Hey y'all! Sorry for the wait, but I - and Just Friends - am back! This chapter was giving me trouble but I managed to finish it, finally. This is the final chapter of the boys' Australian adventure - next time, it's back to Dalton!
karatekid1018 asked for surfing and while I had to modify it, the surfing is in there, and the sexy Jeff ;P
dinakiis's Emma Jade and TheyCallHerCormack's Lynsey are in this chapter. Thank you to you two for giving me some awesome characters to write and I hope I did them justice!
Quick warning - I've managed to keep the f-word out of this fic so far, but it turns up once towards the end. I really didn't want to put it in because I want the story to keep its 'cute' vibe, but it's there for two reasons - it was impossible to write what I wanted to without using it, and Australians are kind of like that - we don't care, we can swear our faces off and for some people, swearing is their natural language. I honestly don't care about using it - it's just this fic is different.
Anyway, you've been warned ;P Also - parties, drinking, making out, allusions to sexy times. Which are probably more warning-worthy than one curse word :/
Enjoy!
Nick sighed as he sat himself down on the sand and leaned back. Beside him, Audrey stretched out on a towel, relaxing under the hot Aussie sun. She looked up at him, squinting against the light. "You aren't swimming?"
Nick shrugged. "Probably later. They're having too much fun for me to interrupt."
He gestured out to the water, where Dean and Jeff were fighting to dunk each other under the surface. Jeff seemed to be winning and more than once he glanced back at the beach and waved to his boyfriend. Nick returned the wave and looked back to Audrey.
"I see what you mean," the girl chuckled, lying down with a sigh and a smile. "There's nothing like the beach. I still can't believe you've never even been to one before."
Nick shrugged. "That's what you get for living in a landlocked state."
At that moment Kyle returned from his task of getting ice cream. He handed one to Nick before settling down beside his girlfriend and teasing her by pretending to drip her ice cream on her. She glared at him and sat up, snatching it off him.
"You're so annoying," she huffed. Kyle grinned and leaned over to kiss her cheek – neither he nor Nick missed the small smile on Audrey's face, even though she tried to cover it up with a scowl when she realised her slip-up.
The brunette turned his attention back to where his boyfriend and Dean were splashing around in the water. It was clear they were having a good time and Nick smiled as he ate his ice cream, loving the carefree and happy expression on Jeff's face. Just as he finished and rubbed the stray drop of chocolate that had ended up on his chin, the pair came running from the water towards them. Dean flopped down on a towel beside his cousin and Jeff stopped in front of his boyfriend.
"Come on!" he said pleadingly, holding out a hand "You can't sit on the sand all day!"
Nick rolled his eyes and let Jeff pull him up to his feet. The blonde dragged him towards the water, but then he paused for a second and looked back at him curiously. "Nick… you can actually swim, right?"
Nick smiled and said, "If I couldn't, I would have told you before you hauled me into the ocean."
Jeff grinned. "Oh, good. It would have sucked if you couldn't."
"But then you could have saved me from drowning, like one of those sexy lifeguards," Nick smirked, gesturing vaguely up the crowded beach to one that was patrolling the sand. If he were honest, he wasn't his type at all – way too much muscle – but all he wanted was the reaction from Jeff. The blonde glared at him, hands on his hips. "Hey. I thought we agreed. No more jealousy games."
"You're right," Nick said genuinely "I'm sorry."
Jeff took his hand again with a slight smile, that grew larger and more wicked as he spoke. "Come on, let's get in the water. But I have to admit, mouth to mouth sounds like a damn good idea. Feel free to start drowning whenever you like."
The brunette laughed as Jeff dragged him down the rest of the beach and into the water. He gasped at the sudden shock of the cool water, but the air was so hot that Nick quickly decided it was a much better place to be than up on the sand.
As soon as they were deep enough, Jeff grabbed his boyfriend around the waist and threw him. Nick ended up dunked under the water and came up spluttering, brushing hair from his eyes.
"Oh, you're so in for it," he growled playfully, launching himself at Jeff and sending him under.
The blonde wriggled out of his grip and moved away, laughing. "Come and get me!"
