steal my breath: a riley/zane fanfic

chapter three: everything works in your arms

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, so I know I told all of you this is an AU, but it doesn't seem like there are too many in this fandom; perhaps you guys haven't heard the term before.

(Pardon me if you have heard it before; I truly don't mean to be insulting or condescending. I'm just clearing the air. We're all friends here!)

An AU is an alternate universe; simply, a fic in which not all elements are directly tied to the characters' lives on the show. In chapter two, I wrote Riley as never having had sushi before. I know that he has. I was exercising my right to add un-Degrassi-related quirks to Riley's personality, as he is portrayed in my fic. Par example, in this chapter, Riley's familial situation is brought up. That particular aspect of this fic is completely AU.

Also, sorry this is short.

Thanks, and enjoy this next chapter!

"But I know one thing for sure."

"And what's that?" Zane asked.

"That I can't hold it in any longer." Riley turned to face Zane and, without any sort of hesitation, pulled the smaller man to him.

And then they were kissing.

It started off slow, like a fire. Small, smoldering pecks turned into an intense makeout session, Riley's hand up Zane's shirt and Zane's hands on Riley's lower back.

"Mmm," Zane hummed, pulling away for air. "Pardon my English, but you kiss damn good. Just as I suspected."

"Well, you're not so bad yourself," Riley smirked, before kissing a path across Zane's jaw line and down his neck.

"No hickeys," Zane reminded him.

"Right," Riley rasped. "Ugh. I wish people just accepted the LGBT folks like the do the straights. You know who I was talking to before I met you at the Dot?"

"Who?" Zane asked, reaching a hand up to play with Riley's hair.

"Adam. The trans guy? He's Drew's brother, my God."

Zane gave a weak smile. "Did he say anything relevant to…us?"

"Just that Owen will probably be a one-man show when he 'exposes' us. Apparently, Drew's just posing," Riley explained.

"Makes sense," Zane mused aloud. "Riley?"

"Yeah, Zane?"

"You're the best guy I've ever kissed."

"So I'm not the best girl?" Riley mock-pouted.

"I don't kiss girls!" Zane shouted playfully, swatting Riley's arm. "I'm insulted."

"You're the best guy I've ever kissed, too. The girls don't count." Riley smiled.

"Well, then, would you mind if I kissed you again?"

"Please, Zane," Riley begged, a hint of lust in his voice. As hot as Zane was, and as scorching as their kisses were, Riley feared he was coming off a bit too horny. As Zane's tongue licked into his mouth, the smaller man pushed Riley's flannel shirt off his shoulders, revealing one of those really tight crewneck t-shirts. Zane loved those on guys, especially on Riley.

"You're so hot," Zane breathed in Riley's ear during a break for air. "Seriously, I lost my washboard, can I borrow your abs?"

Riley laughed. "How many inches in a mile?" Oh, wait, let me borrow those legs of yours."

"I'm not tall," Zane protested.

"But your legs are long and sexy," Riley leered at him, smiling that cute smile. "I lost my ability to care what others think, Zane, to keep up with the game. Let me make you my guy." He couldn't help smiling from ear to ear.

Zane looked exactly the same as he did—big smile, sparkling eyes. "Yes, Riley, oh my God, yes." His bulletproof grin, though, quickly turned into a pensive look. "Ri, I remember the first day we met, you told me you…"

"Used to have a violent streak, or something, right?" Riley finished.

"Yeah, that was it. Please, baby, tell me more about that. I've been curious ever since, but I didn't want to pressure you to tell me something you didn't want to."

"So sweet." Riley sighed and pulled Zane's head onto his lap, stroking his very new boyfriend's hair. He proceeded to tell Zane the whole story, from the 'roid rage to the anger management classes.

"I still go to the sessions," he said. "But, Zane, you need to know that I will never hurt you. Under no circumstances would I lay a finger on you in a less than consensual way. But, you also need to know that I might have occasional outbursts. I might scream. I might yell. I might break stuff. But, I will never, ever hurt you. I promise." He held out his pinky and Zane giggled, shaking it. A pinky promise. Zane lifted his head up to kiss Riley on the lips. "I know. You're so strong, Riley, in more ways than one. I'm really proud of you. After all you've been through, you're still an amazing, adorable guy. I'm so glad I snapped you up when I did."

Riley snuggled further into him and noticed that the sun had almost completely set. "I'm glad, too. It's getting dark, honey, do you want to come back to mine for dinner? I could make you my twist on Greek food."

"You mean, like, you want me to meet your parents?" Zane asked, wide-eyed. Riley couldn't help but chuckle.

"I do, but not tonight. I live alone. Stole the idea From Peter after one too many random trips abroad." He took a moment to process the utterly confused look on Zane's face. "My parents are travel writers, babe."

"Oh," Zane exhaled. "So we'll have the entire place to ourselves?" he murmured, raising his eyebrows seductively at Riley.

"Ha, not so fast, tiger," Riley cooed. "We'll kiss, a lot, and I'll make you my twist on Greek food, sound good?"

"Mmm. Sounds great. Be my Greek food tour guide."

Were one lucky enough to see them right then, walking out of the woods, Zane looking at Riley like the only guy on earth and Riley looking at Zane like a precious gem he just couldn't lose, one would have to be blind not to see how close they were to falling in love; even if they didn't yet realize it.