The Seven Stages of a Relationship
Summary: Ghostwriter has read books on relationships. He's written them. But he's never actually had a relationship. So when Technus turns up at his library one day, Ghostwriter isn't quite sure what to expect.
Warnings: Gay love/yaoi/slash/male x male action! No like, no read. There's also enough fluff in this to choke to death on, so be careful, okay?
Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
A/N: Yay for update! This is mostly a bit of fluff and filler, but I've added in a splash of humour for you. I would also like to point out that this chapter was written one-handed (Really) and that it is dedicated to The-Other-Ghostwriter, because I fear for my life. Hooray~! Also because she said I could have fan-art. FIRST FANART EVER, PEOPLES! *Fangasms*
On a more serious note, I would also like to dedicate this chapter to Hottiegally. She was a good friend and a good author, and I'm sure we'll all miss her.
Thanks to the following people for reviewing! The-Other-Ghostwriter, AnihyrMoonstar and xXxMartelxXx. And to whoever might be reading this, ya knows.
Chapter 2 - The Date
Andrew couldn't concentrate on his book. It was Friday, and now six thirty-five. It wasn't that he nervous ... okay, well, that was a lie. He was completely nervous. Andrew hadn't been on a date since he was seventeen, and that had been a total disaster. So yes. He was nervous. Very.
He had changed from his usual attire to something more formal, then into something more casual and back into his normal outfit. He'd been in the shower three times, brushed his teeth seven times and spent half an hour just studying his reflection in the mirror.
A knock on the door jolted the novelist out of the trance he had fallen into and had to stop himself from practically running to the door to greet whoever it was that had knocked.
As Andrew opened the door he found it was Nicolai (Finally) holding a manuscript and a cheesy grin plastered on his face. He held the thick sheaf of papers out to the scarf-wearing ghost as he stepped inside the Library.
"What's this?" Ghostwriter asked curiously, flipping through the pages.
"I didn't have an acurate database of what books you had, so I thought I'd give you one that hadn't been published yet." Technus grinned. "It's a book on Quantum Theory and Mechanics. It might be useful to find out how your pen works. I wrote it before I died and I thought I'd give it to you," Nicolai finished, ignoring the glare at the Quantum Pen jibe.
Andrew wasn't quite sure what to say to the last comment. This was, without a doubt, the most thoughtful present he had ever recieved.
"Oh, and this," Technus added, holding out a little silver book-shaped charm on a matching thin chain. "Wear it, and it distorts your ghostly energy to make the humans see you as ... well, human." He smirked, and Andrew got the horrible feeling that the actual explanation of what the locket did had been 'dumbed down'. "You'll need it for tonight."
Blushing slightly, the dead novelist strung the pendant around his neck, tucking it under his shirt, hiding the chain under his scarf. Nicolai offered his arm to the writer in a very gentlemanly gesture, completely at odds with the grin on his face. With a small tinge of pink still on his cheeks, Andrew accepted the arm and followed Technus away from his Library.
"Where are we going?" asked Andrew, not recognising the direction in which they were headed.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" Technus replied, smirking.
Ghostwriter scowled, pulling a pen (Biro - beware.) out of his pocket. "I could always make you tell me."
"But would you really?"
Andrew produced a little pad of paper from his coat and began to scribble on it before it was quickly snatched away from him. "We're going to Amity Park," the Techno-ghost answered, tucking the small blue note pad away in his pocket. Just in case.
"What? Why there?" Ghostwriter demanded knowing all too well that the Ghost Boy lived there.
"It's the only permanent portal that the Ghost Zone has to offer besides Plasmius' and I don't think he's ... eh ... forgotten about my last visit yet. So I'm not risking it. Besides, the Ghost Child wouldn't attack us in public. We look like humans to everyone but him, so he'd just end up getting the town to hate him again, which I really don't mind in the slightest. But I'm fairly sure that would ruin the evening, so, no."
Huffing, Andrew followed Technus, even if it was only so he could get a new Keyboard off the ghost later.
It was sometime in Autumn, Andrew figured, looking around at the trees that lined the street he and Nicolai were walking down. Which was good because the novelist wasn't taking his scarf off for anything, and it would look weird if he was to wear it in the middle of summer. But anyway. The pair were walking down a street in fairly companionable silence. Technus had just taken them to a small book store where Colette Powell (A young aspiring author that hadn't had great success yet, but Andrew was confident she would; she had a very similar writing style to his own, and he had sold dozens of novels) had read a few chapters of her latest novel, which was a perfect way to spend the evening in Ghostwriters opinion.
Nicolai was now leading them down towards the boardwalk and the brisk breeze from the sea was refreshing. The pair were walking side by side, but not holding hands. Andrew had adamantly refused about that point. When he had been alive it was completely taboo to be homosexual, and despite knowing it was accepted nowadays, the ghost was still a bit iffy on the point of people knowing he was gay.
