Nick stopped, he had honestly hoped Gatsby hadn't heard or maybe just forgotten, "yes, no, well," Nick stuttered.

"You know I've never said those words before. I heard it plenty of times but I never said it back. Before it was sex, now it's love."

"I love you, Gatsby."

"I love you too Nick."

Nick fell asleep believing it. He wanted to believe everything Gatsby told him. The way he slurred his words sometimes was an easy way to tell if he was lying but he constantly sounded like he was lying. Nick still wanted to believe regardless and so in his world of complete bliss, he fell asleep dreaming that Gatsby loved him the way Nick loved him.

When the alarm went off the next morning Nick didn't move and waited as Jay once again threw a pillow at it.

"Ugh!" he groaned as he took another pillow and put it on top of his head.

"You're still not getting out of school," Nick said as he made his way out of bed.

Nick moved over to the other side of the bed and took the pillow off Jay's head. He kissed him assuming this was the most efficient and his favorite way to wake up.

"Fine! I'm up," Gatsby insisted, "you should meet in the science bathrooms third hour. No one is ever there."

"Should I really be ditching math?" Nick raised an eyebrow.

"Fine if you don't want to see your boyfriend I won't stop you."

Gatsby knew exactly how to play Nick, "I'll be there!" Nick agreed.

"Now go run home and remember nobody can know why you are ditching math."

"I have everything in my car if you don't mind showing me a guest bathroom."

"You were very prepared for this night, Nick. If I didn't know better I would've said you had this all planned out how you were going to lose your virginity."

Nick rolled his eyes as Jay snickered but followed him to a bathroom that was near a series of guest rooms.

"Thank you," Nick simply said as they did their own things.

Nick walked back to the grand bedroom when he had finished.

Gatsby was still in his bathroom so he gathered his clothes from last night.

"Pardon for disturbing you but breakfast is ready for you and your guest. Oh, I'm sorry I thought you were Mr. Gatsby."

"No problem," Nick insisted, "I have a request though."

"Anything for a guest."

"Can you wash these clothes as well as those sheets?"

"Of course, it will before sir Gatsby returns home."

"Thank you, I'll be sure to tell Gatsby that breakfast is ready."

Gatsby walked out of the bathroom a few moments later.

"You were saying I had this all planned but here your servants are knowing to make breakfast for two."

"He… They," this was the first time Nick had heard Gatsby really stumble over his words, "fine does it matter if I thought you were going to stay the night?"

"How did you know I would have clothes?" Nick asked.

"I… You could've worn mine."

"All sweet Gatsby wants me to wear his clothes. Just say so next time," Nick winked.

"Let's go, breakfast is probably getting cold," Gatsby said, trying to hide his blush.

Breakfast was an understatement to Nick. I was more of a buffet of anything that could be eaten for breakfast.

"Did you tell them your guest was every kid who attends school?" Nick asked walking in.

"No, I just didn't know what you liked so I asked for a variety."

"Pancakes or a bagel would have been fine," Nick insisted.

"And now you can have both," Gatsby smiled.

"Yeah, and a crepe, and French toast, and regular toast, and waffles, and sausage, and bacon, and a smoothie and assorted fruit, and coffee, and fruit juices."

"Don't make it sound awful."

"It's not awful, just overwhelming."

"Nick, you have to understand that I'm going to do anything you ask, and I'll do any task. I'll go to the ends of the world for you."

"I'm starting to see that," Nick remarked as he sat down and pulled a few things onto his plate. He settled with some pancakes and some bacon. He grabbed a cup of coffee and a cup of orange juice.

"That's all you're going to take?" Gatsby asked.

"How much do you want me to take?" Nick said thinking he wasn't even going to eat this much.

Gatsby who was in much better shape piled almost everything onto his plate. Nick didn't mean to but his eyes were wide looking at everything Gatsby planned to eat. He stayed silent as he took a bite of his pancakes. Gatsby didn't say another word and so they are in silence.

Nick gave him one last kiss before they left for school in their separate cars.

"Third hour," Gatsby smiled.

