Ryder and Jake are walking through the halls of McKinley, on their way between classes. Their shoulders knock occasionally, the result of an overcrowded corridor.

'I'm so excited about Mr Schue's wedding,' Jake announces, bouncing slightly. 'It's gonna be so much fun.'

Ryder is more subdued. 'I dunno. I'm not sure I'm going.'

Jake slows at this, enthusiasm quickly disappearing. 'What? No, you have to come.'

'I don't really know him though. I'd feel kinda awkward about the whole thing.'

Jake glances around at this, taking in the masses of people, before shoving Ryder towards an empty classroom. When they're both perched on desks, Jake resumes the conversation. 'Do you – would you maybe go as my date?'

'But – '

'We could pretend we're both accompanying Marley.' Ryder doesn't reply, doesn't say anything. He notices that Jake's starting to look a little shy, almost nervous. 'I was – I, ah, thought that maybe we could get a hotel room for the night.'

'Yea?' Ryder asks, just to buy time. He tries to think, tries to work through it. They haven't talked about this before. And they've always had to be cautious, hesitant to do too much in their own homes where there's always a risk that someone could come home. But Ryder wants this, he really does. And clearly Jake does too. 'Yea, ok then.'

He hears Jake let out a big huff of breath. 'Yea, really?' He slips off his desk, leaning forward to pull Ryder into a hug. 'Ok, great.'

Xxx

Ryder paces back and forth across the stage, anxious. Jake should be here by now. Where is he? Ryder told him to meet in the auditorium so he could give him the first of his Valentine's Week gifts. Is he going to come?

Ryder hears footsteps, looking up to see Jake reach the edge of the stage. 'Hey babe,' he breathes, nervous. He takes Jake by the shoulders, guiding him over to the edge of the stage, into the wings.

'Hey, what's going on?' Jake tries to ask, but Ryder just shushes him. He returns to his place on the stage, starting the music and beginning to sing. He watches Jake as he sings, taking in all his expressions. Enchanted, amused, pleased. And something else. Loving, maybe?

As the song comes to an end, Ryder walks back to Jake. 'Happy Valentines,' he whispers, hand coming up to caress Jake's face.

'That was amazing,' Jake tells him, before leaning forward to capture Ryder's lips in a kiss. It's sweet and simple, but Ryder can feel so much emotion in the kiss. When they pull away they lean their foreheads together.

'I really wanted to serenade you in class,' Ryder explains. 'But this was the best I could do.'

'It was perfect, Ryder. Truly.' They kiss again, more to it this time, their tongues exploring. Ryder gets lost in it, almost forgetting that he's at school. He can't help but feel glad they're hidden away, out of view of any prying eyes. They don't break away until the bell goes ten minutes later.

Xxx

Ryder sits on the edge of his bed, nervous. Why is it that suddenly everything about Jake is making him nervous?

Jake is lying on the floor, chin propped in his hand as he works through his maths textbook. Today is a study session, and Ryder's mom is downstairs, working from home. In these situations, the two of them always seem to keep their distance, hardly daring to even touch each other.

Ryder is fidgeting, tangling and retangling his fingers as he glances over to his bedside table. Picturing the gift-wrapped present sitting inside, waiting.

He hears Jake move. He's kneeling now, leaning on Ryder's knees and looking up at him with concern in his eyes. 'Ryder, baby, are you ok?'

'Yea, yea, I – ' He breaks off and leans over to the drawer, pulling the box out and handing it to Jake. 'This is for you.'

'Why?'

'For Valentine's Day.' He smiles, but he can feel his lips twitching nervously.

Jake seems confused. 'But you already got me that song.'

'I know,' Ryder explains, 'but I wanted to make this Valentine's Week. So you're getting more than one present.' Jake still doesn't seem sure, so Ryder taps at the present. 'Open it.'

Jake does, ripping the paper before popping open the box. Inside, there is a silver bracelet, simple and masculine. It's been engraved, the words 'You're My Kryptonite' bright on the inner side. It's cheesy, Ryder knows that, but he wanted something that was uniquely them. Something no one else would have. And this definitely fits the bill.

