The Apprehensive and The Optimistic

Chapter 6

AN:: HEY GUYS THIS IS IMPORTANT. LET ME GET YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE. YEAH. CUTE ANIMALS. LAUGHING BABIES. SEX. Have your attention? AWESOME. Okay, so I don't hate this chapter but I dont love it. it's just silly, and dry. but it has its importance like every chapter. So, this Saturday is my birthday, and I decided that before I go out I'll upload the 7th chapter, since that one is actually one of my favorites so far. So you guys get TWO CHAPTERS this week. Then, uploads will still be Wednesday, thanks guys, I hope you enjoy! Just for the people that dont read ANs (like myself, im guilty of it when im reading fanfiction.)

SATURDAY I WILL UPLOAD CHAPTER SEVEN. THEN UPDATES WILL RETURN TO NORMAL.

all mistakes are mine

APIH

"No," Ian said laughing as he waited for Anthony to enter his apartment, "You're never driving my car again. I'm selling it tomorrow, and that's that." He laughed as he shut the door.

Anthony grinned, "Aww, C'mon Ian! I did give you that sweet ass jacket for your birthday. Just one more day of practice, that's all I'm asking."

Ian ran his hands down the jacket he was wearing, it was a silvery blue, made of leather, and it fit him well. Anthony knew the moment he saw it in the store it'd look great on him. He and Mari had gone shopping together a few days previous, he wasn't sure what to get Ian, but damn did he make a good choice. Now, they were spending the weekend and Monday together because Ian was leaving with David Tuesday night, and since they both had off, Anthony figured why not. Ian asked, and Anthony had no other plans, or work.

"Well...I do look damn good in this." Ian said, itching his chin, which was starting to grow stubble, "But no. I really need a new car, and I don't want you to wreck the one I'm selling."

Anthony groaned as he followed Ian to the kitchen, "But Iaaan, please, it was a lot of fun." He stuck out his bottom lip and grabbed onto Ian's arm, tugging on it.

Ian laughed and attempted to pull Anthony off him, "Get off me, you douche!" Anthony heard the door slam shut and he blinked as a woman walked into the living room, staring at them, frown on her face. Her hair was a short, dirty blonde, and She had some wrinkles. But Anthony could see that when She was younger She was probably beautiful.

"That's not David." She commented, dropping her purse on the coffee table, "Ian, can you get me a beer." Ian pried himself off of Anthony and opened the fridge, bringing said drink to the women, who Anthony assumed was his mom.

Anthony followed behind Ian, "Here." He handed her the drink and She thanked him, Ian frowned, "I thought you would be out all night." He said, tilting his head to the side.

She looked at Ian, and then Anthony, "You can still fool around with him, I don't care. But please keep it down and use a condom, Ian, I didn't raise you to be an idiot." She pulled a cigarette out of her pack, "And if David starts asking questions I'm not lying for you."

Ian chuckled, shaking his head, "This is Anthony, he's my friend. We're not fooling around, so you don't have to worry about David and I."

"Good, David's a great guy, and you two have been together so long I'd hate to see it go to waste." She gave Anthony a glare, "You hear that? My son might be a dumbass, but he has something good going."

"Thanks, mom." Ian rolled his eyes.

Anthony looked at Ian and then his mother, "Don't worry, Ms. Hecox, I won't touch your son, he'll be fine." He smiled some.

She turned more, frowning deeper at him, "Are you saying you'd never touch my son? Do think he's ugly or something? Yeah, he's lazy, and lanky, and has a stupid hair cut...but he's got my ass, and that's a fine ass. And have you seen his face, It's just what you gay boys like! Cute! He's powerless and weak! Are you saying that's not Good enough for you!?"

Anthony felt his cheeks warm and his mouth opened and closed, trying to figure out how to get himself out of the situation, "N-No! He's not ugly I'm not saying...he's far from that. I-I just.. I'm not gay, so I don't..I haven't looked at his butt, but I'm sure It's okay. And Yeah, y'know, he's eyes are kinda nice..and I...I..." Anthony blinked as Ian bursted into laughter and soon his mother cracked a smile and laughed with him.

Ian's mom lit her cigarette, and puffed on it, She smiled at Anthony, "I like you, you seem like an okay kid."

Anthony frowned at Ian who laughed more, and grabbed his wrist, "I'll see you mom, we're gonna play some games."

His mom flipped through channels on the TV, "Keep it PG, Anthony, my boys fragile! Nothing to explicit."

