Chapter Five!

As they were driving, Adam brought something up.

"Charlie, do you remember all our firsts?"

"All our firsts? Of course. Why?" Charlie replied.

"Remember our first kiss? And how we were so young, and inexperienced?"

Charlie laughed. "Yeah. God, we were so nervous. So scared."

FLASHBACK:

"Banskie?"

"Yeah, Charlie?"

"Have you ever kissed anyone?"

"No, Charlie."

The two thirteen year-olds sat under an oak tree, holding each other and gazing at the stars.

"I haven't either. Banksie?"

"Yes, Charlie?"

"Can I kiss you?" He whispered in to Adam's ear.

"...Yes, Charlie."

Charlie positioned himself so he was on top of Adam, and brushed the hair out of the boy's eyes before kissing him deeply.

The stars seemed to twinkle a little bit brighter that night.

END FLASHBACK

"Oh, man. I thought I was going to blow it by missing your mouth or something. But it turned out to be one of the best nights of my life."

"What about our first date?" Adam asked, playing with Charlie's hair.

"Yep."

FLASHBACK:

"So, what movie do you want to see, Charlie?" Adam asked as they entered the theater.

Charlie shrugged while smiling. "You choose."

"Do you have the jitters, too?"

Charlie nodded "Uh Huh."

Inside the dark theater, Casper was playing, and Charlie was still shaking from nervousness. Adam looked over at him and smiled.

"Close your eyes, Charlie."

"What?"

"Trust me! Close them." Charlie did.

Adam took Charlie's chin in his hand and turned him, so they were facing. He slipped one arm around Charlie waist and another to the back of his head, to keep him steady.

Adam kissed Charlie deeply, his tongue searching his mouth. Charlie's eyes snapped open. He was shocked beyond belief. But as soon as he got comfortable with what was happening, they closed back, and he moved with Adam, taking part and exploring Adam's mouth as well.

END FLASHBACK

"I still can't believe you did that to me, Banksie!" Charlie said, laughing.

"Hey, it got you to loosen up, didn't it? That was the whole plan. That, and the fact that I needed a reason to kiss you."

"I don't believe you."

Adam laughed, and gave Charlie's hand a reassuring squeeze.

Nightfall came, and Charlie and Adam were trying to find another hotel to stay in for the night.

Oh, look. There's another Holiday Inn." Charlie said and pointed to where the light green building was.

"Good, let's go." Adam replied.

This time, their room was on the fifth floor. After they'd gotten settled, the lay on their, once again, single bed, flipping through channels.

"Hmm, Charlie, there's nothing on TV here. There never is. Turn that thing off and come under the covers with me."

Charlie obeyed, and threw the remote over on the chair that was so conveniently placed.

Adam leaned over to kiss his boyfriend, and Charlie returned it. Adam, in turn, planted several small kisses on his neck and collarbone, and behind his ears on the tender spot. Charlie groaned deep in his throat.

Adam continued down to Charlie's chest and stomach, and then going back up to his mouth, burying his tongue in Charlie's throat. Charlie cupped his hands on Adam's face.

Adam pulled back, for breath.

"Adam?" Charlie asked, using his first name, something he didn't do often.

"Adam, I think...I think I'm..." He trailed off, although Adam knew what he was going to say next.

"Charlie...are you sure? I mean, we don't have to do this. I'll wait, if you're still not sure."

Charlie leveled Adam's head with his so that they were looking into each other's eyes.

"Adam, I love you. I wasn't ready a year ago, but I am now. I really am. I want you more now than ever. It's the perfect timing."

Adam nodded, and so did Charlie.

"Just promise me one thing, Adam."

"Anything."

"Please don't hurt me. I'm giving myself to you, and I'm afraid. I just don't want to get hurt."

"Oh, Charlie. I wouldn't dream of it. Just close your eyes, and let faith make its path in us."

And faith did just that, as a single shooting star crossed the navy blue Minnesota sky.