For the next hour they messed around, splashing and dunking each other. Jeff tried to surprise Nick with a sneaky underwater kiss but the brunette ended up swallowing a mouthful of saltwater in his surprise, and started coughing so much Jeff was concerned he might actually have to do mouth to mouth. Eventually they were called out of the water by Dean and the pair trudged back up the sand to where the rest of the group was sitting. Two new guys had shown up while they'd been in the water and Nick looked them up and down as he and Jeff approached. They were both tanned with athletic builds. One had bleached blonde hair, wet, that hung over his face messily, while the other sported a brunette cropped cut.
"Nick, Jeff, this is James and Matt," Kyle said, gesturing to each teenager as he said their names. "They said they'd help you guys out if you want to try out surfing."
Jeff's face lit up and Dean told the two newcomers they'd take up their offer. Nick shook his head. "I'll stay here. You go have fun," he said.
Jeff didn't need telling twice. He and Dean followed the two guys down the beach while Nick dropped down onto his towel next to Audrey, pushing back the hair plastered to his face.
"You looked like you were having fun," the girl commented with a smile, not opening her eyes as she rolled over onto her front.
"I was. You're not going to swim?"
Audrey shook her head. "Nah. Maybe later, but I think I'll just stay up here."
He chatted with Audrey and Kyle for a little while, telling them about Isabelle and the Warblers when he was asked. It was only when Audrey, now sat up and leaning against her boyfriend, pointed out to the water that Nick focused his attention back on Jeff. And he was glad he did.
The blonde clearly had some natural talent – Dean was floundering in the water, trying to grip onto his surfboard and not get smacked in the head by it, whilst Jeff was at least standing on his. He wobbled dangerously and the wave he was trying to ride knocked him off. He quickly came back to the surface, grinning as he clambered back on.
Nick watched his boyfriend with a slight smile as he became progressively better as time wore on. Dean picked it up quicker, having surfed before, but eventually Jeff was surfing fairly well. He wasn't falling off as much and he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. James and Matt were certainly better – the difference in skill was obvious – but most of their time was spent sat on their boards rather than standing up on them, helping out Jeff (and Dean, when he needed it) and encouraging him – James more so than his friend.
When they finally made their way back to the three sat on the beach, Jeff and James were chatting and laughing like old friends. Nick stared, jaw loose, as his boyfriend approached. Was there anything better to look at than a wet, half-naked Jeff? Did that question even need to be asked? The blonde raked back the hair from his face and grinned – but not at his boyfriend. Nick's eyes narrowed slightly as Jeff continued to talk with James even when they'd reached the group relaxing on the sand, but when he heard the topic of their conversation, he couldn't stay mad.
"That was amazing! Thank you for helping me out. Hopefully I'll get the chance to go surfing again, but even if I don't, that was the most fun I've had in ages."
James smiled and shrugged, brushing a wet lock of bleached hair from his face. "It's all good. Hey, have you got your phone with you?"
Jeff nodded and dug around in Audrey's beach bag for it. Nick raised an eyebrow as he handed it to James and the surfer typed something in.
"If you ever find yourself in need of surfing tips, just text me."
Jeff smiled. James and Matt bid everyone goodbye and left, taking the two borrowed surfboards with them. Nick couldn't help but notice the backwards glance James shot his boyfriend that said boy didn't seem to notice. He'd already tossed his phone back into Audrey's bag and dropped down onto the towel beside Nick.
"Did you see? I was awesome!" He was ecstatic. He couldn't wipe the smile from his face. Nick shook his head with a smile of his own. "You were. You realise you also just got another guy's phone number right in front of your boyfriend?"
"Are you kidding me?" Jeff laughed "He's not gay."
"Oh, no, he is." Kyle decided now was a good time to chip in. Jeff whipped his head around and stared at him. "You're kidding."
Kyle shook his head. "Nope. Gay as you two."
The blonde frowned and turned back around to watch James and Matt's disappearing figures. Though they were too far to hear anything, especially over the noise of the other beachgoers, it was obvious Matt was laughing about something and James was shoving him, shoulders down and head hanging a little.
"…I feel really bad now," Jeff said "What if I led him on or something? I didn't even realise!"
"Jeff, if you weren't trying to surf, you were talking about Nick," Dean scoffed. "Or koalas, but that's irrelevant. Anyway, I think he got the idea that you two are madly in love."
"His boyfriend broke up with him a few weeks ago," Audrey added her insight "I think he's still rebounding. Latching onto any good-looking guy that even remotely hints at 'gay'."
Nick laughed as his boyfriend stared at the ground, a confused look on his face. Kyle stood up and stretched. "Come on. It's probably about time we headed home."
