The first time, Delirious went to a con and Evan 'got sick' and didn't go. He'd said it was the flu and he didn't want to get anyone else sick so he stayed home. But Delirious knew he was lying because when he got home and played a game with him, he sounded normal with no trace of sickness in his voice. He didn't call him out on it because everyone had their reasons and their excuses. If Evan didn't want to meet him and was too scared to out right say it just yet, then he would take whatever story he told and brush it off. Evan was his best friend and he'd give him all the time he wanted.

The second time, he expected the rejection but it stung nonetheless. He had offered to house the guys who all wanted to visit for a huge football game that was happening nearby. He knew Evan didn't particularly care for the sport, but since everyone else would be there, he invited him anyway. But Evan had an excuse. A date with someone new. Delirious didn't know if he believed it or not. Either way he couldn't enjoy the game as he sat there in the stands, zoning out as the players ran down the field in an insane game that used to make him lose his mind. The hype was gone and replaced with thoughts filled with a guy he really wanted to stop thinking about.

The third time, Tyler had invited him to his home for the first time just to visit, to check it out and get out of his own house for a while. He agreed immediately and when he arrived Tyler grinned. "I invited Evan, too. He should be landing soon."

His heart jumped to his throat and Tyler was laughing at him while he paced, chewing his nails off. But he wanted to go lie in the road when Tyler came back in the room, hanging up his phone with a look on his face that told Jonathan everything he needed to know. Evan had bailed.

"What was his excuse this time?" He said with a sad grin.

Tyler sighed. He felt for him, he really did. "Said his Gran was in the hospital. He had to catch another flight up to Canada to go see her. I just don't know how he figured out you would be here. Was I suspicious about the invite?"

Jonathan shook his head and tried not to let his emotions get the best of him. He ran his hands through his hair and sat in silence for a few minutes before Tyler pulled him to his feet and hugged him tight. Then he dragged him out of the house and took him all over town, taking his mind off of it for as long as he could. Jonathan appreciated it because he'd never been so close to crying about it before.

The fourth time, Jonathan was tired. He'd just woke up and he could feel the tension between them in the Skype call even though neither one had said a word about it before. They both knew. He knew that Evan was holding it on his shoulders like a burden and Jonathan didn't understand why he was putting himself through this.

"All you have to do is say that you don't want to meet me, Evan. And I'll stop trying." He said quietly while they were playing and their laughter had died down in to another uncomfortable silence. He couldn't take it anymore. "I just don't know what you're so afraid of."

"I'm sorry . . ." Was all Evan said and it burned through him.

"How about I just turn my camera on?" Jonathan suggested. "That way you at least know what I look like."

"No!" Evan said, sounding panicked for a moment.

"Evan . . . just fucking say you don't ever want to see me or meet me. Because that would be a whole lot fucking better than you avoiding me like you have been." Jonathan clenched his jaw and he didn't mean to be so blunt about it, but he was done pretending that it was fine. "I'm coming to L.A. for E3 this weekend. I'll be there so this is your chance. If you want to meet me, then meet me. If not, don't even bother showing up."

Then he left the call, feeling guilty for leaving him there. But it faded as he packed his things and got on his flight.

The last time he tried, he was walking away from the convention, the crowds draining his mental energy. Lui ran to catch up to him. "Hey! Delirious, do you want to go ice skating with us later?"

"Sure. If you invite Evan, make sure you let him know I'm going to be there. That way if he bails, I'll know why."

Lui just nodded quietly and watched Jonathan turn and leave.

It looked like they had rented the rink for themselves because there wasn't a soul there when he showed up, early and alone so he could skate in silence before he learned whether or not Evan wanted to see him. Jonathan almost snorted on a laugh when he found a flimsy hockey mask sitting on the bench while he laced up his skates. He pulled the mask over his head and slid onto the ice with ease to the music that played, echoing around him on the empty ice. Ice skating was something he excelled at and he was listening to the wind whip by his ears as he skated backwards, spinning in perfect circles with quick precision.

His heart was fine until he caught a dark figure in his vision as he spun. He slid to a short quick stop and watched Evan glide over the ice through the holes of the cheap mask. He had his hands in his pockets and he looked more nervous than a kid on the first day of school. Delirious couldn't help but smile.

Evan rubbed the back of his neck and licked his lips. "Hi."

"Hey." Jonathan cocked his head to the side and Evan grinned.

"I'm sorry." The Asian shook his head and looked at his feet. "I just . . . I don't know."

Jonathan laughed. "What? Are you scared to see my face? I've got a surprise for you, I'm just your average ordinary guy. I'm nothing special."

Evan's head snapped up, "Yes you are. You're . . . Delirious."

Without warning Jonathan pulled the mask off of his head and he witnessed Evan's mind go blank, his eyes water, and his breaths become uneven. He couldn't find words. Jonathan smiled and Evan huffed a small laugh before he finally smiled and reached for him. And there they were locked in an embrace that kind of hurt because Evan was holding him by his waist like it was something he'd wanted to do his entire life. His breath was warm on his neck and they fit together so well. It wasn't until they heard people behind them that they tore themselves apart. The guys were whistling and skating around them with stupid grins and the two of them eventually joined them, skating for hours until they all got hungry and piled into Evan's apartment and ordered pizza.

Jonathan kept sneaking glances at Evan while they played games in his huge living room and each time he did, Evan was looking right back at him. He'd catch his eye, grin and then look away and it was doing nothing but making him anxious. So he took his leave when the other did, so he wouldn't be tempted to do something stupid, but Evan held him back when everyone else took the elevator.

He pulled his arm, making him fall against his chest into a hug that had him inhaling his smell; Old Spice and tenderness. Evan wrapped him up in his arms and they were standing like fools in the hall, rocking slightly on their feet before Evan pulled back and started walking him backwards. Jonathan felt his hands run up his arms and he raised a brow at him before he felt his fingers on his face and his back hit the wall. Then his mouth parted when he caught the look in Evan's eye before he pressed their lips together.

He pulled back, grinning when Jonathan chased his mouth and grabbed his shirt in his hands. "You see, this is why. This is why I made excuses, why I never wanted to meet you. Because I knew as soon as I saw you, I was never going to want to let you go."

Jonathan smiled, "You don't have to. You fucking idiot."

Evan slipped his hand down to the small of his back and pulled him against him, diving back into his soft lips, slipping his tongue past the one that drove him mad. Jonathan's hands were in his hair and he let a sound escape when Evan let his mouth leave a wet trail all the way down to his neck. He slipped his hands down to cup his ass and then he lifted him until Jonathan wrapped his legs around his waist. Evan began carrying him back to his room and they were only a few steps away when the elevator door opened. Brock and Marcel peeked their heads out.

"Ha! I knew it!" Brock yelled and Marcel clapped a hand over his mouth when Evan looked back and smiled. Jonathan wrapped himself around Evan tighter and gave them a wink when Evan got them inside before the door closed.

Marcel sighed, "Finally. That was worse than waiting for Game of Thrones to come back on."

Brock laughed and hit the button for the ground floor. "No that was worse than waiting on Elizabeth to realize she loved Mr. Darcy on Pride and Prejudice."

Marcel rolled his head in his directions. "You are such a sap."

Brock just grinned and shrugged. The doors opened and the guys were waiting for an answer in the lobby and lost it when he gave them a thumbs up.

"Let's go boys. Our work here is done."