Chapter 10

Today was a first for Nick. Today, while he and Jeff were hanging out in the pool house, he wore a t-shirt. It didn't sound like much, but for Nick, it was pretty monumental. Not wearing sleeves proved that Nick was comfortable enough around Jeff that he didn't feel like he had to hide from him anymore. In addition to hitting new ground with clothing, today was the first time Nick got to see Jeff freak out.

"This isn't working!" Jeff groaned loudly as he flopped backwards onto the pool house couch. The two boys had been held up in the pool house for almost four hours now, trying to find a song for Jeff solo. They had a list going, currently it stood at 136 song possibilities. They played some on the stereo, some Jeff already had sheet music for so he played them on Johnny's guitar, some they had to Youtube. All were turned down.

"Look, there's has to be something here." Nick lay on the bed, sprawled amongst the mountains of sheet music. "It would help if we knew what we were looking for..."

"We're looking a song." Jeff said simply. "Yeah, but what kind?" Nick probed as he got off the bed and sat on the arm of the couch, "Cause you can't be vague and picky at the same time. It's just frustrating."

Jeff shook his head, "I just want it to be prefect. I've never had a solo before and I..."

"You're scared."

"I'm not scared." Jeff snapped as he turned to Nick, "I'm just nervous. This is going to be the first time I'll be singing by myself." He became even more panicked, "I don't even know how I got this solo. I didn't audition for it, I definitely haven't been standing out in practice."

"Maybe they liked you when you sang with the Spades." Nick suggested. That did make sense.

"But I was with Johnny and the guys then, I don't even know if I'm good enough on my own." Jeff's face was warped into an expression of worry, an expression that didn't belong on the blonde. In the months that Nick had known him, Jeff's face had rarely left joyous. It was that foreign facial expression that propelled Nick from the couch, over to the stereo where Jeff's iPod was plugged into the docking station. He turned it on, pressed shuffle, and turned back to Jeff.

"Nick, what are you doing?"

"You're going to sing. By yourself. Right now."

"Nick, I can't."

"You can and you will," Nick practically had to drag Jeff to his feet as the sound of keyboards filled the pool house, "Look, if it helps, I'll start."

"Nick, no."

Nick started singing anyway.

I can't fight this feeling any longer.
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow.
What started out as friendship,
Has grown stronger.
I only wish I had the strength to let it show.

With a flick of his wrist, Nick motioned for Jeff to take it a way. The blonde boy opened his mouth, stammering out the words.

I tell myself that I can't hold out forever.
I said there is no reason for my fear.

Nick reached for Jeff's arm, trying to get him to relax.

Cause I feel so secure when we're together.
You give my life direction,

Jeff calmed a little, raising his head.

You make everything so clear.

Nick smiled, letting go even further. He jumped on the back of the couch, trying to be as dramatic as possible.

And even as I wander,
I'm keeping you in sight.

Jeff joined him, stepping wobbly onto the couch.

You're a candle in the window,
On a cold, dark winter's night.

The two boys sang together, hearing for the first time, what they sounded like together.

And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.

Jeff reached out his hand to Nick, to who took it on rhythm. Together, Nick and Jeff jumped off the back of the couch. Landing on the pool house floor at the exact same time.

And I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.

Nick grabbed a stack of papers from the coffee table, and threw them into the air in true Warbler fashion. The papers fluttered to the floor around them, swirling and twirling like snowflakes. Simply to avoid being hit, Jeff stepped closer to Nick, almost toe to toe.

Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.

It was then that Nick realized for the first time, how close Jeff's face was to his own. A wave of nervous heat shot through his body, sending his mind in circles. He couldn't think, he couldn't move, he couldn't raise his voice above a whisper as he sang.

And if I have to crawl upon the floor,

Jeff must have noticed too, because his voice fell into a hush as well.

Come crushing through your door,

One line left. And both boys could barely hear their own words. There was nothing else in the world, there was only this moment, there was only their matching rushing pulses, there was only each other, and there was only inches between them.

Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

The song finished. The heat radiating from both their bodies didn't. It only intensified. It grew. It was building inside them as their eyes met. Nick couldn't breath, he never wanted to move away. His eyes darted back and forth between Jeff's eyes, his lips and back to his eyes. Jeff's chest heaved, not from exhaustion, but from nerves. What was he supposed to do now? He couldn't bring himself to back away, but moving closer... he just couldn't.

Had time even moved since the song ended?

Nick couldn't take it anymore. He needed to know. His eyes fluttered shut, leaving Jeff to make the choice. And he did. Jeff's lips grazed over Nick's, sending sparks of need through him. Nick arched his neck upward, closing every last inch between their lips. Jeff's hand came up, snaking up Nick's arm, to his neck, to cupping his face. He kissed back, running his thumb over Nick's cheek, his fingers toying with his hair. Nick sighed to the kiss. He was willing to bet that Jeff could hear his heart pounding, but he was okay with it.

Out nothing but pure desperation for air, they broke apart, resting their foreheads against each other. They just stood there, chests heaving, heads spinning, lips tingling, hearts racing, knees quivering. Nick tried to break the silence, "I..." but Jeff interrupted, "Duet with me."

Nick stared at him, "What?"

"Duet with me." Jeff repeated, still out of breath, "At Parents' Night. Sing with me. We'll do it together."

Nick still didn't respond.

"Nick, please. I need you to sing with me. Please?"

"Okay." Nick breathed out with a smile.

Yes, I am currently on vacation from Camp right now.

No, I probably won't be able to update again until after I come back.

Yes, once I return from camp, my number one priority is getting back to my fic schedule.

Yes, I have a better idea of where this fic is going now. No, I still don't know how to end it.

No, Downtown Man won't be ending any time soon.

I honestly don't know what to say anymore, so just me leave your reviews!

Love Always,

~ELC