Chapter Three - The Snake

After a while, the game somehow turns into a game of pretend, and Nick and Jeff start talking quietly together.

"So, Jeff," Nick starts in a low voice, and Jeff moves closer to hear him. "When did you want to tell our parents?"

Jeff shrugs uncomfortably. "I don't know. I haven't even told mine that I'm gay yet, so…"

Nick nods understandingly. "It's alright; you can take your time. I remember how hard it was for me, so I understand wanting to wait."

Jeff smiles at his boyfriend, eternally thankful that he was so understanding. "I'm pretty sure my mom knows, though." Jeff continues, and explains further when Nick raises his eyebrows questioningly. "She's just acting really suspicious of us, wanting to know where we're going, and why, and all that stuff. She hasn't said anything yet, though."

Nick nods and looks back at the kids playing in the yard. "I'm pretty sure my mom told her about me, so that might be part of the problem. Not that I'm going to stop hanging out with you or anything, though." He adds cheekily, making Jeff laugh. "Anyway, I'm sure she'll be fine with it. She's cool like that."

Jeff nods and returns his eyes to the kids, frowning a little when he hears a scared scream. He and Nick both sit up, each recognizing that this scream was different from the other, happy, playful screams.

The boys look around and both see where the sound was coming from at the same time. A little girl was running away from a little boy, holding something long and skinny in his hands. "What is that?" Jeff squints, and Nick stands.

"I don't know." He says as he starts to jog over to them, Jeff following.

They corner the kids by the pool, and Nick grabs the girl as Jeff stops the boy, looking down in his hands. "What are you two doing?"

"He has a snake!" she screeches, pointing at the boys hands and hiding her face in Nick's tee shirt.

Jeff opens the boy's hand and takes a closer look. The boy had a snake alright. A plastic one. Jeff takes it from his hands, and looks at Nick. Nick fights hard to suppress a smile, and continues to rub the terrified girl on the back.

Jeff looks at the boy who was looking like he was about to get in trouble. Jeff lowers his voice to a whisper. "You know it not very nice to tease girls."

"But she tried to kiss me!" the boy retaliates, and Jeff laughs.

"Just don't do it again, ok?"

The boys nods, and holds his hand out, wanting his toy back. Jeff shakes his head. "Not right now. Maybe later."

The boy pouts, and stalks off, stomping his little feet. Jeff laughs and him and pockets the plastic toy.

Nick smiles lovingly at his boyfriend, then taps the girl on the shoulder. "Lizzie, look." She shakes her head, and he chuckles a little bit. "Come on, look up. Don't worry, it's gone now, it won't hurt you anymore."

The girl slowly lifts her head, and looks around. She stands up, and turns in a full circle before smiling. "Thank you, Mr. Nicky!"

Nick laughs and pats her back. "No problem, Lizzie. Now go play."

Needing no more incentive, the little girl takes off, joining her friends.

Nick laughs and stands up, brushing the soil off his knees. He turns to Jeff. "You did good."

Jeff blushes. "I tried."

The brunette smiles and starts walking around the pool with Jeff, back to the porch. "You'd make a good big brother." Then, he adds as an afterthought "Or a babysitter."

Jeff smirks playfully. "Only if I'm with you."