"You called me your boyfriend earlier? Is that what we are?" Nick finally asked.

"Is that the label you want?" Jay asked back.

"Well, it's better than dudes who have sex with each other and come over to one's mansion every night."

"A lot shorter too," Gatsby added.

"I'll be there third hour."

They kissed once more before leaving. It might have only been day two but Nick wasn't sure how much longer he would be comfortable with the charade. It was Friday though, Nick reminded himself, it would discuss it over the weekend. They could learn about each and then maybe Gatsby would be comfortable. While Nick had faced a considerable amount of hate throughout his life for being gay he certainly wouldn't change it if he could. Nick thought Gatsby would though if he had the choice Nick was almost positive Gatsby would choose to be 100% completely straight. Driving to school Nick was certainly going to tell Jordan that he had lost his virginity.

Nick found Jordan in the hallway.

"You're still too perky even for a Friday," she complained.

"Aren't most people when they lost their virginity the previous night?" Nick suggested.

"No way!" Jordan gasped, "with him?"

Nick smirked and nodded, "he told me that he loved me too."

"It was day two!"

"I know but it just felt right," Nick exclaimed.

"To who? To you? Or for him?"

"Both, I guess. He was the one who wanted sex first and I was the one who said I love you first."

"It just seems fast and toxic to me."

"He made sure I agreed. He didn't do anything to hurt me and didn't do anything that I didn't want."

"If you say so," Jordan shrugged.

"Why can't you be happy?" Nick asked.

"It's not that I'm not happy for you Nick. I'm scared for you to and you don't know who Jay is."

"Jordan I'm going to be okay. If I'm not I want to be able to rely on you not telling me I told you so."

"You can Nick. I just, I trust you and if you think this is best then I stand by you."

"I knew I always could Jordan. Don't worry, we'll get you a girlfriend soon."

Jordan rolled her eyes but the bell rang so the two parted ways.

Luckily for Nick, third hour quickly came. While Nick was nervous about skipping math but after 15 minutes Nick asked to use the restroom and while the teacher rolled her eyes she agreed and Nick quickly left the room and headed to the science hallway. Entering the bathroom it wasn't long before he was quickly pushed up against the wall. Gatsby made sure to lock the door and the two both looked like they had woken up after a VERY rough night.

"How much time is left?" Nick asked looking in the mirror trying to fix his hair the best he could.

"We still have 20 minutes," Gatsby assured Nick.

"We were gone for half an hour! She's never going to let her again!" Nick complained.

"We have the other four hours to always try," Gatsby winked.

"Your place? 7:30?" Nick confirmed.

"Yes, and bring enough clothes for the weekend. It is Friday."

"If we went an hour and a half away would you go on a public date with me?" Nick asked, almost begging for a yes.

Gatsby signed. He really didn't want to go out in public but knew Nick would have done anything for them to go so he begrudgingly agreed that if they went far enough away then he would. Nick assumed later rules would be established but whatever he was happy to go out. Heading back to his math class he was quickly scolded by the teacher.

"How nice of you to rejoin us. I hope you got your after school plans taken care of during the half-hour because now you have after school detention."

Nick nodded and took the detention slip. He would be out before 7:30 but would make sure he told Jordan he wouldn't be over right after school.

When the bell rang Nick was happy to run out of math. He met up with Jordan who quickly figured out why he had detention.

"You look like you have been in a tornado," she commented.

"I am going to feel like it at the end of the day. Pack some date outfits when you go over. He said we could go to a place a few hours away."

Jordan rolled her eyes hating that Jay was seriously going to make them travel that far for a simple date but shrugged it off agreeing to find some outfits that weren't trash.

"I'll find even more than I did yesterday. I'll pack you a whole suitcase and you can just live over there!"

"Don't worry I'll always come back to visit you."

"I should just start going back to my place. You'll be going over to Jay's place soon assuming you don't have detention every night."

"I know you love my place. You get to see Daisy and I know you like it."

"Don't call me out like that. Why can't I just be your friend? It always has to be because I can see Daisy."

