A/N I honestly didn't think this would be done in time. My spring break is over and college obligations are back. But I just can't stay away from my boys so here you go. I really hope you like this. Some fluffy times are ahead of us before we go back to some more angst.
I had a question for the people who are reading this and I hope you answer because I could really use your advice. I had some smut in mind for this fic for Rane somewhere in the future.
Do you see that happening in this story or would you prefer if I didn't write it? I would appreciate your opinions…now go, read, like it (you don't have to but it would be nice) and as always reviews make Reed and Shane hug in happiness
Friday night found Reed sitting in his plush chair, wrapped in his blanket and holding on to his phone for dear life.
There was a piece of paper in his other hand.
A piece of paper with a number on it.
A phone number.
Shane's phone number.
Reed. Was. Lost.
Should he call him? Text him? Why did he even give him his number? Did he really want to spend time with him? See his art? And why?
Reed maybe wasn't that close with Shane but it was difficult to miss the looks the dancer was getting from some of the boys. He was beautiful, tall, strong (and just to make it clear, Reed only noticed this because he was an artist so he had an eye for pretty things), and always nice to people around him. During the past few weeks Reed saw him talking to people and it always looked like the other boys wanted to be near him, say hi to him and exchange a few words.
And some of those boys were drop dead gorgeous (again, artistic eye). Like Jared. He was a sophomore and shared a few classes with Reed.
He was loud, had a big group of friends, and was a dancer as well.
After only a few days of spending the lunch hour with Shane, Reed realized that the younger dancer never went by their table without talking a few minutes to Shane, and in the process touching his hand or smiling seductively at him. And Shane never looked like he had a problem with the attention he was getting.
Reed glanced at the mirror set right across the room from where he was sitting. He really didn't like what he saw.
He could safely say he was the smallest sixteen year old in the world. No muscles worth mentioning, waist so thin it looked like a stronger wind could snap him in half, and skin so pale and practically hairless made him look like a baby.
His pink cheeks and plump lips didn't help either. The only thing about him that he liked…well…tolerated at least…was his hair. He thought the curls worked for him. And the color was kind of unusual, so he liked that too.
Other than that he just couldn't see any reason for Shane to like him. It's not like pretty hair is enough to make someone fall I lo…wait…WHAT?
His eyes went wide in shock as he realized just what he was thinking about. Why would he even want Shane to like him? It's not like he thought about him like that. He never thought about someone like that. And most certainly not Shane. Beautiful, popular, kind, strong…oh God Reed snap out of it!
He crumpled the paper into a ball and placed his cell phone on the desk.
Roughly picking up his new set of brushes he placed them into his bag and darted out of the room.
Art hall was his safety place. Painting was his way out.
He entered the brightly lit room that was empty seeing it was three hours before curfew and it was Friday so most of the students have gone home or out to have some fun.
He placed an empty canvas in front of him and picked the colors he would use. He used to paint bright, almost electric patterns using the "happy colors" as he liked to call them. But his art changed along with him.
As the cute, giggling, slightly awkward but incredibly sweet and talkative artist closed himself from the world, his "happy colors" made way for the sad ones; dark reds, and grays, browns and blacks.
Those were the colors of letting go. Letting his fate go, his trust in people and love, and a chance that there is someone out there who would take him just the way he was (paint stains and bruises and all).
Since he came to Dalton his paintings started coming back to life.
His favorite grass green made its way back onto his canvases, orange joined soon after, and before Reed even had the time to think about what he was doing his art was cheerful again. Not full on, golden specks, rainbows, and glitter happy…but cheerful. And to Reed it meant the world.
He dipped his brush into the paint and the second his hand brought the brush to the empty surface he was lost.
Gray dot found its way to his shirt, a small blotch of blue crawled into his silky curls, a touch of orange caressed his cheek and the brush behind his ear was dripping crimson onto his bare shoulder.
He looked like he was ready to become one with his art.
And that's how the person standing in the doorway found him.
-
Shane's rehearsal lasted way too long to be enjoyable. Yes he loved to dance, but being locked in the studio for 6 hours on a Friday night was just barbaric.
Slightly relaxed after a quick shower, he dried his curls with a towel, showed his things into his sports bag and dragged his feet outside of the studio, wanting nothing more than to just crawl into his bed, put his phone under his pillow (yes he was pathetically waiting for Reeds text even if he did give him his number just that morning…a guy can hope right?) and die until morning.
