Chapter 19—Broken For Better

"So you see, displacement is like distance, except it can be negative," Nick explained again.

The class had gone over displacement at the very beginning of the year. How Xander didn't understand it was beyond him.

"I think I understand it now…but then we've still got all this to do," Xander replied, lifting masses of pages from the book and letting them flutter back down.

"Let's take a break, okay?" Nick asked comfortably. He'd never been inside Xander's house before, but something about it made him feel comfortable.

"Sounds good. Want something?" questioned Xander, standing to get some refreshments.

"Uh…just some water?"

"Sure?"

"Yeah, that's all."

Xander shrugged and carried on to the kitchen to receive the drinks. It had been far less awkward than he expected. Given it was necessarily the best situation, it was much better than he thought it would be.

Nick tilted back in his chair. Xander had been cool about everything, but Nick kept getting flashes of that dream that kept awakening him. He didn't know what it meant, but it was bothering him immensely.

"Normally when a person has recurring dreams, they tend to be prophetic. Don't deny them."

Daggeron's voice disappeared as it was drown out by Xander's.

"One water."

Nick grinned, "Thanks."

"Okay, so, haven't really gotten to talk to you lately."

"We talk all the time," Nick feigned.

"Small talk."

"It's still talk."

"Nick, that's not my point. I feel like I don't know anything about you again. To me, you're a new kid again."

Nick frowned, "Sorry I can't please everyone."

"That's not what I meant."

"Funny how that works."

"Nick, wait a minute."

Nick's eyes darted back to Xander. Frustration radiated from them in a cold manner.

"I feel like we never really got any closure, Nick. And that hurts…a lot."

"It hurts?" Nick asked skeptically, "How do you think I felt when I told you I couldn't deal, and two seconds later you're all over Casey? How much do you think that hurt?"

"Okay Nick, that was accidental. I don't really know what happened. I don't at all. But what did you want me to do? Casey was there when you weren't. I don't just trust everyone, and I gave you my trust after one day. One. It hurt to not know why we couldn't have a chance, and then Jeremy was your first choice; how do you think I felt?"

"So we're both hurt. We can apologize over and over, but it's not going to make anything better. And are we forgetting how you and the others accused me of stealing from Toby?"

"No, we're not forgetting, but I don't think it's fair that you forgive the others, but not me."

"I have forgiven you, but I'm not ready to try and be with you," Nick argued back.

He couldn't believe the words that came from his mouth.

Be with you.

"Why?" Xander asked, his voice dropping a bit.

"Because I'm with Jeremy," Nick answered.

"Yeah…I guess I kind of forgot about that," Xander whispered.

The moment captured them, binding them in its steel, welcoming hands and pushing them together. Their lips met, a fury of passion ripping through their bodies and surging into the other. Thoughts unregistered flittered through and settled in the subconscious brain, while emotions took over.

Off the chairs, standing, moving to the couch…slowly…laying down.

"Wait."

Xander, despite his emotions, stopped as Nick requested.

"I don't know if I can do this…"Nick said, attempting to catch his breath.

"Yeah…I understand," Xander said.

Nick looked around sheepishly. He just remembered he'd never gone anywhere near that far with Xander, only with Jeremy; but it felt so right.

Xander straightened himself and refitted his clothes. He noted how his jeans had seemed to shrink in all the action.

In an instant, Nick had pounced on Xander again. The tension had disappeared, replaced with desire and sexual motivation. Nick never noticed how much better it felt with Xander than it ever had with Jeremy…

--19--

"Jeremy, would you come take out the trash?" his mom shrieked up the stairs.

But Jeremy was preoccupied. He was nervous having Nick over at Xander's house…alone. He just knew their connection had not dissipated quite yet. Jealous? Yeah, he was jealous. He got the satisfaction of knowing he earned Nick's virginity, but he was afraid that now he'd opened up Nick's sexual energy, he'd never be able to tame it. He was barely able to satisfy Nick, and was barely able to keep up with him. It was…strange to say the least.

"Jeremy!" his fathers voice boomed.

He rolled his eyes, then came down stairs to obey their command.

"Hey Jer, what's up man?" came Chase's voice from across the street.

Jeremy spun around to meet his friend, "Hey dude, how's it goin?"

His voice seemed a little nervous.

"Straight, you're acting weird, though, you okay?"

"Ah…so-so."

"You worried about Nick."

"No."

"Hah, cuz that's not obvious."

"How do you know about that anyway?" Jeremy pondered aloud.

"Everyone knows. The gossip wheel never fails."

"You're a part of the gossip wheel?"

"No! I have my sources, man" Chase laughed.

"Oh…okay."

"Well, why not just go check on him? I mean, they've been gone for what, like 3 hours now? Might as well go ask if they wanna go get something to eat."

"Invite Xander?"

"Well, maybe not Xander, but you know what I mean."

"Yeah…I guess I will. I'll see ya later dude," Jeremy departed.

Chase waved himself off as he returned to his house next door.

Jeremy jumped in his truck, speeding off to Xanders.

--19--

Flurries of clothes filled the living room that only moments ago was being filled with talk of displacement.

Off went Xander's greenish shirt, into the pile that contained both of Nick's shirts.

The sound of the zipper belonging to Xander pants brought realization to Nick…but the realization wasn't nearly as strong as part of his solid anatomy.

"Hey guys," a voice came from the front room.

And that voice made Nick's blood run cold.