The rest of the boys' time went by so fast they barely realised it. They were having too much fun to care about the impending flights home. But, much sooner than any of them would have liked, the day of the beach party – just two days before they were due to return to the States – came around. Despite the fact it heralded the coming end of their trip, everyone was excited about it and nothing could dampen their spirits.
"Hurry up!" Dean shouted through the house "I am not missing this!"
Nick rolled his eyes and went to check on Jeff, tapping on the bathroom door quickly. "Are you ready?"
"Almost!"
The brunette pushed open the door and poked his head inside. The blonde was just finishing his hair and he stepped back from the mirror, admiring his work. With a final nod he looked over at his boyfriend, and Nick was surprised to see a slightly sad smile on his face.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Jeff sighed. "It's just… we're going home soon."
Nick shook his head with a wide smile. "Hey, it's not like you're never going to come back. I thought you planned on moving here?"
Jeff grinned. "Yeah, something like that. Come on. I think Dean's going to kill us if we don't hurry up."
Ten minutes later and everyone was packed in the car. It took a little longer to get to the beach as they had to stop and pick up some alcohol (Dean planned on getting absolutely wasted). When they finally arrived the party was in full swing – a massive group of people were drinking or dancing tipsily on the beach, and music was blaring from somewhere they couldn't quite determine.
As soon as they were out of the car Dean vanished, and Kyle and Audrey got caught up chatting with the guy throwing the party, Tom. Nick and Jeff slipped off to let them talk and they grabbed a couple of drinks.
"Australians sure know how to party," Nick said wryly as a girl, staggering along the sand, pitched onto her knees and threw up. Another girl, presumably her friend, came up behind her and laughed drunkenly, tugging the first to her feet and thrusting another drink into her hand.
"Indeed we do," a familiar voice said and both the boys smiled as they saw Emma-Jade and Lynsey.
"Good to see you guys again. By the way, Josh is here and I'd avoid him if I were you," Emma Jade warned, sounding still a little sober "He's off his face. And he's not fun when he's like that. He'll more than likely punch you as soon as look at you."
"Thanks for the warning," Jeff said, glancing around to see if the guy was anywhere nearby. They seemed to be safe for the moment – and there were more than enough people around them to hide them.
They chatted with the girls for a little while, becoming drunker and drunker as they laughed and joked around. Eventually the boys had to disappear as Josh came stumbling around, looking for his girlfriend, and they ran into Dean. He was already well on his way to his desired 'wasted' status, dancing around like a madman and shouting incoherently about something or another. They left him to it and went to find more alcohol.
As the night – and the party – carried on, Jeff and Nick continued to drink and it wasn't long before they didn't care what anyone else thought, dancing together and kissing. Nick giggled as the blonde grabbed him around the waist and pulled him in, biting his shoulder lightly and growling playfully.
"Mmm, mine," Jeff said as he continued pretending to chew on his boyfriend's shoulder. Nick swatted him away with a laugh. Just then, a song started to play that they'd been hearing on the radio ever since they'd touched down in Australia – it had fast become a favourite of Jeff's. The blonde grinned and spun Nick around, staring down at him with sparkling eyes as they danced to it.
Out in the crowd, it's the middle of the night
And everybody's looking at you
Familiar faces but nothing seems to phase me
It's all about me and you (and you)
Yeah, the night is still young
We gotta have some fun
We'll leave it all behind now
I'm not saying I'm mister right
But leave without a fight
I gotta make a move somehow
Jeff started singing the words quietly in Nick's ear, so no one else could hear – then again, he could have shouted them and no one would have heard over the noise of the party. Nick shivered and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's shoulders. He barely remembered that anyone else existed; all he could think about was Jeff.
Cause I don't wanna waste tonight
Let's turn out all the lights now
Make out on your bedroom floor
No I don't wanna say good bye
Wishing for the spot light
Missing on your bedroom floor
So shut up and kiss me
No need to tease me
You don't need to say no more
Shut up and kiss me
I know you're gonna miss me
Kissing on your bedroom floor
A random girl, clearly drunk, made her slow way towards the boys and fell into them, snatching up Jeff's hand and trying to drag him away. The blonde dug in his heels, slipping a little in the sand. As Nick staggered from the loss of support and tried to get his bearings back, the girl grabbed Jeff's shoulders and mumbled something unintelligible. She tried to lean in and kiss him, but Nick regained his senses in time to see what was happening. Reaching out, he grabbed a fistful of the back of the girl's dress and pulled her away. She stumbled and fell on her ass on the ground. A second later she started crying hysterically.
