page 29

[green]

Mikey waits in the parking lot beside Brian's car. Brian comes out about fifteen minutes after classes let out, and smiles when he sees Mikey.

“Wasn't sure you'd be here,” Brian says.

Mikey shrugs. “Didn't feel like changing my mind.”

“You can, you know,” Brian says seriously.

“I still don't feel like it,” Mikey says, smiling this time.

Brian looks around for a second, then squeezes Mikey's hand. “In for a penny...” he says to himself, but Mikey hears him.

They get into the car and Brian drives to his place. It's a shitty apartment across town, but when they get inside, Mikey's almost surprised at how clean and neat it is.

Brian nods for Mikey to sit on the sofa and offers him a drink. “Coke okay?”

“I'm not really thirsty,” Mikey says, and takes Brian's hand, pulling him down to sit next to him.

Brian swallows audibly. He waits a few moments before asking, “Can I kiss you now?”

Mikey doesn't answer, just wraps his hand around the back of Brian's warm neck and pulls him in. The kiss is gentle and sweet, but both of them are holding back and nervous.

“I'm way too old for you, you know,” Brian says against Mikey's lips.

Mikey rolls his eyes and kisses him harder, licking along his lower lip. “I think we're just right for each other.”

Brian moves closer, seeming hesitant, and Mikey wants to laugh. It's like Brian doesn't want to do anything too fast, but what else are they here for? Mikey smiles and moves right into his lap, straddling Brian's legs.

“Comfortable?” Brian asks with a bemused look on his face.

“Yeah, I am,” Mikey says, and leans forward to take Brian's mouth again. It's deeper this time, and their tongues find each other and slick and press. Mikey sighs, content to just do this.

Brian slides his hands down Mikey's sides until they rest at his waist, pulling him closer against him. It feels good, and Mikey doesn't want it to end.

They make out like that for what seems like hours. There's some lazy rocking against each other, but neither of them are desperate. Mikey's hard, but it can wait until he goes home. Neither of them seem to want to rush things.

“What time do you have to be home?” Brian finally asks, nipping at Mikey's bottom lip.

“Six. What time is it?”

Brian looks at the clock on the cable box and says, “It's five thirty. We'd better get going.”

Mikey sighs. This has been nice. Better than nice. He doesn't want it to be over. But if he's not home on time, Gerard will ask questions and Mikey doesn't want to share this just yet. Plus, Gerard will probably disapprove of Mikey making out with someone who's practically a teacher, and Mikey will never hear the end of it.

“This was good,” Mikey says, and Brian wraps his arms around him and gives him a hug. Mikey's not expecting it, but it's nice and warm and comfortable. Brian gives good hugs.

“Maybe we can do it again sometime,” Brian says. “Tomorrow, maybe?”

“Definitely,” Mikey says, turning his head to kiss Brian's cheek. Brian smiles and kisses back, sweet and soft.

Brian drives Mikey home, and when he pulls up to Mikey's driveway, he leans over and kisses Mikey's jaw. “See you tomorrow,” he says, and Mikey nods.

“Tomorrow,” he says, and gives Brian a soft kiss.

When Mikey gets into the house, Gerard's busy watching a movie in the basement. He doesn't ask where Mikey's been, and they settle down on the sofa bed to watch The Howling together.


page 43 a few months later