk to a boy of no more than six years, while other children were in love with Snuffles.
He still didn't believe in what had happened just now. McGinty was talking to a dog, who convinced him to help his childhood enemy. There was something stranger than this?
He shook his head to expel such thoughts and forced himself to move away as quickly as possible. He tried to run and was relieved to discover that he could endure the pain. He urgently needed a massage. He picked up the phone and dialed home.
- Mother? Hi mom, your masseuse's friend is available tonight? No, Mom ... mother nothing happened ... mother I just thought ... mother, listen to me ...
~ ~ dameron ~ ~
Chris finished the song with class and let his hands dangle at his side in a tired pose.
- Oh, I think I'm too rusty ...
- We both are. - Darren lowered the violin and the bow. - At least you still practice because of piano lessons, but I left because of the Statistics' lessons. Enough for today?
- Yes, I'm tired. - Chris stood up and threw himself into a beanbag watching his friend gently put the violin in its case. - Sit here. Are you hungry?
- No, I took afternoon coffee strengthened, we can wait until Damian gets home - Darren sat on the ottoman beside Chris'.
- Darren?
- Huh? - Darren looked him at the eye.
- Do you think I've been a good godfather to Damian?
- Is that even a question, Chris? Sure you are. - Darren gave a warm smile and blinked slowly. - You do everything for him, gives him plenty of space, freedom, let him have fun, to occupy his time, gives responsibilities to him. Damian is a special boy, all he needed was a place to call home and someone waiting for him with a sincere smile. And you gave him that. I'm sure he is happy with the life you lead.
Chris smiled relieved staring at his beloved friend's eyes.
- I am also happy, Darren. There is just one thing missing for me to be completely happy.
Darren arched an eyebrow, curious.
- Where is your inhaler?
- You're scaring me, Chris. Don't play with that! - Darren frowned, but Chris insisted with a smiling face, but with a bit of an earnest.
- I'm not kidding.
Darren stretched his leg and plunged his right hand in his pocket, removing the object and showing it to his friend. Chris slipped to the floor, placing himself on his knees and grabbed the man's left hand with golden eyes wide.
- Darren Criss, you want to be my boyfriend?
Darren blinked, tilted his head slightly and smiled away by releasing the air through the nose in a gesture of amused incredulity.
- You are ... you ... is ... - Stammered as the smile died on his lips and he blinked again. - You're not kidding?
- I've never been so serious in all my life, Darren. I fell for you and I'm opening my heart as I never dreamed of doing with any woman.
- No! - Darren said, a little harsh. - No, Chris. You must be confusing things! Look, we're great friends, childhood friends! It is natural that you confuse the feelings ... - Darren looked at the man before her shake her head. - We are both men! - Shrieked in despair
- I had much time to think about it, I wouldn't ask you if I wouldn't sure. And about the fact that we are both men, well, I'm Chris Colfer and you're Darren Criss! And I'm in love with you, it's so simple!
Darren would have laughed if he wouldn't know it was true. He could see the sincerity in those eyes that he knew so well since his childhood. He swallowed loudly and found it difficult to pull air into his lungs. His breath came out squeaky one, twice and he took the inhaler to his mouth with his free hand, while pressing and holding the air without ever breaking eye contact. He exhaled slowly and breathed more calmly and deeply, shutting his eyes.
- Oh, Chris...
- I love you, Darren. It's been so long I don't know exactly when it began. Just know that when I realized it was too late, I couldn't stop myself. Not that I hadn't tried to stop me. Because of Damian and our friendship I forced myself to keep quiet all this time. But Damian is not a child anymore and I can't stand those words stuck in my throat.
Darren pushed the inhaler again, slowly breathing a few times before face him.
- Sit down, Chris. - Darren asked pulling his hand gently and Chris returned to sit beside him, turning to him in expectation. - What Damian said about it? He already knows?
- He knows. I told him before I said it to you. If he didn't approve, I would have died without you ever noticing it, but he accepted. All I need is that you also accept my love, Darren. But I want you to be honest, in the name of our friendship. I'm prepared for anything that you answer me, believe me.
Darren hung his head back and thought for a moment before returning to Chris again:
- I don't know, Chris. I need some time to digest it. I. .. I never imagined ... how did ... Oh, God!
Darren got up and walked to his case, holding it and getting ready to leave. Chris stood up.
- Won't you stay for dinner?
- No, I ... I'm leaving. I need to put ideas into ... in order.
- Shall I take you? Are you able to drive?
- Yes, yes, it's alright ... don't bother.
Chris managed to not take a step forward.
- You can take your time, Darren. Just don't turn away from us, ok?
- Uh-huh - Darren nodded and stared at him without reaction. He opened his mouth several times, but ended up walking to the front door in silence. - See you later.
- Bye. - Chris walked with his hands in his pockets to the couch, where he jumped into and let his eyes fixed, staring at the ceiling.
He didn't know how long he stayed there until he heard the hoarse barking of Snuffles and the sound of key turning.
- You suck, you know Snuffles?
Chris smiled softly and stood up staring at his godson - who sat in his chair, looking exhausted. Snuffles demanded affection to the owner, relying on his knees.
- So how was it? - Damian asked.
- I even think he responded well. He asked me a while to put his ideas in order before he makes any decisions.
- Are you confident?
Chris smirked.
- It may take a while, Damian, but for the one who spent twelve years in prison...