"Mine," Nick growled, turning back to his bewildered boyfriend and kissing him himself.
So what you think are we on the same page
Cause I don't wanna play the same game
So roll the dice we don't need to think twice
You're gonna beat me every time we play
Yeah, the night is still young
We gotta have some fun
We'll leave it all behind now
I'm not saying I'm mister right
But leave without a fight
I gotta make a move somehow
Cause I don't wanna waste tonight
Let's turn out all the lights now
Make out on your bedroom floor
No I don't wanna say good bye
Wishing for the spot light
Missing on your bedroom floor
So shut up and kiss me
No need to tease me
You don't need to say no more
Shut up and kiss me
I know you're gonna miss me
Kissing on your bedroom floor
"Come on," Jeff muttered, breaking away from Nick's mouth for the first time since the brunette had staked his claim. He took hold of Nick's arm and led him away from the crowd of people, passing by Dean who was unconscious on the ground and having things drawn and written on his bare chest and face by other partygoers. They moved away from the whole party and made their way down the beach, the music not fading by much. When Jeff deemed they were finally far enough away, he turned and pulled Nick close, kissing him hard and running his hands over his body.
Let's save the best for the darkness
Give me just a little bit more
Don't say that you can resist me
What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?
Tonight let's turn out all the lights now
Make out on your bedroom floor
No I don't wanna say good bye
Wishing for the spot light
Missing on your bedroom floor
I don't wanna waste tonight
Let's turn out all the lights now
Make out on your bedroom floor
No I don't wanna say good bye
Wishing for the spot light
Missing on your bedroom floor
Nick took a step backwards and tripped, falling onto his back in the sand. Jeff fell with him, though managed to avoid squashing him. Within seconds they were back to their heated, desperate kisses, Jeff's hands warm on Nick's hips, the brunette's own hands alternating between fisting in his boyfriend's hair or skimming over his back. Before Nick even knew it, Jeff grabbed his belt with one hand and lifted his head to look down at him with dark, lusting eyes.
"You want to?" he asked huskily, giving the belt a loose tug. Nick lost his words for a moment, his affirmation ending up as a small noise from the back of his throat and a nod. When Jeff didn't move, Nick managed a breathless, "Yeah."
The blonde smiled, but didn't get the chance to do anything before something cold and wet rushed up and surprised Nick, soaking the bottoms of his skinny jeans. With a gasp, he propped himself up on his elbows and realised just how close to the water they were – now that he knew, he could feel the dampness of the sand seeping into his shirt.
But he couldn't bring himself to care as Jeff kissed him again, slow and passionate.
So shut up and kiss me
No need to tease me
You don't need to say no more
Shut up and kiss me
I know you're gonna miss me
Kissing on your bedroom floor
Shut up and kiss me
No need to tease me
You don't need to say no more
Shut up and kiss me
I know you're gonna miss me
Kissing on your bedroom floor
When Nick awoke, he found himself squashed underneath his boyfriend on the backseat of Kyle's car. It was a rather familiar position, he thought, recalling Jeff's seventeenth birthday. Gently he nudged the blonde. He moaned and shifted, blinking his eyes open slowly.
"Hey."
"Hey." Nick smiled slightly. "I don't suppose…" He paused for a moment, wincing as his head pounded mercilessly. "… you remember how we got here?"
"Umm…" Jeff appeared to be thinking hard, screwing up his face – that, or he was in pain. "You were sleepy. I think I took you to the car and… yeah. I guess we fell asleep."
"I can't really breathe, by the way."
"Oh. Sorry." The blonde twisted awkwardly and managed to get the car door open. He slithered out, landing in a heap on the ground outside. "Ow."
Nick shook his head as he clambered out of the car after him. He pulled Jeff to his feet and glanced around. The morning's light was bright and he had to shade his eyes. It appeared that almost everyone had gone – everyone apart from Dean, who was passed out on the beach, and Audrey and Kyle, who were unsuccessfully attempting to wake him.
"Are you sure he's not dead?" he heard Audrey say.
"Nah," Kyle replied "He's breathing. Idiot. We'll have to haul him up to the car and wake the other two idiots up."
