CHAPTER 2 – Take A Chance

"I forgot to return this. I know it's one of your favourites." Ryan produced the CD case and took a step forward. Ryan looked around him, trying to find a place where to put it.

"Wow, you weren't joking about taking your entire CD collection." He smiled nervously at Seth after adding the case to one of a number of stacks littering the floor of Seth's room. Ryan's comment was met by a steely wall of silence.

Ryan slowly took a few steps forwards and carefully sat next to Seth.

"We should…talk…clear the air." Ryan said, his voice steady and even.

"There's no air to clear, Ryan. I get it. I'm an idiot. That's all." As Seth talked he stared directly at the ground in front of him.

"You're not an idiot. It's okay Seth." Ryan softly said.

"No, it's not." Seth miserably replied.

"We don't have to talk about it again. We can pretend it never happened if you want."

"That's what we both want isn't it." Seth stated. But Ryan recognised something in his tone of voice and instantly knew that Seth was lying to him. That gave Ryan the courage to speak the scary truth, the good scary kind.

"Seth?"

"Yeah?" Seth's eyes were full of sadness as he looked up at Ryan's face.

"In the pool house? If you had kissed me again, I would have kissed you back."

Ryan watched as a look of pure disbelief on Seth's face was replaced by hesitation and then eventually followed, a small smile. That was all the encouragement Ryan needed so he kissed Seth gently on the lips. Ryan moved away to gauge the reaction on Seth's face and he was pleased to see he was smiling. Ryan wasn't exactly sure how he felt except it was all very new and exciting. But any doubts or uncertainty were swept away when Seth's hand moved to Ryan's neck, pulling him closer. They kissed again as Seth ran his fingers through Ryan's blonde hair.

They eventually broke apart, breathless and their faces flushed with desire and happiness. Seth just grinned at Ryan clearly enjoying the moment.

"Ryan?" Seth eventually asked.

"Yes?"

"Do you think we should go to the pool house and… um…?" Seth's voice trailed off as he felt a little unsure about making the suggestion.

Ryan could hear the music softly drifting from the CD player creating a cocoon around them. "I want to stay here." He simply answered. He felt safe there as if Seth's room was a bubble where time had stopped and nothing could interfere.

"Ryan?" Seth asked once again. Ryan noticed the change in Seth's expression and he knew exactly what he was thinking. "We might not get another chance…" Seth rushed out.

"…I know." Ryan interrupted. "But I don't want to think about that. We should just make the most of this night." He added.

They kissed once more, but it was different. The passion was still there but also a new sense of urgency between them. Ryan's hands began to move and explore Seth's body. His soft, warm skin enticed Ryan to keep touching him. They pulled apart, but only for a second as they peeled their t-shirts off each other. Ryan marvelled at how free he felt at that moment and he realised it was simply because he was with Seth.

"What's wrong?" Ryan asked after Seth broke away from him.

"I've never…"

"What is it?" Ryan coaxed.

"I've never been with a guy before…It's my first time...I…I…don't know what to do." Seth gabbled nervously.

"It's my first time too." Ryan answered. He smiled when he saw Seth visibly relax. Seth returned the smile as Ryan added, "How about you turn off the light and we can work out what to do together."

The music from the CD player continued to gently waft around the room as Seth turned off the small reading light beside his bed, leaving only the moonshine streaming in through the shutters.