Once They were in Ian's room, Ian shoved him back on the bed per usual and shut the door, sitting next to him, "What do you think of my mom?" He asked, amused smile on his lips. He caught his bottom lip between his teeth and chewed on it.

"Well..." Anthony shrugged, "She's blunt... that's for sure.."

Ian laughed and moved one of his hands on the opposite side of Anthony and he leaned closer to his face. Anthony felt his breath catch as his eyes fell to Ian's lips, looking at how his teeth tugged on the soft, pink skin. He looked back up staring into his eyes, "So.." Ian said, "You think my eyes are nice."

Anthony felt his face radiate heat and he blinked, "What..." He frowned and shoved Ian's face away, "You douche!" He smacked Ian's arm while he laughed, "I said KINDA nice by the way."

Ian laughed more, wrapping his arms around his stomach, "O-Oh my God your face!" Anthony felt himself get more embarrassed as he sat back and glared at Ian, he was getting aggravated rather than amused. As Ian laughter died down, he smiled at Anthony, "Wha-What..did you think I was gonna kiss you!" He laughed again and Anthony felt his blood boil as he grabbed one of the many pillows and whacked Ian with it.

"Shut up!"

Ian still had an amused smile on his lips, "Maybe your not as straight as it seems." He waggled his eyebrows. Then stopped and blinked at Anthony, frowning, "Man, I'm just kidding, don't get all worked up." He sat up on his elbows.

Anthony realized he was panting, ever so softly, and sitting up on his knees at Ian's side. He sighed and sat back, running a hand through his hair, "Sorry.."

Ian frowned, "I'm sorry, too." He tilted his head, "That joke wasn't funny, I'll make up to you." He sat up and kneeled in front of Anthony, he put both hands on Anthony's cheeks and pursed his lips for him, "Pucker up!" Ian said pursing his own lips.

Anthony pushed Ian's face away and shook his head, "C'mon, man, if your horny just go find David, not me..."

Ian laughed and smiled at Anthony, "Sorry man, I'm just messing with you, I'll quit." He leaned down and grabbed one of his Xbox controllers, "Let's play Dead Space, we'll watch some movies later, and tomorrow we'll go out driving before I sell the old lass."

Anthony smiled slightly, taking the controller from Ian's hands, "So all it took was you hurting feelings to be able to drive again." He laughed, "I should remember that, next time I want something."

Ian bumped his shoulder into Anthony's, "Shut up and click the start button, bitch."

APIH

"Whoa! Yeah!" Ian screamed as he made a sharp turn along the dirt road, he shifted gears and sped off in the opposite direction, grinning so widely Anthony thought his face was going to break.

They got Ian's new car, and the first thing Ian did was drive up to these unpopulated dirt roads and drive like a maniac. Anthony's heart was racing with adrenaline, and he was grinning too, but he was also panicking on the inside, he wasn't use to this kind of thing. Not that that was shocking, but he truly found this scary. And he guessed that was why Ian liked doing it. The rush of fear, and enjoyment at the same time. Anthony couldn't help but to think that They were going crash, or someone was going to see them driving like this. Maybe a cop. Anthony couldn't find as much enjoyment in this as Ian did. But he wasn't going to say it was the most boring thing he'd done, and to be completely honest, the act did spring butterflies in his stomach. Ian was laughing, and screaming and making as many sharp turns as he could, driving as fast as his new car would let him.

Suddenly, he stopped the car, both of their bodies going forward with the momentum, he leaned back in his seat, grinning, "Man..." He ran his fingers along the wheel of his car, "I think I'm in love."

Anthony smiled, "Better not tell David that."

Ian's face suddenly fell, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened. Anthony couldn't tell if his expression was sad or angry, maybe a mix of both, he looked over at Anthony, "You know, last Friday, at the party. I was so angry with him...for what he did."

Anthony tiled his head, and shifted in his seat so he was facing Ian, "What? Mad at The surprise party?"

"No, not that. Not.." Ian said, and copied Anthony's pose, leaning against the driver side door, "Him telling me he loves me in front of you guys. He shouldn't have done that."

Anthony shrugged, "He probably thought it was the right time." He tried defending David lazily. He did think that it was the right time, and even though Anthony wasn't fond of the twos relationship for some reason, he even thought the moment was , well, cute. Mari did to, gushing about the whole day they were at the mall.

Ian sighed, "Yeah, he did. But he shouldn't have put me on the spot." He confessed sighing, "I don't like it, doing coupley stuff in public and with friends, It's dorky. Also, I'm gay, and not everyone is okay with the idea."