"Hey," Jeff called weakly. Kyle glanced up at the sound and shook his head. "Finally. Come on, we need to get Dean in the car."
The boys came down to help and Nick couldn't help but chuckle at some of the things that had been scrawled on the unconscious boy.
"I've already got pictures," Audrey smiled.
Nick laughed before bending down to help drag his friend to the car. Between the three of them they managed to haul Dean into the backseat and buckle him in. Jeff and Nick slid in next to him and soon enough they were on their way home.
When they finally made it back, they pulled Dean from the car and into the house, dumping him on his bed. As soon as that was done, they all headed for their own beds, Jeff and Nick collapsing onto the two mattresses they'd pushed together on the floor. They were quiet for a moment, the only sounds in the room being Dean's and their breathing – and then Nick started to snigger uncontrollably.
"Oh my God," he laughed, trying his best to keep quiet, his whole body shaking. "I can't wait to see Dean's face when he wakes up and sees some of the stuff on him."
Jeff grinned. "I know. I think he'll get a kick out of 'Sex God'."
"What about, 'fuck me, I'm Harry Potter'?"
Jeff lost it. He rolled onto his back, laughing loudly. Dean snorted in his sleep.
"They even gave him the scar!"
"I love these people!" Jeff was crying with laughter now and hugging his stomach. Nick wrapped an arm around him and laughed with his boyfriend, and when they finally trailed off, they found themselves in each other's arms, Nick's head against the other's chest.
"You're the best," the brunette mumbled. Jeff smiled and curled around his boyfriend, twisting their legs together and pulling him as close as he could. "I think you'll find that you're the best, babe."
"Mmm, whatever." Nick chuckled then sighed. "I love you."
"Love you too."
This was it.
The end of their trip had finally arrived. Their tickets were in their hands, they were standing in the airport waiting for the announcement that they could board, and it was just a few plane trips until they were home. Admittedly, it would take a fair while before they would touch down in Ohio, but it didn't really seem that long when they were faced with the prospect of actually being home.
Nick sighed, leaning against his boyfriend and yawning. He was still trying to recover from the wild beach party and he hoped to get some sleep on the numerous planes they'd be on – unless Jeff's stomach started acting up again. He frowned to himself as the thought came to him. Of course, he'd do whatever Jeff needed if he felt bad again, but he was really hoping he could sleep off some of his exhaustion. Jeff wrapped an arm around his waist and, seemingly sensing what he was thinking, leaned down and kissed the top of his head softly, whispering, "I'll let you sleep on the plane. I'll be fine."
"But what if your stomach starts hurting again?" Nick mumbled into the blonde's jacket.
"Then I'll deal with it. You're dead on your feet. Come on, let's sit down."
They found a few free seats and, after letting Dean know where they were going – he was on the phone to Shiloh, telling her they were about to leave – they sat down, Nick slumping further into his boyfriend's side and shifting around until he was comfortable. He closed his eyes as he yawned again. He felt Jeff take his hand gently, rubbing the back of it with his thumb.
"We'll be home soon," he said "And then we've got the rest of the summer to do whatever we want."
"Mmm," Nick snuggled in a little closer "And then when we go back to school, we get to find out who the new Council is."
"I'd be surprised if you didn't have a place on it."
The brunette blinked and looked up. "Really?"
Jeff smiled. "Yeah. I voted for you, anyway. I think you'd be great."
Nick could feel himself starting to blush, and he hid his face away again in Jeff's shoulder. "Thanks," he muttered, muffled slightly.
Just then, a voice echoed out throughout the airport – their plane to Sydney was now boarding. Jeff got to his feet and pulled his boyfriend with him.
"You had fun, didn't you?" he asked, and Nick was surprised to hear a note of hope in his voice.
"Of course," he said, as if it were obvious – because it really was, wasn't it? "It was awesome. I loved it."
Jeff sighed with relief and grinned. "Great. I'm glad."
"Come on," Nick sighed "We'd better collect Dean before he misses the flight he's telling Shiloh about."
The song is Shut Up And Kiss Me by Reece Mastin - I hate the little git, but this song has grown on me... :/
So that's it! Australia's done and when we come back, the boys will all be back at Dalton! And speaking of that, I still need a song or two - particularly for Sebastian. Any and all suggestions are appreciated! And don't forget, you can request away! I can't guarantee that I'll write it, but you never know...
Thanks everyone! See you all at Dalton!