He was half way out when he saw the light in the art studio. Curious as always he peeked through the glass window and his jaw dropped to the floor.
BAMBI was standing in the studio, looking so focused the world could probably end around him and he wouldn't have a clue. His tiny hand was dancing over the canvas in front of him; the tip of his tongue was poking through his deliciously soft and pink lips. Shane took in his strawberry blonde curls and he smiled fondly when he saw paint tangled in them.
His eyes fell on the brush tucked behind his ear and he saw a light trail of paint dripping from it onto the painters bare shoulder and…wait…bare? He rubbed his eyes trying to get the exhaustion out of them. He looked again and sure enough…his petite angel was out of his uniform and was wearing black skinny jeans and a sweater that was way too big for him so it hung loose from one of his shoulders, creamy skin smeared with traces of red.
Shane gulped and blinked and started to sweat again because really…how is it possible that someone as cute and tiny and innocent as Reed could look so damn sexy and tempting right now.
He mentally scolded himself for perving on an unsuspecting boy. He was about to go away and give Reed some privacy when he heard a rumbling noise coming from the studio. He practically ran inside without really looking, making a B-line towards the boy whose leg seemed to be trapped in the strap of his bag and he was now flailing and trying desperately to regain his balance.
Shane hopped to him and before he could even register what was going on he had an armful of Reed.
His strong arms wrapped themselves securely around his thin waist as he felt his angel fist the front of his hoodie, his curly head resting on his chest as his breathing slowed down and he stood firmly on his feet again.
Shane held him close relishing in the feeling of the warm body in his arms, wrapped in the smell of cherries and paint and just Reed. He never wanted to let go.
The small boy in his arms turned his head up and locked his eyes with Shane's, while his palms were still clutching his hoodie leaving paint fingerprints on it. Shane saw the look the boy was giving him and he was thrown away by the emotions in those shiny eyes he grew to love so much he thought it was unhealthy. There was gratitude, surprise, a glimpse of fear that Shane just wanted to kiss away and never see again, and something resembling confusion.
He ran his tongue over his dry lips and send Shane into another one of his daydreams of himself sitting somewhere with his beautiful boy curled in his lap and kissing him without restraint.
Reed never moved his eyes away from him and his breathing sped up once again when he saw the expression on the dancers face as he held him.
As safe as he felt when the dancer was holding him that look was something Reed has never seen before. He didn't know what it meant. It scared him.
Shane felt the body wrapped in his arms tense as the look in the artists eyes turned to full on scared.
His heart broke just a little when he realized that, once again, his angel was afraid to be near him and it made him want to cry because that's not how it's supposed to be. It's not how he wanted it to be.
He wanted his embrace to be home to the beautiful painter. He wanted his love to bring him back to the sun.
But it was too early to say that to Reed so he just raised his hand from his waist, tucked one silky curl behind his ear, smiled and unwrapped his arms from around the other boy.
"You really weren't kidding when you said you're accident prone, were you?"- he said smiling slightly and stepping away; every inch between them felt like nails stabbing his heart.
"Um…I…I was serious…I trip a lot."- Reed said in a quiet voice feeling more confused than ever. He was scared. He knew Shane saw that and he let him go. That's what he wanted right? So why did he suddenly feel cold without his strong arms around him?
"Well it's a good thing I came in time to stop you from hurting yourself."- Shane winked at the boy who blushed but still smiled just a little, chasing away a bit of Shane's sadness.
"Thank you. H-how did you know I was here?"- he asked picking the fallen brush from the floor and placing it on the small table next to his canvas, that wasn't ruined by his clumsiness, thank God…or Shane.
"I didn't. I was in the dancing studio up until a few minutes ago. We have a big performance coming up so our teacher turned into dancing Hitler. She's insane I'm telling you. I've never been so sore in my life. Anyway I was just heading to my room and I saw you here. I wanted to just say hi because I didn't want to disturb you, you know you said to text me when it was ok for you and since you didn't text it's obviously not a good time so I just wanted to say hi and be on my way but then you tripped and…you know…I didn't want to see you get hurt…so…yeah…but I'm gonna go now…leave you to your work."- he started walking backwards halfway through his, very fast and very detailed, answer to Reeds simple question. He looked into Reeds eyes, nodded and turned to walk away when…
"I could show you now…I mean…my paintings…if you want to…but you're probably tired and you wanna go to sleep."- Shane turned around so fast he felt his neck crack and met a nervous looking, unsure painter, twisting his fingers into the hem of his, in Shane's honest opinion, provocative sweater.