"You're friends don't care, Ian." Anthony frowned at him, "If David's you're boy-"

"I care!" Ian suddenly interrupted Anthony, "I don't like it, I don't want to be put under pressure, I don't like it." He repeated, frowning, "Something so personal shouldn't be said in a room full of people watching. Watching me for an answer, he should have took me away to another room, or-or waited, or something!" He yelled with despair in his voice, "He made me look bad, Anthony. Two years of being i-in an open relationship, I can't even call him my boyfriend without freaking out, or even say a simple I love you!"

"Calm down, Ian. You don't have to yell at me." Anthony said, with a small sigh.

Ian blinked and covered his mouth, "I was yelling..?" At Anthony's nod Ian shut his eyes and sighed, "I'm sorry, man. I just...I get worked up."

"It's not your fault, you know." Anthony said, "Not everyone can do it, you're not the only one with commitment issues." He shrugged, "It just happens to some people. I'm sure David understands."

Ian was silent for a few moments, just staring at Anthony, expression blank, "Yeah, Yeah he understands." He looked at his hands and shrugged, "It's the fact that he's so understanding and okay with everything that hurts, dude." He tightened his hands into fists, "Two years we've been seeing each other and he's only asked to be official three times. He just let's it all slide off his shoulders, and doesn't bring it up again after I blow him off. He's just...okay with everything."

Anthony frowned, tilting his head to the side, "Isn't Good that he's understanding, and gives you time, and y'know, lays off you?"

Ian shook his head, "At first, it was great. I got my time to think stuff over, take my time. But now It's like...like he doesn't care enough to fight for me. He just gave up and put me in control, I-I don't wanna be in control all the time." Ian sighed, "Sometimes I just..I want him to rough, and more forceful. To tell me that It's been two years, and-and he is my boyfriend, and that I have to accept it. I just want him to really show, and demand a relationship."

"So..wait.." Anthony looked confused, trying to process Ian's words, "You're telling me you're mad at yourself because you can't call David your boyfriend after two years, but you want him to, like, declare your 'thing' official, and make it a relationship...I don't..Wouldn't him being so forceful end badly?"

"I don't have the drive to say, 'I want to be your boyfriend'. I can't do it, it freaks me out deciding such a major thing, but I do want to call him my boyfriend, and celebrate anniversaries and all that stuff." Ian said, "But I just can't, I can't take the step by myself, and that's what David wants. He doesn't understand I need him to be a-assertive. To prove to me that he cares, a-and wants me as much as he tells me."

Ian's bottom lip suddenly stuck out and he looked into his lap, hiding his face. Anthony felt his chest clench and he sighed. Ian was so God damn emotional, it wasn't a bad thing, but it wasn't a Good thing either. It concerned Anthony, and even so, he wasn't sure what to do. Anthony moved forward and smiled some, "Ian, It's okay. David is probably worried about being hurt, and doesn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, that's how I would feel." He lifted his hand and set it on Ian's head, running his fingers through Ian's hair in a ruffle.

Ian tensed and shock back, grabbing Anthony's hand and accidentally whacking his head off the window. He groaned and dropped the taller teens hand, putting both hands over his head and massaging the sore spot. Anthony was worried at first, but he couldn't help let the chuckled from escape from his throat. Ian shot him a weak glare, "Sh-shut up!" He growled and Anthony laughed harder, "And do-don't touch my hair!"

Anthony let a goofy grin appear on his face, "Aww, Ian you're so cute." He mimicked a women's voice and raised his hand to ruffle the others hair again.

Ian swiftly moved out of the way, cheeks burning, "Anthony, I swear to God I will kill you and leave your body here to rot!"

Anthony laughed again and shook his head, "No you won't. You like me too much to kill me."

Ian frowned, "Cheeky bastard."

APIH

AN:: Compared to the last three this. Is. SHORT. HAHA, Thanks for reading, the next chapter will actually have a part in Ian's POV! It won't happen a lot, until the specials.

Speaking of specials I guess I'll explain them now. Sometime during this story I'll say that I plan on uploading a 'special chapter' instead of an actual chapters. These chapters are about Ian's past, written in his POV. Like, how he and David became a couple, the night his father left, why he has commitment issues. Things like that. I haven't decided whether to choose which ones to upload myself, or to have you guys decide. I wanted to have the first special up next week, but that's not going to happen. A lot of you guys that read the story aren't actually active with leaving reviews, so im no sure what to do. I may have a poll up. If I do, I'll let you guys know.

Anyway thanks for reading!