"Don't worry, you can come over whenever you check on Daisy."

"She's always with Tom though!" Jordan complained.

"Why don't I tell her to throw a party this weekend?" Nick suggested, "I'll suggest we play spin the bottle and you can have your chance."

"But Nick don't you want to go on your date this weekend?" Jordan asked, feeling slightly bad.

"Yeah, but if I could have a reason for Gatsby to kiss me in public then I'll take it."

"He never would," Jordan told Nick.

"It's always worth a try. I better get to English before I have two detentions in one day."

Jordan chuckled and rolled her eyes as she walked away and Nick headed towards English.

Nick took the teachers lecturing as a time to study Gatsby's features. Nick remembered what it felt like to trace that jawline. It was so defined, and the tint of his skin was glorious. He was almost certain he could get lost in his eyes and Nick stared at his lips. They were chapped but as his tongue kept licking them Nick got lost in his thoughts. Nick swore that Gatsby looked up every once in a while like he was sketching him again. Nick didn't mind but if he really wanted to he would gladly pose however Gatsby could envision.

Nick barely heard the bell ring but it snapped him out of his thoughts as he watched everyone filter out of the classroom.

Even though his last hour ended early Nick couldn't leave, but he certainly wasn't going to show up to detention early.

He headed to Jordan's class instead and waited outside until the final bell rang. Jordan gave Nick a curious glance until she remembered that he had detention.

"Hurry up! She's the one that gave me detention and I certainly don't need her seeing me not in detention," Nick rushed.

Jordan rolled her eyes but followed Nick away from the classroom.

"What time does your detention start?" Jordan inquired.

"3:15. I still have half an hour."

"Why do they do that? That makes it harder for everyone. You can't make the bus or make it to practice," Jordan complained.

"I think that's the point. They really want to make it a punishment," Nick countered.

Jordan shrugged as she sat down on a bench.

"I think Gatsby was drawing me during English," he simply said.

"Really? It seems like he wouldn't do that in fear of getting caught."

"Yes, I found it odd too but I'd gladly let him draw me anyway," Nick smiled at the thought.

"Does your pretty little boyfriend know he's dating such a bay boy who got detention?" Jordan snickered.

"No, I'll still be at the mansion long enough to suggest that party," Nick said, pretty sure he would have enough time to do it.

"Well, you better get to detention before you have to stay any longer for being late."

Nick groaned but began the walk to the classroom listed. He didn't know who the teacher was but he considered that a good thing. The room was located next to his English class and Nick took a seat near the back.

"Is anyone here an athlete who is missing practice right now?" the proctor asked.

A few kids raised their hands, "alright come here, I'll sign your passes and you can be off to practice."

The kids smiled as they were let out. Nick wanted to bang his head on the desk, that wasn't fair and he was already sick of detention.

"The rest of you can sleep or do homework. I don't care, just be quiet."

Nick let himself fall on top of the desk and let his eyes fall shut though he never entered a deep sleep. Five arrived all too slowly but it came after time and Nick was happy to run out of the room along with all the other students that were in detention.

Nick began on his way back to the mansion and as expected Jordan was laying down taking up all the space on one of the couches.

"Glad to see you've been productive," Nick commented.

"It's Friday!"

Nick only rolled his eyes, "have you seen Daisy?"

"Yes, she came in not so long ago with her douche of a boyfriend."

"Alright, I'll go mention the party before I forget later," Nick said, leaving Jordan to lounge around.

Nick knocked gently at the den door.

"Nick," she simply said.

"Daisy, look, I know we aren't on the best terms right now but I'm sorry about yesterday. I'm just overwhelmed with everything," Nick was half lying, sure he felt overwhelmed at times but that had nothing to do with why he was yelling yesterday, "how about you throw a party this weekend and I'll make it up to you."

"How is throwing a party making it up to me?"

"I won't tell your parents. Besides, it's another opportunity for us to flaunt our wealth," Nick didn't like to show off but he knew it was something for Daisy to certainly consider.

"I guess you're right Nicky. I'll tell the servants we will have several guests."