"I'd like that a lot. I'm never tired to see something beautiful."- he knew he was risking a lot with his comment but his brain just wasn't cooperating with his mouth. And he kind of did want Reed to know he thought he was stunningly gorgeous.
"I'm not really sure if my work is b-beautiful but…okay."- the painter said in a quiet voice, opening a big closet in the corner of the room and taking out a few canvases. He turned to look at the dancer and Shane saw how uncomfortable Reed looked like.
"Reed you don't have to show me anything if you don't feel comfortable with that ok? I believe you're an amazing painter even if I don't see your work. So you can put them back in and I'll close my eyes until you do if you don't want me to see. I promise I won't peek."- he said playfully but desperate to make Reed understand that he will never make him do anything he wasn't ready and comfortable with.
Reed shook his head a bit and bit down on his lip again.
"N-no it's ok. You can look. I just…no one has been interested in my art for a while so I don't really show it to anyone other than the art teacher. B-but yeah…you can look."- he said ant pointed to the canvases now spread on the floor next to each other.
Shane took a few steps and then lowered his look from the tiny beauty in front of him to his paintings. And yes, Shane thought Reed was perfect already. But his art was…he was lost for words…wow…jut wow.
"Reed…these are amazing. Amazing is not really doing them justice…"- he trailed away not wanting to insult the art he was looking at by describing it with unworthy words. His Bambi was the most unbelievable person in the world.
"You really like it?"- Reed looked at Shane wide eyed because the look on the dancers face was the one of pure admiration and honesty.
"Are you serious? How could I not like it? Every one of them is absolutely perfect (just like their creator, he thought but didn't say that out loud)."
"Thank you."- the small boy just answered and started to clean his brushes.
"What about the one you were working on when I got here. Is that the "I'm bored so I'm doodling" kind of painting, or one of these "I'm going to make Picasso hide under a rock"?"- he asked as he sat down in front of the paintings on the floor continuing to look at them unable to tear his eyes away.
Reed laughed quietly at that and Shane felt good about making him do that.
"You'll see it when it's done. I don't really like people seeing my work in progress…I…I think you can call that superstition or something."
"Any reason for that?"- Shane asked curiously looking at the now blushing artist who was sitting on a high stool in front of his unfinished masterpiece.
" Oh…um…y-yes but it's dumb and kind of embarrassing and…"
"Reed you don't have to tell me okay. Look I'm just someone who wants to get to know you. But I won't ask you to do or say anything you don't feel like sharing."- Shane reassured him and continued to look at his work still absolutely enchanted by how beautiful it was.
"N-no it's not that I just…you'll think I'm an idiot."- he said blushing.
"No I'm gonna think you're an artist. Isn't it normal for artists to be a bit eccentric?"- he looked at Reed who giggled at this and Shane thought he was gonna melt into a puddle on the floor from the cuteness in front of him.
"I-I guess it is. Um…well…about a year and a half ago…my mom wanted me to show off some of my work at this exhibit for young artists. I had to paint four or five paintings and the theme was pretty much free so I could do whatever I wanted to. But she had an idea of her own and she kept coming into my room and offering her suggestions and eventually she got on my nerves so much I actually listened to some of those suggestions. Worst decision ever. The four paintings I send to that exhibition were by far the worst I have ever made. I was so ashamed of them I actually threw the away after that. And since then I let people see my paintings when they are done so no suggestions are possible."- he finished his story surprising himself and Shane with how long he had just spoken and his nerves were almost gone.
Shane loved listening to him. Hell Shane loved just looking at him blink or breathe.
"I'm sure they weren't that bad."- he laughed at the story picturing an even smaller Reed struggling with an oversized canvas to put it into the trash.
"Um…yes they were. Trust me."- Reed laughed too watching Shane whose eyes were still looking at his paintings. He felt the pang of pride as he realizes the dancer really did like his art and he wanted nothing more than to be there with him for hours, sharing that with him. And in that moment a struck of pure boldness hit him and he looked at the taller boy.
"Shane…I was wondering…and you can say no if you want to of course…but I…um…if you like them you could…um…pick one of them. I mean…if you'd like."- half way through that question he became less brave but he felt like he won a small competition against himself when he offered him one of his paintings.