"Can I ask you why you wear that scarf?" Technus asked suddenly. "I've never seen you without it. Why?"
Andrew blushed, squirming his face into the soft fabric of said scarf, trying to hide the redness of his cheeks. "It's a stupid reason ... " he mumbled into the woolen folds.
"So? I'll tell you why I wear my sunglasses all the time if you'll tell me why you wear that scarf," the Techno-ghost bargained, grinning.
Looking over at his date, Andrew had to admit he was curious about that particular fashion choice. "Go on then," he agreed, looking up at the taller man.
"I was wearing these glasses when I first kissed Phillip. It was the middle of summer and we were on the beach and he'd had one too many bitch beers(1) and we ended up making out on the picnic blanket, much to everyone elses annoyance," Nicolai said, smirking. "He apologised later for it, when he sobered up, but I said it was more than fine with me, and we got together. That was the first proper relationship I ever had with someone. So they're sentimental."
The novelist wasn't quite sure what to say to that. He'd never had a relationship with someone before. But hearing about Nicolai's previous relationships was ... uncomfortable. And Andrew did know exactly why.
"So what about your scarf then?" Technus asked, jolting Ghostwriter out of his musings.
"Oh. Well." Andrew's blush came back full force. "It was a present off a guy in the Publishing office. He was called Charlie, and I ... used to like him. He was my 'Secret Santa' and he got me this. It was the closest I got to telling him I liked him when I said 'I love the scarf' at the office party later. It wasn't exactly acceptable to be openly homosexual then, so I never really had a relationship with anyone. But I guess my scarf is sentimental, too."
Nicolai hummed thoughtfully. "It seems that most ghosts take with them something sentimental when they die. Ember has her guitar, Dorothea has her amulet ... It's interesting."
Ghostwriter snorted. "Well, that's one way to look at it." Letting his gaze fall to further up the boardwalk, he groaned. "Here comes the perfect way to end an evening."
Technus followed his eyeline and smirked. The Ghost Child and his friends were walking towards them, and judging from the way the halfa froze momentarily before running towards them (Much to his friend's confusion), he had spotted them too.
"What the hell are you two doing here?" Danny spat as he got within hearing range of the two ghosts. Technus smirked.
"Walking, or is that a problem for you, Ghost Child?" the Techno-ghost shot back. "We aren't causing a problem, and if you want to attack us, it'll just look like you're attacking two normal humans."
"What?" Danny asked, confused. Sam and Tucker ran over to the three ghosts.
"Dude, don't run off," Tucker ordered, panting slightly.
"Yeah, and who are your ... friends?" Sam asked, eyeing up the pair curiously. They seemed familiar, but ...
"Are you kidding? How can you not recognise them? Or him at least!" Danny almost shouted, waving an arm at Technus, remembering that his friends hadn't actually seen Ghostwriter.
"Danny, we've never seen them before," Sam said, stuffing her hands into her pockets.
"How do you not know them? It's Technus and Ghostwriter!" Danny said incredulously.
"Dude, he looks nothing like Technus," Tucker shrugged, looking at the ghost.
Danny whirled around to glare at the ghosts, one who had a vaguely amused expression on his face, and the other one who just looked downright smug. "What did you do to them?" he snapped.
"Nothing, Child, we meerly accessorise well," Technus smirked. "And we aren't causing any damage, so you can leave us alone ... for tonight at least."
Danny scowled, but turned and walked away, followed by his two friends who were shooting each other odd looks.
"Oh, and Danny?" Nicolai called after the halfa, making him spin round to face the ghosts again. "Tell Vlad I said 'Hi'!"
Danny turned bright red and practically ran off, leaving his two friends confused, and the two ghosts fighting not to burst into hysterical laughter. "That was horrible," Andrew snickered.
"I know. But I figured I owe the Ghost Child for shoving me into that ridiculous Thermos of his."
It was later that night when Nicolai and Andrew were stood outside the Library. After they had finished their walk they had gone to another little cafe and sat in there talking for a while, and when they left there Nicolai had insisted on bringing the smaller man back to his house. Which Andrew had to admit he thought was really quite romantic.
"I had a really nice time tonight," the novelist blushed, smiling slightly.
"Then perhaps you'd consider repeating the experiance?"
"It's quite likely, yes."
"HELL YES!" Technus crowed, punching the air in victory. Andrew just smirked and closed the door as the Techno-ghost turned and flew off.
(1) Fruit-flavoured alcohol, as I found out the other day. References, eh? *Nudgenudgewinkwink*
A/N: I had to type this up TWICE because FanFic died and didn't save it for me. *Cries* BUT it's up now. So celebrate and review! Also, there may be FANART for you next chapter! *Dances* Courtesy of the marvelous The-Other-Ghostwriter, and I'll add the link next chapter.
Also, I has 2000 plus words this chapter! YAY~!
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