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Chapter 2: Nearer

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The redhead made one step back, then another. 'I...' And then the inevitable happened. Tala tripped and fell on his rare end. It was enough pretexts for both boys to start laughing and pretend nothing had happened before.

"Must be a day off for you." Observed Tyson.

"No kidding" Tala said, trying to get up but couldn't.

Tyson held out his hand to help Tala up. Tala gratefully took the younger boy's hand and tried to pull himself up again. The younger boy lost balance and fell upon the older boy's body. They both grew red on the faces. That was embarrassing... but oddly enough, it was also pleasant.

"Ty... Er... I..." Was it Tala-stutter-day or what? The Russian thought, annoyed. Meanwhile Tyson didn't move.

"You know, it isn't bad." He commented.

"You're not the one who's lying on snow." Tala had found his ability to speak again. "It's cold!"

Tyson got off Tala and tried to pull him up again, and this time, they managed to stand.

"Are you still cold?"

"ARGH! I'm all wet!"

Tyson blinked. "Oh! Let's get back or you might catch a cold. I'll make you some hot chocolate."

The redhead looked surprised - he wasn't used to people worrying about his health. 'Er... Thanks?'

Tyson only smiled at him with eyes closed, head tilted.

Tala was about to faint on the spot. Wow, the guy he totally adores cares for him and is so kind-hearted. On the inside, his love-struck self was murmuring idiotic things to him.

And than he felt a gloved hand catching his own bare one (manly man like Tala didn't wear gloves after all). Now his brain was producing so much nonsense that he was capable only of grinning like an idiot.  He didn't protest when Tyson half-dragged him home.

They entered the kitchen and Tyson immediately took out two cups and some chocolate powder. Meanwhile, Tala had one of those sudden impulses - he remembered Ian bought some cookies and quickly decided the pipsqueak wouldn't need them. He opened a cupboard and took out a small baggy full of small round cookies, then he walked to the couch and sat down.

Tyson came out of the kitchen holding the cups of hot chocolate and walked over to where Tala was standing and handed him the cup. "Here. Oh, after you drink it, make sure you change into something warm; I don't want you to catch a cold. And what's that?"

Tala grinned. "You'll see… if you'll come with me." He said.

The blunette nodded and soon they found themselves in Tyson's room. "So, what's that?" Tyson asked.

"Cookies." The redhead answered, while sipping some of the hot liquid.

The younger boy looks so cute when he is concerned. Tala wanted to see that lovely expression on Tyson's face again so he placed his cup on the table and faked a sneeze.

"Tala... I think you should get changed now. Here, I'll see if there's anything you could wear."

When the younger boy left the room, the redhead grinned to himself. Wasn't he one brilliant devil? He quickly took of his clothes and sat down on the bed, making sure that Tyson would have no problem seeing how gorgeous he was.

"And umm Tala..." Tyson came in but saw Tala's bare chest and looked away. He blushed a really lovely shade of red and stuttered, "Er, these are my clothes... if you can't fit in them, I'll find other ones for you" He took a step backward, then another step, as he held his arm behind him, trying hard not to stumble.

Tala decided he was crap in romance stuff. But then he couldn't let his love interest run off, could he? So he jumped of the bed and wrapped his arms around the smaller boy.

"Hey. Don't be afraid, I'm not Bryan, I don't kill people... and I... er..."

"Ta-Tala... I... er, I don't mean that. Umm..." He continued to blush, deeper than he had ever did.

"Shh..." Tala released the younger boy and slipped his arms around Tyson's waist, making it more comfortable. He placed a kiss on Tyson's neck and wanted to continue a trail of kisses but Tyson stopped him and said, "Er, Tala, you're going to get cold... why don't you put the clothes on first?"

The redhead sighed. "Hey, I don't need clothes, *now*."

Tyson blinked wondering what Tala meant, but than realization dawned on him. He blushed even deeper. "No sex until marriage!" He said firmly.

Normally, Tala would be annoyed but something like that, but when it was Tyson speaking he found it cute and amusing. He smirked and moved his hand down to Tyson's chest. "Really?" He breathed.

Tyson who was feeling rather uncomfortable, nodded, and said "Tala... don't you feel cold, just put on the stuff I gave you. Please?"

He started making very cute puppy-dog eyes, a thing he learned from Max and found out to be very useful. Tala was fighting bravely not to submit, but it was a lost battle from the start.

"Fine... If it means so much to you." He grumbled collecting the clothes.

His cute limpid eyes never fail, even dealing with Kai. He looked at Tala gratefully but he realised that Tala was still... well, naked, he blushed and looked away, "I'll be going out so you can change."

"No need to, you can keep me company here. Oh by the way Tyson, I can't really fit into your clothes."

"Oh, Umm I'll find something else for you."

Tyson went to the closet and grabbed some larger fitting clothes. He made sure it wasn't Kai's because if Kai saw it, he would be dead meat.

"Tala, these clothes will fit you."

Tala, with wide eyes, gritted his teeth and grunted, "I'M SO NOT WEARING THAT!!!"

Tyson looked at the pile of clothes innocently, "What's wrong with Ray's clothes?"

"I'll look ridiculous in them, that's what!" The redhead gave the clothes a dirty look.

Tyson pouted - another very useful face when dealing with stubborn guys. "I think, you'd look OK - blue is much more suitable for you than orange."

Tala sighed. He had a stupid feeling he won't be the dominant one... And only because Tyson could a) make puppy-dog eyes and b) pout cutely.

"Awe, fine, only because you want me to." He grabbed the clothes off Tyson and started wearing them, "Man, I look like a freak."

Tyson turned around and started cracking up. Surely, Tala looked quite ridiculous, but the smaller boy thought it looked kind of... cute... too. "No you don't, you look great Tala!" When he realised what he had said, he blushed again. 'Why am I blushing all the time' he thought as he tried to get rid of the heat in his face.

Tala gazed into Tyson's eyes, thinking of how cute the other boy was. "You're cute, you know?" Finally, he managed to say something intelligent.

Since Tyson couldn't blush anymore, he started staring at his feet. "Er..  Um... Thanks... But you look better, than I do..."

"You're just saying that to be polite."

"No, I'm not; it's true that you're gorgeous."

Tala managed to blush a little, "Come on, let's snuggle up."

Tyson gave the redhead a suspicious look. "I promise, I'll behave!" Tala assured. "Please?"

Tyson sighed - the Russian may not have realised that he possessed the ability to look cute and all, but it still worked. "OK." The blue-haired boy nodded.

To his surprise Tala took the cookies from where he placed them and grinned. The two hopped on Tyson's bed and slid under the covers with the red-haired boy holding onto the smaller boy. He carefully raised his hand to caress Tyson's cheeks. He held onto his chin and lifted his face up and kissed him.

The door opened and somebody gave out a startled yelp. The two turned around to see Kai staring at them, seemingly paler than usual.

"Um... Hello Kai." Tyson said. "I didn't know you were at home."

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