Shane looked like he was about to faint.
"You want me to have one of your paintings?"
"Only if you want it."- Reed said lowering his eyes and blushing again.
"Of course I want it but Reed, are you sure?"
" Yes…so go ahead and pick one."- Reed said with a small smile.
Shane contemplated for a moment before deciding how to choose the one he liked the best.
"What's your favorite color?"- he asked and Reed looked at him a bit surprised.
"Green…but why?"- he answered not really sure what that had to do with anything.
Shane scanned through the paintings in front of him and took the one that was almost entirely green. He liked that one anyway and seeing how that was his Bambi's favorite color it seemed like the perfect choice.
"Well then I'll have this one."- he smiled and stood up, picking the rest of them and placing them back into the closet.
Reed saw the painting Shane took and his heart jumped a little at the meaning of it. He chose the one that was all made in Reeds favorite color.
He stood up too and cleaned up after himself.
"It's…um…it's almost curfew, we should go back."- he said and Shane just nodded picking up his new possession carefully and swinging his bag onto his shoulder.
"You ready to go?"- he asked Reed and in the moment of pure stupidity or God knows what he extended his hand towards the small boy.
Reed turned around and his eyes fell on the hand the dancer offered him to take. He felt the wave of confusion wash over him and then he realized they were all alone in the Art hall and Shane could just come up to him and hurt him and he couldn't do anything because the dancer was so much bigger than he was and he couldn't run either because of the obvious reasons and…oh God what should he do.
His fear filled eyes found Shane's and then something surprised Reed. His golden eyes were still as warm as ever. His smile was as friendly as every other time he smiled at him. And his arms were around him just a few hours ago and he remembered how safe it felt to just be there with him.
"It's just to keep you safe. It's kind of dark outside and I don't want to see you get hurt."- Shane said with a shaking voice praying to whoever was listening not to let this ruin everything and scare his Bambi away from him.
Reed looked at his hand again and slowly walked over to him.
Before he could change his mind or scare himself away with the worst of the possibilities running through his head, Reed reached out and slipped his tiny hand into Shane's.
He looked at the dancer, and Shane could feel him slightly trembling so he just gave his hand a soft squeeze and led him outside.
They walked in silence until they came in front of Reeds room (and yes Shane insisted on walking him to his door).
Shane let go of his hand feeling like a part of him is being taken away but at the same time not wanting to take advantage of the trust Reed put in him that day. He promised himself he would take things as slowly as his angel needed.
Reed unlocked his room and turned to say goodbye to Shane but was interrupted by the dancer.
"Um Reed I was wondering…would you like to go to get coffee with me tomorrow?"- he asked again feeling proud for sounding so at ease, because he was feeling anything but.
"I…y-yes…I'd like that."- Reed answered, flashed a timid smile and quickly walked into his room feeling completely drained of energy.
He had a date with Shane tomorrow? Wait! It's not a date. It's just two friends getting coffee together. And coffee is not a romantic drink. It's friendly. And Shane did not want this to be a date. He was just being nice to the shy, new kid. Right?
Oh God! What if it was a date? Did he want a date with Shane? Why would Shane want a date with him?
He needed some serious help. He grabbed his phone and sent a text with shaking fingers before flopping down onto his bed and staining it with the blue paint from his hair in the process.
-
Shane practically flew into his room and was once again greeted with his favorite couple heavily making out on Blaine's bed.
But he was just too happy to care. He darted across the room, took the poster from above his bed and replaced it with the green wonder his angelic boy gave him.
"Shane what's that?"- Kurt and Blaine obviously decided that it was strange that they were still alive after being caught kissing again by Shane so they got up on their own only to find the dancer staring at the painting on his wall with a ridiculously wide and happy and love struck grin.
"Is that one of Reeds paintings?"- Kurt saw his friends work and the painting he was looking at right now was the one Reed said was his favorite.
"He gave it to me."- he said in a voice that sounded like he was hypnotized and Kurt couldn't help but laugh at him.
But he also knew that if the small artist parted from this painting for Shane, then the tall dancer must mean something to him. It made him happy. Shane and Reed were right for each other.
Just as he was about to ask some more questions his phone started to vibrate on Blaine's nightstand.
From: Reed (21: 17)
Kurt help!