Fast Cars and Freedom
sung by Rascal Flatts
written by simplyme26

Shane watched with scrutiny as Reed fingered through racks and hangers of grade-A clothes, handling each piece of tailored fabric with care. Shane often wondered that if it weren't for his mom, Reed wouldn't bother wearing designer clothes that seemed to be less than comfortable. He rolled over on the bed, letting his head hang off the edge. Needless to say, his view now turned upside down.

"Reed?"

"Mm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

That successfully pulled Reed from his activities. He shot Shane an innocently curious look. "Of course."

Shane didn't waver. "If your mom didn't have access to the best clothes in the world, would you still be wearing those?" He gestured towards his huge closet.

Large browns eyes stared blankly at Shane, as if the thought never crossed Reed's mind. Then the look in his eyes softened, casting them down and turning his lips into a half-smile- one of sadness. Reed shrugged, giving his clothes a longing look. He ran a hand through one particular fabric, feeling soft silk. "They make me feel better.. about myself. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not the nicest looking guy around.." He chuckled hollowly.

Shane was appalled. What? How- How could he even think that? Has he never looked in a mirror before? The dancer sat up, staring incredulously at his boyfriend. "Are you serious?" A smile disappeared from his lips.

Reed blushed, smiling sheepishly. "I know it's stupid and silly, but.. it does. I really don't expect you to understand, Shane. If you like, you could go ask-"

"No," Shane protested, jumping off the bed and rushing towards his boyfriend. "It's stupid and silly because, Reed.." He cradled the small boy's face, forcing brown eyes to stare into his green ones. "You're gorgeous.. And I, for the life of me, can't fathom the thought of you being any less because for as long as I've known you, you are and always will be gorgeous." He said simply.

With one soft and swift movement, Reed placed a chaste and longing kiss on his boyfriend's lips. Slow and meaningful, both reveling in the other's mere presence, in the other's taste, scent, feel, touch.. Kissing Shane was never short of amazing. He pulled away slightly, the only thing kissing Shane's lips now was his hot breath. "I love you for saying that." He grinned. "I love you, period."

Shane's breath hitched, as the flutter of emotions tugged at the corner of his lips to form a smile. "Five years into dating, and the way you say that still literally takes my breath away."

Reed ignored the furious heat on his face. "And you still manage to reduce me to a puddle."

Shane snorted, placing a lasting kiss on Reed's lips. "You know what I remember when you go out without your crazy clothes?"

"..What?"

Shane smiled. "Fast cars and freedom.."

"Shane, what are- Where are we going?"

With a firm hold on his boyfriend's wrist and an irremovable grin, Shane darted towards an old red Chevrolet Nova. He pulled open the passenger door, let go of Reed's wrist and gestured for the boy to get in.

Seeing the excited look on Shane's face, Reed didn't feel he had a choice. Reluctantly, he slipped in and let Shane slam the car door close, huffing.

The dancer ran to the driver's side, jumped in, started the car and shot out of his parking spot.

"Where are we going?" Reed warned.

Shane didn't seem to notice his boyfriend's tone as he was practically bouncing with giddiness. "You know how I took so long to get to your place?"

Reed nodded stiffly.

"See, I got lost and-"

"You got lost?"

"Yes, I got lost. So then I was down this abandoned road, looked like a freaking desert, I tell you, when I saw this river.." The dancer took a moment to steal a glance at the painter. "It was beautiful, Reed.."

"You mean the Ohio river?"

Shane nodded frantically. "That's the one! We gotta go swimming, Reed! It's gonna be so awesome!"

"You couldn't let me grab a towel or food before we left?"

Shane laughed despite being in the wrong. "Why didn't I think of that? Sorry, I should've told you before I practically threw you into the car."

Reed snorted, smiling. Without a thought, he scooted beside Shane and placed his head on his shoulder. "Wake me up when we get there.."

Shane and Reed's shirts billowed with the wind, hanging freely on a Dogwood branch.

Two lone figures huddled before a small fire, both eyes glistening with peaceful bliss. Hearts warmer than fire beat in unison, skin touching skin, fingers intertwined.

The orange glow in the horizon emitted a comforting softness, melting away insecurities. The bridge overhead hummed in the background as cars passed by.

They sat, Reed's bare back against Shane's chest, on the gravel ground, lithe arms enveloping the other in a loving embrace. Shane placed a light kiss on blonde curls, smiling.

Reed could stay there forever.

"I told you this was gonna be awesome.." Shane said in nothing more than a whisper, hazy eyes settling over his boyfriend.

Reed nodded lazily, wiggling closer and letting his head rest on the crook of Shane's neck. "I supposed you were right.."

Shane smiled wryly. "Thank god for fast cars and freedom.."

"Not to burst your bubble.. But you should know that I still would've worn these clothes you seem to hate so much if I'd known you were going to my house that day." Reed smiled sympathetically.

"I don't hate them!" Shane countered. "I just.. don't think you need nice clothes to look beautiful.. Or feel beautiful, for that matter."

Reed could not possibly be more in love with Shane than at that very moment. Then again, knowing Shane, moments like these were usually quite common. "I would willingly never wear these clothes if it meant I get to keep you forever.."

Shane's breath hitched, because holy cow, Reed did not just say that. Usually, Shane was the one who threw compliments and sweet nothings and romantic lines like they just started dating. Reed was usually the more reserved, the more bashful one- the one who rarely ever felt comfortable enough to burst into that level of heart-stopping romance.

With fervor, Shane placed a longing kiss on his boyfriend's soft, soft lips. Kissing Reed was always amazing. He stopped, letting his warm breath hover over Reed's wet lips. "I love you so much for saying that.." A kiss on the nose. "And just so you know, I'd be yours even if you wore a red nose and size 20 shoes." A laugh. A smile. A chaste kiss on the mouth. "But your mom, not to mention Kurt, would rip me apart if you stopped wearing those designer stuff.."

"They would, wouldn't they?"

Shane snorted. "Yeah.. But hey, as long as those skin-tight jeans are forever in season, I'm down."