"Perfect! Can we play spin the bottle? I need to get a feel for everyone in New York."

Daisy laughed, "yes Nicky, we can play spin the bottle so you can get a boyfriend."

Nick smiled, probably because he already had the best boyfriend and everything was going to according to plan, "I'll see you later Daisy."

She waved as her short hair flipped as she turned back into the room. Nick headed back to Jordan.

"Party plan is all set," Nick assured her.

"You are the best!" Jordan exclaimed.

"and I already talked her into playing spin the bottle."

"Truly working miracles."

"So I assume you packed my bag to go to Gatsby's this weekend?"

"I had a random servant do it, but I assume it is finished."

"Alright. I'm going to head over now and see if his servants have made dinner. If not I think I could set up something small but romantic."

"Go enjoy your weekend with your man," Jordan winked.

Nick smiled and asked a servant to fetch his bag. Driving to Jay's place was almost automatic. It was weird to be there before 7 but he almost felt as he came home as he walked into the mansion. Nick handed a greeting servant his bag and asked him to place it in Gatsby's room. He then asked another servant if dinner was currently being made. Nick smiled and requested that dinner was not to be made and that Nick was certain he would prepare dinner himself. Several things were laid out and Nick assumed that he had gotten there just in time before dinner was going to be prepared. He saw several different types of seafood such as lobster, crab, shrimp, oysters, and calamari. Nick didn't understand why anyone would need this much food. He looked for some pasta which he quickly found several boxes of. He started to boil some water as he prepared another pan to fry the shrimp. Nick heard the door open and before he knew it someone grabbed him from behind.

"You don't look like my cook," Gatsby smoothly said as he gently kissed Nick's ear.

"Well luckily as my boyfriend you can get a lovely dinner prepared by me."

"You're too sweet. When it's going to be ready?"

"15 minutes," Nick shrugged.

"Well I would shower but I would prefer if you do that with me."

Nick simply hummed as he turned his attention back to the food in front of him. Gatsby grabbed two plates and a strainer. Nick would never admit that he was surprised Gatsby even knew where anything in the kitchen was. He grabbed the strainer though to drain the noodles and spooned those onto the plate. He separated the shrimp and put those on top of the pasta. Nick grabbed the two plates and set one in front of where Gatsby was sitting and set one next to him for himself. He went back to fetch two forks and set them down and finally sat down.

"Can you please tell someone to clean the kitchen? I don't feel like cleaning."

"Of course," Gatsby agreed and he turned to the nearest servant and told him to get the kitchen cleaned immediately.

The servant nodded and he went off to get the tasks complete.

"This is amazing Nick!" Gatsby commented halfway through the meal, "where did you learn to cook like this?"

"They didn't like to cook, so I learned how," Nick simply said.

"Oh," Jay nodded.

"Where are yours? Your parents? Any guardians?" Nick asked.

"Dead as yours," Gatsby said, "I was in an orphanage for a while until I made a life for myself."

"Aren't you only 17? How did you get out?"

"Wolfsheim."

"Who?"

"The closest thing I have to a guardian. Almost like an uncle, I guess."

"I mean mine certainly isn't around. So is this technically his mansion?"

"No, it's entirely mine."

"That's impossible…" Nick drew out, trying to connect something he had to be missing in his head. There was just no way that Jay could have been orphaned but now had all the money in the world.

"I took you for smarter than this Nick."

"You're not who you say you are!" Nick claimed, standing up slowly backing to the door.

"I am exactly what I say. I just rarely say everything," Gatsby said standing up and following Nick's steps back.

"I… I," Nick stuttered trying to find the doorknob.

Gatsby grabbed the wrist and pinned it above Nick's head and made sure Nick was completely against the door, "I believe the words you are searching for are 'love you'."

"No, no, this isn't…" Nick was still unable to pull together his thoughts.

"It had to intrigue you doesn't it? The thrill? The mystery? Knowing how forbidden this all is?" Gatsby posed as he began kissing down Nick's cheekbone.

Nick couldn't do anything. His brain was absolute mush and it was such a feeling.