Jake looks up, smile blinding, as he runs his finger across the engraving. 'Ryder. I love it.' But just as quickly, his smile fades.

'Jake, what's wrong?' He slides off the bed so that they're sitting opposite each other, knees pressed up hard against ankles.

'I just feel really bad,' Jake tells him, 'because I haven't gotten you anything. I'm not good at this romance thing. Not like you.'

Ryder pulls Jake closer to him, just wanting to hold him, to comfort him. Jake pretty much ends up in his lap. 'That's ok,' Ryder whispers earnestly. 'I have you. I don't need anything else. And besides, I like doing this for you.'

'Really?' Jake whispers in reply. Ryder nods. 'You're amazing.'

Xxx

When Ryder and Marley arrive at the wedding, they find Jake waiting for them in the foyer. Ryder had offered him a ride, but he insisted he could get one with Puck.

'Nice flower,' Jake calls as they approach. Ryder glances down at the boutonniere he is wearing, a single red rose.

'Yea, um, about that,' Ryder replies, removing a small box from an inside pocket. 'Happy Valentine's Day, babe.'

'Aw, you got me one too?' Jake's tone is still teasing, but Ryder can see that he's curious.

'Yea, well, I wanted to get you flowers. But I decided this was more appropriate. And this way, Marley's two dates kinda match.'

'Mm, yes, that's true,' Jake agrees noncommittally, but even still, it's clear that he's pleased.

Marley just rolls her eyes, steering the both of them in to find their seats.

Xxx

Ryder is really enjoying the not-reception. Spending time with his friends, laughing and dancing. He even gets to dance with Jake, sort of. They have to be careful to keep their distance, but it's still great. It's even better when they manage to drag Marley along with them because it means they can let go that little bit more. Although when Ryder hears Puck muttering about triads, he can't help but think they may have gone a little too far.

The reception hall has emptied out considerably when Marley tells them she's leaving. They walk her to the entrance, where her mom is waiting. After they've seen the two off, Jake turns to him.

'Shall we – shall we, um – '

'Yea,' Ryder agrees. He's been looking forward to this all evening, an uncomfortable mixture of nerves and excitement thrumming through him. For the last hour, he'd been willing Marley to go home. And now, it's finally time.

They wait patiently for the elevator, falling into each other's arms the moment they are safely behind closed doors. Ryder slips his arms inside Jake's jacket, relishing the closeness. It's more than they've had all evening, but nothing compared to the intimacy they're about to share.

When the elevator dings open, they pull apart. Jake leads the way down the corridor and into their room. They stand there watching each other, energy pulsing through the room. Ryder's nervous, unsure what to do.

'I have to go pee,' Jake tells him, and the mood is suddenly broken. Ryder paces nervously while he waits.

When Jake returns, he's stripped down, wearing only love heart boxers that look strangely familiar. He's carrying a teddy, the words 'I love you beary much' across its front. It has a red ribbon tied around its neck, and there's a matching one around Jake's wrist.

'Happy Valentine's Day,' he tells Ryder, the teddy bear getting squished for a moment as he leans in for a kiss.

'I thought you weren't very good at romance?' Ryder asks, running his fingers through the bear's fur.

'I'm not. But he was too cute to pass up.'

Ryder places the bear on a table, facing the wall (wouldn't want him watching) before returning to Jake. He plucks at the ribbon on his wrist. 'What's this for?

'Well, you said all you wanted was me,' Jake explains, looking kind of sheepish. 'So that's what your other present is. Me. In whatever way you want me.'

Ryder feels a swooping feeling low in his stomach at this. His mind is filled with images, and he can't help but crash his mouth against Jake's. The kiss is hungry, urgent, and as it goes on, he can feel Jake begin to undress him. Jacket, then tie, then shirt.

As he teases at the waistband of Jake's boxers, he can feel his whole body burning with desire. This is going to be one long, amazing night.

I hope you enjoyed, and that romantic Ryder wasn't too sickly sweet for you.

I'm curious to know whether there is anything that you want to be included in this fic. Let me know your thoughts. Eg Do you want them coming out to their parents? (Also how do you think their parents would react?)